THE HAWKE'S BAY HERALD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 48, 21 August 1858, Page 2

THE HAWKE'S BAY HERALD.

Napier, Saturday, Aug. 21, 1858.

We had intended, in this number, to make a few remarks upon the measure, of which, in our last, we gave an analysis — the New Provinces Bill.. , As, however, the overland mail, due on Tuesday, -will put us in possession of the bill itself, -with particulars of its fate upon the second reading, we content ourselves, at present, with expressing, in general terms, our high appreciation of the adaptation of its provisions to the condition of such a district as our own. It is true, we are not likely to be constituted a municipality ; but we have the nearest approach to it consistent withitborbugh independence. For to grant us a corporation^ pet to leave its revenues at the disposal of Wellington Provincial ;C6uricil; ;^ould be^ipdeed to giy« v

for bread. We want above all things; financial separation — the control of our own funds ; and this, it appears, could-npt legally be granted us except as a province. But a Province only in name— a municipality in reality. The unworkable' anomaly of the double elective principle is set aside — the Superintendent having to be elected by the Council, either from amongst themselves or the body of the constituency, precisely as a corporate body in England elect their Chairman. Then, again, the Superintendent cannot assent to Bills ; the arbitrary proceeding of which ultra-pro-vincialism has set us an example, is, under our new constitution, rendered impossible. The action of Superintendent and Provincial Council is confined within a legitimate sphere — leading us to the conclusion that these are but other names for a mayor and corporation. Altogether, from what we know of the measure, we are most favourably impressed with its provisions ; and we trust that Tuesday's mail will bring us, not only what we should have had long ago — a copy of the Bill — but the joyful intelligence that it has become the law of the colony.