LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 769, 22 December 1870, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[from our own correspondent.] Dunedin, Dec. 21. Mr Reid, Provincial Secretary, explained his fand the other members of Government's views on the Immigration and Public Works Act, to a large meeting last night. He said Mr Vogel's argument oh that scheme had given him great disappointment. He took from Mr Vogel's speech that the salient points concerning the people of the Mildle Island were, that the Clutha railway could not be constructed under the Act ; and regarding J the threat that the Act, if attempted to be altered, would be rendered still more distasteful to the Middle Island, he thought the power lay in the hands of the constituents, and not with the Colonial Treasurer. Were certain modifications made in the scheme, it would have his support ; but he condemned it as it stood.. In the matter of railways, all that was offered them was that certain enquiries would be made, and surveys prosecuted, which were already being done by the Provincial Governments. Nothing would be lost if delay was caused in submitting the schevne to the next Parliament. He referred to the disproportionately large amount proposed to be expended in the North Island. No contractor, also, would take confiscated lands as payment. He saw in that a future difficulty. The

North Island would be unable to pay its share of the expenditure, not even Auckland, its most prosperous Province, while Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki would be utterly unable to do so. If only as security for the proposed expenditure were the Customs revenue taken, that, though monstrously unfair to Otago, would have been less unfair than the security of the Middle Island lands, which lands tlie railways should open up instead of passing over the mountainous ranges and deserts in the North Island. He was not surprised at the laud owners in the North Island supporting the scheme if their lands were opened up at the expense of the South, which Would ! also have to bear the expense of maintaining them. As to charging the lots provincially, he referred the meeting to ■what took, place in 1807, when the Act was passed making the North Island's Provincial charges payable by the Colony, and also to the Busby laud claim. The General Government was empowered to expend not more than LSOOO per mile. The Clntha railway could not be constructed for that amount. The Provincial Government could have had it constructed as economically as the General Government, which advised the Governor not to assent to the Biil for the extension of the time of the guarantee, thereby preventing them doing so, and showing that the Ministry was not sincere. He was doubtful if the General. Government had the funds to commence it. As to the threat held out, that if attempted to bo altered the Bill would be made worse for the Middle Island, it was ill-timed. The power lay not with the Colonial Treasurer, but with the constituencies, which he recommended to return members pledged to modify the scheme. Mr Reid Avas listened to. attentively, and was frequently applauded. : > The following motion was adopted :— " Resolved— That the meeting had no faith in the Fox-rwm-Vogel Government. " Nelson, Dec. 20. Taranaki news says that To Whate has consented to allow roads to be made through his laud. The survey will be commenced at once. Tito Kowaru, it is reported, will settle down near the sea shore in his old district. He says he will never light again unless molested. Native affairs are satisfactory. At the Champion Prize Firing Buchanan made 45 points. The Nelson, figurea were 51. Hokitika, Dec 21. The Borough Council met at noon today, and elected Mr J. M. Higgin, Mayor for the year. Invebcargill, Dec 21 . The Stewart's Island Maori Reserve Survey-party report finding two skeletons at Port Adventure. The natives a whaler at Pegasus nine years ago, when one man, exhausted with forty days travelling, reached the Maori settlements. Photographs and coins were found near them, but lio writing.