Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 388, 25 June 1866, Page 2

Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay.

THURSDAY, 21st JUNE.

The Council met at 3 o’clock, pursuant to adjournment. Present—Messrs Buchanan, Coleuso, Dolhel, Edwards, Kennedy, M‘Lean, Ormond, Rhodes* Tifibn, Weston, and Wilkinson. i-lie minutes of tlie last meeting were read and. confirmed. FATEHS. His Honor laid upon the table a letter from the Colonial Secretary. WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION. Mr Newton said he wished to withdraw fho motion standing in his name, as ho had substituted another for it. Mr Colenso said that the motion could not bo withdrawn, as it was not before the House. CUSTOMS EETENIJE. Mr Colenso asked the Government— Whether the Government has received any intimation from the General Government relative to the stoppage of the three-eighths Customs Revenue ? He could certainly not bo charged with factious opposition in the matters which be had brought before the Government to-day, as he had put them all in the form of questions, which did not admit of him speaking after receiving a reply. His Honor, in his opening address, had stated that the Province was in a sound financial condition ; but they had no evidence of that beyond his Honor’s words. His Honor, in reply, said he laid a circular letter on the table from the Colonial Secretary, in which he stated that it was proposed to take away some of the surplus revenue from the Provinces ; but it did not mention the three-eighths Customs Eevenue. Mr Wilkinson moved that the letter be read. Agreed to, and letter read accordingly. Mr Colenso asked if that was the only communication the Government bad received on the subject. Mr Osmond said that it was. The letter had been received by the last mail, and there had been no time to inquire into the matter. He knew hat it was a matter of common report that the tCustoms three-eighths were about to be taken from the Provincial Revenues. TKOTTNCIAL FUNDS. Mr Colenso asked the Government— What is the present amount of cash in the Treasury chest? and what is the exact state of its aooouut current with the Provincial Banker to date ? His Honoe laid on the table the Provincial Account Current with the Bank of New Zealand to the end of the month, which was also the end of the financial year. Mr Colenso moved that it be read. Mr Buchanan seconded the motion. Agreed to, and memorandum read accordingly. PEOTINCIAL LOAN. Mr Colenso, pursuant to notice, asked the Government — Whether any of the sum of £60,000 under the Loan Act of 1863 has heen raised and expended? and, if so, how much? His Honor, in reply, stated that none of the Provincial Loan of £60,000 had been either raised or expended. WAS LOAN. Mr Colenso, pursuant to notice, asked the Government— What is the gross amount lately determined on by the Commissioners appointed by his Excellency of the Provincial Allocation, or charge, against the province of iiawke’a Bay, on account of the war loau ?

