PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 590, 29 June 1868, Page 1 (Supplement)

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present—--ill the members. Vapors. Mr. MpLkan laid on the table the following papers:— A return moved for by Major Lambert, showing the name of persons and the quantity of laud forfeited by each of them, for non compliance with the 7Sth clause of the “Auckland Waste Lauds Act.” Correspondence, moved for Major Lambert, as to the establishment of Courts of Petty Sessions. Correspondence, moved for by Mr. Buchanan, with reference to the erection of alighthouse at Ahuriri Bull. Return, moved for by Major Lambert, with reference to the road between Waipawa and Waipnkuran. Return of sums expended under the Loan Appropriation Act. rdiiion. Mr. Buchanan presented a petition from Mr. 11. Biviugaii, Puketapu, praying the Council to take into consideration the loss of 31 acres of ground, which lie had sustained by the compulsory removal of fencing at Puketapu, consequent on the confusion in surveys there. The petition was read and received. (Jencrul Govern,neat Charts. Mr. Fi:iui!i> obtained leave to postpone his question on this subject until the motion of confidence had been gone into. 1 ' <>lc Of Co'ilJlJxuCO. Mr. M‘Li; an, pursuant to notice, moved— That, after recent expressions of opinion, the Covcr’iment consider that, betore pro-c-eding further with the conduct of (iovernmont business, it is necessary to ascertain whether they have the confidence or not of a majority oi the Council; and, with this view, nunc that the Council hereby expresses its coiitidence in the Government. The position of the Government now was such that they considered it necessary, before proceeding any further with the uusiness of the session, to ascertain u Itciher or not they possessed (he confidence oi the Council. They could not carry on fheir duties either with satisfacI’.on to the province or credit to themselves d they were not certain that (hey w-re in the majority : and in a late division they had not (hat majority. No douol some of the members who voted on (hat occasion were led away by (lie names on flic proposed committee, without full consideration of the consequences of (heir vote, lie did not doubt that (hose members Would place themsebvs in a proper position when (hey saw the full consequences ol the vole —how it would injure himself as Superintendent and in the of her capacity m which lie represented the public of this province, ruder these cirmnnsiances he considered (hat the most trail!-: and candid course the (b.ivernmoui e'udd adopt was to come at one: 1 before the Gouncil and ask if (hey possessed ‘hen' conhdemv. It. had been said —not "bum the Council, but elsew here—(hat tlieGovermneiit.were ghululThe present opportunity 'o make iheir escape from 1 lie difnmihies of (heir position ; bui he could sav Chat oicU an idea had inner < ccurred (o them. They had retained tln-ir position ‘hiring imies «>! tar more diiiieuiiy and perplexity than the present; and would. ad!ume to it as long as th.-v possessed the eo.nhdcnce of the Council, lie (hnu.ghl the position of the Province would n..t. now contrast, unfavorably with (hat of O'! hers in the Colony, and that as (he Govi vmneiit did not shrink from their position during times of much greater diiiicutiy, it was not likely that thev weald do s:o new. It had id way's b< eu the endeavor of (lie Government to conduct the business of the province with prudence and economy : they had neither spent the tv.O.' is a i fj-ni nor sacrificed it tor a present advantage, bui had carrmd (he promnee through till they "ould disiiose of it on (lie lies! p-vssi-hie terms. They had hitherto succeeded m keeping Hie tax-gatherer from (he door, and would probably do so for smiie time longer. As far as his personal feelings "ere concerned, he was ’perfectly prepared 1 o mmd over (lie reins of Government. and he w as glad (hat. there were in the Gouncil abb' and intelligent members, competent to carry out the duties of Government. 1 h''action of the Government was not. taken, as he had heard it said, from pettishness: hut simply from a sense of what was due to them. Ju every matter afi'eeting the interests of the province he and Ids .Executive had worked together fairly ami earnestly ; they had held to their post through times of diiiieuiiy and danger: and now that these diliiculties had disappeared, ana pence and tranquillity prethey could hare the satisfaction of reflecting that they had been more or less instrumental in bringing it about. They considered the position of the province such that, whether they continued to hold the reins of office or yielded them to others, they could look to the past with satisfaction, and to the future with hope. (Hear, hoar.) Mr. Hu cn am an exceedingly regretted 1i) >oc llio in tl 1 *' 1 in

