GENERAL ASSEMBLY. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28. Legislative Council.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 44, 22 December 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28. Legislative Council.

Leave of absence was granted for the session to Mr E. B. Cargill ; also, for fourteen days, to Mr Curtis. Mr Fitzgerald postponed his motion until Tuesday, with reference to a bill for providing that the Superintendents of provinces should be appointed, by, the, Government instead of by popular election. Mr Jollie's motion 'wa&carried, that a copy of all papers be laid on the table respecting grants to military and other settlers of land between Orilata and Tataraimaka, in the prorince of Taranaki. Mr Fox's motion, that copies of the Hokioi and Pihoihoi newspapers in the possession of the Government, be laid on the table, was carried. Mr Reynolds' motion, that the petitibn of the. scholars of the High School, Dunedin, be printed, was carried. Mr Reynolds also obtained leave to introduce a bill to repeal the New Provinces Act. Mr Weld made his Ministerial statement, and a protracted debate took place upon it. | The House adjourned to Tuesday, at twelve j'elock.

TUESDAY, NOV. 29. The report of the Standing Orders Committee of both Houses was brought up, with recommendations for the Council's adoption. Replies were presented by the Speaker from General Sir. Duncan Cameron, Commodore Sir William Wiseman, and Lieutenant-General Salloway (commanding local forces), to the Iffo resolutions of the Council congratulatory of the services rendered by the men of the army and navy in New Zealand. Mr Hall asked the hon. the Attorney General whether it was the intention of the Goremment to introduce a bill for empowering Provincial Legislatures to make laws for assessing and levying on Crown lands held under depasturing licences rates for making and repairing of roads, and for other like purposes. • The Attorney General replied that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce such a bill, but if the honorable member thought well to do so, he was sure it srould receive every consideration. A Standing Order Committee was appointed mi the motion of Major Richmond. Mr Hall proposed that a copy of Mr Justice Johnstone's new work, entitled " The New Zealand Justice of the Peace," should be supplied to each Justice of the Peace for the colony. Mr Swainson thought a copy of the work •hould be in the hands of hon. members before they were asked to accede to such a icquest. ' He had not himself seen the work, but would not oppose the motion. The Attorney General intimated that the notion involved a monetary principle which he Council could not overlook, and suggested hat the hon. gentleman should withdraw his notion for the present, and he would see it net with due consideration. The motion was consequently withdrawn. The hon. Mr Sewell obtained leave to inroduce the following bills :— * To amend the kroner's Act, 1858; to extend certain prortsions of the Protection of Certain Animals ict, 1861 ; to amend the Auckland Reserves let, 1858, so far as concerns certain lands, he proceeds of which are thereby rendered ipplicable to the improvement of the Aucksnd Domain ; and a bill to validate certain sets done by R. H. Forman, Esq., as Registrar if Deeds of the Province of Otago. The address in reply to his Excellency's peech was moved by Major Whitmore, who poke in complimentary terms of the services endered to the country by General Sir D. lameron, Commodore Sir Wm Wiseman, and he officers and men under their command. Mr Sewell, in his Ministerial statement as 0 the policy proposed to be followed by the :ew Ministry, spoke of the formation of the iew Ministry by Mr Weld, and of the stipuitions which the new Premier made with lis Excellency regarding their tenure of offitie. The task had not been undertaken by the jylinistry voluntarily, but had been thrust lipon them ; and if they had not accepted it, Efhe whole machinery of Government would | ave been thrown out of joint. He then lilluded to recent despatches received from I he Right Hon. Mr Edward Cardwell relative I o responsibility in native affairs, and which, I ie contended, had entirely iipset the former fllespatch received from the Duke of NewI aetle, and introduced a divided responsibif: ity between the Governor and his Ministers. fcrhe system of responsible Government had | sen almost abrogated by the receipt of Mr k lard^ell's despatches concerning the employ- % aent of British troops, and the supplies of I aoney received from the Imperial Goyern- | lent, but he thought it was only reasonable I hat the Home Government should have a I livided authority over the affairs of the colony ? rith the Colonial Government. The time X ad, however, arrived for the colony to say i hat the system of double government should \ o longer be continued; and to carry out this <; iew he considered the Council ought to re- \ luest her Majesty to relieve them from that position. The Council would be asked to \ pass resolutions advising the withdrawal of \ ! he troops, and placing the administration of \ lative affairs upon the same footing as other \ ffairs of the colony. The first shock of the Removal of the troops being safely passed \ >ver, he absolutely believed that great good I fould result from the colony undertaking its I wa defence, and a great provocative to war jovhl disappear when the- troops were re- : aoved. It was in contemplation by Govern- \ aeut to establish a system of defence on the I irinciple of the Irish constabulary force, in 1 lace of the regular forces withdrawn. He I hen directed their attention to the condition | if the colony, spoke of the escape of the ; tawau Maori prisoners, who, he said, were \ he source of considerable apprehension and I nxiety ; and he could not give any specific ! nswer as to what would be done to recapI tire or "remove the prisoners. He then spoke I f the conquest of the Waikato district and I uture settlements. The effect of operations I 1 that district had been to make a solitude, \ ut not a peace, and no moral, although mai erial results had ensued. The Government ; imposed to plant military, settlements, with ! he yiew of establishing points of defence, I ad with the view of inflicting some punish-