His Honor, in reply, stated that he had received no information from the General Government on the subject. WELLINGTON DEBT, Mr Colenso, pursuant to notice, asked the Government— What has been done by the Government, or by the Com missioners appointed by this Council, in the matter of the (so-called) Wellington debt ? It was four years since an Act was passed by the Provincial Council appointing Commissioners to attempt to settle this matter with the Province of Wellington. At the time, it would be remembered, he did not object to Commissioners being appointed, but he did object to his Honor the Superintendent and Major Whitmore being appointed Commissioners. Certainly the sooner it was settled the better, as the Province was now paying £2OOO a-year on account of it. £3OOO had been expended in that way since the Act was passed. His Honoe, in reply, stated that overtures had been several times made to the Province of Wellington, but it had each time rejected them. The Government did not think it desirable to open the r question at present, but they had not forgotten it. WAIEOA LANDS. Mr Colenso, pursuant to notice, asked the Government Whether, iu the late sales of the Wairoa lands, that portion of the proceeds agreed on to be set apart for the local benefit of those lands in roads and bridges, has been so set apart ? and, if so, to be further informed as to its present total amount, and whether such amount is still in the Dank? Ho had no occasion to add anything to tho question, except that he hoped the district of Wairoa would not have to complain of similar injustice to what this Province experienced while under the thumb of Wellington. His Honoe, could not call to mind the resolution referred to. In which of the Blue Books was it to be found ? Mr Colenso enquired who it was that had had tho supervision of the last Blue Books, and had just put in what they liked, and expunged whatever was disagreeable ? [lnterruption by Mr Ormond.] He (Mr C.) bad looked over the Blue Books, and found it was not there, but discovered it in his file of the Herald—a paper which had always given full and correct reports of the Council proceedings; but, on reference to the Council file, he found that that number of the paper was absent. Had he been inclined to raise a discussion on this subject, ho might have made a motion of tho question ; but as it was, he had given a fair question, expressed in proper language, and expected a proper reply. His Honor said it was a strange thing to see the member opposite, who had sneered at the land at the Wairoa some time ago, so suddenly becoming its champion for the mere sake of opposition to t'ae Government. He remembered the Council deciding that a fair proportion of the revenue derived from that place should be there expended, but no specific resolution was arrived at. This had been fully carried out, and the last returns of revenue and expenditure showed that £B6O had already been expended on public works in that district. POEANGAHiU COMMONAGE. *r Colenso, pursuant to notice, asked the Government— Whether the Rural Lands at Porangahau, advertised by Hie Goiciu-iicjil to bo for sale on the tith proximo, are not those lands formerly set apart by tins Council us Commonage for the small farm sei tlemcnts there t Mr UhliuND said tnai it was in consequence of a petition received from sumo ot the inhabitants that a portion ot the block was subdivided and sold by auction. annexation of potertt bat. Mr Colenso, pursuant to notice, asked the Government— Whether the Government intend bringing before the Council lor its opinion the subject of tho proposed annexation ol a portion of the East Coast, —the same, being at present a part of the Province of Auckland ? particularly .as it is believed that this matter may bo brought forward m the Genera! Assembly during its approaching session, .and as the member for Napier in the House of Representatives is the present superintendent of this province. The Government must know that this was a very important matter in reference to this Province. Every one knew that there were certain petitions from inhabitants on the East Coast for tho annexation of a portion of it, at present in the Province of Auckland, to the Province of Hawke’s Bay. There had been a good deal said about the desirability of this project in the columns of the Government organ; it was universally admitted .to be of the utmost importance; and yet there was not a word in reference to it in the Superintendent’s address. The Superintendent and the member for Porangahau would go to the General Assembly and act as if they had the opinion of the Council. Tho question should not be shirked in this manner.

Mr Ormond said that the question now put to the Government was an extremely embarrassing one. It really appeared as if the member for the Town was in the Council to advocate the interests of Auckland against those of Hawke’s Bay. To answer this question would be showing his hand in the game he was about to play on behalf of the Province of Hawke’s Bay in the General Assembly. Nothing could be more inimical to her interests than this. The member bad referred to the General Assembly. The district of Poverty Bay might have been annexed to this Province last session had the member for the Town acted in a different spirit. He was glad that the electors had shown their appreciation of his conduct at the last election, and might safely affirm that he and his present colleague would give a far better account of themselves on their return than ■could be done last session. Mr Colenso drew the attention of the Speaker to the fact that he felt himself precluded by the rules of the House from answering the member f jr Porangahau. PROVINCIAL REPORTS. Mr Colenso, pursuant to notice, asked the Government — Why it is that no reports from heads of departments,— no returns of any kind,—no copies of despatches, or of instructions, or of letters from the General Government, or of any public correspondence whatever,—have heeu laid •upon the Council table ? Several of the papers to which he had referred were now laid on the' table, but his question was before the House, and he would speak a few

