CANTERBURY.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, 15 October 1863, Page 3

CANTERBURY.

Our files are to October Bth. We see that, in Canterbury, the Provincial Council has a system of votiug the estimates equally loose with that pursued here. On this subject the Lyttelton limes says : — "The Provincial Council was prorogued on Tuesday, September 29, and the members have returned to their various avocations in the happy consciousness that they have given the Groverniuent powerto spend more money than is likely to flow into the treasury during the financial year ; certainly more than can possibly be spent judiciously during that period. The consequence is that the Government is virtually unfettered by the votes of the Council, as they can pick and choose among the many grants at their disposal, and can neglect the works they do not like, on the ground that there is not money or time for their completion. Session after session the Council makes the mistake of voting sums exceeding the probable expenditure ; and thus session after session leaves the Government masters of the situation almost as completely as if the estimates had not been submitted to the Council at all. Not that much confidence has been Bhown in the Government by the Council. Indeed it looks as if a compromise had been made ; as if the Government was to be rewarded for the frequent abdication of its functions during the session, by receiving power to treat with contempt the appropriations of the Council during the recess." On the subject of the Panama route the same paper says : — " Although the English Government has, at present, refused to recognize the claim on the Imperial Treasury, yet there are many leading men in the City of London who are sufficiently interested in the question not to let it drop." Fbbbtmead Kailway. — By the Fair Tasmanian we hear that the contractors have received the remainder of the rolling stock and plant required to complete the line of railway from Christoharch to the Ferry. — Lyttelton Times. The Railway.— ln a few weeks we shall have bo far caught up the march of civilization, as to have a railway at work in the province. The material is all on the spot or within easy reach ; and no mishap or delay that is likely to occur, can prevent the line being open for traffic before -the close of the following month. — IdFatai Accident. — We are sorry to record the death of Captain Beard, of the schooner William, who was drowned in Lyttelton harbour, on the night of October 2. Late in the evening he left the Cecilia in a small boat for his own vessel, but owing to the darkness of the night, they drifted past the Kleonora, and spoke her. Captain Beard getting on the gunwale of the boat, she capsized, and he sauk immediately. The man who was with him, named George Boyd, clung to the boat, and was saved by some of the crew of the barque Camden. — Id, Steam Fire-Engine. — A meeting was held in the Town Hall, on Friday evening, October 2, for the purpose of considering the best means of obtaining a powerful steam fire-engine for the city of Chrißtchurch. Mr. Ollivier was called to the. chair, and, after stating the object of the meeting, said that the proposed eDgine would cost about £1,200, towards which, the Provincial Council had voted £250. An engine of the kind proposed to be obtained, could force 500 gallons of water a minute a distance of 2,000 feet ; thus the engine stationed at the river could keep supplied two manuals, which would enable them to extinguish au ordinary fire at any part of the town. After some discussion as to the lukewarmness of the Insurance Companies in the matter, a resolution was carried, " That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable to import one of Merry weather's fire-en-gines, called the ' Deluge ;'" upon which a motion was put and agreed to, " That immediate steps be taken to obtain sufficient funds by contributions or otherwise, to Carry out the foregoing resolution, and that sub-, scriptions lists be opened at this meeting." — Id.