Chapter XI.
The First Superintendency of Mr. W. S. Moorhouse.
1857-1863.
Election of Superintendent Moorhouse—“The Amended Regulations”—Public Hospital—Canterbury Chamber of Commerce—Return of Mr. FitzGerald from England, and publication of the “Press”—Lyttelton Tunnel—Mr. Julius Haast (afterwards Sir Julius)—Mr. Edward Dobson—Christchurch Municipal Council—Artesian water supply—Resignation of Mr. Moorhouse.
After the departure of Mr. FitzGerald there was an interval of some months before the election of his successor, and during that period Mr. Charles Bowen acted as Deputy-Superintendent. The elections took place in November, when Mr. William Sefton Moorhouse was elected to the Superintendency, defeating Mr. Joseph Brittan by a substantial majority. The new Provincial Council, consisting of twenty-six members, met on January 19, 1858, with Mr. Ollivier at the head of the Government, in place of Mr. Packer, who had resigned.
That session (January 19 to February 24), was chiefly remarkable for the passage of the “Amended Regulations,” relating to the waste lands of the Province. The subject had frequently occupied the time of the Provincial Council since 1855, when the first set