which it was placed—that in an assembly of this nature they coma hud no one to propose a vote of confidence in them except one of their own number. Tiny were, in fact, proposing n vote of confidence in themselves: and though it was only human nature to bo self-confident, he thought this public exhibition of the failing was hardly calculated to raise the status of the Government in the eyes of the Colony. Surely among the members there was a supporter ot the Government who would have undertaken that duly, and it would have come with much greater delicacy troni such a member than from the Government themselves. He was aware that the support given to the Government in Council was simply owing to the confidence felt by the majority of members in the gentleman at the head of the Government, and this on account of his own personal qualities. NM man, he would admit, | was more skilful in the art of making ! friends; and all must acknowledge his j suavity ol disposition and urbanity of , manners. Glider the shelter of this gentleman the Executive reposed in safely; behind his Atlauteim shoulders they took refuge, and from (hence sent forth their darts : and. vvli.-n they themselves canie before the Gouncil they always dragged his Honor in as part and parcel ,-f themselves. Now he maintained (hat the .Superintendent and his Kxecuiive were altogether distinct and divisible; that the Gouncil ought to dissever them when i onI sidering iheir actions ; and he intended to ; close with a motion to that effect. His Honor, in the remarks he had just made, : claimed credit for singular prudence and I economy. On this subject lie would take ; issue with him, Ibr lie denied die .- ial emeui intoio. This was met a jilting occasion to j go into figure:- ; but he would m.i ;>lii,w it |" pass unquestioned. His Honor had , in elleci, said that In- had not squandeivd the loan as he might have done ; while the ■ truth was that he had spent every half- ; penny ot it that lie could raise. Fora ; long lime (he loan was utterly unsaleable, and when at last it became possible to dispose ol it, before it was 'sold they had spent a great portion oft he money. 'The-,' l had spent over Iff Mh f) of; he loan and (lie balance they Ibund in (he Treamirv, and I what had tfi-y to sine,-, for i! 1i is Honor had relenvd to important changes to take place in the Government; but of what ; character t hese changes w ere no < me k m-w. it was certainly clear (hat whatever thev ; might be the pitn inee would get no uii-r.i i assistance from the Goner.;! .\.----mhiy. ; J here was no chance ofany m<>re h■ me. and I whatever money was raised in future must ibe by taxation, it warn m preparation for this change that he had said that iffl ( mmed ought to set its non.-e in order, and with that distinct view he moved for Hie finance committee. The fi'i.mieia! statements might have been perfectly correct —he had his own opinion on that >ub jeet but there was nothing ot!e;n-ive to (he Government in (he Gmm.-ii asking- to j investigate them for itself. The Govern- | incut at (lie time admit ted (he impart ialif v loi the committee; they did not -a-g.. they j would make it a ! b.veimment m Ikm ; j and it was evidently ;m afier-tlio.i git. to | obtain a kind of v..‘te of approval front ihe Commit of idi t hid it hid ({.,(!(• tor lim years it had been in oi'ie.•. Such a vote he was no! prepared p. vivo. lie wmild move as an amendnieui ‘hat aii (he words | iilivi' " fin’d 'be si ruck out, win; view i to the insertion of tlm words, “(ifisCmni- | eii uniotaias fi s eonii-1.-nee m t!m Suoeriii- : (emieut. j iho iniieudment did not find a seconder. | Mr. lm:!'\i:n objected to Hie torm oftho i motion before (he Hoit'-". as it was not property expressed. It said "the Govern, i Hi-'lit consider. It .-.liouid lie in such a lorn, as to snow 11k' opinion o! the Gk'imcil. and mg of the Government alone. Mr. Gaio.von -mid that, imvauso (lie Gouncil had eonlidenee in (heir Superintendent. it did not follow necessarily that it had confidence in ins party, lie- thought tna! the (■•'vermn'm'. had no right to put such a question to liw House, ft was the first time he had ever homed ot a Government. moving a vole of eonti lenee in themselves. They reminded him oi’ n baby going to its 'father and saving. Pa. do you love me?" (Laughter!’ If the Gouiied tell no confidence m the Goverument, they would have exjiressed themselves to that effect. It was an unwarrantable course that had been adopted by the Government. Instead of working w ith (lie Gouncil. and following the wishes of the majority, they came before them and | said, “ o will stop (lie business of the ! “tossi'cn til! you pledge yourselves to eon- ! iidenee in us." It was not the right of | the Government to ask a deliberative ns- ! sombly such a question : on such matter#fcs i Uio impending changes in the Government I -f i 1... i’M J . , , , jOi HKd k Uium , vwiOiv (nOV iilU T ht JiaVO j been expected to have brought forward I something substantive for the Council. : they had shindy asked for an expression 'of opinion. If they attempted to obstruct | the business of 1 lie Council on every minor matter where they might meet* with an adverse vole, it was evident that they ' wished the Council to bo the mere echo of the Government, and pledged to follow its dictates. He agreed with the member for the (. ouutrv Lbstriet in fi nvi u T ovevv

confidence in the Superintendent person- i ady ; but ho Lad no eouinlcuce in the Go- j vemmeut as a body. However lie might | vole on the amendment, lie would cerininly oppose the motion. | _ Mr. Tann:;u could not think the mo- \ tion before the Louse a necessary one, i ([Lear, Lear) and was sorry that I he Go- | rernment Lad taken that view of (he case ' At the time ol the di.scus.sr.ni on tlie motion , for a committee he had not seen anything | like a lioslile intention to the Government in the action of the member for the Country District; and since reading the report in the newspapers lie was more than ever confident that he was right. That gentleman had said that lie had nut aslied the opinion of a single member on the subject; that he was not actuated by any motives of opposition; and that he thought the proposed committee only ill and proper in consideration of (lie important changes impending. He felt saiisiied (hat this was the view the Government look of the matter : and it was apparently the view taken by the Government. 1 lie member for i 01 unguium was (he 'Only gentleman on the government beiiehes v. ho spoke on the subject, and he admitted (Inilthecommiltcc 1 nas iandy consiitub d, Tin only gne Hon raised was. v,diethyl' the onestioii wnid l L., more fairly e.nisidered by the whole house, or by a select eonimittee, the great ohj rtion against the (bmnT being that it nugh> tread on saiueb.ody's corns. Uiitliis He member for idonmgahau very bravely oaeivu to bear Ins lull share oi tbe o liam v liieli might a! tueh oi ibe menders on t ins uecouni ; and he (Mr. Tanner) was smv lliaf no member t bought the Government considered the vote very serious. As i .bat memoer had mu, u h, a we made hr- bnaneiai si at emeu i . I li at tin.' ' *■>', , m me: i t a on!■! mlord all advantage and : uppurl to He-Goum-il in making reductions in the c:HmrU's, lee (Air i aimer! hail voted with ; i ui' l u>veminenl on t his occasii.in, l hink 11ia Ihid where all were working lor the uvnerad go.,d the mallei' was of very slight ha- i I’orlance. He thought the Government ■ should always attend to llie wishes ol’ a i majority. Me should consider it a piece ! ol coni'cit on bis <jw n ’part if lie were to j 101 l a majority (bey were m the wrong. If' (his question was pressed lie would e,-!e i to retain Ihe G overnmenl in (heir position, ! as he lead every eonlidenee in their in- : (cgrity aiuMionesty of purpose; Government V' oiiiu be to willidr;iw ii, as ine Comicii ci a ltd im! pass sucii a mot i. >u w iilioiit conipromivin.; lliei,r<iw u die,nil v. b.ienl .-Cot me! V\d' it.mi u;;: hoped ihe, ( oiis.Tmiii'iit would withdraw (he motion, lie wool ; be extremely sorry to see Hie Government nv. rl brow u ; hui he fell that i hi- moiion was very unfair to imlepcmleat members, in a genera! way he would go great lengths (o -'uppori (he Government ; ; but he mind dibf.T iVom them in tins iv- ; spoil. H was not fair [day lor the Go- 1 veruiuenl. esjiceially when this imition w;ta : disl a - letui to their own followers to eram i! down die throats of members. .11 e did ; no; believe any member under,good that : "hen the division -was taken upon (he' motion of the member for the Country ; ib'lrud. the Government intended to stand or lull by it. j So had supported the j Govm nmeiil ‘amply '■■ , e:m e In iboiojit n preierabie (o discuss t!ie ip.ie iimi of re- j dnetn-ii ui open (dounci!. The only member ofthv Government who si ■,!o'on tbal occasion gave no imlieaiien of their ' mteiiium iu emmidiT dm <piesti:m \- n ri uy , ‘■■erioiis liglil. It was a pj;v tbe ('.mm-ii i irrl not liefoiv this lime ado; (ml resumed- j Me > hiverniiienl.. for it v ou!d ham'- pre- : ven I ml an oceurrctice like lids, i'mler ibat system, if (be Government thought am; : vote hostile tliey Labi only to wall; over to the other side of Hie house, and! see if other genii, 'men could fuliii their duties ! oelter. .those others certainly would not wait ten days before (hey staled their ojdnion upmi any vote. Tbd question hud heeii derail wiln by the Commit entirety on iis own merits, mu;, it Cav ('UVcniiiiciii wishes! to make it a vita! question thev Humid first iiave as'md lb, Couneii to rescind it. I f any(long won!,! provoke (he Council into hostile aeHm against the Government, then - preseni course would; and as this mie passed throne,l; their own neglect, they should lie content to stiller (he cmiseipmnces. He wished to know "hat security Hie Conned had that on every occasion when an adverse vote was sustained hy (he Government, on a Hi- 1 vial subject, they would not come down I with, a vote ol eonlidenee. On this occasion tliey had said little or nothing at the time, hut haul gone away, ami, it appeared, got more and more angry every day ; until at last they came forward "and "tvnresented tue vole as a land ot stall in ihe dark. ihe Government had'enrried I lie mailer to far too great a length; but he supposed that if they pivsseeMt lie 3i iu-d submit with what grace he might. Mr. Fin:.\t:n agreed (hat the course the | course the Government had taken would press hard on those members who wished to be their supporters, die thought it I was not only unnecessary lint improver, ns bringing forward a motion which ought properly to proceed from the Council "’itself. ilc complained that the Govern- ! ment had not (rented the Council with 1 that consideration which was its due. ain't :

JUVaS'.-tl SO LU yi'■V■ : ■ , - ; -;| ■ . : 110 could hut help iv r ‘;! i’.;:;-, c ; . they had adopted ..h-...m petulance. Me. Vdo-on was unite in a 1 r-. - ■ { , l-eo-a what hail given rUe to l!-.;; 1-; ... lie dill tailed to ;v... the ccu-c .y yd m : lie huii voted for Mm emmmMre : lie eousideivd that ;;;<• ...id i , hotter con-ddeied hy ;i i d e; ... un-inhers ni, iir<!, than h- , ... and im this point alone -d : h; ! .ny, (iieiuu hear.) MM- i .-d , ■ ~y; ; • d k... Uicili )ia,! s:ll(! 1H M d., ~ ••, ■ . .'■ eil had jpven iuhl.: . lilcul. hul. however ■ - ■, . ■ ■ have heeii unaware*;.. : , ■ • no! ix-en eiven in an. d .d, ;• lived, it was on the d-, : . . . ’ ■ , , , her tor ■ ■ : . ' a. hie amahyunation o" , , , y Ibr the motion. y . a ■ was unfair to ash ih • . ’ ! . ■ a resolution. Hut if i , ■ , a , . . the follow in,"' woi;!>.l im ; : .. .. .. . do it in.—•• Wild. >u. ,v ; : •••;• . Ihi lie; lias deem IV- 1 :) i. nniit in lh(* (.*' Ui ; e . . 1 -■■■ ■ ■ , , h . d. ine i ■'oi ci'imiei;i. !. ; ,o ' Si ■ll i ill. iV,- ( ills a - iv y read it ;a. ae d -a.d ad.... s ,d ; 0.. war.' ten . nriiem ; die Ves-.iiiii 1' - ’d - ; I .. m idle ie,d, 'a’ iVI-ied i- . ■ ; io < iii* Ida ml . liTel.l w <>;'d ■. ■■ ■ i . Air. ihe .. ... k 'k, ; k‘ Uiis in--ani : : ; lathe ( M-Vernm. "e i-a 1 :. I-.-.: ; - ’ ]n ej-are the e--*ii ■nv. ■ - i •; * ~ ; e-.idd not >ei* - d a , e hy anotli.- p- . d ~, i , j-ai’tiiuai!,- h .ed: : e ai onance c-naad: . e ~i ■ tlial the C -v, a lu’ees.eirv ahdd ■ ;,, ■ ■■ a ill! that it V ; 'e 1 : i he’ll hy :i r-io ,e. his iia I)it. i!-a a . .. - oiiired. and - da; , a- , ■ llieiiisclves ui' , .... a'lifiiy and j-iani iii-n i.i-i .r ■ .. i , y : . ... M;pl l!leir i a ■ i , - : site, and i-,iHid: .-.t , - p . •,. Inippy oyo. r • - d - ■ ka v imahi peri! : ■ ’ : ■ 1 • -,' eoi 1 1 1 1 e.\ i a ..d ; ■ •: : a ■- • . sheller of a a : ■ • , : ; ■ ! l . >1 I 1 >l‘ { jL ' ' ' ■ • , , \j j. V■ ; 1.. ... : a' _ oyj-osii i. ■; ■ - Hie Is ih'W iha i ;h. :; 1 .... man a li-> demeea.■ ; ’■.■e. ied. -vy. iiuii. !ieV,■"d i" a. e !kn” ...’'mk'ikik 'k'I’"r tor tiie rdeo.i;;, ; ; : d; .pa ;kiti.leiice e-f .die id-ina:! a.s h, ,n.- ; ...y. . 111 iSle Siineid.-i’d-^ed,’ni ; !. a- hd ; that the d oinn i) . n y lidi'iici* in ;l'e : .see.-;;-, y end Mid. ' i weiv amply v.erllr; ei it. y,: - ;r .- V:! ;d’ (hey ooul-l >'« adi ime-i.v: -e,!,y ...ad.maud a nmy-ed aer.-.e. -aiy -■ ■ eullld li<>.‘ d:-d:n' oe.-s-; .'.aind:. •*. - any h-.-t i-, y y, I-. y| ; .... aiuendm* ;d -p.’, i, • -■ i i-,-, . ... .... the dddc’dd.a no ; nd ..yyk mnk'd- kk 111!' 1 'oil!; eil ind I ; vi;'. -I a y .... . ... jKisitHHi ofaiynM nndd •- : a, e, ean e-d That, hi Ml I ■yy , , d..- ~ . ... conuniitea, : d : .. e ~y r. a a.,:: a. >' express rt s Mae: .e,' ; ., ; -y.y ... y.. y mcnl. oriyinnl ni- a.f: a a: re : ■-■■■ ' oi Jiatiery. and Me* m me, . m Mkaya.m had not made ii ear -hy r.y .m : yo-:-iny the fovi-i. Maior t. me; ;---- s- 'v- 1 ed - rnudm'-vy ■ o, ... dm. , nut isT. J ; ■. . ; ;. ■ !- _ I: e, niitiee. ] i:.* a-n.yi.y ;a. ; .y 0 ; y... Council to im--,. ,■ ; y-.,-v. 0 * Hie I’rovim e moe M • y - ■ y.,, estiinale.- ' mm.. ; ;i. y ’e.

