WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3843, 23 April 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day. Mr Levin, M.H.E., addressed th« electors last 'night. He attributed the barren results of last session to the weak-ness-of Government in introducing and abandoning bills, and to the waste of time by Opposition in useless talk. He approved of the Licensing and Hospitals Bills, and also of Mr Stevens' Charitable Amendment Bill. He did'not consider population should be the sole basis for .representation. He considered the colony financially sound, and well able, with thrift and prudence, to meet all claims. He eulogised the Government for the retrenchment efforts, and defended the Property Tax as superior to a Land or Income tax, and denied it drove capital from the colony. The present plenty of cheap money was proof of: this. He highly approved of the West Coat Commission, and while regretting the retirement of Mr Bryce, was glad Government had not taken his advice about Parihaka. He believed the cost of Education could be reduced without impairiug the efficiency of thesysem. He would alter the age for compulsory education, and stop free teaching at the fourth standard, having one school in each district to teach the fifth and sixth standards on payment of a small fee by those able to pay it. He did not believe in indiscriminate settlement of people on land, but would do all in his power to place suitable men on land capable of supporting them. He strongly urged (he importance of the West Coast railway, saying no doubt Parliament and Government would make liberal encouragements in land concessions, if the people themselves raised £50,000 to float a company. A vote of- thanks and confidence was carried with acclamation.

Friday. The Duke of Manchester starts on a tour through the Manawatu district tomorrow. It is decided to send the Hinemoa to Auckland to convey Lady Gordon to Wellington. On their return the Hinemoa will go to Lyttelton and bring up the liberated Maoi-i prisoners. Messrs Rolleston, Parris, and Pihama, left this afternoon, by the Hawea, which was detained for them. The first goes on private business, the last two to select prisoners for discharge. They will select them at Dunedin and Hokitika, as well as Lyttelton. It is reported but not on authority, that the revenue returns for the year are about as follow under certain items :—Customs, £1,307,000; stamps, £142,700; deeds, registry, &c, £38,700 ; postal, £151,000 ; telegraphs, £72,000; judicial, £57,000; railways, £840,000.