BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3890, 12 August 1875, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

CmUSTCHUBCH, August 12. The Lyttletou ‘ Times ’ to-day, speaking of the Road Board finance table, published yesterday, points out that it the same rates are levied nexty earns last year, two Suburban Road Board districts, wi hj 1,351 ratepayers, would, under the Abolition Bill, gain 1.500, but thirty-five districts would lose L 112.872; or, if a one shilling rate is levied, six Road Boards, u-presenting ‘2,214 ratepayers, will gain by the Abolition Bill to the extent of L 2,500, but thirty - one Road Boards, representing 0,117 ratepayers, would lose L 89,775. Speaking next of what will be done with the money thus saved from Road Boards, the ‘Times’ says the balance of the land fund remaining over after paying the 1! for endowments is to be divided between immigration, charitable aid, and public works. There is a balance for these purposes under the present system, which balance will be largely increased by saving from the Road Boards proposed by the Bill. Immigration and public works are, without doubt, very good objects for the expenditure of public money, but electors must remember that the Bill places the appropriation of the very large balance under dis-cu-siou in the hands of the General Assembly. Remembering this, they will see that there is ko security that the new dis rict of Canterbury will not lose its proportion of the Colonial immigration expenditure iu proportion to the amount supplied by the_ local land fund. The Bill is silent on this point, and members representing other districts iu the Assembly will be loud enough in thei» demands to mulct Canterbury. The same observations will apply to the future expenditure on public works. Again, it must not be forgotten that the appropriation of localised land fund by the general Legislatute can never be so satisfactory as appropriation by a local Legislature, 1 he oa es for the Christchurch Metropolitan Meeting have been altered to November 11. 12, and 13. Entries for the Cup and C.J.O. Handicap close on September 20 ; tho weights fur the latter to be declared on October 1.

__ _ , Invercargill, August 12. Mr Lumsden, M.P.0., addressed a meeting of his constituents in the theatre last ni"ht There was a moderately f;ood attendance, and his Worship the Mayor was voted to the chair. Mr Lumsden at considerable length reviewed the proceedings of tho_ lato session of tin Council, and explained his action iu refere' c; to matters of local interest. A vote of and contidcnco was carried with one or two dissentients.

Wellington, August 12.

Last eve ning a public meeting, convened by the Mayer, was hell to consider the proposal now before the Assembly re abolition of tin Provinces. The meeting was one o F the larges' ever held in Wellington. H". Wallace pi (.posed and Mr Plirnmer seconded tho follow ing resolution Unit this meeting approves of the Abolition Bill, na introduced by t}ie Go vernment, and trusts it will be carried without

delay.” An amendment was moved by Mr R J. Duncan and seconded by Mr Travers (solicitor), as follows “ That in the opinion of this meeting, and considering the very short time the Abolition of Provinces and the Local Government Bills have been before the public, and the fact that in a few months a new Parliament will be elected, it is the wisest and inest constitutional course to allow the electors to give their opinions upon questionsof such vital importance, affecting the interests of the colonists at large, in the usual constitutional way by their votes at the approaching general election.” Mr Pearce, M.H.R., for Wellington City, concluded his speech by saying : “I am going to vote lor the Bill and will do my best to cany it through the Assembly.” The amendment was carried by a large majority. __

Auckland, August 12.

At a meeting of electors at Parrell, rc abolition, last night, 500 persons were present. Tin first resolution moved was in favor of the Government Bills, but it lapsed for want of a seconder. The second resolution, “ That thi meeting views with alarm the proposition t< abolish the Provinces without an appeal to thv country by means of a general election, and protests against the proposed Abolition of Provinces Bill being passed by the Ass-mbly, whose term of office is just expiring,” was received with enthusiastic cheering. A telegram was read from Mr Reader Wood, declaring his intention to contest Parnell against all comers. Mr Dargaville, M.P.C., moved a resolution supporting the general principles of the Go veniment measures, and declared his intention to contest Parnell with Mr R, Wood, Mi Lusk, M.P.0., made an able speech against the Government measures, and other speakers referred to Sir George Grey’s exertions and the necessity for giving him cordial support, A vote of confidence in Mr Wood was passed, ■with cheers. {From our own Correspondent.) Lawrence, August 12. A public meeting re Abolition was held here last night, when the following resolution was unanimously carried This meeting cordially approves of the proposals contained in 'the Government bills for the of Provinces and for the constitution of districts throughout the Colony to have the control ol local revenue, and believe that if carried into effect, they will he conducive of a great and lasting benefit to the country.” In moving the resolution MrFcrgusson showed tint the revenue from the Tuapeka district during iufi past year had been übout L 40,000, and that only between L 3,000 and L 4,050 had been returned to it for roads and public works, and he argued that the proposed change could not possibly be for the worse.