BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2255, 29 July 1870, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

[I'iMM OUK OWN COHISK.SrONDF.XTS.] Waikouaiti, July 28. Mr T. S. Pratt was elected Mayor to-day. The numbers polled were— Pratt, 33 j Anceil, 32. The contest was u most exciting one. The number of enrolled ratepayers was about 85. Wellington, July 29. A discussion has Liken place in the House of Representatives on the reduction of the duty on gold. It is proposed that the Provinces shall have the discretion of making the reduction. By the Payment of Common Jurors Bill, the payment to jurors is not to exceed 8s per diem. The Government propose to make no exemption in favor of Volunteers. Mr Birch claimed exemption on behalf of Fire Brigades.

Mr Reynolds has given a notice of motion for Tuesday next on the question that the House resolves itself into Committee of Supply—“ That; with a view to give the people of the Colony an opportunity, by means of the general elections, to consider whether it will conduce to their interests to ensure either complete or financial Separation of the two islands, it is desirable that the financial legislation of the present session should be so framed as not to impair such Separation, if by tlje constituencies thought advisable.” This notjee of motion is thought to be dictated by spieej; on account of the untoward fate of Mr Reynolds’s most inopportune Separation resolutions. Mr Driver has given notice of the following resolution—“ Tixat in the opinion of this House it is necessary, in order to carry out to its fullest extent the financial policy of the Government, that the land laws in the various Provinces of the Middle Island should be assimilated as far as it is practicable to do so, based on the principle of free selection, and that Ministers be requested to prepare the Bills giving effect to this resolution during the recess, due regard being had to all vested rights established under existing laws.”