PROPOSED COUNTIES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 545, 21 August 1869, Page 2

PROPOSED COUNTIES.

The following letter from Mr Stafford to the Chairman of the Board of Works at Timaru, will give the inhabitants of the ISielson South-West Goklfields a good idea of what the result of their petition for Separation would have been this session bad the petition itself been strictly in accordance with tho standing orders of the House, as waa the petition from Timaru. Mr Stafford writes as follows :—■ With reference to the petitions to the House of Representatives entrusted to my care by the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, the Levels Road Board, and the electors and inhabitants of the Timaru and Gladstone districts, I have the honor to state that those petitions were duly presented by mo; and that on the Ist instant 1 asked the Government whether it was prepared by a special measure to give effect to the wishes of tiio petitioners; and on the 14th instant, whether it would introduce any general measure that would have the same effect.

From the replies of the Government to these questions, as recorded in Hansard, JS'os. 5 and 7 (copies of which I have forwarded to address), you will learn that the Government declines to propose any legislation on the subject before a general election has taken place. As parties are at present constituted in the House, I do not believe that any bill to create a county, as desired by the petitioners, could be earned through the House this session in opposition to the Government; and although I have for some time had a bill ready, I do not like to ask leave to introduce it, with the certainty of its being rejected, lest the doing so might prejudice the ultimate attainment of the objeet which the promoters of these petitions have in view.

I have consulted Mr Jollio on the subject, and he is of opinion that to bring in the bill with the certainty of its being rejected would tend to frustrate, rather than to promote, the wishes of the inhabitants of Timaru and Gladstone in the matter. Under theso circumstances I am anxious to learn, at as early a date as possible, whether or not it is desired that a bill for creating a County should be introduced by me this session. 1 need scarcely say that fully concurring as I do with the views of the petitioners in question, it will afford mo very great pleasure to act in the matter as they may, upon farther consideration of the question, desire.