The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13, 1854.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 878, 13 September 1854, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13, 1854.

Be just and fear not: Let all tne ends thou aim'st at, he thy Country's, Thy Cou's, and Truth's.

It must be obvious to every one at all acquainted with the subject, that to give, completely and immediately, full reports of all the current proceedings in the Houses of the Legislature, would require the daily publication of a large paper, with all its literary, reporting, and mechanical staff and appliances. Notwithstanding our frequent issue of Supplements, we have necessarily been, and must still continue, in arrears as to our larger reports; but we have throughout the session taken care to keep our readers acquainted with the principal features, and the whole of the important results, both in the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives; reserving for future numbers such accounts of the more interesting debates as it may be within our power to present. On this principle, we to-day, sum up here the chief facts since our last summary. Tin-: Estimates have occupied much of the attention of the House of Representatives, the day silting of Saturday, both the day and evening sittings of Monday, and several hours yesterday having been all but exclusively devoted to this subject. We bring together the conclusions and votes ultimately arrived at on ibis important portion of the public business, without embarrassing the statement by the breaks with which postponements and re-considerations of particular items in some instances interrupted actual progress. Civil List. The discussion on this branch of finance was commenced by an endeavour on the part ol Mr. Fitzgerald to obtain the appointment of a third Judge, whose salary he proposed to meet by a cutting-off from the Civil List of all the minor officers in the several departments. There was a general concurrence in the propriety of such mi appointment, but it was thought that the change was too extensive to be entered upon under existing circumstances, and that il was one of the matters which should be postponed until the establishment of Responsible Government. Mr. Fitzgerald yielded to these expressions of opinion, and withdrew his motion. On the votes for Native Purposes, a long discussion took place, particularly in relation to Schools. The points mainly urged by several members were, that they were not sufficiently informed as to the way in which the amounts granted to the Church of England, the Church of Rome, and the Wesleyan Church for educational purposes were expended, and that there was partiality in giving grants to those bodies while the Presbyterians, the Independents, and olhers received no assistance. Some of the bon. gentlemen seamed either not to have seen, or to have totally forgotten, the Reports of the Inspectors of Schools, published not. many' months since in the Government Gazette, in which a variety of particulars as to the operations, the acounts, and other affairs of the respective schools were included. It is not to be disputed, however, that ample information on all these points should from lime to time be supplied, and we have always understood that inquiry was courted, rather than shunned, by many of those most interested. As respects the charge of "partiality," and the reiterated declarations during ihe debate that ihe speakers could not understand ihe principle on which Sir George Grey had acted, in making grants to these Churches, and not to all others, we have only to remark thai it was not Sir George Grey's fault thai they were not acquainted with it, as he had more lhan once explained, in Despatches which have since appeared in the Blue Rooks, that his principle was—instead of attempting to set up a new system of Governmental educational machinery"for ihe Natives, which would of necessity "be a tedious, a costly, and an extremely"difficult undertaking—to avail himself of the machinery already in existence through the labours and outlay of Missionary Societies, and apply the funds.subjeet to certain conditions, under the direction of the different Denominations whose missions and mission schools were already in operation in the colony, so as to render the system of Native Education which he found in action, more complete and effective lhan before. Hon. gentlemen who art; anxious to obtain the "knowledge of Sir George Grey's "principle"' in Ihe mailer which they say they so much desiderate, may obtain it even "from the pamphlet containing the Constitution Act and Official Correspondence, with which, in some other parts, and for some other objects, they appear to be perfectly familiar. The passages lo which we refer are 100 long to be quoted here, but they will be found 1 in the 85lh and 86th pages of the pamphlet. There was evidently no "partiality"' in Ihe arrangement, but the carrying out of an intelligible and practical principle. The religious Bodies Which had long-established native schools, got aid lo extend and improve their educational efforts:—religious Bodies which had not, did not gel grants, sim; ly for that reason, not because they belonged to oilier Churches.

The Grants for Schools as they stood on the printed Estimates were voted ; and, at a later period of the evening, on the motion of Mr. Clifford, votes for (300/. for educational institutions under the management of the Church of Home, and 700/. for similar institutions under the management of the Wesleyau Church, were passed. It was understood that these sums had heen promised to those Bodies by Sir George Grey, in excess of the sums which could be included in the Civil List, while the total amount intended for the Church of England had been so included; and that Buildings and other arrangements had been undertaken on the faiihof that promise. On the motion of Mr. Fitzgerald, the following Resolution was adopted at the end of the discussion on the Civil List: —

That this Committee recommend to the house to present an Address to His Excellency praying him 1 to be pleased to cause a full and complete inspection ! of all the Government Schools to be made, an t to ! lay the report of such inspection before tins house, together with detailed accounts of the expenses inclined in the maintenance of such schools. Mr. Fitzgerald also moved ibe following, Resolution, which, after a protracted debate, j was carried by a majority of 18 to G. That this Committee recommend to the house to present an Address to His Excellency praying him r» remove the salaries of the Resident Magistrates ! fri m the Civil List. The following werethesums passed on the Civil List: Civil List.

