HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Lyttelton Times, Issue 1510, 14 October 1865, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I Friday, Sept. 22. (From the Wellington Independent Sept. 23.) STAMP DUTIEB. ! The House then went into committee to consider the propriety of imposing Stamp Duties. The Attobnbt-Gbnerai, (Hon. H. Sewell) said he was about to ask the committee to agree to the following resolution "That it is expedient that,for the purposeof providing additional revenue, there should be raised within the colony duties on deeds, or instruments on legacies, and residues under wills and intestacies, and on succession to real and personal estate;" and in usking the House to agree to that resolution, he would have, of course, to satisfy hon. members that the imposition of new taxation for the aiding of the colony had become a matter of imperative necessity, for without that were proved he would be met with the obvious objection they had no right, for any " fancy " object of their own, to impose fresh burdens on the people, and he would have also to satisfy the committee that the means proposed to be adopted were the best means. The House on the previous evening had voted, and had on that day affirmed, the voie that there should be incurred in the ensuing financial period, for the purpose of the internal defence of the colony of New Zealand, an expenditure of £89,0J0. and the House had also voted that there should be incurred, for the administration of the native affairs of the colony, &n expenditure of £58,000, making a total, in round numbers, of X 140,000. If any hon. member would be good enough to coifsider the Estimates before the House, with a view to ascertain what must be the necessary revenue, it would become obvious, without argument or proof, that they must have some additional means of providing for the expenditure beyond what the colony already possessed. They had before them Estimates involving for General Services of the colony an expenditure of £550,000, and for provincial services of £180,000, making together a sum of £780,000, and they had read a Bill a first time, by which it would appear that it was the intention of the Government to propose that there should be appropriated to the provinces nine-sixteenths of the sum to be raised from Customs Revenue, out of which ninesixteenths the sum for provincial services would have to be taken. There was an Estimate of the revenue to meet the expenditure, and it showed that it did not quite reach the ainonnt of the expenditure, and in that Estimate it would be observed that his lion, friend the Colonial Treasurer had taken credit for a very considerable sum (£30,000, he believed) as the amount he expected to receive in aid of that expenditure from those duties which were now proposed to be raised. Upon the face of the Estimates the necessity was reduced to an arithmetical certainty. There were, of course, various ! modes by which it might be Baid that these proposals might be met. Hon. members had used in the course of the discussion on this question very strong language, on the necessity of retrenchment, and they had debated at considerable length whether or not the whole Estimates ought to be rejected— (Mr. Stafford at this point was about to leave the House)—He hoped the hon. member would not leave the House, as he had taken a very prominent part in the discussion, and he (the Attorney-General) wished to satisfy him that he had been resting his arguments on a false foundation. Had he been in the House the previous day, he would have heard a little resume of the real state of the Estimates he had pronounced so extravagant and so greatly unsuited to the condition of the colony. He had absolutely proposed to reject them, and cast thein back on the Government to remodel. It had been said they ought to produce a saving of £100,000. (Mr. Stafford : I said £240.000.) The hon. member would allow him to lead him into figures, to convince him of the absurdity of coming to such a conclusion.

Mr. Stafford—As the hon. gentleman has made a special reference to me, I will repeat what I said, viz., that I could see my way clear to have made a reduction of £240,000, not in t!>e Estimates, but in the proposed expenditure of the Government. The Attobnet-Genebal (Hon. Mr. Sewell) said. that he wanted to show his hon. friend how utterly false his calculations were. He was quite sure that his hon. friend would not difter from bim when he said that it was the duty of the Government to provide for the current expenditure of the year out of the current revenue—that was what the Government were endeavouring to do, but he (the Attorney General) was sent back to the Estimates of 1863 and 1864, and was told that he must square the Estimates for the current year by those. He was content to accept the challenge, and would state that the Estimates for the financial year 1863-4 were for the purposes of the General Government, £325,427 ; and for Provincial purposes, £151,431; making a total of £476,858. The proposals of the Government for the current year were, for the General Government, £553.180 3s; for Provincial purposes, £180,295 Is, muking a total of £735,475 15s ; the difference between these two sums being £258.617. He (the Attorney-General) would now show how far the hon. gentleman was justified in making those charges which he had done against the Government. Familiar as that hon. gentleman must have been with ihe facts, he (the Attorney-General) was surprised that the h»n. gentleman should have allowed it to go forth to the public that the Government had deliberately proposed Estimates proceeding on a policy of their own, by which they proposed to encumber the colony with £280,01/0 a-year. Mr. Stafford—l never mode such a itatement.

