GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 213, 26 August 1862, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mr. DI"X said that nothing but Native questions h%\ occupied the.time and attention of the House, since t!:e;r first meeting. He wanted colonial questions, to have a fair share ofV attention. If they did not i>e careful they mixht soon have a " Separation Flag" a,* well as a " King Flag.'" Mr. FiTZHERBEiIT supported the resolutions. Mr. FiTZGKHALD replied to the arguments advanced by previous speakers, and contended that debating on abstract principles was mere humbug. He thought it was useless to detain the Hou«e much longer as neither in this House, nor in the Imperial Parliament, did mere oratory have much effect in iufiueneiti" votes ] He agreed with the lion, member for Cheviot, tliat the Maori votes should not be allowed to swamp those of the Europeans, but with respact to tfie allegations that the Natives should first acquire our language before they could take seats in the House, he was of opinion that if they made such a restriction that result would never be attaiue.l. If they haJ admission to this Assembl. accorded at ouce they would very soon acquire the qualification of language to enable them to take part in the debates. The House having agreed to the first and second resolutions, with tome slight amendments, divided on thy third, viz.—That a recognition of the foregoing principle will necessitate the personal aid of one or more of the Native chiefs in the administration of the Government of the colony ; the presence of members of the Maori nobility in the Legislative Council, aud a fair representation in this House, of a race which constitutes one-third oi the population of the colouy. When the following was the result obtained.

Ayes 17. _ Not* 20. Messrs. Moorhouse Messrs. Dick „ Watt „ Weld „ Wood „ Cariton j .» Atkmsjn „ A.J. Richmond ! „ J Williamson ~ O'Neil j „ Renall ~ Wflson | „ Carter „ J. C. Richmoud j ~ G. Graham „ Domett I ~ W. W.Taylor „ Colenso »» Bell „ Jas. Williamson „ C. Taylor „ Wells „ Gillies „ Mason „ Fox „ Curtis ~ Mantell „ Cookson ~ Brandon „ Butler „ Fitzherbert „ Munro 1 „ Fitzserald Harrison ] (teller.) „ O'Rorke „ Nixon Richardson (teUer.) On the result of the division being ascertained, Mr. Fitzgerald withdrew the remainder of his resolutions. THUSTEBS RELIEF BILL. The Bill passed its second reading, and was ordered to be committed. SCMMARY PROCEDURE OX BILLS BILU This also was read a seconl time aud ordered to be committed. CROWK GBA.NJ3 BILL. This measure was reported and passed its third reading. Th3_ House thea went into Committee oa the following measures, viz. Steam Navigation Bill, Trustees Relief Bill, aal Summary Procedure on Bills Bill. On the motion of Mr. O'NEIL the House adjourned at 20 minutes to eleven.

FRIDAY, AUGUST Bth, 1862. The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock. CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE IMPERIAL GOVKRXMEXT. Major R',CH\RDSON T askel the Colonial SecreI tary whether there is any memorandum of the Ministers on the lettc* of Hi* Excellency the Governor to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, of the 30th November la.st on the subject of a Responsible Ministry in connexion with the Native race. The Hon. the COLONIAL SECRETARY in reply said he was not aware of any memorandum whatever existing ou the subject. STANDARD GOLD "WEIGHTS. Mr. A. J. RICHMOND asked tire Hon. Colonial Secretary whether any steps have been taken to procure from England or Australia the Standard (roll Weights, in order to bring into operation " The Weights and Measures Ordnance Amendment Act. 1861." The Hon. the COLONIAL SECRETARY replied tfiat the late Ministry had sent home for them, and that they had been shipped but had not yet arrived. Notices of Motion. appointment op committee on report of land claims commission. The Hon. Mr. DILLON BELL moved " That the Report of ths Laud Claims Commissioner be referred to a SSelect Committee, with instructions to report whether, and, if so, to what extent, farther legislation should take place on the subject of Land Claims, and whether effect should be given to the recommendation of the Commissioner. Committee to consist of Messrs. Weld, Fox, Wells, Carleton, Ormond, C Wilson, C. 8., Reader Wood, Major Nixon, and Major llichardson. Report to be brought up on the 18th instant." Agreed to. , PBIVATE PETITIONS. The Hon. Mr. DILLON BELL next moved •' That the petition of J. H. Luscombe and Edmund Halswell. be referred to the Committee on Private Grievances." Agreed to. „ [ RESPONSIBILITY IN NATIVE MATTER3.—MINISTERIAL ' RESPONSIBILITY. [The following " connected report" is from the Advertiser-]—

The COLONIAL SECRETARY said, he would take this opportunity to make some general remarks explanatory of the views of the Government on natrre matters ; in so doing he would start with some comments on the despatch from the Duke of Newcastle, received yesterday, because it materially altered the position of the House and the Ministers, with respect to the Governor. Honorable members would see that the general substance of that despatch was, that the Home Government proposed to transfer to the Colony, the whole government of the native race. Next, although not so clearly expressed, it seemed, from the tenor of the whole despatch, that they intended to up the greater portion of their claim for past military expenditure, except that of the militiaj volunteers, and other local expenses. It also required the Colony to contribute to the native scheme the amoun of L 20,000, and stated that the Home

