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New Zealand Mail, Issue 243, 15 July 1876, Page 13

The political atmosphere was on Wednesday clouded with rumors as to what was to be done, or what was not to be done, in consequence of caucus meetings held by the representatives of Ofcago and Canterbury. The reliable outcome of these meetings may be stated as the appointment of committees by both, to confer on the Constitution which in is desirable should prevail in future in the colony. This is a subject on which a conference must make a wide traverse, and on which it is difficult to see agreement between Otago and Canterbnry. The majority of the representatives of the former are for insular separation, or failing that, for four provinces as a consequence of abolition. Neither of these alternatives could be accepted by Mr. Stafford and the majority of Canterbury members, whose views are thoroughly colonial, and who are unquestionably agreed that abolition means the real recognition of National Government in New Zealand. Indeed, Mr. Stafford plainly stated yesterday that he could be no party to any conferences on a provincial basis.