SUMMARY OF PROVINCIAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

Auckland Examiner, Volume 2, Issue 53, 17 December 1857, Page 3

SUMMARY OF PROVINCIAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

The much-cry atd little-wool system of his Honor’s “ crew” makes reporting them queerwork. It has been imagined that the universe might be squeezed within walnut-shell dimensions. Would we were able to squeeze the printed eloquence and wisdom of our Provincial Council sittings into a column of space. But to do so is impossible. Last week left us in arrear though three Examiner columns were packed close with an account of wise things said, and silly things done, by our Provincial Councillors who are— Like other guides, as some folks say, 'Who neither lead nor point the' way. Vainly we summarize upon the multurn in parvo principle. Our Provincial Councillors not only talk but do an infinite deal of nothing. We, therefore, once for all declare our inability to do them justice, and, at same thne, our resolution to summarize more curtly, summarily, and sensibly than ever. Wc have said our last Summary left us in arrears. Now or never we must get out of them, and now will try to do so. The “ Notice of Motion” paper for Wednesday, 9th inst., delighted “ our own Reporter,”

I as it contained but one “ Notice,” and that I was touching “ an address to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the estimates the sum of £5OO for the encouragement of Agriculture and Horticulture in the Province of Auckland; and that the sum of £3OO of such amount be given to a Provincial Agricultural and Horticultural‘Society; and that £2OO of the same be handed over to branch, or affiliated Societies.” The reasons ur ed in support of bis motion by member Middlemas were like Gratianos and that “ go-down-to-posterity” - personage (not Gratiano but Middlemas) felt — “ What various evils man await In this sad sublunary state 1” No member condescended to second his motion. Before he made the mistake of making it Council were reminded by Mr. Speaker that Mr. Reynolds bad been summoned to support his Petition. Member Merriman objected that the petitioner had not taken certain legally essential preliminary steps as, for example, that of serving notice and copy of petition upon members petitioned against. Presently member Griffin, throwing himself into his best attitude of defence, gave member Merriman a “facer.” Petitioner Reynolds was questioned with regard to service of notice and copy of petition on members petitioned against. Petioner could not prove such service. Some members were for allowing Petitioner to state bis case without regard to Rules, Orders, or Precedents. Member Merriman dissented Result was Petitioner’s refusal to answer any more questions and Council’s refusal to entertain his Petition. A Select Committee to consider Captain Daldy’s Petition having beenjfcalled for, Member Wood opposed. He thought the motion ill-timed. Considered it wrong to in- . terfere with Contractors in the execution of their Contracts. Made sundry accusations against Captain Daldy, whom he charged with having formerly substituted one sort of Piles for another. His speech meant just this : — Contractor Cochrane is charged with nonfulfilment of Contract. Well, what then ? Petitioner did’nt fulfil his Contract. Captain Daldy is no better than Contractor Cothrane therefore I characterize as factious this motion and the petition on which it is built.

Member Merriman thought the motion useless, but denied the charges made by Member Wood against Captain Daldy, who, he said, had not been guilty of the dishonest conduct imputed to him. Member LynOn made a spirited and sensible speech in which he asserted the right of every revenue-contributing citizen to Petition Council if he thought public jnoncy misapplied. Member Cooper deprecated “ rambling remarks.” Should the Petion be referred to Committee ? That was the simple and sole question before them. Thought it would be wrong to refuse. Member Kelly did not think Contractors blameable for look-ing-after No. 1; but if the public were Con-tr.ictor-dodged he did blame those whose duty it was to prevent it. Member Griffin remarked that the Council Lad no power to prevent the Contractor fulfilling bis Contract, and agreed with a previous speaker (Dignan) that no works could be judged in an infant state. AVith an expression of amazement, on part of Member Busby, at the turn discussion had taken, motion for Committee was carried.

Report of Committee appointed to consider the Petition of H. T. Hickton was read, and Council adjourned.

