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Southland Times, Issue 1297, 23 August 1870, Page 2

The Bill for the union of Otago and Southland passed its third reading in tbV Upper House on the 10th inst., and may now be declared into effect at anj_ likely, however, that we will be " snuffed out" for a few weeks longer. The session shows symptoms of dissolution;, some hon. members have already left "Wellington, and the proclamation which will begin the work of the annihilation of the provinces will not likely make its appearance until some days after the House has dispersed. In the Council, a few friends of the province — Dr Menzies, Mr Mantell, : Mr Nurse, &c. — stood unflinchingly to their colors — independence ; but the weight against them was overwhelming, and the Bill passed without a division. In a recent issue we gave the main features of the Bill as brought down, and these have suffered little alteration in its progress through either chamber. The chief amendment consists of a clause added, providing for the public service of Southland during the term from 30th June last— the expiration of the last Southland Appropriation Ordinance — until the first meeting of the united Council, on the same scale as was provided by the said Ordinance. In the Legislative Council two amendments were introduced, one in clause 11 for the purpose of securing local representation a little more effectually than the clause seemed originally to provide ; and the second, for more clearly defining the limits of the territory to be hereafter fiPJiuflflfr^ with Tnvflrfia,rfym T a.s its centra- " When the " new order of things" is actually inaugurated, we can only hope that the union will be productive of the good its advocates have so loudly promised. ■?--.