TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4488, 7 August 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PHOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Christchurch, Friday. The meeting held last night to consider the question of abolition was one of the largest held in Christchurch for a long time. It was convened by the provincialist party originally, to urge the necessity of delay, but resulted in an almost unanimous vote the other way. Wynn Williams, one of the warmest supporters of delay, after seeing the Bills altered his opinion, and proposed a resolution approving of the policy of the Government and urging that it should be carried out at once. The Rev. O. Fraser, Presbyterian minister, Dr. Turnbull, M.P.C. for Christchurch, and Mr. Maskell, Provincial Secretary, were the only speakers on the provincialist side. Mr. E. O. J. Stevens made a capital speech, pointing out in reply to the cry that the land fund of the South Island was in danger by the Government measures, that the North Island had now a laud fund of its own, created by the General Assembly grant of £700,000 for the purchase of native lands in the North Island, and therefore the land fund was safer than ever, as all would be interested in the preservation of the compact of 1856. Referring to the Opposition, he said that the loader was Sir George Grey, who avowed openly his intention of taking the land fund of Otago and Canterbury, while Fitzherbert, his right hand man, was looked upon in the Assembly as the member most devoted to the attempt to take away the land fund of those provinces. The speaker expressed himself thoroughly in favor of the immediate pressing on of the

Bill by the Government, so as to get the scheme in working order. Mr. A. Saunders spoke at some length, urging the meeting not to express approval of the measures of the Government, which he characterised as misohievious and dishonest. His amendment, which I give below, was rejected by an immense majority, as was also Fraser’s amendment. The feeling throughout the province is almost unanimous in favor of abolition. The meeting last night expressed theiropinion most decidedly against provincialism, cheering the abolition speakers to the echo, and hissing the opposition party. The explanation by the abolition speakers, of the provisions of the Bill and how it would affect Canterbury, and Otago, were considered by the meeting most satisfactory. The Rev. Mr Fraser’sspeechwasmainly directed towards showing that it was likely the £X for £1 promised to the cities and road boards would fail, and that the Government could not pay it. Mnskell contended that the meeting was not the proper tribunal to discuss great constitutional questions, but should relegate them to the electors for careful, thoughtful consideration of the matter. The Mayor left the chair to address the meeting, contending that this was the first time Christchurch had been treated with that justice by the General Government which it had failed to obtain from the Provincial Council, so that the argument of local representation doing too much for them fell to the ground. Dr. Foster proposed, amid loud and enthusiastic cheering, the following addition to Mr. Williams’s motion : “ That this meeting hopes Parliament will not separate without passing the Government Bills but Williams said the resolutions amounted to that. The following are the Rev. Mr. Fraser’s and Mr. Saunders’s amendments, which were negatived by a large majority : “That this meeting is of opinion that the Abolition of Provinces Bill should not be forced on, without affording the people of the colony, at the approaching general election, an opportunity of exercising the right to vote upon so important an organic change in the Constition of the colony.—Tha i the treatment which this city has received from the present Council of this province is such that this meeting can have no desire to prolong the existence of such injustice—(cheers) —by opposing the immediate abolition of Provincial Councils ; at the same time it desires to avoid any expression of approbation of the Government measure, especially in their substitution of nominated for elected Superintendents, the excessive plurality of votes they give to property at the election of the new boards, aud the large borrowing power they confer upon provinces that have neither land nor land revenue to offer as security.” A meeting is being held at Leestou to-night, called in consequence of a telegram from Mr. Reeves asking the electors there to strengthen his hands by passing resolutions asking the postponement of the Bill ; but it is more than likely a resolution will be carried approving of the Government Bills being immediately carried out.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Wanganui, Friday.

A meeting to consider the Goverment proposals has been called by the Mayor for Monday evening. The hall could not be obtained for an earlier date.

Grahamstown, Friday.

MoNaughton, timber merchant, made a most determined attempt at suicide this morning. He first took a razor and tried to cut his throat, then a carpenter’s chisel and stabbed himself in the neck, afterwards in the region of the heart. He now lies in a dangerous state. He had occasional drinking bouts, but had been very sober until yesterday, when he drank four glasses of brandy. Sub-Inspector Sullen has called the attention of the Borough Council to a clerical error in the Municipals Corporation Act Amendment Act, 1872, wherein reference is made to section 194 of Act of 1867, when it is evident that section 191 is intended. Bullen points out the difficulty of procuring convictions under bylaws, in consequence of this error. Notwithstanding a thorough purging, the new electoral roll for the Thames contains 3743 voters.

