LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 625, 30 July 1851, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, July 25, 1851. The Council met at the usual hour-.l prajers, uur »alUt Captain Smith wished to ask if it Wask tended to make any alterai’on •«» a. . fernng to licensed victuallers; the hon 1 .0.1,. painful S * wreck of ibejVana.and aHribuud the which hod occurred iu the vicinii, o f pZ Nicboleon to (be want of a lighthouse, « be thought should be erected, ae well f«4 safetj of the lives of our fellow erettata" for lhe sake of the increasing eommeratltl. port, and the traffic through Cook’s Strait, The Colonial Secretary of New Munster'J the hon. member had anticipated him in J remarks on this subject. He believed aft nculty existed with regard to the rights of lb Crown in the erection of lighthouses, and till old Corporation Ordinance had been disalloi ed by Lord Stanley on that ground.. If d hon. member would make a definite motioua the subject of a lighthouse, he should be has. py to second it. r

Sir George Grey would inform lhe hw>. member he had hoped, and still hoped in th course of the summer, to see a light bonit erected at the entrance of the harbour of Port Nicholson. He would recommend the Council to pass a resolution to the effect that, in their opinion, any surplus revenue of the Province of New Munster would be judiciously employed in the erection of alight house, and b would engage to find other funds if they shonid be wanting. So great a diversity of opinioi existed as to the best site for a lighthouse, that he should be unwilling to incur so large an expense without being quite clear on lb! point; but if such a resolution were passed, it would be a great assistance to Government, and he should incur the expense much more cheerfully.

building societies bill. On tLo AT— T>_ll iLa J AAAVMVU Ml Itir, XJKII lUV VVMW’“ I went into committee on this bill. I Clauses Ito 15 (having been considerably shortened) were read and agreed to, when the committee adjourned, and the report brought up and adopted. NEW ZEALAND COMPANY’S LAND CLAtMANTS BillOn the motion of Captain Smith the Cooncil went into committee on this bill. The Attorney-General* of New ZeStf moved an amendment on the first clause, tW the Commissioner should have the power ohearing and deciding, instead of hearing reporting, claims. If an appeal was there should be something to appeal fw®i and therefore he was of opinion the Comniis* sioner should be authorised to hear and de« cide, instead of hearing and reporting W claims.

On the 4th clause being read, Sir George Grey said he was anxious to cure to the Government, in those n> which individuals neglected to prefer their claims, the power of referring such cl»i® s 0 the Commissioner, and thought the comin l ' would assent to this as it weald be a good ru to establish, and could easily be affected y slight alteration of the 4th and sth Cases might occur of a person who was a se from the colony without any agent, wbos ? * s adjoined the property of inany conto^ 1 proprietors whose claims could not he e® until that of the former was first dispose If an individual does not come fo rff3l ’’J thought the Government should be ero P°' | ieJl to refer his claim to the

and decide, in order to ascertain what his rights were ; his claim would not become null and void but his rights would be fixed and ascertained. The effect would be to put those in certain possession of their lands who actually required it; the individual whose claim the Government might refer to a Commissioner might then appeal to Government to repair any injury he might sustain, while the interests of other individuals would be protected. On an addition being moved to the 13th clause to the effect that, on its being at any time necessary to take any land in actual cultivation for laying out any new line of road, the value of the land so taken and the injury done to the owner or occupier shall be determined by arbitration, and Government scrip to the value so declared issued to the party entitled to the same. Mr. Cautley observed hardly a road, as originally laid down by the New Zealand Company’s surveyors in the Nelson settlement, could be made passable without incurring an immense expense. Sir George Grey wished to state to the committee that, by the original proposal, absolute power was given to Government to take the land required for roads, the value of which was to be decided by the Commissioner, and scrip would be given for it; this right was reserved by the New Zealand Company, so that individuals would be in a better position than with the New Zealand Company. The Government would not give a grant reserving a right of road, as was done in some of the neighbouring colonies, so that no land could henceforth be taken from any individual without payment, and any apparent harshness would be done away with by giving land for roads. For the future he wished the General Government not to interfere, but to leave this question to the Provincial Governments, and even in some cases to Corporations. His reason for this was, he was unwilling to force such a measure on the community ; he was anxious the interference should take place at the request of individuals. In reply to some remarks by the Attorney General of New Zealand Sir George Grey observed that many cases had occurred in which valuable sections belonging to absentees had been let to other individuals with a right of purchase, and although Government might be entitled io take the iand required for a road, if he were the individual he should feel ill disposed towards a Govern- ‘ merit that should take his land, and tell him his remedy would lie against some absentee in England. In cases where sections were subdivided, the formation of a new road would probably take land from one man, while the original road would lie in another person’s

