ARRIVAL OF THE CLAUDE HAMILTON WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 197, 21 October 1864, Page 2 (Supplement)

ARRIVAL OF THE CLAUDE HAMILTON WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL.

NEWS TO Ist SEPTEMBER. The Claude Hamilton arrived here at 5 o’clock this evening. She left Auckland on Saturday last, and brings about 20 passengers per Eagle Speed, for Napier. The execution of the culprit M’Lean, who was convicted of the murder of his wife at Pokeno, took place on Friday last. MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY. The Parliament of New Zealand has been summoned at last. It is to meet at Auckland on the 21st day of next month, by which time it is hopad, rather than believed, that most members may be in their places. The delay of more than a week in signing the proclamation, was caused by the very serious difference of opinion between Sir George Grey and his Ministers on the question of where the meeting should be held. The resolution of the Parliament at its last sitting pointed distinctly to Canterbury in the first place, and—as the Cook’s Straits capital had been chosen—to Wellington in the next. The Ministers felt pledged in honour to carry out these views if they could be carried out, as they had taken to some extent the responsibility of carrying out the Assembly’s resolution at the time it was expressed. The Governor on the other hand did not. Perhaps he was not bound to consider such things, if they appeared to him at all to clash with other matters and considerations of importance. At all events, he declined to leave Auckland. After some time spent in something very like useless discussion, the question was left for his decision, the proclamation being forwarded to him, with the name of the place of meeting blank. On the 18th of the month the Governor signed the proclamation, inserting “ Auckland” in the blank space.