General Assembly of New Zealand.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1723, 13 September 1862, Page 3

General Assembly of New Zealand.

[by ovr own bepobteb.] . -»- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26th. The Speaker took thc chair at 12 o'clock ACT ASSENTED TO.

The SPEAKER informed the House that the Royal Assent had been given to thc following bills passed in the last session of the Assembly, and reserved for thc signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon:—■ The Intestate Estate Succession Act, 18G1. The Nelson Waste Lands Act, ISGI. The Auckland Immigration Certificate Act, 1861. The Naval and Military Settlers' (Mahurangi) Act, 1861.

And that tins Picton Railway Bill had been clis-

MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLEXCV. Messages Nos. 7 and 8 were received from His Excellency, approving of Standing Orders on Private Bills and Petitions presented. TETITION. Mr. W. W. Taylor presented a petition from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, praying that the . Tariff be amended before the end of the session, and assimilated to the Tariff of Victoria. Petition read and received. VOTE OF THANKS TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF WELLINGTON. Mr. Thomson moved, That the thanks of this House be given to His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington and the Government of that Province, for the liberal and satisfactory manner in which they have provided for the accommodation of the Assembly. Carried unanimously.

PLACE OF MEETING NEXT SESSION. Mr. Thomson moved, "That in the opinion of this House, the next session of the Assembly ought to be held in Wellington." The vote taken the other day, he said, was for the convenience of the Government, he wanted a decision now for tbe convenience of the members.

Mr. CRACROFT WILSON was opposed to any interference with the action of the Governor or Government for twelve months, till the present difliculies were disposed of. His private interest he would not weigh for one moment, when 40,000 natives were concerned. He deliberately voted for not removing the seat of Government from Auckland, though he was certain that it was absolutely impossible that the seat of Government could remain much longer in Auckland. On 26th May, 1856, he found a resolution passed that the session of the Assembly should be held alternately at Wellington and Auckland, to which the Government had assented. Circumstances connected with the Natives had been the cause of that alternation not being carried out. And, if before Taranaki was finally settled, this arrangement was interfered with, he thought Christchurch should be the place of meeting. He moved as an amendment that the word Canterbury be substituted for Wellington, and he called on the hon. member for Heathcote to second the motion. Mr. COLENSO seconded the motion projorma. Mr. CARLETON said he should move as an amendment to leave out the word Wellington, and substitute the following, " in conformity with the tenor of the Governor's message 26, and committed in the first session of the second Parliament." Mr. COLENSO referred to the loss of the White Swan, and objected to moving the public papers about. Wherever the seat of Government was, there the Assembly should be held. If the seat of Government where fixed at Otago, he would rather go there than see the papers moved. Mr. MOORIIOUSE agreed with the hon. member as to the inconvenience of removing records; and to escape that danger he desired to see the scat of Government fixed permanently in a central place. He, therefore, should support the original motion, which he felt sure would be carried. Two of those who constituted the negative side on the former occasion, had left this morning. (The hon. member was informed that those gentlemen had paired.) He protested, on the part of the House, against pairing under such circumstances (laughter.) Every convenience was prepared for members in Wellington, and he was much better satisfied to go there than to Auckland. The hon. member for Christchurch had not got out of his difficulty by his present proposition—it was a ridiculous alternative, and would be so considered by the hon. member's constituents, who were quite contented to have the seat of Government and the meeting of the General Assembly at Wellington. Half of the European inhabitants of the Colony were in Canterbury and Otago, both of which were satisfied with Wellington, which he would vote for, regarding it as the most generally convenient place, and with the very satistory consciousness that the hon. member for Christchurch would vote in favour of the motion; and that considering the absence of the two Auckland members, there would be a considerable majority for it. Mr. WILLIAMSON thought it would be better if the House would abstain from discussing these Provincial questions at present, and leave to the Governor the power given him by the Constitution Act of summoning the Assembly where he thought fit, and he trusted hon. members would withdraw these questions for the present. Hon. Mr. DOMETT agreed with the views just expressed. He considered the decision as to the place of holding the Assembly was a purely Executive act, and it was bad in principle for the legislature to direct Executive acts. He objected, therefore, on pure constitutional principles to the House deciding upon this matter. With respect to particular places, he did not care much where it was held. If it were to be a peripatetic Assembly, it might as well be held in Dunedin, which would soon be the chief town in the Colony, as anywhere else. The only advantage it would* be to any place would be the convenience of the members.

Mr. STAFFORD was glad to hear the remarks of die member for Auckland West, and felt inclined to move the previous question. The case had not been made out for this matter with regard to the convenience of members. (In proof of this the hon. member gave calculations based upon the number of member* of both Houses for each Province.) He agreed with the Colonial Secretary that if the meeting of the Assembly was not to be fixed at the seat of Govornment, it might go to any part of the Colony as well as to Wellington.

Mr. FITZGERALD believed it would be found impossible, for any length of time, to hold the meetings of tins General Assembly apart from the scat of Government. Where it was most convenient for the General Assembly to meet, there the General Government must take up its abode. A calculation had been made by a friend of his, which showed that the joint number of miles travelled to get to Auckland was 15,800, to Wellington 10,800 (no, no.) (Mr. Stafford impugned the accuracy of this calculation; the number of members was not taken into the account.) He believed the Auckland members were damaging their own interests, and the Nelson members particularly so. He should vote for the original motion.

