Hawke's Bay Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY. MONDAY, JULY 29, 1867. THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XII, Issue 496, 29 July 1867, Page 3

Hawke's Bay Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY.

MONDAY, JULY 29, 1867. THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

“ Xufihit addirfus jvrur" in trrla

Tns debate on the address, ia reply to the Governors speech, was resumed on the 11th by Mr O'Neil, Mr Yogc-i, Major Heaphy, Mr G. Graham. Mr Carlcton, Mr Reynolds, Colonel Haultain, Mr Bunny, Mr t T. Hall, Mr Paterson, Mr Ludlam, Mr Campbell, Mr C. Wilson, Major Atkinson, Ac., the adjournment was ultimately negatived, and a committee appointed to draw up ths address, which was done, and it was read a first and a second time, and ordered that the speech should be considered next day. On the 12th (FrN day) this was accordingly done, and the address presented, and received by his Excellency. Mr Atkinson elicited from the Government that they were in possession of information of the murders on the East Coast of Mr B. White and the native mailman. Mr Vogel also assumed the leadership of the opposition, and was so recognised by the Government. On the I6th, the Otago question was opened by Mr Burns, who asked whether the Government \Y GIG Slipporting, as rumoured, the actions of Messrs. Every and Robinson against the Speaker of the Provincial Council of Otago. Mr J. C. Richmond confessed that it was so, and that the object of the Government was simply to ascertain what the law was respecting

■jail important question—The Tower of j Provincial Councils over Officers of the Colony. Mr Vogel afterwards moved “ That in the opinion of this House, thy authority under the Gold Fields Act should be delegated to the Superintendents of Provinces within which the gold fields are respectively situated.” He wished to argue the | question on its constitutional grounds, not on personal grounds, though if the Government took that course he might be forced to do so too. He went fully iuto the question of the Government’s action at Otago, and surmised that it was from the anti-Provincial policy of the Government, and a step in the cutting up oi the Provinces, and substituting a despotic and central Government. ale had opposed the election of Mr Maoandrew, but when that result had transpired, had no other course than to regard him as the Superintendent of the Province, as thousands besides had done, who saw that

for the order and good government of ’die province that the election must stand, Mr vhigel’s speech extends over e'ght closely printed pages of matter, and was a masterly piece of argumentation. Mr 0 Rorko seconded the motion, and Mr Stafford replied, moving that the words “ unless under

exceptional circumstances ” be inserted. Mr Hall, Mr Ludlam, Mr Cargill, and Mr C. Wilson supporting the Government, and Mr J. O’Neil, Mr G. Graham, Mr Eain, Mr Reynolds, and Mr Borlase opposing. The debate, however, was not concluded on that day, but was resumed on the 17 th, and maintained to a late hour, when the House divided on Mr Stafford's amendment, which was adopted oy 28 against 24, the Government having expressed its intention of confaring upon the Executive Government of Otago, including the Superintendent, the usually delegated powers over the Otngo gold fields, by introducing a short bill for that purpose.

Had Mr Stafford the remotest idea of ; he important consequences which would result from his Otago policy, there can be no question that it would have been different from what it was. He was firmly established in office ; the principal of his opponents had been won over cr silenced, and he had no scruple in avowing his centralising intentions. The Otago election offered him a fair

opportunity for taking the first step, —as, while a person was attacked, a principle could be effectually established ; but, as it happened, the people could see this as well as be, and te

maintain existing institutions accepted and supported the person. Mr Macandrew, then in the house, found himself well supported, and Sir Stafford could not but feel the danger in which he stood. Unwilling to sacrifice office, he conceded all that was demanded of him, resolving to await a more favorable opportunity for undermining Provincial institutions ; and by that timely concession averted the threatened dan- ■ ger—but only for a short time. Again he has been subjected to an attack from the same party, and has again conceded nearly ail that was demanded. Mr Vogel moved for a select commit- ; tee to enquire into the financial condis lien of the Colony, with a view to the , apportionment of liabilities and end , the responsibility of southern seule- , meats fur northern expenditure. The I Government meets the motion with an 1 amendment, slightly differing from it. The committee was somewhat modified i —another member cf the Government , being placed upon it, and its duties too somewhat modified, for instead of ' a committee to “ recommend the f means of doing the above,” it is a ; cnmiaiiteo to enquire, “whether it can Ibe done.” The concession has been accepted, and for a time at least the Ministry a r e safe, but the Provincial ' pariy are too strong to allow any • great infringement of constitutional i liberties.

TEE LATE FIRE IN HASTINGS-STIIEET. cohoxer’s inquiry. Ax inquiry into the cause of the fire which occurred on'the morning of Monday last was held at the Maosuic Hotel on Saturday last, at 3 p.m., before! 1 . Hitchings, Esq., Coroner, and the following inry : Messrs Robinson, (Foreman) Browne, Irvine/Swan, Ford, Dinwiddle, McNaity, Luff, Cowing, Boylan. Buchanan, Munday. Tho following evidence was addcced: — James Hastie, sworn, deposed: I was the occupier of the Aibiou Hotel on Sunday night last. 1 c'osed my house at lire usual time heuevmg . • i -r. r>_ it everytmi gio ue sue. wn wm ». v. dny, about 3 o’clock, I was awoke by my brother on" his hearing some noise, and again about i o’clock. I heard an alarm of lire. Upon going downstairs I met George Richardson, coming from a cottage in the back premises, who told ine Barry’s place was on fire. I saw fire issuing from the room in which George Richardson slept. The cottage contains four rooms, one of which was used as a store, in which was kept spirits and other stores. Both cottage and hotel belong to Messrs Robjohas. My goods were insured. I know of no one who could be benefited by tiiis fire. I have never received any threat against me or ray property. I have had no quarrel with Mr Coliu Campell, whose property adjoins mine. Richardson was the only man I met about the premises at the time of the fire. George Richardson was discharged by me from my employ for neglect of duty. I was not aware Rich, ardson slept in the, cottage that night, he not having asked my permission. The policy of insurance of my goods and furniture still remains in the name of Mr. Colin Campbell, and was so at the time of the fire. I meant, when I said I saw the fire issuing from the room that Richardson slept in, that it was from his bedroom I saw the fire in the next reora, which was perfectly empty, breaking through the partition which divides it from the bedroom. I cannot give the least opinion or oiler any suggestion as to the origin of this fire.

George Richardson deposed ; I am a labourer, and reside in Napier. I was lately in the employ of Mr. Uastie as stableman, and left his service on Sunday morning last, by mutual consent. I occupied a room in the cottage adjoining the hotel, winch I had occupied for seven weeks. I ent ;red by the door, which was not locked. During the night I was awoke by smoke stifling me. I had had a glass or two. but was sober. I went to bed in the dark, as there was neither candle or lamp, and was not smoking. There were a few articles in the room where the fire originated. I immemediately jumped up and raised tho alarm, but met no oue. I tried to break open Hastie’s back door, which was opened by the cook, who sleeps below. lam of opinion that the front, rcom was set fire to inside in the left-hand corner by some one who must have gained access to it, but 1 have no reason to suspect any one.- I have not heard any one threaten to set lire to the place. I saw the delris of burnt hay in the Uaoe where I think the fire originated next morning. The jury returned an open verdict to the effect that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated.