Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1869. THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 688, 3 June 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1869. THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

"Were anything more required to bring contempt on the system of Provincial Government pursued in this Colony, surely the proceedings of the Council of Hawke's Bay dur ina - its recent session would suffice to do it, —the time of the session being wasted in tedious discussion on tri\ ial subjects, while matters of real moment where passed almost without notice or comment, and the main work of the Council during sittings often extending far into the night, having been eventually thrown away.

The principal Act introduced this session, was one which has been for Rome years in contemplation—the Sheep and Scab Consolidation Bill The intention of the Government in this measure was to repeal the numerous existing Pro', incial Acts on this subject, and to substitute a comprehensive measure, consolidating their provisions, and making such emendations as experience had shown to be desirable. The Bill was introduced at the beginning of the session, was printed, discussed, committed, and all but passed, when, at the last moment —much to the surprise of some unsophisticated members—it was quietly shelved. What the cosl of this abortion lias been to the public, in time and money, it would be indeed hird to estimate. If it be asked what benefit the Province has derived from this session, we are wholly unable to give an answer. The obnoxious Education Rate is—as the public were sufficiently warned it would be—retained on the statute-book without the slightest modification; the Superintendent has been " whitewashed" of his illegal expenditure ; and another direct tax (temporary, of coim.e) has been imposed on the public—a rate being levied on the water obtained from the artesian well by the White-road. Possibly the Government cannot see it, but it does seem that it wishes to brin* about such an amount of unpopularity as shall result in its overthrow; for this is the third tax they have imposed. Of this latest one, the Government would seem to be' ashamed —or else of the manner iir which they were carrying it through'

the Council—for they excluded the public during part of the time it was being discussed in committee. ISTo wonder, for the member for Clive had just told the Council that the Government intended, without their sanction, to pay over to Mr Garry the sum of .£BO, for which, of course, .they would be indemnified next session ! The Council, however, objected to the expulsion of the reporters and pv.blic, and the doors were again opened; but too late to be of much service, for reporters and public had left the scene. We have always consistently advocated the Provincial system against the schemes of the Centralising party, not however that we have been satisfied with it, more especially as exemplified in the new Provinces, and far excellence in Hawke's Bay. We still believe it capable of development into an efficient and inexpensive form of Government; and as it has the merit of being more in the hands of the people centralist form of Government, we should be sorry to see it abolished while any hope of reformation re mains. But carried on as it has yet been, it becomes an inciibus which can hardly be borne, and threatens to: ' . j make a suffering people cry out for: any change—even be it that of the ultra-centralist party —that promises to relieve them of the evils of the present Provincial system. j