[from our own correspondent.] Wellington, Thursday, 5 p.m. The Public Petitions Committee expreßß no opinion regarding the prayer of the Timaru petitions. Mr Stafford has just asked whether, m ac cordance with prayers of petitions from the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, the Timaru Borough Council, the Levels District Road Board, and the electors and inhabitants of the Timaru and Gladstone districts, the Government is prepared to give effect to tha Report of the Select Committee of the Pro vincial Council of Canterbury, recommending the complete separation from that Province of the Timaru and Gladstone districts, and erecting those districts into a county. Mr Fox replied that the petitions emanated from a small minority of the people of Canterbury. He saw no expression of opinion of the majority. As to the Report of the Select Committee there waß nothing to show that the Council coincided m the recommend ations, it never having been adopted. Mr Rolleston's memorandum attached showed he dissented strongly from the Report and the Government quite coincides m his ar rangements. At present, therefore, the Go vernment did not feel justified m taking any •teps to comply with the petitioners' request. Correction. — We have been requested to state that the name of a defendant, iv a civil case at the Resident Magistrates Court, on Tuesday last, was R. Wallace, aud not B. Wallace as reported. Resident Magistrate's Court — Timaru. At th : s Court, on Thursday, Alexander McFee was fined 5s for being drunk and disorderly the previouß day. Telegraphic— For some unaccountable reason we are without our usual telegraphic news yesterday evening. Bankruptcy Act.— We have been re quested to Btate that by an order of the Judge of the Supreme Court, on and after the 25th ultimo, both meetings of creditors for election of trustees and supervisors, must be advertised three clear days before the day appointed for each meeting. Timaru Garrick Club.— This Club will give the second series of entertainments at the Mechanics' Institute on Wednesday and Friday evenings next. We hear that the Club are having fresh scenery painted for the occasion, and that the entertainments are likely to be very good. Entertainment. — The reading announced to be given on Wednesday evening last, at the Mechanics' Institute, by Mr Turnbull, was postponed on account of the very rainy and unpleasant weather. In Bankruptcy — Rb William Bryant. 