The liabilities taken over amounted to £28,939 10s. 7d., and the motion for the adoption of the agreement was moved by Mr. J. Brittan, and supported by other speakers who paid tribute to the unselfish work done by the Association. The Provincial Council declined to cavil at certain items of expenditure to which it might easily have taken exception, and cheerfully assumed what seemed then a heavy liability.
Thus ended the corporate existence of the Canterbury Association, a conclusion honourable to the Provincial Council and greatly appreciated by the members of the Association. A letter addressed to the Superintendent contained this paragraph:—“There is not one of us who will not retain for the whole of his life the most lively interest in the fortunes of the colony of Canterbury, and the most affectionate regard for its inhabitants.” The letter was signed by twenty-seven members of the Association in London, the first signature being that of Lord Lyttelton, and the last that of Mr. J. R. Godley.
It was found necessary at a second session of the Provincial Council in October, to pass the Canterbury Association Reserves Ordinance, to enable the Provincial Council to administer property acquired through the Canterbury Association. It was by this ordinance that authority was given to sell the town reserves (about 400 acres) which surrounded Christchurch on three sides, and a minimum price fixed at £50 per acre, the money to be used to pay off the Canterbury Association liabilities (£28,939 10s. 7d.), for which 6 per cent. debentures had been issued. Besides authorising the sale of the reserves, the Ordinance provided for the necessary roading to open up the land for residential purposes, viz., the formation of belts, two chains wide, round the city, and the continuation of streets to meet these belts.
It may be mentioned here that the first sale of Town Reserves under this Ordinance took place on February 7,