The Attorney-General (Hon. Mr. Sewell) was justified in expressing his surprise that the lion, gentleman should have given vent to such noxious and dangerous opinions, for it was a very mischievous and dangerous thing that the hon. gentleman should have ventilated statements of that kind, Impugning, as they did, the conduct of the Government, lie (the Attorney-General) would now proceed to examine how far his hon. friend was justified in the statements he had made. The difference, as he hnd previously stated, was £258,000. Now the Estimates showed an item of interest on a loan, for which they were very largely indebted to his hon. friend, and who, indeed, if he were not the actual father, yet was putative father of that burden which the colony was callcd upon to bear, and which amounted to £127,000.

Mr. Stafford : I am only the father of one-seventh of that.

The Attorkkt - Uknkhal (Hon. Mr. Sewell): Somebody or other was responsible for these unaflliated children that had been left to the present Government to maintain. (Laughter and cheers.) Then there had been an increase of the Civil Service, which raised the total to £132,000. Then came an item for which the present Government was not responsible, vis., the sum of £26,.<50 for the Panama Mall Contract. That contract was made long before the present Government came into office ; it had received the sanction of successive legislatures, but if any one would examino the state of that transaction when it came into the hands of the Government, and compare it with what it was now, and then suy that the Government were not entitled to great credit for their management of this affair. (Cheers.) Then on the Estimate# there was a sum of £6270 for Marino Board Expenditure \ but there was a corresponding revenue to be dorived from that source, through the Government having taken the management of the Marine Board into their own hands. Then he supposed that £5000 was to bo charged for collecting those revenues, which he was about to propose to the House to adopt. Then there was a sum of £5115 for electric telegraph, and £89,000 for Internal Defence, The Government had been charged with la ish expenditure in this latter item, whilst the war charges last year were £800,000; but this was the difference—the former Governmont obtained the sanction of the Legislature for the expenditure of this last sum without submitting Estimates in detail, whereas the present Government had placed on the r Estimates the necessary details, and, so far from its being an increase to the burden of the colony, he believed that many hon. gentlemen thought that this sum was not sufficient. The Government had used great economy m their expenditure, and his hon. friend knew this well. The expenses for the Legislature for last year were £3800 ; this year it was £7000. Of course hon. members had it in their power to curtail this expenditure. He had already called attention to the great increase in the expense of carrying on criminal prosecutions. Last year the expenses under this head amounted to £1500 ; this year they would be nearly £8000; and yet he had been accused of parsimony in this item of expenditure. He should, however, have to ask the House for a grant under tins head of £7395. Since the last financial period, the discoveries on the West Coast had caused an increase of expenditure, but with that there had been a corresponding increase of revenue. The total amount of the various increases was £259,626, and that was quite sufficient to account for the difference of £258,000; and yet his hon. friend had the boldness to tell the Government that their Estimates were lavish and extravagant, and he indignantly asked the Government to recast them. From these various claims it was impossible to escape by way of reduction, and they were under the necessity of providing for the exigencies of the colony by increased taxation. He had no doubt that some hon. gentleman would say that it was inconvenient to impose fresh taxation, and that it would be better to provide for these exigencies by means of temporary loans. (Hear, hear.) But he would state that it was the opinion of the Government that they ought fairly to face the difficulties with which they had to conteud ; and that it was most important to restore and to sustain the credit of the colony; and, holding these views, they could not consent to stave off their difficulties by adding to the debt of the colony. (Hear, hear.) His hon. friend, the Treasurer, had told them that, of the Three-Million Loan,a sum of £600,000 was yet unappropriated, and out of that it was proposed to take tha sum of £300.000 for the completion of contracts entered into by the former Government; and the remaining sum it was proposed to expend in enabling