GENERAL ASSEMBLY WELLINGTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 202, 1 August 1862, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY WELLINGTON.

(FROil OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVEB.

WEDNESDAY, 16rn JULY. • • The House met at 5 p. m. Mr. CARLTON' objected to late proceedings of the House, and maintained that the House could have legally met on Saturday last. If the- House could have adjourned for one half hour, it could have adjourned for a month, and so baulked the Governor from delivering bis speech ; the House was really in cue continuous sitting1 from the time it tirst opened, on the 7th July. He should make no motion, but it was his duty as Chairman of Committees to notice tl«e fact. The minutes, were, therefore, ■ signed as usual. ' Mr. RUPELL presented a petition from certain inhabitants of the Province of Hawkers 55<iy, p"rayfri£ fur an investigation into the procee-ii'sigs of fehe Civil Commissioner's Court, relative to t-Jie.iate pro3QC*ution of the llev. Air. Coleuso. . • miner's franchise.- . ■ . ■ ■ Mr. GILLIES asked the Ministry, whstfeer it was tho intention to propose to,this .House any aaieud- J inent of thtf Miner's Franchise Act., 1850. • The SOLONIAL SECRETARY-repliietl that tlie Government would as early as possible., propose some measure on the subject to the House. ' Mr. GLLLIES asked Ministers, whether it was the intention of the Government to' introduce any measure tor iscveasing the number of Rapresentatives of thj Proviacft of Otago in this House: or otherwise for re-tlistributing the representation-eomeyvhai wore in accordance with the present population and intsrests of the respective Provinces. The COLONIAL SECRETA3.Y," replied that the Government were prepared to recognise the claims of Otago to an increase in the number -of its members, if it could be done without disturbing the relative proportions of the other Provinces." Tins question b'insr dependent on the tirst, when- the Government hud inady up its mind on it, ih'ey would decide '< v.'iiit was necessary with regard to the present question. DEATH OF THE PIUXCE COXSOKT. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the following A-ldre« to Her Majesty, confining himself to only two or three remarks in its support:— " M.ist Ghaciocs Sovereign— " We. your Majast/'s most dutiful and loyal sii^jectF, the House of Keprosentatives of New Zealand In Parli-liiient assembled, "humbly take the first opportunity of o.Terli:,2 to your Majesty our sincere con-l-i----leucv> ou t]:e aiilictin-i dispensation of frovidoneo with which voar M-uesty and the British E'npire have b:en v:>itvu, ia the death of His Iloyal Highness the i'rincc Consort. We bj^ most respwtfully to a«ure yrur Majeslv of our heartfelt participation iii the general fueling of sympathy with your Majest/under this cvlainitous bereavement. We would ntao express the deep sense entortainc.l by us of the irreparable lo*s wlueh the Empire h:>;; sustaiiie.l in the death of a Prince, whose tender attachment to your Majesty, eminent virtues and high attainments—ur\ceasinaly devoted to the best interests uf all classes of your Islijesty's subjects—won for him general love and li-Amivation,'and will cause bis name ever to be held in grateful and affectionate rcmeiibrance. We havenot failed to offer up our earnest prayers to Almighty God th;tt lie will comfort and (.attain your Majesty under this heavy atfliction, and thit we may long enjoy tue ulessiuss of a reign with which the welfcne and'happiness of all your Majesty's dominions are so intimatoly associate!."

lur. BJiLL briefly seconded the Address, which on prissins. was directed to be fora-ar-lel to His Excailency for transmission to Her ■Majesty.

