THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1862. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 38, 20 March 1862, Page 2

THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1862. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

■Monday, March 17. The Council met at 3 o’clock precisely, pursuant to adjournment. The following members were present:—the Speaker, Messrs. Carter, Colenso, Ormond, Lambert, Alexander, M. Fitzgerald, Triphook,Dolbel, Wood, Kliodes, Tillen, T. H. Fitz Gerald, and Carlyon. The Superintendent laid the following papers on the table : TO Was 11 IP OF IIAJIPDKK. Colonial Secretary’s Office Auckland, 31st Jau., ISC2. Sin, —TheGovcAimcuthave had under their consideration the question tv Ith reference to the purchase, purported to ho made hy your honors predecessor, as Superintendent of Hawke’s Hay, of the Agricultural Reserve at Hampden, .with a view to the re-sale of such reserve on terms inconsistent with tile 11 Jiste Laud Laws of the Colony. I have to inform your Honor that the laud in question cannot he legally dealt with in the way proposed. If, however, the Provincial Council recommend that the block ho dealt with in a special way, it will he in the power ol the General assemble to carry such provision into effect. I havc,,&c., (Signed) William Fox. KrfPLEJIKKTAnv Esiim .vtks for Now Fairy Punt £l7-, 0 0 Prick \an It for Registrar of Deeds Department 1:10 0 0 Fitting native hostelry into a lock-up and as station for the Police ... fit 0 0 Building and widening log bridges and tnci ailing Awatoto-voad 3; ) 0 0 Repair! to Town Roads:—lVaghorno-strcet, Shakspeare-road, and Hastings-street. 200 0 0 £855 0 0 IniTimi Courksi'oxdkxck between the Colonial Secretary and the Superintendent on the subject of interest and Sinking Fund on sums applied to land purchases within the Province. Eki-out of Inspector of Schools. Mr. Eli ODES presented the following petition, signet! by 101 persons; To the lion, the Provincial Council of Hawke's Buy,in session (•Rucmbled The Petition of the undersigned inhabitants of Clive, and surround : ug districts, and East Coast, humbly'showeth, — ’ That during the last sitting of the I rovincial Council, a motion was brought forward and debated on, to remove the Waipv.reku punt from the present site, mtlicr up the river, in the direction of Pakowhai. Also to make a ro,.d to the west side of the Pakiaka hush, and by so doing cut olfClive, wo may say, fom a" communication » ow Xapier, unless llrst by going about 14 miles direct inland on one side of the liver, and then retrace our steps on the other side of the rive.-, the same distance, nearly to the place we started »/om, making an increase of distance of nearly 3 nnles to, ami 3 miles, worn the Port, and at the same time without benefit) ing the Inland settlers as under any circumstances the road could only bo shoi toued inland one half mile. Your petitioners therefore, humbly submit that the Punt should be removed from the present site to Vdaitangi. between Hr. Colonso’s garden and the Willows at Pokanan. There the water is deep, the approaches easily m: dc, am’ we arc informed by competent judges, the best,most ava’ able most central, and convenient, for aU parlies, without in juring any. We believe that the site would ho by far the mosr economical, particnl. rly as the 'me of road would be continued f.o;n the end of the meta'led road at the old Fciiy-house to the proposed site, where a natural high page, f-oni the bridge over the muddy crook, runs the entire way ,0 WaUangi, with a faU at either side where a good road cm-id bo mrdc at a coinpair lively Etna! 1 expense to the Province, which wo”’d accommodate all parties. Yonr petitionerssubmit, tin t by u-,uovhig thePimt further up the i-ivcr it, wonl". involve a large expense to the Prox inco, as no direct road could be made to Clive, on the one band w ithout in the first instance bridging the upper end of the muddy c; eek, which is now impassible, and making a '■aired road over a wet flat at considerable cost; and on the other hand the 1 reposed new line of road inland would cost several thousand pounds, without grcatlv boncfltting the Public. Tour petitioners further submit that by removing the Punt up to site 15, as proposed and shown on the map, it would ignore Clive altogether, unless a Punt w'ere placed at the proposed site at Waitangi by Government, for the special accommodation of the Eastern district, where it is calculated the Punt would bo able to wo-k with safety li cy days more :u the year than at any of the sites proposed higher up. Your peiiiionovs would f,--iher point out that Civo now and always h.-s been ranked as second town iu the Prov.ucc, boili i.l weab-h, nope' Aon, and facilities for water enjoyed which HI uuprejud’ccd or uninterested persons would allow iu. _ Also, iluio iho inhabiiaDts of the entire East Ciic it would bo more or le;s injured by the removal of the punt higher up the river than the proposed site. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray yon - Honorable Council to take tlu.i petition i"to your mature consideration, and place such su u? on the cal bnnter as you may jmlvn sufficient to cany out the removal of die punt, and "making the road to Clive, before the winter seas'.n s )ts in. A ud your petitioners will over pray. Petition received and read. The following petition, signed by 34 persons. was presented by Mr. Alexander ;