Mr. WELD said the division iast Thursday had shewn that before long the seat of Government must be removed to a more central position. He proposed, therefore, as an amendment that the next session be held in Nelson. Mr. O'RORKE referred to the inconvenience of holding the meeting of the Assembly away from the seat of Government. If hon. members had to leave their houses he thought it mattered little how far they went. Mr. CARGILL said some affirmation on this point was necessary to put a stop to the separation cry. Mr. FOX said the Wellington members felt that any argument from them would not have much influence on the decision of the question. Nothing could possibly prevent Wellington from being the seat of Government, if the Middle Island continued to progress as it had done. Mr. CURTIS said they had a House in Nelson much more fitted for the meeting of the Assembly than the Wellington building, and many other conveuiences which Wellington did not possess. He would rote against the motion. Mr. THOMSON briefly replied to the arguments of some of the speakers. The original motion was then put, and the House divided as follows: Ayes:—Messrs. Fcatherstoii, Cargill, Wood, Carter, W. Taylor, Richardson, Fox, Fitzherbert, Brandon, Atkinson, Harrison, Renall, Fitzgerald, Rhodes, Moorhousc, Ormond, J. C. Richmond, Mantell, and Thomson. —19. Noes:—Domett, O'Rorke, Nixon, Colcnso, Stafford, Wells, Mason, A. J. Richmond, Cookson, Curtis, C. J. Tavbr, Carleton, Russell, R. Graham. G. Graham, Munro, Butler, Wood, Bell, Wilson, James Williamson, John Williamson.-22. The motion was therefore negatived. ' The question was then put that Canterbury' be substituted for Wellington. Mr. WELLS moved that Nelson be substituted. Mr. A. J. RICHMOND seconded the amendment. After some remarks from Mri J. C. Richmond and Mr. Cracroft Wilson, the House divided as follows upon Mr. Wilson's amendment: — Ayes:-Messrs. Ward, Brandon, Mantell, Featherston, Thomson, Moorhouse, Wilson, Rhodes, Cookson, Fox, Fitzherbert, Harrison, W. Taylor, Fitzgerald, and Carter. —15. Noes:—Messrs. Stafford, Domett, R. Graham, Wood, A. J. Richmond, C.J. Taylor, James Williamson, Munro, J. C. Richmond, Wells, Bell, Atkinson, Butler, Curtis, Mason, Russell, Colcnso, O'Rorke, John Williamson, Nixon, Renall, Cargill, Richardson, Carleton, and G. Graham. —25. , It was then "put as a substantive motion that wo word to be inserted be " Nelson." Major RICHARDSON moved as an amendment. That the selection of the place where the General Assembly shall meet next session be left to Mis jocCC asked whether the Governor alone was meant, or the Governor in Council. ~ Major RICHARDSON replied, His Excellency personally.. D askcd thc hon . me mber at the head of the Government whether in that case they would advise His Excellency upon it without being Mr DOMETT said the Executive would give advice if they thought ft neceassiry, but he saw nq

objection to leaving the question for His Excellency alone. The question having been put on Mr. Wells motion, and decided in the negative on the voices, the mover declined to call for a division, but at the desire of the Mr. Fitzhcrbert the House proceeded to divide, when all the members were found on the side of the noes. Major RICHARDSON then moved his amendment as a substitution for the word " Wellington, of the words " at such place as the Governor may decide. Mr. STAFFORD moved the addition of the words, . « not being any place negatived by tho House this day (laughter.) Mr. CURTIS seconded the amendment. The amendment being put was negatived on the voices. . Major Richardson's amendment agreed to. AUCKLAND WASTE LANDS BILL. Mr JOHN WILLIAMSON moved for leave to brine in a Bill to enable alterations to be made in the Regulations for the disposal of the Waste Lands in the Province of Auckland in certain cases. Bill brought in, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and read a second time to-morrow. Mr. CARLETON moved for leave to bring in a Cill reducing to three years the term of live years' residence in the Auckland' Province now required to entitle tho holder of an Immigration Land Order under the Auckland Waste Lands' Act, to a Crown Grant. Bill brought in, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Thursday. "WHITE SWAN" COMMITTEE. Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSON brought up the report of the Select Committee appointed to consider compensation for losses sustained by the wreck of the " White Swan." RETORT OF "WHITE SWAN " COMMITTEE. Claims for losses to the amount of £648 Ss. 6d. were received. Before proceeding to consider these claims it was resolved that in considering the compensation to be recommended for supplying tho losses sustained by members of the General Assembly, or persons engaged in the public service, who were passengers in the White Swan, the Committee are of opinion that such compensation should he given as will be sufficient to replace articles necessary for the personal convenience and decent appearance of members and others attending their public duties. Guided by the foregoing resolution, your Committee beg to recommend that provision be made for compen sating the several claimants to the amount detailed below:— X. s. d. William Butler TO 0 0 James H. Crawford 50 0 0 HughCarloton 36 0 o George Graham 8 16 0 W. Gisbome.... - 35 0 0 W. Hunter 60 0 0 Charles Knight .14 10 0 William Mason 53 10 0 G, M. O'Rorke... 40 0 0 Reader Wood 85 10 o £453 6 0 Report ordered to be referred to the Committee of Supply. MARINE BOARDS. Hon. CROSBIE WARD brought up the report of the Select Committee on the Marine Boards Bill. Ordered that the Bill be committed to-morrow. THE NATIVE LANDS HILL. The adjourned debate on this Bill was resumed by Mr. FITZGERALD in support of it, who was followed by Mr. Harrison, who opposed it; Major Richmond, who expressed his intention of not voting at all, as he thought the House should not take the responsibility upon itself of passing such a measure; Mr. J. C. Richmond, Fitzhcrbert, Gillies, Colenso. On the motion of Dr. Featherston the debate was adjourned till to-morrow. THE LAND REGISTRY AMENDMENT RILL Was read a second time, considered in committee, and reported with amendment. Ordered to be considered to-morrow. House adjourned at about a quarter to 12 o'clock. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27ru. The Speaker took the chair at 12 o'clock. FAKERS. The following papers were laid on the table by Ministers: — 1. Statement showing the number of troops in New Zealand during the year ended 30th June, 1802, in respect of which the contribution of the colony towards military expenses is calculated. Return to an order of the 6th August, 18C2. (Mr. Stafford.) 2. Return of number of acres over which the Native title has been extinguished during the year ended 30th June, 1802 —the amount paid or agreed to be paid for the same. Return to an order of the 24th July, ISG2. (Mr. Stafford.) 3. Return of all persons employed in the administration of Native affairs. Return to an order of the 2 4th July, 1862. (Mr. Stafford.) •K Return of all persons employed in the Land Purchase Department during the year ended 30th June, 1862, Return to an order of the 24th July, 1802. (Mr. Stafford.) 5. Copies of correspondence relative to establishing a Court of Native Land Title. Return to an order of the 24th July, 1602. (Mr. Weld.) 6. Report of officers of the Land Purchase Department relative to the extinguishment of Native title. Return to an order of the 24th July, 1862. (Mr. Stafford.) 7. Return of all sums paid and presents made to Natives during the year ended the 30th June, 1862. Return to an order of the 24th July, 1862. (Mr. Dillon Bell.) 8. Despatch from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle respecting the departure of the steamer Claude Hamilton being countermanded. 9. Despatch from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle respecting Postal Service between the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. 10. Despatch from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle respecting tho petition of the Provincial Council of Auckland for a separate Government. , ll.Despatch from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle respecting progress of new institutions among the Natives at Waikato. PETITION. Mr. CRACROFT WILSON presented a petition from certain inhabitants of the City of Cbristchurch praying fur the removal of the seat of Government to Wellington. Petition read and received. ALTERATION OK CUSTOMS DUTIES ACT. Mr. WARING TAYLOR asked the Colonial Secretary if it is the intention of Government to propose any change in the Customs Duties Act, 1858, in the present session. The hon. Mr. DOMETT replied in the negative. THE DUKE OV NEWCASTLE'S DESPATCH. Mr. FITZGERALD moved the resolutions printed in his name on the notice paper on Tuesday, August 19th, with some unimportant verbal alterations, and supported his motion in a speech of some length. Mr. FOX seconded the motion. The hon. Mr. DOMETT moved as an amendment, That a Select Committee be appointed to prepare an address to Her Majesty in reply to the Duke of Newcastle's despatch of May 26th, 1862. Committee to consist of Messrs. John Williamson, Stafford, Richardson, Ward, Fox, Bell, Weld, J. C. Richmond and Fitzgerald; and that Mr. Fitzgerald's resolution and the address to the Queen proposed to be moved by | the Colonial Secretary be referred to the Committee. Amendment agreed to. THE NOMINATED SUPERINTENDENTS* BILL Was considered in Committee and reported with amendments, which were ordered to be considered on Thursday. MESSAGE PROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Mr. SPEAKER announced that he had received a message from the Legislative Council informing the House that they had passed the Miners' Franchise Bill with amendments, to which they desired the concurrence of the House; and also that they had passed the Protection of Birds Act and the Representation Act without amendments. The House then adjourned till five o'clock. EVENING SITTING. NATIVE LANDS HILL. The adjourned debate on the second reading of this Bill was resumed by Mr, John Williamson, who opposed the liill in a speech of considerable length, and was followed by Messrs. Watt, Wood, Wells, Featherston, Domett, Cargill, Cracroft Wilson, Curtis, James Williamson, Fox and Bell in reply, after which the question was put that this Bill be now read a second time, and the House divided as follows: Ayes, 27—Messrs. Wilson, Atkinson, Colenso, Gillies, Curtis, G. Graham, Weld, Mason, Russell, Fitzgerald, Butler, Domett, Cookson, Wells, Ormond, A. J. Richmond, James Williamson, Nixon, Rhodes, R. Graham, C. J. Taylor, Wood, Stafford, Carloton, J.C. Richmond, Watt and Bell. Noes 10—Messrs. Fitzhcrbert, Carter, Kcnall, Featherston, Mtturo, W. W; Taylor, John Williamson, O'Rorke, Brandon and Harrison. Pairs:—For the Bill, Messrs. Henderson and O'Neill. Against it, Messrs. Fox and Dick. The Bill was then read a second time, considered m Committee, and ordered to be further considered in Committee to-morrow. House adjourned at twenty ironrtci tq S? Q clock,