Several io.iti;ifi committees v.-ere appointed, and ! leave of absence given to Mr. Moor house for a fort- ! nvzht, be being under the necessity of returning to j meet his Council. REPLY TO HIS EXCELLENCY'S SPEECII. ! Mr. FITZHERBERT moved th:U "tins House j desire to adlress a reply to His Excellency's speech, ! and that a Committee b> r-ppointed to prepare the j sain?, consisting of the lion. Messrs. Fox, Header- [ son, Wood and Ward." He thought it. most befittinir I to pass over the loss sustained Jiy Her Majesty sub ■ sUeniio ; they ail lamented the position in which Her j Majesty wasphced, and deeply sympathised with her. ! A debt'of gratitude was due to the Home Government for rendering us the assistance it deemed most j impcrant, by sending His Excellency to the Colony ; j and to Sir George Grey for responding to that oner- i ou* call of duty. In every line, the documents before j them showed that no single step had been taken by i Sir George Grey without a constant reference to the I constitutional authority of the Assembly, which re- j quired from them a response by fully supporting him ; in his efforts to restore law and order. In reference j to Native matters he wlslied not to refer to the past, j but intended to let the dead bury their dead But so far as concerns the relations now existing and proposed to be established, the very particular attention of the House ought-to be devoted. He must not ha j supposed to stand godfather to all the acts of minis- j terV, but the perusal of the documents before them had given him oa the whole, v»ry great satisfaction. The only points on which ha had" doubts was the very small expenditure required, amounting to £49,000 ! a-year, of which the Governor incurred the respond- j bility of one half, by foregoing the contributions j already agreed to be paid as head money for the troops. ! The expense was really the pith of the whole matter, j andmust totally disappoint those who had formed their j idei? from the exaggerated statements that had been ; circulated. Whether the experiment would succeed ! he must leave to those more acquainted with the natives than he was, to say, but it was worthy 01 a fair trial. Time was required to familiarise the natives with these Institutions, and the Ministry ought to be allowed a fair and lengthened trial of the experiment they were making. Right men were required to work these I'istitutiias, and on the selection of these everything depAded. He was thankful for the last twelve montuT peace, and the more so because he could see nothing in the mass of documents which led him to suppose that there was the slightest intention on the part of government to oo;a;TOinise the British name. He would have preferred a. loan, of a million for roads, for whec the day arrived that a roal had "been made from Aujkk.nt' to Welling* on, psace would be for ever after secure. European population made the difference botween the active natives near this t iwii and the decaying natives of the coast, aud the roads would . voeato a population in the interior. The steam postal service "was a vexed question. The ' Postmaster's report treated on the subject admirably, and ho learnt, froux it that the present arrangements were only temporary. He hoped to see, ere very long the Government in cominumcaiion with the other i island by a mr>rj»'a.pid medium than steam —t!iat the \ telegraph wpuliMe kid across Cook's Strait. He did ' not sympathise inlk those who were down-hearted ■ about the loss of the S'van—^very fry was liable j to difficulties of si%rte kind, and New Zealand could I not expect to be exeiApt from all i:npediments to its | growth. The question o% finance was put before them plainly, and if they would show a disposition to j deal with it in a sjtate.sinan-like manner, the Home Goveruuieut would deal ,vi!h them generously. Having thus clone all that was required at christenings— noticed the features of the bantling, he felt confident that it would iafc«r with the support of the whole House. Mr. WILLIAMSON merely seconded the mouon, which on being put, was assented to. The select co.amittee having retired, with the following address in reply to His Excellency's speech, which was read, -and approved, and agreed to be presented to ills. Excellency next day at 11. " .M..VY IT PLKASE YO"rf EXCELT-EXCT — '•'We Her Majesty's most dutiful and lojal subjects, the Hou* of Represent-vvives, ia Parliament assembled, be^ leave to return our thanks to your Excellency for the Speech which your Excellency has made to both Houses of the General Assembly. " We unite with your Excellency in an expression of sorrow for the death of Hi 3 Eoyal Highness the Prince Consort, —in tii; udl appreciation of his private and public worth, —aud in sincere sympathy with her Majesty under this great affliction. " We offer to your Excellency our congratulations on your re-appointnrent as Governor of New Zeala..d, and we giaterully recognise the motives which have induced you, at considerable personal sacrifice, to undertake the arduous duties of that office iv a time of great emergency. " We assure" your Excellency that it is our earnest i wish to be able to co-operate with yourself in securing • tiie prosperity and alvtmcement of both Races in these islands, and that any measure laid by your Excellency before us with' that object, shall receive our most serious consideration. " We express in common with your Excellency, our great regret for the loss of the steamer White Swan on this coast, while bringing many, members of the General Assembly to attend the present session; and our unfeigned gratitude to Almighty God for the providential preservation of the lives of all on board. \Ve ako cordially unite with your Excellency in thanking those who offered generous hospitality, and gave valu- , able aid to the persons who were shipwrecked. i "We sincerely pray, wgether.with jour Excellency, | that the Divine Jilessing may support your Excellency in the execution of your duty, and guide our deliberations to the attainment of the welfare and happiness of all her Majesty's subjects in New Z.-aland." The House thea adjourned at a quarter to «ignt o'clock until Thursday.

