TOWN EDITION. dfoenmg Host TUESDAY, JULY 26, 1881.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 22, 26 July 1881, Page 2

TOWN EDITION. dfoenmg Host TUESDAY, JULY 26, 1881.

PROVINCIALISM v. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. ? If all the present talk about "Locaj Government" means anything more than a desperate scramble for office, it must mean this — that a strenuous effort is abont to be made to restore the Provincial form of Government in Nevr Zealand. Not necessarily Provincialism in preoisely its old shape, or with its old territories or its old boundaries. Even Sir George Grey admits that to b» impossible. It is only the light-hearted and mercurial Mr. Sheehan who is ready at a moment's notice to repeal Abolition, to re-constitute all the Provincial Governments in full swing by one stroke of his pen. It is not hard to see why the absolute rehabilitation of the defunct provinces is impossible. The whole raison d' Stre of Provincialism and its temporary success consisted in its being a convenient expedient for the settlement of a new country from several suitable points, each of course being a seaport. It was not Provincialism, strictly speaking, which first settled Wellington, or Taranaki, or Canterbury, or Otago, but Provincialism was the natural development of the system under which they were settled. For inßtanca, the New Zealand Company formed a settlement in Wellington ; the Devonshire settlers colonised Taranaki ; the Church of England founded the Canterbury settlement; the Scotch Presbyterians that of Otago ; Auckland and Nelson being started in a somewhat similar way. It is obvious that settlement at first must necessarily group itself round a port as the point from which all supplies have to be obtained, and which, consequently, is the nucleus of that settlement, bix settlements had their nuclei at Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, and these in time were constituted into provinces, the whole of the Colony being divided among them. For a time all went on quietly enough. But Boon that peculiar feature of New Zealand geography which offers so distinct a natural check to Centralism — our multiplicity of good ports — began to make its influence felt. It is this geographical feature which gives New Zealand four moderatesized capitals instead of one overgrown centre, such as Melbourne in Victoria, and Sydney in New South Wales. These cities are at once the seats of Government, the commercial capitals, toe principal ports, and in every respect the centres of settlement. In New Zealand the palm is very evenly divided among our four chief cities, and there are other towoi rapidly coming to the front. And so it was found in the past. Wherever there was a good port giving access to valuable back country, there a new centre was sure to be established. Accordingly we were not long in seeing the new Provinces Act passed, and the ports of Invercargill and Napier speedily became the capitals of the new provinces of Southland and Uawkes Bay. Similarly the discovery ot gold near Picton and Hokitika soon led to the creation of the provinces of Marlborough and Westland. This was bnt a beginning. Wanganui at one time was very anxious to follow snit m the way of separation from the parent province, and could the people of Queenstown only have discovered anything like a port — which the Act very properly insisted on as an essential condition of a new province being established — it is qmte certain that we should have seen a Wakatipu province many years ago. However, Provincial development was nipped in the bud by Sir Julius Vogbl. He was at the zenith of hiß fame and power. The Provinces resisted hia will, and he smote them— to the death. We hare dwelt on this special and essential feature in the old Provincial system — that of the province being in all cases the s< ttlement around one particular port — because thi3 point must of necessity assume overwhelming importance in any attempt to resuscitate the defunct system. SirtiEORGK Grey sees very plainly that to restore simply the old Provincial centres as the headquarters of practically autonomous settlements would be utterly impracticable. Wanganui would not again tolerate being provinoially ruled from Wei-

lington, Invercargil or Oamaru from Dunedin, or Timarn from Christchurch. Every little seaport would expect, and not unreasonably either, to be elevated to the rank of a Prcvincial capital. But if that were acceeded what would become of the Provincial glories of Otago and Canterbury P lhe probability is that we should find the new Provincial interests endeavouring to bolster up each its own little metropolis to the disadvantage of the bigger town. TM3 would not snit the larger provinces. Sir Geoege Grey evidently detected this weak point some years ago, for it will be remembered that at one time his cry was for each island to be constituted a province in itself, deeming that this would attract at least three places, because Auckland would be the provincial capital of the North Island, Wellington remaining the general metropolis, and Christchurch or Dnnedin becoming the provincial capital of the South. Neither of the two latter places however, was likely to give way to the other, and so that scheme never Btood any chance of realisation. Mr. Macandbew on the other hand favored a sort of tetrarchy— dividing New Zealand into four provinces, Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago. Obviously, however, this