Timarn Herald.

Timaru Herald, Volume VII, Issue 247, 9 October 1867, Page 2

Timarn Herald.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1867. The Timaru Bill has undergone a few amendments, m passing through committee m the House of Bepresentatives, which have improved its bearing. For instance, a new clause has been inserted — the twenty-second — which will prevent land being taken m payment for public works executed without the limits of the district, except ten shillings an acre be paid over to the Board. The same clause also applies to land reserved by the Superintendent, except for public purposes. It must be most gratifying to all who have taken a part m, or assisted forward m any manner the local government movement, to observe the almost universal satisfaction with which the spirited action of Timaru has been, received. From every part of the colony opinions of the most favorable kind have reached us, and the deepest gratification has been expressed m the majority of cases at the successful issue of the question. This m itßelf is enough to requite the people of the district who have been at trouble and expense m the matter, to know that their action is approved by ninetenths of the inhabitants of the colony. But there is also the consideration of personal and national advantage to be derived from the passing of the Bill, which will doubly recompense all. Even now, much' greater confidence has been imparted into the minds of the settlers, and the provision which will be made for the development of the resources of the district, will largely increase ite population and wealth. It is scarcely necessary to say that the building of a small jetty, the bridging of the rivers, and the making of roads to open up the country, are works which must push the district Along m a manner that all desire to see it move. The Act having been jpasaed, may reasonably be supposed to ■come into operation within the next fortnight; sad it declares that bo soon *s four members shall have .. be, en the Board shall be deemed to be constituted. T.© bring the Act into .operation, ifc -yisill, therefore, only be for the Jjlunioipality and Road Boards to elect .representatives, .and publicly notify the same, jtjs of importance thafr good and

able representatives should be sent — men who are above mere local feeling and sentiment — for the working of our new institution will be jealously watched by the whole colony ; and if, through carelessness or the incapacity of our representatives, we stumble or fall, we shall not only injure ourselves, but, what will be far worse, we shall likewise prejudice the claims of other districts. It is not necessary for the Municipality and Road Boards to confine themselves to their own bodies m choosing members, but they should endeavour to obtain the services of the beßt men m their districts. It is not even requisite, under the Act, to elect men residing m the same district, as long as they are ratepayers. It should be remembered that this Board will stand before long m the place of a Provincial Council to the district, and the aim should be to make it as intelligent, honest, and practical as possible. Let us show that we are capable of governing ourselves m small matters, and then we shall have larger ones committed to our keeping. Perhaps we ought to add a word to those who are competent to take a part m public affairs, and some who have even been asked to do so, but who, from various motives, have kept m the rear. If they do really feel interested m the establishment and proper working of the new institution, then we say they are bound to come forward and give their services.

Ovn attention has been drawn to the fact that considerable inconvenience has resulted to the public from the non-appointment by the General Government of a resident magistrate during Mr "Woollcombe's temporary absence. As we understand that Mr Woollcombe's leave is for three months this inconvenience will be greatly felt, for the jurisdiction of two magistrates is not equal to that of the resident magistrate, the latter having power to adjudicate m civil ceses up to £50, whilst the local magistrates cannot adjudicate for over £20. Such being the case, creditors for the larger amount must either go to the Supreme Court to get their cases heard or await patiently for the return of the Resident Magistrate, either alternative being somewhat hard. We believe that the reason for not appointing a resident magistrate for the district was that according to the present law, no acting appointment could be made, but that the appointment would always stand, and as there are so very many resident magistrates already on the list, Government declined to add another.name to it. We must, however, say that m this particular instance Government should have departed from the general rule, for by not doing so, the public interests of a considerable part of the Province of Canterbury will materially suffer.