. THURSDAY, 17th JULY. °T!ie House met at 12 noon. Mr. COLEiVSO presented a petition from the Messrs. Slitriy, of Ahuriri, relative to what h known by the name of the " Grass case.1' j 'The SPEAKER informed the Hou--e that life Excellency liad been pleased to return the following I reply to the House's Address, presented that inorniug:— " Mr. Speaker ani> Gentlemen of the House op Representatives— "I return you my thanks for this Address, avid I rely with confidence on your cordial co-operation in all measures which may be considered necessary under existing circumstances to promote the permanent interests and welfare of the Colony.'' COMMITTEE STEAM COMMUNICATION. The POSTMASTER-GENERAL moved—" That a Select Committee be appointed to consider ami report upon the subject of communication to and from aud within the Colony. Committee to cousatofMr. John Williamson, Dr. Feathcrston, Mr. Mporhouse, Major Richardson, Mr. Domett, Mr. Watt, Mr. D. Bell. Mr. Colenso, and Mr. Eyes. Committee to report on August 6." The lion, member remarked, that as regarding this question a* coming more within the sphere of the Provincial thau f'he General Government, lnj had endeavoured to ineiude in the committee those who held the highest rank in, aud were most likfily to know, the requirements of the different Provinces. He placed upon the committee every Superintendent who was a member of the House. Where the Superintendent was not amongst the members of any Province, he placed upon the committee a member of the Provincial Executive of that Province, or where there were neither in the House, some out; member for that Province. The committee would have three main duties to consider—postal communication round our coasts; the advisability of adopting the route to England by Panama; and the establishment of telegraphic communication between the different ports of the colony.

Mr. GILLIES thought the constitution of the committee was not a fair one as it now stood. It appeared by the Postmaster-General's report that the postal service would cost, independently of the Imperial contribution, £33,000, including the Melbourne and Port Chalmers servic* 1, and of this sum Ofcago would contribute £13,700; Auckland, L7,4G0; Wellington, L 3.550; Canterbury, L 4,40(); ' Nelson, L-2,600; Napier, L 440; Marlfa>rou<rh, L 10 0; Southland, L 450. Otago thus paid half the total amount, and was not so well represented as one of those who paii least, Canterbury having both its j Superintendent and Postmaster-General. He trusted | to the yjooil sea<e of the Postmaster-General to make I a more equitably arranged committee, but, if necea- ' ;%i;try, he would move that die committee lie selected j by "ballot. Dr. FEATHERSTON moved that Mr. Gillie.Vs name be added to the Committee. ■Major RICHARDSON remarked, that thoujrh i Otacro would have to pay the whole of the Melbourne I avl fort Chalmers subsidy, they could not tell what j the amount might be, no tenders for the contract 1 bavin;,' yet been received. ll* could not positively | say ihat the Government were prepared to £o to any 1 expense. I The COLONIAL TREASURER sai.l, that if the j principle of amount were to be brought in, others | paid largely as well as Otaffo, and'to protect the ■j interest of Auckland lie should move that the Co:nmittee bo chosen by ballot, remembering how the intorest i of Auckland wen; saoHli :c>:l on a former oecusion when a Steam Cjinnnttes was appointed, which ! tookawuy from Auckland the communicati >:i it had i previously enjoyed, andcoinpcllcl it, in consequence j of its large Customs revenue at the tira-\>, to pay a I considerable portion of a steam sub^My, fur which it 1 scarcely received any return whatever. As by recent j arrans<-*iaent.s Auckland hvA been re.;toivd to the ' position which it ought to occupy, it more especially ! behoved its member.-; to be exceedingly jealous jws to I the way in which the Committee* was chosen.