words upon it. The reports were all old matters, —there was nothing new, nothing for the Council to work upon. They were principally reports on roads, and four of them in the little place of Puketapu. Again, there was the return of sums voted for twelve months, and expenditure for nine out of the twelve months. What was the use of that ? Every one knew that the expenditure for the last three months had been the most lavish of any. He had on a former occasion laughed at a similar return, and caused it to be withdrawn. [Mr Colenso was greatly interrupted the whole time he was speaking on this question by Mr Ormond.] Mr Buchanan protested against those sotto wee remarks across the table. Tiicy were out of order, and should he suppressed. Mr Ormond said that the member for the Town while professing to be speaking on a question, raised myriads of questions of debate. Mr Buchanan said that it was the extremely offensive character of tho observations that he had referred to. Such irregularities should be rigidly suppressed. His Honoe said that the papers called for were on the table. There were reports of the progress of all the roads throughout tho province, reports of all the various works and moneys winch had been in arrear, and abstracts of receipts and expenditure. What more papers members wanted ho did not know ; but he thought the information he had laid before them was most ample. CGNSIDEEATION OF OPENING ADDRESS. Mr Colenso, pursuant to notice, moved— That the Speech of his Honor the Suuerintondont be taken into consideration. They all knew the proverbial difference between a volunteer and a pressed man; and he miHit say that the latter was the position he now occupied in tire Council. For the Inst three sessions, the speech of the Superintendent had been read in solemn silence; no reply had been brought up ; and if any question was asked in reference to it, the reply was a snubbing. This time he had asked the Government if they intended to set apart a day for its consideration," and received a snub. Why was the Council called so late? In a neighboring Province, where tho Council had been called together three weeks ago, tho first thing in tho address was an apology for not calling the Council sooner. His Honor simply intended this Council to pass his Act for subleasing the plains, pass a vote of expenditure for three or four months, and be prorogued. Words seemed to be given to some Governments to conceal their thoughts. Were there any great Government matters, one great or good thing, one item of statistics, in that address ? He felt he was lowering himself by speaking upon it. We should soon be greatly taxed, soon lose our throe-eighths Customs Revenue, but not a trace of this was in the address. His Honor did not think it oven worth while to say even one word to the Council about the dextrous game ho admitted ho was playing against the Province of Auckland, and which he also admitted would not boar the light. He (Mr C.) believed that honesty was always the best policy fop individuals or Governments, and thought the best plan was the old one of hom-st.y along. Disguise it ns they night by tho high-sounding title of diplomacy or any other, dishonesty was a ruinous game. At the verv opening of the address there wore statements which he would not sny were untrue, but which the obliquity of his own mental vision would not allow him to square with facts. That was when his Honor congratulated the Council on tho sound financial position of the Province. The Province had overdrawn at the Bank to the amount of £6600, though the valuable lands at Wairoa had just been sold at an enormously high rate; and what was the value of laud now ? Was it not a fact that a short time ago a township was offered for sale, and there was not a single bidder? Yet the Superintendent, knowing the amount of the Provincial overdraft, the intended stoppage of_ the Customs three-eighths, and the present value of land, proclaimed with a loud flourish of trumpets that tho Province was in a sound financial condition. It had never been in a more unsound condition. This was easily accounted for, at any rate. Popular opinion, which was seldom wrong, was, that his Honor was aspiring for the office of Native Minister. He thought, as soon as I get out of this Suporintendency, what shall I care for the state of the Province P What business is it of mine ?—let them get right as they best can. His Honor did not care though ha came in as the lion and went out as tho fox.° Was that the way he (Mr C.) left the Treasury ? No, he left £IO,OOO in the chest. And should this Government continue their present rate of ex penditure, they would leave the Province £IO,OOO in debt. [lnterruption from Mr Ormond, which was put a stop to by the Speaker.] Again, he said the progress was not of a fluctuating nature. If the present drought was to continue three or four weeks longer, it would bo seen in this stronghold of runholders whether it was fluctuating or not. They knew that their pastures were dried, and that prayers were being offered in their churches for rain; they knew they were importing their very potatoes and cabbages from Auckland and yet in the opening address it was said that their progress was not of a fluctuating nature. Much had been said of the prosperity of the Province. He believed the prosperity was of a few onlv. Were those runholders who appeared most prosperous really so ? No ; they sent away hundreds of pounds annually to soul-grinders—usurers in Wellington. His Honor had then referred to tho statistical returns of imports and exports for the last three years, and had said, “ I need not pursue the subject further; the figures quoted afford conclusive evidence of our advancement.” The exports from this Province were all wool, with the exception of a few hides. Supposing that the increased export had rendered the wool-growers prosperous, would the prosperity of that one class render the whole Province prosperous ? Again as to imports. What were they? The Province of Hawke’s Bay had long been known as “ the drunken Province,” and during the last year the enormous number of soldiers (in which term he included regulars and irregulars, European and Native) in the Province had increased the import of liquor to a great extent. But was any member prepared to say that a largely increased sale of '

