The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-06 00:00:00

THE CANTERBURY SETTLEMENT.

Yesterday the first weekly conversational meeting
after the assembling of parliament, of the colonists intend-
ing to go out to the Canterbury settlement, in New Zea-
land, took place at the Colonists' Rooms, 9, Adelphi-terrace,
and was numerously attended. The chair was taken by
Captain St sir rote.
The CHAIRMAN said, when this scheme was first
brought forward, the colonists had certain inducements held
out to them, some of a minor and others of a higher kind.
Those of the higher kind related to matters of religion and
education. They had received from the association not only
assurances but proofs that they would attend to the matter of
religion. They took out with theta their own English church.
The next matter was the college. Education and religion
must go hand in hand. The college was highly important
in every way, and it was intended not only for themselves
but for a great portion of the eastern hemisphere, for they
hoped to find fathers sending their cons from India and
from New South Wales to it. It would not be merely a
grammar school, but would comprise the higher branches of
education, and would he assimilated to the universities in
our own country.
The Rev. Mr. WADE, rector of St Ann's, Soho, then
read the outlines of the plan of the proposed college, which
he said was now under consideration. It stated that one of
the fundamental objects of the founders was to train up
ministers to the colonial church, and also to fit young Melt
to the peculiar occupations of a secular colonial life. The
college was to be constituted as an independent society
consisting of a warden, and not less than 5 nor more then
20 fellows under whose superintendence the practical busi-
ness of education would be carried on. The college will
have power of self-government, subject to the visitation of
the bishop. One-tenth of the revenues will be set apart
for free nominations. ',The education in the lower depart-
ment will be similar that at Eton, Harrow, Westminster,
and Winchester. In the upper department the education
will be as similar as possible to that at Oxford and Cam-
bridge ; but the general branch is to include not only gene-
ral literature, but also such brunches as are more peculiarly
fitted for the pursuit in life of the students. Particular at-
tention will be given to the study of agriculture, and with
this view there will be a model farm. The study of medi-
cine will also form a branch, and a hospital will be attached.
There will also be a distinct department for the education
and training of youth sent out from the mother country
with a view to their settling in the colony.
Lord LYTTELTON said the present meting was looked
upon as of more than ordinary interest, as it was the first
after the meeting of parliament. He was not aware, how-
ever, that there was much to he said with regard to that.
There might have been if circumstances had turned out a
little different. With regard to the college, the
plan which had first been laid before them wascl
a further development of what had been already agreed
to. The most important addition was that which re-
lated to the providing a temporary home for young men who
might wish to go to the colony. With regard to the scheme
of the college generally, it warn as yet only a scheme. It
had not yet been brought before the colonists, and the com-
mittee must ask for some time for its further development.
There was another point of considerable importance, a fur-
ther development of the scheme of ecclesiastical manage-
ment, in so far as temporalities were concerned.
The Rev. Mr. SEWELL then read a document, giving
the details of the scheme of ecclesiastical management. The
general effect of it was to place the revenues at the disposal
of a board consisting of an equal number of clergymen
' and laymen, with the addition of the bishop, who is to have
a veto. _ _

Lord LYTTELTON said this was not determined upon,
but had been sent to the colony for the consideration of the
colonists.

Dr. THOMPSON then addressed the meeting. He stated
that he had been in the colony and was well acquainted with
its climate and general character. He trusted, that on
going out to New Zealand they would endeavour to conci-
liate the natives, who in his opinion had not been treated as
they ought to have been. They were well disposed, and if
well treated would be of groat assistance, especially in the
cultivation of flax, which was the staple of the country.
With regard to the climate, there was not a country on the
face of the globe which was superior. There was an erro-
neous idea abroad thut the natives were subject to consump-
tion. It was not consumption, however, but was a disease
owing to an impure lymph applied in vaccination, and
which brought on what medical men called atrophy. With
regard to the soil he had made some chemical experiments,
and he was satisfied that New Zealand and Van
Diemen's Land will become the granaries of the southern
colonies. The climate of New Zealand was of equable
temperature, and might be compared to Madeira, but was
preferable It was a delightful climate, and he wished
he could transport some of his richer patients thither. If he
could, he should like to live there.
Mr. SIMEON, in proposing a vote of thanks to Dr.
Thompson, expressed himself of opinion that the great ques-
tion of the colonies and colonial government had long been
neglected, and that the question of colonial reform could not
be much longer put off. Looking at the intending colonists
before him, be considered it absolutely impossible that the
association should long continue as a governing body in
England. They must have self-government.
A GENTLEMAN put a question to Dr. Thompson with
regard to the wind, which he had been informed was some-
times so high as to amount to a nuisance.
Dr. THOMPSON replied that it was true that in the
northern island the wind did blow hard sometimes, but
nothing more than was experienced on the coasts of Ire-
land and Scotland. He was present at the disembarcation
of a number of the colonists, on one of the stormiest days
ever known there, but the whole body of the emigrants
wore disembarked in one day. There was every convenience
for a good quay, and there was good anchorage. lie had
also been asked whether there was any inconvenience from
insects. At the time he was in New Zealand some incon-
venience was experienced from and-flies; there was no
inconvenience from the mosquitoes.
The CHAIRMAN—May I ask you about the forests?
Dr. THOMPSON said the forests were immense, and
there was a great growth of flax. The wood cut down
amply repaid the labour, and the land could be made pro-
ductive in six or seven months.
A few other questions, principally with regard to the
duration of seasickness on the voyage, were then put and
answered, after which the meeting was adjourned until
Wednesday.

TILE SAILOR? STRIKE.—Tuu TYNE.—Captain
Beechey, from the Board of Trade, has visited North
Shields this week, and had interviews with the committsses
of the seamen on strike, in the presence of the local board
I of trade and the commanders of the war vessels in the har-
bour. He entered very fully into the merits of the Mer-
cantile Marine Act, and explained to the men the nature of
the shipping offices and the register ticket, but seemingly
without satisfaction to the body of the seamen, for they
have since met and resolved not to sign articles under the
new act, either in the foreign or home trade. Notwith-
standing this resolution there seems a difference of opinion
amongst the men u to the policy of such a step. The
South Shicldi shipwrights are still out, and the Hendon
men tented out on Tuesday.