Laxd Offick am) Surveys. The items for Land offices and Surveys struck out, in conformity with Ihe following Resolution proposed by Mr. Sewell : That theCommittce do recommend that the House do present a respectful address to his Excellency, pointing out for his Excellency's consideration that, by the provisions of the Constitution Act, the costs, charges, and expenses incident to the collection, management, and receipt ol" the Revenue arising from the disposal of the Waste Lands of tiie Oro\yn, are authorised and required to he paid by the Governor out of such Revenue, and out of the Revenue arising from taxes, duties, rates, and imposts levied under anv Actor Acts of the General Assembly: that this 'House earnestly trusts that his Excellency will be pleased to enforce, the utmost efficiency and economy in all departments connected with the administration of the Waste Lands, including the Survey Department. And this House is of opinion that under present circumstances it will greatly conduce to such efficiency and economy if the practical controul over those "departments, as far as possible, be placed under the Provincial Governments.

Customs. The Customs Department was struck out, the following Resolution proposed by Mr. Sewcll was adopted by the Committee : That by the Provisions of the Constitution Act, it is provided that the costs, charges, and expenses of, or incident to the collection, management, and receipt of the Duties of Import and Export, shall he regulated and audited in such manner as >hall he directed by the Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. That "under present circumstances it is not expedient that this House should assume any regulating controul over the. charges of that department, further than expressing its earnest hope that the utmost economy will be observed in reference thereto, consistently with the eliiciency of the service. That the Committee do recommend that a respectful address he presented to his Excellency, submitting to him the foregoing resolutions. The following Resolution was adopted on the motion of Mr. McAndrew : That the Committee do recommend to the House, that an address be presented to his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, respectfully requesting that he may he pleased to give due effect to the recommendation of the Provincial Authorities of Otago with respect to the removal of the Custom House in that Province from Tort Chalmers to Unnedin. The following Resolution was adopted on the motion of Mr. Jerningharn Wake Geld, That it be a recommendation from this Committee that an humble Address be transmitted to his Kkcellencv, stating it to be advisable that a Collator of Customs, to act for the present also as Besideut Magistrate, be appointed for the Chatham Islands, and that provision should be made for the expeuses of such an oflieer. Hospitals. During the debate on the Civil List, the grants for Hospitals were incidentally discussed at considerable length, Mr. Ltidlam

contending that the charges for Hospitals where the Natives received care should be made a first charge on the portion of the Civil List appropriated to Native purposes. Mr. Ludlam put his views in the shape of thejgjlowing motion : the Committee do recommend to the house tint an Address be presented to His Excellency repectfully requesting" His Excellency to place the costs of Native patients in the Hospitals of the different Provinces, as a first charge on the amount of £7OOO reserved for Native purposes on the Civil List. To which Mr. Sewell moved the following amendment: That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency, praying him to place upon the Civil List a sum not exceeding £6OO, to be applied towards the Establishment of Industrial Schools, and towards other purposes for the benefit of the natives in the Provinces of Canterbury, Nelson, and Otago, as nearly as may be in equal proportions. motion was negatived by a majority of \\ to 8, and Mr. Se well's amendment was carried. Mr. Fitzgerald moved that all the Hospitals he struck out of the General Estimates, and transferred to the Provinces. After a debate the motion was lost. Mr. Fitzgerald further moved that the whole management of the Hospitals be transferred to the Provincial Governments, and that the expenses be divided between the General and the Provincial Governments in proportion to the numbers of Natives and European patients treated. This motion was carried by a majority of 16 to 11. Mr. Fitzgerald moved that all the words after '* Hospitals" in the Estimates be struck out, and that grants in aid of the support of the Hospitals with reference to the benefit of the Natives treated therein be inserted. Carried. On the motion of Dr. Monro, it was carried that a sum of ! r>oo should be placed on the Estimates for the promotion of Vaccination amongst the Natives. Native Secretary's Department. The items under this heading, viz, the sums proposed for the Native Secretary, the Junior Clerk, and the " Maori Messenger," were considered one by one, and all struck out. Post Office Department. The items Postmaster General, and office Rent, were struck out, with the understanding that the Deputy Postmaster at the seat of Government shall act as PostmasterGeneral for the whole colony. The following voles passed the Committee Auckland— _,