liquor was a sign of prosperity P The nest paragraph commenced —“ The territorial revenue for the year will bo in excess of the amount estimated.” This might be taken to mean the coming year, instead of the past year, which it really did mean. This had been principally raised from the sale of the Wairoa, almost the only valuable land unsold in the Province. His Honor had accused him (Sir C.) of having spoken depreciatingly of the Wairoa lands. He had never done so. He had always spoken of them as some of the most valuable lands in the Province. His Honor afterwards had spoken of the “settlement and. occupation of the newly-acquired land giving an impetus to agricultural and commercial pm> suits.” They knew that the whole of those lands occupied by squatters. Some time since the Native Minister had issued a notice on this subject; but what use was that P They knew it would not he enforced, and so acted in defiance of it. The nest paragraph was to him a painful one. It was on the subject of education, and he was sorry to see the misrepresentations therein contained. In the two addresses to the Council previous to the last year’s, the subject of education was never referred to, while other matters of much less importance were spoken of; but last session the Superintendent had alluded to the subject. Ibis time, however, it was evidently the motive of putting in something to please the public that induced him to insert this. Ho intended now to dissect ibis particular paragraph. He says—“ln the beginning*of 1863 (just before he himself came into office) there were only three schools in working condition, with a total average daily attendance of -1o scholars.” Now, if his Honor had calculated correctly, he would have found that the attendance at these schools was ST, instead of <io ; but this was not aH. Ncry cleverly he had entirely omitted to mention the great fact that just before that period Mr William Smith's common school, which alone had an attendance of 49, had been burnt down, and that the Homan Catholic School had been closed, in consequence of the master leaving the Province. If uie number attending those schools at the time they were closed were added to the other, it would make the number 156. On the other hand, the statistics for this year had been highly stretched, lor instance, the number of scholars receiving instruction was above 300; average daily attendance, 220—nearly a hundred lei’s. He would now read his Honor’s remarks on the subject iu his last opening address, to show how little of new matter there was in this one :—“ It aiiords me much p.ensure to be able to speak favorably ol the exertions tint are being made by the inhabitants in promoting education. The best evidence of tnis is the tact that four new school-houses have been erected during the past year, and _ another is in progress. The usual grauts-in-aid have born made by the Government towards these schools, and trained teachers are expected suortly Irom Jinglantt.” As for the new lined’ road through’the Forty-mile Bush, he believed his Honor would he an old man if he lived to sea that made available. He had told the Superintendent ci Wellington the same thing years ago. His Honor said, ‘ Much remains to be done on the Wellington side.” Much, indeed, remained to no done ; and even if finished, the road would never come into general use. It had 100 great an enemy in the increase of steam communication. Ho now came to the paragraph of the address—the one requesting the Council to vote supplies till nest sitting. He protested against this. Before the supplies were voted, there should always be a Committee of Ways and Means appointed. It might be said that there would be no time before the Superintendent went to 'Wellington ; but why was not the Council called together sooner ? He now came to the paragraph concerning the war on the East Coast. He believed that when men’s passions had cooled down, and they could look at affairs in then- true light, they would strongly doubt whether the war on the East Coast was in any way a matter of congratulation. As for “the loyalty and devotion so unmistakeahly displayed by the friendly natives,” everybody—his Honor included—knew that such a thing as loyalty did not exist among them. It was only the other day he told some of the friendly natives what ha thought of their loyalty. (Mr M‘Lean: Only some of them.) He wished to know what business the Province of Hawke’s Bay had to persecute the Hau-haus ? for that was what they had done. What offence had those men committed against the law? None. They had danced round a pole, and otherwise made fools of themselves, but there were numerous fools among ourselves. He would now conclude. ■ It was the right method always to draw up a reply to the address. The Government had not done so, and it was certainly useless for him to do it; for any reply ho could draw up would certainly not pass. But he did not thiuk that all this talking would come to nothing, for “Truth is mighty, and will prevail.” Mr WiXKissojf said it was painful to hear the croaking of the member for the town. It always made him feel very uncomfortable. It must be miserable twaddle. He did not think it fair to pick out discrepancies in the matter of the paragraph on education, but to look at it in a large and broad sense. The best answer to that gentleman was to be found in the number of votes at the recent election for the General Assembly. He did not pretend to say how these votes were obtained. Mr W. then stigmatised' Mr Coienso’s speech as a collection of ridiculous fallacies. As for the speech, it was as well drawn up and contained as much matter as the Queen’s speech on opening Parliament. (Laughter.) L’F.PEY TO OPEEISQ SPEECH. Mr W eston moved the reply to the opening speech of his Honor the Superintendent, which he read as follows : The Council having now assembled, in pursuance of your Honor’s proclamation, desire to express their conviction that a summons for an earlier day would have been attended with some advantage to the public interests. Deeply interested as they are in the welfare of the Province, —satisfied as they feel with its prospects,—and strong as their desire is to share iu your Honor’s congratulations on its financial condition, it would have been very satisfactory ; had some plain and valid reason been given whyapprehension should not be felt on this subject.

