“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31120, 25 July 1966, Page 12

“The Press” In 1866

July 25 If I were to give you a truthful and detailed account of the doings of the General Assembly, I should have to chronicle the sayings and doings of the secret caucuses which are said to be held by small knots of members, chiefly Auckland and Otago, but of whose doings I know nothing. Every one is believed to have a new constitution in his pocket Mr Whitaker has placed his on the table. Its most prominent feature is modesty. Auckland is to have a separate Lieutenant-Governor, Executive Council and Legislature of her own; to have all her own revenue; and besides, a contribution from the

rest of the colony equal to her military and native expenditure; and, notwithstanding, to send up her members to legislate for the South. There are rumors of an Otago plan which will come out in the form of amendments, which will propose to reconstitute the three provinces of the Middle Island, and to divide the North into two. I hear Mr Ward will have proposals of his own, and other rumors are afloat on all sides. In the multitude of councillors there is wisdom, and in the multitude of schemes of this kind I see no chance of a majority being obtained, in favor of any one proposal. (From our own correspondent)