THE Bay of Plenty Times. "THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES SHALL TEACH ME SPEED.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. Wednesday, October 20, 1875.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 325, 20 October 1875, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times. "THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES SHALL TEACH ME SPEED.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. Wednesday, October 20, 1875.

The end of the session is approaching', and though the period that will elapse between the dissolution and general electiorbwill in all probability be but short, we trust that those who have allowed party feeling to exhibit itself on occasions in wbat can only be

termed an unseemly maimer, will make the best use of that interval to calm themselves, and iii endeavouring to estimate the trim state oi the public mind on the question of the Abolition of Provinces, and the various other questions which during the session have caused so much controversy. By the verdict of a very large majority Provincialism has received its conga, and we earnestly trust that tlie Opposition will accept the position, and will not attempt to revivify the dead, but rather to give every assistance in their power in the direction ol framing a measure which shall as near as possible give general satisfaction to tho Colony at large. By adopting such a course, Sir George Grey and the gentlemen thinking and acting with him, will earn the respect and good will of the body of colonists, and atone in a largo measure for tho past. Tho Otago Guardian referring to tho lino of conduct which should now bo pursued by tho Opposition in substituting a new form of Local Government for tho defunct Provincial system, makes the following remarks ;

“ It is dono, and there is not much chance of its being undone. The Bill is passed, and Provincialism is virtually dead-only its unburied corpse will remain on view for a few mouths longer. It is impossible not to feel some regrets of a sentimental character at the departure from this life of an old friend. One begins at once to remember his virtues and forget his failings. No one denies that Provincial Institutions have in their time dono good colonizing work, only they have now become an anachronism. But the world wags j we must move on. ‘ The King is dead—long live the King!’ Some form of government of a local 4 character must take the place of the defunct system ; and it is to the details of that new system of local government that attention should now be turned. The Government Bill was by no means perfect in its provisions for local administration, and, as this part of their proposed legislation will now be postponed, wa should expect some considerable improvement to be made in it before the new Parliament meets. The temper of the various sections of the House is now pretty well known to the Government, and it will be greatly to blame if advantage is not taken of the severe criticism it has had to listen to, to meet every real, well-founded objection. Many complain that the system proposed by the Local Government Bill was both crude and cumbrous—that too much power was given to petty little Boards, and too little to largo ones; and though it is not worth while now to go into details, wo think there is something in the objections. If it be possible now to bury the hatchet, and for both sides to unite in trying to get a really workable system of local administration, we shall bo glad indeed ; for, after all, the ad' vancemenfc of the country is of more import' ance than party triumphs, and patriotism belter than place. Mr Macandrew and Mr Reid have a great opportunity, and we trust they will bo large minded enough to sink their party feeling*, by doing their best to aid in devising the best possible scheme of local administration, short of a revival of the old worn-out machinery of Provincial Government, which no doubt to them would seem the very best. At least they will admit that half a loaf is better than no bread.’”

lx our issue of the 29th ultimo we drew the attention of the Government to the desirability of inaugurating a mail service between Tauranga and Katikati*, and suggested that Mr Vesoy Stewart should place himself in communication with, the Government with this end in view. Wo are pleased to learn that this gentleman has acted on our suggestion and has applied to Sir Donald McLean, who always was a very warm supporter of the Katikati special settlement, requesting that two or three members of the Armed Constabulary Force be stationed at Katikati upon the Government reserve. The mail from Tauranga could be delivered at Katikati once or twice a week, and a Constable from Macbaytown could meet there and exchange mails. This arrangement would place Tauranga in direct communication with the Thames, as, at present, letters for Grahamstown go to Auckland first and then back to Grahamstown. It would in addition give Tauranga two or three mails weekly into Auckland and the Goldfields. Wo understand that Mr Stewart has also urged the importance of constructing the bridges over the Aongatete, Uritara, and Tahawai rivers, and, in fact, completing the Tauranga road from its present terminus at Katikati to the Thames. If this road is opened it will at once lead to the settlement of some good lands held by Government adjoining the Katikati special settlement, as there are several old colonists anxious to settle in the neighbourhood. The amount realized by Government

from the sale of these waste lands would go far towards defraying the outlay on the road. It will be remembered that a distinct promise was made that this road would bo completed upon the arrival of the party of Katikati special settlers. We feel satisfied that the completion of these work* and the loyal, honorable manner ii| which the General Government have carried out the details of tho agreement with the Stewart party will h the means of inducing a large number of families of the tenant fanner class to follow tho pioneer settlement if suitable blocks of land were laidoir for their reception in this district.