in the face of fiscal changes apparently impending, and likely to have a very grave and serious erlecfc. That progress is mating in wealth and prosperity, they are well aware. Indeed, to assert o trier wise, would virtually convey an imputation on the industry of our settlers, and he a denial that we had realised that natural augmentation of our flocks and herds, of which the increase of exports exhibited in our statistics is almost wholly composed. These are blessings springing from the bountiful hand of Providence: the share which the work of our hands has had either in creating them or in increasing them is infinitesimally small. This Council learn with satisfaction that the territorial revenue will be in excess of the estimate ; and hope that such excess will suffice to counterbalance the deficiency which the absence of remark in regard to the Ordinary Eevenue occasions them to fear may exist. Seeing that the Wairoa District has been secured at considerable cost, and that such cost must inevitably be greatly added to by the heavy expenditure shadowed forth as indopensable to open up a district which in its present state appears almost inaccessible either by land or sea, it is a hopeful event that its lands have realised ’so considerable a share of the year’s territorial revenue. This Council relies confidently that his Honor’s advisers will be enabled by the plain logic of figures to make apparent that any proposed expenditure in improving the navigation and on other works, will fall within the compass of the revenue derived from the district. The Council learns with pleasure that other native blocks are in treaty for, —the conveyance, as they trust, to be in fee-simple ; and they cordially recognise Mr Locke’s ability and judgment in these matters. The best attention will be given to the Bill to authorise the sub-leasing of the Pupakura and Hikutoto blocks. That the advantages offered by the Education Act, 1859, are being so largely used, as shown by the fulness and minuteness of your Honor’s detail on that bead, is the most cheering and gratifying reward that our predecessors could be offered for their care and foresight in the passing of that enactment. That the main lines of traffic are in good repair,—a condition ascribablo in a great decree to the absence of rain, —is almost the only consolatory reflection this Council can draw in the presence of the drought under which the Province has so long suffered.

The Council note with surprise that the Provincial Engineer has, within so brief of time as six months, conducted his operations in reference to the roads, in diametrical opposition to the principles laid down by him as sound in his Road Report dated 31st May, 1885. The cardinal recommendation in that report is for the maintenance of the roads by contract upon tender. Your Honor informs this Council that since November last two hundred men have been ia constant employment—without resort to tender, it is inferred. The information before them is not such as to enable the Council to comprehend the propriety of this change of system. The new lino of road through the Forty-mile Bush, when complete, will doubtless facilitate intercourse, and, it is to be hoped, be attended with the good results fairly to be expected from such a work.

