DUNEDIN. 28th August.

Evening Post, Volume XIV, Issue 51, 29 August 1876, Page 2

DUNEDIN. 28th August.

Late this afternoon the town was startled by a report that Mr. C. E. Haughton, late Under Secretary for Immigration, had been arrested as he was on the eve of departure for Melbourne en route for England. The report was unfortunately true. Mr. Haughton was on the point of entering the railway station to go to the boat by the 2.30 train, when Inspector Mallard, in accordance with telegraphic instructions, arrested him. At four o'clock Mr. Haughton was brought before Mr. Mercer, J.P., charged with having, at Wellington, '' within six months last past, attempted to commit an unnatural offence." On the application of the police, a remand till to-morrow was granted, bail being fixed in the accused's surety of £200, and two of £100 each. 29 th August. The political meetiug last night was most enthusiastic — unanimously ana thoroughly proiiincialistic. Eight hundred persons were present. The following resolutions were unanimously carried : — (1) That this meeting desires to accord hearty thanks to the large majority of Otago members of the House who have endeavored during the present session to secure justice for the province, and to conserve the political rights oi the people, both of which we believe to be endangered by the proposals of the Governmeut. That this meeting pledges itself to give its best support to Otago representatives in any combined action they may take for the interest of the province ; (2) That this meeting, while desiring to see the provincial form of government simplified in many of its details, is strongly in belief that it is the form of government best suited to Otago under existing circumstances, and feels assured it is also the form ot Government which best enables the whole body of the people closely to watch and take an intelligent interest in the administration of their own affairs; (3) That in the opinion of this meeting the coxmty system proposals of the Government are unsuited to the requirements of the people of this portion of New Zealand, that they would be expensive and cumbrous, if not unworkable, and that the result would be a dwarfing and destroying of that political life which should animate a free people ; (4) That in the opinion of this meeting, should the representatives of Otago fail in securing for the province the administration of its own land revenue, and a satisfactory measure of local self-government, it will become their duty to leave the Assembly en masse, in order that the political situation may be considered by the Provincial Council; (5) That these resolutions (which were carried) be forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in order that members may know our feelings in the matter of abolition. As an amendment on the first resolution, Mr. Fish proposed the folio wine:, but it found no seconder : — *' That whilst thanking our representatives in the province for their action in the interests of the province, this meeting deprecates any further attempt to resuscitate provincialism as in the past." (Hisses and groans, and cries of " Give him a hearing.")