the Government to meet the financial difficulties of the provinces in unauthorized expenditure. There would still be a balance left, which would be applied to repaying the Taranaki Loan. Seeing, then, that it was impossible for the Government to meet the ordinary expenditure by the ordinary revenue, it followed that they must increase that revenue by means of increased taxation;and he would now call the attention of the House to the proposal which he had to lay before them, viz., that it was expedient to raise the revenue by the imposition of Stamp Duties. Some hon. gentlemen would say, revise the Customs' tariff ; but no doubt his hon. friend the Commissioner of Customs would tell them that although the tariff would be revised, yet that they could not look to that source for any large amount of supply. Doubtless his hon. friend the member for Nelson would say, " why not impose an income-tax ?" He (the Attorney-General) could not consent to that, and he believed that such a proposal, when it came to be examined, would be found to be not only impolitic, but absolutely impracticable. The Hon. Attorney-General then quoted from M'Culloch in proof that, whilst duties raised from Customs and Stamps were the least objectionable forms of taxation, an incometax was highly objectionable, and most difficult and expensive to collect; and he said if that applied in a country like England, a fortiori would it apply in this colony. The cost of collecting stamp duties in England amounted, according to M'Culloch, to about two per cent., while the cost of collecting the income tax was 2s 7d in the pound, or about 13 per cent., so that on that account alone a stamp tax was preferable. Besides, an income tax was direct taxation on property, and it was inexpedient that the General Government should directly tax property, inasmuch as it would be impossible to do so without encroaching on the resources of the provinces, who had really to look to direct taxation; and he did not think that the colony could bear for the General Government to put their hand into one pocket, whilst the Provincial Government put their hand into the other. Under these circumstances, the Government had resolved on proposing to the House to increase the revenue by means of stamp duties, which it was estimated would yield £70,000 or £80,000 per annum. He might inform the House that the tariff of stamp duties proposed to be levied was based on the tariff of stamp duties already in force in New South Wales, and he would state, that in the Bill which would be laid before the House, should this resolution be adopted, he had made such provision as would remedy the defects that had occurred in the working of the system in New South Wales. After stating that it was intended to levy the duties on deeds or instruments, on legacies and residues, under wills and intestacies, and on successions to real and personal estate, and that it was proposed to work the system through a Commissioner of stamps and distributors, the Customs being probably employed, the hon. Attorney-General concluded by moving the resolution.

Mr. Cuosbik Ward regretted that the Colonial Treasurer won not in hits place in the House to take (he lead in this business. It was unfortunate th»<t he was prevented by unavoidable circumstances from being in his teat, for this was a time when lie should take the lead in the Government. The point to be discussed now was this—Was the revenue to be provided by this taxation to be in excess of the wants of the colony, becuuse the resolution said, " it is expedient to provide additional revenue ? " Now the Government might do without this additional revenue. What was €37,500 in comparison with the extraordinary ex|H*nditure ? The taxation of the country whs already onerous enoutih. Was it not stimulating smuggling ? Both in the North and the Middle Island there were many men in trade who found it all tliey could do to pay their way. lie had to propose that, instead of it being necessary to provide for additional taxation, that ii was necessary to reduce the existing taxation. There was no need to pay £12,000 for land lit Tannaki, which had already been confiscated ; nor was there any necessity for payng £20,000 for buildings in Biy. They were asked to place the sum of £60,n00 for define purposes on ihe ordinary revenue of the colon v, hut WHS thN X'bO.ottO to he a permanent charge, or was it likely only to be put on for the next year ? lie hetrd conflicting statements on this head from the members of the Government. He could not recognise the prudence of a policy which had not been shown to be capable of being paid for. The claims of a common creditor were as prehsing as any. Let them have no debts of honour. But had not taxation readied its

