BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3882, 3 August 1875, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Napier, Avgust 2. John Thomas was again brought up and remanded on a charge of stabbing James Cable on June 19th. The wounded man is not yet able to appear in Court.

Hokitika, August 2. The ‘ West Coast Times ’ comments approvingly on the general principles of the Abolition and Local Government Bills, though as regards Westland it considers <he measures impose a greater burden on the land fund than it will bear at present. The article disapproves of adhering to the present Provincial boundaries for new Provincial districts, but says the system proposed will be a great improvement on present arrangements, and with a few modifications in Committee, should commend itself favorably to the whole of the residents in Westland. The ‘‘Evening Star ’ likewise welcomes the introduction of both Bills,

Westport, August 2. The abolition proposals are most favorably received, and meetings are being convened to express hearty concurrence in them.

Gretmodth, August 2. Mr E. S. Fox, an old resident of Grey mouth, was drowned while attempting to ford the New Liver, five miles south of Greymouth, on Saturday evening. Deceased, who was for merly a member of the County Council, and well known in various parts of the Colony, was tho gold buyer for whom, in 1866, the Burgess and Kelly gang lay in ambush near Arnold, Grey Valley, when they mistook and murdered Dobson, the assistant-engineer.

Lyttelton, August 2. A woman named Young, the wife of a laborer, threw her child, two years old, into a water-butt, and it was drowned. An inquest was held, and the verdict returned was that •ho done it whilst laboring under temporary insanity. The cook of the ship Countess of Kintore was found dead in his bunk. An inquest was held at which a verdict was returned of death from natural causes.

• A heavy S.W. gale is blowing, with snow, bail and lain.

Invercargill, August 2. The polling for the municipal election of four councillors took place to-day, when Messrs Matthews, Goodsir, Garthwaite, and Goodwillie were returned.

__ , Wellington, August 2. Mr Reader Wood has formally left the Government party. His assigned reason is understood to be opposition to the localisation of the land revenue. A majority of the Government supporters are in favor of pushing the abolition measures this session.

At a meeting of the Opposition this afternoon, Sir George Grey was unanimously nominated leader, and authorised to be the exponent of their views. The Opposition are determined to use all Parliamentary forms to stop the passage of the Abolition Bill this session. They will speak against time, if necessary, about which Mr Fitzherbert gave young members some useful lessons. They will ask the House not to consider the Abolition and Local Government Bills vm the | Representation Bill, and the Lstimates are hetore the House. It is believed by the Opposition that the great struggle will be on the Estimates. Both Government and Opposition appear confident of success. Mr Richardson will probably make the Public Works Statement to-morrow.

Christchurch, August 3. The ‘ Times ’ this morning has a long article against the Abolition Bill, in which it points out that the greater portion of the machinery so much decried as cumbrous and burdensome has to be retained. It also contends that the impecunious Provinces will really gain nothing by the Bill, while those Provinces having land, funds are not likely to bo satisfied -with the proposed method of dealing with those funds. A meeting will be held here on Thursday night to consider the question of the abolition of the Provinces. The feeling appears strongly favorable to the Abolition Bill, At a meeting of the City Council last night, the Mayor, referring to the Bill, said he thought the whole Council would support it, seeing that the Government desired to endow municipalities so liberally. .At a meeting of electors in the Selwyn district on Monday night it was resolved to ask their representative in the Assembly (Mr W. Iteeves) to strenuously‘object to the passing of the Abolition Bill until after the next general election, and to oppose to the utmost section 27 of the Bill and all other sections giving arbitrary and unlimited power to the Government of the Colony. _ It was also decided to call Mr Reeves’s attention to the necessity for such a large and important district as Selwyn having an additional member.

Another scene occurred in the City Council last night. Cr. Raphael, who was one of the principals in the fracas some months ago, in remarking upon the Fire Brigade Committee’s report said it was false in fact, and that it would be a small loss if Jones (Chairman of the Committee) resigned. Cr Jones asked the Mayor to call Cr. Raphael to order. Cr. Raphael then said he treated with contempt anything Cr. Jones said. The Mayor asked *< r’ ® a l J hael to withdraw the expression—false in fact,” but Cr. Raphael declined to do so. The Mayor; “ Then if you don’t withdraw it I’ll vacate the chair.” Cr. Raphael: ~ if as y° u I’ll not withdraw it. The May 01 ; “ Then I vacate the chair. 1 cannot sit hero and hear the lie direct given to a member of the Council.” Saying this, the Mayor left the chair, Cr, Hart then rose, and said that objectionable expressions made use of in the heat of a discussion were withdrawn in all bodies, and he hoped Cr. Raphael would withdraw the expression he used, and allow the business to proceed. Cr. Raphael said that, in order to allow the business to go on, ho withdrew the words. The Mayor thereupon resumed the chair, and the business was proceeded with.