CANTERBURY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1340, 21 June 1859, Page 3

CANTERBURY.

We have papers to the 18th instant:— The Bishop has summoned a Diocesan Synod to meet at Christehurch on the Uth August. It is to consist of the Bishop, the Clergy of Canterbury and Otago, 16 in number, and 19 Lay Representatives to be elected by such laymen of the diocese as shall make declaration that they are members of the Church of EneOand.

Mb. Klatb's Thome are successfully performing at Christchurch.

The Supbeme Coubt opened on the Uth instant. In the course of his address to the Gra d Jury, Mr. Justice Gresson made the following remarks, from which it appears that the Wellington gaol is not singular in the deficencv of its accomodation. He, (Mr Justice Gresson) " had been lately in the Northern Provinces, and had made it his business to enquire particularly into the state of the gaols there. He knew most of them by personal inspection, and all of them more or less by means of description and other information which he had obtained. He felt hound to say that almost every one exhibited such manifold deficiencies as to bring great discredit upon the Province in which it was situated, and collectively upon the colony generally. . The only case of interest was that of John Parsons charged with obtaining money under false pretences from Mr. Arthur AchisonDobbs, under threat to accuse him of eomnrittiuir an unnatural crime. The details of precocious villany on the one side and folly on the other, were published by us some time since. The trial lasted a whole day, when the prisoner was sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard ■ labour.

The New Provinces Act, if not disallowed by the Queen, is recommended by the Lyttelton Times for repeal next session. :H. M. S. " Elk," sailed for Nelson on tlie 7th instant The Superintendent gave a ball in the Town Hall, to Captain Campion and his officers, in honor of the first visit Canterbury has received from a man of war.

Electoral Objections.—Of the 22 objections made by the Revising Officer of Akaroa, no less than 15 are to householders who have left the abodes for which they were registered. The Foundation Stcne of the long talked of Lytteltoii Church was to be laid yesterday by the , Bishop of Christchurch with great ceremony.