ducing existing taxation In place of tho words " providing for additional taxes." . .-j »t„» The Oiuiiimam reported pr o ff reil '* nd th ® Ilnuso adjourned at twenty minutes part twelve o'clock. Torboat, SEPT. 26. Tho debate In Committee on the propriety of Imposing stamp duties wM tl>cn re S umcj The ArronNicr-GKWRRAi' (Hon. Mr.Hewul) •inked tlic hoii, mover of the nmendm jnt (Mr. Ward) If he would bo satisfied by the nmls•lon of tiie word# he proposed to omit, without the substitution of the others ? Ihe conclu sion the Government hud arrived at on Friday night whs, that 'he amendment was not a means of raising tho revenue, but a means of adjusting the taxation of tho colony. rhey had proposed an expenditure of £945,000, which represented tho amount of revenue yto be received on the other side. But tinct those Estimates had been presented, his jion. friend had proposed to the provinces to give them nine-sixteenths of the Customs revenue, which would oblige them to provide additional ways and means. His hon. friend the member for Lyttelton had urged two ways in which this might be done. He argued that, as regarded the expenditure for Internal defence, which the Ministry proponed to provide for out of the ordinary revenue, that it was not right to treat such a large sum as a normal expenditure, and that it should bo treated as an abnormal expenditure, and should be charged on the loan. They might hope that in a short time the colony would be restored to melt ft state as would not require such a large expenditure for purposes of defence. Granting these premises, the Government would he prepared to charge this on the loan. But on Thursday, when his hon. friend brought down his proposed appropriation of the loan, he would show by certain modifications of his proposals that he might be able to charge this on the loan. He thought that tlio norma! expenditure for the purposes of defence for the next year would be about £130,000. Another plan submitted, was to convert some of the funds from the sale of confiscated lands to the purpose of meeting the war expenditure. The Government did not shrink from doing this, but the amount to be realised from the sale of confiscated lands was so uncertain, that it would not serve as a correct data to go on. They did not wish to r«ise new political difficulties by throwing these lands into the market at the present time. He thought they might set down £25,000 as the amount likely to be raised from this source. The amount of customs revenue for the next year would amount to about £780,000, and by bringing these two item<) together, they might meet the difficulty. Having arrived at thia point, he would say at once that the Ministry did not intend to propose any increase in the Customs Tariff. His hon. friend would bring down certain alterations in the tariff, but they would have the effect, not of increasing but of equalising it. He hoped these observations would expedite business. -He would propose to his hon. friends to withdraw the words which he proposed to place in the resolution, and the Government would then agree to leave out the words which showed the intention of imposing additional burdens on the colony. On the committee going into a full House, they would go into committee of ways and means, and to provide funds for the native purposes; and for internal defence he would propose that certain moneys should be provided, partly out of the ordinary revenue. partly out of the sale of confiscated lands, and partly out of the remainderof the loan. He would agree to so much of his hon. friend's