Chapter IX.
Election of new Provincial Council—The Canterbury Association ordinance—Sale of Town Reserves—Arrival of Governor Gore Browne—Bishop Harper: his appointment, arrival and installation.
The election of a new Provincial Council took place in March, 1855; it was rendered necessary by Mr. Hall’s Provincial Council Extension Act, which besides increasing the membership of the Council from twelve to twenty-four, altered the boundaries of the electorates.
With the exception of Mr. Cass, who retired, all the sitting members were returned.
Captain Simeon, Speaker and Provincial Treasurer, retired from both offices, and was succeeded in the chair by Mr. Charles Bowen, while Mr. C. C. Bowen, son of the newly-elected Speaker, became Provincial Treasurer. The latter appointment came in for some criticism on account of Mr. Bowen’s youth, particularly from Mr. Brittan, who held that the office should be conferred as a “reward of a long period of public service.” Mr. Brittan went on to say that, in all probability, there was not one member of that House who would live to see the office vacant again, a forecast of Sir Charles Bowen’s longevity which has been amply fulfilled. Another rather amusing point was made. It will be remembered that Mr. Godley was an Irishman. Mr. FitzGerald also came from the Emerald Isle, as did Mr. Charles Bowen, the Speaker of the Council, and Mr. Gresson, a member
