CANTERBURY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1616, 10 September 1861, Page 5

CANTERBURY.

Bt the Lord Worsley, we have received our usual files of Canterbury papers up to Saturday last, the 7th inst.

Canterbury was in the heat of a general election for the Superiutendenoy and Provincial Council.

His Honor W. S. Mocrohouse,Esq.had been again elected Superintendent without opposition. Six candidates were proposed for the represention of Lyttelton, of whom Messrs. Peacock, Davis, Hargreaves, and Bradwell were eleoted ; aud Messrs. Cookson and Ward rejeoted. We have extracted the following from the Lyttelton Times : — A meeting, convened by circular from Mr. J. M. Heywood, was held in the Market Hall, Christchurch, on Monday evening, to meet a deputation, oonsisting of W. B, Rhodes aud W. C. Daldy, Esqrs., from the Bank of New Zealand. The chair was occupied by H. H- De Bourbel, Esq., who introduced the deputation and explained the object of the meeting. Captain Rhodes gave a most interesting sketch of the origin and proposed arrangements of the Bank of New Zealand, entering into caretul details relative to its management, progress, and future prospects, Mr. Daldy also,addressed the meeting at considerable length enlarging on the particular advantages likely to accrue from having a bank of our own. Several questions were put and satisfactorily explained. The meeting separated, after a vote of lhauks had been passed to deputation and chairman. It was announced that 150 shares were s übscribed for, making since Saturday last a total of 700 shaves already taken, A meeting is announced for Thursday evening in Lyttelton.

Death from Exposure. — Mr. Augustus Purnell, a gentleman occupying a run within a few miles of Timaru, was frozen to death last Friday night. It appears he went out early in the morning iv company with a shepherd on foot to look after sheep, and in returning got tired, anditold the shepherd to push forward to ihe house, get some refreshment, and then return to him with some ; this was within three miles of the house, and the sun still well up. On the shepherd returning he found that Mr. Purnell had lain down, and on attempting to rise fouud himself unable to stand ; tbe shepherd then tried to carry him, but was unable to do so. He then started back for the house— (and in crossing an intermediate creek was swept a few yards down from the waters having swollen in the meantime)*— to try and catch a horse, but could not, for unfortunately, in consequence of the snow, the horses had been let loose. Night comiug on he could do no more, and on proceeding at daylight the next morning to the spot he found the unfortuuate gentleman a corpse. The body was expected to arrive in Timaru on Saturday, when au inquest was to be held.