amendment as related to the omission of certain words, if he would withdraw the words lie proposed to substitute. Mr. Watne said it was a question whether the House would agree to the diminution of the expenditure of the colony. It had been tried in manner in the House. One hon. member had proposed to reduce the expenditure by the amount of £100,000, and another had proposed to reduce it by £240,000. He could fancy that hon. gentleman getting up on the hustings and commencing a tirade against the profligacy of the Government in their expenditure, and showing to Ins constituents how they might save £240,000. He could imagine the press of Nelson, Otago and Auckland supporting him in his ideas. He could fancy him being returned by a majority, and with a large number of members from those places being pledged to support the views of the hon. gentleman ; but on the other side, he would ask at what cost would that money be saved? It would be saved at a cost of £240.000 expended in other ways. He was dissatisfied with the proposal put forward by the hon. member for Wallace, with respect to the sale of confiscated lands. He did not go far enough. He did not show the amount to be realised from the sale of those lands. As to the proposal to withdraw some of the funds voted for the provinces, he thought the provinces were getting far more than their share of the general revenue. The present was no time for lavish expenditnreintheprovinces. (Criesof "Lowry Bay.") The proposal to pay over nine-six-teenths of the customs revenue to the provinces wfcs a wrong policy on the part of his friends on the Government benches. The first thing to be done was to pay the debts of the colony. Mr. Ckosbib Ward said the omission of the words did not settle the matter. He might let the resolution pnss as it was, but it would only postpone the question whether the stamp duties were to be an increase on the amount of taxation already borne, or whether they were to be used as a means of reducing the taxation until the question of the alteration of the tariff was brought on. Why not bring up the proposed alterations in the tariff, so that they might be considered before settling this question? He thought the committee should know what the amendments of the Government really were. It was quite plain to the committee that the loan had betn overcharged. In fact, some of the charges against it were not charged. The Government had now stated that they could reduce the charges by the sum of £32,000 in Taranaki compensation money. He heard nothing about l.owry Bay. The ATToRNEr-GENKiiAL(bon. Mr. Sewell) called the attention of the committee to the ftict, that h>>n. members were travelling out of the record in discussing questions which had nothing to do with the question at issue. He believed that the majority of the House were favourable to the introduction of stamp duties. (Hear, hear, and no, no ) But some hon. meml>ers, whilst consenting to that, wished the Customs duties to be reduced in proportion. With regard to the sum to be derived from confiscated lands, he thought that the Government had adopted a prudent means in fixing the sum at £25,000. He was of opinion that, independent of all these questions, the House should now decide whether it was expedient and desirable to impose stamp duties or not. Mr. Kkynoujh expressed his regret that the hori. the Treasurer had not given an answer to tho question of the lion, member for the Goldflelds (Mr. lirodie). Ho would move, as an amendment--" That, in the opinion of this Committee, it is inexpedient to impose Stamp Duties."

