LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 204, 14 October 1854, Page 4

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

PUBLIC BREAKFAST TO HIS HONOR J. E. FIT2P GERALD AND MR. SEWELL, AT THE TOWN HALL, LYTTELTO-N.

A public breakfast upon the occasion of the return home of the late ministers, aud by which it was intended to express the general approbation of the electors of the Province of the policy pursued by them in the House of Representatives during the past session, took place at the Town Hall, on Thursday last at two o'clock. It was evident how great an interest was felt in the matter; for at an early hour flags were seen flying along the beach, and as the exciting hour approached, parties from Christchurch and Kaiapoi, and even beyond, were seen toiling over the hill to give honour to whom honour was so justly due. The hall was most tastefully fitted up for the occasion ; at the upper end of the room flags had been carefully arranged, in which, of course, the Royal Standard was most conspicuous. The cross table was decorated with large bouquets of flowers ; and many delicacies of a more substantial nature were distributed about the room with the double view of gastronomical and artistic effect. The very great satisfaction expressed by many who were present bore willing testimony to the successful exertions of the acting Committee on the one hand, and to the caterers on the other, the Messrs. Gee & Co. The festivities of the evening were greatly enlivened by the voluntary exertions of several members of the Lyttelton Choral Society, under the able direction of Mr. M'Cardell. The Hall was well filled; above 100 sitting down to breakfast. The chair was filled by Captain Simeon, supported on his right by His Honor J. E. Fitz Gerald, and on his left by Mr. Sewell. Seats were provided at the same table for the members of the Provincial Council. After grace had been said by the Rev. J. Baven, the chairman rose to propose the health of Her Majesty the Queen, which was drunk with the most vociferous cheering, the company joining in " God save the Queen." Then followed the usual toasts of Prince Albert, and the rest of the Royal family, —the health of His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand—and that of His Honor the Superintendent. Loud cheering marked the cordiality with which they were received.

His Honob briefly responded to the last toast, and expressed a hope that when the time arrived that he should cease to be their superintendent, it would be found that his labours in forwarding whatever was for the good of the settlement, would entitle him to their approbation. He should strive to secure their good opinion by doing all in his power to promote their interests. The Chairman next proposed the Army and Navy, and in. a few words-alluded to the struggle in which the Western powers were engaged. In connection with this toast he would couple the names of Captain Westenra and Mr.Woollcombe, who appropriately responded. g on g—by Mr. Allwright—" Mighty Czar." The.Chairman then rose and said that the next toasts in his list were what might be called the toasts of the day, and first came the name of one who was, he honestly believed, dear to them all, for the manly and dignified part he had taken in.the assertion of a straightforward principle. He meant His Honor J. B. Fitz Gerald (loud cheers). It would be idle to at- . tempt to dwell upon what Mr. Fitz Gerald had done for them. Ever since his arrival in the colony, he had laboured zealously for its benefit. He could say much, but he felt a delicacy in doing so in the presence of their guest. He could not refrain from taking a cursory glance at Mr. Fitz Gerald's political career since his election as their representative. Capt. Simeon, in a very amusing speech, alluded to some of the leading features in the recent events at Auckland, and concluded by proposing the health of his Honor J. E. Fitz Gerald, with three times three. The meeting rose and received the toast with the most deafening cheers. As soon as silence had been restored, His Honor rose. He said it was a difficult task for him to reply to a toast so proposed and so received ; he would not even attempt to express how deeply sensible he was of the kindness which had been shewn to him. Meetings like those he had the honor of attending were indeed significant, and it was a happy circumstance that in the btrife of political warfare, the amenities of life were permitted to enter; it was a custom he hoped never to see abandoned, and he could assure them there was nothing in life half so precious, as the approbatiou of those they had attempted to serye. If to politicians generally such events as these were grateful events, ten times more so were they to men who had fallen from power. It was no new thing for the great public to throw up their hats and rejoice over attainment of power, but it required that there should be a deep and indeed a strongly exciting cause for such displays when men have fallen from it. It required no other evidence that the cause was one in which the public sympathised. His Honor took a review of the proceedings which had occurred at AuckJ land, the substance of which being essentially i similar in its character to the report we furI nished of the meeting on Monday, it is unneI cessary to reproduce the arguments more fully | now. He alluded to the caveful and studied I misrepresentations of the Wakefield party, parI ticularly drawing attention to the reiteration on I the part of Mr. G. Wakefield of the old cry— | Do you mean to say that His Excellency the | Governor told a lie ? This was the case on || Monday, when, in alluding to message 25, ex- || ception was taken to statements it contained. ||Il was the practice of Mr. Gibbon Wakefield gland of the son too, to make use of His .ExcelSlency's personal character and honour as a shield Ipto protect himself from the treatment which he ifdeserved. The strong language which was expcited by this perversion of truth and principle, Bvrhich had so frequently been made use of, §§| was by this means attempted to be held up to |||public notice, as a reflection upon his Excellen|j|cy: this course was, however, characteristic of Ipthe men ; it was, he thought, a species of hal|j|lucination peculiar to Wakefieldism, and a furj|ther evidence might be taken from the fact that She had heard it rumoured that Mr. E. J. Wakejpield was*positively trying to make people bejjpieve that he had not a fair hearing in this hall ifes. Monday night (loud derisive cheers and ggro:ins). He would, however, pass from a subRject of which they must, for Mr. Wukefield's jiysake, be heartily ashamed. The question of Bperhaps the most absorbing interest to them jjwas the Land question. He could not fail in ||his recent visits to the other provinces to mark jjipne striking peculiarity in this, in reference to |j|ts Waste Lands ; —its boundless wealth as jjcompared with others. Wellington was very

