PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 298, 14 August 1875, Page 2

PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

WELLINGTON On the House resuming at. 7 30 the Chamber was full of smoke, the galleries were full of people, and the reporters in their place. The Speaker took the Chair and said he would resume in haif-an-hour, as they wanted to ascertain where the smoke was coming from, but there was no cause for anxiety. The h<>se is now stretched, and water laid on. The fire is located below the Speaker’s room, having been caused by some of the heating flues coming in contact with the woodwork. A new and serviceable fire hose has been laid throughout the Government Buildings. The escape was really a very narrow one. It has transpired that the Abolition and Local Government Bill were drafted by J. E Fitzgerald, who received 100 guineas for his trouble. DUNEDIN. At the O’Connell dinner, John Bathgate, Esq;, R.M., replied for the Parliament of New Zealand, and said it was the best in. the world. While it could boast of statesmen like Sir Julius Vogel, orators like Stafford, public ministers like Sir Donald M’Lean, 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.C., who observed that the least said about the Parliament of New Zealand the better. An absentee sent out lately £90,000 to be invested with bis agent here. He had another, account, which was overdrawn to the extent: of £9O. The manager of the Bank sent the agent a sharp note about it; the result of which was that tbe£JO account was sent at once paid up, and the £90,000 placed in another Bank. The Banks generally are putting the screw ’on slightly. Another big financial transaction is reported : A firm of solicitors passed £160,000 through their hands for one person this week. A well-known contractor has bought ten shares in the “ Times and Witness Company ” at £6O, the amount paid up being £4O. The object is to secure a place on the directory, but this can never event*uate. ’ TIMARU. The Abolition of the Provinces Bill gives universal satisfaction in this district. Provincialism is cordially detested. The Timaru Herald praises the Bill as a statesmanlike, comprehensive, and publie-spirited measure, and hopes all divergence of opinion on minor points will be disregarded, in order to save the great principle involved. The same paper rather condemns the financial statement, bu,t submits that the fact of its being based on the principle of abolition redeems all its faults, and offords the best hope for the future of the colony. AUCKLAND. The Auckland, Eden, and Parnell electors have arranged_that a resolution in favor of abolition this session will be submitted. Mr. Dargaville, who will be a candidate it .the next election. NEW" PLYMOUTH. The feeling of the country people on Saturday was strongly in favor of abolition. The three newspapers have declared in favor of it. CHRISTCHURCH. A very large meeting held here almost unanimously passed a resolution moved by Mr. Wynn Williams, late Provincial Secretary, to the effect that the proposals contained in the Governmejit Abolition Bill would be conductive of great and lasting benefit to the colony.