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28th. The Speaker took the eliairat 12 o'clock. PRESENTATION OF GAZETTE AND ORDINANCES OF OTA GO. Mr. SPEAKER acknowledged on behalf of the House a handsome present from the Superintendent of Otago of complete volumes of the Provincial Gazette, and Ordinances of Otago. PAPERS. The hon. Mr. WOOD laid on the table papers relative to tho claims of Her Majesty's Governmentcharge on account of road making. JUDGE FOR OTAGO. Major RICHARDSON asked Ministers what steps they design taking with regard to the appointment of a Judge for the Province of Otago. The hon. Mr. DOMETT replied that they would write down to offer the appointment to Mr. C. \V. Richmond. PUBLIC REVENUES ACT. Mr. THOMSON asked whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill during the present session to alter or amend the Public Reserves Act, 1854. The hon. Mr. DOMETT replied that a Bill with th s object would be introduced immediately into the other House by the Attorney-General. LIGHTHOUSE IN FOVEACS STRAITS. Mr. CARGILL asked Ministers what steps they design to take with respect to the erection of a lighthouse on Dog Island, Fovcaux Straits. The hon. Mr. WARD replied that the Government recognized to the full extent ihe importance of this matter. Tho particular difficulty was one of finance. It would be convenient perhaps for the Province to advance the morey to erect the light, and fix tho security on the lighthouse dues. He could give assurance on the part of the Government that as soon as possible a lighthouse should be erected in what should be found to be the most suitable part of Eoveaux Straits. APPOINTMENT OK OFFICERS OF THE LEGISLATURE. Mr. CARLETON moved for all correspondence not yet hid on the table concerning the appointment of "officers of the Legislature. Motion agreed to. Mr. WELD moved. That the clerks and other officers of the House of Representatives should be appointed by the Executive on the recommendation of Mr. Speaker. Mr. BELL concurred in the resolution with one exception. The Chairman of Committees having so great responsibility placed upon him, should also recommend his own immediate assistants. He moved the addition of the words " with the exception of the first Clerk Assistant, who acts as Clerk of Committees, who should be similarly appointed on the recommendation of the Chairman of Committees." MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY. Message No. 9 was received from His Excellency enclosing general estimates for ensuing yoar. DEBATE RESUMED. Mr. FOX thought that, as in the neighbouring colonies, all such officers and clerks should be appointed by His Excellency on the advice of his responsible Ministers, it being understood that they would in all cases consult the Speaker, and except for very strong reasons against it, take his recommendation. The SPEAKER having made an explanation of past proceedings in this matter, and Mr. Weld replied, the motion was agreed to with Mr. Bell's amendment. Mr. FOX moved, That the correspondence between the hon. the Speaker, the Chairman of Committees and the Colonial Secretary on the subject, of the appointment of the Clerk Assistant to the House ol Representatives be printed. Agreed to. PETITION FOR REMOVAL OK SEAT OK GOVERNMENT. Mr. CRACROKT WILSON, in the absence of Mr. Rhodes, moved, That the petition from certain inhabitants of the City of Cbristchurch relative to the re moval of the sea't of Government be printed. Agreed to. AMENDMENT OK THE CUSTOMS TARIFF. Mr. W. W. TAYLOR, in moving, "That, in the Opinion of this House, the interest of commerce and the colony call lor a revision of the Customs Duties Act of 1858. That without strictly defining the specific changes which are requisite to be made, this' House is of opinion that the direction of such change should be towards a simplification of the tariff by a repeal of the rneasurcmcnt.and tonnage rates at present ] levied, and the imposition of duties on a t'cw enumerated articles of general consumption," said it would j be remembered that since the passing of the Customs j Act of 1858 the Wellington Chamber of Commerce had been making unceasing efforts to have it reversed, i His objections were aimed particularly against the measurement and tonnage duties. The effect of the j Act in its present form was to levy much higher j duties on goods used by the labouring classes (no, no); j many articles of luxury were admitted duty free It was not his intention in moving this resolution that it j should be carried into effect this session. That could not be expected. The existing Act required amend- j ment. as he had known an instance where a large quantity of highly dutiable articles had been shipped from here to Auckland and the lighter duties paid j there, then the goods transhipped to Wellington and landed duty paid (laughter). He hoped the resolutions would receive the discussion and consideration of the House

