MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Issue 133, 12 July 1865, Page 2

MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

At three o'clock yesterday afternoon, tlie Provincial Council was opened according to proclamation^! The Provincial Government having sold the Government Buildings to the General Government, the Council met in the Supreme Court House, Lambton Quay, which hud kindly been placed at the disposal of his Honor Ihe Superintendent by his Honor Justice Johnson, who had added to the favour ho had conferred by allowing the members the use of his own private chambers. A large number of people crowded the Strangers' Gallery while his Honor road his speech. The following are the names of the members who attended : — Mes'irs. Alfred Ludlnm, Steven Fagan. William Milne, Richard Burt, Win. D Dowell, Edward Pearce, Walter Turnbull, Charles B. BorhiHse, Win. B. Rhodes, J. Drunsfield, Georgo Hunter, Win. Waring Taylor, George Crawford, Win, Fitzherbert, Wm. Hickson, John Howard Wallace, J. Johnston, J. B. Reading, Alfred de B. Brandon (Provincial Solicitor), Henry Bunny, Joseph Mahters, Robert P. Welch, A. W. Fullet Halcombe (Provincial Secretary), James Allison, Thos. Kells, and Robert Stokes. Mr. Robert Pharazyn, one of the newly elected representatives of tho city, was in Rangitikei owing to the nomination of candidates to represent that District in the General Assembly ; and Mr. Wm. H. Watt, from Wanganui, had not come down. THE LLECTION OF SPEAKER. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR proposed W. Waring Taylor, Esq., as a gentleman fully qualified to fill the vacant chair. Mr. BORLASE suggested that the chair should be taken by some one until the election of Speaker was concluded, and proposed Mr. Ludlam should do so. Captain RHODES proposed that it should be filled by Mr. J. H. Wallace. Mr. BORLASE withdrew his proposition, and seconded that of Captain Rhode's, which was unanimously carried. Mr. J. 11. Wallace accordingly took the

chair unMl W. W. Taylor, Esq , was duly elected speaker of the House. Mr. TAYLOR, on taking the chair, said that having accepted the honourable position in which they placed him, he should always endeavour to use every forbearance, and trusted that the members would by courtesy support him in maintaining order. EJECTION OF CHAIRMAN OP COMMITTEES. Cuptuiu RHODES had grcab pleaaure in proposing Mr. J. H. Wallace as a gentleman who, from previous experience, was fully qualified to be elected Chairman of Coinmiineui, us they all knew Mr. Wallace had been so during the sittings of the last Council, and there could not be a better man. Mr. BoRLAsSE seconded the proposition, which was carried unanimously. ur.KCMON OP CI.KRK OF THE COUNCiIt,. There were a number of candidates for the appointment, and a discussion ensued as to their various merits and claims. Mr. BIiANDON proposed that the election of a Clvrk should stand over until hid Honor had delivered his usual speech. Mr. HALCOMBE seconded the proposition. His I fonor the Superintendent here entered the Council Chamber, and was received by all the members standing. The SUPERINTENDENT proceeded to deliver a lengthy address, generally touching on what had been done by the late Council, and the duties before the present one. Atter giving a clear resume of the state of the Provincial Exchequer, his Honor alluded to his mission to the Australian Colonies, and expatiated on the advantages which must accrue lo ihe Province from the establishment of the Panama Mail Service. He further mentioned the proposed lengthening of the Q.iccn's Wharf, the connection of the two islands by means of the Electric Telegraph, ami other improvements for which the Province is indebted to his Honor's policy. After addressing the Council for upwards of forty minutes the Superintendent resumed his scat. The election for a Clerk of the Council was then piocecded with, and finally terminated in thu appointment of Walker Jordan, Esq., of Kangitikei, who was proposed by Mr. Ilulcouibe and seconded oy Mr. Borlase, Mr. HALCOMBfc, in proposing Mr. Jorilun, remarked that hia social position, Oxford degree, aud literary attiiinmonts, fully qualified him for the appointment. Mr. BORLASE, in seconding the proposition, stated that in most cases the Provincial Council conferred an honor on the miui whom thuy elected as Clerk, but in the .present instance Mr. Jordan conferred an honor on them by accepting it. Mr. Jordan, on being elected, and introduced to his Honor the Superintendent, took his seat below the Speaker. Motions for the presenting of some bills were made, and the Council adjourned to five o'clock this eyening.