Provincial Council.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 416, 29 October 1856, Page 4

Provincial Council.

I The Provincial Council met on Thursday ' last, at 5 p.m. A message from his Honor the Superintendent was Drought in and read by the Speaker. MESSAGE, NO. 1. The Superintendent requests iho attention of the Provincial Council to the following circumstances. An action at law was brought agaiust the Superintendent by Lieut. Colonel Campbell, for certain expressions used in a dispatch, written by the Superintendent to the Governor, enclosing to his1 Excellency certain resolutions passed by the Provincial Council, ami which expressions were supposed to be of a libellous character. The Supreme Court has held those expressions to have been written under privilege, and the plaj.tiff was consequently nonsuited. - Ths Superintendent1!! costs in this actiou amount to nearly jt 100, for which the defendant is of course liable. But, befoie proceeding to recover those costs from the defendant, the Superintendent thinks it right to- lay the case before the Provincial Council for their consideration: in ;he first place whether it is desirable that such costs should be recovered from the defendant, Col. Campbell, and should there be any difficulty' in buch rcovery, whether the Superintendent ought to be personally a sufferer in a matter iii which he hud no interest but that of the public, at heart. The Superintendent begs toacquaint the Council further, tbat.desiriiig this question to be considered wholly apurt from any party or personal consideration, he has not oommnni-catt-d with the members of the Execotive Council on the subject, leaving them wholly free to take any view which may neem most consistent with the public interests. JAMES EDWARD FITZ GERALD Oct. 22, 1656. Mr. Hall presented a petition from certain run-holders, complaining of the injury done to their flocks by the dogs of parties hunting pi<*s, and praying redress. ° Mr. Hall gave notice that he should ask of Government at the next sitting what steps had been taken towards establishing a ferry over the Rakaia, also questions respecting the roading of the province, and the encouragement of the growth of timber. Mr. Olliviee moved for certain returns from the Waste Land Board, relative to the deposits made by Messrs. Hubbard, Barnes and Burgess. Negatived. ' Mr. Thomson moved for a copy of the correspondence between Mr. Compton, wayv/arden of the Papanui district, and the Provincial Engineer, relative to certain repairs on the Harewood road. Allowed. The Waste Lands Regulations Amendment liiil was read a second time. After a discussion in which Messrs Hall Dan pier, Ollivier, Thomson, S. and J. Bealey' 1 acker Donald, Fooks, Moorhouse, Blalriston! Jiray, Ward, Bnttan, andTancred took part, the Canterbury Association's Debentures Bill'was read a second time. Mr. Hamiltox moved the following reply to his Honor's address on opening the session : REPLY". The Provincial Conii.-il thank your Honor for the ad drew will) which you have opened tin- present Session.

Thoy gladly uviiil tbumselvon of llii.s opportunity of con. vnying la you ilieir siuccru 1-ongnaulutionn on your recovurvfrom your protriictuil ill miss, and they earnestly hope your ruijtorutiou to health may bo complutc and pormunent.

Tho Council fully recognizo tho necessity () f thi« session and thoy assure your Honor thut thoy will givo tho muasur«slnidbofore thorn the most currful considoruiion.

It was agreed to by the House, and a deputation appointed to present the same. Mr. Blakiston withdrew the motion standing in his name.

Mr. Brittan gave notice of motion for a new clause to be ad led (in committee) to the Waste Lands Amendment Bill.

Mr. Barker gave notice of motion for several new clauses to the same bill.

The house then adjourned till Tuesday next (this day). .