Otago—(lei k, Sub-post at l)unedin,and contingencies . . JSS 0 0 Postal Inter-Provincial between Auckland, New Plymouth, and Wellington . . . 500 0 0 The steamer Nelson . ■ COOO 0 0 Yesterday, the House went again into Committee of Supply, ami the Report of the Select Committee appointed to report on the amounts to be voted for the expenses of the Assembly was brought up. No salaries were recommended or voted for the Speakers. The following voles were passed : Legislative Council, Clerk .... 200 Messenger. . . 7o House or Representatito*. Clerk ..-• 2.10 Assistant Clerk . • • 200 Chairman of Committees . 100 Serjeant-at-Arms • • 100 A debate then arose upon the expenses o members. Mr. Mackay moved that a sum Of 3SOO/. be appropriated, which would include H. per diem for each during the session, and also cover the cost of their passages to and from Auckland. Mr, Sewell moved as an amendment that the allowance to members be ten shillings a day each. This amendment was negatived on a division by a majority or 18 to G. Mr. Fitzgerald then moved that their travelling expenses be paid to members who resided more than 20 miles from the Seal of Governmeut, and that 15s. a day each be paid to all the members. No decision on the question had been come to when the House adjourned until evening. At the evening sitting, the several Resolutions of the Committee of Supply referred to above were adopted by the House, and ordered to be embodied in an address to the Officer administering the Government. On the Motion of Mr.Travcrs, the following Resolutions were adopted : " That it is the opinion of this House that all Registrars and Deputy Registrars of the Supreme Court be members of the legal profession.

"That in the opinion of this Honse on practising Solicitor or Conveyancer should hold the office of Registrar of Deeds or Resident Magistrate. • # « That copies of the foregoing Resolutions be transmitted by the Speaker to His Excellency the O.ficer administering the Government, with a request that copies of them may be addressed to the several Provincial Governments." On the motion of Mr. Picard, an address to his Excellency on the subject of Native Reserves was adopted. On the motion of Dr. Monro, a Select Committee was appointed to consider his Excellency's Message No. 14, on the subject or allowance to the Troops. On the motion of Mr. Mernman, it was resolved — " That an Address be presented to his Kxcellenev the Officer administering the Government, requesting him to place £SOO on the Estimates, for the purpose of enabling him to appoint one or more person or persons to scrutinize the Electoral Rolls of the several Districts, and to report upon the number of peisons holding sufficient qualification to entitle them to vote in each District." After the remarks which fell from Mr. Cullen during the debate upon Major Greenwood's Electoral Districts Bill—remarks which bad a pointed tendency to disparage Auckland—we were heartily glad to see this resolution— notwithstanding the considerable amount of Southern opposition it experiened—carried; because we are firmly persuaded that the Electoral Rolls of this Province need only to be searchingly scrutinized—to have the names of those duly entitled to vote inscribed—in order to show not only how unjustly and how inadequately the Province of Auckland has been, and is represented, but further to demonstrate that those Rolls will disclose an array of Freeholders sufficient to entitle Auckland, not by mrrc " force of numbers," but by means of well won property qualifications, to insist upon that equal degree of representation from which she is, at present, debarred, but to which she is in every respect deservedly entitled.

Mr. Kelham moved—- «' That an Address he presented to his Excellency, the Officer administering the Government, requesting him to place upon the Estimates, a sura of Money, equivalent to the amount already realized from the ad litional Duty of Is. per gallon upon Spirits, at Wellington, levied under the last Customs HJrdinaiice t«>war,.s the erection of a Lighthouse at Wellington." After a discussion this motion was negatived, die Committee deciding that Wellington had no special claim over any other Province upon this item of Revenue, the additional duly having been levied under the Customs Act at every Port of Entry in the Colony. The following Returns were moved for by Mr. Brown:— " A Return of all the Military helonging to the 58th Regiment holding appointments under, and deriving emoluments from, the Civil Government, distinguishing 1. The name of the holder, 2. The name and date of appointment, 3. Tne salary or other emolument. Also—A Return of the soldiers of the 58th Regiment during the last twelve months employed by private individuals, shewing the daily number of those so employed. And u That an address he presented to his Excellency the Officer administering the Government with a respectful request that he will obtain from the Commander of the Forces a Return shewing the pay and allowances from Her Majesty's Military Government, of the Officers and Privates of the 58th Regiment stationed in this Province.'' The Customs Bill and the Revenues Bill stood on the Orders for further consideration, but they were postponed. The House, however, manifested a quickened activity iu getting through business last evening, owing, probably, to the arrival of the steamer Nelson, by which a number of members intend to return on Saturday. The VYaste Lands Bill—which yesterday passed the Legislative Council, after having undergone such alterations as to be almost a new, and, '*\ our opinion, a vastly improved measure —was agreed toby the House withoutdiscussion. The Provincial Waste Lands Bill was, on the motion of Dr. Lee, read a sc-

