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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4409, 7 May 1875, Page 2

" Wonders will never cease." Mr. Reader Wood, forgetful of the memorandummiad, and his strong anti-provin-cial professions, has joined Sir George Grey's Executive as Treasurer, with the Secretaryship in prospect. We admire his pluck, but we cannot say as much for his judgment. He will have comparatively light work as Treasurer of Auckland. There is not much in the strong box, more's the pity ; and if his official duties are confined to that branch of the provincial service, he may spend his time pleasantly enough sitting cross-logged on the Treasury chest, smoking his pipe, as was once said of the Comptroller-General in his moments of relaxation. But Mr. Reader Wood does not smoke a pipe, and he would not willingly assume any such undignified position. He is a man

who always looks before he leaps : now, what is it Mr. Wood sees on the other side of the hedge that has induced him to join Sir George GREY's.Government, and take up the empty bag just dropped by his predecessor, Mr. Reed ? Is it high political office and the fusion of parties that he aims at? This is quite possible. All things are possible, we are somewhere told, to those of abounding faith; and Mr. Reader Wood's faith in the future of provincialism must be without limit, or he never would have committed himself to Sir George Grey's faction. He is to be joined by Mr. Rees, assisted, no doubt, by Mr. Dignan. What has become of Mr. Sheehan? Has he deserted the sinking ship, or has he been thrown overboard, or has he betaken himself to " fresh fields and pastures green " somewhere in Hawke's Bay? We cannot tell. There is a charming uncertainty about news telegrams which add to the . gentle excitement of the surprises they give ; wherefore it is that Mr. Sheehan is lost in the mist of obscurity. He is certain to turn up, however; but how Mr. Reader Wood, pledged to the abolition of the North Island provinces, will row in the same boat with the member for Rodney, and Sir George Grey, is what we cannot understand.

Another provincial surprise comes from Canterbury. After a fortnight's cogitation, the new Provincial Secretary announces that " the ordinary revenue is " not sufficient to meet ordinary expendi- " ture ;" that there will be an absolute deficit on the year's estimates of £74,581; that the land revenue, for the past nine months, fell short of the estimate by £40,000; that £IIO,OOO was all that would be received on that head for the next twelvemonth ; that owing to several branch railways being worked at a loss, the profits on the trunk lines would only be £12,613 for the year ; that the education vote of £103,449 was far too large ; that the province had incurred heavy engagements which it could not meet without increasing the public burdens, meaning thereby, that resort would be had to direct taxation ; and that, in short, Canterbury had been going at far too fast a pace, and must put the break hard down. We expected as much ; but we did not think it would come so soon. Canterbury has been living on its land; but for that " source of income," it would be I in a very much worse financial position today than Wellington or Auckland. The Lyttelton Times condemns the Provincial Secretary's statement. It would still prophesy smooth things. The Press, on the other hand, condemns the late Executive for running away from the consequences of their own administration. Railway charges are to be increased, the education vote is to be diminished, and disagreeable things generally done. The •people won't submit to this. When provincialism cannot supply pap for all the sucking municipalities, the latter will submit to be weaned. Abolition will become the fashion in Canterbury. Another surprise comes from Otago; but it is only a slight surprise. Mr. John L. Gillies resigned the Speakership of the Provincial Council, in deference to public opinion ; he consented to be nominated forthwith and was re-elected, the Council having, doubtless, been carefully canvassed before hand. This is a trick of Mr. Gillies's. It has been successful twice ; we advise him not to attempt it a third time, lest peradventure he fail. But the principle underlying Mr. Gillies's election is an important one, and its violation by himself and the Otago Provincial Council is a strong reason why these provincial legislatures should be abolished. The Speaker of the Otago Provincial Council occupies so anomalous a position towards the Harbor Board, the Council, and the public, that we are surprised he should not have perceived the imprudence of the step he has taken. The Dunedin Press has been true to its duty, and condemned the transaction. At this critical juncture, it is convenient to close Mr. Gillies's mouth in the Provincial Council.