The Evening Post. THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1865. ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF DUNEDIN.

Evening Post, Issue 67, 27 April 1865, Page 2

The Evening Post. THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1865. ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF DUNEDIN.

The p.s. City of Dunedin, Captain Boyd, arrived here this afternoon, about half-past one o'clock. . Her files are to Saturday, 22nd inst. The English mail had not been received at Dunedin when the City left. As the City of Dunedin was leaving Lyttelton she passed the Hero and Airedale entering the port, the latter with the English mail on board. The Hero brought the mail from Melbourne to Dunedin, aid it was transhipped into the Airedale, which may be expected here with our portion some time to-morrow. The Otago Daily Times of Saturday last leads with 'an article on the consolidation of the Provinces of the Midule Island into one province. " The proposition may be briefly described. It is to substitute for the present Superintendents and Council one Superintendent, nominated by the Home Government, and one Council consisting of two Houses. The whole of the powers now severally exercised by the various Councils and Superintendents, it is proposed to trans-

fer to this central Government. Supposing a fair basis o£ representation be arrived at, it is contended that full justice can be done *o the local interests oi the various provinces by a central Legislature and a central Exesutir.-. The great difficulty is the reconciling the conflicting interests of the provinces as at present constituted, and the securing to each its own territorial revenue. These subject 8 are at some length dwelt on, and though the difficulty is admitted, it is urged that it is by no means insuperable. Another element of the proposal is the giving to the loans of the provinces the additional security of a united guarantee, whilst at the same time, as between themselves, the provinces will severally have to meet their respective engagements. It is suggested that the first Council should meet at Canterbury to frame its own constitution and to select the seat of Government. If with the plan is incorporated one for the constructinff a railway from end to end of the island, the desirability of ultimately selecting a new town in the interior for the capital of the island is pointed out." The commercial article of the Otago Daily Times of the 22nd inst, contains ihe following :— Business has been rather quiet, but not absolutely dull— shipments are again making on a moderate scale to Hokitika, and a good demand exists for suitable goods. Flour is firmly held at last quotations, and the price may be said to have a tendency to improve. Very few transactions of any moment have taken place either privately or by auction.