HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 2, 11 July 1861, Page 5 (Supplement)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, June 14. The Speaker took the Chair at twelve o’clock. The hon. Mr. Weld laid upon the table certain papers agreeably to the vote of the House of yesterday.—Ordered to be printed. Mr. F. Dillon Bell presented a petition from Mr. Sewell as agent for the Manukau Association Claimants, praying for compensation in land.—Referred to the Committee of Private Grievances. Mr. J. C. Richmond presented a petition from certain inhabitants of Taranaki, praying for compensation for their losses in the late war. The hon. Mr. Stafford laid upon the table various papers. In answer to Mr. Pox respecting the distribution of the printed copies of the Report of the Waikato Committee, — The hon. Mr. Stafford said that the Clerk of the House was responsible for their distribution. Had the question been more explicit, he would have directed his attention more to the subject. He would, however, make further enquiries thereon. Mr. Brandon enquired what principle the Government intended to adopt in obtaining the attendance of the Chiefs at the contemplated Native Conference. The Native Minister, said they would be invited by a circular letter addressed to the Cliiefs of the most numerous tribes, and they would be requested to elect a delegate, whose name would, be submitted to the Governor for His Excellency’s approval

The Native Minister, in reply to Mr. Jollie, said that Martial Law was still existing within the boundaries of Taranaki. That the number of Militia there still on duty was, omitting those absent on leave, about 150 to 180 men. Any further reduction of this force would require serious consideration.

Mr. Fox wished to know when the Estimates would be laid upon the table, and what Bids the Government intended to introduce to the House. The lion. Mr. Stafford said that the Colonial Treasurer would submit the Estimates in about a fortnight, and that the Government would from time to time bring in their measures. Mr. Fox, in moving for a return of all prosecutions under the Native Land Purchase Ordinance since the Ist January 1351, said that he would ex-

press no opinion on the policy of that Act, but he could not avoid saying that infringements of it had taken place by Magistrates and official persons, and that we must face the question of the right of the Native to sell his land in whatever way he thought proper.

Mr. Carleton objected to all ordinances which tended to bring law into contempt. The provisions of the Land Purchase Ordinance were so stringent that they could not be put into force. He believed it was an illegal measure, and repugnant to the laws of England.

The hon. Mr. Hicihioxd said that the ministers had been charged with the execution of a law which was found to be inoperative. The Superintendent of Hawke’s Bay had received full authority to prosecute all offenders under it, but he found he could not succeed ; and he had no hope that a different result would ensue in this Province if any attempt were made to put the Act in force. The Governor entirely concurred with his ministers as to the insufficiency of the Ordinance. The hon. Mr. Stafford promised on the part of the Government to give the returns. Mr. Brandon moved for a copy of the Government Instructions respecting the issue of arms and ammunition under the Amis Act of last Session. The hon. Mr. Hicitmond informed the House that a relaxation of the conditions was now under the consideration of His Excellency. Mr. Williamson obtained leave to bring in a Bill to incorporate the proprietary of the Bank of New South Wales. The hon member said that by a recent alteration in the Deed of Settlement of that Bank it was enabled to transact business in New Zealand, and an Act of Incorporation was deemed necessary for their transactions in this DJThe Bill was brought in, read a first time, and referred to a Select Committee. The House on the motion of Mr. Hick ordered the production of the correspondence between the General Government and the Provincial Government of Otago respecting the purchase or occupation of Stewart’s Island. In reply to Mr. Carter, who moved for a return of the various sums expended out of the £150,000 War Loan up to June 12, 1861, The lion. Mr. Stafford said it was impossible strictly to comply with the motion, in consequene of the expenditure still going on, but as far as it was possible the return should be submitted to the House. Mr, Cracroft Wilson moved the adoption of the interim report of the (standing Orders Committee respecting tho return of the sitting member for the Bar of Islands.

The hon. Mr. Stafford was of opinion that the importance of the subject demanded a further delay, and he would suggest that it be brought forward again on Tuesday next, which was agreed to. The return, voted for by Mr. (J’Koeke,“relative to the several Electoral Divisions was negatived. Dr. Featiieeston’s motion for the production of ail correspondence between the Governor, the Bishop of New Zealand, and Mr. Parris, which led to a tong ana very animated debate, and to the use of “strong” language on the Ministerial side, as well as on that of the opposition, ended in the return being ordered. The House agreed to the motion of Dr. Featheeston, for a copy of a letter from certain Natives of Hawke’s Bay to His Excellency, on the 30th April 1861 in which they denied their opposition to the supremacy of the Queen. A Bill was received from the Legislative Council, for “ The Regulation of the Practice of the Law in New Zealand.” The concurrence of the House was requested to it. The Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. The House ordered that the Province of Hawke’s Bay should be included in the return already ordered, relating to the estimated sixths of the Land Revenue of Auckland, Wellington, and Taranaki. The names of Mr. Ormond and Mr. Domett were added to the Select Committee on the Steam Postal arrangements of the Colony. A Select Committee was appointed for the purpose of inquiring into the advisability of establishing a Court with jurisdiction over Native title to land. The Canterbury and Otago Boundary Bill went through Committee and was reported. 1 The House then adjourned. Tuesday, June 18. The Speaker took the Chair at 12 o’clock. The Hon. Mr. Stafford laid upon the table, by order of His Excellency, Further Papers relative to the operation of the Land Purchase Department, in continuation of former papers on the same subject ; and also Further Papers relative to Native Affairs, in continuation of similar papers presented on the 4th inst—Ordered to be printed. The Native Minister laid the following papers on the table : Despatch from the Governor to the Duke of Newcastle, 22nd Oct, 1860. Memorial from Mr. Turner of Taranaki to the Governor. Returns of the Disposal of Waste Lands. Correspondence respecting the removal of Mr. Macandrew from the Superintendeney of Otago. Correspondence respecting apportionment of the Debt of the former Province of Wellington. Correspondence respecting the apportionment of the former Province of Nelson. Reports of the J udges of the Supreme Court. Further Papers relative to Native Insurrection. Mr. Eyes presented a Petition from Marlborough, praying that arrangements might be made with the Inter-Colonial Steam Navigation Company, so that steam communication may be establised between Picton and Wellington. The Native Minister gave notice that he would move the following as an amendment on Mr. Fox’s motion, or as a substantive resolution, should that motion be withdrawn : “That the establishment within these Islands of a sovereign authority, independent of the British Crown, is incompatible with the security of the Colonists, the civilisation of the Natives, and the we] fare of both races. “ That it is the duty of the Colony cordially to second the measures taken by the Imperial Government for the assertion of Her Majesty’s Sovreignty and for securing a lasting peace. “ That if, unhappily, negociations should fail, this House, relying on the best practicable provision being made for the protection of life and property, does not shrink from the consequences of a resort to force.” Mr. Fox asked without notice, whether any letter had been received from William Thompson in reply to the declaration sent by the Governor to Waikato, and if so, would it be laid upon the table ? The Native Minister said, that such a letter had been received, and would be laid upon the table as soon as it was translated. Mr. Caeleton hoped the Government would lay upon the table the original letter as w'ell as the translation. The Native Minister said, that all letters on the subject should be submitted to the House. Mr. Fox enquired of the Government whether any grant had been signed by His Excellency the Governor, granting a block of land in the Manawatu River to the Rev. Mr. Duncan. The hon Mr. Stafford said that in consequence of his attention having been but recently called to the notice, he could not give an answer now, but he would lay the papers upon the table tomorrow.