HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 403, 13 September 1856, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

August 6. In the absence of the Speaker, from continued illness, the chairman of committees took the chair at twenty minutes past five p.m. CALL OF THE HOUSE. On the motion of Mr. Stafford, the call of the house was discharged, the object of it, the suspension of Standing Orders, having been obtained. COLONEL WYN'YARD'S LODGING ALLOWANCE. Mr. Brodie moved, That in reference to the correspondence laid on the table on the subject of the' lodging money of the officer lately administering the Government, this house is of opinion that iio lodging money ought to be allowed during the time that elapsed between Governor Grey's departure from the colony, and Colonel Wynyard's resignation of the Superintendency. And also that this house is of opinion, that under clause 423 of the code of regulations from the War-office, or Coin*ir.isfariat office, the officer lately administering the Government, holding a civil appointments not entitled to any lodging money allowances. The mover said tliat.it was through a former motion of 'Major Greenwood to vote £200 to Colonel^Wynyard, that he was induced to move this resolution. Colonel'Wynyard, holding the many offices he did at the time—two civil, and two military, had no right to the money demanded, and the "claim was directly in violation of the orders of the Commissariat. It would serve- Colonel Wynyard right if he did lose £200— yes, if he had lost £2,000, for interfering with provincial politics. He might remark that Colonel Wynyard and he had been once, but were not good friends since the commencement of the unfortunate controversy on the question of the Superintenoency. (During the honourable member's statement, he referred to some military ■svork he had in his hand, and in which he said the name of Joseph Greenwood was written.) Mr. Bell said he had. borrowed, this very book of Major Greenwood, and was wondering where it had got m. ■ ■ ' ' ■ Mr. Brodie said be had found it on the table, and, seeing that a certain page was turned down, he took it to look through. Mr. Bell said he would thank Mi. Brodie to return the book to him. Mr. Brodie said Mr. Bell was welcome to it now, es he (Mr. Brodie; had ;made What use of it he wanted. Mr. Williamson- rose to a point of order. The present claim was not for expenditure by Colonel Wynyard as Superintendent, but as Acting-Gover-nor; and therefore the totally irrelevant questions of his late office of Superintendent, and others referred to, had no business to be introduced into tbe discussion (hear). . \ The Chairman ruled accordingly. Mr. Brodie : Weil, if Wynyard lost some £300 he gained £1,400. Who would not willingly undergo a similar loss, turning out so profitable ? (oh ! and order). v The €h.airjiax asked if the motion was seconded ? ; ■ Kct being seconded it was lost. MR. MC CLEAN"'S ACCOUNT. Mr. Brodie moved, That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency, praying, that he will cause this house to be provided-wi: h the dates of all ti:e various items expended as mentioned in the account current of Mr* McLean withH.M. Colonial Government of New Zealand, lately laid upon the table of the House of Representatives, more especially as to advances made to natives, amount- „ ing to. £3.699 18s. fid., as well as a more satisfactory return of nearly £3,000 placed as contihgen cies. The honourable member ma:ie a £e\v remarks in explanation of the resolution, and said (as we understood him), that an expenditure of some 20,000/ was unaccounted for. The Colonial Treasurer said the house had already all the information that the ministry possessed, or were likely to' get out of the items. The accounts were sent in to'the Auditor-General, but ihat gentleman had not yet passed them until he was satisfied that the sums were all for land purchase. All'the 8,000/ was accounted for with great peculiarity. It was certainly a large figure •or contingencies, but 'its expenditure was fully accounted for. Mr. McLean was'-ceriiiinly open to account to the Government for the 3,(i'J9l. ISs. 6'd., for which the account of expenditure was not furnished. - . 31 r. Daldy hoped the looseness of these accounts would tram the Government to see that they be more carefully kept in future. Mr. Bell said the position of Mr. McLean v/as f>ne. of-great difficulty to detect any .misapplication of money, and no oificc-r under Government ever had the use of such largo balances in hand. As to Mr. McLean himself, no one for a moment could question his integrity, or sup;x so that he could be SfuiUy of i'ntei)ii'.n.i!ly misapplying the funds in question; but that v;us no reason"for continuing so

loo.^e a system. Tliere was a large expenditure unaccounted for satisfactorily, and this should certainly be done so far as possible. After a debate on a point of order, the motion, was put to a division, and carried: Ayes, 11; noes, 6. dr. Stratford's letter. Mr. Graham moved that a letter, addressed by Dr. Stratford to the mover, relative to immigration, be laid on the table. This was done, and the letter read. Some discussion ensued, during which Mr. Stafford stated that; in consequence of Dr. Stratford having waited on him, he had appointed a meeting at the Colonial Office, andjhad suggested to the Colonial Secretary to advise Dr. Stratford to send a circular, stating his views and wishes, tg all the Superintendents in the col >ny, they being then all in Auckland.

