THE Bay of Plenty Times. Saturday, October 2, 1875.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 320, 2 October 1875, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times.

Saturday, October 2, 1875.

"THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES SHALL TEACH ME SPEED." KING JOlltf, ACT IV.

As will Lo soon by reference to our telegraphic columns, tlie Abolition of Provinces’ Bill lias boon passed by a large majority. We congratulate settlers of lids and the other outdistricts that such is the case. As the effects of the passing of the Bill may not he clearly understood by many of our readers, wo will briefly enumerate a few loading features. The second section of the Constitution Act is repealed, and Provinces abolished : all powers hitherto in the hands of Superintendents are vested in the Governor, who will have power to delegate all property at present vested in Superintendents for educational purposes, to the existing Boards of Education, the Chairmen of which will perform such duties as are now performed by Superintendents. Officers who, by the passing of the Abolition Bill lose their appointments, are to receive compensation. All License Fees will go to the Municipalities and Eoad Boards, as will also fees levied under the Beal) Act. Goldfield’s revenue arising jn Provincial Districts is not bo deemed Land Fund, but to be applied to expenses of goldfields in each Provincial District; but such is not to include revenue derived from the sale of Waste Lands within the goldfields : after all expenses, including monies due to Native owners of goldfields have been paid, the residue of revenue derived from goldfields is to go to the governing body of the district

in which it lias been raised. The Land Fund in each district is charged with, the payment of the interest and Sink-

mu’ .Fund chargeable against the Province as at -present existing, and also with!lie cost of suiToys and general administration of the Waste Lands, and with annual payments to the Governing bodies of Ixond Districts pf one pound of general rates ■within those distvi'-ls. If the Land Lhnenuo falls short of requirements, the-Colo-nial Treasurer has power to raise money. The cost of maintenance of police, gaols, harbors, hospitals, lunatic asylums, etc,, is to he home hv the Consolidated hund. The sections come into loreo on the day next alter the last day of the first session of the next Parliament ; the twenty-tilth section comes into operation at oneo. The seventeenth section of the Constitution Act is also repealed and no more Provincial Councils are io meet. Having from time to time expressed decided opinions on the measure, we refrain from making' further comments. Wo can but trust that the several electorates will he careful to return to Parliament at the next general election such candidates vnhj who will pledi/e themselves to support the Bill, as doubtless the Opposition will leave no stone unturned to get it repealed during the first session of the sixth Parliament.