land. He thought that the rights of individuals should be respected by their receiving compensation. The question of compensation might be decided between the Government and Company afterwards. The Attorney General of New Munster said the clause does not force the Government to any particular course, they may do what is right in whatever way they please. Sir George Grey was of opinion that what he proposed would give to individuals a knov/n and ascertained right, and would justify the Government in recognising that right and in giving compensation. A good deal of discussion ensued as to the best course to be pursued in originating new lines of roads, or of altering those already laid down, M hen Sir George Grey said he thought there was no real objection to the course proposed, the ; surveyor would lay cut the line, but the decision would not rest with him. It would go through various hands, through the Commissioner of Crown lands, the Executive Council, and the several departments of Government, and be examined and decided by them. In answer to an observation by the Attornow n 1 _e xt u» new luuuaier, The Colonial Secretary of New Munster said he thought the purchasers of land had as strong moral rights, which deserved as much consideration as any which could be depended a bit of parchment from whatever quarter Proceeding. Sir George Grey observed the remark of , hon. member was rather philosophical man practical; the people in New Zealand who were settled in the colony have a moral n ght to get to the ports, and to get to the . est districts. All have moral rights of va*lous kinds, and he (Sir George) was desirous 0 see those moral rights protected. On the 14th clause, which refers to those cases where selections have been made in disncts that have not been acquired by the Company being read, j t • s “ c * au se were extended (‘o include Waitera and Manawatu, an unl an ? ouut . SCI "lp might be required to i .. . suca claims, contrary tn the contract ■i n ?’ Ch . al ] * ho accepted compensation entered rforw’nr? deba . r theraselves f rom ever bringing I Of wh; i. an ° tber * n res P ect °f an y l an( l I Compa Possession could not be given by the

Sir George Grey understood the case to be this, where the Government has not acquired a tract of land from the Company, a question would arise between the purchasers and the Company. There would be no objection to make it lawful for the Government to do so and so, but he should be fearful of injuring the rights of others. He(SirGeorge)had been told that some of the land was of great value, so that he could hardly rate the compensation land that might have to be given under 80,000 acres. If he was right in bis first supposition, that amount should be paid by the Company; the colony bad already to pay the Company £268,000, and ought not to be called upon to pay £BO,OOO in addition. He considered Taranaki to be a peculiar case. Government had enforced every adverse decision of the Commissioner against the Company, and if from weakness on the part sf Government it had refused to accept this award in the Company’s favor, in refusing to affirm it Government ought to have borne the loss. At the same time he did not think the award ought to have been enforced. On the other hand, it was possible the New Zealand Company might say, in admitting these claims, you have damaged our lien upon the land fund, to the extent of £BO,OOO, and might apply for increased compensation, and perhaps with some show of reason. After some discussion in which Colonel M'Cleverty and Mr. Bell joined, The Colonial Secretary ol New Munster thought the Government had a right to claim that amount frem the Company while, on the other hand, the Company might say they had a right to be consulted in the arrangements to be made in disposing of these claims. On the whole, it would be better to propose some plan by which these claims might be definitively settled. Mr. Cutfield was of opinion if these rights were not extinguished the bill would not achieve what it intended. Sir George Grey thought the committee might agree to the general principle that these individuals have a right to the selection, but not to allow so long a period for it. What they ought to do would be to give the individuals the value of their right, but not the value of the land. They should give from the public revenue exactly what the public acquire. Ao tne clause stands, they would first have to pay the individuals the full value of the land as if they had a perfect title to it. then they would have to pay to acquire the land from the natives, which with surveys and other expenses would make these districts excessively expensive. He had no wish to apply this rule to Taranaki, where the Government was in a different position from any other part of the country. A further discussion ensued on the claims of persons who had selected lands in the Waitera and Manawatu districts, in which the Colonial Secretary of New Munster, Mr. Bell, Col. M'Cleverty, and the Colonial Treasurer, took part.