mountainous and most heavily timbered. It had, of coarse, other sources of wealth, but ours was especially land. At Nelson they are in a similar position. There was the Wairau, an undoubtedly rich tract of country, but it was 6O miles away from the town and no road. There was a long water communication and two shipments. Nearly the whole of this large tract of land was in the hands of squatters, purchased at ss, an acre under the Land Regulations of Sir G. Grey; and so far from the working man benefiting by this low price, it was Well known that the greatest portions of it had been bought up by larg-e holders, and that they were now virtually excluded, while many of these holders were also absentees. AtTaranaki the Waste Lands had been nearly exhausted by the natives—nor did he think any more could be purchased of them at ss. an acre. (Mr. Boys—The survey would cost 2s. an acre.) At Auckland there were yet unsettled land claims, left by Governor Fitzroy. So little has been done, and so injudicious what has been done there in the acquirement of land, that the native right abuts upon tlie town of Auckland, within about Uof a mile of it. Their position is peculiarly remarkable contrasted with this settlement. It seemed to him that their lands had been jobbed away most recklessly to land speculators, the great evil undoubtedly originating in the unbounded sales of the New Zealand Company, the men who, according to Mr. Wakefield —once its chief adviser—were men of small souls and rapacious pockets. Here again you meet with the constant objection from working men that the vast proportion in the hands of absentees prevents their becoming holders of any portion of land unless at a large price. He had not seen Otago, but from all the accounts he had received he believed it was in many respects to be compared with, this settlement. With this immense mine of wealth lying in our plains, it depended upon themselves whether this Province became the capital of New Zealand or not; we had a large tract of available land undisposed of, and it seemed as though Providence had placed this power in their hands ; it was most important they should be careful in the use of it, and that they should prevent any jobbing away. His Honor proceeded to draw attention to the position of the General Assembly at Auckland, contrasting it with the Provincial Councils. He said a great mistake had undoubtedly been made in allowing the Provincial Governments to meet before the General Assembly—he believed that there would be found to be a better form of government in the Provincial Assemblies, and the Constitution Act would by them be more fully developed. There was one point in particular iv which the Provincial Government would act better tb.au the General Government. They lived in a colony in which but few had as yet acquired independence, and therefore it was that we occasionally saw instances of men who had no other occupation making politics a trade for their amusement ; attached to this class was one noted for his larg-e powers of mind and his unscrupulousness of character—he meant, of course, Mr. Wakefield. He remembered when they proposed to vote supplies for the yaar, it was objected to by Mr. Wakefield, who thought we might do so for a few months, and then meet again; but Mr. Revans—a gentleman of a facetious nature, but of staunch principles, and possessing a large fund of information which he never failed to bring: bear upon all questions before us—got up and said, " the Aict was it was evident there were but two gentlemen- present— although we were all honourable gentlemen— but there were two, jVTr. Wakefield and his son, who had nothing else to do." There were but few who, from the pressure of other claims upon them, could afford to sacrifice the time required to go up to Auckland to legislate. The demands of private life stood in llieir way and gave an immense advantage to the mere political trader. This might be an evil attendant upon j free institutions, but it belonged to the peculiar circumstances in which they were placed; the doors were of course open to all, and it was only the strong sense of the people that kept them in check. It was not so in their Provincial Councils They should carefully guard against false reports both of individuals and newspapers. It amused him to hear Mr. Wakefield complaining of the reports in the Lyttelton Times, and in a fit of purity, attacking it somewhat virulently. It was notorious that the reports in the'iVew Zealander were under Mr. E. J. Wakefield's direction, and hence the attacks upon individuals opposed to

