THE CONVENTION.

Evening Star, Issue 4271, 3 November 1876, Page 2

THE CONVENTION.

The following letter has been addressed to his Honor the late Superintendent, by the Hon. J. H. Menkes, M.L.C. :- Sir,—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt ofyour Honor's circular of 24th inst., asking me to attend a meeting at Dunedin on the Bfch prox. of members of the House of Representatives, of the Provincial Council, Mayors, and Chairmen of Boad Boards, and Education Committees, " to confer ond determine as to the best means of extricating the J™"? 06 ,12* Otago from the evil results involve! in the Abolition of Provinces Act." In nply, I may say,atonce, that, viewing as I do the slperceasion of the Provincial form of Government in favor of a county and burgh system as a step in the right direction of localising the administration of matters purely local, I do not recognise as "evil" results S£ Btol su Ml direction that are likely to flow nom.the abolition of Provinces s_ and, if such should appear imminent, as your Honor seems to anticipate, the local authorities, County and Borough Councils, &0., will be the proper and meat competent bodies to deal wißi any difficulties that may arise. The present occasion may nodeubt be considered critical, because our institutions are undergoing a change; but I apprehend that the legally censtituted authorities will be the proper paltiei to conBiaer ana make such recommendations as may appear necessary tor executive action, if that BhouH £! 1^ 3, aa * f « TOch further legislation as will Md m out their functions they will deserve and should receive the hearty support ef all residents in the Province, whose among their fellow-settlers. AJw„ Houor J*?,!* 6 t ) la - t ' aiding these views, I cannot concur in the opinion that a private Convention, such as that contemplated, is an advisable proceeding, or that in absence of any stamp of offloial authority any positive benefit will be lfkely to acorue from its assemblage. «««j May I request that your Honor will be just la ? tb i ß letter before the meeting fl it should take place P—l am, &0., Dun Alister, October 31,1876.^ A " ****"*'