would simply imply the fierce opposition of all the smaller provinces thus proposed to be swallowed up. And now, after a long interval of quiescence, the apostles of provincialism pome to the front once more, but this time with a widely ''developed" Boheme. What that scheme is we have exp^ined in our review of Sir Geoege Geey.s great Blank Bill. He would reduce the General Government to a mere Federal Union, and divide the Colony into 20 independent states, euphemistically call"d" local districts," possessing in reality all but absolnte autonomy. We paBS over his proposals to endow them with the " snrplus " remaining after all the revenue has been appropriated by the General Government, and with Crown lands in parts unknown, to sufficient extent to render rates and taxes needless. We pass them over because we admit we cannot understand them, unless they are intended as a huge joke. But leaving that out of the question, this bill at any rate embodies the scheme with which Sir George Geey has assured us he will "stump" the country during the coming election. The issue will be between that attempt to revive all the evils of provinpialism in an aggravated form, and the maintenance of the present system, but in an improved shape. It may be said that the County Council and Boad Board 8 v stem is unpopular. That can only be ascertained by first finding out whether the people themselves are willing to give up these institutions. If they are it seems singular that as they have the option of bringing the Act into force or not as they choose, they should nevertheless in nearly every case have voted for bringing it into force. If several counties would prefer to amalgamate into one large district, why do they not ? The law gives them every facility for doing so. If people wish the Boad Boards to merge into counties they have this also ie their own hands . In short the whole power now vests in the people themselves, and all they really want is financial aid with a few improvements in the details of the machinery. That is what we believe the whole of the present agitation will resolve itself into when all the side issues and ad captandum appeals are eliminated. As an alternative Sir George Geey offers this crazy scheme of Provincialism restored. We cannot believe that such an alternative will find any favor with the good sense of the New Zealand colonists.

The s.s. Hawea, with the San Francisco mail, arrived at New Plymouth at 9 o'clock last night, and left again at 11 p.m. She arrived hero a little after 2 o'clock this afternoon. The mail will be delivered acrosa the counter at the Post Office this evening at 7 o'clock. The Bail ways Construction Bill, by which assistance in land and otherwise will be given to private companies undertaking the construction of important railway lines, is, wo hear, all but ready for introduction. As, however, it forms a cardinal feature in the Public Works policy of the Government, it will not be brought down until the Public Works Statement has been delivered by Mr. Hall, who will probably take that opportunity of explaining its general principles and chief provisions. The date on which the Public Works Statement will be delivered must obviously depend on the termination of tho present want-of-confidence debate. Should that conclude to-night or to-morrow, and favorably to the Government, the Statement would most likely be brought down next week, and the Railway Construction Bill would be introduced directly afterward. We understand that the bill has received most careful attention, alike from the Solicitor-General, on behalf of the Government, from Mr. Travers, on behalf of the Wellington-Manawatu Eailway Company, and from Mr. Weston, M.H.E , as representing the Canterbury and Westland railway scheme. The greatest pains have been taken to provide for all conceivable contingencies, and to protect the interests of the colony at large, while offering all practicable facilities for the promotion of these important undertakings. Charles Haddow, hairdresser, of Wellington, convened a meeting of his creditors at noon to-day. His assets amount to .£45 6s, composed of the following items :—Stock-in-trade, £lb ; household furniture, .£9 ; book debts, £21. His liabilities are filed at .£ll2 13s, the principal creditors being Messrs. J. and H. Barber, ,£sl ; City Corporation dates), .£lB ; Mr. J. Burton, ,£l6 15s ; and Mr. Leper, Mr. H. J. L. Augarde occupied the chair. Mr. H. D. Bell appeared on behalf of Messrs. J. & H. Barber, the ohief creditors, and attended for tho purpose of examining tho debtor. The Eegistrar (Mr. A. S. Allan) pointed out that tho debtor could not bo examined on oath until a trustee was appointed. Nominations for the trusteeship were then invited. Mr. C. A. Baker was proposed by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. T. K. Maodonald (as proxy); and Mr. J. H. L Augarde was proposed by Mr. H. Alexander, seconded by the Chairman (as proxy). Mr. Baker had a majority in value, and Mr. Augarde in number. Mr. Bell thereupon remarked the only course left for adoption waa an adjournment of the meeting, as his side did not mean to give in. Mr. Augarde also declined to withdraw, saying he would only be)beaten on his merits. It was therefore decided to adjourn till tho same hour to-morrow, when, in the event of a continuation of this deadlock, a further adjournment will have to be effected, and the