of the Executive. Mr. Brittan raised some laughter by saying that there was an impression abroad that patronage was flowing too much in one channel—and that certainly was not the English Channel. However, the appointment was not seriously challenged, and Mr. C. C. Bowen became Provincial Treasurer, giving up his position as Inspector of Police. One of his last acts in the latter capacity was to assist in the prosecution of that famous sheep-stealer, James Mackenzie, after whom the Mackenzie Plains were named.
It was now more than two years since Mr. Henry Sewell’s arrival to wind up the affairs of the Canterbury Association. In face of strong opposition he had steadily endeavoured to induce the Provincial Council to take over the assets and liabilities of the Association as its natural successor; and at last his patience and ability were rewarded, and the Provincial Council passed the Canterbury Association Ordinance. This Act (July 10, 1855) constituted an agreement between Mr. Henry Sewell, as agent of the Canterbury Association, and the Provincial Government, for the latter to take over the assets and assume responsibility for the liabilities of the Association—paving interest on advances which had been made by private individuals. The assets were enumerated in the several schedules of the Act, and included the Town Reserves, 897 acres; Botanical Gardens, 23 acres; Cattle Market, 7 acres; Abattoirs, 2 acres: Government Domain, 64 acres: also the sites of the Gaol, the Mechanics’ Institution, Association offices and Stores, Custom House wharves, Agents’ house, Past Office, Town Hall and Police Court. There were also special Reserves for Canals:—Between Heathcote and Halswell rivers, 29 acres; between Avon and Purarekanui rivers, 45 acres: between Avon and sea, 28 acres.[1]
- ↑ By Provincial Council Canal Reserve Ordinance, September 19, 1871, the Superintendent was authorised to sell this reserve.