Government would relinquish th<;ir L 5 a head for every soldier stationed in the Qulony, to meet fae amount expended in th s management of the natives beyond^bakjsaw, aiJthe saiae time pi-ope.-in^th'.'ctiie troops would be spet-ciuy very much diminished, 'i he opinion was also broaily expressed that the co?o-------lihts must take the defence of the country upon themselves; and it wa3 especially remarked that we did not seem sufficiently to apprehend the obligation that lies upon U3, to provide for the expense ot oar protection by additional taxation. Now he supposed .- the views of every one -were ths same npon the poiat of the military defence of the Colony. * The .reasons against defending ourselves entirely by militia iiad. betn well and often stated. It was in fact the most expensive force that could ha provided, from the high rate of j>ay the men require!; aad from the f&ct that it drew"the industrial 'classes from iieir ordinary occupations, so that farming and other parsuits were neglected, and the- Cosony virtually impoverished. There were no snch temptations to those classes, in the way of waking rapid fortunes, as would induce them to remain in the country, when they had su«*h inducement as this to leave it. Again the population being so bcatt..-red, the defence of the out-settlers would be a matter of very great. difficulty, and when in addition to all this, it was considered that wages in the Southern Island and neighboring colonies were from ss. to Bs. a day--much more than we could possibly be expected to pay militia—it must be evident that the attest ta*r-en-force the establishment of a force of that kind, sufficient for oar defence, would speedily result in driving a aray the populat-on, and in the almost entire abandonment af this island. Any war carried oa who'lv -by the colonists against the natives, would beside leave feelings of hosulify which would not die away for many years—even if such a war did not result, as it most probably would, in the extermination of*'the entire race. There appeared then to remain ia the event of a war, no alternative but the iiefen.-e by regular troops, or the ruin of this island. It M, indeed, surprise him how the Koine Government coold attempt to force such an 'alternative upon this country; ami yet, from the despatch hi qaesiion, and others that had been received, he could not help thisiking that to &n so seemed-to be almost their determination. The necessity of continually rskinz Parltinient for fresh votes on account of this unfortunate war, had ied them to contemplate the absndotiiaent oftheh-obvious duty to thi-folonyv itrea«y seemed a* if the aiditioaal penuy on the incmae" tzx, tvbleli ihi* war had niaJe necessary, outweighed in their-mind all the remoiistraTiecS of the colonists, and all the difficulties of their position. And what was more woaderful still, the Home Government seemed ready to abandon ail its cherished pailanforoprcal ideas, to disregard all it had hitherto supposed necessary for the preservation of the native race, a"nri to whistle Exeter Hall iteif down the wind. All these effects had been produced Sty tiiat omnipotent p may, which seemed altaost torivai the almighty d-Har"of America. Was it not astonishing that England which" toasted sv much of her colonies all round tie Hob* that c:\llel herself the Qaeen of Nations, and was considered by the world to owe so much of her pre-emi-nent position to the possession of those colonies, but " for which she would be but a second-rate po^vsr— that England would eon template setting- this example of abandoning one of the most premising of h«T numerous prosreny, beeaasa it was in diineuit-ei? It was strange indeed, and if that were to be li^r future •oarse, one could not conceive a b'tter mode of shoeing dissatisfaction ' wid distrust throughout ail li'r po-seasions. Its enacts in Australia, the Cap^ ?n=i d&ewhere, could not but 03 i%hly detrimental.' Aad might not the evil eximple b= even fo!*T.vel h~ oarselves ? Might not the people of the MM lie Js'a id be tempted to follow the nrecedent, aad as soon as the mother country saowed herself rrepsre<i to abandon New Zealand, "might they not*, become equally Willing to abandon the "'orrhem Island ? (Cries of "No, no.") He accepted (he di^airner, raid was glad to hear that they woaid act oa a better principle. (Hear, hear.* But the Duke oi Newcastle complained that we did not tax oarselves. Now he (the Colonial Secretary) beloved th'it every man ia the Colony would coa-ilc- I + a duty to contribute everything-"in Jiis poorer to th* cost of the defences of the country, whether it was to be done by regular troops ?.lone, or as was mo^tprow^ by troops and volunteers c-jinbinsi : but he could cot at this moment pretend to .<?av -whether tics Col - would bear pore taxation for that object. Should. be present ministry, however, be fortun^f, or unfortunate enough to remain : -t power, t-hev truii'd, before another session give their eon*i iaratfoT! to this subject, keeping one thins always in mind in considering taxation ot a new Colony, the alranee and the wos" peaty of which depend essentially on pubMa wo-ks that t> stop those public works, a procee-ling which the Duke of Newcastle recommended, would be to retard in the most material degree that prospsrity, and therefore destroy our future means ot contributing to tpese expeuces. ( Hear, hear). It was this consideration of the cost of possible wars.that aide it neces^-y to adopt such resolutions respecting the de^e 3 6*f responsibility for the government of the natives'as those he had proposed. The assumption of that government which the duke, it seamed, eadeavored * to pat upon us, won h I of course entail upon us the obhsatnns that go with it, among which would b- to b3ar the whole of the expenditure that mi?hf aris» from any mi% government or diffienity ooeuVr^n^ the government uf the natives. If we assum^the whole power, we assumed the whole respons'bi'titv for such cost, and it rcaUy looked almost as if the noble duke liad only proj osed to give hs that power because he felt that without doin=r so he would have no good or solid ground for saddling on us the expense of the present or future wars. He thought then that the House would agree that we could not accept the full powers offerei to us (hear, hear) for ■we could scarcely ask England to pay for ihe consequences of our own acts. But though the duke seemed to wish to impose this power uoou us. he (the Colonial secretary) thought there 'was-gnat doubt on technical and other grounds if England could really transfer the natives to as entirely =0--t3inTy, if the Treaty of Wait ingi was to be considered ol any v:Uue, th>* gcverninent ofthe natives v,-as e<*■■»»■-» by it to the Home <3ov=rnment, that is, the Qa^T and not to us. Another reason against it was that the natives were not directly represen^l br-~l (ironical cheer.-.). He knew the meaning of tho^e cheers. He had not forgottea that his hon. colic w the memoer for Wallace, had last night ar-ael that this House did represent them as the masses without the frauchisf id hnglan«l were represented by members 01 Parliament. Bat th- cases were not analagou3. However, tue mauer was wholly one of theory and diherenea oi opmion about it was not of much consequence either way. For what^c +s< e ri-ht leMtheory.England would always be looked npm as responsible for tne safety of the native race The English public, and indeed the whole world* wouH consider her responsible, and if the race w^' to d^ appear, Eagiaud would he Wamat for it "Hab^" iseved that the Knglish public would therefore refu^ to allow the Government of rhe Natives to'ba wh.ylv tawisf.rred to us. Feeliag on these gromsds, then tuHo we could not accept the whole power, Minis'^ propose.! to leave the dsciaon of the Native Doli^S the (xovernor. But. in accoriiinee with th- Royal instructions accompanying the Governor's commission we are bound t» give him advice on all occasion"' The resolutions declared that Minister? would if t'lV Governor requested it, "undertake the admiiusWati-n of Natire affinis teaaose if they were not adarinis tered by the Ministry there was no alternative but the re-estabhshm-ut or that native ofSes which ha I been so generally coaderaaed by the House For there must ba some kind of departmental establishment under the eomraand of the Gove-no" to ca-rv his policy into execution. So far their reflation difi J red.,fr9 m that P^P^ed by the hon member^or Rangitiki, because that gave up to the Governor thinitiation p well as the decision of all nafivequ^ tions (Mr. Fox-Only of Imperial, not qf nEe questions). All naUve questions he (Mr D ) con sidered mightinvolre Imperial iuterests." (Hear hear.) Lut he confessed he never could distinctly understand what the meaning of that resolution wa-5 - because at the end it said " that the interests of the Imperial (xovernoient and of the natives themselve-t as well as of the Colony, r-^uire that (reserving to the Governor both the initiation aud %he decision of questions, where Imperial interest* are concerned), tlie ordinary conduct of native affairs should be placed under the administration of ResDoisible Ministers," mixing up consultation and administration man extraordinaiy maurier—the aim? nistration being given to the LSnisters except consultation on matters concerning Imoerkl in terests. Then, with-respgt to expen"ditnnpwhioh 0} course he supposed the Hous* would decline to b responsible for as. far »s it properly could, Minister had proposed a something, which he thought wentSr beyond the resolution of the hon. member op oolite It amounted s:m ? ly to this, that Ministersfbv an * adyice they may ?I ve, sh.aid not be held to biul tfi Coionv.to any liability for any expenditure not fiSt voted or autnonsed by th a House, putting Ministers in fact under a pledge, in all dealings with theTl yernor, not to agree to aay money expenditure which this House had not previously authorized. Henmt came to what was called the Native Policy If'Wr George Grey, and first he would state ia most dfiiuS terms that he did not consider himself bound hi aw way to bring many new scheme or policy at all The late Ministry having resigned on a question of certain relations between them 'and the Governor before any condemnation, or even discussion of their schema was come to m the House, the present Ministry did not take their places on any -ground of condemning their scheme or any mode of carrvia" it out Tiier? was a general feeling in the HouS> that Sir GtoreGrey should be supported.. There seemed tobeto possibility of forming a Government from either of the parties holding or supposed to hold extreme views en •itaer ade. In dug emergency, he had tri«d to