The Humble Petition of the Sett lers of Petane, Alohaka and Wairoa to the Provincial Council of the Province of Hawke’s Bay. Showeth,— That in consequence of the present very heavy state of the road between the Petane bridge, and the Fort, and the unfinished state in which the late Government left the said road, your Petitioners humbly pray that your Couucil will take the same into favorable consideration, and place such sum ou the estimates for the ensuing years as will be suflicient to repair and finish the said road. Also that owing to the late heavy floods considerable injury has been done to the cutting on the bank of the Petane river near Alunu’s Point, and to the now road between the School-house, and the Traveller’s Rest, rendering the former most dangerous and the latter impassable (for a dray. Your Petitioners pray that your Council will place such sum on the estimates as may be suflicient to render the same patent and passable. And yo'ir petitioners will ever pray, Ac., Ac, Petition received and read. Mr. Alexander gave notice of motion that it be considered when in Committee of Supply. _ Mr. Tripiiook, in presenting a petition signed by 5(3 laboring men of Napier, moved that it be read. To the Honorable the Provincial Council of the Province or Hawke’s Pay. J The petition of the undersigned humbly showeth— That it having come to the knowledge of your constituents, settlers of the town of Napier, through the recent publication of the estimates for the year ensuing, that of nearly twenty thousand pounds proposed for expenditure in, the Province, only some seventeen hundred pounds is proposed to be expended on the town works, the undersigned working settlers of Napier caunot help considering this proceeding a gross injustice not only to themselves and families, hut also to every inhabitant of this place, and an instance of partiality towards the country and runholding interests over those of the town, quite unjustifiable. That for the reasons above stated, the undersigned respectfully request your honorable Council to re-consider and revise the estimates, so as to make them harmonize to some extent with the principles of right and justice. Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that, in considering the estimates for the ensuing year, provision he made for completing the works still unfinished, and constructing such others as may he requisite for the improvement of the Town and Harbor of Napier. Whilst the petition was being read, Mr. Oraiond protested that the language therein contained was not respectful to the Council, and in referring the member for Napier (Mr. Tripiiook) to standing rule No. BG, would ask if be bad made himself acquainted with its contents. Mr. Tripiiook had made himself acquainted with its contents, and the language did not reflect upon the Council, but ou the framers of the Estimates. The Speaker thought that the question, should be considered when it was moved that the petition be received. ; Mr. Tripiiook moved that the petition be received. Mr. Oraiond moved that it be sent back to the petitioners for the substitution of more respectful language. He did not object to the prayer of the petition, but to the language. He did not think that the petition could have been couched in more objectionable language than “ gross injustice,” “ partiality,” Ac. Ho moved the following amendment: — That the petition be not received, and bo sent back with an intimation that the language it is couched in renders its receipt in its present shape impossible. Messrs. T. H. Fitzgerald and Tripiiook contended that the language did not reflect upon the Council, but the Executive. Mr. Colenso, in seconding the motion, did consider the language disrespectful ami addressed to the Council, and was surprised that some of the members could not see it. The prayer requested “ the honorable Council to re-consider and revise the estimates,” &c. This language was addressed to the Couucil, and it would be far better for the petition to he returned for revision, as another petition of a like tenor could not be received this session if this wore rejected. The amendment was put and carried. Mr. Tripiiook, pursuant to notice, moved That the Superintendent be requested to place upon the estimates a sum suflicient for a suitable approach to the Provincial Hospital, Napier from the summit of the Shakespeare road, and that the Director of Works be requested to furnish an estimate of the sum required. He referred to the inconvenience in getting to the Hospital and Barracks, and thought that a fair ground for expenditure. Mr. T. H. Fitz Gerald seconded the motion. After some discussion, the motion was agreed to. Mr. Tripiiook, pursuant to notice, moved That (ho Chief Surveyor be requested to execute a complete traverse survey, and a connection plan of the Te Ante and Middle lines of road* from Havelock to Abbot sford on a scale of not more than 20 chains to the inch—shewing distinctly the physical features of the lines of road, and fixing permanent stations at intervals of one mile apart. He thought the plan a good one to survey properly before mailing, and that a great expense would have been spared bad this been done on previous occasions. The cost would be about <£loo. He bad spoken to the Eev. S. Williams on the subject, who had informed him that if the object was properly explained to the natives there would be no objection on their part.

