of nine members was held on February 4, 1862. Mr. W. Donald, R.M., who was returned at the head of the poll, became the first chairman of the Lyttelton Borough Council. Christchurch was not far behind. This town had been gazetted a municipal district on February 1, 1862, and the election of members of the Council took place on February 28, and resulted in the return of nine members in the order given:—J. Hall, R.M., J, Anderson, G. Miles, W. Wilson, W. D. Barnard, E. Reece, J. Barrett, H. E. Alport and G. Gould. At the first meeting, March 3, Mr. Hall was elected chairman.
The agitation which led to the granting of local government to the city of Christchurch had been started by Mr. John Ollivier, who laud presented a petition to the Superintendent from the householders of Christchurch. The receipt of the petition was acknowledged by the Provincial Secretary in a letter, dated December 21, 1861, of sufficient importance to be quoted in full. It ran as follows:—
“”Sir,—I am directed by His Honour the Superintendent to acknowledge receipt of a petition from the householders of Christchurch, praying that the district of Christchurch may be proclaimed a municipal district.
“The petition will be gazetted at once, and the petitioners may rely upon the Government laying before the Council a claim for a considerable grant of money from the Provincial chest, which the Government recognise as due to the town from the sale of Town Reserves to meet a liability of the whole Province.
“The Government will also be prepared to recommend an endowment of waste lands as a permanent estate for the city so soon as legal doubts, which have been mooted, as to the powers of the Superintendent to reserve, shall have been removed.
“I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant.
“(Signed) Thos. W. Maude, Provincial Secretary.
"To J. Olivier, Esq., M.P.C.”
