LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 209, 1 November 1854, Page 5

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

On Monday morning last, between 9 and 10, a.m., the premises of Mr. Tribe, merchant, of this port, were discovered to be on fire. It would appear that the fire originated in the chimney, and from thence rapidly communicated itself to the house, in consequence of the chimney having been, as we are informed, insecurely built. Owing to the prevalence of a North-west wind, little assistance could be rendered to stay the fire, and in the space of about an hour the whole of the buildings were utterly destroyed. Fortunately, the flames were prevented from injuring materially the houses adjacent, although both the Hospital, and Mr. Gee's store, caught fire from the burning fragments which were blown, about by the wind. Mr. Tribe's household furniture, his stock-in-trade, and some bales of goods left in the store for shipment to the Plains, were asl destroyed, with the exception of some trifling articles. Neither the buildings nor stock were insured. Every assistance was eagerly rendered by the inhabitants to arrest the progress of the flames, but it must have been apparent to every one that there was a great need of some officer being present, possessing the proper authority, to direct the efforts of the people.

Aeakoa.—An inquest was held on Thursday last, at Akaroa, on the body of John Magee. The evidence shewed that the deceased, after several clays' drinking at Akaroa, started more than three weeks ago, in company with a man named Woodhams, for Long Bay, both drunk. They took with them several bottles of spirits ; they continued drinking all day and all night; the next day missed their way, and subsequently separated. Woodhams, after another day, reached Magee's house, but Magee was not found until Monday, Oct. 23rd, when his body, in" an advanced stage of decomposition, was found by Woodhams in a watercourse, which he appeared to have been following, when, overcome by intoxication, he slipped down and slept. The weather at the time was severe, with snow and hail, and he perished from cold and exhaustion. —Verdict Accidental Death. I

• To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir, —Some people pretend to be indignant at the delay of the Superintendent in not for- ~ warding the Officer Administering the Government the measure of Parliamentary Reform introduced to the Provincial Council with such evident courtesy by the hon. member for Christchurch. Let us endeavour to see what the bill is. A "Reform Bill" you have called it. An extension of tlie suffrage was the main object of Reform Bills in England. This the promoters of the Canterbury Reform Bill do not attempt — but they propose an addition to their own numbers. Now, Sir, we have already a representative for every 60 voters —tlie new measure proposes to give a representative for every 30 voters. This would excite the risibility of every Radical in England ; Chartists would hardly have dreamt of realizing such a Political Utopia. But granting our peculiar circumstances—our \vant°of a large population —warrants such a large proportion of representatives, let the measure be promoted at least in a common sense manner, and with some regard to the interests of the whole Province. The " Bill" proposes to increase the number of Representatives in the Provincial Council, the present members retaining their seats. The amount of the increase is a simple double— cent, percent., an idea, no doubt, pilfered from our storekeepers—of the members for the exiting districts. This may perhaps prove attractive to certain townships ; but its authors cannot claim credit either for consistency or for a production possessing any of the elements of durability. It only recognises districts settled at tliefirst," whereas'oilier'townships have sprung up treading close upon the heels of their enter brethren. Why withhold representatives ham Kaiapoi and Papanui ? These townships onjihc to be assigned districts, and should nave their proper representatives, and not be swamped m Ihe larger constituencies. No extension ol the number of representatives should be passed wUm-at recognising these townships. At t ie.

sent it would appear that Canterbury political terminated at Christchurch.

An error of a worse character in the new measure is the proposal to give additional representatives to Akaroa. This township with 58 voters at present returns two members, and the new bill proposes to give an additional two, so that there would be a representative for every 14£ voters registered for this township. Shades of Old Sarum, rest in peace.

The Standing Orders suspended, forsooth! to pass such an hodge-podge. Oh, ye that revel in mystic thought along the banks of the impracticable Avon, protected by friendly mountains from the busy world without—study, study, with all diligence—the political "hornbook."

Yours, &c,

One of the Mob,