This Council will take the important question of money grants for the public service into consideration ; and they trust that no delay will bo made in bringing before them the information requisite to ensure the appropriations being consistent with economy and efficiency. Your Honor’s testimony is now added to that afforded in the columns of the Provincial newspapers as to the successful termination of the war on the East Coast. The subject, however, being one wholly apart from and beyond the functions of this Council collectively, it would be most inexpedient either to assume the right of comment on the way the war has been conducted, or the semblance even of responsibility where none exists. Sir Buchanan seconded the motion. AX> J OtFEXiIENT. Mr M'Lean moved that this Council adjourn till 7 o’clock. Mr Codenso suggested that the debate be adjourned till next sitting-day, which was the nsual practice. MrM'LEAx’s motion was agreed to, and the Council adjourned at 5‘50. The Council met at 7 o’clock, pursuant to adjournment. nrs honor’s address. Mr M ! Lean said that it was the custom of the member opposite to traduce the Province by every means in his power, in the face of the most conclusive evidence of its advancement. He was throwing on the Government the most absurd imputations of dishonest motives, which he had unfortunately failed to prove. It was again the old story—the desire to sot class against class, which that member so often exhibited ; but he was happy to say that the time when that would have had any effect had now long passed away. Certainly the honorable member’s conduct reflected no credit upon him. It was a singular thing that ho should find fault with statistics which were compiled from his own report. £Mr M'Lean then read an extract from Mr Colenso’s report.] Mr Coeenso requested that his Honor would finish the paragraph. Mr M‘Lean declined. Mr Colenso requested that the Clerk might read the report, as uis Honor would not read correctly. Mr MTjEAK : I am not in the habit of quoting incorrectly.—As to the statement that the war on the East Coast was an unjust one, he might say that it was undertaken to quell a fanaticism that was spreading like fire through the island, and that if ever there was a just war that was one. Had it not been undertaken, no doubt the settlers, on the East Coast would have shared the fate of the Rev. Mr Yolkner. He was yery sorry for expressions of opinion of this nature. They were extremely un-English, and unlike a member for the Town of Napier.

EmT TO ADTJSESS. Mr Newtoh said that the member for Waimarama had proposed a reply to his Honor’s address, which, however, he was sure would not meet the wishes of the House. He, therefore, would now propose the following reply as an amendment;— The Council receives with much pleasure your Honor’s assurance that the Province is in a sound financial position, and that the progress it is making, as shown by tho statistics your Honor has quoted is of a permanent character. The facts that the Ordinary Sevenue has doubled itself during the past three years, and that the exports and imports have so materially increased, cannot hut be matters of the highest gratification to us. We desire to express our satisfaction at the more than realisation of the estimate of Territorial Revenue for the past year, and that tho lauds disposed of have been suited to the requirements of the community. We anticipate that large benefits will accrue through the opening up of lauds for settlement adjacent to the town of Napier. The subject of education is one of the greatest importance to the future of New Zealand, and we are' happy to learn that so much progress has been effected in that direction within our Province.

Among the various topics which your Honor has commented on in your address, your allusion, to the successful termination of the East Coast campaign is matter for sincere congratulation as affecting the security and interest of the Province, and that this Council desires to express its sense of obligation to your Honor for tho zealous and able manner in which you have conducted the operations which have brought about this result. The member for Napier had said that the Province was rotten, and on the high road to ruin. [Mr Colenso : No.] Ho gave a most unqualified denial to the statement. The Province was never in a more healthy state than at present. Mr WiLKiKSOur seconded the amendment. Mr Colekso had few words to say in refer' ence to the amendment. It was evidently an afterthought, and would not bear investigation. He should be obliged to vote against it. Mr BuciiAiTAjr had also very few words to offer on the subject. He was very glad to see that his side of the House had brought the Government to a sense of their duty. The original'reply was not, however, of that sugary character which best suited the Government palate. It did not nt all suit the Government interests, aud eo they had prepared a second one, in which the difficulties had been removed, and the Government would elide quietly into the groove which had been prepared for them. The new member for the town was not the independent man ho had professed to be at his nomination, or ho would have shown wherein he differed from, the original reply, and not have blindly taken up the one prepared for him by tho gentleman opposite (Mr Ormond).

