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Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 108, 29 January 1853, Page 6

On Monday night the Government Offices were broken into and an attempt made to rob the Treasury Chest. The lock of the fire-proof Safe in which it is lodged was forced, and the chest hauled out into the middle of the Police Office. The Policeman on duty, returning from his rounds after the usual inspection of the Offices, heard a whistle, and saw either two or three men making off from them; on going up he found the window of the Police Office open, and the chest as above mentioned, but unopened. The Burglars were evidently disturbed when on ■the point of completing their intention of Checking^the Treasurer's Cash Balance. The night being wet and stormy was well chosen for the attempt, and prevented the men being followed or their footsteps traced. A reward of £20 has been offered by the Authorities, which we hope will have the effect of discovering the guilty parties and bringing them to punishment.

The Gold explorers have returned and unsuccessful. We understand, however, that instead of seeking for Gold, they employed their time in hunting after Mr. Cook, a Jew, with whom, it is said, lies the knowledge of the whereabouts of the golden regions. Mr. Cook was run to earth and captured, and this success seems to have satisfied the'explorers. The Jew still asserts that he knows where Gold is to be found, and is prepared to give the requisite information if a reward of £100 is guaranteed to him for the discovery, A meeting will be held, we are informed, on Tuesday Evening, at Christchurch, to take Mr. Cook's proposal into consideration. In offering a reward for the discovery of an available gold field, Canterbury will be but following the example of Auckland, Wellington, and Taranaki.

A deputation having recently waited upon Sir George Grey, in answer to a question put as to when the Provincial Councils would be able to meet for despatch of business, and if they would have any funds to deal with previous to the .assembling of-the House of Representatives,—His Excellency replied that there was no reason why they should not meet within three months. The election of Superintendents would take place as soon as possible, and the calling together of the Provincial Councils would then depend upon them. As to the funds that would

he at their disposal he thought that would not depend upon the previous meeting of the House of Representatives ; but as he had not seen the bill till a few days previously, he was not able as yet to give a decided opinion upon it." From this we may infer that we shall be soon called upon to elect our Superintendent.