form a party—of men of moderate views. He had not sought for office or power—it had been thrust upon him. But witii respect to the hon. members who were called the war party, he supposed because their views were opposed to those of hon. members on the opposite benches, he did not believe any of them held the extreme views that weie attributed to them. He did not suppose there was any one in this House, or in the Colony at this time that professed a war policy (ironical cheers), and he defied any member to prave that it had been held since England had determined that war should not be carried on, and that Governor Browne's ultimatum should not he enforced. Thi3 House was not an independent power, and if England, the supreme power, took the question out of their hands, and said the result which they desired should be obtained by some other means than they would havt? chosen, and in some other way, it was the duty of all to give up the way first intended, even thoughthey thought it the best, and and endeavour to obtain it by the next best and only possible way. But he (lid not care to deny that he still believed that if the rafives ltad been taught first to respect the power of English arms, the schemes proposed for their benefit would have had much better chance of success. That much he would say—but he would not say, that since England had decided that one way of settling the native question should not be carried out —they were not to help to settle the matter in the only manner England would allow of. Now, as far as the introduction of civil institutions among the natives constituted a native policy, he was certain that all his culleagues had been always in favor of such a policy. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) If that was a policy he maintained that it was everybody's policy. "It did not belong to the Governor, or to the late Ministiy, or to Mr. Fenton —it was a thing everj'body had long wished to see effected, and the dispute as to the origin of the idea was mere triviality. He was not quite sure tiiat he did not himself, iu'the Nelson JSxa miner in ISio, on Sir George Grey's arrival, in enumerating the duties.he would have to perform, particularly mention among others that of inventing and introducing institutions for conferring some selfgovernment on the natives. He was of course merely speakhiiT of the general idea of the tiling. The real credit after all rested with those who could carry out into effect the introduction of a system of law and order and work successfully in detail (hear) ; and he would readily give to everyone, including the late Ministry, ai«y praise they deserved for what tl.ey had done already in the initiation of the system. But next, as to the mode of introducing it. Everybody of ordinary education and aveiage intellect, knew that in attempting to introduce civil institutions among uncivilised or savage tribes, one must look out for any germs or unorganised'rudiuients of social government already existing among themselves. That remark of the most philosophical of England's statesmen— Edmund J3urke—that the English ConbUtution iva-s a growth, would have led anyone to this idea. As in building a house, so in buildiug or laying the foundations of a Constitution, you must begin upon tha solid ground, not upon " made earth." He did not see that, there was much claim to auy particular ownership in the native scheme so far as it attempted to carry out that well-known and universal prin.*i;tle.

