The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 182, 1 July 1854, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times.

July I, 1854. The place at which the future meetings of the General Assembly of New Zealand shall be held, is a question of all-absorbing interest to the Southern Provinces, and one which is sure to be hotly debated in the first Session. At such a time the individual vote of each Southern member must necessarily attain to the highest importance, however slight the influence he may ordinarily command in either Hnuse. So far from being final, the struggle which shall result in a decision adverse to the interests of the larger portion of New Zealand, will, as surely as each Session comes round, be renewed with a redoubled energy. Nor will il, cease until some central position, more generally accessible from all parts than Auckland is, be fixed upon as the place of meeting of the General Assembly, and, thence necessarily, as the seat of Government. Holding these, as we believe, generally received views, we feel compelled to animadvert in terms of the strongest censure upon the conduct of those members who, by deserting their colleagues, have imperilled the rightful and speedy settlement of a question so important. The unexplained absence of one member, and the resignations of two others withheld until the latest moment, we can only view as a flagrant breach of a confidence frankly accorded by constituencies who, exacting no pledge, trusted in the faithful fulfilment of the contract by which their Representatives had confidently bound themselves in all. honor to attend at the first Session. The reasons for the absence of the member for Akaroa remain still unofficially explained to his constituency. Two members of the Nelson Province have forwarded their resignations, one of which was sent in just as the steamer was on the point of leaving Nelson. Three votes thus become lost to the Southern members. In a House <*' some three dozen we need not explain how important an influence one-twelfth of its number will exercise over itsdecisions.

We regret deeply that we should have thus to pronounce an opinion upon the course pursued by that one of the three members referred to, whose proceedings in the House we should naturally have watched with chiefest interest. If any explanation is to be*offered on his behalf, we hope, for the sake of one well known among us, these remarks will not be permitted to pass sub silentio. Upon good cause shewn we shall be prepared with an apology which we trust may be as freely accepted as it will be freely given. But we doubt whether the constituency, towards whom a certain want of courtesy and consideration has been shewn, will very readily forgive a silence that to most of them will appear the more unpardonable when contrasted with the public explanations of the two Nelson members.

A letter will be found in our columns this day which will be of very great interest to the members of the Church of England in this Settlement. It is addressed by Mr. Gell to Mr. Sewell, and is dated 30th Sept., 1852. That the contents of this letter ought, long ago, to have been made known to the colonists, there can be barely room for doubt. Considered along with the direct charge of concealment, which the Bishop's Commissary brings against Mr. Sewell, that gentleman must for the present remain open to the gravest accusations from the Canterbury Colonists. Accusations such as, we fear, he will have the greatest difficulty in repelling to their satisfaction. Such at least is our impression from any information we can glean on the subject. We are too much in the dark at present to speak positively. We do not wish to prejudge such a question, or to approach it with haste or precipitancy, the more so as Mr. Sewell will very shortly be here to answer for himself. Ere long the truth must come out.

We transfer to our columns this week from the New Zealand Government Gazette the Instructions under the Sign Manual forwarded to Sir George Grey with the Constitution Act, and alluded to in our leading article of last week. Their publication removes the last shadow of apology for the conduct of His Excellency in not calling together the General Assembly.

After our recent remarks on the subject of controversial discussions carried on in the columns of a newspaper, we feel bound to assign a reason for giving insertion to the letter signed by Mr. Thomson. In the first place, then, it is authenticated by the true name of the writer, who, of course, becomes solely responsible for his subject-matter. In the next, it professes correctly to state facts, which it would appear also from another correspondent (whose authority we cannot question) have been mis-stated. It is on this latter reason, however, that we rest our justification for a course which may not at first sight appear strictly impartial.

Three short years have hardly yet passed away since the pr.inful task devolved upon us of recording a loss in the person of Mr. "W. Deans, which deeply affected the whole community of our then infant settlement. To almost every one of the first body of Canterbury Colonists, Mr. William Deans was personally known, by all of them highly -'"espected. Few amongst them indeed there are who have not had cause to preserve a grateful recollection of many a hospitable reception, much serviceable information unreservedly given by^the two brothers who at •Riccarton first commenced the arduous task of colonizing the Canterbury plains.

In but a slight degree less known to our now numerous band of settlers, but not less universally respected and esteemed by them, Mr. John Deans has been summoned from among us. On the 23rd instant after many months illness, he died of consumption, brought on originally by a violent cold caught when crossing the Isthmus of Panama. If energy and perseverance, rewarded by success, can exercise an influence to lead others on in the road to prosperity and independence, then neither John nor William Deans have lived in vain. They whose example have encouraged the struggling and cheered the fainthearted on to renewed hope and to exertion not unavailing at last, have accomplished one part of the mission each of us is sent here to fulfil—to help his fellow-man. But for the assurance which the visible results of the Messrs. Dean's industry at first gave of that prosperity which now surrounds them, the majority of the early * pilgrims ' would soon have left the settlement, dispirited and in disgust. And the Province would at this day be very far indeed in arrear of that flourishing condition which already bespeaks for it the third rank among the settlements of New Zealand. For those who thus contributed to produce them, such material benefits deserve and demand that lasting record, 'are peremiius,' which should be found in the lively and grateful remembrance of the settlers. We hope that the names of the Brothers Deans, may ever occupy a place in the history of Canterbury as prominent as that which their memory now fills in the hearts of many deeply attached friends, and of numerous acquaintances from among all classes in the Province.

We regret that the hopes we expressed last week of the safety of the parties in the " Sons of the Thames " when she upset, have not been realized. A correspondent from Akaroa writes, " As fat as I can learn, the following are the only particulars known respecting the unfortunate boat' Sons of the Thames.' On Sunday week the 18th, she was spoken by the ' Flirt,' (which was going out of Akaroa,) inside the heads. Shortly before the squall came on, about noon, the two vessels were seen, one inside, at a place called ' Dan Roger's Bay,' and the other outside the heads, by two persons who were coming from the top of the hills on the other side of the harbour. Suddenly they saw the squall strike the vessel which was inside the heads, and they thought she was lowering her sails ; but she must have capsized, for she entirely disappeared. On Monday a boat's crew endeavoured to go down to the heads to see if they could find any traces of her, but it was blowing too strong. On Tuesday they went down, and found the surf covered with pieces of wood and floating wreck, in ' Dan Roger's Bay/ but the sea was running so high that they could only, with the greatest difficulty, secure two pieces of plank ; these appear to have formed part of her bow lining. Another boat has been down to-day, [Wednesday,] but nothing at all is to be seen. Two men are supposed to be lost, Thomas Shepherd and Jerry Shingleton." The "Akhbar" will leave this week; she has about 50 spars and 150 cords of firewood on board.

" City of Chbistchukch" Lodge of Qjod-Felloavs, m.tj. — i lie anniversary dinner of the above excellent Order took place on Tuesday evening last, at their hall, near the Royal Hotel. The chair was taken by Mr. T. Abrams, G.M. Above 50 members sat down to most excellent dinner, provided by Mr. Stewart of the Royal Hotel. The usual toasts were duly honored; and the company separated at an early hour.