CANTERBURY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 250, 8 October 1862, Page 5

CANTERBURY.

(from our own correspondent.) Christchurch, 2nd October.

The fortnight which has elapsed since I last wrote Iris passed away much after the same fashion as its predecessors. A variety of unimportant incident?, duly chronicled and* commented on, have supplied the local papers with a sufficient number of paragraphs to satisfy any portion of the conmunity which ma/ chance to possass an Athenian appetite for some new thing, but; could have but little interest for persons unconnected with the Province, and would probai ly be rejected by your readers as, if not stale, yet certainly in a high degree flat and unprofitable. The most important matter I have to mention, is the meeting of the Provincial Council yesterday for the first session since its numbers were enlarged. The only change in the personnell ofthe members since the general election, is caused by the retirement of Mr Joseph Brittan, one of the members for Christchurch, in consequence of failing health incapacitatinghim for attendance at the even:ng sittings. The election to the vacant seat comes off on Friday week. There arc three candidates, Dr Turnbull and MrM. Sprot, neither of whom has hitherto taken an active part in politics, and Mr Hawkes, who was an unsuccessful candidate for Christchurch after the dissolution ofthe last Council. As usual, no great interest appears to be felt for the result; aud I cannot say which ofthe three has the best chance of success, though, looking to the names appended to the requisition invitine; Dr. Turnbull to stand, I should be inclined to think he would be at the head of the poll. The principal subjects likely to come under the consideration of the Council, are mentioned in the opening address of his Honor the Superintendent, of which the following is a copy:— "Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council, —

" In. opening the first session of the newly-elected Provincial Council, I may be permitted to express a confident hope, that its usefulness will be extended in a ratio proportionate to the increase of representation.

"It is our privilege-to meet in a time of prosperity, amply proving the soundness of bye-gone predictions, in reference to the progress of this part of New Zealand.

Our commercial* pastoral, and agricultural pursuits are flourishing, ahd on every hand appear most gratifying evidences of the rapid growth of a healthy social organisation. I will now briefly indicate some of the leading subjects to be presented for your consideration. There will be submitted to you the draft of an Education Bill, which has been already published by my Government, a Road Bill for the purpose of enabling rural districts to undertake the management of roads and drainage within theu* limits. Regarding the importance of these two measures, I am aware that you are fully instructed. " You will be asked to •oncur in a proposal, to extend the electric telegraph towards the rivers Hurunui and Waitaki.

" I am ad vised, that the rapidly extending commerceofthe Province demands acorrespondingincrease of immigrants.

.Jt wi^ be m 3T da*y to ask you to consider the expediency of an extension «f railway communication, the improvement of our principal harbor, the bridging of some of some of our- largest rivers, tiie erection of commodious public buildings such as gaols, hospitals, lunatic asylum, Supreme Court, public museum, and other offices indispensable to the efficient and economical conduct of public affairs. " These last-mentioned extraordinary works, together with the construction of ordinary highways, bridges, and drainage, subsidies to municipalities, an increase in the number and efficiency of the armed constabulary, an .unavoidable addition to the strength of nearly every department of the Provincial semce, will caU for a much larger appropriation ot means than has been voted in any previous year. •( While contemplating'eo heavy a charge on fhture revenue, it is very satisfactory tc feel justified in expecting a continue! demand for, and safe of, waste

lands, the fund arising from which, will be a resource quite equal to sustaining all such burdens as it may in your wisdom be considered expedient to raise, in order to secure a beneficial and well arranged settlement of the country. " It is quite unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the entire success of the Municipal Council Ordinance. 1 desire, however, to express my unqualified admiration of the wise and spirited conduct of the municipalities, whose exertions in the discharge of their duties, demand grateful acknowledgment on the part •fjthegfineral public. '•Doling the session I shall send down careful estimates of expenditure for the coming year, and shall also invite your concurrence in a proposal to effect a finaucial arrangement, intended to secure an uninterrupted prosecution of those public undertakings wnich may be decided upon, as indispensably nectary to our social and mercantile security and

t Ju ra highly gratified to be able to report, that the -Lyttelton and Christchurch railway, now in course of construction, is progressing in a thoroughly satisfactory manner.