their policy. This system was particularly remarkable. There were full reports of all Mr. Wakefield's speeches until he got into office-— since then Mr. Wakefield had never reported any of his father's speeches. Mr. Fitz Gerald concluded a speech of some length, which was listened to 'with great attention, by saying that, notwithstanding the vote of confidence they had come to, he earnestly hoped to be relieved from the responsible duty ; yet, if he was called upon to become their representative, he would return to Auckland, and again exert himself in the hope of doing a larger amount of good for the colony than had hitherto been done. Glee.—" Long may life and health be spared him."

Mr. Spowebs proposed the health of Mr. Sewell and his colleague, Mr. Weld. Mr.Sewell had shewn an example of aptitude in debate, and few men had proved themselves better qualified for Government He was sure that the meeting did not share in the unjust attacks which had been made upon him in his absence. He believed they were as unjust as they were ungenerous. He called upon them to do honour to the toast, " the healths of Mr. Sewell and Mr. Weld."

Mr. SbweMi rose amidst very loud^ ancQlong continued cheering to acknowledge the honor they had shewn to himself and to his friend Mr. Weld. He would first say of Mr. Weld, that when he had the pleasure to form his acquaintance he found in him a man of the highest character and honor, and of great promise for the future. It was not his intention to hare noticed Xhe irritating topics which had been alluded to by Mr. Spowers. but as reference had been made to them, he could only say, that deeply as he deplored them he should not allow these opinions to interfere with him in the discharge of his duty, or to influence him in his personal intercourse with the gentlemen who had been advised to pursue the course they had adopted. He felt deeply grateful for the reception they had met with ; it was, he felt, a testimony more of approval of their conduct as ministers than as representatives. An opportunity would soon be afforded him of rendering up to his constituents a full account of t the manner in which he had discharged his duty in that capacity. Mr. Sewell then proceeded to comment upon the conduct of Sir G. Grey, iv leaving the government of the colony to a temporary officer, upon whom would devolve the duty of meeting the General Assembly. He did not think that much blame was r to be attached to Colonel Wynyard, who had done as much as could be expected of him. The whole blame, and the delay of the permanent establishment of the principle of Responsible Government, was solely to be attached to Sir G. Grey, who deserted his post, when he felt he could no'longer delay calling the Assembly together, well knowing that the resignations of all the old officers must ensue (hear, hear). He alluded to the circumstances which had interfered with the policy of the Government, and took a review of the several elements which so seriously interrupted the beneficial working of the Constitution Act, and dwelt some time upon the advantages of the General Government. He felt much satisfaction at the result of the late meeting of Mr. Fitz Gerald's constituents. He thought that it was an absurd notion to suppose there was any incompatibility between the office of Superintendent of a Province, and a member of the General Assembly. He was of opinion that much good would have arisen from the addition to the General Assembly of the Superintendents of all tbe Provinces, and it had afforded him great satisfaction to observe the interest with which the Superintendents of other provinces hud watched over, and the activity and useful part they had taken in all the proceedings of the Government. He proceeded to comment in very amusing1 terms upon the selfish views of some of the leading people at Auckland in reference to their fancied claims of priority ; and of the contempt with which they seemed to look down upon the Southern districts : and then alluded to Mr. Wakefield's proposed schemes to give Auckland so great a preponderance, in its representative power. Mr. Sewell again spoke of the scene in the House which characterised the closing proceedings of die first Session, and which was fully reported in our last: touching incidentally upon the subject, he was called upon-to relate the whole affair over again, which he did amidst considerably laughter. His speech was frequently interrupted with loud cheering. Glee....Hail smiling morn.

