PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 52, 4 March 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

The Marlborough Express on the Stafford Government. — By way of Wanganui; we may draw a hint as to the future of Marlborough. The Herald says : — " The Stafford Government, with some modificacations, particularly in the Native and Defence Departments, will probably remain in office, and it is for the interest of this district that it should. Starting upon this hypothesis, certain results are sure to follow. The County of Wanganui will be a fait accompli. This will be a matter of supreme importance to this district. The Bill financially will be moulded and formed upon the present provincial system of customs revenue* or with the abolition of the surplus revenue upon a principle of local taxation" The semi-official announcement shows what the intentions of Stafford and Co. are. The spoliation of the old provinces is to follow that of the new. The whole of the ordinary revenue hitherto divided among all, with the exception of this, is to be appropriated by the General Government, while the smaller provinces will be converted into eountiess and allowed to furnish funds for their government, and for supporting public works out of local taxation. This is to be the general panacea for all our ills. The Taranaki Herald chronicles the names of several families who have considerably assisted in populating that province. One family (the late Mr Veale's) consists of 106 souls (9 children, 57 grand-children, and 38 great-grand-children); who are all in a good state of health. Mr S. Julian's family consists of 109, including children, grand-children^ aud great-grand-children. Mr Foreman's} 96; and Mr Old's,. 87. These four families number altogether 381 souls.