PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Timaru Herald, Volume II, Issue 64, 5 August 1865, Page 3

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The following Petition, which has been signed by a large number of electors and householders m this district, was forwarded to Wellington on Friday morning ; but we fear that it will arrive too late to be of any service : — To the Honorable Members of the House of .Representatives of the Colony of New Zealand, m Parliament assembled. The Petition of the undersigned Electors and Householders of the Southern part of the Province of Canterbury, New Zealand, known as the Timaru District, Humbly sheweth, — * That as this District comprises more than onethird of the Canterbury Province, and that by statistical returns it has contributed most largely to the Revenues of the Province of Canterbury, but that m consequence of a large per centage « f such Revenues being absorbed m the Great Public Works about Christchurch, especially the Railway now being constructed between Lyttelton and Christchurch, whereby this district will not receive any material benefit. This district has not had its fair appropriation of the Provincial Revenues. That m consequences of this district having such a small number of Representatives m the Provincial Council we, your petitioners, are unable to euforce our just claims. That owing to the great distance from Christchurch, the seat of Government, we find it diffi» cult for even our small Representation m the Couucil to get members to come forward who are locally interested, but frequently are obliged to trust our interests to strangers. - That your Petitioners view with alarm the Provincial Government contemplating other large works, whereby this district may be still further mulcted of its revenues. That if the New Provinces Act was repealed, thid entire district would be at the mercy of the Christchurch Government, — our revenues would bo still more absorbed, and your Petitioners would be without a remedy. For the above reasons we, your Petitioners, humbly pray that your Honorable House will .see lit neither to alter lior repeal the Act now m force, entitled "The New Provinces Act." And we will every pray.