Provincial Council.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XII, Issue 514, 3 October 1867, Page 2

Provincial Council.

TUESDAY, Ist OCTOBER. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present —The Speaker, Messrs. Rhodes, Ormond, Kennedy, Parsons, Wood, Dol□ei, irviuc, Button, iioclts, Weston, Slichanan, Whitmore, Tanner, Tiifen. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr. TANNER wished to know, before the house proceed to business, whether or not the Government was responsible ? If they were not, they certainly could not proceed with business in the absence ofi the Superintendent. He thought, that after the house had been twice adjourned through the absence of the Superintendent, that lie might have made an effort to be present on this occasion. It was evident that the Government must now take some position with regard to their responsibility. Air ORMOND said that his Honor was sufficiently represented in his absence by the Deputy-Superintendent. He would not enter into the question of Responsible Government, as it had been sufficiently debated on a former occasion. Mr TANNER could not understand how, if the gentlemen opposite were irresponsible, the Superintendent would be bound by their actions, any more than by those of the other members of the Council.

Air ORAIOND repeated that the De-puty-Superintendent sufficiently represented his Honor, and said that the Government were to a certain extent responsible for their advice. The matters they would bring before the Council had the full concurrence of his Honor. As to his having slighted the Council by bis absence, ho might state that he had made arrangements to leave by the steamer on the 29i.1i, and had very reluctantly remained, at the urgent request of the General Government. The business of the Council was quite ready for then* to go on with if they wished it, or the Government had no objection to defer it until after the arrival of Air M'Lean, which would most likely be on Saturday. It now rested entirely with the Council whether or not the business was postponed Col. WHITAIOKE said that he should like to sec a Responsible Government. As the Council was at present constituted, the Executive were the exponents of the Superintendent’s views, instead of those of the majority of the Council. He did not approve of the Superintendent occupying a seat in the Council. It was equivalent to giving him a double vote. He hoped the question of R sponsibb Government would be taken into consideration, and expected an answer from the Government on the subjcci.

Mr TU FFN agreed with the member for To Auto, that the Council should know the degree to which the G-o?ernment were responsible. i.ho unswor of the membei lor Porangahau had been very ambiguous, and the tiovernment had shown a great want of consistency in their actions throughout.

Mr BUCHANAN said that last sitting when it was proposed by tho opposition that the business of the Council should be conducted by the Deputy-SuperinteuOent ui (he absence of his Honor, the Council liad been told that his presence was absolutely necessary, and that the business could not be conducted without him. He ■lid not believe it at the time, and now the same proposition had come from tho Government. He did not understand tho manner in which they blew hot and cold. I'ho sooner the position and responsibility of the Government was clearly defined, the better would it be lor the Council. lie would not commit himself to auy opinion upon Responsible Government.

THISTLE BILL. Mr ORMOND ialorund the Council that the Thistle Bill had been disallowed. [_ Laughter.] CEMETERY ACT. On the motion of Mr PiFFEN, this Act was read a second time, and ordered to be committed presently. POSTPONEMENT OF BUSINESS. Tho consideration of the Slaughterhouse, Toll-gate, and District Roads Bills were deferred, on the motion of Mr ORMON U, till next sitting day. COMMITTEE. The Council th en went into Committee] on the Cemetery Bill. It was passed through Committee, with tho exception of the second clause, the consideration of which was deferred till next sitting day. The Council then adjourned.