cond time. The House then went into Committee on the Marriage Bill, which, on Saturday evening last, had been advanced as far as the 28ih clause, with the cordial

concurrence of a large majority in its principles,—the only attempt to impede its progress on any ground involving the principle <a motion by Mr. Picard that the Gth clause be struck out) having been defeated by a majority of sixteen to four. On Saturday morning, as soon as the -Speaker had taken the Chair, Mr. Porter rose to vindicate himself from what he described as an attack made on him in the New .ZeamndkroC that morning, the attack consisting in his namebeing included in a list of the Auckland members who were absent the previous night on the division on Major Greenwood's Electoral Districts Hill. The hou. gentleman slated that, after 9 or 10 hours attendance that day, he had left the House, but not unlil be had been informed by the leader of the majority that in his belief, the lull was in no danger of being rejected. But for thai, he should certainly have remained, lo support the Bill, as no one could be more desirous than himself that Auckland should have its fair share of representation in lhal House. We readily insert ihe foregoing, but must add that Mr. Porter teas absent on the occasion, when we conceive it was the dulyoi every Auckland member to be present. It is undoubtedly the duty of a public journalist to make the constituencies acquainted Avith the course taken by their representatives on questions especially bearing on their interests. On Saturday, Mr. Wakefield presented Petitions from the Villages of llowick, Paninure, andOnehunga, which were as follows: To the Honourable the House of Representatives of A T ew Zealand, in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the undersigned 1 lumbly sheweth — That your Petitioners are of opinion that the present system of Licensing Houses for the sale of Intoxicating Liquors is highly detrimental to the interests of hoth races of the inhabitants of -this Country, by encouraging the destructive vice of Intemperance, with all its attendant moral, social, and political evils. Your Petitioners therefore earnestly pray your Honourable House to take the whole subject of * ho Liquor Traffic into consideration at as early a period as possible, and to make such alterations

and amendments in the existing Law ns may seem requisite to meet the exigencies of the case, —and particularly to provide for the immediate prohibition of the" sale of intoxicating drinks on Sundays. And your Petitioners will ever pray. On Monday Mr. Wakefield moved thefoli lowing Resolutions which were unanimously ado led, the general feeling of ihe I House" being manifestly in accordance with | their object:

Whereas a Select Committee of this Hous3 on Secondary Punishments, after taking abundant evidence on the subject, have reported, that they think it their duty to observe, that the vice of drunkenness is admitted to be the main cause of crime in this colony—where the misery ami temptations of poverty are hardly known,—and without desiring to travel too far out of the limits of the enquiry "referred to them, they cannot fail to express a hope, that some legislative measure may be adopted without delay, to avert the progress of this principal incentive to crime:—-And whereas it cannot be denied, that habitual intemperance is a prevalent vice among the colonist population of New Zealand, and the unceasing cause of degradation and ruin to individuals, and of misery to families :—And Whereas the vice of intemperance is known to be extending among the Natives, by means of it? prevalence among the Colonists :—And whereas there can be no doubt that in this country, the vice of intemperance is greatly promoted by the facilities for its indulgence by both races, which are afforded by the present "state and administration of the law with regard to the trade in spirituous and fermented drinks :—And whereas there is reason for deeming it probable, that among those of the colonists who habitually indulge in this vice, a considerable portion would hail with satisfaction any law designed to prevent them from gratifying theii evil propensity, whilst their families would heartily rejoice at such legislation if it were effectual ; Therefore, this House is of opinion—First, that the question of restrictions on the trade in spirituous and fermented drinks is |not one of political economy alone, to be viewed solely vvitn reference to tha urinciples of free trade, and the taxation for revenue, but is also one of morals, which ought to be considered by the legislature sa affecting the people in their social habits and [general we'fare, and ilkewise vs affecting the good name of the colony. That, nevertheless, bearing in mind the constitutional rights of the people—to be bound by no laws, but such as are passed with their consent by their representatives ; and considering also, that the question of restrictions on the trade in spirituous and fermented drinl-s, was not specially inti'e thought* of the people when they elected the j/uvsent members of tliis house, the General Assembly can ot discreetly legislate on the subject without allowing time for the people to express their opinions and wishes thereon, by means of petitions to the Governor and both Houses of the Legislature. That, if at the next meeting of the General Assembly, petitions horn a considerable majority of the people should be receivrd, paying that the laws with regard to the trade in spirituous a-d.fermcntcd drinks may be so altered as to hindc effectually the indulgence of intenipcrature habits,'t will bo the duty of this House to. bestow its most serious consideration on the whole subject, with the view of giving prompt an I real effect to the wishes of the people as expressed by such petitions, On the motion of Mr. Wakefield seconded by Mr. Travers, the following address to His Excellency was adopted. The House of Representatives respectfully submit to the Officer administering the Government some resolutions, passed by them concerning the prevalence ul' intemperate habits among the Colonists and Native population ; and they pray that His Excellency may be pleased to direct, first —that these resolutions be in the Government Gazette for general information, and secondly—that of the number of the Gazette winch shall contain them a thousand extra copies, may be printed for circulation thxughout the Colony. Yesterday, in the Legislative Council MrGilfiilan gave notice that to-morrow he would move Resolutions which are the same in spirit and object with the above.

