NEW PLYMOUTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 260, 28 April 1855, Page 5

NEW PLYMOUTH.

We extract from the Taranaki Herald the following letter from His Excellency the Officer administering the Government to the Superintendent of New Plymouth with reference to the Native disturbances in that Province. New Plymouth, 7th April, 1855. Sib, —I am directed to acquaint you that it is with extreme regret the Officer administering the Government finds that his unwearied exertions during his sojourn at Taranaki have failed to secure that happy result (so earnestly ! aimed at from a visit to this settlement) on the minds of the surrounding natives connected with the feud that has been so long existing amongst them. At one time he was in hopes, by the support of the bulk of the chiefs, to have arrived at a conclusion that would have been satisfactory to ail; but the absence of a feeling of subordination or deference to the British supremacy on the part of a few, has convinced his Excellency -that any prolonged exertions ou his part would only lessen the influence the European authorities ought to have. And whilst he much laments this conclusion he has the satisfaction of having ascertained from personal enquiry that the'reports made by yourself and'the Resident Magistrate have been fully borne out, and that the present state of the settlement of Taranaki is one calling for the earnest and serious -consideration of the fostering care of the Imperial Government. During His Excellency's stay no time has been lost to meet any emergency, aud while contemplating a negotiation with the contending natives, steps have also been taken to prepare for military occupation- His Excellency will consider it his duty to represent to the coming Governor, and also to the General commanding in chief the urgent necessity which appears to him to exist for a force being stationed at Taranaki, such as may \,not only protect the European inhabitants, but support the British authority.

With this feeling His Excellency feels the propriety of stationing in tbe Proviuce of New Plymouth a considerable detachment of troops (considerable in reference to tbe force detailed for the colony) which coupled with local exertions may in his estimation be sufficient to secure tbe object in view. If therefore a detachment of 300 men, supported by guns can be supplied for this post, it'will be the duty, as he believes it will be the disposition oftheitrhabitants, (under the peculiar position of the mother country) to lend their cordial aid by the formation of a local corps, for the arming of which he will use his utmost endeavours to secure the necessary supply of weapons and ammunition, provided such a force be placed under the authority and command of an officer enjoying the confidence of the General Government. I am to add that His Excellency will be pleased to receive from you a nominal return of such settlers as may wish to enrol themselves for the sake of self-preservation, and for the purpose of acting in conjunction with Her Majesty's forces when placed in position, and for which purpose ;no unnecessary time will be lost, although this moment may be considered most unfortunate—a moment when the military of New Zealand are undergoing a change in disposition, although not in actual numbers. A copy of this communication, as also a copy of His Excellency's enquiries during his stay in Taranaki, will be furnished to the Secretary of State, and laid before the new Governor on his arrival, and I am directed to add that any suggestions the constituted authorities of Kew Plymouth may be disposed to introduce to his notice shall meet with his best consideration. His Excellency from bis enquiries, does not apprehend any immediate annoyance to the inhabitants from the existing state of things, although at the same time he thinks it advisable to leave his admonition that the Europeans should studiously avoid all interference whatever with the differences existing between the Natives, in order that they may have no cause whatever to justify any, even the slightest, molestation. The feeling of the inhabitants has so far merited his highest approval, and from their display of forbearance he attributes the all but universal attachment of the natives to the settlers ou the soil from whom they derive so many and such substantial advantages. His Excellency has requested me to draw your special notice to the cordial support and candid information he has, during his sojourn received fro.n Tahana, Raniera, and iTamata Wiremu, native assessors, in whom the utmost confidence he considers may be placed. He also wishes me to remark that the feelings of William King have been decidedly for peace and for the preservation of a good understanding with the Europeans; and that even Kata- ■ tore-has been anxions to assist him in his undertaking so far as to relinquish to the Crown the boundary in dispute up to the Mangoraki river. Ihaia has also evinced his desire for peace, thus reducing the numbers positively inimical to an adjustment to a few in the Huoh Pah, with whom, however, Arama Karaka has now announced his disposition to unite. F.J. Traveus, Private Secretary. To His Honor the Superintendent, New Plymouth.'' The editor of the Herald remarking on his Excellency's visit to the Province, concludes with the following observations : — "The entire absence of all regard by the natives of these districts for British rule, and their systematic defiance of all legal restraints have, .-we. understand,-produced a profound impression on his Excellency's mind, and are considered as most menacing facts in.estimating the danger of our situation. It is impossible for any ore accustomed to tbe power of constituted authority and the sanctity, of British law to realize the prostrate position of this Province under- tbe Native yoke. The permanent supremacy of the law within the settled portions of the Province is, it is understood, next to a care for_ our immediate safety, the object of Col. Wynyard's solicitude, and its establishment in this hitherto unprotected settlement, will bind its inhabitants, in a debt of gratitude to His Excellency that will not be soon forgotten.'' We learn from a private source that 200 m3n belonging to the 65th regiment on duty at Wellington were to proceed to Taranaki hy the " Nelson," under the command of Major Murray and Captain Meyler.

