The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3943, 18 August 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1881.

A letter has been received by the Borough Council from the Chairman, Mr A. J. Cadman, of the Corotnandel County suggesting that a meeting be held in Grahamstown of members of the three local bodies, the Thames Borough and County Councils and the Coromandel County, for the purpose of discussing the proposals of the Government in the matter of the division of the district under the Eepresentation Bill. Mr Cadman says that the proposals are not satisfactory to the Coromandel people, and he has reason to beliere not even to the Thames ; so that it is possible, after debating the matter at a joint meeting, some proposals may be adopted to meet the wishes of both communities. The census returns, from Cape Colville to Te Aroha, gives a population sufficient to claim three members, and Mr Cadman thinks that such a division of the district might be made, which, meeting the views of the centres of population, might succeed in securing three members repre senting gold fields interests. In reference to this matter we may call attention to the boundaries of the Thames electorate as supplied by our Wellington special, who has, no donbt, secured an early copy of the schedule to the Representation Bill. We understand the Borough Council have replied to Mr Cadman by telegram, that it will give the members of the Council pleasure to hold a meeting upon the subject referred to in his letter, and that if he will notify the day upon which his Council can attend a meeting, the Thames Council will be summoned. We think the course suggested by Mr Cadman is a very sensible one, and one which, while it may lead to good results, cannot do harm. During last session we pointed out the injustice of tacking on Block 27 and the Waiotahi to the Coromandel electorate, as it might be used to swamp the Coromandel electors, instead of securing them a representative of their own, a matter of the greatest concern to them. Yet under the present circumstances, looking at the principles of the bill at present before Parliament —that is, single electorates and the population basis—we are afraid Coromandel will have to accept assistance from the Thames district if it is to be qualified to return a member, for of itself with its population

it is below the standard laid down iv the new bill. Still there is no harm for the several local bodies talking the matter orer, and probably some suggestions may be thrown out of service to the district at large, and tending to advance the public good.