Mr. FITZGERALD regretted the unfortunate point taken by the Colonial Treasurer in attacking the motion of the Postmaster-General, the former appearing to have forgotten the independent position which he occupied, on that Bench. II.; (Mr. F.) should .support the motion lor the Postmaster-General, and also that of the member for Wellington' The fair way was to p!ace before the Hou.se what wAi Province had to .say for itself, but by ballot th.-y might have nearly all the Committee selected fr.nu one Province. (Hear.) The-SPEAKER sai.l the number of a Committee couid not ha increased beyond ten, except by sprci.d motion aft:.- notL-e given. Every member had aright to demand the ballot without question put. The COLONIAL TREASURER said, with reference to Mr. Fitzgerald's remarks, ha was perfectly satisfied with the resolution of the Postmaster-Gono-ral, but if any a Mitional names should i>« added to secure the int/eresLs of Olago, then he require the ballot. A point of order was here raised by Mr. BELT,, which, after imK-h dLeus-;i..n, resulted in the qtie - tion beinj divided. The first part of t)ie questionthat a Committee be appointed, having been affirmed, thii House returned again to the e^uj|)O.silioa of the Committee. Mr. WILLIAMSON regretted to hear the observations of his hou. friend the Colonial Treasurer, attacking the conduct and procedinj^ of a former Committee of the It.>;ioO ou tuis question, and proceeded to defend the conduct of the Committee. He concurred in the propriety of the Pmt-master-General's motion. The arrangements niaile during the recess had been found natisfactory to tJie Province of Auckland, and to thu Colony, as a whole, but be believed it would be better that the whole service should be undertaken by this llou.se, rather than be contingent on the votes of the Provincial Councils, winch at any ti'ue mi^'ht derange the whole .scheme. Therefore he considered that the course now taken was a proper one, and he j believed the result of the Committee's deliberation* would be satisfactory t<> the whole colony. He was not opposed to an additional member being jriveii to the Province of Ota^o, as it contributed ho largely; , but at the same tiaie ho thought tliut Auckland was iv a fur way of fontriljutiu,' lar^ly al.-so, iiud if hon. gentlemen considered it necessary to add o;io for CHaI go, hewoull second the motion; but, at the same \ time, if the other members for Auckland considered i that Province not full represented, he thought the ■ Hou.se would agree as ti> the f.urness of giving it another member.

Mr. J. C. RICHMOND moved that Mr. Watt and Mr. Ryes, the representatives ol the Provinces that contribute 1 least should be omitted, and Messrs. Russell and (iiilies substituted. His experience in th.-tt House showed him that the smaller Provinces mi^lit safely leave their interest.-) to members at lar^e. Ml-. WATT .seconded the motion. Mr. EYES decidedly objected to have his name omitted. Mnrlborough might be small at present, but bo was Ota^o not long ago, and it wa.-i impossible to say at _ what moment gold diggings might be discovered in Marlborough, If this id jiion were persisted in, ho should demand the ballot. ** Mr. STAFFORD referred to the little difference between two hoa. members on the.Treasury bench, a tiling which he assured the member for Ellesmere (Mr. Fitzgerald) would be of frequent occurrence during the present session, and proceeded tostate his opinion that the labors of the Postmaster Genera! had resulted in as good a service as the colony could expect for some time to come ; but it was most unfortunate that lie had not beforehand arranged something like the time table which was afterwards matured, and laid it before the different portions of the colony which would have prevented unnecessary feelings of irritation and distrust of the intentions of the hon. gentleman which had prevailed. The hon. gentleman had also been unfortunate in the manner in which he introduced the motion to the House. Had he abstained from some of the remarks he made in introducing the motion, the committee would have been appointed in five minutes. The selection made by the hon. member was a very fair one, but he forced upon hon. members the consideration that they represented special political portions of the colony, and consequently the necessity of considering whether that special political portion from which they came had as large a share, in the constitution of the committee as its pecuniary interests might appear to require. With regard to the remarks of the Colonial Treasurer he agreed with what had fallen from the