The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 111, 19 February 1853, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times.

February 19, 1853. We publish to day a long and interesting letter from Mr. E. Gibbon Wakefield in reply to the expression of thanks conveyed to him, in common with Sir J. Pakington and other friends of New Zealand, for the services rendered in procuring a Constitu* tion for these Islands. Mr. Wakefield expresses his sense of this mark of good-will in suitable and appropriate terms. It is

gratifying to find that his expectations with

respect to the advancement of the Settle- {' '■ ment have been more than realised; the physical nature of the country and the progress made by the colonists excite his admiration and draw forth a warm panegyric, which we the more value as it emanates from a gentleman who has had extensive practical experience in connection with colonies. Mr. Wakefield avails himself of the opportunity to remove certain erroneous opinions current with respect to the new Constitution, which he considers is not appreciated as it should be, and falls short of the estimate formed of it by Statesmen in England. This. objection will soon be tested ,and the colonists have ample opportunity jof proving its merits so soon as it comes into active play. Then, and not till then, can a fair judgment be awarded. The portion, however, of Mr. Wakefield's letter which will create the most interest is that referring to the Canterbury Association. It is not too much to say that it is the engrossing topic of conversation, and the anxiety which has arisen, is mainly attributable to the ignorance which exists with respect to the Association's future proceedings. We alluded last week to the rumours current with respect to the reserved lands, which we were in hopes would have been cleared up by some explanation from those who are supposed to represent the Committee of Management. None has, however, yet been given, but a correspondent has addressed us a long letter on the subject which we particularly recommend to the notice of our readers; The acting members of the Association may think that injustice is done them by their proceedings being questioned, and no doubt there is much attributed to them for which they are not answeralsle ; but the public are hardly to blame for this; where there is secrecy there must necessarily be suspicion and distrust, and the only way to remove it is by giving a clear and straightforward statement of facts. Mr. Wakefield says it is not his "business to explain the truth ; but that if the truth were told it would at once correct the erroneous impressions prevailing with respect to the policy and conduct of the "Association in their relations with the Settlement. We are rejoiced to hear this, and look to having all unnecessary mystery soon cleared up. A great undertaking has been accomplished—the nucleus of a great Settlement founded. All praise and honour are due to those by whose vigorous instrumentality it has been carried out. Let not a great achievement be marred by distrust, but rather let an undertaking, commenced with enthusiasm and carried on with faith and hope, end, as it should, with harmony and confidence. There is but one way to accomplish this; let secrecy and mystery be discarded ; let the Association openly state what is their present position and what are «j their intentions; and sure we are that any errors they may have committed (and errors are inseparable from so great an undertaking) will be judged with fairness and equity. Such a proceeding is due to ths colonists, and we look forward to its speedy consummation.

We have been looking forward with considerable interest for the statistics of the Canterbury Settlement which the Colonist Society of Christchurch had taken in hand, requesting the co-operation of the Public to afford every needful information. Two months and upwards have elapsed, and no report have yet been made public. It is extremely desirable that an accurate account of the state and probable yield of the crops, should be ascertained, as there are very general reports that a good deal of smut exist in the wheat; we.hope, therefore, that all who have it in their power to give the requisite information will take the trouble to do so. Individuals complain of the want of this information, but we invariably find that those who grumble the most are precisely those who take the least trouble to further and aid any necessary enquiry. Our columns are invariably open for " any matters of local and general interest," but this notification, from being continually before the public eye, is practically ignored, and but few take the trouble to communicate anything. The exception, and not the rule, holds good. Joseph Loder was yesterday brought up before the Resident Magistrate on a charge of sheep-stealing. The case was remanded till Monday, and therefore we postpone the particulars of the examination. Sheep robberies have been of frequent occurrence of late, and several parties have been long suspected ; but hitherto they have escaped detection. The following extract from the Oiago Witness possesses considerable interest, and we recommend it to the notice of the Canterbury public. What holds good with respect to Otago, will equally so here, and we see no reason why steps should not be taken to introduce spinning and weaving into Canterbury. The Witness says— " We have much pleasure in calling the attention of the public to the announcement of Mr. Barr that he will be prepared to commence weaving immediately after, harvest ; and we trust there will be no want of yarn. Spinning wheels have been manufactured in the colony, and can be obtained in Dnnedin. We are informed that a purchase of wool at Is. 3d.-per lb. has been made for the purpose of manufacture in the colony ; at any rate there can be no difficulty in obtaining wool; and why should we be paying long prices for many imported articles manufactured for sale, and not for use, when we can make a better and cheaper article for ourselves. In the few instances in which we have seen yarn made in the settlement from colonial wool, it has been of superior quality., and when woven into the coarser kinds of clothing would command a ready sale. There is a large number of our population who have all their lives been accustomed to spin ; they should not neglect so useful an employment here, so that " once again we may hear ths burr of Scotland's spinning-wheel."

