THE LOBBIES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1434, 10 September 1881, Page 2

THE LOBBIES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Town Districts Bill. Wellington, Last Night. The Town Districts Bill had a preliminary canter to-night. On the motion for committal on Monday a show of opposition was made, and on the motion for second reading, which was carried this afternoon the idea was that the bill would be dropped, and I am inclined to the belief that Government shared in that intention. The Southland and Waikato members have all along taken the chief interest in the progress of the measure, and on their representations Government was induced to take it up. No sooner was the intention of Government disclosed than the active opposition to the bill cropped up in the shape of the County Chairmen in the House. The objection was that this was another effort to divert a share of the County funds into an independent channel. In fact, they foresaw in the formation of these town districts a slioe taken from their own income. When pitted against each other it was seen that the active friends and opponents to the measure were about equal, while the larger proportion of the members were quite indifferent either one way or the other. The opposition waa headed by Pyke, M.H.R., and chairman for the Vincent County. He saw, or rather professed to see, some subtle purpose not disclosed on the face of the bill itself, and hi« object was to get it thrown out bodily. The division, however, gave the order for committal on Monday by a spanking majority, the numbers beiiig 45 to 15. There is a whisper abroad that this large majority is due to the efforts of the member for Waipa, who has all along taken a fatherly interests in the prospects of this measure. Ah a matter of course it was open to the objectors to renew their opposition, and, if necessary, carry it on to obstruction in Committee. In the present state of feeling, an opposition of this kind would have been dangerous. Rather than sacrifice the time, members otherwise not very deeply interested would have been bound to desert. In view of that fact communicat'ons were at once entered into, and I am given to understand further opposition will be withdrawn on the understanding that the County of Westland be exempted from its operation, and that instead of 50 the number be raised to 100 householders on whose petition a district might be proclaimed. Altogether lam hopeful the bill will find it sway to the Statute Book this beason.