Sir George Grey thought it very advisable to take up any of these contracts that could be obtained. If the committee reflected for a moment the position was rather a singular one. With respect to the Waitera and Manawatu districts, the Company had contracted to give land they had never purchased. The colony were already indebted £268,000 to the Company, and the Colonial Government was forbidden to spend any money except for emigration and surveys ; and it would therefore be necessary to tax the public to acquire fresh districts. He should be very unwilling to see Bny thing dons to fores the Groveronisiit to take up these claims, if individuals had no express right, the decision of their claim might be left to the Commissioner. After some further discussion the 14th clause was altered and agreed to. On the 16th clause being read, Mr. Bell observed the Company bad issued to the absentee land owners not scrip but supplementary land orders, and ha thought these should not come in the same category with original land orders. After some further discussion Sir George Grey said he proposed not to take away but to confer a valuable privilege ; the effect of the clause would be to give them the right to select within a few months, Afterwards it would give the right to selection in any part of New Zealand. A great number of persons might take scrip, but one contumacious person might insist on having a district surveyed and occasion great expense. A valuable mine might be discovered, and persons might insist on a right to selection, and close the district for twelve months. The 16th and 17th clauses were incorporated. • The Attorney General proposed an amendment reserving the town site of Taranaki from ths provisions of the bill. Sir George Grey said another more immediate reason for reserving the town site of Taranaki was, it was proposed to raise an emigration fund from tuts source. The defenceless position of Taranaki was such as to

render it desirable to get out pensioners there, a representation had been made to the Home Government, and it was proposed that the expense of transporting the pensioners should ba defrayed by the sale of the remainder of the town site. The same argument would apply to Wanganui, if it was thought desirable to get pensioners out there. On the 19th clause The Colonial Treasurer proposed as an amendment that two thirds scrip and one third cash should be received by Government in payment at land sales. Sir George Grey had originally proposed the amendment of the Colonial Treasurer, but he had been told it might prevent people from taking scrip. The emigration fund was destroyed for the present, and measures should be taken to restore it. The effect of requiring a portion of the purchase to be paid in money would be immediately to restore a part of the emigration fund. Mr. Bell was strongly opposed to the arrangement ; he thought the effect of such a clause would be to prevent scrip from being taken by the absentees, and would destroy the principle sanctioned by the committee. Sir George Grey thought the argument against the proposal fatal) as it would prevent persons from taking scrip. If a large holder of scrip was to consider, the greater number of persons introduced the sooner this scrip would ultimately rise in value, as every person desirous of obtaining land would purchase scrip, this operation would go on until scrip gets scarce, and the operation would be repeated continually until there was a very small difference between scrip and cash. He (Sir George) thought the effect of making the whole payment in scrip would be to render it of less value, but if the committee should be of an opposite opinion he should be sorry to enforce the amendment.

Several members expressed their opinion as to the effect of the proposed amendment. The Colonial Secretary of New Munster, from Mr. Bell’s knowledge of the opinions of the absentees, should feel inclined to support his views. Sir George Grey did not suppose the absentees would spend any more money in New Zealand, but would be glad to get out of it, and would readily agree to whatever would give scrip the greatest value. He would not press the amendment, particularly as the simplicity of present plan was in perfect conformity with the system pursued by the Land and Emigration Commissioners. The same amount of scrip would entitle the intending emigrants to the same number of acres as if they bought land orders from the Land and Emigration Commissioners, but they would be able to purchase the New Zealand scrip for a less amount in money. The system would be understood and would be looked at without suspicion. To the other plan they might say they would have to pay something when they got into the country, and they would therefore have nothing more to do with it. Amendment withdrawn. Mr. Bell proposed that no limit as to time should be fixed on scrip. The effect of such a regulation would be to cause scrip to be kept as an investment. Such a proposition would stamp the scrip with real character if the Council were to say that scrip shall last as long as people choose to bold it. On the motion of Mr. Bell a clause was added barring any alleged right to pasturage by any purchasers of land on their accepting compensation. A long discussion arose on the proposed clause to bar dower. The Council divided. For the motion— B ; against it —10. Mr. Cautley’s additional clause relating to the Appropriation of fees payable on the issue of Crown grants was amended, and the fees were reserved for the payment of the expenses incurred in issuing grants. The interpretation clause was struck out, and it was agreed the law should come into operation the Ist day of September. On a proposal being made to strike out of the schedule the form of grant, Sir George Grey said the effect of striking out the form of grant would be to make the bill comparatively worthless, and to leave the purchaser at the mercy of every Governor. The form had not been put in for any advantage of the Crown, but had been inserted by himself for the protection of the public, that they might be assured no other restrictions or reservations could be inserted in the grant than were contained in the form. The committee then adjourned. Several notices of motion were given and Council adjourned to Saturday.