The Colovial Secretary (as Mr. Stafford had done) pointed out that Dr. Stratford had mixed up matters that took place long before he (Mr. Richmond) came into office, •with imperfect recollections of what was said at the interview in question, though not, as he (Mr. Richmond) believed, with any intention to misrepresent him. He regretted to observe the animus with which so .trivial an affair ; had been taken up against him. Without troubling himself to reply in detail, he might observe that it was simply absurd to imagine that he could have uttered such nonsense as that " Auckland was only a military station," when he had before him the Waitemata, and the numerous bays of its coast. Mr. Graham disclaimed any animus against Mr. Richmond, and said that such rumours, as to what the honourable gentleman had said, having been some weeks afloat, he thought it his duty to bring the matter before the house. NATIVE EXPENDITURE. Mr. Hall moved that the copies of correspondence delating to the appropriation by certain religious bodies, of a portion of the sum reserved for Native purposes in the Civil List, be printed.— Agreed to. STATEMENT pF ESTIMATED REVENUE. Mr. Hall moved 'That this House will not agree to any further votes of public money until there are placed before it by the Government the following statements, viz. ; —(1.) An Estimate of the Gross Revenue for the financial year commencing Ist instant, calculated upon the present Tariff. (2.) A Statement of the items of Expenditure, additional to the General Estimates, which have either already received the sanction of this House, or have yet to be submitted to it by the Government. (3.) An Estimate of the amount of public Revenue, which, after providing for the above votes, will remain for distribution among the provinces.' — Agreed to without any opposition from the Government. RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURTS EXTENSION . BILL. Mr, Mekkiman moved for a re-committal of this Bill, for the adding of further provisions to some of the clauses," including'jan allowance of appeal in'all cases of civil jurisdiction, without any limits .as to the amount contested. A long debate ensued, ar;d resulted in. a division on the question of recommittal, which was negatived: —ayes, 14; noes, 6. The Bill was then reada third time, passed, and transmitted to the Legislative Council. ' ' PROVINCIAL LAWS BILL. Mr. Stafford said the amendments of the Legislative Council in this Bill were of so dangerous a nature that lie* Was at first inclined to move the rejection of the bill altogether ; but as some measure of the kind was really required, and these amendments might, be yet modified, so as to render the bill beneficial, he would move that Messrs. Fox, Ward, and Hall, be appointed a deputation to confer on the subject, with an equal number of members from the other House. —Agreed to. LUNATICS ORDINANCE AMENDMENT BILL. On the motion of Mr. Beckham, this Bill was read a second time, and ordered for committal on the following day. OLD LAND CLAIMS FINAL SETTLEMENT BILL. The remaining clauses of this bill were considered in committee, and read a third time and passed. '

■■'•■■ August 7. The House m-A to=d;iy at fa quarter past 12 o'clock, the Chairman of committees in the chair, in the absence of the Speaker, still detained by indisposition. • . CANTERBURY CLAIM. Mr. Fitz Gerald moved—That an humble address be presented to the Governor praying that he will be* pleased to appoint a Commissioner to act in conceit with a Commissioner to be appointed by the Superintendent of Canterbury, to enquire into the nature of the claim made by that province for the payment by the General' Government of a portion of the debt incurred by the Provincial Government, in respect to the over expenditure of the Canterbury Association in the Land Department, and to inquire iuto the mode ia which such payment (if any should

