TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1664, 19 April 1884, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

(united press association,) : ! Wellington, Friday. The writ for Thorndon seat was issued this morning and is returnable within 40 days. Napier, Friday, A woolshed on Drawer's estate, Waipukurau, was burned down last night, nothing being saved, The building was insured for £250 in the National. The loss above insurance is very heavy. SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S HEALTH. Dunedin, Thursday. Sir Julius Vogel is still suffering from gout badly, and moves about with difficulty, He states that his main object in visiting New Zealand is for the benefit of his health. He will remain in the colony for at least four months, and will then probably visit Australia, . . .

THE SOUTHERN CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIATION. Dunedin Thursday, The •committee appointed at the recent meeting to report upon the proposed Constitutional Association, initiated by the Hon W. Reynolds, will make a report'.to another meeting to-morrow evening. They propose that the objects of the. association should be, inter alia, to aim at lessenipg the functions of the Central Government, and enlarging l those of the local governing bodies,; in order to secure unity of action amongst all colonists who desire the decentralisation of the Government functions, so as to obtain decentralisation, as nearly as may be, as followsßy the creation of local governing bodies for local districts, say the present educational districts; by the casting of the following functions awbngst'others, on the local governing bodies, viz), maintenance of public order, police, and gaols, distribution of hospital and charitable aid, manage-, ment of education, administration of lands, maintaining and constructing main roads and bridges, providing for sheep and cattle inspection, abating the rabbit nuisance, and conserving of forests, and to obtain local revenue for the local-bodies, as follows(A) A sum per pupil from the consolidated revenue as an educational grant. (B) A sqm per head from the general' revenue for efficient policemen and] warders of gaols, (0) The payment of; all sums earned by the railways in the districts over 4 per cent, oti the cost .to! the districts. The districts to be' allowed to tax either • by way oi a property tax, a land tax, or' a rate as levied by counties.; also, to obtain provision for, allowing districts to be taxed to pay at least 2 per cent, on the ' cost of railways in the districts Bhould the net revenue from the railways in the districts not reach 4 per cent, on the cost. To obtain a promise that no local body be allowed to borrow 1 save with the consent of two thirds of the voters'voting,on the.question of a loan, and. that provision .be -made for-; a special loan- to pay the interest or: a sinking- fund on tlie• loan to ' be rawed, To .obtain provision -limit-

ing the power of the Genoral 'Government -to borrow for any new works, save; with the consents .Wo^thirclsrof thpse'voting on a ■•cliriict : Vote,: throughout; the colony.v; : > To' obtain provision that no future alteration be.ioade in ihe'Constitution. without the'consent tif two-thirds of each House, of- Parliament. To urge, should the constitution of the Legislative Council be altered, that the members be. elected.l by .the local governing bodies.To prohibit the General Government raising taxes by the Property, Income, or Land Tax,-; savo to repay interest and the sinking fund for any loan'hereafter raised for new works. Fie&ding,' Saturday. , A serious coach accident occurred on Sandon road last night. A "brake containing the Fielding Amateur Dramatic company of twelve persons, including two ladies and a young child was proceeding to- Sandon' to give a performance, and was capsized. Both ladies were seriously injured, ono man had his leg broken,' and all the others were more or less injured,