Saturday, July 26. NEW ZEALAND COMPANY’S LAND CLAIMANTS BILL. The Council went into committee on this bill. Capt. Smith inquired what arrangements had been made for the transfer cf scrip from one settlement to another.

Sir George Grey said the best plan would be to make the scrip a transferable security, which would always be taken as cash at the different treasuries. The committee then adjourned, and the report was brought up and adopted. It was also agreed that the report, and the evidence on which it was founded, should be printed. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE. On the motion of the Colonial Treasurer the Council went into committee on this bill. On the vote for the Lieutenant-Governor’s establishment of New Ulster being proposed, Mr. Bell considered it rather an anomaly that the salary of the Lieutenant-Governor should be inferior to those of some of the officers of that Province; if the arrangement was permanent he considered it undignified to place him in a lower position in point of emolument than some of his officers, unless there was some special reason for it. Sir George Grey proposed to make no alteration in the estimates ; as soon as the colony was divided into different Provinces the salaries of the Lieutenant-Governors would be according to a scale fixed by her Majesty, he therefore thought it better to allow the temporary arrangement to exist. No doubt the subject would be adjusted on a different footing in a few months. The Colonial Secretary of New Zealand said the salary was not equal to the Lieutenant Governor’s expenses, and proposed as an amendment au increase of £2OO. Mr. Dillon thought the sense of the Committee would be against the amendment. The Committee divided, for the amendment 4, against it 6. Mr. Dillon said the regulations of the Home Government prescribed that military and naval officers on full pay should only receive half the salary on accepting any civil appointment, and he had voted against the amendment for that reason. The Colonial Secretary of New Zealand then proposed the salary of the T.ien tenant Governor of New Ulster should be £BOO. Sir George Grey said one thing alarmed him; those Lieutenant-Governors that were not military officers would now probably apply for increase of salaries, representing that they had no military pay, which might lead to unknown demands on the Treasury. The offices of Governor and Commander of the Forces were often held by the same person who bad drawn both salaries. If the salary was increased it ought to be understood that the sum voted was considered by the Council the salary due to the office, without reference to the person who filled it. The Lieutenant-Governor wished to state, in consequence of a casual remark that had fallen from his Excellency that other Lieute-nant-Governors would be in a position to demand higher salaries, that he had already represented that a salary of £BOO a year was not adequate to his expenses, and he wished to make that statement that no misapprehension might exist on the subject. Every year he had held the office he had been considerably out of pocket, and he stated this to the Council as the result of his personal experience.

Sir George Grey referred solely to future demands which might spring from the increase of salary under consideration. He would add one further remark, that in estalillsllin? RenwinAAa 41* A MM *v * W RUUAW AUkUAV prosperity of the colony depended on not making for these offices too large a charge nn the revenue. He would also state that for several years he had held the office of Governor in another colony with a much larger population, with other offices attached, holding a much higher rank, and drew less pay than was drawn by the Lieutenant-Governor m this Province when his allowances were taken into epnsideration ; and he gave this to the Council as his own personal experience. The amendment was then carried. The Colonial Treasurer said, according to the estimates, the expenditure of the Northern Province by this vote would exceed the revenue.

Sir George Grey thought the Colonial Treasurer was wrong to a certain extent. A considerable amount in the expenditure was to be regarded only in the light of an advance. The error had been fallen into from the circumstance that a great portion of the expenditure which was charged on the revenue would be defrayed by the land fund. If the ordinary revenue should prove insufficient these charges would be defrayed from the land fund. He conceived there would be a surplus revenue. Mr. Cutfield proposed a grant of £250 for roads in the settlement of New Plymouth; the European population of that settlement numbered 1,400 souls and carried on a large trade with the natives in the neighbouring districts and along the coast to the north and south of New Plymouth, a considerable quantity of flour had also been exported last year