Mr. Tiim'EN would support tire motion, if assured that, there would he no objection on the part of the natives.; but he was very doubtful of this, for already two surveyors had been turned away by them.

Mr. Alexander seconded the motion

Mr. Ormond would like to know the expense of the undertaking-! Mr. Colenso opposed the motion on the principle of expense, without regard to native opposition. The work was quite unnecessary in our present financial position. Mr. Triphook said the object was to put a check to undue expense in road-making. He would, however, consent to withdraw his motion on the understanding that the chief surveyor would lay out the roads from the Government maps.

Mr. Tiften consenting, the motion was withdrawn.

Mr. M. Fitzgerald, pursuant to notice, moved—

For leave ask the Superintendent to place the sum of £l5O on the estimates for a bridge over the Maractotara, on the road from Napier to Porcre via Waimarama, and a further sum of £SO for the same road between Te Auto and Kairakmi to make a horse track by the beach. The road was on the old line to Wellington, and rounded some very bad hills. Upwards of £‘25,000 had been spent in the district for land, and he asked for these sums, as the Government had not spent a sh :, l'ng in the district. Motion put and carried.

Mr Wood, pursuant to notice, moved, — That a select comuoTtce be appointed for the purpose of examining the standing rules and orders of the Council, with a view to their revision. Such committee to consist of Messrs. Tiffen, Ormond, Fitz Gerald, Colenso, and the mover. Eepori to be brought up on Tuesday, the 26th inst.

He asked permission to alter the day to Tues : day, the 25th, for the report to he brought up. Agreed 10.

Mr. Fitz Gerald asked leave to defer the notices standing in his name until to-morrow as he was suffering from cold. He would take occasion to say a few words on a question of privilege. The member for Te Auto (Air. Tiffen) had accused him while holding the office of Superintendent of having held delegated powers from the Government, when such powers did not exist. He intended to bring the matter again before the Council, when he would ask the member for Te Ante specifically to state the charges against him. He should be able to clear himself from any imputations directly or indirectly made. Mr. Wood's motion of a reply to the address of the Superintendent was allowed to lapse. Mr. Wood thought it would he losing a good deal of time by going into the matter, but would do so if necessary. Mr.FiTZGEßALDpursuant to notice, moved,

For leave to ask the Superintendent to place the sum of£So, on the estimates for the bridge elected bv Mr, Collins at Tammnu.