Jcadmg member of (be Executive Lad made a ion/; iiuair*.*ia! statement; but lie would defy any member lo follow that gentleman through Ida explanations. He wished to cxamiue the estimates for the I’ui lit- Liiai jdUrjjL/oi.' vJi 11 il V» £ls possible to curry on uus vjrOverauiC-iit of the province, in its present form, for .. If.. A ~_.x . ....... !v Hi lu uf iuijmiu iiv ... Wltliulit dllO e id(elation, and lo break down in the middle, iio also wished to know, if it did come to an end, what we would get in exchange for our Superintendent. There were few members out ot the Government who were well acquainted with the circumstances of tiie J.'ruvince —few who had proper opportunities ofq ascertaining the ways and rue; 1 us,—and it was such matters as these that he was anxious to learn, lie thought nicre were very few members who knew how much of the loan remained unexpended. They had hoard that the bank overdraft would probably exceed £2,0110, but they did not know at what date. [Air. Oii:.!ui\U said these matters could easily I e ascertained by reference to papers on the tabic.j This was his position, and he thought also that of many others. He 1; It hurl at the position the Government iiad I ak-eii: and they were altogether too late yvd-i Ilnur obi.'.m !. Ly,"t; he thought 'hey vre very dilllcult to please. The Executive did appear, as had been said, to bill back behind his Honor the SnperiutemkmE and lake advantage ot his sdvmdli. .Supposing that ljj i s motion should pass, what guarantee would the Council iiave (hat the Government would not .to the same thing the next time anything might happen that they did not quite approve of? There was too much lendenev lo take everything from the member fur the Country District as opposition, ami accordingly to oppose it on lin'd ground. He believed (lie member for l or.mgahan was quite capable of conduct mg (he business of the province; but lie was unfortunately so headstrong that he mm i have Ids -mm way. Un (he least ditfnnilty or opposition, up would go his bru t !es, an,! he would not go on. (Laughtor.,' The gentlemen who formed (he .L:\ecuLve, were sill, he believed, ijuite capable of performing their duties well, ami Micro ere few others in the Council who couid spare as much time to attend to them ; and his 11 omn* did not forgot to take credit to the Government for what they laid done. .Now, he admitted that they ab owed the Government, a debt of graiilud- for wind they bad done for the pro , i,ic*l ; bui, u seemed to him to he consider; d iy lemoned by their habits of ren r'-.eg so u. They could not always fall back on these services. The Government, should be guided by the majority of ihe Council. He behoved that if members had thought a crisis would bo the result of ihe motion, they would have voice, ihe other nay. The Government, however, i.no notice at the time, wr.d member's, he uebeved, voted independenily. and without party Deling, lie kil'O'.u .i the member for Wairoa in wish nig that the Government had not thought ii necessary lo stand upon their •.input v. lie remembered the member for iViaiig-ilnm saying that lie should feel Ilium tinted if the commit tec was appointed, by ( be rnaniu'!’ in which (he position of his friend the Superintendent had been lowt red in the colony. Now, much as he CUajoi Lambert) admired a good Samaritan u ho I 'would pick up a fallen man. lie could not admire (lie member for IWaiigahnu ; for he thought lie was rather below the time. 'The good name of (.he Superintendent would not ’be lost by a simple affair like this : and lie thought that ii' his Honor iniLi .bad a greater fall than (his ho would net need ihe lion, genllenmu’s assistance lo un k him up. lie should like lo know more v. it ii respect to the changes in the in Lure. He did not wish for any change until he knew what we were to get msteau ; and if his Honor was bound to go out v.ith the Government, be should certainly oppose it. if the General Government vx vc to appoint a gentleman to Mm head of the Government, he would reqmre to lie possessed of the utmost ability ami firmness, or lie would be the slave of the General Government on the one hand, or four or five gentlemen in the province on Lie other, under whose government' lie (Aiajor L.) should net at all like to live. Ho thought lie had said all that was necessary on the •mbjccl. and would non wait to see what would be the result of the motion. I-.fr. OuvroKO said that the remarks he “g ..