Auckland, Friday. Four deaths from typhoid fever in the city were registered last month. The Intercolonial Cricketing Committee met to-day, and unanimously resolved that the proposals of the Australian team could not be entertained.

Christchurch, Friday.

At the public meeting last night, to consider the abolition of provinces, the Odd Fellows’ Hall was densely crowded. The Mayor presided. Mr. Wynn Williams, late Provincial Secretary, moved—“ That this meeting cordially approves of the proposals contained in the Government Bill for the abolition of provinces, and for distribution of districts throughout the colony to have the control of local revenues, and believes that if carried into effect they will bo conducive of great and lasting benefit to the colony.” The motion was received with loud cheers. Councillor Lane seconded. The Rev. C. Fraser, in an eloquent speech on the folly of party legislation on such a vital question, moved, as an amendment—“ That this meeting is of opinion that the Abolition of Provinces Bill should not be passed without affording the people of the colony, at the approaching general election, an opportunity of exercising the right to vote upon so important an alteration in the Constitution of the colony.” The amendment was received with mingled cheers and hisses. Mr. Maskel), Provincial Secretary, seconded the amendment, and during his speech he was repeatedly interrupted with hisses and running commentaries. He was the only speaker whom the audience was unwilling to hear, and this was due to his personal unpopularity. Mr. Stevens, formerly member of the Assembly for Selwyn, supported the original resolution in an excellent speech, and Dr. Turnbull spoke well in support of the amendment. The Mayor then left the chair, and in a short speech urged on the citizens to adopt the resolution. The amendment then having been put was negatived, and the resolution was carried almost unanimously, with prolonged cheering. Mr. Saunders, formerly Superintendent of Nelson, in a capital speech, then moved, —That the treatment which this city has received from the present Provincial Council is such that this meeting can have no desire to prolong the existence of ouch injustice by opposing the immediate abolition of Provincial Councils. At the same time it desires to avoid any expression of approbation of the Government measures, especially in their substitution of nominated for elected Superintendents ; the excessive plurality of votes they give to property at the election of the new Board, and the large borrowing power they confer upon provinces that have neither land nor land revenue to offer as security. The motion was seconded, but on being put was declared negatived by a large majority. The meeting then closed.

Timaru, Friday.

The Board of Works yesterday resolved unanimously to petition the Government to alter the position of the railway in the town, vested interests being preserved. The railway where it is at present situated will destroy the trade of the port. The Board also passed a resolution that Timaru and Gladstone should have an additional member on the redistribution of the representation. The population now numbers over 10,000, and is rapidly increasing. Dunedin, Friday.

Fred. Wain commenced his 100 miles walk at five this morning, for £SO, against time. There is a lot of money ventured on the result. He has to do the distance in twenty-four hours.

The O'Connell Centenary Dinner last evening was a great success. Mr. Macassey proposed the memory of O’Connell. In an eloquent speech ho reviewed the great Liberator’s life and career from his infancy. He spoke exactly one hour and twenty minutes. Mr. Justice Chapman responded to tho toast of “ Our Guests.” He stated that he had the personal acquaintance of O’Connell in 1835. He spoke of his many good qualities, and declared that no more faithful devotee to Ireland ever breathed. His Honor intimated that he had pledged himself to take his circuit when necessity existed till the end of tho present year. John Bathgate, replied for the Parliament of New Zea-

land, and said it was the best in the world. While it could boast of statesmen like Vogel, orators like Stafford, public Ministers like Sir Donald McLean, and good men like Sir George Grey, it would never be called mean. This last remark was in answer to the proposer of the toast, J. Armstrong, M.P.0., who observed that the least said about the Parliament of IS'ew Zealand the better.

Curtis, the City Council valuator for the gasworks, has sent in his report, and advised the Council not to purchase. He declares that the works could never supply the town ; that he tested one or two of the lamps, and found they are paying double as much for lighting the lamps as they ought to. He estimates that new works could be erected for £35,000, and suggests their immediate construction.