In the English Journals we notice the following extract from a letter from Mr. Blenkey, ice-master on board the " Terror," addressed to his wife so far back as 1845. It holds out a hope that Sir John Franklin and his' gallant companions may yet be spared to return to their native land. The veracity of the extract is vouched for by a respectable firm in London. " < Disco Island,? July 12, 1845. " ' The seasou is very open, much such an one as when we came out with Captain Boss ; we are all in good health and spirits; one and all appear to be of the same determination— that is, to persevere in making' the north-west passage. If we are not home in the fall of '48, or early in the spring of '49, you may anticipate we have made a passage, or likely to do so ; and if so, we may be away from five to six years (it might be into the seventh) ; and should it be so, do not allow any person to dishearten you on the length of our absence, but look forward with hope that Providence will at last restore us to you."

The project for steam to Australia via Panama and the Pacific, touching at New Zealandj is favourably progressing, and in about a year powerful screw ships will have been placed on the station. The Australasian Pacific Mail Steam Company, recently incorporated by royal charter, has contracted for the immediate construction of five iron screw ships of 1,500 tons burden, and 300 horse power. These ships will be of iron. Mr. Napier, of Glasgow, is building two ; Messrs. Caird, of Greenock, one ; Messrs. Reid, of Glasgow, one ; and Messrs. Miller, of London, one. The first vessel is to be ready in nine months, and will at once be despatched as a pioneer ship. The communication each way will be monthly, and the Australasian Company's ships will run in correspondence with the West India mail steamers from Chagres to Southampton. The highest possible rate of speed has been the only condition imposed on the contractors. It is anticipated that Sydney will be reached in fifty-five days from Southampton. The only drawback to this line will be the high charges of the West India steamers, but these we trust will be favourably modified, or the Australasian Company will have to lay on ships in the Atlantic also. The project is a great one, but we have no fears as to its complete snecess.— Australian and New Zealand Gazette. Potatoe and Grape Blight.—The potatoe disease is very general in Europe, but it is too early yet to form an estimate of the probable amount of damage from this cause; on the other hand, the yield is abundant. The grape blight, which occasioned so much alarm in Italy last year has almostdestroyed the vintage in Madeira, has appeared both in France and Germany, and has been heard of even amongst us, where it has, in several instances, attacked our out-door vines. We do not hear that it has as yet penetrated under glass. The re-appearance of the cholera in Europe, and tbese perpetually recurring blights, might almost lead to the conclusion that the world is on the eve of one of those ages of pestilence which history teaches have been of periodical occurrence, but which it was thought the generally improved condition of our population had guarded against for the future. This at least we may be well assured of, that the higher the standard of moral and physical wellbeing among us, the more confidently may we await the approach of pestilence or any other chastisement it may please the Almighty to visit us with.— Guardian. A Pen and Tnk Portrait op Louis Napoleon.—Victor Hugo, in his fierce attack upon the French President, which he has entitled " Napoleon the Little," gives the following portrait of the Prince-.—"Louis Bonaparte is a man of middle height, cold, pale, slow in his movements, having the air of a person not quite awake. He has published a tolerable treatise on artillery, and is thought to be acquainted with the maiiceim-ing of cannon. He is a good horseman. He speaks drawlingly, with a slight German accent. His histrionic abilities were displayed at the Egflinton Tournament. He has* a thick moustache, covering his smile like that of the Duke d'Artois, and a dull eye likethat of Charles the Ninth. Judging of him apart from what he calls 'his necessary acts,' or 'his grand acts,' he is a vulgar commonplace personage, puerile, theatrical, and vain. The persons who are invited to St. Cloud in the summer receive with the invitation an order to bring a morning toilette and an evening toilette. He loves finery, trinkery, feathers, embroidery, spangles, grand words, and grand titles—the sounding, the glittering-, all the of power. He cares little about being despised; he contents himself with the appearance of respect. This man would tarnish the background of history; he absolutely sullies its foreground. Europe smiled when, thinking of Hayti^she saw this white Soulouque appear. But, there is now in Europe, in every understanding mind, abroad as at home, a profound stupor, a feeling1, as it were, of personal insult; for the European continent, whether it will or no, is a bound guarantee for France, and that which abuses France humiliates Europe. Before the 2ud of December the leaders of the right used habitually to say of Louis Bonaparte, 'tis an idiot. They were mistaken. Questionless, that brain of his is purtiirbi'd, and has large gaps in it. but you can discern here and the Ye in it thoughts consecutive ami concatenate. 'Tis a book whence pages have been torn."