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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1382, 4 April 1865, Page 4

Mr. Olliyier's meeting last night, to consider whether Superintendents shall be nominated, was very well attended. There were perhaps 500 or 600 people present, and of them all, not one said a word in favour of Mr, FitzGerald's Bill. The author of the bill himself was absent. He is a gentleman of eloquence, and not destitute of rhetorical pugnacity. But for some reason or other, he has been absent from many public meetings in Chrißtchurch, and silent at those at which he has been present. He is quite capable of publicly stating the reasons which led him<to propose successive measures for changing the method of appointing Superintendents. The power of speech is certainly not wanting. Mr. Pitz Gerald would, we think, be positively glad of an opportunity to speak; but he does not like an unsympathetic audience, and " lets I dare not wait upon I would." The meeting ended by the adoption of a petition praying the General Assembly not to pass the Nominated Superintendents Bill without taking the sense of the public upon it. An ingenious attempt was made to throw in an apple of discord by one of the speakers, who thought the " Masters and Servants' Act," framed by Mr. Cracroft Wilson, the chairman of the evening, might be considered also. The meeting, however, declined to go on with any business but that for which they had been summoned.