enquire into the causes which had led to his removal, in order to guard against any despotic rules that might grow up, If such a system prevailed, no man of position or character would condescend to hold office. Dr. Dox.vld followed on the same side. He thought unless offices like these became vacant with the tenure of the Superintendent's office, a great evil might arise by an unfair exercise of patronage duriug the last year of his holding office. Mr. Hall briefly replied, but made no objection to the motion. - Mr. Hamilton said he had given notice to ask the hon. gentleman several questions having reference to Public Works. He desired to assure him he had no desire to obstruct the business of the house, but simply to bring the whole subject under the notice of the members. The questions had reference to the Jetty at Lyttelton, the ferry at the Rakaia, and the road to Timaru. Mr. Hall said he could only repeat again that the delay arose solely from the utter inability of the Provincial Engineer to pay attention to the various works under consideration. A surveyor was now at Timaru, and as soon as ■ possible that road would be laid out. As re- | garded public works generally, he thought that | as the learned member for Lyttelton (Mr. Sew- j ell) had already given notice for a committee on j the Surveys, the two might very properly be united. Mr. Sewell thought the subject of surveys far too important tojleave to a select committee; indeed, the object he desired would not be attained except by a committee of the whole house. Their means of obtaining reports from select committees were necessarily imperfect, and if evidence was required their report would be far too meagre to be satisfactory to the House. They were about to consider the Waste Lands' bill with which the surveys were so intimately connected, that no information could be of value unless open to the whole bouse. I Mr. Hall then proposed, and Mr. Ollivieb seconded the nomination of Mr. Fooks to be chairman of Committees.' —Carried unanimously. Mr. Hall proposed that the committee on the Supplementary accounts of the Canterbury Association should be instructed to bring up its report on Tuesday, the Bth May.—Agreed to. Mr. S. Bealet .obtained leave to bring in a bill upon the subject of Education.—The hon. gentleman briefly alluded to the chief points , which called for the interposition of the Govern- ■ inentin the enactment of the Ordinance. He complained that one of the evils they suffered from was their inability to give permanency to their engagements. Hence the difficulty in obtaining talent and skill in the conductors of their schools. The ordinance would of course \ remedy this complaint. Leave was given to i bring in the bill, aud it was subsequently read : a first time. I Mr. Hall rose to ask leave to bring in a Rpad and Drainage Bill. It proposed to establish local boards, which would not only be a better control over the public works, but would be a guarantee for thestrict exercise of economy in the expenditure. It would remove the objection that would otherwise he raised of government influence in the execution of particular works, He thought the people would readily pay the rate, if they were assured that the rale was to be expended under their own direction. It may be urged that the bill would call into existence a numerous class of officials—but this need not be so. The majority of the commissioners would give their services gratuitously, and would act in conjunction with the said engineer. The country would be divided into districts, and the commissioners elected in each district. The honourable gentleman then proceeded to explain some of the leading features of the bill, and concluded by asking leave to bring it in. Leave was then given, and the bill subsequently-read a'first time.. Mr. Hall again rose for leave to brinsr in a Lyttelton Corporation Bill. He said that'if local self-government was essential in the rural districts, it was essentially, so in the towns, and more so for colonial towns than..in any other. He felt it was-unnecessary to-go fully into the measure. The house had affirmed the'principle, at .east, in its sanction to the road bill. The bil. would create a corporate body with power to hoj". property, to-tax itself for all local purpo*e-, and to superintend all matters of internal :in '.erestj.-Hid these werealwaysfarbetterconducted when left to persons who had a local interest iv