from New Plymouth, and the improvement of the roads would have the effect of extending cultivation. Mr. Cautley proposed, seconded by Mr. Bell the sum of £3OO should be granted. Sir George Grey said, if the Council agreed to this vote, as soon as the Crown Lands Ordinance came into operation, New Plymouth would probably be divided into Hundreds, and he should adopt one of two courses. The Executive-Government might determine the money might be beneScjally expended by its own officers, but if it appeared the more beneficial course the money would be handed over to the Wardens of New Plymouth, to be expended under their direction. Amendment carried. Mr. Bell said the Council were indebted to the hon. member (Mr. Cutfield) for originating the motion, and it was entirely owing to his modesty so low a sum as &250 had been proposed. On the vote for the Police Force, Mr. Cutfield proposed that an alteration should be made in the Police establishment at New Plymouth, placing the force under a sub-inspector, reducing the number of privates, and increasing the number of native assessors. He would suggest that two native assessors be appointed at £SO each, instead of two privates at £65 each, by which number he proposed to reduce the police force ; two more native assessors at £3O each, and the remaining number at salaries of £2O and £lO each.

Sir George Grey said that, in consequence of the despatch he had on a former occasion referred to, it would perhaps not be in his power to continue a Commissioner for land purchases. As the gentleman filling the office of Serjeant at New Plymouth was much above that rank, he should recommend that a Serjeant-major should be appointed there with the usual salary. He proposed to reduce the police force by two, this would save £l3O, and to appoint twelve native assessors, of various ranks and different salaries which would make a total of £240. He warned the committee if they agreed to this resolution, it would be necessary to follow out the plan, in other settlements where there were few Europeans and a large native population, and he conceived this one of the wisest plans that could be adopted. If Provincial Councils came into operation he should provide a fund by which this. plan, might be generally introduced. As native magistrates they would be responsible for the peace and good conduct of the native population. He (Sir George) had previously discussed this question with the hon. member, and the probable good effects of establishing a gradation of rank. This was one of those institutions that continued to grow, and could not only be carried out but was capable of great extension. In answer to an observation from the Colonial Treasurer, Sir George Grey observed, if the native magistrates failed to keep the peace, it would shew their want of influence, and they would forfeit their salary. It might probably be found necessary also to appoint them constables.

Mr. Cautley proposed that the grant to the Colonial Chaplain be struck out; seconded by the Colonial Treasurer. A discussion ensued in which the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand, the Colonial Treasurer and Mr. Cautley took part. The Attorney General of New Zealand 821(L that when fKo x-t.i • tuv ouujcvk U 1 LUU VOJOnial Chaplain for New Munster was un®er }he consideration of the Council, he had declined voting on the ground that the General Legislature in voting the estimates were then doing, almost not of necessity, what was peculiarly the business of the respective Provincial Councils; and as the subject of the Colonial Chaplain for New Munster related to a Province with which he was hot immediately connected, he had thought it fitting to leave the subject to the disposal of those members of the Council who were connected with that Province. But with reference to the subject then before the Council, viz,, the salary of the Chaplain for the Province of New Ulster, he felt himself bound to take a different course, and he would state the reasons which induced him to do so. If the subject were then before the Council for the first time—if the question were then for the first time raised whether there should be a Chaplain for the Province of New Ulster, to be maintained out of the general revenue of the Province —he thought he should vote against it; not that he was, like other members of the Council, unwilling that a Chaplain of some particular denomination should be supported out of funds supplied by persons of various religious denominations; for he thought that a minister of the Christian reli-. gion, of almost any religious denomination, had the power, and did really exercise an influence for good, directly or indirectly, to the whole community. When he (the Attorney General) first arrived in the colony, nearly

ten years ago, he found that a Colonial Chaplain bad been appointed, and although he had for the greater part of the time been paid by a vote of Parliament yet, for the last two or three years, his salary had been borne upon the general revenue of the colony. He had been present in one or more sessions of the Council when the vote for that salary was proposed without making any objection to it, and seeing that this was probably the last time when the provincial estimates would be Lit fLa ftnnflFnl 41J ” -Jj w'vULvmj MU UIU IlUfc llliiik that that was the fitting occasion for either suggesting or assenting to a change. He thought that the subject would be more properly reserved for the consideration of the Council of the Province, when it should be composed of the representatives of the people. Another consideration also weighed with him in the vote which he intended to give. The Reverend gentleman who filled the office of Colonial Chaplain in the North had no reason to believe that his salary would be taken away from him, and if it had been his (the Attorney General’s) intention to vote against the continuance of that gentleman’s salary, he should have felt himself bound, in common courtesy between man and man, to give him some notice of his intentions, and not at a moment’s notice to deprive himself and his family of their ordinary means of support. For these reasons he felt himself bound, on the present occasion, to vote against the amendment.