member for Auckland West. He sympathised also with the position of Otago in having to pay the whole cost of the third steamer. With regard to the general question, there were two plans both distinguished by abroad principle of absolute fairness. One, that the portions of the colony, desiring tj have inter colonial services should pay for them themselves, the General Government providing for the inter-provincial service ; the other was that the expense of the three existing line*) should ba borne entirely by the Colonial revenues iv the same manner as the inter-provincial, and not partly on the genera! aud partly on the provincial, as proposed at present. He thought the last was the superior plan, butfaiiinor to achieve that, he should propose that' the inter-pro-vmeial services should be charged on the colony, and that it be left to the provinces themselves to establish their own mail .services with Australia. Mr. CURTIS referred to the existing arrangements as incomplete, unfair, aud expensive. The POSTMASTER-GExN JSRAL in reply said the hon. member for Nelson was under a mistake in supposing that any reticence of his -(Mr. Ward's), would have prevented tbia.debata. , It.was right, he thought, that, the subject had fceen well yen-

tilated, but had he not made any remarks, the hon. members for Bruce and Dunedin were prepared to enlighten the House on the difficulties of Otugo in the matter. His object had been to represent all interests and provide for all contingencies. The smallest province hivd some interest, and could not be represented by less than one member, and the larger ones could not obtain any tangible advautage by having more than oho representative, as each would still be in a wnall minority to the whole. Any committee, he believed, would deal with the subject in justice and fairness, and the addition of one or two names would neither impede or facilitate its action; he objected, however, to adding to the representatives of any province!, but especially to Ofcago, fur two reasons, in the firsjt place, because Otago was already uncommonly well represented iv Major Richardson; and, secondly, hecausu the contract between Povt Chalmers and Melbourne, costing £10,000, had been refused by Otago to be placed at the mercy of the Houj&. Deducting that, therefore, Otago's share would be found not so very much in excess of the others. She had declined contribution from ;tny other part of the colony, in order that ahe might have the whole control of it, and it was absurd, therefore, for her now to complain because she had to pay for it. She had the entire control of the boats, and was well able to pay for it; thu remainder of what she paid being for her inter-provincial service entirely. In conclusion, while he should .be Borry to object to any committee the House might appoint, ho protested against the addition of the member for Bruce as an unnecessary infliction upon a committee already large enough. The question being1 then put " that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question/ it was negatived (by mistake) and the n:uues of Messrs. Watt aud Eyes were expunged. The question that Mr. Russell and Mr. Gillies be inserted was then put. Major RICHARDSON wished to correct an ungenerous misrepresentation made by the Postmaster General, who in stating that Otugo h;id the contract in her own hands, should in common honesty have mentioned that there were certain restrictions on the Ofcago Government, one of winch was to convey the mail to Southland. The COLONIAL SECRETARY desired the hon. member to withdraw the expression " in common honesty." Major RICHARDSON enquired if he had said anything offensive to the hon. thu Postmaster Geuoraf. The POSTMASTER GENERAL said he had no objection to the expression, because if it fitted it was all right, and if it di 1 rijt it would not hurt him. He would mention that theiv was ;i restriction of t!ie nature mentioned by the h'»u. gentleman, but it did not materially affect the quests ju of the Melbourne aud Port Chalmers contract lieing taken by Ota^j under her own control on the payment for it. The COLONIAL SECRETARY *ii 4 heliulc.illed attention to the ex;»r»*s.^ij:> not b.wnuse it w.is offensive to the hou. gentleman or to th<-. Government, but he c.msidere.l it derogatory t > the dignity of (ho House th.d such expression! thoukl b;» mwle use of. Tho SPEAK Kit WAi unkr.-.t«»ol to contiriu liii.^ view. Major RICHARDSON had great pleasure iv withilmwiug it and regrettc-l tli:it h-; shuuld lutve u^-d any «xpriM-si'm which in tlie slighte.it uie;iaurooirof.<le I any hon. iuciuUt of the floine.

