THE CANTERBURY POLITICAL CRISIS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 29, 12 August 1871, Page 2

THE CANTERBURY POLITICAL CRISIS.

A crisis in the Canterbury Provincial Council is thus described by the Canterbury “ Press” :—Nothing of the kind had been expected ; we doubt, indeed, whether a single member in the House had any conception, when the vote was carried upon which the Government thought fit to retire, that it would be followed by their resignations. The circumstances were as follows :—About ten days ago a select committee was appointed, on the motion of Mr Knight, to enquire into the management of railways and storeage ; the latter being the point to which the mover more particularly wished to call attention. The appointment of the committee was assented to by the Executive, one of whom was chosen to serve upon it. That same evening Mr Hall had a series of resolutions on the order paper relative to storage accommodation at Lyttelton, but when their turn came to be moved he asked leave to postpone them until the committee whicn had just been appointed should have made its report. This, of course, was agreed to, and the resolutions were for the time withdrawn. The committee have since finished their enquiry, and the report was brought up on Thursday. It makes many recommendations both regarding railway management and storage; but of the evidence taken, which should have accompanied it, and which we believe is somewhat voluminous, the first part only had been printed ; the second part—that relating to storage —will not be out of the printer’s hands till Saturday. When, therefore, Mr Hall proceeded last night to move his resolutions, much objection was taken. It was pointed out that the Council, having postponed the question for the sake of the information to be obtained by tlie select committee, would act absurdly in coming to a conclusion without waiting for the information to be laid before it. The Government, on

the other hand, urged the necessity of an immediate decision, as the session could not be protracted beyond the week- After much discussion, the House went into committee ; but upon the resolution being put, a motion to report progress—moved by Mr Bucldey—was carried by 16 to 13. A short adjournment followed. When the House re-assembled, Government announced that the refusal to pass their resolutions that evening was equivalent to a vote of want of confidence, and that they had in consequence tendered their resignation to his Honor the Superintendent. The House, therefore adjourned till Monday. Mr Buckley was afterwards “ sent for” by His Honor, and undertook the task of forming anew Executive. We understand that he has been joined by Messrs Knight, Cowlishaw, and Westenra, and that Mr Kennaway has consented to retain office as Provincial Secretary.