The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1866.

Timaru Herald, Volume IV, Issue 95, 9 March 1866, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1866.

It was evident from the tone of the meeting* last Tuesday that the residents here are now fully determined to take some decisive step to shake off the trammels of the Cliristchurch Government. Whether the petition will eventuate m a county we cannot say, but doubtless the General Assembly will consider the whole question entirely unprejudiced, and will endeavour to inaugurate a system of government [ which will, it is to be hoped, settle once for all the much vexed question of dispute constantly arising as regards the expenditure of revenue between outlying districts and the head centres of the Provinces. There cannot be a question but that the petition will most materially strengthen the hands of the party which desire the overthrow of Provincialism. Last session this party was gaining ground, and but little more weight was needed to give them the upper hand, and so completely turn the scale. Many of the leading- men then foresaw the rapid approach of the downfall of Provincialism, giving for its accomplishment from one to three years. During the last two or three sessions of the Assembly it was evident that all things were tending m this direction, for the gradual and insidious approaches made on the Provinces were weakening- their powers, and m like ratio strengthening the hands of the General Government. Provincial Governments have had their day and have done the task allotted to them ; some have used their means as good stewards, but some the very reverse, and others have but become the hot-bed of local petty jealousies — Southland is an instance of shameless waste, and Marlborough, where good government and everything- else gives way to the furthering of despicable local selsh'hness. Canterbury has always a strong hankering to follow the example of her Southern sister, and it has been only by the sales of her lands, watched over by most wise regulations, that she has hitherto been able to stave off the evil day. The land sales have fallen and we believe are still falling, consequently Canterbury is gradually, but surely, nearing bankruptcy. With our debentures next to unsaleable m the London market, with heavy works on hand such as the Lyttelton Harbour Works and the Railway, which must be paid for m cash or its equivalent m land, with a heavy overdrawn account at the Bank, it does not require a prophet to foretell the issue. Canterbury, as a Province, must fall, and that speedily. It is most devoutly to be hoped that, at this coming session of the General Assembly, strong measures will be taken to sweep away entirely Provincialism from New Zealand. It is an Impeviwn m Lnperio; a system of government which never has nor never can work well. It must of necessity breed centralism to the detriment of outlying districts, for local interests will take precedence according to the strength of the party representing those interests, and such being the case, Christchurch and the districts round must always have a majority m the Council. If the government of the country was directed solely by the General Assembly, these evils would be avoided, as they must perforce legislate on a broad basis. One district would be exactly on the same footing as another, and no special town or district could ever have a preponderating influence. Let us hope we now see the Leginning of the good work, when a strong General Government will legislate for the whole Colony, and will substitute m the place of the cumbrous and expensive machinery at present existing m the Provinces, Municipal and other Boards. Putting aside the better government obtained by such action, the saving m expense would not be of a very trifling figure. A Proclamation appears m our columns this day from His Honor the Superintendent, calling the Council together on the 13th instant. The special business on hand will, wo believe, be the passing of an Act bringing into force and legalising 1 the electoral rolls of the new districts declared at the last session. There were but three districts formerly between the Rangitata and the Waitaugi, now cut up into six, viz., Geraldine, Seadown, Timaru, Waimate, Waitangi. and Mount Cook. By some oversight during the last session, no Act was passed separating the above named districts for electoral purposes, and so, but for the original three districts, no vote could legally be accepted — of course the same applies to the other new districts m the Province. As the Council must expire through effluxion of time early next month, it is very probable that its dissolution, by the Governor's proclamation, will

also take place, and we shall then have the excitement and worry of a general election. We trust then, that the electors will lose no time m selecting- men, who, from their position and personal knowledge, best represent the different districts, for on them will depend, provided the General Assembly m the next session takes do decisive step towards creating- this district into a County or otherwise, whether we ' are still to see our revenues swallowed up and squandered on works of no possible present avail to this portion of Canterbury, and very problematical m the future.

The following- latest Telegram from j Duneslin is taken from the Press of the (jtli. March : — Dimedin. I Arrived — Lady Bird and Eg-mont. Sailed — Wellington. A g > » i eat lire happened l;jst,^niirht at eleven o'clock. It commenced m the Caledonian boarding-house, Maeliijrgan street, destroyed the Scandinavian and Melbourne hotels, and about thirty houses and shops fronting* jVlsiclng-.u'sm street, as high up as Tomlinson's stables at the foot of the hill, and also about twice as many small cottng - es at the rear towards high street. I\"o lives lost. Losses not yet ascertained.