NASEBY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 695, 13 August 1875, Page 3

NASEBY.

—-o—----(FROM cun OWSjCORRSSPONDKKT.) August 10, 1873. Mr de Lautour, M.P.C., addressed the electors in the Town-hall, last evening. There was an excellent attendance. Ilia Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and briefly introduced Mr de Lautour, who said that he had come before them as they bad received (intelligence that they were all to die on the Ist of November— come as it wore, to make his last wilDand testament; the Provinces were to ho abolished then. Before entering on the subject of abolition, be would briefly state what had transpired in referen-e to the district since he last met them. When in Dunedin, during the last session of the Provincial Council, his colleague and himself had waited upon tho Colonial Secretary and the lion. Mr Reynolds, m reference to the I’unlio Works, which were badly managed. These gentlemen showed thatltboy possessed a very inadequate idea of what these works really were, and seemed to consider that the money expended was’like so much money thrown away. They were received favorably by tho Ministers, and he was glad to be able to toll them that a practical result had ensued. In (the Public Works Statement delivered by Mr Richardson last week, it was proposed to expend LI 0,000 on tho completion of those works. He had noticed in several of the papers that the sum had been stated as LIOOO, but this was an error in the telegraphing. Ho had that day received a telegram from Mr Mervyn. M.H.R., stating that the amount was Llo.ooo— v/as the sura that had been asked for by his colleague and himself from the Colonial Secretary (Applause). He would turn to the Abolition of Provinces. After stating, at considerable length, the gist of He Bill, the bon. gentleman went on to say that it was proposed to localise the revenue: That is, goldfields) were said to be going to have tho whole of its revenue expended in its districts, and in the furtherance of the industries from which it was gathered—that was in maintenance of its special departments, &c. The amount expeudedSat present on these matters was LnOOO, while the annual revenue was L 20.000. What was to become of the surplus L 15.000 ? He showed by calculations "[that a single miner makes about LOO a year,, and that out of that he had to pay L 5 special goldfields taxation. The surplus money was to be expanded on roads, &c , which would go for the benefit of fanners, pastoral tenants, and others. The miners hid to pay the same taxes as these latter-named class of persons, phis tho L 5 special taxation. He did not think it was fair. The reduction of taxation and the abolition of tho gold duty was not to be spoken of by Colonial Ministers. He thought it was most unfair that miners should bn taxed so heavily, and especially without reoeivingany commensurate return. He thought before such a change was effected that the" bill should be well ventilated ; should be argued and understood by the people, and carefully criticised by the press. Time should he given it. He did not wish to dictate to them, but simply wanted to draw their earnest attention to such an important measure; an intelligent and sensible community could judge for themselves. It was probably the last time be should come before them, and ho wished to place matters in a clear light. After answering a few questions, the shaker sat down amidst loud applause. A vote of thanks to him %vas carried with acclamation, and also to the chairman, and the meeting dispersed. Tho centenary of O’Connell has heen celebrated by a grand ball and refreshments at St. Bathans. Persons of all creeds and beliefs assembled in numbers, and thejentertainment was a complete success. Last week the glass stood at ]odeg. below freezing point, inside a shop shutter, consequently mining operations were stopped. A gentle thaw lias now set in.