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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4778, 15 July 1876, Page 2

In going into committee on the Rating Bill yesterday the Premier announced that the Government proposed that runs should he rated at one-half the estimated value, in accordance with the plan arrived at after much discussion <sn the Highways Act, 1871. He also said the Government proposed re-valuing the Canterbury runs, with a view to offering them to the present holders. The Government considered that taking into account the promises given, and the understanding arrived at, this wa» a fair mode of dealing with the question. The circumstances in Otago were widely different to those in Canterbury, where the tenure was much less substantial. Respecting Otago runs also the law specifically declared that there should be discretion as to granting new leases and as to cutting them up into smaller runs, and that all new leases must Ife put up to public tender. The Premier also stated that when there was a new power to rate, mining property would not he exempt.

For some days past a/eport has been industriously circulated, and it has even been stated in a newspaper published in this city, that the member for the Wellington Country Districts, A. de B. Brandon, Esq., was likely to vote with the Opposition and support the proposal to divide the colony into two or four provinces. We are warranted in denying the truth of this rumor, and have good reasons for stating that the hon, member will be found voting with the Government; and in doing so he will only be acting in accordance with the views he expressed when he addressed the electors on the 10th December, 1875.