HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 152, 11 December 1863, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY, Nov. 26. PETITIONS. Mr. Coeenso presented a petition from Philip Dolbel, sheep farmer, of Hawke’s Bay, complaining of certain natives having built upon his land, ■and praying for relief. Friday, Nov. 27. hawke’s bay loan security bile. Mr. Ormond moved the second reading, and -stated that its object was to provide collateral security to the public creditor, for a loan of £60,000, then negociated by the Province. Mr. Coeenso opposed the bill as being similar to a bill lately thrown out by the House, and thus - controvening one of the standing orders. r l be Speaker considered the introduction of the bill to be in order. Mr. Coeenso intended to oppose it, on the grounds he had urged when the previous measure was brought before the House ; vik., That it locked up a part of the province for the benefit of the whole, and was therefore, manifestly unjust; if the Lon. member would make it applv to the whole province, he [Mr. Colenso], would give it his support. Mr. Watkins opposed. Mr. Wood had objected to the loan, and he did mot regard the bond proposed to be set apart as sufficient security, and as the public creditor could ■not be prejudiced by the bill being thrown out, •(the loan not having been negociated) ho should ■ oppose it.

Mr. John Williamson wished to know whether the mover intended to submit it to a Select Committee, as that would influence his vote on the second reading. Mr. Oumond having explained the object of the loan, and replied to objections, agreed that the bill should be referred to a Select Committee. Hie bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be referred to a Select Committee. Tuesday, Dec. 1. disqualification act. Mr. Colenso asked the hon. the Colonial. Secretary, whether medical men “connected with the Native Minister's Department,” (as per return E. No. 10 laid on the table) are disqualified by the “ Disqualification Act, 1858.” Mr. Eox replied that so far as this question referred to persons desirous of becoming members of the General Assembly, it would be a matter for this House to consider as a question touching its own privileges. Mith regard to Provincial Councils ho recommended the hon. member to judge for himself whether the Disqualification Act applied or not, or it might be a subject for the opinion of the law adviser, of the province, or of the gentleman’s own legal adviser, but he [Mr. P.j had no objection to tell the hon. member that in his opinion such persons were disqualified by the act in question from holding seaia in the Provincial Council. Wednesday, Dec. 2. WELLINGTON AND HAWKE’S BAY WASTE LANDS REGULATIONS AMENDMENT BIEL. Mr. Fixzheubkrt moved the second reading of this bill, which lie said was intended to repeal the 15th clause of the Wellington and Hawke’s Day Waste Lands Regulations Act, 1858, granting land to discharged military and naval officers. Mr. Ormond seconded the motion. Mr. Weld thought the jiresent an inopportune time to bring forward the motion proposed. Mr. Wayne was also opposed to the motion being brought forward at the present time. He thought the question of the disposal of land should be left to the Provincial Government. Mr. J. O Neill did not feel disposed to vote against the second reading of the bill although ho disliked its principle. The Provincial Governments of Wellington and Hawke’s Bay had a rGht to dispose of their lands as they chose. ° Major Richardson would agree to the second reading, in the hope that some amendments would be made in committee. A clause should be introduced giving abundant time for officers to make selections, who were intending to do so, before the act was repealed.

Mr. John Williamson said if the hon. mover would assure him that it was the wish of the Wellington Provincial Government that the act should be amended ns proposed, then lie would agree to the second reading; but lie could not but conceive that, by expunging the clause, the Government would be standing in its own light and inflicting injury upon the province. Mr. Beandon spoke in favour of the motion • and ’

Mr. Colenso promised to support the second reading, on the condition that the hon. mover would agree to the introduction of a clause specifying that the act should not come into operation •until the expiration of twelve months from the -■time of its being passed. Dr. Featheeston said the experiment sought to bo carried out by the act intended to be amended bad signally failed. The granting of land to military settlers had been no boon to them, because nine-tenths had not lived upon their land, but and emigrated to other, colonies. Mr. Stafford said the clausa now sought to be

expunged was introduced in 1858, upon the motion of Sir Charles Clifford. The House was absolutely passive in the matter. He thought if the .elapse was expunged, it would tend greatly to the benefit of those provinces retaining the provision. The House had no evidence that the Provincial Councils of Wellington and Hawke’s Bay desired to have these clauses repealed; but still if the hon. member a leading member of the Wellington Provincial Council, and probably represented a large majority of it, desired to exclude the class of settlers, ho should not oppose it; only he would like to see the operation of the act suspended for a short time, so as not to shut out those who might have made preparations to take advantage of these clauses. Mr. Fitzheebert, in reply, said that no measure had given more general dissatisfaction in the province of Wellington than this, or worked worse. He was willing to suspend the operation of the bill for a time. Bill read a second time, and ordered to bo committed on Thursday. hawke’s bay eoan security bile. On motion of Mr. Ormond, the order of the day for bringing up the report of the Select Committee on the Hawke’s Bay Loan Security Bill, was discharged ; the mover intimating his intention not to proceed with the bill, on account of the feeling of the House respecting it.