Governor’s salary 4 2,500 0 Chief Justice 1,000 0 Puisne Judge 800 0 Establishment of the General Government. Governor’s Establishment , Private Secretary and Clerk to the 500 0 0 Executive Council Aide-de-Camp, 10s. Gd. per diem . Clerk . 191 15 180 0 0 0 Interpreter 100 0 0 771 15 0 Colonial Secretary’s Department. 0 Colonial Secretary 700 0 Commissioner of Crown Lands charged with the correspondeuce relating to Crown Lands in all the Provinces, and act0 ing as ( hief C lerk 550 0 First (lerk 250 0 0 Second Clerk 150 0 0 1450 0 0 Colonial Treasurer’s Department. Colonial Treasurer 700 0 0 A/torneyGencral's Department. Attorney-General GOO 0 0 Audi tor-General’s Department. Auditor-General 500 0 0 Clerk . 150 0 0 Contingencies. Stationery 150 0 0 Printing 200 0 0 Petty Expenses 178 7 0 i 528 7 1) 1 Total Establishment of the General I 0 I Government . 4700 0 Native Purposes. Schools under the management of (ho Church of England 5500 0 o Ditto ditto Wesleyans . i GOO 0 0 Ditto ditto Home 800 0 0 1 590!) 0 •1 Pensions for Te Where Where 50 0 i 1 0 i ‘■ k Te Puni 50 0 0 i 100 0 o 1 Interest on Debentures. < Interest on 8 percent Debentures— 1 Principal 27.253/. 11s. lOd. . 21 SO G 0 i Interest on 5 percent Land Dehenlures— Principal issued at Auckland 911/. 8s. 9d. 45 11 0 i 2225 17 0 Pensions. One Pensioner 25 0 0 Walker Nene’s Ordinance — Walker Nene’s Annuity 100 0 0 Gratuities to Chiefs 100 0 0 218 5 0 Land Purchase Department. I. s. Principal Commissioner . 500 0 Travelling Expenses 100 Native Secretary attached to the i Department 500 0 Two District Commissioners GOO 0 Two ( lerks at 8s. and 7s. per diem 275 15 < onlingencies 200 0 Presents to Native chiefs . 500 0 Survey Dranch , 100 0 2575 15 i

j. & V V. li l.,t .1 1/ Postmaster 300 s. 0 d. 1. 0 7* fj #* t Chief Clerk 200 0 0 Second Clerk and Messenger 130 0 0 Village Postmasters and Letter-car-ncrs 130 0 0 Contingencies 200 0 0 -1000 0 0 Wellington — Postmaster 300 0 0 Clerk . , too 0 0 District Postmasters and Letter-car-riers 30 0 0 Extra for Postmaster at Hull . 20 0 0 Contingencies and gratuities 100 0 0 Kent uo 0 0 no 0-0 Whangaxui, or Petre— Postmaster GO 0 0 Contingencies 20 0 0 so 0 0 New Plymouth— Postmaster 100 0 0 Contingencies 32 0 0 District Postmaster. 3G 0 0 188 0 0 Nelson — Postmaster 230 0 0 Contingencies, ineluding building of office and gratuities . 220 0 0 Inter - Provincial communication between Nelson and Wellington, and with the Wairau and Motucka Districts . 200 0 0 -- G70 0 0 Canterbury— j: me r Postmaster 200 0 0 rf ' v Sub-posts, Christchurch 230 0 0 Contingencies and gratuities 80 0 0 - 530 0 0