prove to be due), ought to be charged and paid.-— The! lion, gentlemen explained in detail the nature of the claim advanced by the Province of Canterbury, and urged the justice of the claim. He did not ask the claim to be settled in cash, but to be provided for in the adjustment of accounts. , Mr. Fox seconded the motion. Mr. Stafford had no wish to oppose a full investigation of any just claim. He was not prepared, however, to commit the Government by giving any promise that the claim should be liquidated, even if the investigation proved its justness, unless it were shown that this was a special case, in which the honour of the Government had been pledged. The best plan would be to send a Commissioner who had no interest in the question to make the necessary investigation,—a plan the Government were determined to adopt in all claims of this nature where investigation was necessary. Mr- Sewell moved an amendment, praying his Excellency to place such sum on the Estimates for such debt as had been proved to be due to Canterbury. •Mr. Stafford seconded the amendment, and remarked that it was strange the claim had not beezi previously advanced. Mr. Hall and other members called for a division. Mr. Stafford said he would stand there, if for ten hours, before he would thus be put down by a number of men from Canterbury. Mr. Hall called to order, and deprecated the conduct of Mr. Stafford in thus attacking the members of the whole province. The Chairman decided that Mr. Hall had been first out of order by calling for a division when a member was in possession of the House. Tne amendment was put and carried. GOODS TAKEN OUT OF BOND. Mr. Fox moved —That a return be laid "on the table of this House of all spirits and other goods, wares and merchandise, which have been taken out of Bond at Auckland, during the four weeks ending 7th August, instant, specifying the description of goods, names in which bonded, and names of parties taking same out of bond.—The lion, member said the motion originated from' the sudden and secret manner in which the Customs Act had been introduced. He did not insinuate that any member of the Government would be parties to any transactions of such a nature ; but if transactions of a speculative nature had occurred? prospectively, on any private information in regard to the New Tariff, he hsped the Government would use their utmost efforts to trace out the sources of such information. The Colonial Secretary replied that the returns would be ready on the following day. If people had acted oa any information previously received, in any manner beyond the legitimate routine of bona fide transactions, the parties would be sued for fie suplus duties. . . ' After some general conversation, the motion was put and carried.

...''. August S. The House met at 12 o'clock, when, in the continued absence of the {Speaker, the chair was taken by the Chairman of Committees. A message from liis Excellency enclosed her Majesty's "Proclamation pf Peace. In reply, to Major Greeenwood, Mr Stafford said he did not anticipate, any difficulty as to the expense of the salute of 101 guns, usual on such occasions ; he hoped this colony would not be behind the other colonies in its celebration of this auspicious event; and to-morrow (this day) hejjwpuld move an address of congratulation to her Majesty. Another message enclosed the Customs Duties Act, 1856, with some amendments suggested by his Excellency—which were adopted, and the Act transmitted to the Legislative Council.—ln reply to Mr. East, Mr. Stafford stated that Ministers would, during the recess, enter upon their promised revision of the Tariff, in which work their experience of the new Customs Act (an experimental measure) would doubtless be of great assistance.

August 9. In the absence of the speaker the Chairman of Committees took the chair at half-past 12 o'clock. ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN. Mr. Stafford, pmsuant to notice, rose to move that an humble address of congratulation be presented to her Majesty on the occasion of the establishment of an honourable Peace with Russia. He would not, at this pepcjd of the session, when, within a few days of the prorogation, a multiplicity of important business still remained to be considered, detain the House by any lengthened remarks in introducing the address which he was about to propose for their adoption. That address would convey to her Majesty the assurance of that devoted loyalty which subsisted in no part of herdoniinions more strongly than in. New Zealand. It would assure her Majesty how keen .had been the interest in the valiant actions of their fellow-subjects, how deep the sympathy for their sufferings, how great tlie admiration at their heroic bruvery and fortitude^ with which the inhabitan-.s of this colony ha-