Mr. CARGILL, in seconding the resolution, said he regretted very much that action could not be taken in this matter this session. It would be admitted on all bands that a revision of the tariff of the Colony was required if only from the want of delinitencss. Its principle was wrong, particularly the measurement part of it by which a high duty was demanded upon a large package of small value, whilst a small packet of large value paid but a small duty. The measurement system also caused great delay, great, inconvenience and expense. He thought the tariff system ol the Australian colonies could very advantageously be adopted here. He was altogether opposed to ad valorem duties, which some gentlemen advocated, lie trusted some promise would be given that the matter would be taken up next session. The hon. Mr. READER WOOD admitted the great importance of the matter contained in this resolution. He would be the last mart to say that the present tariff was a perfect one. It was anomalous for instance that moleskin trousers should pay a higher duty than silks or satins, and that a working man should pay a higher duty on his boots and shoes than a dandy paid on his jewellery. In reference to the raising of a revenue upon articles of luxury he was of opinion that they would raise no duty whatever upon what were called articles of luxury. They must raise it upon certain articles of general consumption. His attention had been drawn to the present Act. lie found that the charges upon the revenue were increasing, and we were getting a good revenue from the tariff. This was why the late Ministry thought it better not to proposo any immediate change He objected to the resolution because it pledged the House to the particular direction which must be taken if any alteration was made. He would undertake to give the subject his best consideration, and that such information should be laid before the House next session as would enable them to come, to a correct determination.

Major RICHARDSON hoped the hon. member would withdraw the motion. Mr. CURTIS said the argument that the present. tariff oppressively affected tho working classes was a fallacy. The greater part of the revenue was raised off articles of luxury, as alcoholic liquors, tobacco, &c. He thought it very unadvisablc to make any change in the tariff unless absolutely required. He believed the present tariff met the approval of most of the inhabitants ofthe country. Mr. STAFFORD said if was a curious fact that these petitions for the alteration of the tarilf always came from one class—the importers. It was said to oppress the working classes, but they did not hear the working classes complaining ol them. It was a merchant's cry. The present was not a tarilf that oppressed the poor man. It might seem so in some particulars, but if they trusted for their revenue to luxuries alone they would not raise much. The course proposed by the Colonial Treasurer was the only course W0 could adopt. He objected to being bound in any way by the tarilf of Victoria, especially as it and the other Australian colonics were about to reconsider their tariffs with a view to assimilate them. A committee of commercial men were the very worst, people that, could be consulted as to a tariff that should meet the wants of the people. Mr. W. W. TAYLOR, in reply, referred Io some of the objections which hud been raised, and said he was perfectly satisfied with the, result of the discussion. He was prepared to adopt the suggestion of the Colonial Treasurer ami withdraw the motion. Mr. RENALL objecting, the motion could not bo withdrawn. Question put and negatived on the voices. debtors' committee. The order of the day for the report of the select committee on the'(rial of minor civil cases and the law of debtors and creditors, was discharged. MINI.Its' FRANCHISE HILL. The amendments made by the law committee in this bill were adopted, WASTK LANDS A<T, 1858, AMENDMENT HILL. Mr. OAKLETON moved tho second reading of this bill, said the effect of which is .simply to alter the term of five, years, which by tho present regulations forty-acre-men have to wait for their crown grants, to three years. He desired this change to be made by this House, so aa to make it absolutely win in

| Mr. WILLIAMSON opposed the bill as entirely unnecessary and in opposition to the resolution lately passed by "this House on the recommendation of the Private Grievance committee, the spirit of winch was that the Provincial Legislatures should have the decision of such questions as this, Mr. CARLETON replied. The question being put that the bill be read a second time, House divided as follows; — Ayes 8: Messrs. Jollio, FitzGerald, G. Graham, Atkinson, Russell, J. C. Richmond, Wilson, and Carloton. Noes 14: Messrs. Nixon, Munro, C. Taylor, Butler, Fitzhcrbert, Featherston, Fox, Cookson, Brandon, Thomson, Carter, Renall, O'Rorke, and John Williamson. LAND REOISTItY ACT AMENDMENT BILL Was reported and read a third time and passed. Ordered to be transmitted to the Legislative Council. Tilt; SUPREME COOET HILL Was reported, read a third time and passed, also ordered to be transmitted to the Legislative Council. SUPERINTENDENTS' NpMINATION HILL. Major RICHARDSON moved that the order of the day for the third reading of this bill be discharged from the paper. The question being put the House divided as follows: Ayes 20: Messrs. Featherston, O'Rorke, Dick, Fox, Brandon, Thomson, Harrison, Fitzhcrbert, Gillies, Renall, Munro, Carter, W. W. Taylor, Cargill, John Williamson, Major Richardson, (i. Graham, Ward, Wood, and Ormond. Noes 19: Messrs. Atkinson, Butler, Bell, J. C. Richmond, Cookson, James Williamson, Jollio, Wilson, Mason, Nixon, Wells, Weld. Carleton, Watt, Russell, Stafford, Domett, Curtis, and FitzGerald. Pairs—Mr. A. J. Richmond for; Mr. Moorhouse against: Mr. Man tell for; Mr. Rhodes against. AUCKLAND WASTE LANDS ACT AMENDMENT BILL, (No. 2.) Mr. .JOHN WILLIAMSON moved the second reading ofthe bill, and briefly explained its objects. Mr. DOMETT said the bill was departing from the whole course of Legislature since 1856, by putting legislature on the crown lands into the hands of the Provincial Councils. This he decidedly objected to. Hon. Mr. BELL said there was no objection to the objects ofthe bill being carried out on the recommendation of the Provincial Councils; but he could not consent to allow the Provincial Councils to take the legislation upon themselves. Mr. CARLETON was opposed to the second reading. He suggested that the mover should let the bill drop for the present, and bring it in again altered to suit the views ofthe Government. Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSON said he had conferred with the legal adviser of the Government, and was advised by Mr. Sewell to bring these objects into a general bill in this way. He bad no objection to the clauses being so altered as to retain the legislative action in the hands of this House. Bill read a second time and ordered to be committed to-morrow. THE GOLD-FIELDS BILL. The Gold-fields Bill was further considered in committee for some hours, when progress was reported and leave obtained to sit again. THE CROWN LANDS BILL Was further considered in committee, and reported with amendments which were ordered to be considered to-morrow. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House then went into committee of supply to consider the general estimates for the ensuing year. Several discussions took place, but no important amendment was made. On progress being reported leave was obtained to sit again to-morrow. The Horse then adjourned at ten minutes past 12 o'clock. The following appeared on the notice paper as an order of the day: Mr. STAFFORD to move in committee of supplyThat the provision in the civil list, for the establishment of the General Government, and for judicial salaries, be increased. That the following sums be granted to her Majesty for the salaries and expenses of the undermentioned ollices per annum:— Governor - - £4500 Governor's Establishment - - - - 1000 Chief Justice '7OO Three Puisne Judges (at £ 1500 each) 4500 Colonial or Chief Secretary - - - 1000 Colonial Treasurer ------ 1000 Minister for Native Affairs - - - - 1000 Postmaster-General- ----- J 000 Attorney-General ------ 1000 Under Secretary (permanent)- - - GOD Assistant Treasurer ditto - - - 600 Assistant Law Officer ditto - •• - GOO General Expenses ------ 500 That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Governor requesting his Excellency to cause to be brought into the House of Representatives a bill to amend the Civil List Act, 1858, in order that the above alterations may be carried into effect. CORRECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT. [BY out; OWN REPORTER.] Order i':>r Committee read House in Committee: Mr. Carleton in the Chair. The COLONIAL TREASURER (Mr. Dillon Bell): Mr. Carleton. 1 am sure the Committee will extend mc their indulgence in listening to the statement which I have to make, when they remember that the present Government has only been in office for a week; and that Ministers have with difficulty been able to give their attention at once to the grave questions relating to native affairs raised by the Duke of Newcastle's Despatch of 20th May, and to the question of finance. Indeed but for the assistance I received from my predecessor (Mr. Reader Wood) I am sure that I could not have thoroughly prepared the financial statement which I shall now lay before the House, and I gladly renew here tho thanks which I expressed to him last Friday, lor the courteous manner in which lie had placed at my disposal the papers he had in his own possession. The lact was that the loss of the "White Swan" made it impossible for ony one newly in office, without the papers and records that went down in her, to see what the state ol the finances was; and 1 should probably have found it necessary, but for my hon. friend's courtesy, to ask the House to adjourn the financial statement until further information be received from Auckland. The steamer "Lord Worslev," however, which came in a day or two ago, has brought mc documents with the aid whereof I am enabled to supply details not in the possession of my predecessor when he left office. Sir, the course which i propose to invite the Committee to take today, is to consider first the Revenue and Expenditure for tho financial^ year which has just expired. I propose after that, to explain Io the Committee the state of the various accounts of transactions in which the Colony has been engaged, and on which detailed information litis in former years been given by my predecessors in tho Trensurship. I shall then call the attention of the Committee to some facts shewing the progress of the Colony in prosperity and wealth, and the satisfactory condition in which the population and the revenue arc now and may be expected to continue. I shall then turn to the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the current year 1862-3, and take the opportunity of stating the views of the Government with respect to the financial part of His Excellency's plan of Native, policy. And lastly, I shall ask the Committee to go with me into tho consideration ofthe questions rnised by what I may call the Imperial Bill. I think that in this way the Committee will best be able to arrive at an idea of the present financial condition of the country. 1. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1861-62.

