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Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 29, 27 January 1877, Page 2

Oue correspondent "Justitia" intimates very plainly that, if the Manawatu County Council continues as it has begun, Feilding will endeavour to obtain a division of the County under the 14th clause" of the Counties Act, "which provides that any district, not less than 200,000 acres m extent, and containing at least a hundred county electors, may be constituted a new county on petition to the Governor from three-fifths or more of the electors ; unless, as provided by clause 15, a resolution to the contrary be passed by both Houses of the Assembly. If, therefore, Mr Halcombe's motion for giving another member to the Manchester Riding be defeated, there is, unhappily, too much probability that we shall have a serious division m the camp. On all the other {)oints alluded to m our correspondent's etter we have already expressed our opinion ; as regards the contemplated separation movement, we only say that it is an alternative to which, we hope, it will never be found necessary to resort ; but at the same time, if it should clearly appear that the localities at present included m the County are not likely to work harmoniously together, why then it will become necessary to consult their natural affinities, if we may so speak, and to let those work together who are already combined. When a house becomes divided against itself it falls, we are told ; and to avert such a calamity separation may become the least of two evils. It will argue ill for our capacity of local self-government, however, if the latter contingency be realized ; and therefore we shall cling to the hope that what we have seen of cliquism m the Council was merely the result of a temporary irritation, which has passed away and will trouble us no more. The sterling good sense which both parties possess will surely assert itself, and prevent a consummation so damaging to both.