PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 158, 22 January 1864, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Monday, Jan. 18, 1864 The Hawke’s Ray Provincial Council met on the above day pursuant to a proclamation by His Honor the Superintendent. The following members were present— The Speaker, Messrs. D. M’Lean, Russell, Smith, Tuke, Dolbel, Fitzgerald, Boustield, Edwards, Kennedy, Colenso, Tiffen, Rhodes, and Curling. Mr. Ormoud was the only absentee. Letters announcing the return of two new members, Messrs. Boustield and Edwards, ■were read by the Speaker. His Honors ylddross. The Superintendent addressed the Council as follows: Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council. In compliance with the requirements of the Constitution Act—that a session of the Provincial Council should be held in every year, 1 have considered it essential to call you together on the present occasion. The more immediate object for doing so has been explained to you in my circular letter of the 14th of December last. The “Loan Act” which was passed during the last session of the Council, and which has received the assent of his Excellency the Governor, has enabled me to conclude arrangements with the Union Bank of Australia for negociating the loan

iu England. The correspondence with the different banks relating to the subject will be laid before you. It has been found, on reference to persons acquainted with moneytary transactions in the London market that the loan could be effected to greater advantage if the interest on the debentures were made payable in London instead of at the Provincial Treasury. The Amendment of Loan Act, together with the form of Debentures and Coupon, now laid before you, has been prepared with the view of facilitating this object. It is not my intention to bring any other rbusiness forward during this session, as many of the members must find it inconvenient to attend at this season of the year. I congratulate the Council and the inhabitants generally on the tranquility that has prevailed} in this Province during a period of considerable danger, arising from a state of war with the native tribes in the Provinces of Taranaki and Auckland. The defenceless position of the Province when the war commenced—the absence of any organized force excepting the military detachment stationed at Napier, called for strenuous exertions on the part of the Government to provide greater security for the inhabitants. The establishment of one hundred of the Defence Force; the training and arming of the Militia and Volunteers ; the prospect of obtaining a considerable influx of military settlers,—while it inspires confidence, also affords the strongest hope that the disasters of war may be averted from this Province. I have to express my strong sense of the readiness with which, the General Government responded to the appeals made for assistance in furtherance of these measures, which, although still inadequate to the requirements of the Province without the assistance of additional military support, have had the effect of inducing the natives to yield readier submission to our rule, by referring several disputed cases to our courts of justice for settlement. The co-operation afforded at all times by Major Douglas, Commanding the Garrison; and the zeal and energy displayed by Major Whitmore, Commanding the Civil Forces, deserve mv best thanks. Nor do I fail to recognise with pfeasure the genuine feelings of loyalty evinced by all classes of our community when called upon during an important crisis to make preparations for fence. The spirit of insurrection, originating in jeaously of British authority which has existed among some of the New Zealand tribes, is not yet suppressed; but I feel assured that lam only expressing your sentiment when I recognise the the noble efforts made by the Imperial” Government to establish her Majesty’s authority in this colony. The firmness and ability displayed by his Excellency’s government in carrying out a decided policy requires no comment from me, and I am sure you will join with me in according to General Cameron and the Forces under his command, the highest praise for the gallantry displayed by them in the service in which they are engaged. j\lr. Curling moved that the address be printed, which was seconded by 3Jr. Smith, and agreed to. Suspension of Standing Rules. Mr. M Lean moved that all the standing rules and orders he suspended, in order to bring forward a bill for the consideration of the Council without notice. Mr. Colenso said that before putting this to the Council, he must protest against it. He would ask if any precedent could be found for such a course of procedure. All rules were to be swept away in a mass for the purpose of hurrying measures through. Such a thing he never heard of, and if adopted, they would become a laughing-stock to the other provinces. If a precedent could be shown to him, he should not oppose the motion.

Mr. Edwards was not as yet thoroughly acquainted with the standing rules, but’ he thought it only fair they should remain as such, and he should vote against suspension. Mr. liffen had no idea of the business the Government intended to bring forward, and he should, therefore, vote against the rules being suspended. Mr. M’Lean considered that the members knew for what purpose the Council had been called together, as he had given sufficient iutimation in his circular letter. He did not see the necessity for a long sitting. If the members opposite wished to speak against the bill, the proper time would be when it was brought forward. Mr. Fitzgerald did not plead ignorance of what was to be done; but as he had voted on principle against the suspension of rules hitherto, he should do so now. Mr. Colenso warned the Government that if the rules were suspended, he should bring forward motions which might place tho fin. vernment in an awkward position. The Council then divided on the question as follows— Ayes—6. Noes.—7. Messrs. Carling Messrs. Bousfield Kennedy Colenso M’Lean Dolbel Russell Edwards Smith Fitzgerald Take Rhodes Tiffen The motion was therefore negatived. Several notices of motion were then given by Messrs. Colenso and Fitzgerald, and the Council adjourned till the following day at 11 a.m.