The runanga, chietuiinship, and perhaps even fi inana,'" were such elementary rudiments. With respect to the construction of the present scheme, he thought if it required any particular moJiHcation (he did noi mean to speak with very great certainty on that subj'-c!) it- was in the direction pointed out by the hon. member for Ellesroere in that speech of bis on Wednesday night, which would always ba considered a memorable event iv that House" on account of its great eloquence, beauty, and hi«h intellectual power, and that the reason he had not recorded his vote iv favor of the hon. member's resolutions was bee- use they were either not general enough or not specific enough. He entirely agreed with the general tone and spirit of them ; but as they went to a certain extent into particulars about which tti^re might be doubt, he did not wish to be tied up in this respect by givingl an absolute vote in their favor. Still hs thought any improvement of the pm-ent scheme should in that direction. He thought that where

a race like the natives was located in the midst of a

race so much above them in civilization, the former would advauce more rapidly than if isolated, with o i y a small governing body of the more advanced race above them as rulers, as in some other English colonies. It was not to be supposed they would be long satisfied with institutions so inferior to those enjoyed by the superior race. The institutions that had been offered to the natives could in no cisc be considered much higher than county boards or vestry meetings amons; ourselves. And it was obvious that

institutions of this inferior character could not have much attraction for the heads of a people banded together for the purpose of establishing a separate nationality, with a king: and government and troops of their own. County boards or parish offices would scarcely content them when they had been indulging in ideas of offices and dignities so much higher. Therefore he agreed with the hon. member for Ellesmere that somethiug more was required than the oresent system gave to win any adherents of the Kin? moveinfht, and he saw nothing abstractly ridiculous in the idea of making Native Provinces with Superintendents, nor even in having natives sitting here in the Legislature among us, though the great practical difficulty, which would render it useless at present, would be their not understanding the English toague. ■'; He could not but say that the attention of tLa Government ought to be directed to contriving seme kind of means for the execution of plans of a higher character, such for instance as the establishiuent of a higher Council in which the superior chiefs might sit, presided over by the Minister for Native Affairs, or some other high"European, officer. He could not but think tliat there might be means invented which would offer very much greater attractions to the chiefs engaged *in the kin? movement than any contained in the present scheme. lie would make a remark on another point. Not having for mauy years meddled much in nalive matters, he spoke with diffidence; but it seemed to him apparent that the system had been pressed too rapidly and urgently upon the natives In many parts of the country, and that the village runangas, though considered by some competeut persons to be the 'necessary germ of institutions that would be successful, had been exited too much into a, not to say dangerous, but a detrimental activity. A kind of rash of runnngashad broken out all over the face of the country; they had taken the natives from all their usual industrial pursuits. He judged this by the reports printed in the papers before the House. He should propose that much more attention should be given, and reliance placed, on another point connected with native policy, which he believed bad been suggested by the late Ministry, viz., to introduce to as large an extent as they could companies of English immigrant? He would plant settlements on the outskirts of all. the old settled districts in this island, something in the style of the Pensioner settlements formerly established, bnt not composed so much of invalided or old men, but of men in the prime of life and vigor. By this plan greater security would be afforded, and it would he oue of the best ways of getting rid of the present difficulty. This, of course, was a plan that could only be carried out to anj useful extent at considerable outlay ; and he should propose, if he stayed in his present place, to give the Governor power to raise a loan of at least a million to carry out the scheme effectually. As every immigrant contribute-i £3 a-head to the Customs revenue they might bring out men enough to pay the interest of t'lab m-ny. at all events, after the first year or so. He did uor know what the late Ministry had done in this direction, but the plan was one which the Governor himself certainly approved of. Out of the same sura might be found the means of employing natives in making road 3. The project was, no doubt, a difficult one which would involve a great deal of consideration, communication with the Superintendents of provinces and probably also with; the Home Government; and, therefore, having1 only just come into office, he could not pretend to say he had any cut and dried scheme perfect in detail to introduce to the House. Of course after havinjr stated what he thought was the relations that should be maintained between the Ministry and the Governor, they should not attempt to t?o on with any of these plans unless cordially agreed to by his Excellency, so as to be to ail intents and purposes his own. There was another subject on which a strong feeling existed, which he hardly needsay much about on the present occasion —the condition of Taranaki. The hon. member lately at the head of the Government had 'made a statement to the ' house with respect to that, with which he (IMTr. Domett) found no fault whatever. He could not say Ministers would give such advice to the Governor as might have for its result to precipitate him against his will, or at a time when his judgment disapproved, into nny kin lof war with tlie natives of that place: This matter must he left entirely to the Governor himself, but he could say this,, that the Governor felt strongly that that settlement, if it remained in its present state, was not only a blot and a disgrace to the British reputation, but that it was his decided opinion that it would have a most deleterious effect wherever it should be heard, at the Cape, in India, and any other colony where Englishmen were in the neighborhood of colored races, and that he fully recognised the desirability" of putting an end as speedily as possible to the lamentable state of things at Taranaki. More than that he could not say at present. There were , other matters connected with cative policy to be con-, sidered, bat he wisv not"prepared at present to make. any statement, regarding them. He had now only: to ■ thank the House for the patience .with whujh they, had ! heard him through thesesbmewh'at dry "observations, and to move the first resolution. Mr. FITZGHEEALD was of opinion that the Gonverment would require time for the consideration of