*>•>' g ' ■ - ._*““g '’ * * *,l more strongly the necessity of this motion being put to the vote. The member for the country district was now not alone in the expressions lie had used about considering the Executive as separate and distinct from the Enivi’intendcnt. The Government had unit odiy eomo to the conclusion to 'press tins question in its present, form, not with a view to self-glorification; LiUi simply vTitli a view to know —what they had’ a rcvfoet right to ask what their reed position with the Council was. Much had berni said about the ten days winch were suiicrcd to elapse between the . * i‘l - ! _ . 1 i 1 /-I _ , j 1 w v ui;- uj liij '.uie Luv \.«L»vC*r:iUivin wi) iiig:r ]*;>si 1 ioi‘> i.liciv was ( \ six' v d r ‘:ms. for :his delay, and il was

simply (Ids—that, at the time, bis Honor the yupermteiident had for his guest his Excellency the Governor, and his Executive thought it would not be well to bring forward a question which might result in iiiii Honor COliiJjCjit'U tu pia.CC ilia resignation in the hantis of his Excellency while he was a guest in his Louse. As lor ui vul IIiLIL LiiL'y Xiclvi LtiiLvii LCi_L Llaj. LU liiaiiU Up lUcir ililliUb, il \\ 115 11 UL true, for the vote had no sooner been come to than the whole Government saw its necessary consequence. His remark on a previous occasion that the committee was a fair one, was simply referring to its constitution, and not to its principle. After the explanation generally given as to the vote arrivcil at, the Government might have been willing to accept the amendment of the member for Hampden,but could not think of accepting any motion which would separate the Superintendent from his h .xecutive. The member for Waipukurau said plainly that the Executive only received the support of the Council through the Superintendent; but lie had not the manliness of the member tor the Country I)istrict, who came forward and proposed a motion to that effect. His Honor had already said all tliHt need be advanced on the subject ; hut one or two tradielion. The member for Waipukurau had said that he could not follow the liiianciai statimient, and did not know anything ot the position o r the province. 11 this was the case he pitied that gentleman s incapacity- He was sure that the explanation of the accounts was so simple that any school-boy of ten years old might have hallowed it. He also appeared to have mixed up ilie bank ovenlraft with the unexpended balance of the loan, it would appear that the member Lad been wandering, and eouhl not grasp the features of the accounts, small as they were, it a gentleman who had once held oliiceas Ih’oviucial Treasurer eonkl not understand the simple details uf the present financial statement, lie could only repeat that lie pitied his iucapaeiiy, and certainly would be unable to assist him. He would now refer to the statements of the member for the country district referring to the loan. v\ Licit could be easily shown lo be inaccurate. Thai member had said the only reason the Government dhl not use the loan was because thev ciinkl not get it. (Air. life nvsax : Except at such a sacrifice as would not be .sanctioned by the Council. Air. Oumoxd : All. you did not say that. Air. tin omvxax : Fifty jut cent.) H that member hail been :iequainted with the subject ho would have known that wry good terms had been made with tlm I nion Hank, lor the loan, and that the loan Lad not beiui realisetl at a time w!um the province was much in want of money, because it must have been at, 100 great a sacrifice. As for the question ul what was due to the Government, that was of course a matter of opinion. The member for the Country DL-tricl had spoken oi iuilLUiiiiiiymg (he Government for past actions by ihe nioiiou. He was not aware 1 that ii would have any rime! in indemnifying them for the past : wind he w auleil to know w a - w hat w as ( heir present position, and it would be wrong to go on with the business before (hey knew how they stood with the Council. Air. Ormond concluded hy explaining, in answer to Air. Ferard, that the Government did not intend expending anv of the un ■>;- pended portion of the kam in is pairing the main roads, but completing them, ami making them fitly available Ibr trailic. Air. llmi.iNAX made a few remarks in explanation, with reference lo the loan. Aiajor Lamukut explained that the member lor Foraiigahau had ingeniously twisted his meaning. 