Thursday, 21st June.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 406, 23 June 1849, Page 3

Thursday, 21st June.

On the motion of Mr. Ludlam the bill to authorise the levying and collecting tolls on roads was read a first lime. Mr. Ludlam then mtfved the suspension of the standing orders, and the bill was read a j second time without discussion, and the Couucil went into committee; a portion of the provisions of the bill were considered, after which the Council having resumed, Mr. Seymour presented the following resolutions of the sub-committee appointed to inquire into the claims to compensation of certain Wahganui settlers :—: — Council Chamber — Wednesday, June 19, 1849. Present — The Hon. Senior Military Officer, the Colonial Treasurer, Messrs. Ludlam, Bannatyne, Moore, and Seymoti". Resolved — That the claims of the individuals hereunder written to compensation from the community cannot be admitted as a right, but that under the peculiar circumstances in which they arose it is deemed desirable that t'ey should be entertained to such an extent as may upon further investigation be found equitable. Claims at Wanganui. — Captain Campbell, Messrs. Samuel Parkes, Charles Small, Tring, Harrison, John Day, Deigbton, Lockett. Claim at the Hutt — Mr. David M'Hardie. Resolved — That as the right to compensation by Messrs. Ridgways, Hickson, & Co. hai been admitted by the Government, this com-/ mitt ee recommend that bis Excellency the Lieu-tenant-Govern or should be requested to adopt such measures as shall equitably cancel their claim wiib as little delay as possible. Resolved — That this committee beg to decline making any further recommendations in respect of any of the claims which hare been brought under their notice. (Signed) H. Seymour, Chairman. Flis Excellency the Iveutenant-Governor said that befo r e putting the question to the Council, he would point out the position in which the question would stand if the report was adopted. The object of appointing a sub-committee was to decide what amount should be paid in each case. The Executive Council had inquired into the matter and came to a resolution that the claims ought to be recognised, but it was a question as to the amount of compensation to be paid. The sub-comm ttee had left the matter just in the same position, and the Executive Council having no means of ascertaining the correct amount of damage would have no alternative but to pay the claims in full. In the case of the sheriff also it would follow as a matter of course that the Government could uke no further proceedings in the matter. Mr. Seymour said that the sub-committee had no means of judging as to the exact, amounts which should be paid. There was no evidence before them nor could they procure any. The Colonial Secretary said that the subcommittee were in the predicament of being required to make bricks without straw ; .they had no data to go upon. It appeared that both the Executive Council and the subcommittee were in the same position, heing unable to obtain any evidence.

Mr. Moore t ought the only thing the sub committee could do was to express an opinion that ihe claim, although not • l?gal one, was one which the Government ought to enterUiri, and they left to the Government to decide the amount to be paid in each case. The Attorney General, with a view to br'n q te question to a.conclusion, proposed the following resolution — That this Council adopt the report of tlie subcommittee on thv 1 subject of compensation to settlers at Wanganui and the Hurt, and reconir mend that he sums claimed by the individuals nskincr for compensation be paid to them whenever the Local Government may have funds for that purpose. Mr. Moore was sorry to oppose ihe resolution, hut he felt it his duty to do so as he was not prepared to vote that each claim should be paid in full. He thought it ought to be left to the Government to pay what sum appeared equitable, and he objected to the Council defining the amount to be paid. The question was then put and carried. Ay es — m s Excellency the Lieutenant-Go-vernor, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General, Mr. Seymour, and Dr. Greenwood. Noes — The Colonial Treasurer, Messrs. Ludlaro, Bannatyne, Hunter, and Moore. The Council then adjourned till Friday at 2 p.m. _