Agreed to. Mr. Wood, pursuant to notice, moved.—

That His Honor the Superintendent he requested to lav on the table an approximate statement of the Assets and Liabilities of the Province.

■Mr. Colknso said that perhaps the mover world clearly state what he meant by the “ assets and liabilities.” If be meant plant, such as a mercantile body would take into stock, it could be understood, if he meant anything else, it had been already laid on the table.

Mr. Wood explained that the motion was left purposely vague, in order to ascertain the landed property of the Province, but did not allude to office furniture. On the other band be referred also to the liability of the Wellington debt. The motion was negatived.

On the motion of Mr. Wood, seconded by Gapt. I ambept, the Council resolved itself into a committee of ways and means. In the absence of Mr Curling, Mr. Hiiodes acted as chairman.

Mr. Colexso in a speech of some length said there would be a faUing-olf in the revenue. In the department of the customs, be had not had any of the amount for the two past months of the year. <£4-20 was put down for publican’s licenses, probably £350 only would be received. No license could be granted to an applicant from Mahia, as grog had been interdicted in that district. The' amount apportioned to weights and measures was doubtful, there -would probably be a great falling off. A large portion of sums on the sheet bad been paid of impounded and was not available. In special licenses he had bad only yet received £6O. A large sum had been retained by the General Government, on account of the Wellington debt, and in July next a second sum would be called for. It appeared thai they must always vote for an exjienditure of £30,000, the suras of money asked for by different members of the Council would s'weii the amount £3,000 or £4,000 more. He acknowledged that 50,000 acres of land at ss. might be sold by putting on the screw, but be questioned if it would not. be accelerating the downward progress of the place, and hastening our extinction as a province. Let him not be told that the sale of ss. land would draw population ; it was utterly repugnant to common sense. He asked if it were a good thing for tl’s little

province to go spending its principal. Capt. Lambert, in referring to the reclaimed laud land at the spit, did not think the sections would realize one-half the amount they were estimatedat. It was a great mistake to suppose a man would pay .£IOO for a few wheelbarrows full of gravel! Mr. Tripiiook did not think that one-half of the province would sell for half its value at the present moment, but he thought every penny at which the sections were estimated wouldbeobtained if judiciously brou<rht in the market. °

On its being remarked that the item under discussion would go to the Harbor improvements fund, the chairman, on the motion of Dr. Hitchiugs, reported progress. Mi. Fitzgerald, pursuant to notice moved, — ’