'flic Council then ((> p.m.) adjourned to half-past 7. 'flic Council resumed at half-past 7. Air. Bll'UA.na.\ rose lo move an aim-ud-ment. ft was substantially the same as tin' one he' had moved at, first. and was simply tbe substitution of the word ‘‘AuperiutendeuL" for “Government.” It was perh'ctly clear that the Conned haul c.inliilenee in the tSuperinb ndent, and he was prepared to bow to it in this respei-r; but bis intention in bringing this before the house was to separate the Executive from linn. This was also consistent vv ith a motion which he had given notice to bring on later, for a repeal of the Executive acts, lie wished that the iHipcrbileiiueiil should becL’ino the voice of the Council—became a kind e.f Fixsideui. The Gu-nn.msUu-ed in a form quite uiifereui from the intention of the New Provinces Act. which was, lie believed, that the Superintendent should occupy much the same position as the Mayor of a municipality. Air. Wmstox seconded the amondmeni. Air. Caklvon said that he had said it was not an extraordinary th ug for a (bianco committee to be appointed to consider the Government estimates. He had now taken down, (mile indiscriminately, the first four volumes of the Wellington v ottucil proceedings, and he found that in each session a finance committee had been : j _ a i •. „ -j .1 aua as iu LUitiO vaSi/s jjK»\Vu tor by the Government, and in others bv prh ate members.

Mr. Oi jmon!> was Kltid that the member tor the fouiitrv cl ISt net 1 1 ;i(1 mit i lie motion, in this shape, as the subject was a very proper one on which to test the opinions of the Council. lie agreed with that member tiiat the Councils of the new Provinces had been intended to be merely Boards, and that there had been a great ucai oi nonsense in me manner m Tvuieii they had aped the forms and powers ox higher assemblies. The position of the Superintendent in a Council of eighteen members without an Executive, would, he thought, be a very awkward one—something similar to that of a calf among lions. The Government certainly could not support a vote of confidence in the Superintendent, and not in his Executive, implying that the latter had by their actions lost the confidence of the Council. Mr. Friunn was forced, very much against Ids will, to speak on this subject. He had confidence that the Superintendent and Executive members were the best fitted fur their oiiioe in the Council, and yet from the present position of affairs lie believed he should be obliged to vote against either one or both. The Council v.as placed in this disagreeable position, and would yet be dragged through the dirt in coiiseipucuee oi Hie miseruule petulance ut cue member of the Executive, lie did not wish the Council to be dictated to and kicked by the Executive; he Cuiild not stand it, and as he intended to give the Superintendent, his support, lie should led bound to vole for the amend* UK'ltl, Lieut.-Col. MHimioni: thought that the word •‘Government" in the motion was preferable to “'Operiutendeiu.” He should support the t overmneiil, but under po>(est, alter making every cilbrt to induce them to re-cuimular their action: but he considered they had shown extremely ha*l taste m allowing the Council I** ue dragged in'm its present position. .1 lie matter was far t< >o trivial to justify their action and though he believed that, from (heir former admini araii.m they deserved tlie coufde-ice of the Council, yet Ids teelijig of obligation to them was very much lessened. Mr. Tax via; thought his Honor the bupcrinleiideiil ought to be very veil satisfied with the exiires,--ions of omnion w hich had been g ven in his favor from ail sides oi the house, The member for the Country Hist rich in particular, had passed a eulogy on him which was: as much as any man could wish, and he had been followed in the same strain by almost every speaker on the subject. The question at present appeared to be whether a single nienilii-r ~f ;ho Executive or the whole Council were to pocket their dignity—one or all; he could not defend the net ion of the member who he believed had brougbt at fairs into this position. Where nearly all the members oi the Council were more or less supporters of (In* Goverum*'ii!. he thought the member for Horaugah m must have cast about, for a cm as H TV. though he could not understand bis motive in doing'so : and he considered that the Government s present course tended more than any tiling else to render the Government unpopular. Mr. .CHe.vxi: said that when he voted lor the commit! ee he bad the most implicit eonlidem-e in the Government as al present constituted : hut 1 heir violent opposition to the wishes ol the Council haul since gi'uuly wi aliened that eonluh nee. After (he expressions of e,.niid nee in tiie Superintendent w hieli had been given by nearly every member in the room, the Executive should have taken a middle course ; and, in fact, he believed, they Would have done so hut lor I he ill-advised opposition of one of their mimlier. He believed that- it was lus dulv to support the present Government : ami he had had a struggle between hm self respect eaid bis duty to Ins constituents; but had at last been reluctantly compel!, d to saeriiiee the toriuer, and to be pulU-d through the mire, strongly as he obj.