The Press. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1867.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1386, 17 April 1867, Page 2

The Press. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1867.

We have several times lately had occasion to allude to the measure the General Government has promised to bring forward during the next session of the Assembly for rtho relief of the outlying districts of the provinces from that neglect of their particular wants, and appropriation of their revenues to purposes whence they derive little or no benefit, of which they so loudly and with so much justice complain. But the Provincial Governments are not going to part with any of their powers without a struggle. They have a strong party iv the House of Representatives, headed by a phalanx of Superintendents, which has often made its influence felt, even to the downfall of a Ministry that laid violent hands on the threeeighths saved to the province; and the whole weight of the party is to be concentrated for a determined defence of provincial rights and resistance to the encroachments of the General Cxovernmenr. fN"ay, more; they do not propose to stand on the defensive only.

A scheme is in preparation, though the details are kept a profound secret, for combined action on the part of all the provincialists in the House to exalt provincial authorities into what is supposed to be their proper position in the management of public affairs, and reduce the power of the General Government to the desired minimum. The leader in this movement is Dr. Featherston—the champion par excellence of the provinces. In a short but highly significant speeco, delivered at the very close of last session, he stated that the time had- come-when, the Panama route and .other matters which had been bones of contention being definitely settled, the provincial party would unite together to reverse the work of those who had spoilt the Constitution in tteir endeavors to amend it, and .to carry out the Constitution Act in its integrity. In what particular respects the Constitution Act has been " tinkered " and epoilt he did not .say, nor did he further explain his phrase about " carrying it out in its integrity j" but no one who heard the speech, nor any one who is at all acqnainted with the speaker's political career, can, have any doubt as to his meaning. The predicted rally of the provineialist party under his guidance can have but one object to accomplish. For of all the provincialists in New Zealand, Dr Featherston is the most ultra-provin-cial. To him the province of Wellington transcends in interest and importance all the rest of the colony put together. His whole soul is wrapped up in it. He glorifies the petty details of provincial government by the acute intellect, the ceaseless activity, the indomitable will he brings to bear upon them. For years he has devoted to Wellington alone the talent and energy which would have carried him to the foremost place in the Government of the colony; and even in the Assembly, eloquent orator and accomplished in debate as he is, has long ceased to take part in the discussion of subjects -"delating to the colony at large, or to exercise the influence which his personal ability added to his , standing as a provincial leader have acquired, unless the interests of the province of Wellington seem to demand his interference. Devotion so absolute to one ruling idea has had its natural and deserved reward. Dr. Featherston alone of all the Superintendents in New Zealand can boast that he has held office without intermission, victorious over all opponents, from the time when provincial institutions were first granted up to the present day. Pitted against a formidable opposition, he trampled down and well nigh annihilated it; and has so improved his victory that he now rules with a sway which, if sometimes reluctantly obeyed, is undisputed and indisputable. " The State," said the French monarch, " I am the State ;" and Dr. Featherston, looking over Wellington, might echo the exclamation. Dγ Featherston is Wellington. Now when such a man comes forward in the Assembly to denounce j the policy of the Government, and to warn them that in the next session a great provincial party will be formed to undo all. that they have done, we may depend upon it that something serious is afoot. The words of so distinguished a leader among our public mcn —especially in the circumstances under which they were spoken a weight and significance beyond their literal meaning. He is not a man to utter an unmeaning threat, nor, knowing how much importance is attached to his every word, would he have spoken as he did unless his mind was fully made up and his plan of operations fully conceived. The Government evidently understood it , so ; and their announcement three days afterwards, in the Governor's speech at the prorogation, of their intention to prepare a Municipal Districts Bill, may be considered as an acceptance of the challenge. We may expect then next session to see a pitched battle between the Government and their supporters and the combined forces of the provincialists ; the latter, under the guidance of Dr. Featherston, seeking the confirmation and extension of the powers of the provinces, with whatever eke may be included in that mysterious phrase " carrying out the Constitution Act in its integrity.." What the tactics of the latter party are to be will of course be kept secret till the time for action arrives. We cannot wish them success; nor is it possible that success, even if temporarily achieved, could be lasting. They are fighting in an expiring cause. The majority of the provinces are already almost at the last gasp, and an attempt to galvanise them into a spasmodic activity will only precipitate the moment of dissolution. Dr. Featherston is an able leader; like the Templar in the Taliaman, "he understands the ordering of a battle and the fighting in front when it begins ;" but he cannot hope to contend against nature. And in this ease natural causes are all arrayed against him.

Baptist Tea Meeting.—A tea meeting was held in the Baptist Chapel, Lichficld street, last evening. After te;v, the meeting was addressed by several speakers, amongst others ; y Mr A. S. Hamilton, who favored the audi- j ence with an earnest discourse on his own special subject of phrenology. The chair wa* occupied by Mr Baker. Chicket —The return match between the College and Victoria Clubs was played at Governor's bay on Monday last. The wickets were pitched about eleven am, and the Victoria men had the first inmngs. They were quickly disposed of however for a total of 26, of which 16 were from the bat. Brittan's bowling throughout this innings was remarkably effective, no less than seven wickets falling to his share. The College then went in and scored 49, of which Mathias contributed 7 by some steady play. In their second innings the Victoria Eleven made 41 runs, thus leaving the College 19 to get in order to win. These were obtained with the loss of-four wickets, the College therefore winning the match with six wickets to epare. During the L day there was a large number of spectators lon the ground, who showed a great interest in the match. The following is the score : — THB YICTOBIA ELEVEN. Ist Innings. 2nd Innings. A. Phipps, b Brittan 0 b Brittan ... 0 J. Harding,b Brittan 2 b Brittan ... O W. Phipps, bßrittan 0 b Mathias ... 0 D. Bamford, run out 0 run out ... 2 C. Phillips, b Brittan Olbw, b Brittan 7 T. Smith, b Brittan... 6 c and b Mathias 1 E. Fitton, c Brittan, bCondell 5 c Dobson, b Brittan 0 J. Manson, b Brittan 2 not out T. Arnold, b Condell 1 b Mathias ... 0 M. Fitton, b Brittan 0 c Condell, b Brittan 0 J. Phipps, not out... 0 1 bw, b Condell 3 Byes, 8; wides, 2 10 Byes, 20 j wides, 7 ; leg bye, 1; 28 26 41 THE COLLEGE ELEVEN. Ist Innings. 2nd Innings. H.L. Brittan, b Harding Ob Harding ... 6 T.U. Condel'l'.b Harding ... ••■ 0 HA. Scott, b Phillips 1 W. Harper, o W. Phipps 4 b Phillips ... 0 R. Mathiae, c Manson, b Phillips ... 7 not out 1 R. Dobson, b Harding 4 D. Potts, c Bamford, b Harding ... I not out ... 1 T. Gordon, b Harding ... ••• 3 W. O'Connell, b Phillips 4 b Phillips ... 2 H.Fitzherbert,c Bamford, b Phillips ... 6 A. Pptts, not out ... Ob Phillips ... 2 Byes, 15 ; wides, 4 19 Byes, 63 wides, 2 8 49 2C