The Colonial Treasurer (Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert) si,id, that ho was informed that the oniy expenditure now going in at Lowry Bay was only absolutely necessary for the preservation of the property, and that would not exceed a few hundred pounds. Mr. Colknho intimated his intention of voting against all the amendments, and ulso amiiiiNt tlie original resolution, as he believed ihere was no occasion whatever for the stamp duties.

Tho Colonial Treasurer (the Hon. Mr, Kitzherhert) sald.lt had been clearly shewn that there was a deficit of £50,000 to be made up, and ho would inquire how that sum was to be made made up. Mr. Colicnso thought it would be far better to throw that sum over the customs revenue than to attempt to raise it by direct taxation, which, he believed, was more objectionable ; but, if direct taxation must take place, it would be innch better that it should lake the form of an export duty on wool, Mr. Uuynolds said, that he would alter his

amendment to the following offset II I* inexpodient to l«*y •ump dutlw,»loo* us till! customs revenue remain* at the present 'Tt tollig half.pait fl»e o'clock, lh« Committee adjourned. The House resuming business at «•▼«* ° The ATTo#ifje**o«wi«Ai. (Hon. Mr. Bew«H) with the leave of the House, then withdrew the words " for the purpose of providing additional revenue." _ . The amendment of Mr, Crosble Ward wm then put, and the House divided. Aye*, 19. Nocn 31. On' the amendment thai *11 the word# be left out, with a view of inserting the words •* That it is Inexpedient to levy stamp duties •o long as the amount of taxation under the present Custom# Act shall remain at the amount at present levied," The question was put that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question, when the Hmtsu divided. Ayes, 24. Noes, 18. Mr. Stafcohd then proposed that the following words lit* added to the original resolution " But that no such duties should be levied or brought to account until the whole question of the taxation of the people of New Zealand had been considered by the next Parliament. The question was then put that the words proposed to bo added be so added, and the House divided. Ayes, 19. Noes, 24, The Hon. Mr. Sewell's motion was then put and carried, and the resolution was reported to the House, and ordered to be considered next sitting day. The House then went Into * committee of ways and means on the stamp duties. The Attorwict-Gbneiui. (Hon. MrSewell) said ho wished the committee to agree to recommend that certain stamp duties should be levied. As the schedule of duties proposed had only just been distributed, he would be willing to agree to the postponement of its consideration. Mr. Dillon Bell said that hon. members had not had the opportunity of seeing the schedules, and he would ask the AttorneyGeneral whether the Government had been able to prepare any calculation of the basis j upon which the sum of £37,000 for the halfyear, expected to be received under the various heads of duties, had been arrive! at. So far as members had been able to come to any conclusion by comparing the circumstances of New Zealand with those of New South Wales, the stamp duties of which the Government had said they would adopt, they had calculated on a much higher suin being raised. Members wished to know what were the data on which the calculations had been founded. After some discussion, The Attorney-Gbnbkal (Hon. Mr.Sewell) said that the Government had no trustworthy data, for the obvious reason that the thing was altogether due ; but he had taken the trouble to obtain the w u est approximation to an estimate in his power, by studying the amount levied by stamp duties in England, and drawing comparisons from it. The Attorney-General then read over his calculation. He had also studied the amounts levied from duties in New South Wales, and drawn certain conclusions from them, but these data were not to be relied on to any great extent.

A discussion then ensued on this point. The Attorney-General (Hon. Mr. Sewell) said that the Government were prepared to enforce this Act for a limited period, say three years. Mr. Russell suggested that they should pause for another session before they adopted stamp duties. If it was only a question of raising same £40,000 or £50,* 00, he thought some other means might be adopted for that purpose besides the adoption of stamp duties. The Chairman then reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again on Tuesday.

BIRTHS. Worslrt.—Aug. 18, the wife of Henry T. Wonley, Esq., of a son. Iknbs.—Sept. 16, at Caledonian road, Christchurch, the wife of Mr. F. Innes, of a daughter. Hall.—Sept. 10, at Coldstream, the wife of John Hall, Esq., of a son. Raphael.—Sept. 19, at Barnsbury Cottage,Xvttolton, the wife of Mr. J. 8. Raphael, ot a

daughter. Murphy.—Sept. 19, at Stanmore road, the wife of Mr. J. B. Murphy, of a son. Lban.—Sept. 19, at- Avonside, Mrs. Alexander

Lean, of a eon. Cotton.—Sept. 19, at St. Asaph street, Christchurch, the wife of James Cotton, Esq., late of Tcignmouth, Devonshire, of a daughter. Home papers, please copy. Wright.—Sept. 22, the wife of Mr. Sydney Evelyn Wright, of a daughter. AaHWTH.—Sept. 21, at the Limes, Ferry road, the wifo of M. K. Ashwin, of a daughter. Tosswill.—Sept. 24, at Temploton, the wife of William B. Tosswill, Esq., oi a son. Sibly—Sept. 21, at Hereford street east, Christchurch, the wife of Mr. Richard Sibly, of a daughter. Janson.—Sept. 24, at Arlington, the wife of Mr. Joseph Janson, of a daughter. Pbabson. —Sept. 25, the wife of Mr. Joseph Pearson, Burnt Hill Station, of a daughter,