the important despatchesftney had received from the sc Duke of Newcastle.; -He would move the adjourn- pa ment of the debate till Tuesday week. or ! Mr. FOX seconded the motion for adjournment. co j The hon. Mr. DILLON BELL thought if they ad- c* journed for so a long a time, the whole action of Go- be vernment must be stopped in the meanwhile. tu Mr. STAFFORD and Mr. FOX supported the ad- dc jourmneut, which was accordingly agreed to, and the ra debate on these resolutions wa3 therefore postponed tl till Tuesday week. , si SUPERVISION OF THE " MAORI MESSENGER." " Mr. COLENSO moved—"That in the opinion of a? this House it is highly desirable that the Government e> ferial called the Maori Messetif/er, printed for and M circulated among the Maories, should be placed under of proper supervision and triple as effective as possible, cc (Ffcfe Articles 111. and IV. of May, and Article 111. p< p. 6. of July, 1832)." as A long discussion ensued thereon, in which Mr. w Colenso urged, that owing to the misinterpretation of M phrases, and even typographical errors, a large amount c? of mischief was created. tl: After several remarksfrom Mr. POX, Mr. CARLE* pi TON, and hon. DILLON BELL, the motion was ~ agreed to. CASK OP.ABDUCTION. Mr. CARLETON moved " For copies of all papers *'! and correspondence concerning the abduction by certain natives; of the wife and child of James Holden, 5] from his house at the Ken Keri in the Hay of Islands ,7; District." Agreed to. ORDERS OF THE DAY. * • TUUSTKES' RKLIBP BILL. [J This Bill was read a third time, and only being a }> reprint of an English Act, was passed. ji STEAM NAVIGATION HILL. |, This Bill was also reported, and passed. 1 COMMITTEE OP SUPPI,T. . 3, The House then went into Committee of Supply \, on the Report of the Select Committee of Coiumunica- ri tion. I, A lengthened discussion ensued relative to the de- c sirability of the oai-Jy adoption of th^ Panama Route, h Its decided beneficial results were alluded to by Mr- v Crosbift Ward, who said, that N. S. Wales had in fi 3857, passed an Act fruaranteeim; £50,000 par annum v for ten years, and thus paving the way fur its adop- i\ tion. After some furs, er remarks from other mem- v bers, on the suggestion of Mr. W srd, the further .1 discussion of the matter v.as postponed until after tin r Government had brought forward their financial a , statement. Progress was reported, and the debatt v adjourned till that day week. s SUPEUISrESUENTS NOMINATION BILL. j I 1 On the motion of Mr. FITZGKU \LD, this Dill was {. ordered to bo placed on the order of tin; day for Tinsday next, the iiill not having been received from the i ( j printers. } j The House tlieu at 4.30 then adjourned. j . TUESDAY, 12th AUGUST, ISG2. | After a lew notices of motion had been given, of ao ! general interest— | c SKAT OK GOVKIIKMEST. Mr. DICK asked the Colonial Secretary whether 1 it wa3 the intention of dovernment to propose, during this Session, a removal uf the scat of Government U» ' a more central position in the Colony. j . The COLONIAL SISCRETAUY replied that the \ heat of Government questiou ha-i b«en an open one ! i under-evory Aliuistry that had be.en formed, aui j; i from the elements existing in that House, must n^- j. ; cessariiy continue so. The present Minis-try did not [ intend to propose the removal of the seat of Govern- . ment, and if they did, he did not know that it would < ; practically answer aay end. ' MCJfieilWL INSTITUTIONS. I In reply to a question bj Mr. O'NEILL, ! ; _The COLONIAL SECRET ARY said that Pro-j vincial Councils had power co pass Municipal Bills, j J, and the Ministry had no intention to introduce any | j measure for conferring such institutions. j' I LKOAI, HASD HOOK. i In reply to a question by ilr. OWKILL U The ATTORNEY GKNRRAL informal tlio * House that Judge Johnston ha.l prepared the first [. part of a very admirable haivl l>oolc for the use of i I Justices.but that as the lateMiuistryhad contemplated ]: ' important consolidations of, and "alterations in the \'■ 1 law, the continuance of the Hand Book was stopped, | but would now be proceeded with. s COVERXMBNT OP MIDDLE ISLANI>, s M<\ FOX asked whether it was the intention of I 1 the Government to make any, and what provision, j »-. for the better administration of the general govern- } ; ment in the Middle Island, The COLONIAL SECRETARY said that, after I - mature consideration, it was not deemed advisable to j : take any steps this session to remedy the evils which I v he knew were felt. The Government had been s anxious to ascertain the views of the-Middle Island s members,-and had invited them to a meeting on the c previous afternoon. The result then arrived-"at he - understood to be a general opinion that the only c present remedy was a centralization of the whole - Executive. MINISTERIAL POLICY. j s The COLONIAL SECRETARY anuounced that - on the subject which occupied most members' minds— | - the despatches of the Duke of Newcastle-the Go.r vernment would be prepared to introduce some reso- -. lutions on-Tuesilny next. The financial statement o would be made on Thursday, and a Native Land Bill r would be introduced to-morrow, for the introduction ' of which he hoped the second reading of the one in•t trothiced some t'me since by Mr. Pox,-" which was r fixed for to-day, would be postponed. £. In answer to a question from Mr. FITZGERALD, n Mr. DOM ETT would endeavour to lay the resolu(s tions above alluded* to before the House on Friday, ~ for consideration previous to their discussion on o Tuesday. c new bills. o The following new Bills were brought in by the >f Attorney-General, viz. :_ s >f To Amend Minors' Franchise Act, 1860. I U To Afford Additional Representation to Otapo. j y To Continue the Arms Act, 1860, for o>e year. | j. To Amend the Bills of Sale Registration Act, d 1866. [. To Amend Wool and Oil Securities Act, 1858. n To Amend Lost Land Orders Act. 1861, o To Amend Customs Duties Act, 1858. h The hon. Mr. Russell—To Amend Joint-Stock > Companies' Act, ISfjO. i, The hon. Mr. Bell—To Authorise the issue of te Crown Grants to Natives in certain cases (relating jf only to the past). j :e THE JfAlilh'B BOARDS BILL. -I "j The hon. Mr. M ANTELL proposed that the Marino 31 Boards BUI should be put off until Friday; but on '• the proposition of Major RICHARDSON, it was -- proceeded with at once. Mr. MANTKLL having '• nothing to say thereon, but amply moving the I ie second reading, it was eventually put off until Wed--0 nesday.