them. The honourable gentleman strengthened his arguments by reading documents which had been transmitted from Lyttelton, (the proceedings and resolutions of the Colonists' Society). He contended that there was no force in the arguments which had been advanced that the Provincial Councils were prohibited from constituting municipalities. There were thirteen subjects excepted by the.Constitution Act, but municipal corporations was not-one of them. He instanced the case of Auckland, and proceeded to illustrate his arguments by reference to Sir J. Pakington's despatch. He concluded by moving for leave to bring in the bill. Ma. Bsalev seconded the motion, when a division was called for, and the hill lost by a majority of 1; the noes being 9to 8. We subjoin the division:— * ' Ates.—Messrs. Packer, Brittan, Sewell, J. Bealey, S. Bealey, Donald, Fooks, aud J. Hall. Noes.—Thomson, Barker, Hamilton, Ollivier, Bray, Cooksun, Westenra, Ward, and Aylmer. Mr. HiLi. then moved the second reading of the Extension of the Empowering^Ordinance, which gave rise to a very long discussion, but of so desultory a nature as to render any report of it impossible. The discussion was joined iv by Mr. Sewell, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. S. Bealey, Mr. Brittan, and Mr. J. Bealey. The bill was finally allowed to be read a second time, and the house adjourned. Wednesday, April 25. Present—Messrs. Hall, Aylmer, Thomson, Ward, Fooks, Hamilton, Sewell, Westenra, Ollivier, Barker, Bray, J.Bealey, and S. Bealey. The Speaker in the chair. Rev. J. Aylmer presented a petition from residents on the Peninsula, praying for the retention of pre-emptive rights. Also a petition from D. D. Muter, Esq., both of which were ordered to lie on the'table. Mr. Hall laid on the table a copy of a case which had been drawn up, with the Provincial Solicitor's opinion thereon, having reference to the appropriation by the general government of the proceeds of the revenue arising from the sale of the Waste Lands. A committee was appointed at the suggestion of Mr. Sewell for the purpose of facilitating the transaction of business, and for the accommodation of members, to consist of Messrs. Tancred, Sewell, Westenra, J. Bealey, Fooks, Hamilton, aud Thomson. Dr. Donald moved for and Mr. Thomson secondedjpro forma, the production of correspondence and bye-laws of the Church Property trustees, with a view of proposing an amendment to the Act, if not of ultimately moving for its repeal. Mr. Hall objected upon the ground that the council would only be calling for the production of documents which it had not power to iusist upon. The Trustees were a private corporation and as such could not be compelled to produce tbeir bye-laws. After a few words from Mr. J. Bealey, and Mr. Hamilton, and Dr. Donald in reply, the matter dropped. Mr. Thomson moved the appointment of a Committee to enquire into the working of the Cattle Tresspass Ordinance, particularly clauses 4 tojlljwith power to call for persons and papers. The Committee to consist of Messrs. Westenra, Ollivier, Ward, Hall, Packer, J. Bealey, Sewell, and Thomson, their report to be brought uiron the 22nd May. Mr. Ollivier seconded the motion, and the Committee was appointed. Mr. Sewell asked if the government intended to take any steps in reference to the distribution of the general revenue. Mr. Hall said it was a very important question. Shortly after the Constitution Act came into force, instructions were given to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, directing him to make certain payments, and after that had been done to pay over the net balance to the Provincial Treasury, (Dr. Barker, " No, to the Superintendent:') Mr. Hall—Well, to the province, for if to the Superintendent the province was to have the benefit of it. This system prevailed till the meetting of the General Assembly, when a stricter distribution of the revenue was directed. Sir G. Grey's regulations ceased to operate after the Ist July, when instead of the net balance being paid into the Provincial Treasury, the Commis" siouer of Crown Lands was ordered to pay over to the General Government half the net revenue. There had been large purchases made prior to this date whbh the Commissioner had treated as unavailable deposits until October

