SUMMARY FOR EUROPE VIA PANAMA.

Southland Times, Issue 757, 2 December 1867, Page 3

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE VIA PANAMA.

POLITICAL AND GENERAL. The principal topic of discussion in all circles appears to be about the forthcoming visit of the Duke of Edinburgh. During the latter pait of the session of the Assembly, the sum of £5,000 was placed on the estimat9s to defray the expenses of entertaining His Royal Highness whilst amongst us, and a reception committee has been appointed consisting of the following gentlemen — Sir Dayid Mchs"BO (Speaker of the House of Kepresentatives), Mr Stafford (Premier), Col. Haxtltadt (Defence Minister), Mr Hall (Postmaster- General) , Messrs Kichmoitd, Habbis, Johnsok, BaecjjAy, Peacock, WILKINSOIf, EEATHEE3TONE, LITDLAM, FitzG-ebald, and Felix "Wakefield (Secretary.) The general feeling appears to be that Sir Geoege Grey has been treated very unhandsomely by the Colonial office, in superceding him in his Governorship just at the time that the visit of the Queen's son might be expected, thereby depriving him of the honor of acting as the Royal host. Southland, amongst the other provinces, seeks to obtain a glimpse of the royal countenance, but it is uncertain whether the limited time at the disposal of the Prince will enable him to visit all the districts in New Zealand. Meanwhile, preparations are being . pushed forward with all dispatch to welcome him. Politics are at a discount. Mr Macaitdbew, the Superintendent of Otago, and also a member of the Assembly, has spoken against centralism, and in favor of provincialism; whilst Mr Moorehotjse, the Superintendent of Canterbury, which Province is split up and divided into two or three parts, has declared against provincialism, and propounds a novel scheme, the details of which will be found in another column. It is more than probable that a complete change in the constitution will take place at the next meeting of the Assembly, and New Zealand will bbcome a strong consolidated Colony, instead of as at present being split up into nine fragmentary provinces, with a [Federal Government. The Provincial Council of Southland will be called together in a week or two. It i 3 expected that proposals will be brought down by the local Government to finish the northern line of railway, and that a scheme of immigration on a large scale will be initiated. The weather has been extremely boisterous, and it is expected that the crops will somewhat suffer in consequence. The general commercial transactions have been marked by steadiness. The local markets are well supplied. The shearing season is commencing, and business during the ensuing three or four months will be brisk. But few topics of domestic interest have occurred to warrant especial note.