Sir, on this first subject, it is usual to examine in the first place the. Revenue ol the preceding year, in order to sec what improvement or otherwise litis taken place in the state of the finances; secondly, to institute a comparison between the Revenue of the past year and the actual expenditure ofthe year; and thirdly, to compare the Revenue collected with the amount which was estimated. This affords the best means of enabling tho Committee of Ways and Means to judge how far the. Government ofthe country has been prudent in its calculations, has been economical in the public financial expenditure, and has fulfilled the duty comprised in the guardianship ol' the public purse. Before 1 proceed to details of figures—details of what hon. members will sec the greater part of my observations will have to be made up—l wish to observe, that, its in all previous years, the expenditure of the Revenue for the period up to the :30th dune last ctin (except as regards the Customs' Receipts) onlv bo Btatcdjapproxirnately, as the accounts of tho Colony are only finally brought up to theaist March; the various Treasurers'accounts for tllO June quarter having only reached tho Treasury on the 7th of this month, and the " Worsley" having left Auckland the day after the receipt of those accounts. But I may assure the Committee that the figures which 1 propose to lay before, them on this point may be taken as substantially correct, and that no transaction has occurred since the'end of March that would to a material extent all'.ct. tho totals I will now give. I wish also to explain that I mn dealing only with the Ordinary Revenue of tho Colony, because the Territorial Revenue (to which I shall allude presently in connection with another pari ofthe .subject) is Provincial Revenue, and is no! now brought to charge in the annual accounts of the Colonv. Sir, by the account which 1 hold in my hand it will be seen that the total Revenue of 1861-62 was £378,790. against £22!*,7!)0 received m tho year, hojt)!f W increase of o r

about sixty-five per cent. In addition, however, there arc other sums, including savings on the first division of the Civil List, which arc brought to charge, -which bring up the total amount available for the service of tho year to £385,020. The next thing is, what became of the nionev? The actual expenditure on the service of the year was £188,975, which was less by nearly £BOOO than had been appropriated, though it nearly doubled the grants of the preceding year, which had onlv amounted to £99,542. After allowing for this sum of £188,975, and after paying £127,350 for the three-eights of Customs Revenue to the Provinces, there remained a nominal surplus of £08,695. But there is a small sum of £IBOS, spent on Supplementary Expenditure of 1860-1, and another of £10,652 ss. 9d. for 1861-2. It will be in the recollection of hon. members, that the Debenture Act 1860, was passed in order to extend over three yearstbepayraentof Supplementary Unauthorised Expenditure up to that time. The state ofthe Revenue, however, has allowed the whole of that Supplementary Expenditure to be provided for. The sum of £ll,lOO was stated in my predecessor's account last year as having been paid off, and the whole balance £25,500 may be paid off out of the Revenue of 1861-2. There is "some Supplementary Expenditure for the year 1860-61, for which I shall have io ask a vote of £IBOS, and that for the year 1861-2, as far as at present known, is £10,652 15s. 9d„ for which I shall also have to ask a vote ofthe House Assuming all those items io be paid oft, including the whole unauthorised expenditure of previous years, there will Still remain a surplus of more than £30,000 good. That also nuts: be a matter of congratulation to the Committee. I will now proceed to show what the Supplementary Expenditure of the year just expired consists of, because I think it will be seen that the amount of ihat expenditure and its character will leave very little doubt on the minds of hon. members of the propriety of making that expenditure good. In the first place it will be seen that in addition to the vote taken last Session, the printing for the General Assembly has cost £2200 more—a matter which I shall have to ask the serious consideration ofthe Committee of Supply to in the estimates of this year. Then there has been £750 additional expenditure for Stationery, which it was impossible for any Government, under the circumstances of last .war, to have avoided. There has also been an expenditure beyond appropriation of £759 for extra expenses in taking the triennial census. Fees to officers under the Arms Act have amounted to £250 more than was expected. On account of the gold-fields there has been an increased expenditure in the General Government departments of Otago of £6500. And the last item is one which I am sure all hon. members will say is very small, namely, the Miscellaneous Unauthorised Expenditure, which amounts to £193. I think, therefore, that, in having to ask, as I shall bye-and-bye, for the authority of the House'to this over-expenditure of our predecessors in office, it will be admitted that the expenditure was of a kind that could not have been avoided. I turn back now to the comparison of the Revenue with the Expenditure, and of the Revenue actually collected with the Estimates made by my predecessors in office last year; in order, as I said at first, that the Committee may have an opportunity of judging whether the calculations made by the Government were sound, and whether a proper economy has been used in the expenditure of the public money. In the first place, with regard to the Revenue, the Committee will see if they turn to the Estimates laid before them last vear, that"the Customs were estimated to produce £240,000, and have realized £339,600. The Postal Revenue was estimated to produce £14,500, and realized £IB,BOO. (Hear, hear, from Mr. Ward.) lam glad to hear that cheer from my hon. friend the member for Lyttelton, because it gives mc the opportunity of saving that there can be no possible doubt that it was to his judicious management that that increase is due (hear, hear). In every other case also, the Estimate was either come up to or exceeded. It will be seen, however, that as regards the Estimates of Revenue laid before the House in July 1861, the anticipations of the late Government were more than fulfilled, and that these Estimates of Revenue altogether apart from that incrcrtsc of the Customs specially due to the development of the gold-fields of Otago, were based on a fair view ofthe sources of the country. If we now turn from the estimated and actual Revenue to the estimated and actual Expenditure of that year, we shall find that after deducting the Civil List and Permanent Charges under Acts of the Assembly. there have been savings made to the extent of several thousand pounds 1 mav mention here that wc propose to charge the whole of the Native £IO.OOO as actually expended in this year. Hon. members will remember that the sum of £7OOO was charged permanently on the Civil List for Native purposes, besides the £7OOO for Schools, and that last year the House voted an additional sum of £IO,OOO for Native purposes generally. Not quite £9OOO have been actually charged yet ngainst this vote of £lo,i'o(J leaving the residue of the total sum of 113,o()o expended in Native purposes, as stated by the hon. member for Rangitikei the other day, still to" be charged against the Civil List £7000; but'l think the Committee will consider it fair that the sum £IO,OOO voted last Session should he held to be expended, so as to leave as much us possible to tho credit of the £7OOO on the Civil Ei.»t. However, that will he a matter for the House to determine hereafter; for the purposes of the present statement I presume it to be altogether spent, [The hon. Treasurer here went into further Expenditure items, which appear in detail in the following account.]

