The Press. MONDAY, AUGUST' 12, 1867.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1484, 12 August 1867, Page 2

The Press. MONDAY, AUGUST' 12, 1867.

The letter from our "Wellington correspondent, narrating the proceedings of the General Assembly during the past week, has unfortunately not come to hand. The greatest event was the defeat of the' Local Government Bill, which, after a long and interesting debate, was thrown out on the second reading by a majority of 36 to 27. The Government,'ho" doubt with a prescient instinci? of the fate of their measure, ttecliried to make it a Ministerial _ one.; which, without affecting the result, helped to swell the' majority against them, as two or three votes" would- probably have been given the, other way had they announced it as their intention to stand or fall by the success of the Bill. Wβ are hot indeed surprised at the result, which corresponds with our prediction last week, though we had certainly not anticipated that it would have been defeated by bo large a majority. Besides its general cumbronsnees, there were several points to which objection might reasonably be taken, and some important provistdhs Which' explanationbut were passed over by Mr. Stafford in his speech 1 on introducing the Bill without a 1 word of , comment. Such was the proposal to supplement the sums collected in the several districts by means iof rates by > the addition of 200 per cent, from the ordinary revenue of the colony; as to which the House should surely have been informed where the money was* to coma from, whether it would so far diminish the provincial share of the and if not how the revenue could meet the new demand upon it without additional taxation. But the principle of the -Bill—of power , ih every 'diajtrict for the management of "local affairs, with the guarantee of a certain annual income independent of the caprice or exige'nciesof the Provincial Governments was bo excellent, and so much needed by- the country, that we cannot but regret that the Bill should have been so summarily rejected. Faulty as it was in some respects,' the better course for the House to take would have been to sanction its principle by passing the second reading on the understanding that no opposition should be offered by Government itsPbeihjg amended to' whatever extent might be thought desirable in Committee. .

"We publish to-day, and shall coil* cluds in tb-inarrbw'e issue, a Report of the debate taken from the Wellington I as we have: only received I the " Hansard " for the week ending August 3. The " Hansard " is published every Saturday in the form of a pamphlet, and as slips of the matter prepared for the next issue are not forwarded to the newspapers, aa they were at first, when the mail leaves Wellington before the. day of publication, it follows that unless the steamer leaves early in the week we are a Y&s\ behindhand. Unluckily the last two or three steamers have left on a Friday. Aβ however many of our readers may wish to have some account of the debate, we have thought it best to give the shorter report from the Inde-pendent,-which seeinV fairly done",' ifid will next week republisH from the I "Hansard ,, the speeches of the Canterbury members and euch others as are of most importance. FIiOOS IN thb Eybb.—Owing to a heavy flood in the Biver Eyre, which came down on Tuesday night, the mails from Kaiapoi and Chrif tehurch which were doe at Ejreton on Wednesday did not reach their destination till Thursday at noon. Thb WrarLASD Mail.—The down coach from Hokitika, with the mails, passed the Bealey Telegraph-station yesterday at noon, and will prob»bl? reach town early this morning Trie road is reported to he in a frightful condition. LyTTRLTOH VOLtreXSEB A&TZZXSBT.—The mtiataly Adjutant's jparade of Nos. land 2 Batteries took place at the drill-shed on Saturday last, at two p.m. Lieutenant-Colonel

Reader, who arrived by the Tararua, was present to inspect the Batteries, and was attended by Adjutant Eookes.

Wo. 4 C.R.V. On Friday evening last this company were inspected by Adjutant Rookee The company mustered strongly under the command of Captain Poole ; and the band, under Bandmaster Mertoa, were also present, and we are glad to observe that considerable progress has of late been made by them.

Thb xatb RbQISTBAH — With reference to the resignation of Mr Calvert, the following notice appears in the " General Gorernment Gazette," published on Wednesday last :— " Erratum— The acceptance of the resignation of C. A. CaWert, Keg , and the appointment, of E. S. Willcocks, Esq., referred to in the " y ew Zealand Gazette" (No. 42), of the 24th ultimo, page 320, are to date from the 9th August instant, and the appointment of H. E. Kenny, Eeq , also contained in the same Gazette, is to date from the 4th inetant."

MILITABX FUKBEAL AT RaNGIORA.—We are sorry to hear of the death of Lieutenant Thompson, of the Rangtora Volunteers, on Friday last, after a lingering illness. The members of the company,.consisting of a captain, a subaltern, three sergeante, and fifty rank and file, are, by a district order, requested to parade in front of ~*he reeidenoe of the' deceased. Others of the volunteer force in the province will no doubt; also be present.; The deoeaied'was respected by a large circle of friends.

Football.—A match was played on Satuis day last in Latimer-square between the Cottegß and the members of the Christchurch Football Club. The game, ..wee begun about a quarter past three in the afternoon. The Club were very hard pressed at first owing to the smallneas of their number, bat managed to defend their goal until they were reinforced, when the tide turned, and in spite of the efforts made by the boys a goal was won by the Club. The ground was in very bad order inconsequence of the rain during the week and a sharp frost on the previous night, but some very good play was shown, especially by Mr A. F. Blakistonjfor the Club, and Mr W. Harper on the ride of the College. The match was kept up for nearly two hours before the goal was kicked.