watched the progress of the late war. Her Majesty's faithful subjects in this remote portion of the Empire had indeed good reason to feel proud of the nation of which they were the off-shoot. They had seen their fellow-countrymen, in the face of dangers and obstacles almost overwhelming, maintain, unsullied, and augment that leputation for bravety and heroism which had ever characterised the British arms. Povv nobly had those who were engaged in the late war maintained the old fame of Grea° Britain ! What brilliant daring, undaunted resolution, and unswerving self-reliance'in action— what patient fortitude and unfaltering constancy amidst disease and privations—had signalized the conduct of those actuated by the single feeling that under all circumstances, each man should " do his duty!" How great a share in the heroic work had also been taken by that gentle sex, who—awidst hardships and suffering from which they might well have shrunk —amidst the active dangers of the camp, the still horrors of the hospital—had. regardless of self, lorgetful of '.heir personal comfort and ease, devoted themselves to relieve those who would otherwise have been without relief, to soothe those pangs, that suffering, which it must have been th.'ir greatest pain to witness. For the example tljus afforded, the many lives thus preserved, a debt of gratitude- was due to them wherever the English language was known. The gallantry with which those engaged in it had prosecuted the War, had enabled Europe to obtain an honourable Peace, by means of which a field would be afforded for the display of those talents and energies for which in * peace, as in war, the Anglo-Saxon race was preeminently distinguished ;by the exercise of which they had over-run the*earth and subdued the wilderness, enlarging the liberties, augmenting the comforts and luxuries of mankind, alike by their energ3 r and example, improving the social condition of those, with whom they came in contact, and advancing that progressive civilization which was the distinguishing characteristic of the present age. (Cheers.) He would move the following address :— To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesey. Most Gracious Sovereign— We, your Majesty's faithful subjects, the Commons of New Zealand, in their House of Representatives assembled, desire, upon the occasion of learning from your Royal Proclamation that the war with Russia has been brought to an honourable conclusion, to approach your Majesty with renewed assurances of our attachment to your Royal Person and loyalty to the Throne. * From this remote part of the Empire your subjects have watched with the kneest interest the progress of the great struggle in which Great- Britain has been engaged, have sympathised with the sufferings of their fellow-countrymen, and have rejoiced at the repeated and glorious triumphs of your Majesty's arms. . We wonld add our congratulations to those which will be tendered to your Majesty, from every part of your great Empire, that your Majesty has been able to obtain an honourable Peace, attaining those objects for the sake of which the war was undertaken. We earnestly pray that this peace may be stable and permanent, that it may establish the liberties of Europe and the happiness of its various inhabitants, and that by the favour of Almighty God your Majesty lpay long reign to witness, and rejoice at the blessings which it may be the means of securing to your Majesty's faithful subjects and to the rest of the civilized world. The address was received with cheers. Mr. Fox said he had great pleasure in rising at the request cf the hon. member at the head of the Government to second this motion.. It was not often that, as an active member of the opposition, he was able to address her Majesty's representatives in this House in complimentary terms, and it was therefore an agreeable diversity to be invited to aid in addressing complimentary language to her Majesty herself, towards whom, in common with every colonist, he entertained sentiments of the deepest loyalty respect and esteem. Like all others he had taken a d<-ep interest in the great contest which had convulsed the powers of Europe—an interest which he would not have taken had it been a mere straggle for territory, to maintain the balance of power, or to gratify the diplomatic pride of some great minister of state. The war had been rendered necessary by the attempt of the Czar to destroy the liberties of Europe and to constitute himself the Dictator of the world. It had been in fact a s-tru^gle between centralization carried out by irresponsible power on the one hand, and local self-government administered by the people on the other. The glory which the aim of the British soldier had won for the nation was no new topic of congratulation. At Poictiers, at Cressy, and at Agincourt—on the fields of Ramillies, of Ondenarde, of Malplncquet, and of Blen-heim-^-again when descending from the lines of Torres Vedras, he rolled hack the tide of invasion on the plains of France—on the heights of Abraham and on Gibraltar Rock, on the arid bnnks of the Sutledj, and amidst the jungles of the Ganges, the courage of the British soldier hud won triumphs for tlie British name and made it glorious. But never

had his courage jbeen manifested more than iti the late struggle, not only in the face of the foe and in the body-to-body fight, but in war with the elements, with famine, with disease, with all the wretchedness to which the civil departments of the army, disorganized by a long peace, had subjected him; circumstances which demanded a far higher courage, a far sterner moral discipline, than did the mere courage of the strife. And now' when the Alma still rolls red with his blocid—when his bones lie whitening on the heights of Inkermann—when the world has not yet done wondering at the heroic valour with which he faced the fiery hail of Balaklava—and when the meteor flag of England, planted by his hands, floats proudly above the shattered palaces of Sebastopol—now is indeed a fitting time to congratulate her Majesty on the success which has attended the deeds of her army. But though the triumphs of war were glorious, the triumphs of peace were more glorious. No subject of her Majesty rejoiced more cordially than herself at the return of peace, none felt more happiness in contemplating the peaceful progress and advancing prosperity of the nation ; and it was becoming that the youngest and remotest of the colonies of Britain should thus tender its congratulations. He seconded the-motion with the greatest pleasure. (Chesrs.)^ The motion was put and unanimously agreejtto. Mr. Stafford then moved that the address he signed by Mr. Speaker, and by him presentecVto the Governor, with a request that his Excellency would procure it to be laid before Her Most Gracious Majesty. Agreed to. All the remaining business on the orders of the day was postponed, and the House adjourned at 5 p. m.