For a select committee, to consist of Messrs T. 11. Fitz Gerald, A lexander, Ormond, Curling, and the mover, for the purpose of reporting upon tho Estimates generally—what salai ics, if any can be reduced, and what offices, if any can bo amalgamated. ° Mr. Colenso rose to take exception to the proceedings. These matters could' only be discussed in Committee of the whole house, it was contrary to all usage. He would refer to the custom of the House of Representatives, or even a higher authority, the Engli.shHouse of Commons. 6 The motion amended by Mr. Ormond, with the consent of Mr. Fitzgerald, as being less objectionable, was put as follows,— For the appointment of a select Committee, to consist of Messss. Wood, M. Fitz Gerald, Triphook, Lambert, Cavlyoii, and the mover, for the purpose ot reporting whether any recommendations can bo made to the Superintendent, under which the conduct of tho public service can be carried on upon a more economical scale. Report to be hromdit up on Tuesday the 18th. ° Ihe motion, seconded by Mr. Colenso, was agreed to. _ On the motion of Capt. Carter the consideration of the estimates was deferred till the next day. The election of Speaker was proceeded with. Mr. Colenso moved, and Mr. Doldel seconded the motion that Capt. Lambert he elected. This being agreed to, and conlirmed by the Superintendent, tho Council adjourned till next day at o o’clock. Tuesday, March IS. The Council met at d o'clock—all tho members piosent. The Superintendent laid on the tabic the following papers:— (i); Piu)vixciaE.\gi,\i;i;u’.s rciioi i on. Inland m ,d Olivo Cl). Till- EsTiMa l ' ill) Lev km: : for 11 months 18,12. ' 3 iV- Statkm ‘ !Vl 01 r|[i; lli-.vKxcK (available w ab nccoss.u-y an>t rro’oablc reilueiion.) Air. T. 11. FitzC era ld said that before proceeding to the business of tlic day, lie would draw attoutioii to the matter of privilege lie had referred io yesterday. Matters ol this nature had priority over tho business of the Council. What he referred to had been reported in the Ha/rA es Bay Herald, ho thought tolerably correctly. He would not say more until Mr. Ti’tien had *snokon. He did not think Mr. Tiften meant a malicious attack, but pe (Mr. I.) was alleged to have done that which was quite untrue. He denied the truth of these allegations entirely, and moved that the Council go into Committee, and that the Clerk take down the statements in writing. . Mr. Ormond thought tho practise was to consider matters of this kind in Council. Mr. Fitz Gerald had made a mistake, ho found the matter should he considered in Council, but that members were not restricted to speaking once. He therefore moved, — ° lhat the matter of Privilege, complained of-yes-terday,’and affecting some communication between the late Superintendent and Commissioner of Crown Lands, should be investigated by the Council, and the Clerk directed to take down statements made or evidence given. Seconded by Mr. Rhodes, and agreed to. Mr. Fitz Gerald enquired if the report he had read from the Hawke's Bay Herald was not quite correct.

Mr. Tif fen acknowledged it was generally correct, and proceeded testate that—On Feb. 15, 1860, the Waste Lands Act oflßsß came into operation. On the 15th March, 1860, a Proclamation appeared in the Government Gazette that the native title had been extinguished iu the district in winch Hampden was situated. About 28th March Mr. Tanner applied to have his run awarded to him. I refused so to do, having been informed by the Superintendent hat the powers contained in clauses 3,4, and 5, of Waste Lands Act, 1858, had been delegated to him by the Governor and therefore he intended the whole of that land should bo divided mto sections. Mr. Tanner requested that I would attend with him on the Superintendent, which I did, while he there reiterated the statement which he had made on tho previous day. On the 7th May a portion of this block was thrown open for general selection. On the 23rd November, the powers of clauses 3,4, & sof W r aste Lands Act, 1858, were delegated by the Governor to the Superintendent. Mr. T. H. Fitz Gerald : Was it in consequence of the statement made by the Superintendent of holding certain powers lately delegated under the Act, that for that reason you declined gazetting Mr Tanner to his run ? Mr. Tiffen : Yes. Mr. FiTzO-nTMTi) naked if witness had read the Act. and the clauses in question, Nos. 3,4, &5 ? Mr. Tirn;y: Yes.

Mr. EitzG-ei!.'t,d : W’Tl you explain for the information of the council how you considered yourse I<> bound to withhold action in reference to Mr. Tanner, seeing that (ho Clauses in question solely

related to the appointment of officers of the Land and survey Department, supposing even the statement ot the Superintendent were true? • Mr. Tiffen : I considered that I was ; but the T\i Cll< m °?^ r- Tanner would ho more clear. Mr. Tann-er called : On or about the 28th of March, I applied to the Commissioner to have my run awarded mo. He stated that the Superintendent had told him not to do so. I asked him the grounds ;he said he did not know. I then asked him to go to the Superintendent’s office to enquire into it. I asked the Superintendent why he would not allow the Commissioner to gazette me my run, showing him that it was a matter of some importance to mo, as in accordance with the regulations X was entitled to select 80 acres, and should have selected where the township of Hampden at present stands. He told me the land would be thrown open for sale, gazetting to me my run might prejudice the sale, and therefore he instructed the Commissioner not to do so. I asked him what powers he had. He said he had the power, whereupon ’cue Commissioner asked him if he received these powers from the Governor. He replied in the affirmative. lam not perfectly sure of the actual words used, but I believe he would send him a copy of those powers the following day. The Commissioner seemed satisfied, and told me I could not help myself- Hot feeling so satisfied that all was right, I told the Superintendent that I should take legal steps in the matter, as it sufficientlv affected my interest to make mo try all I could to get my run gazetted mo. He said that if I did so he would reserve the whole block, w’hich appearing to me a worse alternative, I let the matter drop. Mr. Tanner withdrew.