Ou tlio question of th ; adiliti>ii of the* uume* Ix-i:)^ put, the House divide I :ts follows : — A v as —2v>. N i > kh — 1), Mesir?. Atkiii^u Messrs. Urnidou Ueil Kvch Jiutlc-r FfMthornt-m Ooleu.so Kitz^enild UuitW lLur'. ;oii Domett lli'!id'*rsja <i iliie.s Kentill (ir. liniliUiM Kinxle.1 * j it. Uruham Saunders •ioilie \V. Taylor MruiU-U Vox M : ,sou W.xvl J. -Munro C. Ward, (teller). iN i Kon O'Neill Richardson Kuswll A. J. Kiclimon-l C. J. Taylor Watt Wells Jus. Willbnis^u Jn<). Willianixon J. (J. Wilson I J. C.-Uiehmond, (teller) On trie m-tLioii f.<r printing th ■ Petitiou froui Ilawke's Uiy, rel.itive t.j ,\lr. Coleiirui*!* «.*;w-*, | Mr. (HLLtKS a-ikol whit ";i Civil CouruHsiouer '' w;us, The COLONIAL SKCItBTARY would gladly | niLswcr tht*(|tii^tiou, if put on tlie notic** jiaper, luit !it would l><- iiieouveiiieut t> atf.ir-l the explanntitiu then. With reference t.> the lute v tsc at N'.tpici', !i • nii^ht say, th:it the jietitioueM hud f.ir^.»tton that. Col. Rus>4-ll \v:ih a lt-N:f|i*nt .M.i^istrat". and, th .t M-, Colenso's c:v> • hiil btvn tidjudicMN*,! upon iv a ICvmdent Mai4;istiit:'s Court.* The COLONIAL SHCUKTARY |)rom;s.-d t-> Hupply a return of uil d*>ctuueut.s tost iv the Whit<* S'.vau. a-s Hooii a.s pr.w:ti<:ali!e. After some routine busiut-s.i the Hou->e adjourned. FRIDAY, ISth JULY. Tlie I Ion*; met at 12 o'clock.

The COLONIAL SKC'ItKTAUY intimated hU iut«:ntt»iu j»f brin^inir his Xative poii-y under mi-^u.v siiu on Tut*..day next, the Dudget being pastpone-'l until afterwards. Mr. J. C. RICHMOND moved f»T a n-turn of all promi>cs of r*r.».vn Grants m.itet r> tin Native rave, which th.; ('olouial .Secretary fif'coadci, and hi lon the table as fir a> it. eiuld b>: male up this Sc^itm. A discussion aro-i->, in which Mr. ritittorj attacked tii.r: Minwtrv, and Mr. Gillies dofeU'lcd it, in relation to the application made tor imperial Li'trUlatinn, on the subject with whitth t!i.> I)ak<: <>i" Xewc.itle objected to comply. Motion withdrawn. Mr. CAKLKTON moved—"That the proccetlin-s in tliii I IriU'W, between the time of I'rayer.i on th--first day of tlu* pre:i»*»t Sf.s»ioii, and tlu'tima of the summons to attend ttie Governor i.i the Hall of the Legislative Council, ought not bo drawn Into a precedent," —and n'peuted his arguments of Wednesday on this point. The motion wai carrifd without dUcus.djn; llou*o divided as follow^:— Ay km, 21. Nuk.->, 0. Megilp John VYilliamsoii Messrs. Fitzgerald It. liutler Woo.l (irahum Domett Saumlers Russell Stafford J,\*. Williamson I'itzii'rbert IJrandon Watt Coleuso, C. J. Taylor W. Tavlor 801 IT. If. 6i!liai Nixon (teller) A. J. Richmond O'Neill G. Graham Atkinson Uichanlson J. C. KHitnuuJ Eyes Curtis O'Rorko Wells Joilie' Miiuro Wilson Carleton (teller). AOKINr.STK.VTION i)V JOSTIfIK AT OTAOO. Mr. GJLLIES moved, " That a Select Committee l»e appointed to consider what mea-surea should be taken for facilitating the administration of justice iv the Province of Outgo, by the appointment of a permanent Judge of the Supreme Court of that Province, by providing an interim, Judge until a perinauent appointment can be made, or otherwise;. Committed to consist of the lion. Mr. Fox, Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr. Fitzgerald, Dr. Featherston, Mr. Domett, and Major Richardson. Report to be brought up on the 2lth instant." He alluded to the legislation of former Sessions, and his colleague, Mr. Dick, had received the express promi.se of the Ministry last Session that a Judgu should bo appointed for Otago, and for whom a salary had been placed on the Estimates. The abolition of the District Court and the (infrequent sittings of the Supremo Court, had caused an amount of iuconveiufnce in a commercial city like Dunedin which those who had not seen its rapid rise could not possibly estimate. Judgo Gresson had paid hia second visit earlier than the term originally fixed, but the nece.