-eted to it. solely to do his duly to the public, lie woald therelore gore his support to the Government. air. Lorn it agreed with the member for To Ante that 1 he Government in this matter should have met the Council half-way, and he was sot ry that they had not done so. lie had always been an cut-aiul-oul supporter ol the Gov.a mneii t, and when he looked back on v, hat they had .'erne for the province, he was proud of it. He would support them in this matter, though it was a pity that (hey had not. withdrawn their motion. Major L.VMr.nuT said that the Government i>ad in this case placed all the memoeis, whether their supporters or not, in a very awkward position. He would vote tor the Government, as he was very auxins to prevent anything like a deadlock. Me tell lus own honor and dignity as a member involved ; but he had a greater teehiig for the interests of the province. If the C lovermnent. pressed the question they would make a grave mistake. Me wished they would withdraw the motion, though lie did not think thev wmtl.l Mr. M'Lean must say distinctly and vuijjuaueaiij umu \% imc c.\|iicsanig ills thanks for the complimonfarr expressions -v— l a: i . 1 r o.T .1 i.i m.o. ut-vu Ji-nai utuj; uuumii. jiv; om-mivi :u 1 utterly powerless without the aid, assn, tauee, and co-operation of as good an

Executive as the Council could afford. !io nitribulnd the compliments he 3sad received as fairly belonging to (hem, for they had borne with him the burden and heat ot the day ; and of whatever credit, might be done to the Government, a fuit share belonged to the Executive. He and they had commenced their duties together, and t'.gi'iua- tney Moliiu elld liieni. .V nog. apprehension seemed to exist that it was the desire of the Government to wound the feelings of the Council; but bo could not sec now it had arisen. The Government did not, as they did last year, ask the Council to rescind any vole that they had passed ; but had simply asked them to state whether they reposed confidence in them or not. He was at a loss to know why the objections of members to the Government were chiefly levelled against the member for Porangahau. He was of ail the members the most indefatigable; he had worked day and night, and often came great distances when his personal interest required his presence elsewhere. He was* very sorry that that member had been personally attacked, and that lie had been blamed for what, if they were faults, the whole Government were responsible for. ft bad been asked why the Government did nut stale at the time that limy wound make this a Government question ; but tin -/ bad no idea that it Mould lie passed, ft was impossible for the Government to know which way members would vote on the question, and Hie Government could not go round and ask. H was only after the vote that they found there was a majority against them. When (hey found licit members bad not intended it as a resolution oi want of confidence, 11 simply asked them to express this in a resolution; and be saw nothing in tins to hurt, ihe ieehngs ot ibeineiub: rs. however relinen they mignt ne. ihe Government bad oover shunned inquiry or scrutiny from the Council, and were always pr,L paivd to give them any information and assistance. if they ienl o(n ■tided (he ‘mined they bad not intended to do su, and v, itli these remarks they placed them•elves unreservedly at the in. wry of (be Council, to do as it considered beat. .fin - amendment That the words proposes to be omitted stand part of flic ameniinuaii, was then put, and carried cm a di\isi<ai, (bo tmes being Messrs, bn* cnanun, Vi rsi.jii, Carlyon. and p. ravd. rue original motion by Ins Ibuioi’ wa--tben pnl aml also carried, the Council tli '■fling with the following result: Ayes, | _• —-Messrs. .McLean. Ormond, b’li-sde-. iviniiedv, Sutton, Wood. -V 1 >eanc, Fei.ud. i.antiten.. Larsons, W, inLiioro. Tanner. I Gibe], and Locke. Goes-. M -Mcesr; iJuehanan. Weston, and. Carlvoti.