The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1862.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1001, 14 June 1862, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1862.

Our Summary of the past quarter is the history of a community quietly and rapidly progressing. Fortunately there are no great calamities to record, and perhaps quite as fortunately very little political news. A general election has passed off with little or no excitement. The same Superintendent was returned again, and most of the members of the old council were returned to serve in the enlarged one. Prosperity softens men's tempers to the verge of .apathy. If the Provincial Elections went off without interest, what shall we say of those for the General Assembly. It lias been long known that, three seats were vacant, and lately it was understood that Mr. EitzGerald and the Superintendent would fill two of them; but till the election was over, very few indeed of the electors of the Avon district were in the secret as to who was to be their representative. It is very strange that electors should allow candidates to remain ' dark' to the last monent, and that no enquiry should be made beforehand on the subject. Not one of the three members now elected have in any way communicated with their constituents before the day of nomination and only one appeared on the hustings on the day of election. Messrs. Moorhouse and FitzGerald were at least members of former assemblies, and their opinions were pretty well known, but who knows what Mr. Thomson's opinions are on subjects to be brought before the Assembly. Apathy may go too far. The next quarter will be a much more busy one than the past in a political point of view. Both the General Assembly and the Provincial Council of this Province will meet, and much must be decided which will materially affect our interests. The Council will, we hope, vote the sums necessary for Public Works during the ensuing session, so that there may be time before next winter to get the road-making done. I he whole question of immigTation requires reconsideration; and a much larger Tote than usual must be taken, if the Province is to maintain its present rate of progress. An Education Ordinance must be passed, and some sort of Road Bill will probably be found necessary. Whilst these domestic matters are awaiting the consideration of the Provincial Council, far more serious questions affecting every Province of New Zealand will be brought before the General Assembly. The news of native affairs has reached us at inter-

j vals in such a manner that no inhabitant of ! the Southern Island can gather the whole thread of the policy pursued or intended to be pursued. But the coming session will clear up inuch that is doubtful, and will enable us to judge how far the colony has gained by dismissing the late Executive from the conduct of native affairs. This Province has been very patient, but we are getting anxious to know what is our share oi the liabilities incurred. Our representatives will be expected to elicit a clear statement of the proposed policy, its cost, and the apportionment of the cost between the different Provinces. Another question, hinging on the former, and scarcely less important is that of the proposed separation of the islands for purposes of government. The General Assembly is the place to discuss this question ; —we cannot agree to . the proposal of our southern neighbours, that it should be referred to the Colonial Office. The General Government must be prepared to meet the just demands of the south in some manner. We have heard hints of an intention to propose the establishment of three members of the General Executive with their departments in this island, but without any details of the proposed scheme, it would be impossible even to guess how it would work. It does not sound very practical at the first blush. If to these two questions are added the voting of the Estimates, the consideration of Postal arrangements, —and the torrent of bills that have issued or maj issue from the office of the prolific AttorneyGeneral, it must be allowed that there is every chance of a long session. Any one question that we can think of suggests such a clashing of varied interests as to promise long and weary debates. Whatever is done by our rulers and representatives, the blundering must indeed be wonderful, if their greatest mistakes materially affect the progress of this Province. A glance at our statistics will show that the advance made in every point is not a mere spurt. Gradually year by year and month by month, the country is more and more beneficially occupied; the exports are becoming larger and more valuable; and the temporary expedients of early settlement are giving place to means and appliances of a permanent character. Comfort and taste are consulted more every day, and we may hope that, enlarged provision will be made without delay for supplying the greatest want in a community—ample means of education for the children of all classes.