KBTI3IATED ItI.VKXIiE AND EXPENDITURE OF TDK VEAR 181)1-2 TO JUNK 30TII, 1802. Receipts. 1800-1. JB6l-2. Estimated. Actual (Est.) Customs £204,990 £240,000 X'33:».t;<«i Post Office 11-581 14,500 IH.tIOO Judicial Sees and Fines •• 9,034 11,000 12,540 Registration of Ilirths, Deaths, ■• 1,500 1,300 1,3511 Crown Grants 995 1,200 1,320 Laud Chims Court •• •■ Registration of Deeds-• •• Miscellaneous «|,613 400 1,000 £229,790 £209,000 ,i'37!1,7!«» i Savings l«i Division Civil List • ■ ■• ■• •• 3,010 Provincei>f Taranaki, »>n account of Guarantee •• . r )l.*i Premium on Debentures •• •• •• -,ii7*> £385.020 j Expenditure. 1860-1. Mil-2. i Apiir. Actual (Kst.) I Civil List £19,000 £19.000 £19,0(K) Permanent Charges ■• 21,482 35,868 33,900 Executive •• •• •■ .'t,-llil 4,235 4,000 Legislative and Electoral • • 11,101 13,2P2 3,211? Supreme Court •• -\7-'l7") / 14,510 District ami Resident Ma- '- 20,458 - Ristrates' Courts 12.328 J 114,489 Registration of Land and Deeds .... _ , 4 Registration of Births, Mar- \ 7,f;in -J rlage*, and Deaths •• 1,884) I 1,C60 Customs 17,000 21,HC 21,090 Postal 22,314) Ditto 1(1,411/ :i ~' 2 "' 3 7' 225 Militia 6,292 8,031 8,031 Native 41.'. 10,000 ]ii,ihhi Miscellaneous ■• •• 11,083 19,729 10,571 Now Buildings, «tc. •• 550 !>,Ki7 4,u;7 £140,020 £206,449 £188,975 Supplementary Expenditure under Debenture Act, 11KJ0, paid off 25,500 Supplementary Expenditure 1860-61, to be now provided for •• •• •• •• ■• 1,805 Supplementary Expenditure 1861-62, ditto ■■ *10,630 Three-eighths of Customs to Provinces •• •• 127,350 £.154,280 Surplus 30,740 £385,020 Actual Customs Rkvenus in Dktaii,. Auckland • • • • £78,759 Wellington •• •■ 38,5CH Taranaki ■ • 6,363 Napier •• ■• »,47» ■ -North Island -• £132,100 NcNon •• •■ 20,71'1 Marlborough-■ •■ 1,864 Canterbury • • • • 43,313 Otago 1:1:1,470 Southland •• 7,792 -—— South Island ■ • 207,223 £339,331 Chatham Islands •• 209 Total ■• •• £339,600 The Committee will therefore see that on the second point of consideration —whether the amount placed at the disposal of the Executive has been economically expended, the statement I have now mudc will satisfy any doubts that may have existed on the subject; and it must always be a matter of congratulation to the House at its annual Session, to find that whatever may be the Government nf the day, proper care has been taken of our money. We have all ;u»reed in this House, that in matters of nuance we should recognise no patty considerations, hut give credit tn any Government where credit was due, us we now desire to do to our predecessors. It will be interesting to the Committee to look bttck for a few years to sec what has been the amount this *lt aiu" 1» MfitFSHflHl tlWs l!li ! ! lwl ) i! Bfrj (jfll'l