Mr. Cass rose to propose the healths of Mr. Wovtiey and Mr. Moorhouse, and the independent majority of the House of Representatives, and took the opportunity to read a letter he had recived from Mr. Moorhouse regretting his unavoidable absence. Some apprehension had been felt at his (Mr. Moorhouse's) absence from the meeting of the General Assembly. Mr. Moorhouse as soon as he received intelligence of its meeting, returned back from Australia, and was found working assiduously on the right side, and in common with Mr.Wortley had consistently laboured in the assertion of a responsible form of Government. (The toast was drank with loud cheers.)

Mr. Dampibr begged to add his testimony in support of what had been said of his friend Mr. Moorhouse. Mr. Dampier added that as he had been one of His Honor's opponents at the time of his election, he felt some explanation was due to account for his presence at that feast. He had listened most attentively to the explanations Mr. Fitz Gerald had given tbem at the meeting on Monday night, and he felt they were highly satisfactory. It was not a one-sided statement of the case. They had both sides fully represented. It was his intention to have addressed that meeting, but he felt that its patience must have been almost exhausted by listening to Mr. Wakefield's string of notes and commentaries which were of a most unsatisfactory kind : had he been enabled to do so, he should have declared that he now placed confidence in the hon. gentleman they had assembled to honor, and itgave him great pleasure by his presence at that feast to record with his constituents the high sense which the Town of Lyttelton and the Province at large entertained towards him.

The Chairman then proposed the health of Messrs. Bell and Ba.rt.ley, and the Minority of the Legislative Assembly.

His Honor J. E. Fitz Geeald, rose to bear testimony to the valuable assistance they had received from Mr. Bartley: his great age rendered these exertions remarkable. He disapproved of Nominee Assemblies, but he was bound to say that the course the Legislative Assembly pursued in reference to a Responsible system was satisfactory. They had cordially supported them in their efforts to pass the Waste Lands' Bill.

Glee.—'

■" For the woods at morn I yearn."

The Chairman then rose to propose the health of Mr. Godley (loud cheers). He felt quite sure they would do honor to that name. He was an old and tried friend, and it was a satisfaction to know that he was still serving the colony, in the capacity of their respected and confidential agent (loud cheers.)

Glee—" Should auld acquaintance be forgot." Mr. Spowbrs proposed the health of the members of the Provincial Council. He believed the Council of this Province would bear comparison with all others in the colony. In connection with the toast he would mention the name of the Speaker of the Council.

Capt. Simeon rose to return thanks on behalf of the Council, and for the honourable mention of his name in connection with it. He could bear testimony to the independent course which distinguished all its members, and he believed they had cordially united in their endeaTour to promote the best interests of the Province. Their votes were perfectly free from party influences. Enlargement was a matter of great interest to the settlement at this moment. The people had given their opinion upon the subject, and he believed that the voice of the people, when properly expressed, should be permitted to prevail.

Mr. Cass then rose to propose the health of the Ladies (loud cheers). Mr. Hamilton" replied in a few appropriate words.

Mr. Davis proposed the healths of Dr. Feathcrston, and Messrs. Lyon and Waitt; he paid a high compliment to Dr. Featherston, whose labours in the cause of responsible government had been unceasing. It was an occasion they could not overlook; they had present with them two. consistent meinbers'of the Wellington Provincial Council, and he felt sure they would, when next they went up to Wellington, bear testimony to the sense of gratitude we 'entertained to that gentleman for his single-minded and thoroughly honest exertions in our behalf.

Mr. Lyon and Mr. Waitt briefly acknowledged the toast.

His Honor J. E, Fitz Gerald rose and said he could not ailow the remarks, they had heard fall from Mr. Davis in reference to the great

service which had been rendered to the cause of Representative Institutions by Dr. Featherstone without expressing his cordial approval of what had been said. He really believed there was no man in New Zealand who had more zealously applied himself in the promotion of the interest of the colony than he had done, and he feared to an extent that was seriously injurious to his health (loud cheers).