ment upon the rebel natives by taking their land, and. reimbursing to some extent the jxpenses of the war. He afterwards stated (that roads' would be made throughout the length and breadth of the northern and southern portion; of the island; and the Taranaki Bompensation would also have the attention af Government. The territorial revenue would aot be interfered with ; the Council would be xd vised to reject the guarantee for the million ban, and the payment of the half million debt to the Home Government would be pro>osed. There were incidental matters in his Excellency's speech, which were cardinal points upon which the present Government would stand or fall. The first was the removal of the seat of Government, which he contended ought to be fixed in a more central place. The Council would be asked to sanction the contract for the Panama mail service. The Suppression of Rebellion Act would be permitted to lapse; but an Act founded upon the Irish Bebellion Act of 1833 would be introduced. The New Zealand Settlements Act would be continued for two years. No Appropriation Act would be asked for, as the Act of last session would meet the case. The address in reply was adopted, and the Council adjourned.

MONDAY, NOV. 28. House of Representatives. After some routine business had been disposed of, Several petitions were presented from settlers in the Auckland Province, praying for compensation for losses sustained during the Maori rebellion. Papers on depasturing licences and rents of the Province of Canterbury, were laid upon the table. Mr Fitzgerald moved that a select committee be appointed to inquire into and report on the present financial condition of the colony. Mr Fitzgerald's motion for a return of all arms surrendered by natives from the commencement of the war up to the present time ; stating the description of such arms, and the state in which they were given up ; also the dates when given up, and the tribes from which they were surrendered, was agreed to. Mr Fox's motion — " That there be laid on the table of this House:— (1.) All papers, letters, and reports relating to or illustrating the new superstition called ' Pai Mariri,' or ' Hau Hau ' religion, including the papers relating to the mutilation of Captain Lloyd and the recovering of his head, and any letters from William Thompson, Waharoa, or other persons, from which it may be gathered that that chief has adopted that superstition, or held himself out as having done so. (2.) A return of the number of all persons of the native race who have been reported by the military authorities as killed and wounded during the present revolt, showing the occasions and places where they fell ; also of all soldiers and sailors in her Majesty's service and in the Colonial Forces who may have so fallen" — was carried.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30. House of Representatives. After some petitions had been presented and questions answered, Mr John Williamson asked the Colonial Secretary if it was true that an offer of a place in the new Ministry was made to an Auckland member, who refused it because the removal of the seat of Government was persisted in, and was answered by Mr Weld by an emphatic denial. Mr Weld obtained leave to bring in a bill to modify the New Zealand Settlements Act, which was ordered to be read a second time on Friday next. Also to bring in a bill to repeal the Suppression of Rebellion Act. Mr Weld's motion for the appointment of a Waste Lands Committee was carried ; also his motion for a select committee on private grievances. Major .Richardson's motion for the acquisition of land at Wellington for Government offices was carried. Also Mr Reynolds' motion for a bill to suspend the operation of the New Provinces Act until the end of the next session of the Assembly. Mr Weld moved the resolutions already published by us. Considerable discussion took place upon the resolutions, and the debate was ultimately adjourned until Saturday. Mr Vogel has given notice to move, as an amendment to the Hon Mr Weld's first two resolutions, the following : — " Resolved. That in the emergency in which the colony is placed, the House should not, by a too strict construction of the principles of Responsible Government interposes obstacles which are calculated to prevent a Ministry in which it has full confidence co-operating with his Excellency the Governor in giving effect to the instructions he receives as the representative of her Majesty. That in making this temporary concession, the House does not undervalue or renounce the privileges of Constitutional Government which the colony enjoys, but thinks that the assistance which Great Britain has rendered to the colony during the present war, entitles her to a voice in the questions that arise out of it, and especially to those relating to the exorcise of clemency and the disposal of forfeited lands. The House further desires to express its cordial acceptance of the opinions laid down in the following passage from a despatch of his Excellency the Governor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 26th- August, viz. : — "I think that all must see that these instructions, which have been issued to meet a temporaiy emergency, would lapse the moment a normal state of things was restored in the colony, and that they were suited to meet the exigencies of the present moment, and to provide for the restoration of peace to the country. I think that no doubt should be entertained of the good sense and the good feelings of the inhabitants of New Zealand ; that you should feel satisfied! that you will be supported by a large majority in this country in doing that which is right ; and that when, after full consideration, you have determined that a certain line of conduct is that which justice to Great Britain and to both races in this colony requires to be pursued, you may direct that it should be carried out in the full confidence that the Governor here

will, when the facts become known, have ample support in giving effect to yonr instructions."