Mv. Fitz Gerald entered into a long explanation Tie acquitted Mr. Tiffen from any malicious attack, but a great mistake had, nevertheless, been made. He concluded by stating that if Mr. Tiffen would acknowledge his mistake, he would not call evidence.

Mr. Tiffen could only say that Mr. Fitz Gerald had not told him “ that certain powers had been delegated to him” which Mr. Tanner had substantiated.

Mr. Fitz Gerald, not feeling satisfied with this, proceeded to make the following statement, which embodied the principal points of his previous explanation : —I recollect the application which w r as made to me by the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the subject of Mr. Tanner’s run. Mr. Tiffen, on or about the 28th March, 1860, wished to gazette Mr. Tanner’s run without delay. This would have included the township of Hampden and agricultural land in its vicinity, then under survey and intended to be divided into sections against the day it was to be thrown open for sale. It was advertized in the Gazette 30th March, 1860, to be open for sale on the 7th May, 1861 in blocks varying from 10 to 160 acres each. I objected to his gazetting Mr. Tanner's until the sale had taken place, as the a alue of the land would have been very much diminished in the eyes ot the public, if any person had the right of selecting 80 acres as a homestead, whenever they might think fit, and I pointed la *’ Mthough the power of gazetting Mr. Tanner for the run certainly lav with the Commissioner, any attempt to exercise it in the present case would necessarily oblige me to proclaim the whole block suburban land, which I had the power of doing under the additional Land Regulations ol Wellington, the powers of which were delegated to the Superintendent under the Gth clause of the "W aste Lands Act, which had just come into force. This induced him lo desist. Mr. Tanner, in consequence of the statement I had made, consented to the delay. The clauses referred to by Mr. Tiffen, Hos. 3,4, and 5, had nothing to do with the case in point, and as the Waste Lands Act only came into operation on the 15th March, 1860, it would have been clearly absurd in me to afilrm, as he said I did, that I had received the delegation of the powers under clauses 3,1, and 5, from the Governor, seeing that there were only 10 or 12 days time to have had it done. The Provincial Council was in session on the 23rd March, and proposed additional Land Regulations for adoption, including the formation of a Land Board, which they thought could be obtained by applying to the General Assembly. The clauses 3,4, and 5, could not possibly have been alleged by me as being a barrier to the Commissioner in gazetting Mr. Tanner’s run, as they only applied to the power of appointing officers to the Land Survey Department, and no thought of applying for these powers had ever been entertained by me till the Colonial Secretary pointed out to me in October, 1860, that, however indisposed his government was to propose the additional Land Regulations to the General Assembly, by the delegation of the powers of the Clauses o, 4, and 5 the object of the formation of the Land Board could be effected ; that consequently on the 9th November, 1860, I applied by letter from Napier (copy of letter given) for the delegation of these powers, which were shortly after - granted. This concluded Mr. Fitz Gerald’s statement. He observed that there was no occasion to take down any more. He was sorry that the Commissioner of Crown Lands had not been sufficiently straightforward to acknowledge he was in error, and regarded the charge as being more malicious in its character than he had formerly supposed it to be.

