Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 422, 19 November 1856, Page 8

Local Intelligence.

A Pubhc Meeting having been adA-ertised to take place at the Town Hall, Lyttelton, on Saturday evening last, to take into consideration certain resolutions relating to the Road question between Christchurch and Lyttelton, at the time appointed, a- numerous "and highly respectable company., assembled. "We should think that about 150 persons were present, among whom we noticed several members of the Provincial Council. Mr. Davis having been voted to the chair, the following resolutions were passed. Ist. Moved by Mr. A. J. Alport, seconded by Mr. Hargreaves. " That this meeting desires to express its deep regret that so little progress has been made in opening a direct and available road between the Portland the Plains, mere especially taking into consideration, that six years have nearly elapsed since the arrival of the first body of emigrants." 2nd. Moved by Mr. C. Ward, seconded by Mr R. Latter. " That this meeting deems it essentially necessary that the present Bridle Path should, as a provisional way, he widened, altered, and improved, and that a moderate sum of money should at once be voted by the Provincial Council, to carry out so desirable a work, without further delay." 3rd. Moved Mr. H. £. Alport, seconded by Mr. McCardell. "That this Meeting desires to express an earnest hope that the Provincial Council will not at present vo:e any more money to be expended upon the Sumner Road." Moved by Mr. H. E. Alport, seconded by Mr. T. Gee. " That our felloAV Colonists residing in Christ-* church, Kaiapoi, and the Plains, be invited to cooperate in these resolutions, so that the Greatest cordiality and unanimity may be created to carry on tiiis greit work." On the 3rd Resolution, Dr. Donald took occasion to express his dissent from the objects of the meeting, and his belief thai the communication hy Sumner was tiie one which would be found most efficient, .iud should be proceeded with as soon as possible Mr. \V. S. Moorhouse -spoke shor ly in favour of the resolution. All the resolutions were carried almost unanimously, and the meeting separatee without the smallest disturbance, satisfied with the calm and deliberate expression of their opinions as above conveyed. 'i'i.K Council and thk Road.—On Monday, according to previous agreement, the members of the Provincial C • until nroceeded to a personal inaction of ihe Sumner Road. Twcin.v-ci.e member-,, wiiii his Honor the Superintendent and the Rev. An-hde;cm Mathias, formed siY,- paitv. \ few ge.ih-ineii went to Sutmer direct from the HcathcoteFtny.hu: the m tj-Hty met at Lvtteltoii and proc'i-ded by Gollan's Bay and Evan's Pass to Su-mier. The who'e party pros-ceded to inspect the sire «i :!h- projected breakwater at Sunnier Nook ; and after visiting That ;*nd other spots of interest in the neighbourhood, and partaking of a well provided r< ji-st at Mr. Day's, returned to their respen-ive sVwms hy way of the Ferry. The weather, m spite of n few >!iow<-rs,_ was ve.y favourable to the excurs on, he;ng cool and clear. What'may be the r-^.u t :.!' this progress will he «h<>*n best hy the proceedings in the Council Chamber yesterday evc-ninj and to-day.

Our New Bishop.—-The Venerable Archdeacon Mathias has handed to us the folloAving letter, Avith a polite request that avo Avould give it publicity:— 'Vicarage, Mortimer, Reading, Berks, July 19. 1556. My dear Mr. Archdeacon, Will you permit me to make use of you as a medium of communication with the clergy and laity of the church in the Province of Canterbury, N: w Zealand, and to express to them through you the deep sense I entertain of tin honour which they have done me in proposing me to her Majesty as the person whom they desire to be appointed to the bishopric of Christchurch. I am aware that I have been selected by them for this office, with which their own spiritual interests are to be so closely connected, not from any personal knowledge on their part for my fitness for it, but from their reliance on the judgment of my old and valued friend, the Bishop of New Zealand; but I am not the less grateful for the confidence which, through his representation, they have been induced to extend to me: and since, with her Majesty's permission, I haA-e accepted the office, it must be my endeavour, as it is my earnest wish, to fulfil, to the utmost of my power, the expectations they may have formed of me. I feel assured that-this can be done only by a faithful discharge of the duties to which they have called me, and I pray God that I may be found equal to them, and so deserve on my own account their regard and confidence, and that the holy relationship which is now beginning between u_ may redound to His gloryr and our mutual benefit. My consecration will take place on St James' day, July 25, and I propo.-e sailing for New Zealand in the first week of September, and hope to arrive there before the end of the year. I shall be accompanied by my wife and two children, and as I understand that theie is yet no house belonging to the bishopric, 1 shall be much indebted to you if you will kindly do what you can to procure for me such accommodation as I shall require on my, arrival. I am about to receive from the Colonial Bishopric Fund the sum of .61,100 given some time since for the endowment of the see, and now appropriated, by the direction of the Council, to the building of a house, so that whatever inconveniences we may meet with on our first arrival, they canuot, I trust, be of long continuance. In the hope that it may be our lot to meet and to labour together for Christ's Holy Church in the same sphere of usefulness, believe me to be, My dear Mr. Archdeacon, Yours very faithfully, H. J. C. HARPER. The Venerable Archdeacon Maihias. Waste Lands' Boaed Appointment.—The General Government Gazette of November 4, contains the following notice of appointments by the Governor on the staff of the Land Departments of this province and Otago :— His Excellency the Governor has been pleased te appoint the undermentioned gentlemen to receive all moneys arising from the sale, letting, disposal, and occupation of Crown Lands in their respective provinces. Charles Christopher Bowen, Esq., appointed by his Honor the Superintendent to be a Commissioner of the Waste Lands Board iv the Province of Canterbury. Peter Proud foot, Esq , appointed by his Honor the Superintendent, to be ConimisMoner of Crown Lauds, and Chief Commissioner of the Waste Lands Board in the Province of Otago.