STAR TELEGRAMS

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1943, 27 March 1875, Page 2

STAR TELEGRAMS

PER PRESS AGENCY.

Auckland, This day

Sir George Grey was elected a member of the Assembly for City West without opposition. In his speech he referred to the complaints made against him for stirring up Provincial jealousies, and said it was the old story of the wolf and the lamb. When other provinces came and threatened to abolish Auckland, they commenced the war. Relative to the capital, he said surely he could not be blamed for informing the people what right the constitution conferred on them. As rerards Wellington it must always be a great city, owing to the possession of an excellent harbor and the fine land between there and New Plymouth, which would be opened up by railroad. The question of the capital was a very small one. He spoke of the excellence of the land in the Province of Auckland, as certain to secure permanent prosperity. He likened the General Assembly proceedings at Wellington to Dickens' description of the Nova Scotian Legislature; like looking at the »British Parliament through the wrong end of a telescope. He.. saw nothing to admire in the present system to desire its continuance. Since he had been in office he had found that large sums of money had been withheld from their propor uses. If Auckland had what she was entitled to she would still be able to", carry on public works successfully. He spoke of £60,000 voted for roads in the North, and asked whether it was right for a man absent, and representing nobody, to take upon himself the direct expenditure of that money while he, returned by the unanimous vote of 14,000 colonists, should not be thought worthy to have a vote in the matter. He recommended that the General Assembly meet at once, and Auckland be granted what she was entitled to. Without Vogel being present the Government would fall to pieces directly. Were the . interests of the colonists to be sacrificed for one man, who would at any time resign if called on by a majority ? Wellington, This day. Mr Clement Govett has'been appointed Assistant Law Officer, and Mr Jleid, at present Assistant Law Officer, will perform the duties of Attorney General until the House meets.

The Provincial Government have withdrawn their circular to* the banks calling for tenders for the Provincial Account, in consequence of finding an old promise from Dr. Featherstohe that the arrangement would not be disturbed without twelve months' notice being given.