RETURN OF MR. LANDSBOROUOH'S PARTY-SECOND CROSSING OF THE CONTINENT. Yesterday evening considerable excitement was caused in town by the lumour that Mr. William Landsborough and his party Lad arrived, by the Murray mail, from the Darli.-'g, having successfull> crossed the continent. His party at_pre<«ent consists ot himself, Mr. George Bourne, William eieeson (groom), and twoblaekfellows, all appearing in excellent health. To the courtesy of Air. Lanrfsborou^h we are indebted for the following particulars of the journey: — <'The party left Brisbane in August 18G1. and it will be in remembrance of our readers, suffered shipwreck in the Firefly, and were taken by the Victoria to the Albert River (which is navigable for thirty miles up-the Firefly having gone up that distance). The party were landed at the Gulf, the horses being m such bad condition that it waa thou»ht the expedition must have been abandoned: but"bo strengthening was the grass, which, by-the-hye, they had to cut with their knives and give to the horses, i that in three weeks the horses were fit for work and i the party started out S.W. from the /. lbert River ! till they struck a branch of the Nicholson, whuh they I followed for one hundred and Hfty miles, and aßer again going S.W:, they found a rapid stream, which they followed to its spring head, where it was clear and only three feet in depth. Above this they proceeded about one hundred miles, but found waterpoles only, and these few and far between, ond they then returned to the depot on the Albert. After spelling their horses for three weeks, they again started, and procesderl to the Flinders River, where the tracks of Burke was reported to have been seen by Walker's party. They followed the river four hundred miles j at the point of leaving it was one hundred nnd twenty yards wide. After leaving it some time they got on the warer-shed, off the heads of Cooper's Creek, and thence proceeded to Cooper's Creek, and from that to the heads of the W.-irrego River, and thence to Williams' station, which they - reached in about three months and a half. They then followed down the Warrego to the Darling. Duriri"the time the^were out some of the party suffered from insufficiency of food, but in the whole journey -frorii the depot on the- Albert to 'the' Darling^hey saw nothing like a desert, and never went thirty miles without water. [The track taken by Mr. Landsborough appears to have been generally to the eastward of Burkes course.] Mr. Landsborough de-

scoibes the country passed through as of the finest ■ pastoral desciiptton, with the exception of some thiity : or forty miles. The temperature he represents as cooler.in the summer than on tin Darling, the highestrange of temperature iv the end of November being 103 ° in the shade, and after this the temperature was soou reduced by thurderatorms. He considers the country as generally fattening^ and as admirably adapted for sheep. «c also notices that about the heads of the Flinders and Warrego there is a considerable quantity,of ironbark country, (which is generally accepted as a good indication of an auriferous country). The country on the Gulf side in described as not bearing the tropical appearance that might be expected, but more like the country about Swan Hill. Mr. Landsborough informs our reporter that he heard of Mr. Haverfieid, but that \w being up the back country," he did not se<3 him. The journal uf the ex« pedition will, of course, be published iv detail as soon as Mr. Landsborough arrives ~in Melbourne, for which place he starts this morning by the early coach. Mr. Lahd*borough's paity never at auv part of their exploration csime upon any traces of fiurke's party, though they must have intersected theiv track ; but prob'ibly any traces were obliterated by the weather. — Bcndigo Advertiser. 14th August.