«ity of the case required" not only that a Judgo should be appointed permanently, but that one should al.-so bo appointed iv the interim. Mr. FITZGERALD seconded tha motion, and showed the necessity for the frequent meetiug of Judges for consultation and appeal. Mr. STAFFORD suggested that tho Committee should consider tho whole question of the a Imiuistration of justice. The salaries wetj too low to decure men of ability uul cliaiact^r. The COLONIAL SECRETARY explained why no steps h; 1 been taken t j procure a judge. The ques- | tion an t-j who. w.n tUe uppoiutin g power, the House or tim Colonial Government, had only just been suttled iv favor of tho latter, a$ would bo seen by the papers laid on the table. The second reason waa because _aivoto of jGIOOO for ooe year was considered by

theAttorncyGener.il insufficient to induce such a man as he would desire to see on the Bench, to accept tiio appointment. This frad now been remedied by taking thft aviary from the annual estimates and placing it in the civil list. The Crown Grant* Bill was read a second time after some discussion, and committed. The Crown Lauds Bill was also read a second time. The House adjourned to Tuesday s»t 12 p.m. TUESDAY, 22xd JULY. The Housemetat 12 p.m. Mr. MANTELL withdrew hia inquiry as to whether any grant had yet lx;en issued for land in the llawksbury (Otago) district in favor of the half caste children of Ncwry Wixon. lie understood there were others in a simiUr position, and it would be easier to obtain the information iv another form. The POSTMASTER GKNKRAL obtained leave to bring iv a Bill to regulate steam vessels, &c. ' GOLI> FIEr.I>3. TJie POSTMASTER GENERAL moved " That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the condition and prospects of the Gold Fields of the Colony, and to consider and report whether any, and what farther legislation is necessary on the subject. To consist of My or Richardson, .Mr. John Will uuusor, Mr. isUiflonl, Mr. U. Graham, Mr. A. G. itichinoud, Mr. Gillies, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Itussell." The object of his a-ikiii^ for a Select Committee was because the Superintendents of Provinces having been lUs Excellency's deputies under the Act, the Government wwc not iv the possession of infonuation to furtlier legislate ; by bringing together those whofuid, mor« or less, pi-aetieil experience of the working of the gold fields of Olugo, Nelson aud Auckland, practical grounda for legislation would l»e obtaine-1. At Mr. Gillie*1 request his name would bo withdrawn, but he (the* P. M. General) hoped that when the new member for Bruce arrived, to obtain the benelifc of his services and experience instead. ATIUM COMMITTEE. Mr. EYES movei the enlargement of the committee, and the addition of the names of the Speaker and Mr. Atkinson. NO-MISATJ:D SUi'KRINTBS DENTS. • Mr. WATT not being present, lit.-s resolution " That in the opinion of this House, the office of Superintendent should b*s nominative? instead of elective," liip>'Hl. The Crown IjuhLi Bill, and the Crown Grants Kill went into Committee, when the House aljourucd Lr dinu«r. TUB NATIVK J'OUOY. The COLONIAL SECRETARY rase under great anxiety and rcsiionsibiiity, liecause ite was to take thu opportunity which tli«» Moving of such a liill f>r regulating the Native lands, t> make a Ministerial ix-po.-sitbu of tlie native policy, past and future. He spoke for an hour and a h.ilf U» a crowded Hou-e and gallery; when, the mothm beiag bfte jtidtd by the Coloni;il Tiva.surer, it w;u Hgrwd V) vvitliijiJt <Hm:ua; bio:i ; re.idu iirnt time, and ordered to Ixj real a secund time ou Friiiay.