(From Our Own Correspondent)

TURUA, September 23. On Thursday we had the toarnas uient debate between the Thames M.I. Society and Turua ditto, on the question, *' Should New Zealand join in the Australian federation ? " Turua taking the affirmative, and Thames the negative. The Patiki, which had, been chartered tor the occasion by the Thames, society, arrived alongside the wharf about 8 o'clock. She brought quite a ntfmber of passengers, who mostly all found their way to the Victoria Hall to listen to the debate The gentlemen who were appointed to do battle for I'urua were Messrs L. J. and H. N. Bagnall and A. H. Shroft, but, owing to business engagements, Mr Nelson Bagnal) found he could not be present, so Mr R. Wellington Bagnall, at a few hours' notice, took his place. The Thames were repre* sented by Messrs Kelly, Foster, and S. T. Whitehouse. Kr Harper, solicitor, of Thames, acted as judge and Messrs Walton and Stewart umpires for Thames and Turua respectively. Mr Harper, in a few words, introduced the business of the meeting, aud informed the speakers that each one would have fifteen minutes to say what they had to say. Mr L. J. Bagnall then opened the debate by defining federation, and was just getting warmed to his subject when the judge informed him he had only two minutes more, so he had to conclude 9omewhat hurriedly. Mr Kelly followed, and in a neat speech declared that New Zealand should not join the Federal states now. Perhaps some day things would be in a better state. Mr Shroff followed and spoke on the commercial reasons why we should join. Mr Foster was altogether of the opinion that it would be any thing but advantageous for N.Z, to go into partnership with Australia. Mr N. Wellington Bagnall in a very telling speech instanced the United States and Canada as having proved: that federation was a good thing. This was the last speech from the, affirmative side.' Mr Whitehouse closed the debate, touching on all the most important points against federa tion. Mr Harper then summed up the evidence and gave his decision in favor of the Thames society. 