It is my intention to request your approval of the erection of a pedestal and statue, commemorative of the services of the venerated founder of the Canterbury settlement.

In order to a more complete attainment of the advantages of responsible government, you will have laid before you a bill for the purpose of extending the numbers of the Executive Council. " Gentlemen, I now leave you to your labors, happily conscious that the Province is fortunate and safe m tfie atility and integrity of its representatives, . 1 trust that the present remarkable prosperity o tbis favored settlement.may not betray us into fonrettulnessofall the contingent dangers that lie hidden in the future, and that our united labors may, under the blessing cf Providence, tend to the quiet and efficient government ofthe Province." A public meeting was held at Christchurch on last lhursday evenmg,to consider what measures should be adopted toaidm the relief of the distress existing in the cotton manufacturing districts of England. The meeting was fully attended, and the warm interest which each one present felt in the object they were assembled to promote, found expression in the following resolution, which was cordially and unanimously adopted :—« That this meeting recognises with deep regret, the great and increasing distress at present existing in Lancashire and the adjoining counties of Englaud, and at the same time thoroughly sympathies with the fortitude and manliness shown by the sufferers in meeting the difficulties which surround i m i'j was determined that subscription lists shomd be opened, and a committee was nominated to aid in this collection. Afc the close of the meeting it was announced by his Honor, that £388 had been collected in the room, and this sum has been considerably increased by subsequent donations. Bearing in mind that this is the contribution of Christchurch only, and that the rest of the province will be no less ready to aid in the good work, I think there is every reason to expect, that Canterbury will lose none ofthe credit winch she has gained on similar occasions for ler readiness to contribute to those who are in need.

Thatcher has come forward very handsomely on this occasion, by giving an extra entertainment on luesday evening, the proceeds of which he handed over to the Lancashire Relief Fund. He has been very popular during his stay in Canterbury, and this act ot liberality, forms a graceful wind up to a very successful season.

The Diocesan Synod of Canterbury commenced its session yesterday week. It was opened as usual by a charge from the Bishop of Christchurch, and bas since held regular sittings forthe dispatch of business. I have heard no account of its proceedings, but understand that several questions are under discussion of unusual importance to the interests of the church.

The enquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Abraham Stubbs, was brought to a close on Friday, As I mentioned in my last that there was some reason for suspecting that the deceased had met with foul play, and suspicion attached to a man named Groves, with whose wife Stubbs had been too familiar while her husband was away at the diggings. However, there was no direct evidence to bear out the charge, and the jury returned an open verdict of |« Found drowned." There is a sort of mystery hanging over the afiair, which is increased by the fact that six or eight months ago a man was found drowned in precisely the same part of the river. On that occasion also, though I don't remember the precise facts, I recollect that these same Groveses were in some way mixed up with the matter, and the inspector of police had strong reason to believe that the man's death was something else than an accident.

Tlie railway has been again made the occasion for a f6te day. The ceremony of laying the first stone of the tunnel arch took place on Monday, and a large number of ladies and gentlemen were invited to Heathcote Valley to celebrate the event. The stone was laid by Mrs W. S. Moorhouse with the customary forms; and when that had been satisfactorily accomplished, the company assembled in a tent erec«ed for the purpose, to enjoy the hospitality of Mrs Holmes, who had provided an excellent breakfast for all comers. This was followed by a frame of football (by way of training, I suppose,) during which time thetenfc was cleared for dancing ; the ladies then joined the game, andj in another kind of ball footed it merrily till approaching sunset suggested thoughts of retiring. I must not forget to record the great success of the whaling stations on the Peninsula. At Mr Wright's, Island Bay, four whales have been already taken during the season; and another was struck, out was lost through an accident. At Mr Buchanan's station, which is on a smaller scale, they have been in proportion equally successful, having caught two whales. Afc this rate the pursuit will prove very lucrative to the parties engaged, and will be an important and satisfactory addition to the exports from Canterbury.