In consequence however of very urgent communications trom Auckland calling for the remittance of this money, the Commissioner felt himself justified in considering it as revenue ac> cruing before July 1, and in paying the whole net balance into the Treasury. Since that time a despatch came 'down , fro in the general go-j, verninent in which the act was declared to be* wrong, and a demand has subsequently been made for the payment of 10 or j£ll,OOo,|and the Crown Commissioner has been instructed to withhold all payments until the amount is refunded. The Provincial Government have protested against this view but without effect. Another and a stronger reraonstrancejlias been addressed to the General _overnment on the subject which it is hoped will be effectual. Mr. Sewell said it would probably be better that he should postpone the motion which he bad intended to make ; he would however avail himself of the opportunity to make a few remarks upon the subject. The hon. gentleman proceeded to confirm the observations of the Provincial Secretary. He defended the course pursued by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and stated that the money was paid into the Provincial Treasury with the distinct approval of the general government. But iv February the general government thought proper to go back and revise that transaction ; he could not look upon this course of undoing, what had been before done by its own acquiescence as a quibble utterly unworthy of the character and dignity of the general government. But what was their position in the Province? They had expended large portions of this fund in emigration, and in the construction of roads, and the general government has chosen to upset the whole of these arrangements. It was a breach of faith on the part of the general government, and that was the only language that house could or ought to use (Loud cries of hear, hear.) The money, within perhaps 2 or £3000, was entirely their own, and to take so large a sum as 10 oi £ 11,000 was a virtual robbery of the settlement of so much money. The subject at a future day must be brought forward in a manner that the house could deal with it (cheers). Mr. J. Bealey. asked if it was the intention of the Government to take any steps to limit the power of the Council in reference to the patronage of the government. Mr. Hall replied that the government did not contemplate any alteration so far as the preferment to Government offices was concerned of additional members of that house. Mr. Hall then brought forward the consideration of the government scheme for the disposal of the Waste Lands. We regret we are compelled to postpone till Wednesday the report of Mr. Hall's speech on this subject and the debate which cn s ued. . An amendment was moved by Mr. Sewell—who objected to the discussion of the rate portion ol the bill separately—to this effect, —"That the whole subject of the disposal of the Waste Lands should be considered together and not in detached portions," which after considerable discussion was agreed to by the house. Thursday Evening. There was a very full attendance of members in the Council on Thursday evening. The government regulations for the appropriation of the waste lands were under consideration. A long discussion took place, arising out of a matter of form, as to the mode in which the discussion should be taken. A resolution was proposed by Mr. Sewell, 'as an amendment to Mr. Hall's proposition, " That this council approves generally of the principles of the laws for the waste lands published in the Government Gazette." A division was called for, when Mr. Sewell's resolution was agreed to. The house then went into committee, when Mr. Sewell moved the following resolution, "That the whole scheme for the disposal of the waste lands ought to be embodied in a distinct and direct form in any land regulations to be submitted for the Governor's approval." A very long dehate ensued, in which Mr. Sewell, Dr. Barker,, Mr. Hall, Mr. Packer,and Mr. Hamilton took; part. It was ultimately agreed that the opinion of the provincial solicitor should be taken upon certain points which had reference to the legality of the course intended to bj pursued by the provincial government in the division of their measure, and particularly in reference to the Land Rate Bill. Friday morning. The Council met at 11 o'clock, and went into Committee of the whole house to enquire into the state of the surveys.

' Mr. Cass, the chief surveyor, attended, and was under examination until nearly 3 o'clock. The evidence which that gentleman gave was of great importance. We purpose giving it, if possible, in our next. y, NOTICES OF MOTIONS. ■*' In Committee on the Waste {Land Regulations, Mr. Sewell to move the following amendment to Mr. Hall's resolution— " That it is expedient to settle and define lb j main principles on which the Land regulations should be framed before proceeding to consider the details. If carried, then—To move in committee the following resolutions. That the principles on which it is desirable that the Land Regulations should be framed, are a3 followsI:^— I. That there shall be a uniform fixed price of rural land throughout the Province except in cases otherwise specially provided for. •2. That town land shall be sold by auction with a fixed upset price. 3. That the sums to be paid by purchasers shall consist of two distinct payments—one to be the price of the land ; the other contributions for specific public purposes. 4. That the price of the land shall alone be deemed liable to contribute to the N. Z. Company's.debt and other general public burthens. And that the contributions for specific purposes shall be made payable without abatement direct to the Provincial Treasury, and shall be applicable exclusively to Provincial objects. 5. That the specific objects to which such contributions shall he applicable, shall be, Immigration, Public Works, Religion, and Education. 6. That the proportions in which the funds arising from such contributions shall be distributed amongst such objects, shall be fixed from time to time by votes of the provincial council, and such funds shall he appropriated from time to time by the council. 7. That the whole sums payable by purchasers shall be paid at the time of purchase, subject to exception in particular cases to a limited extent, in favour of persons about immediately to settle aud occupy the land purchased. 8. That in such last mentioned cases, the sums payable by such purchasers as contributions, may be made payable by instalments; security being taken for payment thereof at fixed periods; and security being further taken for such purchasers immediately fencing or enclosing the land purchased, with a sufficient fence, so as to satisfy the .provisions of the .cattle trespass law. 9. That the sumto.be paid by purchasers as the price of rural land shall be 10s. per acre ; and the upset price of town land shall be at the rate of £12 per acre, 10. That tlie sums payable by purchasers for contributions shall be for rural land 30s. per acre, and for town land three times the price at which the same shall be sold. 11. That the principles contained in the foregoing resolutions shall be embodied in a distinct and direct form in any-Lind Regulations to be submitted for the Governor's approval.