Mr. BiiAKisxON' proposed the health oi' the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, which being responded to by Captain Simeon, the meeting separated, highly delighted with the entertainment,

Lyttet/ton Colonists' Society.—A special General Meeting of the above Society was held in the Town Hall, Lyltelton, on Thursday evening last, to receive a communication from His Honor J» E. Frrz Gerald. The Chairman, (Mr. Spoweus), opened the business of the meeting by reading the following letter:—

Lyttelton, Oct. 6ih, 1854,

Sir, —I beg to place in your hands the enclosed cheque (for £116), which I received as payment of my expenses as a'member of the House of Representatives. As I deem my own services already sufficiently remunerated, I only drew this sum for the purpose ot placing it at the disposal of my constituents for the service of Lyttelton. I beg you will present it to the Colonists' Society, by whom I hope it will be turned to the most profitable account for the inhabitants of Lyttelton. I do not wish to dictate to the Society in any way how this money should be spent, but I should feel additional pleasure in making this donation if the money were devoted to some permanent work, such for example as that of founding a library for the town's people.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant, James. Edward Fitz Gerald, Member for Lyttelton iv the General Assembly.

Jas. Spowers, Esq,

Upon the motion of Dr. Donald, seconded by Mr. Turnbcll, it was resolved, " That the letter just read be entered on the Minutes of the Society."

Moved by Dr. Donald, and seconded by the Rev. G. Cotterill,

" That Mr. Spowers be requested to convey the thanks of the Colonists' Society to Mr. Fitz Gerald for his munificent gift of .£116."

Moved by Mr. Fyfe, and seconded by Mr, Porter:—

(t The Society adopt with pleasure Mr Fitz Gerald's recommendation to devote the money to the purchase of Books, and hereby resolve, That the Books so purchased be placed in a separate compartment under the title of the Fitz Gerald Library."

Mr. AixwRiGHT theu proposed, "That a Committee consisting of Rev. Mr. Cotterill, Dr. Donald, and Mr. Alport, be appointed to confer with Mr. Fitz Gerald as to the expenditure of the money, and to report on the books it would be desirable to purchase," which being seconded by Mr. Willcox, was unanimously adopted.

Choral Society.—The Anniversary Festival of this Society was held in the Town Hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday the sth. instant. There was a numerous assembling, the company consisting both of the working and honorary members of the Society, besides several visitors. The supper wasnnder the directionofMessrs.Gee. After the usual toasts had been honoured, dancing was commenced, and was kept up with great spirit for some hours. During the evening several pieces were sung by the members of the Class. We give the following from a Report of the Society read at the meeting by the Chairman, Mr. M'Cardell :—

" As a public body you are now, two years old. On the sth October, 1852, the Society held its first meeting;, at which there were present 11 persons, ami of those only three had had any previous instruction or practice in vocal music, (which was also the case with the majority of those who entered the Society), and therefore had to be taught the first principles of music, for which purpose a class had been established. During the first six months scarcely anything was done towards advancement, but after this period the progress, made was so marked that in .January 1854 the whole merged into one class which was solely for the practice of conceited music. A very humble attempt at a Concert

was made on the occasion of Mr. Godley's leaving the settlement in December '52, but nothing really public was attempted till May 31st, 1853*, when the first Public Concert was held in the Barracks now used as the Church. Since then Concerts have been given at intervals as nearly regular as circumstances would permit, and it is the intention of the Committee to give at least four Concerts in every year from the present time. The property of the Society, cousisting of manuscript music, music books, stand, and other furniture, may be valued at not less than £25, which, with a balance in the hands of the Treasurer to this date, of £20 ]7s. 3d., makes the Society hold a position to which it was little expected it would ever attain. It may be added that there is also a sum of money in hand towards the purchase of a Pianoforte, which is very much wanted, to the amount of £16 175., there is upwards of £30 promised, and a further sum will be raised for the purpose by a special concert at some future lime.

In conclusion, it is the earnest wish of the Committee that whatever may be the future prosperity of the Society—however large may be the accession to ils members, and however great they may become as a Musical Society— that they will always cultivate that harmony of feeling which has characterized them from their birth as a Society ; and when it is remembered that a great deal of the drudgery of learning has been gone through, with steady practice, it is not doubted but that you may attain to as great an eminence as any similar Society in the South Seas, or even of many of the Provincial Towns in England : of course your resources are infinitely less and your circumstances totally different, but remember, in proportion to your exertions individually, and co-operation as a body, will be your existence as a Society.

It is earnestly hoped that public opinion will always assist you with its full and deeptoned accompaniment of approbation, and that you may always strive to deserve it as much as you have hitherto done."