Messrs. Tiffen and Fitz Gerald haring withdrawn from the Council Chamber,

Dr. llitohixgs moved that the question of privilege be allowed to lapse. He said all were liable to mistakes, and he did not think that Mr. Tiffen had been actuated by any animus furandi. Mr. Ormond seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr. Colknso begged to present an amended petition from the working classes, praying that the estimates might be re-considered, and that a larger amount should be placed thereon for the benefit of the inhabitants of Napier and the surrounding country, signed by 55. He had read the petition, and there were no objectionable passages, as there were yesterday. On the motion of Mr. Coeenso. seconded by Mr. Tiffen, the petition was read and received. Capt. Lambert's notice of motion —

For a return of the number of horses, cattle, andsheep that have been impounded during the last twelvemonths and the amount of fines received by the poundkeeper.

not being brought forward, lapsed. Capt. Lambert’s notice of motion—

For a return shewing the number of persons arrested by the police, then’ crime, and the number of days they each were in the lock-up, during the year 1861.

not being brought forward, lapsed. Mr. Tbifhook, pursuant to notice, moved, — For a return of the total amount of ss. or unagricultural land of the Province under certificate from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, open for selection subject to three month’s notice to the runholder—shewing in each case the date of application, the name of applicant, the amount certified, the locality, and the date of the certificate. He said it was merely a supplementary motion of Mr. Fitzgerald’s, which had been inadvertently omitted before.

Agreed to. Capt. Carter, pursuant to notice, moved, — For the appointment of a select committee to consider the best manner of dealing with the Agricultural Reserve at Hampden with a view to the disposal of the same for the purpose for which it was purchased. Committee to consist of Messrs. T. H. Fitz Gerald, Ormond, Alexander, Colenso, and the mover.

Seconded by Mr. Tiffen, and agreed to. Mr. Rhodes moved for leave to postpone, till the estimates were under consideration, his notice of motion—

That the petition for the removal of the ferry punt to Waitangi be considered. Seconded by Mr. Dolbel, and agreed to. Mr. Alexander moved for leave to postpone, till the estimates were under consideration, his notice of motion that certain sums should be placed on the estimates for the repair of the Petanc and Pohui road.

Agreed to. Mr. T. H. Fitzgersld, pursuant to notice, moved, — For the appointment of a select committee to enquire into the movement now going forward amongst the agricultural and working classses ‘of this province, having for its object the acquisition by way of lease of the waste agricultural lands of Hawke’s Bay still in the hands of the natives, and to report to this Council whether assistance should be afforded by the Provincial Government in developing the objects sought for by the settlers and bringing them to a successful issue or not. Such committee to consist of Messrs. Alexander, Triphook, Wood, Rhodes, Dolbel, E. S. Curling, and the mover ; with power to call for persons and papers.

Mr. Ormond would like to see the committee fairly balanced, as they were all of one way of thinking.

After the names of Messrs. Curling, Ormond, and Colenso had been substituted for Triphook, Rhodes, and Dolbel, the motion was agreed to. Dr. Hitciiings, pursuant to notice, moved, — That His Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the estimates a sum of money for the purchase of a Public Weighing Machine, to be placed on the Eastern Spit. He said he had been forced into this service by the pressure from from without. The desirability of the thing was very great, as considerable fraud had been practised from this want, particularly with respect to coals, a ton of which seldom weighed more than 15 cwt. He would say more when in committee on the estimates. Motion agreed to. Dr. Hitciiings, pursuant to notice, moved, — That His Honor the Superintendent be requested to place a sum of money on the estimates for the purpose of removing the present lock-up to some more convenient site. Agreed to. ■Mr. Ormond, in pursuance of leave granted, brought up the report of the Select Committee to report whether any recommendation can be made to the Superintendent under which the conduct of the public service can bo carried on on a more economical scale, and moved that the report bo read.

Agreed to, and report read. The Council then adjourned until half past 7. [Our space prevents us from giving more of the Council proceedings. We prefer also, as the Council went into committee on the estimates on its re-assembling, to give them in a convenient shape, when past, for reference.]