Colony has supplied for the since we have been allowed to disposeof fund, under the Constitution Act Withou « nt «' n K »J~ details I will refer the Committee to a tew ft»Jg the purpose of leading them to the one fact « I shall conclude this part of 'he subject The tqUU L. of Customs Revenue received in the ten year since the Constitution Act, is £1*479t978 »m xmwa numbers, a million and a half. The Temtonal Bwa„ue (which hon. members will remember by the Finan eiaf Statement of 18.16, was declared » * fgjjg Revenue,) amounted in the same 47 ffi ajrain, in round numbers, a million and a half, betting Sid the smaller sources of Revenue, which may be considered as exhausted by the special services to support which they are collected, and taking only the two Ssourceso?Customs and Land Fund, fU.: country has contributed three millions of money since the Constkutfor Act; which will be a satisfactory proof to the Commie of the resources and wealth of the country duS that time. Out of the whole ordinary Revenue n ten yea s including that part of the Land lund whe prior to 1856 was included in the General Iccount the »um of £757,534 has been paid to the ProSs; and since 1856, the Land Revenue, to the EZXrf A.132,242, was also fag*-*,™! to die Province [Mr. MooRHOUSE : Retuined.J irui, returned' and l thank ,ny h ° n ' "^^ : « h".'."ay. held it «o be Provincial Revenue The Sal" m returned to the Provinces under both heads, a .been £ 1,899,777. Now, that is a large sum to have be,... Iced a. the disposal of the Provincial GovernS after providing for the General Government Expenditure; but large as that is, It I.ink h,n me tubers will admit that it is a remarkable thin*, that Sing .he current year through, the financial periods are not alike in all the Provinces The Approbations made by the Provincial Legislatures amount In the North Island to £219,902, and in the MiddleIsland to £557.469, making a total of £777,431 appropriated by the Provinces for their own public service., and the work of colonization; and tins sum only includes six months' Appropriation of the Province of Otajro. Thus a single year's Appropriation by the Provinces (inclusive of loans) for their own services is a larger sum than the whole surplus Revenue paid to them during a period of ten years I wish to remind hon. members that under our system of Government the General Expenditure is smaller while the Provincial Expenditure is larger, as it includes Emir -ration and Public Works. In England the Imperial Expenditure amounted in 1801 to £72,000,000, and the Local and Municipal Expenditure to £18,000,000, or a fourth of the Imperial Expenditure. Here the proportions are reversed, the Expenditure oi the General Government for 1862 being £189,000; and the Provincial Appropriation £757,000. 11. —Statu ok various Accounts.

I now proceed to that which is always a matter of interest 10 the House, and on which they require specific information to be given by the Treasurer every year, namely, the state of various accounts, the halt million loan', the war loan, and other accounts which I shall presently call your attention to. But in the first place I wish to call the attention of the Committee to the measures taken by my predecessor to carry into effect the recommendations expressed by tbe Audit Committee last year. It will be in the recollection of the Committee, that censure was cast last year on the Colonial Treasurer (Mr. Richmond), for using balances of certain funds and not investing them as the law required, ibis has been done, and on account of the half million loan, the particulars of which I shall presently give you, £ll,lOO has been invested in live per cent. Bank deposits; on account of the sixths of Land Revenue the whole balance has been invested; and on account of the Intestate Estate Fund £±,ooo have been invested, leaving a sufficient sum in hand to meet current demands. "Another recommendation of the Audit Committee has also been carried our, by calling in and paying off Scott's Debentures of £3,675 ; and the Auckland Government House Account of £13,752 has been paid out of the consolidated balance of the Ist and 2nd divisions of the half million loan. The following are the details of the settlement of those two divisions : EKTTI.EMKNT OF THK HALP .MILLION LOAN. Ist and Sod Divisions : Balance on 30th September, 1830, as stated in the Financial Statement of last year •• £10,758 jlO Add Transfer of Imperial Deposit Account, formerly in suspense- • ■• •■ •• 8,133 !> 1 ,£'!8,8:tl 14 11 Disbursements since last yeai : Government House refund to Auckltnd •• •• £13.752 r> <> Sett's Debentures redeemed 3,i>7--» 16 0 Sundries, including Old Cu>reocy Debentures dropped in 298 9 6 Balance £1,165 2 II Tim?, for all practical purpose?, we may consider the first and second divisions of the Half -Million Loan to be settled. If you allow mc to hold this £1,105 for the purposes of settling small claims that come dropping in now and then, Old Currency Debentures, &C, we shall have done with any further necessity of dealing with these first and second divisions. I need not trouble you with the transactions that have taken place with regard to the £200,000 charged on the Middle Island, because that is a matter which we have not to deal with in this House for any financial purpose. The third division of the Half Million Loan is one that will be particularly interesting to North Island members; and the following are the'transactions of the year:— 3rd Division, Land Purchase £IBO,OOO. 1. Auckland: Amount Appropriated £90,000. Expenditure according to Financial Statement of list year £37,506 17 5 Expenditure to 31st March, 18C2 7.780 0 7 Tout spent £45,2«! 18 (l Balance •■ «,7'3 -' 0 . £!tO,(HM) u 0 2, Wellington: Amount Appropriated £27,000. Expenditure to .list March, IBG2 £21,036 18 a Balance •• 5,963 2 0 .'!. Hawke'sßay: Amount Appropriated £27,000. All spent, and more besides 27,000 0 0 ■l. Taranakl: Expenditure to ;tlst March, 1862 •• •• £ 2,606 « <> Balance •• 33,393 11 6 £IBO,OOO 0 0 Total Expenditure • ■ £93,930 4 <! Balance unexpended 84,069 15 <i The Committee will sec then that the total amount expended is £1)5,9:30 4s. (id., leaving a Balance available for future Land Purchases of £S4,OG9 15s. Gil.; of which Balance £50,000 are as yet unraised in the English market, leaving an actual Balance of £34,069 15s. 6d., whereof £ll,lOO has been invested in 5 ]icr cent. Bank Deposits, while the Union Bank holds Debentures for the rest. I now turn to the £150,000 War Loan, and will give the Committee an account of what has been done in the expenditure of that money.