On a division the numbers being equal, Sir George Grey gave with great reluctance his casting vote, but he thought it equally due to the individual not to deprive him of his income, and also due to the inhabitants of New Ulster, that if it were done they should do it themselves. It was due to the individual who held, the office to state that he had filled it for several years, that he was of most exemplary character, had discharged his duties with exemplary fidelity, and had a numerous family,. and was led to believe the situation a permanent one.

The Colonial Secretary of New Munster would state, now that the motion had been lost, that he voted with the amendment simply as recording his opinion as to the general principle. He knew, of course, that the amendment would be lost, taking it for granted that members would vote as before with regard to the Colonial Chaplain of New Munster. Had he not known this he would, fipweyer A _ hayejdeclined voting at all, as he thought the cases of the reverend gentlemen holding the appointments very different. The appointment of Colonial Chaplain had been disapproved of in New Munster by the Provincial Council from the very first, the New Ulster appointment had been in existence from the commencement of the colony. He would prefer even to see a principle violated than injustice done to an individual. On the vote for Educational purposes for Aborigines being estimated at 15 per cent of Land Fund receipts during the year, Sir George Grey said he was originally aware that a guarantee was given that 15 per cent of the money received from sales of land was to be set apart for the use of the natives, and this argument had always been used with them to induce them to dispose of their lands. From some oversight this condition had been unaccountably overlooked in the act of Parliament, and the arrangement with the New Zealand Company would, in point of fact, sweep away all these promises to the natives, so that a breach of faith would be committed with them, but he felt sure such a measure would not be persisted in. The arrangement had always been carefully explained to them, and in many instances had been a powerful inducement to them to part with their lands. He could only say the subject should be reported to the Home Government, and if the act had been passed in ignorance it would be necessary to retrace this step. If the Council would agree to a proposal authorising him, in conjunction with the Home Government, to enter into an arrangement with the New Zealand Company, a certain amount might be charged on the Colonial revenue, and the rest defrayed by Great Britain, and the Land Fund would be set free.

Mr. Cutfield’s motion that the militia at New Plymouth be called out and trained for a limited period each year, after some discussion was, at the suggestion of his Excellency, withdrawn. Capt. Smith proposed the following resolution ■ b That in the opinion of this Council, the wan t ot a Lighthouse to render the entrance of Port ■Nicholson more easily distinguishable, has been a mam cause of the Shipwrecks that have taken ffieejn K neighbourhood of the Port, and that it is of the utmost importance to the security of shipping, the prosperity of commerce, ana the preservation of human life, that a Light--ouse be immediately erected in such a situattion m the vicinity of the harbour of Port NicSmmMi 0 the ® xecutiv ® Government may thatit ie most expedient that the proceeds of the extra duty imposed on Spirits, namely Is. per gallon, which may be raised m the Port of Wellington be de-

voted for a period of eighteen months to the attainment of this desirable object. He had consulted several persons on the subject, and the general impression appeared to be that the cost would not exceed £lOOO, and that the building could be completed and the light exhibited in five months from the period of its commencement. He had proposed that the expense of its erection should be defrayed out of the increased duty on spirits, as he thought it would be more pleasing to the settlers to know the additional duty had been devoted to so useful a purpose. The motion was seconded by the Colonial Treasurer and carried unanimously. Sir George Grey was much obliged to the hon. member for the trouble he had taken on the subject, and would take care that no time was lost in carrying out the resolution ; with regard to the expense of maintaining the building the sole object he bad aimed at was, as far as possible, to prevent any charges on shipping in the harbours of New Zealand. He could not but hope that the revenue judiciously administered would provide for these expenses, and although the resolution does not provide for the expense of maintaining the building, he (Sir George) would take care to do so until the Council should meet again. His own decided opinion was that the Ports in New Zealand should be left free ports, and that no charges should be imposed on shipping resorting here. The sum of £l4OO was then placed on the Estimates for erecting a Gaol in Wellington. The committee then adjourned. (To be continued.)