THE NAPIER PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 188, 19 August 1864, Page 3

THE NAPIER PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(From the -ZV. Z. Advertiser, Aug. 9.) There appears to be very little interest manifested in Hawke’s Bay either by the Press or the public relative to the proceedings of the Provincial Council, thus we find debates reported in the newspapers a fortnight and three weeks after they have taken place in the House. There appears to have occurred a very amusing discussion on the 21st «lt„ the report of which shows that the members of the Council do not quite form a happy family. Two events, respectively of great importance, were expected to come off, viz., the visit of his Honor the Judge, and a bachelor's ball, and for botli of these the use of the Council Chamber was solicited. The latter, however, appears to be looked upon as more important than the former, for we find that the boon was nearly granted in the one case, and sternly refused in the other. With regard to his Honor’s visit, Mr. M’Lean said that that Chamber had usually been used by the Court, and he asked whether it would not be advisable to adjourn the Council during the trials, and give up the ball. Mr Fitzgerald thought the Athenaeum was good enough for the Judge or the Council, and Mr. McLean said that would cost 21s. per day. Mr. Colenso was indignant at the idea of the trustees of that institution making a charge after the money and land grants they had received from the Government—he was “ perfectly ashamed ” of such a thing. This gentleman appeared to look at the consequences of a refusal to give up the Chamber to his Honor, for we find him expressing the opinion that it would never do to put a veto on the sittings of the Supreme Court, by refusing to give up the Council Chamber for the purpose; for, if so, what would immediately follow—that the General Government would cause a Supreme Court House to be built at the expense of the Province. Mr. Fitzgerald, as one way of meeting the difficulty, moved “that the Superintendent be authorized to procure the Mechanics’ Institute for his Honor the Judge.” A long discussion appears to have ensued as to whether or not the Judo-e would consider himself slighted by the condiTct of the Council in their not giving up the Chamber —some hon. members said it showed bad taste —othcrs e that there were legal objections, while many contended that it would be a deliberate insult to his Honor. The resolution relative to the Athenaeum was ultimately agreed to by 8 to 5. A somewhat similar discussion follows, which, although on a totally different subject in one respect, makes the members of the Council appear in a most ridiculous light. It appears that, previous to the business being proceeded with, the Speaker, who, by the way, does not appear to be very well up in is duty, read a letter from Lieut. Butler, on behalf of the bachelors of Hawke’s Bay, requesting that the Council Chamber might be granted for a ball on Wednesday the 27th July. Standing Order No. 27 was suspended in order that the letter might be considered, whereupon Mr

Colenso said they had just decided that it would not be proper to stop the public business' for the sake of the Judge, and yet, unless members would>hut out from their minds two ideas—the one, private friendship, the other, that I am a freemason—it was clear to him public business would be stopped for the sake of a ball. For, although it was not said, this was a return ball to the freemasons. (No). He knew it. Mr. Kennedy.—l deny it. Mr. Colenso moved that the words just spoken by the member for Napier be taken down, which was done. Mr. Kennedy would move that the words which had called forth that remark should also be taken down, viz., that the ball was a return ball to the freemasons, which was done. Mr. Colenso said that the words “ I deny it,” as applied were unparliamentary, and from the published report in the Herald we find that Mr. Speaker ruled that they were, aud that they were not. Mr. Tiffen appears to have come out rather strong on the subject. To his mind it would be wholly unprecedented in the history of the Colony that a legislative assembly should cease its duties for the sake of a ball—to pass this motion would be to established a “ frightfully dangerous” precedent ; and the Council would lose position altogether as a legislative body. This gentleman appears, also, to have been aware of the absurdity of the discussion, for w r e find him remarking that it had been said that the Council would become the laughing stock of the Province , he would add, of the Colony—aye, and of the colonies. He begged that the members who moved in this would consider a little their own dignity. Mr. J. Rhodes appears to have been the only sensible man amongst the lot of members. He very properly remarked that the letter in question ought never to have been admitted, aud the present discussion should never have taken place. It was beneath the dignity of the Council; to say nothing of the waste of time —an hour and a half having already been expended in a very profitless debate. It was a fit subject for discussion by ladies, but not by a legislative assembly. Mr. Tuke was very fond of balls, but he thought it was very inconsistent to refuse the Chamber to the Judge and to vote it for a ball. If the Mechanics’ Institute would do for the Judge, it would do as well for the ball. Mr. Edwards, who appears to be of a poetic turn of mind, put the following query:—What, are the standing rules to be broken merely to let a few persons trip the light fantastic toe ? The motion relative to the reception of Lieut. Butler’s letter was ultimately negatived by 7 to G, and upon Mr. Kennedy apoligising to Mr. Colenso for the use of unparliamentary language this interesting discussion was brought to a close.