Pigeon Matches. —On Friday afternoon several matches were shot at Dilloway'e paddock, Kiccarton. The afternoon was a very fine one for the sport, and some excellent shooting was made. The first was a match between Messrs Packe, White, Cator, Selfe, Brooke, and Hawdon ; ten birds each, twentyone yards rise. Mr White was the winner, killing eight of his birds. The next match was between Messrs White, Packe, Cator, Selfe, and Brooks ; five birds teach. Messrs White and Cator tied, each killing three birds, and on firing off Mr Cator killed his bird, but Mr White missed. The last match wee between Messrs Packe, White, Selfe, Hawdon, and Cator ; five birds each. Mr White was again the winner, killing air hie birds. We hear that■everal other matches are likely to come off during the present week.

: The TTmbmpi,oyed.—On Saturday morning about 100 men assembled at the Government buildings to hear the reply given by the Government to the deputation appointed by the unemployed at the meeting held on the previous Friday. Mr St. Quentin told those present that the Government ffifoposed at once to furnish work in breaking stones, in clearing the River Avon, and in trenching in the Domain ; and that with regard to the, employ-: ment of skilled labour the Government had stated that they would not be in a position to give a final answer until Monday morning. He advised the meeting to dispene, and to meet again at the. same place this morning at eleven am.; and this course was ultimately taken after come little demur on the part of those present.

; Magistebial.—At the Besident Magistrate's Court, at Lyttelton, on Saturday last, Cornelius Holland was" oharged with assault* ing a constable in the execution of jbie duty. It appears that the accused was one of eight or sine sailors who were having some high words on Norwich quay, about half-past eleven on Friday night. The constable canie up to them, and told them not to make a disturbance in the street, but go on board their ships. One of,,the sailors struck the constable,in the face. -The constable then attempted'to 1 arrest jhim, but was held back by the the assailant escaped. The case waeTTully proved, and he was fined 40s. We hear that the man who struck the constable has since been arrested, and will be brought before the Bench this day.' '

Gazettb.—A " Provincial Government Gazette " was issued o;rt Satwday. It contains a proclamation by Hie Honour the Superintendent " appointing F. B. Stewart,; Esq., Deputy-Superintendent during his Honour's absence in Wellington; a notification that constable J. Bartenshaw has been appointed inspector, .pt elaughter-hqiwee. (or the Tjmaru district;;' a certificate thaf tne ! bridge has been ; completed according to the Ordinance, and "^ie : rid* r open for traffic; the report of the.. .Coflmissionere on the ship Lancashire Witch'; a notice of the dissolution of partnership: ; hitherto sub;, sisting between George and MathewH. Oram • a notice of the dissolution of partnership existing [between C. Sneer* H. J. Mathias, E. H. Ensor, and T. C. Rowley, so far as regards E. H. Ensor; ; several advertisements under the Debtors and Creditors Act, and a list of petitions of persona applying for relief in the Westland district .under the same Act. Another "Gazette" issued' at Wellington on the 7th instant contains a proclamation fixing the dates at which District Cbiirts will be held at Lawrence, Naseby, Clyde, and Queenstown, all in the Province of Otago ; a proclamation disallowing the following Bills passed during the late session of the Provincial Council of Otago:—-The Administration of Justice Ordinance, 1867; the Provincial Wardens Courts Jurisdiction Extension Ordinance, 186.7 j and the JTBnciog Ordinance, 1867. A notification that after the Ist October next the provisions of the Foreign Seaman's Act, 1860, ywUl be enforced in respect; of the masters and seamen oF all vessels Bailing under tbeFrenoh flag and Tahiti Protectorate flag in New Zealand porta; the Governor's assent to the following Bills—the Town Board of New Plymouth Endowment Ordinance, 1867; and the. Southern Trunk Railway Guaranteed. Interest Ordinance (No: 2) 1867; the Turnpikea Ordinance .1866 Amendment Ordinan«B, 1867; the o Appropriation Ordinance 1867-8; the Sheep Ordinance, 1867,; and the Immigration and British" Agent's Ordnance 1854' * Amendment Ordinance, 1867. A , notification that William Adams has been elected a -member -of- the- Houee—of -Represenfedves for Pict6n ; the appointoent of John Emerson to tw -inspector of weights for the province of Marlborough ; the appointment of H. E. Kenny, Esq, to be registration officer for the province of Taranaki ; a notification that John Johnston, Esq, has been nominated consul for the Netherlands, and E. L. Bocholz, Frederick Thompson, and E. B. Cargill, ItaHan consular agents for Auckland, Chrutchurcb, and Dunedin respectively. An advertisement requesting iafbrmation regarding .a ■ person i named Lagaste or Lageiaaaj a /notice respecting the sale of the Waikato coal minea; a notice that the resignation of Lieutenant E. Dpbson, of the Canterbury Volunteers, has been'accepted, and that the following-appoint-ments have been made, 1 E. Ddbson to be lieutenant of the/. Canterbury Engineers. Lieutenant J. G. Hawkes to b» Captain and' Ensign N.Wolfe be lieutenant of No. 6 Company Canterbury Rifles j Lieutenant James Poole to" be J captain of the Rangiora Volunteer Rißee; a notice that the Governor has been pleased to aatliorize the Provincial Secretary of Canterbury to frank free from postage letters or papers sent by him on public service; a notice that William Pagan, Esq., ha* been appointed Comptroller of; Post-office Moneyorders and Savings Banks ; a notice that the Post-office at Weatport haa been appointed a Money-order office and Poet-office Savings Bank; several notice! of dissolution of partnership ; statement* of asseta and liabilities of several mining companies ; and a return of gm-quantity and value of gold exported from New Zealand from &'c lit April, 1867, to the 30th Jane, 1867.