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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 124, 30 May 1867, Page 2

The committee appointed to report upon the Patent Slip "difficulty," between the Wellington Government and Mr. Kenuard, says the Evening Post of the 22ud inst, yesterdaytooktheadditionalevidenceof Messrs Stewart and Hales, after which Mr. Prendergast addressed the committee on behalf of the Government, and Mr. Travers on oehalf of the contractors. Mr. Travers'

defence was very skilful, aud will maintain that gentleman's, well-earned reputatiou. Had it been addressed^to an ordinary c'ommon jury, instead of to a committee of thoroughly intelligent men, well up in the subject of dispute, it would have deserved to be classed as powerful, iu addition to its being skilful. But the fallacy which pervaded the speech was evident to most persons present. The ratification of the contract was stated by Mr. Travers to be a mere technicality, and that the Government were sheltering themselves under a mere technicality, a mere quibble; whereas the ratification is the very essence of the whole contract. The Slip Act states that any eoutract must be ratified, the contract recites the Act, aud provides expressly that Mi. Morrison is to use his best exertions to get the contract ratified, and the ratification was always intended to give Government a check over the contract, if the agent exceeded the powers conferred on hiin, as they unquestionably have done by garbling the data sent home by Mr. Stewart, and is not merely an unmeaning and idle power to be exercised as a matter of course. Whether the Government would have ratified the contract a year ago, had Mr. George not informed them as soon as he arrived that he declined tc proceed with the works before a further reference to England, is beside the question. The Government are now asked to ratify it wilh their eyes open to the consequences ; and whether ' they should do so or not is the question which the committee have to decide, The committee has adjourued to Monday, to allow of the evidence aud speeches being printed, when they will deliberate as to what their report shall be. The meeting will not be open to the public. Ou Tuesday the report will be presented to the Council. From the Wanganui Chronicle, of Wednesday week, we learn that the natives iu that district are showing signs of resistence. On the previous Saturday as a small party of colonial troops was engaged in building a redoubt some miles out from Mauawapo, they were ordered off by about 70 armed natives. They were not in force sufficient to resent this affront but fell back to Manawapo. A fatigue party, engaged in cutting firewood a few days previously, bad also been ordered off. Two survey parties, one at Kakaramea, and the other at Wenuakura, were also warned. Except acting on the defensive, the natives are not likely to proceed to open hostilities, and any snch course on the part of the colonial troops is out of ' the question — they can only remain as au '•army of observation." We take the folio wiug extract from tha speech delivered by Major Atkinsou, formerly Defence Minister, on his receut election as representative of New Plymouth in the General Assembly, as reported in the Taranaki Herald : — I will not make a long speech on the subject of my opinions, as they are already well known, and as you cau form your judgment of me from past sessions, I do not think it necessary to speak of my general views. There are, however, one or two questions on which I suppose a few words will be expected of me, and first among these stands " Provincialism v. Centralism." The battle between these two has really been going on since the Assembly was formed, and we are ouly now drawing nearer the conclusion. But Ido not think it likely that this conclusion will be reached during the next session of the Assembly, though we shall probably be able to see our way farther than we have done hitherto. I believe that some permissive measure, whereby the smaller provinces may merge themselves in the General Government, will be introduced. This will open a door for Centralism, and be a useful measure for such a province as ours, but I see no hope that a strong General Government will be formed until the laud revenue of the large proviuces is -exhausted. The best men in these large provinces turn their attention too exclusively to Provincialism, aud care little about the Central Government. I believe that for the small provinces a Central . Government is decidedly best, and I will support a measure for doing away with provinces, provided that I see some practical scheme introduced for local self-government. My opinion on this subject. is much influenced by considering the financial condition of the different provinces. Of course, whenever such a system is introduced, the questiou of the debts iucurred by the different provinces will have to be dealt with, aud it will then be my duty to see that no more thau our due proportion is upon Tanmaki.