The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1876.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 241, 2 October 1876, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1876.

Notwithstanding the hopea that were entertained that the session might soon draw to a close, and the manifest desire of members to return to their homes, Sir George Grey, it appears, still intends to do battle against abolition with the view, if of not defeating, at least of postponing it for aa indefinite time. Erom the Post we learn that his Provincial Abolition Permissive Bill has been made an order of the day for Wednesday next, and he has intimated the course he intends to pursue in the event of failing to make the Bill law. WhileJ the Bill for the extension of Provincial appropriations was under discussion, he Baid, in reference to a remark made by the Premier : —

" I think I understood the honorable the Premier to say that the provinces would cease to exist at the end of the session." The Premier thereupon repeated his words " that the Abolition Act would then come into force," when Sir George said : — " I assert to this House that nothing of the kind will take place. As lam advised, the Courts wnl not allow anything of the kind. I believe that the Abolition Act is ultra vires ; I have no doubt whatever of that. I have no doubt that it was wrongfully obtained, and, as I shall resist by every means in my power the abolition of the provinces, a very considerable time must elapse before the question can be decided. lam assured that the Government have no power to oust me from the office of Superintendent, unless the Provincial Council pass an Act for the purpose. lam convinced that I can resist the Act successfully, and that it is of no more value than the piece of paper which I hold in my hand." At a subsequent stage of the discussion the Hon. Major Atkinson explained that it was not meant to extend the powers of Superintendents an hour after the Act came into force, and, referring to the remarks of Sir George, said he would most probably find that the Government were not wanting in power under the Act, but of course that, if he wanted to fight the question in a constitutional way, none would object to his exercise of the ordinary privileges of an Englishman.