With regard to the sum originally appropriated for the expenses of Native Conferences, of which a balanco of £2,132 remains, I propose that we should carry it to some other bead, for there is no further need to maintain a sum in hand for a Native conference after what the Governor has declared on that subject in the Despatches before the House. With regard to the total balance of about £12,000, it may be said that it will soon be exhausted in expenditure going on. so that lor all practical purposes the £150,000 loan has been spent. Now let us sec what the state of the Treasury assets and liabilities were on the 31st March, 1862. I cannot state what it was on the 30th June for the reason I gave before —that the various Treasurers' accounts were only received in Auckland the day before the Lord Woreley left—but on the 31st March the Treasury was liable for — £ s. d. Balances of Revenue Account ■• 52,164 17 4 Deposits 10,170 15 5 On account of Half Million Loan • 25,234 18 5 Total £.'(7,570 ] 1 2 Now for the assets. First, there is the balances of Special Accounts (which will have to be closed by and bye) £4,904 12s. The £16,059 9s. 3d. which had been advanced from the Revenue on account of the £150,000 loan. A considerable portion of the loan is still in transit from England, and sums have been advanced from the revenue for the payment of various services which will properly be chargeable upon that loan when that sum in transit arrives, which will be by the end of next month, and when I shall have to charge these expenses so advanced upon the residue of the £150,000 War Loan, to whieh I just referred. Then there were cash balances in the hands of the Treasurers to the amount of £66,071 15s. Id., and £444 14s. lOd. in the Union Bank at London; which makes a total of £87,570 lis. 2d., and balances the account. Now, as to Treasury Bills. It will he remembered that in 1860 authority was given to the Treasurer to issue £25,000 of Treasury Bills to provide a working balance in anticipation of the revenue, and a similar provision was made last year to the amount of £35,000. In consequence, however, of the large increase in the revenue, it has not only been unnecessary to issue any Treasury Bills last year, but those which had been issued by Mr. Richmond in 1860-1, t0 the amount of £13,000, have been paid off. The consequence is that we have no Treasury Bills now in tha market; even those in which investments had been temporarily made having been called in. The nex't matter I have to refer to is the Special Accounts, which represent transactions in the course of settlement. The following is the state of those accounts. Special Accounts. State of the Account up to 31st Match, 18G2. i" s. d. Hank of Issue 58712 0 Gold Duty Act (Nelson) 845 9 1 Native Circuit Courts Act 85 10 H Gold Duty Act (Wellington) •••• 19 110 Balance 4,</j9 7 ] £6,537 0 C £ i. d. Over Payment*. Bay of Islands Settlement Act 3.BJS 0 5 Gold Fields Act (Nelson) 139 2 1 Auckland Reserve? Act 2,581 18 0 Balance down 4,!*W 7 1 i' 6,537 0 r, With regard to the item of £3,816 os. 5d., which . represents the whole expenditure which the General Government has made on account of the non-formation of that settlement. & was proposed by the late Government to repeal the Bay of Islands Act, and place the land reserved for that settlement at the disposal of the Provincial Government of Auckland, making the sum advanced by the General Government a first charge upon the proceeds of the sales of the land ; but the present Government does not make any specific proposal on that subject just now, because a proposal has been made by the Land Claims Commissioner in his.Report now under consideration of a Select Committee, and we should like to see how it is dealt with before coming to any final decision. I may say, however, that there is a general opinion that the original objects for which we passed the Bay of Islands Settlement Act, cannot at this time be carried out. Well, then, with respect to the item of £2,581, under the head of Auckland Reserves Act, I believe there will be no difficulty ultimately in making a settlement between the General and the Provincial Governments. [Mr. Fox: Does it include the sum from the Domain Fund ?] Yes, the hon. member for Rangitikei (Mr. Fox), alluded to it the other day, and it ought to be aTjtt hands of us Commissioners of the Public Doinab, iM as the money was spent by my hen. friend the for Nelson (Mr. Stafford), I, as one of the Dofain Commissioners, should be very glad to see it back. [Mr. Stafford: I am also a Commisssior.er of the Public Domain, and I deny that I spent the money It was spent by another person and I never could get it back again; I speak of course only as a Commissioner of the Public Domain.] Very well, wc shall get it back some day I dare say. The" next matter is one for which we shall have to make a kind of provision at a future time, I allude to the amount due to Natives in the Province of Wellington for 5 per cent, on certain land sales ; a matter that ought, if possible, to be settled, if possible, by commutation of the charge. This is indeed one of the troubles of the Provincial Governments, and is a source of anxiety to us. [Mr. Stafford : Is there not a similar sum i:t the Province of Auckland ?] Yes, but the charge is chiefly in the Province of Wellington. I now come to an account which has been the subject of much discussion in former sessions, the reserved sixths. In the Province of Auckland the balance on the 30th April last was £5,962, in Wellington, £I7.S2S, and in Hawke's Bay, £15,758. The whole of the Auckland balance is invested in 5 per cent. Bank Deposits. The Wellington balance stands thus: on the application of the Provincial Government of Wellington, my predecessor lent them £15,114, at 2 per cent, on the security of the Ikrbonr Reserves, and the money has been or is being employed in the reclamation of land from Wellington Harbour. The residue, £2,713, has been invested in" five per cent. Bank Deposits. As regards the Hawke's Bay balance, £7,758 has been invested in Bank Deposits, and the balance of £S,OOO advanced to the Provincial Government, with whom I shall have to come to a settlement about interest. The following are the details of the amount : Reservkd Sixths Account. 1. Auckland : Balance on the 30th Sept., 1851 5,151 •"' " Receipts to 3oth April, 18&?, including interest 810 5 1 5,02 0 9 The whole of which has been invested in S per cent. Bank Depositf. .I*l,Boo of this was invested in Treasury BUI., but all those having been paid off the money has been invested in Bank Deposits. ?. Wellington:— Balance on the 30'.h September, 18(il •••- 15,981 18 * Receipts to 31st March, liJo'2 1.846 4 9 17,828 3 I Of this sum the following investments have been made:— Loan to Provincial Government of Wellington on security of Harbour 15,114 14 • Five per cent. Bank Deposits -,"'•> ' 17,888 3 1 The amount lent to Wellington was originally paid in the following way : Treasury Bills 8,300 0 0 Cash WW" ° But the Treasury Bills were afterwards paid off. ;!. Hawke's Bay : Balance on 30th September, 1861 13,416 jj " Receipts to 31« March, 1868 2,:U2 7 »' 13,7 m 8 7 This sum was invested as follows : Treasury Bills, originally £3,1500, but paid off and added to the Bank Deposit investment formerly made. Five per cent. Bank Deposits 7.753 Loan to Provincial Govt, of Hawke's Bay 8,000 <> ' 15,758 8 7 Total Reserved Sixths M>' AB 12 3 I have now to make a statement which I hope M be satisfactory. It is the intention of the Government to propose a repeal from Ist July last, of those sections of the Land Revenue Appropriation Act relating to these sixths. I think this House has on so many occasions expressed a decided opinion on that question, tna all of us who have any sacrifices of opinion to make on this point (and I have none) may fairly accept tu decision of this House last year and assist us in t» removal froni the Provincial Governments W w

„— . £1JO,000 Loan. Total Expenditure Approximal ed undei i> i Head op Expekditure. ._-—.».. '—— M — — 1. Relief of inhabitants of Taranaki 31st March, !><;_>. £ s. cl 20,085 2 0 Resolution 30th At £ > 25,000 lyust. !. Cl. 0 0 £ 4,011 17 C .». Repairs of Britomart Barracks .. 7"»2 6 1 J. Expenses of Native Conferences 4,017 10 J 0,750 0 0 2,132 0 11 ■:*.. Expenses of Native Insurrection — 1. Arms and Accoutrements .. £ s. d. 35,810 17 0 9,340 0 8 2,804 18 11,018 11 0 1 Removal and maintenance of Refugees, including £'4000 advanced to Provincial Government for Buildings 33,302 2 10 7,015 3 11 Taranaki Back Pay .. .. •• 2.9G7 6 11 i New Plymouth Boat Establishment 3,500 0 0 4,000 0 0 Barracks and repairs .. 3,636 3 4 113,489 6 11 Less Incidental Receipts .. 827 fi 3 Net Exjiendltnre 112,662 0 8 117,407 13 LI 4,83.-, 13 3 £138,116 10 4 150,000 0 0 11,883 0 8