No. 7.
Petition of the Inhabitants of Timaru and Gladstone.

Humbly Sheweth,—

That a Bill be introduced in your Honourable House for the purpose of providing a means whereby land owners and householders may be enabled to obtain the formation of Shire Councils and Municipalities in the outlying districts of the Province of Canterbury; and that for the purpose of carrying out the principle of Local Self-government, provision be made in such a manner as may seem to your Honourable House wise and just, for the endowment of such local bodies, either from the General Revenue of the Colony, or by vesting in them all funds accruing from the Waste Lands in the several districts to be hereafter proclaimed.

Your petitioners would strongly urge that no powers be granted to the Superintendent or Provincial Council whereby a check may be placed on the operation of any measure to be passed for the provision of Local Self-government by your Honourable House.

Your petitioners would respectfully urge upon your Honorable House the urgent necessity which exists for giving speedy effect to their appeal.

And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.