Tub Great Eastern in. Custody.— PoaBC3» sion was taken of the leviathan steamer on the 30th of May, by the United States marshal's deputy, under an attachment for a claim of 100,000 dollars, preferred by Hamilton F. Towle, engineer, for sdva^Q. The plaintiff alle^d that when the Great Eastern was ou a voyage to New York, she was so disabled as to be .tendered incapable of proceeding to port, until ho, a passenger, invented a screw that saved tho vessel, her passenger, and cargo. On the same day au application was made before the United States district judge for a rcducfioa uf the amount of bail in the case. Mr. Evarts, ou belm'f of the defendant*, contended that tlie amount of b;iil waa enormous, and that Mr. Towle had uot rendered any moie norvico ou the occasion than any man possessed of tho same ability and ngenuity would vclunteer to save the lives ot fel!owbcing!t,j)ariicular]y when his own life was hi eoual jeopardy. Lord Sfcmvell, a great English jmlicalnurhority, had laid down that apa- sender utulerHuchcircunistaiios could not recover any comptnsation. If Mr. TVwUj had kept withiu his iriiud. the Cdt-a of saving tiic vssel until lie exacted a prouiis: ot payment—until he had found a fortune iv a groat di--ast»jr—ho would !i* an uuwurtliy passenger im nnv future voyago with iiw J'ellow-mcn. No bill had be<m sent hi for these scrj vices; and if Mr. Towle had made a ciiiim of 5,00(> dollars, and been pail it, lie would havo had gctd reason to know that it was a pood night'H work to save hw own life snd jr ;t m much money. Judy* Hetts would no! goiisto »lv» merit*, but merely couiiuehiir* self to the amount of tr-.i! t in oi'dtsr to r»ecun» to the plaintijF whatever rii;!iU itc might establish on the trial of the (uu>o. UU imatcly luh Honour u;f i ied to bond* the vessel iv the 3 um* of 10 OODJo!. 1 lowland j and AspinVvall becanu: Me suret.es. imil Use; vcw*«l wai j discharged from liii." <usto.iy of the United States j marsha!.— JUtjtr,-m.

