THE NEW REPRESENTATION BILL.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3627, 11 August 1880, Page 2

THE NEW REPRESENTATION BILL.

(To the Editor of the Evening $tar.) Sib,—The proposals^ in the Eepresentation Bill affecting this district are to absurd that I would: suggest the immediate convening of a meeting to protest against such ah Act becoming law. Why, sir, just fancy cutting our suburban districts off and giving them to a town 40 miles away, whose- interests cannot be identical. I have a strong suspicion that under its apparent absurdity the bill has a sinister object—namely, to weaken the political influence of this district. The old Thames has had a few hard knocks of late, but by all irieaiu let us Kasg together, and we will triumph in the «nd. .$o my mind, sir* dismembermnent peani political ruin, so, sir* wield your pen, and agitate •gainst the wrong- the -party/ in power wish to subject us to. I am, eta., !■"' ,■ ' ■ ' ■; ' • ..'.■.'„"■'! JViriUS. [Our members have already I>een communicated with, the injustice of the change betbg pointed' ottf*' ind.'tf the Coromandel people are., also, diMsatUfied, there is every probability that alterations will ,be made in the boundaries Itf the • Thames add Coromandel distrtetsAfiD.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sib,—l see that Wanganui with 7000 odd of a population is given two members by the new Representation Bill! '"Why not let the Thames have two inembees for its Borough and immediate subarbs and give the " Thames country districts," including Coromandel andObinemuri, a member to themselves. I am sure this would be a more equitable partition, than that now proposed.—l am, Ac., ... " XT.Z.

1 ■ J i -\ . To the Editor of the Evawisra Stab. Sic,—When I was informed that the Her. Mr Laishley had preached upon the " authenticity of the Bible," it «v with very great interest I read extracts from his sermon, hoping to find aomethinf convincing and satisfactory upon a subject that appears to me of the utmost importance. My suspense and disappointment were extreme in finding at the rery outset that the revd. gentleman confessed that nothing certain could be known upon the question; and. after this no donbt truthful confession, it seemed to me useless to pursue the subject further. If, however,, the authenticity' of the Gospel could be proved—or if it eonJd be demonstrated that they were'the true and genuine utterances of ; the reputed authors—scepticism would disappear, unbelief would be silenced, foi the divine truth and inspiration of these writings would follow as a matter of course. The following are the best sort of arguments that hare hitherto been relied upon, and while such are still advanced in this age of intelligence rery little hope can be entertained of effecting so desirable an object :—" Polycarp, who was familiar with many who saw Christ, in a passage quoted by Victor Capuanus, mentions the four gospels in the way we do, and quotes from them; Euaebius says that Justyn Martin—soon after the Apot* ties ————— aaid that these gospels were known and read by Christians, Jews, and probably heathens, and to remore all doubt he quotes passages from each." I purpose noticing this sab* ject on some future occasions, and beg, to remain yours, &c.'," "•-'-. : Sciptic. Shortland, 11th August, 1880.; ::*;