THURSDAY, 1st DECEMBER. Legislative Counoio. The Speaker announced that the Royal assent had been given to several bills. Mr Sewell, with the view of postponing resolutions respecting the joint responsibility of Governor and Ministers in the management of native affairs, allowed them to lapse. j Mr Tancred's motion for the first reading of the Provincial Compulsory Land Taking jBill was carried. Mr Scwell's Coroner's Act Amendment Bill {was appointed to be read a second time on the next sitting day. 1 The Registration of Deeds Validation Bill (Otago) was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time the next sitting day. The House adjourned at a quarter past three o'clock, until two o'clock on Friday.

House 01? Representatives. Mr Weld, in reply to questions asked by Mr C. Wilson, C.B., with respect to the Kawau prisoners, said that he had no special knowledge with regard to the arms possessed by the natiyes, but that they were not receiving any supplies. He believed that part of the prisoners were at Kaipairi, on their way to the Waikato. He did not see any reason why the prisoners had not been followed when they made their escape, and recaptured. He could state that it was the desire of the Government to assimilate their treatment of the natives to that of Europeans on every question ; but as to the special question which had been pat to him, he declined to give any information as to which course might be pursued by the Government. Mr Ormond's motion was agreed to, and referring the petitions of late members of the Colonial Defence Corps to a Select Committee. Mr Carlton obtained leave to bring in a Coupons Bill, and it was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and fixed for second reading on Tuesday. Mr Thomson's motion, that the Canterbury Waste Lands Amendment Act, 1864, be laid before the Crown Lands Committee was carried. The second reading of the Petty Sessions Bill and the Militia Act Amendment Bill was postponed until next sitting day but one. The House adjourned until Saturday.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2. Legislative Council. Mr Gilfillan presented a petition from Donald M'Caskill, a settler in the Thames district, who claimed compensation for damages sustained by him during the Maori rebellion. But the Council could not receive petitions for Maori compensation, the petition was withdrawn. Mr Sewell postponed, until next sitting, his motion for leave to introduce a bill granting to the Government certain powers in the disaffected districts. On the motion of Mr Sewell the Protection of Certain Animals Amendment Bill was read a first time. The second reading was fixed for Tuesday next. Mr Hall moved the second reading of the Provincial Compulsory Land Taking Bill, and it was agreed to after some discussion. The Council went into Committee on the bill, and the first clause was agreed to. After some discussion on the second clause, progress was reported, and leave was given to sit again on the next sitting day. On the motion of Mr Sewell, the Coroner's Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be read a third time on the next sitting day. Mr Sewell moved the second reading of the Auckland Reseryes Amendment Bill, which was agreed to. Some verbal alterations were made when in Committee, and the third reading was fixed for next sitting day. On the motion of Mr Sewell, the Registrar of Deeds Validation (Otago) Bill was read a second time, and considered in Committee. The fourth clause was withdrawn. The third reading was made an order of the day for next sitting: dav.

The Council adjourned until Monday. NOTICES OF MOTION. Colonel Kenny to move on an early date — " That in reference to the proposal to remove immediately the seat of Government to Wellington, this Council is of opinion that when the removal of the seat of Government from Auckland to Wellington shall have been decided on by the Legislature, and shall have been carried into effect, it is expedient in order to prevent a renewal of the discussion of that question, that the seat of Government should remain at Wellington so long as the Islands of New Zealand continue as at present, under one Governor. That the removal of the seat of Government to Wellington should not take place immediately, but be deferred until the existing grave questions in relation to native affairs shall have been maturely considered, and a definite course of policy shall have been decided on by the Legislature, with a view to the pacification of the country and an adjustment of present difficulties, especially as regards the provinces of Auckland and Taranaki."

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Brodie to move — " That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the following resolution should be placed on record : Resolution — " That the thanks of this House are due to the late Ministry for the firm and decided act which they have taken during the recess to maintain the principle of responsible Government in the management of native affairs ; and further, that this House also approves of their endeavors to carry out the policy laid down for their guidance by a majority of both Houses of the Legislature, as to the manner in which the natives should be controlled." Mr Vogel to move—" That a submarine line of Telegraph be laid across Cook's Straits to connect Wellington with the Telegraph system of the Middle Island. That in the opinion of the House, only Government Telegraphic Messages of special importance should take precedence of ordinary messages, and all Government messages should be charged to the several departments sending them." Mr Vogel to move — " That the Government should cause a survey at once to be made of a line of Railway to connect the

northern and southern extremeties of the Middle Island ; and that it should instruct the English agent to put himself into communication with the leading contracting and financial houses, with the view of ascertaining what facilities can be obtained at home in carrying out the construction of the Railway."