He might mention that in a note received by Mr Sumptcr from tho Provincial Secretary (unofficial), it is stated that " it is expected that the proclamation re garding the New Municipalities Act will be in next week's ' Gazette ;' your letter to His Honor has con sequently been held over, as of course it will bo now unnecessary to take any action with regard to tho Town Board." Mr Ingram said he was happy to have been tho means of communicating such good news. He urged upon the electors that one of the best things they could do was to increase their strength, and to be zealous in sending a man to the Assembly who understood their wants, and who would always advocate their interests. That man, ho said, was of courso liimself (laughter). Mr Ingram Baid ho had another piece of good news. He then re ferred to some schemes which had recently been pro posed bearing on the impending crisis in the provin cial system. The most important was that given by Mr Paterson recently in Dunedin. He was a member of the Cabinet, and therefore spoke with authority. He proposed to put the Provinces on their old foot ing — that is, he would annex Southland to Otago, Marlborough to Nelson, Taranaki to Auckland, «fec, and increase their powers. (Mr Gibbs. — These are not Mr Stafford's views. He has not deigned to tell Mr Paterson.) Perhaps Mr Gibbs was right — it might bo only a theory of Mr Paterson's. Another scheme was given in the Oamaru Petition, containing the best suggestions he had yet seen. And then as to Mr Gibbs' views ; a letter appeared in last week's OAJIAEU TIMES, giving a very good summary of the wrongs endured by the district, and many shrewd suggestions for their redress. One of the best parts of the letter, however, was the concluding paragraph, having reference to the " coming man" (laughter). They were accustomed to Mr Gibbs' prophecies, as for example his statement at a late public meeting, when he pledged himself that in a very short time tho provincial system would be sent to the right about. Mr Ingram thought Mr Gibbs would have a good deal to do in this matter without entering into any new speculation regarding the new Chancellor of the Exchequer (cheers). 