still-born. Dybk.—Sept. 25, at Governors Bay, Mrs. John Dyer, of a daughter. Khyvbtt.—Sept. 20, at Heslerton, Ellesmere, the wife of C. F. Knyvett, Esq., of a son. Chodlby.—Sept. 28, at Avonside, the wife of ltobort Cbudley, of a son. Mather.—Oct. 1, at Lyttelton, the wife of Mr. Geo. Mather, of a son. Palmbb.—Oct. 1, at Lockley, Avonside, the wife of Joseph Palmer, E«q., of a son. Symington.—Oct. 2, at Twynholm, Christchurch, Mrs. ltubert Symington, of a daughter. Hills.—Oct. 2, tho wife of Mr. G. W. Hills, of a daughter. Longman.—Oct. 2, at Liclifiold street, the wife of Mr. John Longman, of a daughter, still-born. Pavitt.—Oct. 2, at Addington, tho wife of Mr. Frederick Pavitt, of a daughter. Elwin.—Oct. 3, at Temploton, tho wife of Mr. James J. Elwin, of a daughter. Lippabd.—Oct. 4, at Cavorsham Hotel, Christchurch, tho wife of Mr. W. Lippard, of a son. Stoddart.—Oct. 4, at Diamond Harbour, Mrs. Mark Stoddart, of a daughter. Hall—October 0, at Casbol-street, Christchurch tho wife of Mr. J. L. Hall, Princess* Theatre, of a son. Cook.—Oct. 8, Mrs. Charles Cook, Papanui road, of a daughter. Fibitbb.—At Nelson, Mrs. Thomas Richard Fisher, junr., of a son. MARRIAGES. Lauaman—Cox.—Sept. 13, at Fcndaltown, by tho Rev. C. Bowen, Philip Thomas, second son of tho late Capt. Thos. Laraman, of Favorshatn, Kent, to Mary Ann, second daughter of Mr. Samuel Cox, of Fcndaltown. Bowkrb—Wiiitla.—Sept. 10, by the Rer. J. Habons, Charles Bowkcr to Anna Whitla, both of Chrititehurch. Pipsa—Hubrbll.—Sept. 19, at St. Andrew's Church, by tho Hov. C. Fraior, George, second eon of Mr, Thomas Piper, brickmaker, luto of Wellington, to Radiol, only daughter of Mr. Joseph Ilurrell, Chriatohuich. Gbant—Pas* dkroabt—Sept. 20, at the Roman Ontholio Church, ChrisU'iturch, by the Rev. Father Scttum, Mr. William Henry Grant, of Mount Groy Downs formerly of County Galway, Ireland, to Miss Catherine Prendergaat, eldodt daughter of Mr. Miohael Preudergast, County Tip|ierary. Cuolmokdrlby—Lbb.—Sent. 27, at Trinity Church, Lyttelton, by the Lord Bishop of Christohureli, asxuted by the Rov. Francis Know log, the Rev. George James Cholinowleley, Incumbent of Lower Heathcote with Sumner, t<» Angelina Victoria, sixth daughter of the late E l ward Lee, Eiq ,of Sydney. No cards, Kblls-Ahkbtt.-Oct, *0, «t Ht. Michael's, Chnstehureh, by the Veti. Arohdeactin Jucobs, James Kelts, to Elisabeth Hays, second daughter of Ifnnrv A*k<«tt, K»q.. Tipporary, Ireland. UKAUIa), *! l, , TA<, l -~. Ro PA e " lb ' ,r 6 > on b<, »"l tha King of fi* ii 10 <,n Chickens, New Zealand, Miss I<ranees Armitage, daughter of Mr. Witliam Armitago, Leeds, England. Yorkshire papers plciuo copy, WoBBiBY.-Sept. *i, the infant son of Henry T. Worsley, Esti. J LYNH.-gq.t. -j 7> ftt Lyttelton, Mr. George Lynn late of Scarborough, Yorknhite, Englaud. V' i L,O,w ! Artlll,r « 'nfaot son r,« v Vw aged nine weeks. fSn" 8 !? 1 ! a . 0, ttt , H«l«on. of typhoid fever, Caroline, tho holoyod wile of Thomas Richard * uher, junr., ft g w | a I years. Sandstbin-Oot. 10, at Cashel street, Christchurch, JoMie, tho beloved wifo of M. SandP 7.~i""*Vy e<Ml * ,0 ""' Uelb "°' M sjjrt shuui.w««ti l ..j„a .u ,L,"L.S