New Ulster Estimates.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 562, 3 September 1851, Page 3

New Ulster Estimates.

In addition to the discussions on the votes for the salaries of the Licutcnant-Govcmor and the Colonial Chaplain, which we published on Saturday, the following report is given of the discussion on the remainder of the New Ulster Estimates. Mr. GVrrii:i.i> proposed a grant of £250 for roads in the settlement of New Plymouth ; the European population of thsit settlement numhered 1,400 souls, and carried on a large trade with the natives in the neighbouring distnets, and along the coast to the north and bouth of New Plymouth, a considerable quantity of flour had also been cxpoited last yenr from New Plymouth, and the improvement of tho loads would have the effect of extending cultivation. Mr. Cau it i y proposed, seconded by Mr. Bell, the sum of £300 should be granted. Sir Gioiuie Ghey said, if the Council agreed to this vote, as soon as the Crown Lands Ordinance came into oppialion, New Plymouth would probably be divided into Hundreds, arid he should adopt one of two courses. The Executive Government might determine the money might be beneficially expended by its own officers, but if it appeared the more beneficial course the money would bu handed over to the Wardens of Now Plymouth, to be expended under their direction. Amendment carried. Mr. Bi i,i. said the Council were indebted to the lion, member (Mr. Cutfield) for originating the motion, and it wflb entirely owing to his modesty so low a sum as £ l 2bo had been proposed. On the vote for the Police Force, Mr. Currui-i) proposed that an alteration should bo made in the Police establishment at New Plymouth, placing the force under a sub-Inspector, reducing the number of privates, and increasing the number of native assessors. JJe would suggest that two native as> si'ssors be appointed at £50 each, instead of two privates at £6b each, by which number he pioposed to reduce the police force ; two more native assessors at £30 each, and the remaining number at salaries of £20 and £10 each. Sir GrouGr. Giiey said that, in consequnnce of the despatch he had on a former occasion referred to, it would perhaps not be in his power to continue a Commissioner for land purchases. As the gentleman filling the office of Serjeant at New Plymouth was much above that rank, he should recommend that a Serjeant-major should be appointed there with the usual salary. JJo proposed to reduce the police force by two, this would gave £ J l3O, and to appoint twelve native assessors, of various ranks and different salaries which would make a total of i, J2'lo.J 2'10. He warned tho committee if they agieed to this resolution, it would bo necessary to follow i out the plan >n other settlements where there were ovv Europeans and a laige n,itive population, and he con- j ceived this one of the wisest plans that could be adoptedIf Prorincial Councils came into operation he should provide a fund by which this plan might be generally introduced. As native magistrates they would be lesponsible for the peace and good conduct of tho native population. He (Sir George) had previously discussed this question with the hon. member, and tho piobablo good effects of establishing a gradation of rank. Tim was one of those institutions that continued to grow, ! and could not only be cained out but was capable of j great extension. \ in answer to an observation from the Colonial Treasurer, Sir Gkojioe Ghey observed if tho native magistrates failed to keep tho peace, it would bhew their want of influence, and they would forfeit their salaiy. It might probably bo found necessary also to appoint them constables. On tho voto for Educational purposes for Aborigines being estimated at 16 per cent, of Land Fund receipts duiing the year, Sir Giougi, Grly said, he was originally aware that a guarantee was given that !.'> per cent, of tho money received from sales of l.uid was to be sot apart for the use of the natives, and this aigument had always been used with them to induce them to dispose of their lands. From some oversight ting condition had been unaccountably ovei looked in the act of Parliament, and the arrangement with the New Zealand Company would, in point of /'not, sweep away all thrse promises to the naUvps f so that a breach oi faith would be committed with

lioin, but h(> fell sine such a measme would not be porsi^tedin. The arrangement had always been caiefully explained to them, and m many instances had been ,i poweiful inducement to ihem to pm t with then lands. He could only say the .subject should bo rcpoited to the Home Government, and if tlie net hud been passed m ignoianee, it would bo necessary to retrace this Hlop. If the Council would agree to a proposal nut housing him, in conjunction with the 1 lonic Government, to enter into an anangement with the Nuw Zealand Company, a certain amount might bo charged on the. Colonial lovenue, and the root defiajed by Gieat Biitdin, and the Lund Fund would be act free. Mr. Cuini i n'b motion tli.it the militia at New Plymouth bo called out and tiainod for a limited ponod each year, after some discussion was, at tho suggestion of his Excellency, withdrawn. Cnpt. Smiiii proposed the following resolution :—: — "That in the opinion of this Council, the want of a Lighthouse to render the entrance to Port Nicholson moio easily distinguishable, lias been a main cause of the .Shipwiecka that have taken place in the neighbourhood ot the Poit, and that it is of the utmost unpoitnnco to the security of shipping, tho prospeuty of commcice, and the prcscivntiou ot human life, that a Lighthouse be immediately erected in such a situation in the vicinity of the haibour of Port Nicholson as to the Executive Government may seem most appiopiiate, and that it is most expedient that the proceeds of the extia duty imposed on Spirits, namely Is. per gallon, which may be raised in the Port of Wellington, be devoted for a period of eightoen months to the attainment of this desnablo object." He bad consulted several persons on the subjact, and the general impression appeared to be that the cost would not exceed £'1,000, und thnt tho budding could be completed and the light exhibited in five months fiom the penod of its commencement. He had piopoaod that the expense of its erection should bo defrayed out of the inciuasud duty on spnita, as be thought it would be moio pleasing to tho &eltlers to know the additional duty had been devoted to so useful a purpose. The motion was seconded by the Colonial Treasurer, and canied unanimously. Sir Gi onoL Giily was much obliged to the hon. member for tho trouble ho had taken on the subject, and would take care that no time was lost in carrying out the resolution ; with regaul to the expense of maintaining the building, the sole object be bad aimed at was, ac far as possible, to prevont any chiuges on shipping in the harbouis of New Zealand. Uc could not but hope that the levenue judicioubly administeied would provide for those expenses, and although the resolution does not provide for the expense of inaiut'iuung tho building, he (Sir George) would tako caie u do &o until the Council should meet ngain. IJis own decided opinion was that the Ports in New Zealand should bo left fiee ports, and that no charges bhould be imposed on shipping if>Borting here. The sum of jCl'lOO was then placed on the Estimates for erecting a Gaol at Wellington. The Committee then adjournod.