About 250 persons were present. Ho spoke two hours, and reviewed the legis lation of the last session and the proposed political changes. Ho said the members of the General Assembly, with the excep tion of a few connected with provincial institutions, were convinced that the abo lition of provincialism m the North Island w.ia necessary to the progress of the colony. He belioved that if satisfactory machinery for local Government were substituted for provincial institutions, the time would soon arrive that Canter bury and Otago would ask for its oxten sion to the Middle Island. Nelson, Marl borough, and Westland were already ripe for change. A resolution of thanks and entire confidence m Mr Steward was passed unanimously, as also tho follow ing resolution —" That this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived for the abolition of provincialism m tho North Island, and tho substitution therefor of a less costly system of Government, se curing the oxpendituro of the local reTe nue (after deducting colonial charges) m the districts m which it is raised, and is further of opinion that the abolition of tho provinces, and the substitution of local government, with local expenditure of local revenues should bo extended to the Middle Island as soon as practicable." Dunedin, Friday Evening. Nominations were received from Mel bourno for the Dunodin Cup. Tho Acclimatisation Society liberates 2000 trout immediately. Saturday Evening. Capt. Wales has no intention of taking part m the prize firing this year. Cox head, of the No. 1 Company made 91 m the first set. Pokt Chalmers, Friday Evening. The May Queen, ship, from London is at tho heads. ! | I

Erratum —ln our report of the proceed ings of the Board of Works m. last issue, it appeared that a letter was read from Mi- Barnes, contractor for tho " Pareora"-bridge. The word Jb*areora should have been Otaio. Timaru Hospital Commission. —A meet ing of the Hospital Commissioners was held on Friday last. Present—Messrs Eel Geld (Chairman), Hall, and Luxmoore. A ten der, from Mr Machin, for building tho new ward for £2498, was opened, but it was de clined, being too high. 