Eegistrar will then be called upon to appoint the trustee himself. At the next meeting of the City Council the Building Eegulations Committee will simply recommend that the names of those Councillors not on tho Committee at present be added thereto. A rumour was current in town this morning to the eff eot that the brigantine Aratapn had put into Queen Charlotto Sound, and reported the loss of two of her crew. Up to tho time wo went to press we had not been able to get any authentic information on the subject. The aotion, Thomas Maher v. Corporation of Wellington, to recover ,£2OO damages for injuries sustained through a coach accident, will be heard before his Honor Judge Shaw and a jury at tho District Court at 11 a.m. to-morrow. In mentioning that a vote of thanks had been passed by tho St. Peter's Parish to Mr. T. J. Browne for his service aa '" organ blower," we hardly gave that gentleman hia due. He has been very kindly taking charge of the hydraulic engine by which the organ is blown, and has effected some marked improvements in the mechanism. It was for his valuable services in this repect that the thanks of the parishioners bo deservedly were voted to him. A meeting of the Wellington Co-operative Stores Company is convened for Wednesday evening next, in Panama Chambers. Business of importance will be brought before the meeting. A meeting of the Wellington Freethought Association is convened for Wednesday evening aa per advertisement in another column. Mr. Charles Callis, the late secretary to tho New Zealand Koyal Commissioners at the Sydney and Melbourne International Exhibitions, was a passenger by the s.s. Albion this day. He intends commencing business in Dunodin as commission agent, etc. The enquiry into the wreck of the schooner Maggie Paterson was being held when wo went to press this afternoon. A telegram received from Auckland, per the United Press Association, to-day, informs us that Boss won the International Sculling Match at Ottawa ; Gander and Hosmer following. Trickett, who seamed completely rowed out, was sixth. Ross' time waa twenty-seven minutes. The death is announced of Mrs. Hare, wife of Mr. E. Hare, of Masterton, and one of the pioneers of the township. The deceased lady, who was well known not only in Masterton, but in Wellington, was greatly respected in the district. The usnal weekly session of the Pioneer Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held last evening. There was a large attendance. Further additions were made to the membership, and several members were proposed. A report was laid on the table recommending the lodge to join w.th the St. John's and Pearl af Peace Lodges in taking the Friendly Societies' Hall, to be fitted up exclusively for lodge purposes. The report will be considered at a future meeting, lhe regular juarterly election of officers then took place, ;he various offices being keenly contested. Next Monday past officers' reports will be received and the new officers installed. We are requested to remind the vocalista )f the Choral Society that this evening is ;he final rehearsal for Monday's conceit.

A fire broke out at twenty minutes to four o'clock this morning in a house situated in George-street, off linakori-road, and ocoupied by a family named Walsh. It was extinguished, however, with very little difficulty, the damage done amounting to about £5. Mr. 1 homaa Walsh is the owner of the house, which is insured in the Colonial Insurance office for £150. The wreck of the schooner Maggie Paterson was Bold by auction to-day by Mr. J. H. Wallace. The hull realised £52 and coal £9, Messrs. Waddell and Co. being the purchasers. Mr. C. Houchen was the successful bidder for the hides at £ 16. Lot 3, consisting of zinc, brought £23, Mr. J. M. Simpson being the buyer. Lot 4— casks, &o — wa3 bought by Messrs. Waddell and Co. for £1 ss. The total amount realised, therefore, was £130 ss. lhe following report of the Public Works Committee will be submitted at Thursday's meeting of the City Council:— The committee beg to report— (l) That Messrs. Brown and Farrell, whose tender for the Wainui water-race was accepted, have declined to fulfil the same, and that the next lowest tenderer— Mr. W. F. Oakes— has been accepted in lieu thereof. (2) That the committee are still of opinion that it would be both unsafo and uowi3e to Banction the rifle range m the Newtown park, as proposed by the volunteer authorities. (3) That in consequence of the nuisance caused in John-ston-street by the frequenters of the Theatre Royal, the proprietars have been called upon to take stsp3 for the abatement of the same, in terms of clause 326 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876. (4) That tae CoucoiUors of Cook Ward have been authorised to take action in the matter of the complaint of Thomas Sainabury. (3) That the City Surveyor has been instructed to have the permanent levels of the Tinakori Road and Hawkestone-street fixed and advertised as soon as the Burvey of the city has been completed. (6) That accounts amounting to £462 5s 7d have been passed for payment. His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond held a sitting of the Bankruptcy Court this afternoon. Mr. H. H. Travers applied for the discharge of Walter Morrison, of Manaia, farmer. Mr. Chapman appeared to oppose on behalf of certain creditors on the following alleged grounds :— (1) That the debtor had concealed property. (2) That he had recklessly