Sittings of Thursday and Friday 'were short. Little was said ; not much done. The “ crew” obey orders. Member Merriman moved that money to be raised or provided by Provincial Government for City and Harbor Improvements should for the present be expended by said Government. Address to Superintendent informing him of this Provincial Council decision, and requesting him to prepare a Bill for regulating City of Auckland Police, will be presented to his Honor. Member Busby gave notice that on next sitting day he would move an Address to his Honor the Superintendent with regard to placing on expected Estimates for 1858 the sum of £4,526 for Bay of Islands District Block House. Mr. Speaker then called the attention of Member Wood to rules 77 and 79 of Standing Orders with regard to introduction of Private Bills. Members Wood and Merriman thought that the Licensed Victuallers Bill was a Public Bill though introduced by a private member. After some desultory conversation leave to bring the Bill in was granted. Message concerning Bay of Islands Block House and C. P. o‘Rafferty’s plans for improving Auckland Harbor were read. Desultory conversation, interrupted by that awful sentence — “Message from his Honor the Superintendent,” recommenced. Member Busby was for referring the Licensed Victualler’s Bill to a Select Committee. Member Buckland would support Member Busby’s Amendment, on the ground that Provincial Executive should bring in public bills. Member Dignan did a little serious, and Member Boylan a little funny, business before Amendment passed. The member last named was throughout this sitting inclined to be more than usually droll. Amendment was carried, and Member Boylan again took to his legs. Did so for purpose of moving that his Honor be requested to ask the General Government certain queries with regard to alleged mistreatment of Pensioners by their Officers. After remarks, rather uncomplimentary to Pensioner Officers, by Member Griffin, motion passed. Vaccination Committee was then appointed. Member Brennan withdrew his Impounding Ordinance motion, and Member Busby successfully moved two motions : First, —That Minutes of Council be printed continuously with Notices of Motions and Papers ordered to be printed by Council. Second, —That Votes .and Proceedings of the First Session of Provincial Council be printed.

Petitions of Otahuhu “ working men” were, on motion of Member Kelly, referred to a Committee. Subject of those Petitions is “ adoption of day labor on certain public works' instead of contract labor.” Sitting ended with Official announcement that Government could not send down various important Bills until some of the many Committees then at work had reported, and also that Thursdays w'ere set apart for private bills. Friday’s sitting commenced with “Order of the Day” about Immigration Committee Report, which is deferred. After Message from Superintendent, (No. 17) covering Provincial Roads Ordinance Amendment Act was received, and Member Merriman had withdrawn his notice of motion about City and Harbor Improvements, on the motion of Member Busby the Bay Barracks question was discussed ; but, with one splendid exception - , lion, members who spoke "did merely repeat their honourable selves. Splendid and solitary exception was Member Bedggood, who came out strong. After a lot of dry-as-dryest-dust set speeches, not to mention “ bald disjointed chat,” the Jolly Miller’s speech told well, lion, members roared at it; and although the hon. orator did, by his peculiar eloquence, cause a very small storm in our very small political tea-pot, wc were not frightened. Perhaps Bay of Islands people might have felt ashamed if obliged to witness the rhetorical feats of their self confessed “chip in porridge” representative. His proposal to “ repeal the union” between Bay of Islands and Auckland tickled everybody into good humor. But few hon. members can be persuaded that it would be wise Io expend some four or five thousand pounds in the erection of a Bay of Islands Barrack. Amendment on Member Busby’s motion was carried, and Council adjourned. The sitting of Tuesday was enlivened by a few dull jokes. Business opened in usual fashion. No response to Mr. Speaker’s question —Are there any petitions ? Member Busby handed in Repprt of Committee on Licensed Publicans Bill. Member ’ Wood gave notice that on next sitting day he would ask leave to bring in the Licensed Publicans Bill he is charged with. Member Wilson postponed his motion for £3OOO to be placed on the Estimates that- inhabitants of Howick, Panmure, and districts more remote, might erect a bridge across the Tamaki at Panmure. Message from Superintendent announced a Bill for Regulation and Disposal of Crown Waste Lauds in this. Province; a Bill to enable him to borrow money upon security of certain lands available under Reserves Act; a copy of all papers relating to late City Council of Auckland’s affairs; and copies of applications for Land by persons who came here believing the Land Regulations of 1855 were still in operation. Metnoer Merriman spoke at length in favor of PijLlic Roads Ordinance Amendment Act. Discussion followed. It was profitless for the simile reason that most of those who took part therein had not had time, or desire, or something, to read the Bill they took part in discussing. They said so, and, of course, we are bound to believe them. Member Merriman seemed alone in the glory of knowing what there was so much pother about. Member , Wood wished to put a spoke in the Govern- ■ ment wheel, but his Amendment was lost and Member Merriman’s motion on Public Roads Ordinance Amendment Act carried “on spec” by a large majority. Council then went into Committee. No progress was made. Presently, however, it was moved “ That Committee do report progress and ask leave to sit again.” Thus closed a sitting which, perhaps more than any other of this Session, illustrates the loose, slovenly, irregular manner in which public business is conducted. Speaker Powditch was more than once at fault. Member Buckland snubbed him for pronouncing Member Busby out of order when he was in order. Member Lee snubbed, him for being ignorant of those Standing Rules and Orders by which every Speaker should bo guided. Nobody seemed perfectly to understand what anybody was about, and spectators will allow that never before did Provincial Council serve up so strange a kettle offish.