PROVINCIALISM IN AUCKLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 2972, 28 August 1872, Page 4

PROVINCIALISM IN AUCKLAND.

The Auckland correspondent of the Lyttelton Times writes Auckland is greatly excited re the proposed handing over of public works to Superintendents of Provinces. A meeting to protest against that motion was called for yesterday. The meeting was held in the Mechanics’ Institute, and, passing to it, I saw hundreds of respectable citizens unable to gam admission. With much difficulty I got in by a private entrance, and found the large hall densely crowded. Every one present seemed well ro do, and was respectably attired. Immense interest was evidently felt in the proceedings, so much so, that even tedious speakers were patiently listened to, provided they confined themselves to the subject which now appears to engross all Auckland. The Provincialists were represented inside the building by the Provincial Secretary, Mr Mackay, who has been spoken of as our future Superintendent, and several gentlemen who have not hitherto taken a conspicuous part in public affairs. Outside the building, Mr Moss, who s Orevilie’s agent here, and I believe correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, did his best for the Provincial side of the question. This gentleman is in the Provincial Secretary’s office, and naturally champions Provincialism. From all I hear Mr Moss is personally a pleasant sort of person, and as I had the pleasure of hearing him, I can bear witness that he is a great assistance to his political friends. The meeting comm need at two p.ui., and owing to the number of speakers it is adjourned for a week. You will read the various speeches, so I need not criticise them. I may, however, state that without identifying myself with either side of the great question that has been raised, I could not avoid seeing that Provincialism found very little favor with the meeting of yesterday. Certainly it is clear that the idea of Superintendents administering the public works was extremely unpopular with a great majority of those who attended that meeting. 1 hear it is the same all over the town, and in every outlying district of this Province. For their sakes I deeply regret to hear that the Auckland members who have joined what is angrily termed here the “conspiracy” would not have the slightest chance of re-election were they again to offer themselves. The fact is, the people of this Province, rightly or wrongly, now conceive that a plot was laid against them months ago, and that fear of consequences prevented some of our members from addressing us before leaving for Wellington. It is very possible the people of Auckland are mistaken. v\ ith that I have nothing to do; but depend upon it publi# opinion here at present is just as it is represented in this letter. It should be added that, after taking care f ully written notes of speeches delivered yesterday at the Mechanics’ Institute, it is found that the speeches have been faithfully reported in this morning’s Southern Cross and Herald; further, it ought, I think, to be clearly understood that Auckland is not enthusiasts for any particular set of Ministers, but does greatly abhor the idea of reviving P ovin a cialism in any shape or under any pretence.