nor, of a despatch dealing with a matter of such vital importance, and one moreover, in which the Governor was himself at variance with the majority of the settlers, would hardly have escaped comment. Curiously enough, the issue of the “Lyttelton Times” which published Earl Grey’s despatch of April 2, 1851, also announced to the Canterbury public the fall of Lord John Russell's Government on February 19, preceding—another illustration of the time then taken by the mails. This news came by way of the Mauritius, and was published in a second edition of the newspaper just 151 days after it occurred. Lord John Russell was succeeded by the Earl of Derby, and Earl Grey was replaced at the Colonial Department by Sir John Pakington. Largely at the instance of Mr. E. G. Wakefield, and of Mr. Henry Sewell, the new Government agreed to the New Zealand Government Bill, granting a Constitution for New Zealand, and passed it on June 30, 1852. The Act provided for six Provincial Councils, the superintendent and members to be elected, the latter to be not less than nine in number, and the term of appointment to be four years. These Councils were restricted from legislating on certain defined subjects. Provision was also made in the Act for the creation of Municipal Corporations. There were also two Clauses, 75 and 76, dealing with the affairs of the Canterbury Association. The first clause protected the Acts passed on behalf of the Association against repeal or interference by the New Zealand Legislature, so long as the Association continued to exercise its “functions, powers and authorities.” The second clause permitted the Association to transfer its powers to the Provincial Council. The remainder of the Act which constituted a general government for the colony need not be particularly referred to here.
And so another milestone slipped by, and New Zealand gained a Constitution, and Canterbury the right to a Provincial Government.
