TIMARU. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Timaru, March 12th.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 108, 15 March 1866, Page 2

T I M A R U. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Timaru, March 12th.

The past week lias not been fertile in events of general interest. On Tuesday evening s public meeting was held at the Assembly room, Royal Hotel, to discuss the petition read by Mr Cox on the day of nomination. Mr H. J. Le Cren was voted into the chair, and stated the object for which the meeting had been called. He called on Mr Cox as well qualified from his experience to speak on the subject. Mr Cox said that ho took it for granted tliaf all present were of opinion that a change in tho method of administering the affairs of this portion of the province was necessary. Tho business of the mooting was to consider the petition which was to be presented to the General Assembly, " praying that the case of Gladstone and Timaru might be taken into consideration with a view to secure to their residents and electors tho appropriation and administration of revenue raised therein, and finally to suggest a modo or system under which so desirable an end might be secured." The principal point for their considerat ion was the kind of separation which was most to be dosired ; -whether $t should como in a shape which would erect these districts into an independent province, or whether as a sub-division of the existing province, with a certain amount of control over tho expenditure of local revenue. lie had already declared himself in favor of provincial separation, m

bringing with it a closer connexion with the General Government ; but in the event of that being found impracticable or unadvisivble, he was prepared to accept the other form. What was sought for on the West Coast was very similar to what they themselves ! wantoi Tho pcoplo there said, " Give us a Waste Lands Board, and an Executive Council deriving authority from General or Provincial Government, and leave us all our revenue for local expenditure." All that was necessary at present, in his opinion, was, to present a petition of a general nature to the Assembly. What decision that body, composed of men representing so many different interests, might arrive at, could not be forseen. In the mean time he would kadvise them to sign the petition which he was about 7 to rend. The petition having been read by Mr Cox, > Mr Cardalo moved, " tfhat this meeting accepts the the petition as now read, and that a committee be formed for the purpose of obtaining signatures, and forwarding tho interests of the same." Mr T. W. Hall seconded the resolution, and said that he was in favor of the total abolition of the provincial system, which had outlived its use. The resolution yraa carried unanimously. After some remarks by Mr B. Moorehouso, replied to by Mr Cox, Mr E. Turnbull said that the comparatively small number present could not be taken as an indication that the district was not fully alive to the importance of the subject of the petition. He was glad that tho petition would bo presented by a gentleman so favorably known in the Assembly as Mr Cox. Ho moved that a committee, for forwarding tho general objects of the petition, bo appointed, with power to add to their number, viz : — Messrs Cain, Cardale, Cabot, D'Oyley, H. J. Le Cron, Healy, T. W. Hall, Munro, Stubbs, and the mover. Seconded by Mr F. Lo Cren, and carried. Mr D'Oyley thought mdre vigorous- action should bo taken, as tho town and district of Timaru were being unjustly treated for the benefit of Christchurch. He could instance tho fact of a large block of land having been reserved in this district for school purposes in Christchurch ; and another block of considerable I extent which had been given in exchange for less thnu five acres taken in tho neighborhood of Christchurch, for a site for a Railway terminus, or some other Government purpose. He called on the Chairman to set a good example by signing the petition. After some remarks by Mr Cox and other gentlemen the meeting separatee! with a vote of thanks to the chairman. In the case of alleged perjury which I mentioned tho week before last, the bill was thrown out by the Grand Jury ; Wm. Gaby who was sent to trial by tho Magistrate's Court here, for maliciously wounding a bullock, was acquitted. Mr Smith the contractor for the borings for an ar tcsian well, has roachod a depth of nearly 60 feet, several of which has been through rock. There is water in the boring to a depth of about 15 feet, but it does not appear likely that it is of a permanent character. The Boad Boards in the neighborhood are at a stand-still for want of fnnds, which the Provincial Goverment, though in arrcar for monies already voted to them, say they are not in a position to pay. Under these circumstances the Levels' Boad Board deemed it expedient to give notice to their Engineer, that they shall be compelled to dispense with his services. This is a wretched state of things, when works so necessary as main roads cannot be prosecuted, nnd we have to thank the extravagance of the Christchurch element in tho Provincial Government, for having brought this state of things about. On Friday evening last, being au anniversary of tho ancient order of Foresters in this town, tho occasion was celebrated by a dinner at the Club Hotel. The Society walked in procession, decorated with sashes and other insignia, and bearing a handsome banner, through the principal streets. I believe thoy enjoyed a very pleasant and merry evening.