Mv Colenso said that the House should not now be called upon to record their rotes on this subject. It was the same as the Superintendent’s address in that respect —that it should remain some time before the members. He was not at present prepared to vote either for the original reply or the amendment. There had been things done by the Superintendent in this Province which were perfectly unprecedented in the history of the Colony. Eor instance, at a late election for the Provincial Council, that officer sent the Clerk of tho House to the residence of one elector to bring him to propose a candidate, and to the house of another to second him; and at that same election did what ho thought no Superintendent had ever done before —voted for that candidate himself. When he spoke of the Superintendent,-he meant the one for tho time being-*-the Superintendent’s deputy, . . - The amendment was then put, and it was decided by tho Speaker that the ayes were in the majority. A division was called -for by Mr Buchanan, and the Council divided, with the following result: — . Ayes, 7 —Messrs Dolbcl, Kennedy, M‘Lean, Ormond, Rhodes, Tiffen, Wilkinson. Noes, 4s —Messrs Buchanan, Colenso, Edwards, Weston. ..... REPRESENTATION ACT. Mr Colenso moved— Tor copies of all correspondence between tlie Provincial and General Governments relative to tlie '• Representation A.et (Hawke’s Bay) 1865.” He had been taunted with this bill in the Assembly, and asked which it was intended to ropreeant —trees, sheep, or men. The history of it every one knew. It was one of the large number of unfortunate bills of this Province which, after passing through the Council, were disallowed by the General Assembly. It was only right that the Council should know why it had been so disallowed. ■ ' Mr Edwards seconded (he motion. His Honor laid the correspondence on the subject on the table. PROVINCIAL AUDIT ACT. Mr Colenso moved — 1 That as the “Provincial Audit Act, IS6l,’’ will shortly expire by effluxion of time, it is the opinion of this Council that its re-enaetment, or the enactnieut of any similar Act, or tl'.e continuation by the Provincial Government of any Provincial Auditor possessing only suo’a, or similar, limited q£ no benefit or practical use v. liatsoever to tbo tbo two Hawke’s Bay members in tbe General Assemb'y be requested to act up to this resolution in tbeir places in tbo House during its approaching session,—espe. eiaUy as those gentlemen are both members of this Council gad Of tbe Executive Government of this Province. This subject was one in which he believed the Government would agree with him, as he believed the member for Porangahau had opposed the Act in the General Assembly. It was nothing but a sham, and would not bo anything else while there were so many {superintendents in the Assembly. Mr Newton seconded (ho motion, BRANCH POST OEEICE, Mr Newton moved for leave to withdraw his motion with reference to a Branch Post Office, in tnrier to bring in one differently worded. Jjtire granted.

PCBLIC JCCOtTKTS. ' Mr M'XiEAN moved— That a Select Committee he appointed to examine the Public Accounts of the Province from the Ist July, 1863, to the 30th June, 1863. Such committee to consist of Messrs Tilisn, Jfewton, Colenso, Kennedy, and Wilkinson. It had been objected that there was a member of the Government on the proposed Committee. This had always been the ease in this Province. Mr Colessc) challenged the Government to produce a single instance where a member of Government had sat on an Audit Committee; If the Committee was appointed according to the motion, he would not sit on it, for all the work would fall upon liiius&lf. Mr Buohaxan objected to three names on that Committee as being interested in Government expenditure, and said that if those members possessed one spark of gentlemanly feeling, they would not submit to be dragged at the wheels of the Government chariot to support them in their dark doings. Mr Wixeiesos moved that the consideration of the subject be deferred till next session. Mr Coleus o seconded the motion. Agreed to. adjottbsmeht. Mr M'Leax moved that the Council do now adjourn till Friday, at the usual sitting hour. Agreed to, and Council adjourned accordingly at 9-20. ’ -