CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3690, 22 October 1880, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Yesterday.

Mr Bowen addressed his constituents at Kaiapoi last night. There was but a small attendance. He alluded to the present absence of party feeling in political circles, and the necessity for rigid economy in all quarters. He said he was a supporter of the present Government because he believed them thoroughly honest. They had undertaken a most invidious task, and hence they deserved every support. The late Government had left a deficit of over a million. He could not support any further expenditure of public works for the colony had grown rapidly, and had indulged in more luxuries than any young colony had a right to expect. Keviewing the business of last session he said the disposition of new members was to display their oratorical powers, and older members had tried to set a good example by remaining silent, but this was mistaken for a com?liment, and resulted unsatisfactorily, o the credit of the Upper House it might be said that they had paid more attention to matters of social reform that the House of had, as instanced by their rejection of several bills referring to railway mismanagement. He attributed a deal of the mismanagement to the action of the late Government in. dividing the responsibility, thereas losing the immediate control of having a general manager under strict supervision, and being themselves responsible to the country. [Regarding taxation he advocated local revenue without Government inter* ference. He,,defended the appointment of Royal Commissions as the best constitutional method of procuring evidence on, all questions. It was evident that the.; present form of Government could not suit the country much longer, but hie; hoped the electors would support those whom they could trust to manage their own private affairs. At the conclusion a hearty and almost unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried.

The report about the finding of the body of Vennall was quite unfounded. The man Pearce who was shot in the knee while while walking on the river bank, died to-day. Three lads have been arrested charged with shooting him with intent, and his dying depositions were taken in their presence. J This day. .The Hospital inquiry into the alleged misreporting of typhoid fever cases at the Christchurcb Hospital has suddenly asjramed a new phase, and Dr Skae has communicated with the Government.