LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1524, 26 September 1867, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Timaru, September 25,11.53 a.m. There were great rejoicings in Timaru last night. Bands paraded the streets, the houses were illuminated, and large bonfires were mado. Today is set apart as a public holiday to celebrate tho passing of the Bill. All the stores.and Banks are closed. An effigy of Mr Moorhouse was burnt last night by the mob at one of the bonfires. [By Interprovincial Telegraph.] "Wellington, Sept. 26, 5.7 p.m. Last night there was an extraordinary scene in the House. Mr Hall, in proposing that £64,000 should be voted for steam mail services, indicated sundry possible reductions, amongst others the payment of £7000 on account of the line carrying the Suez mail from Sydney to Auckland. Letters by this route cost over 13s each, while if they were sent by way of Otago they could be de- ', livered without any expense, and only ' two days later. Mr Bunny proposed that the item should be struck out. A division was taken, and the members were found to be equally divided, ] there being 27 for the motion and 27 against. Mr Carleton, the chairman of committees, gave his casting vote in favour of tlie noes. ■Mr Macandrew proposed that all subsidies should be discontinued as the contracts expired. This the Chairman could not put. Mr Staftord proposed a reduction of £16,000, which was tantamount to Mr Macandrew's motion. The Chairman said that he could not put this, but that the whole item must be submitted to the committee, and either passed or negatived. Mr Stafford then suggested that the whole amount should be negatived, and that the Government should bring down reduced estimates. The Speaker thought that new estimates embracing any of the items struck out could not be introduced, but the Chairman thought they could. Mr Stafford and Mr Fitzherberfc wished to have the whole amount negatived. Mr Hall and Mr Richmond opposed this. Strong speeches 1 were made by Ministers in opposition to each other. Finally, after four hours' discussion, the committee reported progress for to-night. The Loan Allocation Bill passed its second reading by a majority of 26 to 13. The Bill creating Westland a county declares that the district shall cease to be considered a portion of the Province of Canterbury. It vests all ' the powers of the Superintendent in the Governor or his delegate. A , Council is to be formed consisting of nine members, four to represent the electoral district of Westland, two for Hokitika, and two for Greymouth, and a chairman, who is to be appointed by the Governor. The Colonial Treasuror is to receive all the revenues, to place them to a separate account, and disburse them. The permanent debt of the whole province is to be apportioned by arbitration, and the Act is to come into force on the Governor's proclamation. A strong feeling exists against the course that has been pursued. The Government have asked for a committee to consider the petition, and whilst the debate on its appointment stands adjourned, have forestalled it by the present Bill. A Cabinet meeting was held to-day with reference to the differences as to steam services. The wildest rumours are afloat. Some of the Auckland members declare that that province will be made a county immediately, with a i lieuteDant-governor. I