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New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 636, 25 November 1865, Page 4

We learn from the Southern journals received yesterday by the Phoebe, that several changes are spoken of as likely to occur in the representation of Southern constituencies in the General Assembly. Dr. Featherston has alreadyiiitirnated his intention of retiring from the Assembly. Mr. Crosbie "Ward too, it is said, will not oft'er himself for re-election at Lyttelton, and a Mr. Arthur Beauchamps, of Picton, will be brought forward to conteet the seat with its present holder, Dr. Monro, the speaker; Mr. AVeld, it is rumoured, will leave his seat of Cheviot open for Dr. Monro, and will himself stand for Christchurch. The following is from the Independent of the ISth iust. .—

As we hinted in our last issue, Dr. FeatherstGn does not intend to take a eeat in the next Parliament. For ten years he has done good service to the colony, and now at tho moment when his efforts have Drought forth fruit, -when Wellington is the Seat of Government and the Panama Service is about to he established, Dr. Fcatherston thinks that the opportunity has como for his retirement from the Assembly. Mr. Waring Taylor also dosignj giving up hia eoat, and Mr. W. B. lihode3 is tho only one of our old mcrnbsrs who will again solicit the support of tho City constituency. Who arc to bo the new men it is hard to say. Sir. Borlaso is talked of, and Mr. G. Hunter lias also reason to expect a good measuro of support. That would fill up tho vacancies, but thero is another gentleman whom a large axd inllueutial section of the electors would wish to see in tho field, wo alludo to Mr. Peareo. Wo trust that gentleman may be induced to stand. In eonio quarters a hopo is expressed that the hon. John J ohnston will como forward. In answer to a requisition of electors calling upon tliem to attend a meeting to afford an explanation of their conduct in the Assembly, Messrs. Ifeatherston and Taylor returned the following answers : — Wolliugtou, 17th November, 1865. Gentlemen, —In compliance .with your request I shall be happy to meet the electors of this city, shortly after my return from the West Coast, but as it is not improbablo that the writs for the elections may bo issued during my absence, I think it due to the electors at once to intimate that it is not my intention to seek a renewal of the trust they have coniided to mo for tho last ten years. I have tho honor to be, &c, I. E. Fbathbhstox. To W. HieVson, Esq., J.P., J. H. Wallace, Esq., and the other gentlemen signing the requisition. Wellington, 17th November, 1865. Gentlemen, —I am prepared to meet the electors of tho city for tho purpose of giving an explanation of my conduct during the recent session of tho General Assembly. As it will be convenient that euch meeting should be deferred until after Dr. Featherstou's return from the West Coast, I take this opportunity of thanking the electors of the city for the confidence they have hitherto reposed in mo, nnd of intimating that I do not intend offering myself as a candidate at tho approaching election. I have the honor to be, &.c, W. Wabi.no Tatiob. To the gontlomen signing the requisition. Tho following is from the 2felson Colonist of the 21st :— Mr. Arthur Beauchamp, of Pioton, is to be brought forward to contest the seat in tho Assembly against the Speaker, Dr. Monro, or any other candidate, and tho belief is that he will bo successful. Dr. Monro, we are informed, will not again offer himself for Picton, —at least, such is tho prevalent rumour, which also declare 3 that thero is an arrangement with Mr. Weld to vacate tho district of Cheviot, for which it is further said the Speaker will offer himself, while Mr. Weld will etand for Ohristchurch. Wo hear it further rumored that Mr. Crosbio Ward has decided not to offer himself for reelection at Lyttelton. Wo hopo that this is not correct, for a man of the ability and experience of Sir. Crosbie Ward can ill be spared from tho Houso of .Representatives.