DUNEDIN.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1984, 14 May 1875, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

, . r , ;, „ Thursday* [ ; "A deputation consisting of four members of the Ilouse of .Representatives and six of the Provincial Councillors; waite d by agreement upon the Colonial Secretary and Commissioner of/Customs to-day, in reference to a reduction or a total abolition of the gold duty by the Province of Ofcago. Mr Vincent Pyke .handed the Colonial Secretary a copy of an intimation from the Provincial Government to the President of the Miners' Association, which appeared to throw the,onus of the obstruction upon the Colonial Government. Dr Pollen stated that the Colonial Government did not wish to dictate to the province what should be done with its own revenue. .The gold duty was land revenue, and as such provincial revenue ; what the Colonial Government objected to was, he said, special legislation; What, ihe - province chose - to do in; appro • priating-its own revenuie did not" concern the Colonial Government; the Colonial Government were proposed to say " aye " or "no," to a distinct.issue put to them, but at present no stfch issue was before them. The deputation then withdrew, i The Governor was entertained at luncheon to-day by the members of the Provincial Council. On the right of the Superintendent was his Excellency, and Br Pollen on the left. The rice-chair was occupied by Mr McGlashan, Chairman 'of Committees. Only three toasts were given—" The Queen," " Prince of Wales and Eoyal Family," and "His

Excellency," which were proposed by the Superintendent from the chair. His Excellency, in responding to the toast, thanked the Council and the public of the province for the hearty welcome given him.. He was very favourably impressed, with the climate, the scenery, and resources of the colony, and although he long looked on British North America as his second home, he thought that if \ he had now :to choose a permanent residence among any of the colonies h« would de-: termirie to spend the remainder of his days in New Zealand. He much admired the enterprise of the colonists in initiating the great scheme,of public works, although the experiment of trung to force the country into prosperity and advancement by means of a great Government scheme of public works and immigration had sometimes been doubtful in other countries. He had no doubt it would ultimately prove a success in this Colony, but at the same time he would counsel the utmost prudence in working out that scheme.