DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 265, 24 May 1867, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(KflO-M A CORRKSPOXDEXT.) May 20th, 1807. I The '-''■ idfrolds still continue to absorb a largo 'sh'ars of public attention, and never did tlie i miner? hitvo Uio sympathiets of so many enlisted I •■.i their favor. Public opinion is however, mu;Ji divided upon the action taken by the Provincial Government, and their conduct in sanding up Messrs Hughes, Rowley, Brown, and Shepherd, to lock up Court Houses and otherwi e obstruct public business is very generally condemned. Mr Haughton's motion for a copy of the instructions furnished to the delegates to the Goldfields on behalf of the Provincial Government was negatived—Mr Rcid alone supporting the motion ; scarcely other than this was to have been expected, as the information required was known to the majority of the Council, but Mr Haugkton was quite right in asking the question—no moneys should be spent without the country knowing the exact nature of the expenditure The '" Plebiscite'' is to be 'taken, but how the details are to be carried out, your correspondent is in ignorance—it is generally believed the desired result will not be 'obtained ; it will merely show an expression of Dunodin opinion, and not the opinion of the country. Mr Shepherd has intimated his intention of moving for the reduction of the Gold Export Duty at the rate of Gd per ounce per annum ; the same question has been so often before the House, and negatived that it is difficult to even surmise what will be done in thcmattcri but doubtless it is high time so obnoxious a tax on the miners was reduced or repealed. The resignation of Mr Mount, as Provincial Secretary, was laid before the House by the Treasurer, who stated that Mr Duncan had accepted the office. Mr Brown's motion that a select committee be appointed to enquire into the management of the Goldfields, and the conduct of the Goldficld's officers, drew forth some remarks from Mr Mouat of a purely personal character against the mover ; upon being cautioned by the speaker as to the character of his remark—Mr Mouat said ho was prepared to take the consequence of any statements he might make ; he merely wished to object to the mover bjing on the committee—riot to the committee being formed. It must be remembered, that during the last session a similar committee was formed, the report of which was more unfavorable to the mover than the department. The motion was supported by Messrs Shepherd, Hughes, Duncan, and other member. B , and ultimately the committee was elected by ballot. Among the motions brought forth by honorable members, the most important affecting your interests are "the survey of the principle water-sheds ;" " fcb.9 telegraph to Quecnstown ;" "the grant of £3OOO for opening up a track from Cromwell to the West Coast." The former d'enerve3 special attention from you—the hint

thrown out on that matter by the "Daily Times" Dunstan correspondent I am glad to see has been taken advantage of. The opinion of Mr Cook on the management of the Goldfielda was laid before the House, in the matter of withdrawing the powers—Mr Cook says the act is illegal; X \yill give One clause in the opinion, to that your readers will more directly understand it. ,: That so far as tha Goldfields' Act has the effect of depriving the Provincial Government of the right to govern over any portion of the Province of Otago, or is otherwise antagonistic to Provincial Government, it is contrary to the provisions and spirit of those portions of the Constitution Act which have reference to Provincial institutions, and is therefore illegal. Were it otherwise, Provincial Governments, which form one of the grand features of the Constitution Act, would be annihilated, for the whole of New Zealand might be proclaimed Goldfields, and thereby brought under the control of the General Government, which might, by means of corrupt and incapable agents, govern the country in the most oppressive manner." The Hon. J. C. Richmond has arrived from Wellington j he is supposed to be commissioned by the General Government, to make matters a little smooth respecting the hubbub about the Goldfields. Mr Justice Richmond has left tl e Province for Nelson—the falling off in judicial business here, and a corresponding increase on the West Coast consequent on the discoveries of Goldfield's, Mr Justice Richmond's loss will be felt by many—ill health is also another cau.c of his leaving.