expended money on a proyerty not his own (viz., his daughter's). (3) That he kept no proper books. (4) Fraudulent dealing with a certain debtor. Morrison waa examined at considerable length, but the allegations were not sustained, aud the debtor obtained his discharge. Mr. Fitzherbert then applied for an order granting the discharge ot John Stac»y, of Wellington, laborer, the application being opposed by Mr. Brown on behalf of the creditors' trustee. The proceedings had not concluded when our reporter left the Court. Up to this afternoon there is little sign of any cessation in the continually wet and boisterous weather which has prevailed during the last ten days. The rain which has fallen in that period, i.e., since last Friday week is more than three inches in excess of the average fall for the whole month during the previous sixteen years. The total rainfall from the 16th to the 26th amounted to no less than 9*19 inches, the respective amounts on each day being in inches and decimals as follow :— l6th. 002 ; 17th, 025 ; 18th, 0-10 ; 19th o*so ; 20th, 2 45 ; 21st 106 ; 22nd, 0-80; *3rd, 020; 24th, 0 80; 25th, 1-80; 26th, 120 ; total, 919. In addition to this large quantity, 0.94 fell in the first four days of the month, thus bringing up the total so far to 1013 inches, the July average for 16 previous years being 6 10 inches. Mr. D. H. McArthur has been elected Mayor of Feilding unopposed. There were 19 nominations for the Borough Council. Ou being asked if he were in favor of tho mayor receiving a salary, the new mayor replied in the negative, remarking that " the borough was poor enough already," and he should refuse to take a salary, it" it were offered to him. (Hear, hear.) The Rising Star Juvenile Temple,l.O.G.T., held ite usual session last evening, at No. 9 room, Athemjßum, under the superintendence of Mr. W. Johnson. The following officers were elected to conduct the business of the temple for the next quarter: — Bro. E. Randall, Chief Templar ; Sister Vince, ViceI emplar ; Bro. John Skinner, Secretary ; Bro. W. Loxford, Financial Secretary ; Bro. Haddow, Treasurer ; Bro. Hutchison, Chaplain ; Bro. Cole, Marshall ; Bro. H. Tuck, Inside Guard ; Bro. Cole, Outside Guard. Fritz Van Schulter, in whose possession an illicit whisky still was found by Constables Brnnskill and Evans, at Taratahi, on Saturday last, has been brought np at the Carterton Court, and fined £200, in default twelve months' imprisonment. St. Mark's annual parish meeting takes placo this evening, at 8 o'clock. Nominations for synodsmen will be received half-an-hour previous. Dr. Henry, a licentiate of the Eoyal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, announces his return from Europe. Until the completion of his residence he may be consulted at Messrs. Barrand and Sons, chemists, Lambton Quay. Being well known in various parts of the colony, many will be pleased to hear that Dr. Henry has decided to take up his abode in this city. The concert given last night by the members and friends of the Star of Wellington Lodge, although not very numerously attended, owing to the severe weather, was of a very enjoyable character. Miss Bradford ably presided at the piano. At the last session of the Perseverance Tent, 1.0. R., the lamented death of the late surgeon of the tent, Dr. Harding, was referred to, and it was resolved that a letter of condolence should be sent to Mrs. Harding, and that Dr. Tripe be appointed tent surgeon till the end of the present quarter. In October next Great Britain is to have an inland parcel post. Parcels will be received at any post office in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and transmitted to any address, being in connection with the International Parcel Post, arrangements for which have been already announced. The railway companies will receive as their share of the cost of the carriage half the amount given to the Post Office for transmission, the proportions being adjusted by the Railway Clearing House. To-morrow Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co. will hold a large and important sale of property. The sale includes leases on the reclaimed land, valuable freehold land and buildings in the township of Masterton, leasehold land and buildings in Lambton Quay and Grey-Btreet, Langley's accommodation house at Otaki, and freehold land and dwelling-house in Bouloott-street. With the exception of the leases on tha reclaimed land, the whole of the property will be offered by order of the mortgagees under conduct of the Registrar of the Supreme Conrt. Advertisements of the proposed sale will be found in another column, and will repay the perusal of those who wish to take advantage of the present opportunity to purchase valuable properties at a reasonable figure. By an advertisement in another colmmn members of the Wellington Chess Club are notified that there will not be any meeting this evening. A special meeting will be called for Friday next, of which further notice will be given. In our advertising columns, Dr. Rawson notifies that he may be consulted daily at the late Dr. Harding's from 9 to 10.30 a.m., and from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Messrs. Laery & Campbell will sell tomorrow, boots, fruit, produce, <$sc. Messrs. T. K. Macdonald & Co. will sell to-morrow, furniture, &c. Messrs. Dwan ¦& Co. will sell to-morrow, perfumery, &o. Messrs. Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit, produce, &c.