j THE NEW KATK.S OP PO3TA(JK. ' We publish for .'euesiil infonantj;)ii. the Now Rates i of PostJiu'e in for. '• tr.^rn and afu-r /\ i «i! 1,1602 •— N T i: W ZKA LA N it. I UATKS OF 1' )STAOK <JMAUOHA^LK ON I LBTTKits». .\KWSI»AI'KU.S, AND BOOK- ! FACKGT.S t'OSTKD IN TilK COLONY. j LKTTKUS. ! —ISLASD LeTTKM. | Not exccctJtn,'4 AO2 ... ... .. ... 2d. I I Kxc«tHiing \ oi., and nut exceeding Im. ... 4d. I m 10/.., „ „ 2oz. ... 6d. And so on, itiorc-iiiri;; fnurponce for cv«ry wKlitioiial oiuicii or fracvi'>n of an ounce. 2.—To THf, U>'.T»-.i> Kisg»-jM. V.'- < iv/i-, ..j 1.-ii or by dire ft hhip— I Xot e.\..o:uinj; .j wi.., " .. .. G.I. ; Kxccediug A oz7. aud not excelling 1 oz. ... Is. | .» 1 fv.i ~ ~ -oz. ... _t-4. I And ho on, iucnxLsing one hi»i!!ing for every a/ldillonal j ounce or fraction of an nunLV. J3y Min-j^ilii'.s— Not exceeding joz ... .. ~ ... ft.J. Mxi'ewling \ «>,£., and not excf(>linß A nz. ... Is. i >. Jo*., „ ~ I ox. Is, Shi. j ~ 3 o/., „ 1 (.?. ... 'Ja. i And so on, ix-iman a-iditifm v> the ordinary i>j>ta^c. , ai the rat* 1 of thrfepeinv.- jn.r fj;.aru»r ounce." !A. T<) iilUTlnit OoLsJiSIKii ASH Fi'KEKiN CoI'NTRIfW Not fcxctwlin^ \oz . . .. ~ ~ f;,|. xceediiig .J oi., and not excelling 1 oz. .. I«., .» i «»?■.« „ ~ 2oz. .. 2k. } And *o on, incnrasiii^ono shilling fur every additional jounce or fr:u:tion of an ounce. | fi4** Kxcijpt in the following c_se.-<, when: hj^uhl i rat*-j* are payabbi. J 4.—-To TilK Co.NTI.VK.st ov KcitopK via Tkiiwtk. I N Tot exivj'sding Joz .. .. .. 1«. <;|. j Kxtcediiiu' 4 vz., and not excelling I oz. .. y-,. ~ 1 Oi., „ 2 oz. .. «Ik. And m on, iticrvaxing three Msiliings for nvcry ndditional ouin'e "r fraction of an ounce. f>. —To Syria and Tukket. Letters be forwanlt.il rlti Alcxandna nnd Jaffa unless marked for lr:tu*inksiou via the United Kin^-lom). nnd will lm ciiai^d -s follows :— j Not cxcw.iling vi.. ... ... ]]d. KxceeiliiiK \ oz..and not exceeding 1 oz. Is. lOil. And so on, _ iiicre.vii»g one shilling nn»l tenpencu for every additional oumi- or fraction of an ounce. 6.—To China axi» t»k Kahtkiih hwm\vr.t.kno. Letters ad-iri.-»snl t/> Hongkong, I*«nang, !>iii'.*,i{>nre, or any ]>art of China or Jjijcin. the i'hillipino Ui.inds! J)ava, Sumetra, Ui-rneo, Lubnan, thu Moluc^u, and rti;un, are chargci^le sus fullow:i:— Not oxix-wlin^ a i,i. ... .. ~ ..Is Kxcecding £ oz. nnd not i-ieccdins: 1 oz. .. 2h And so o:i, innvaxing two Hhilling for every addiional ounce orfrartioii of an otinc**. 7. —To Naval Orvtctttn on Porktov Statiokh. Letters addressed to OHicers serving on bowl any of Her Majesty's ships oil a fureign station, when tent through the United Kingdom, are chargeable m ■ follows:— Not exceeding A 0z.... ... ... ... Jg Exceeding Aoz J and not exceeding 1 oz. ... 2s. I .» 1 0? -f »> ». 2oz. ... "4h. Ai'.d w> on, increaHing two shillings for every addi-* i tioisal ounce or fraction of an ounce. B.—To Naval Seamen and Soldiers. Letters tent U> or by Seamen and Soldier* in Her I Majesty's service will lie transmitted within the Colony, :md between the Colony and any Post Office in the British dominion*, at a charge of .One V*-.hm, provided that the following regulations are observed :— 1. Each letter must not exceed half an oun*» in weight. 2. It must be BupcrHeribed with t)i»> name of the I writer, hid dusoription or class in tb»j v.. <sel or regiment, nnd signed by the officer at the me in com ma tv t 3. The postage iriir.L be pre-paid. Hvery letter of th;« ileacription, posted or received in thin Colony not in accordance viitli the i foregoing regulation, will ba treated as an ordinary etter 9.— I?RKE LKTT£P.S. Letters on the j»u!)lic service of IJcr Majesty*-* Naval and Military Forres, are cxeinptcl from th'« pnymunt of posJni'i., if bearing the v.-onla "On Her ajajesty'H Service" and tho fiiguutu.v of tho officer in command of tlic fjrc-0 on the service of which the letter i.s dcsiiat.-hed. But such Itlters cannot be ♦.runsmiLted by uiiy irregular rosittl, or on« etitailinuhlitioual exjj.jiu.t: on the Colonial fi-.-vornment. * Letters on thy public service' of :he General Government of the (,'oiuny are transmitted free by post, if bearing the -.vonls, "On the Public fkirvico only/ and the signature of some ollicer of the General Uovernment authorised to frank officiul lettera. NEWSPAI'KIW. 1. To any part of tho Colony, if jmblishwl in trie Colony, aud posted wituin seven days from publication ~ .. Free. If not published intlio Co.'onv, or not posted within seven days from publication, each .. .. .. .; i ( \ 2. To the United Kingdon, iria Southampton, or by direct ship .. .. .„ Free. To the United Kingdom, via Marseilles, each .. .. .. ~ {}<], 3. To the Continent of Eurojje. via Trieste, each ... ... ... ... 2d. 4. To tfyria and Turkey (not through the United Kingdom), not exceeding two ounces ... ... ... ... i ( \ And ko on, at tho rat f one penny for ever nddi tional two ounces. Note.- For the Postngo chargeable on Newspapers, torwardei to other countries, through the United Kingdom, see table (A) subjoirj^l. BOOK PACKETS. 1. Toany part of the Colony, or to the United Kingdom, via Southampton Not exceeding 4oz ... ... ... 4,j Exceeding 4 oz., and not exceeding 8 oz!.! . Bd. „ 8 oz., „ „ 10 0z.,. ]s. 4d. And. so on, increasing night pence for evpi-y a«lditianal half-pound, or fraction of half-a-pound 2. To the following British Coloniea--Ascension lonian Islands Bermuda JVatal British West Indies New Brunswick Canada Newfoundland Cape of Good Hope* Nova Scotia Falkland Islands Prince Edward Island Gambia St. Helena Gold Coast Sierra Leone Heligoland Vancouver's Island

Not exceedinst 4 02. ... ... ... 7d Exceeding 4 oz., and not exceeding 8 oz. ... Is. %\ Boz.. ~ „ 10 oz. ... *2a 4d. and so on, increasing one shilling and two pence for every half-pound, or fraction of half-a-pound. PREPAYMENT BY STAMP?. All letters, packets, and newsjapers posted in New Zealand, must be prepaid by affixing postage abela the colony of flullieient value. LOOSB LKTTKRS. AH letters received from beyond 3eas,at any Post Office in this Colony, which have not been regularly posted At the place of despatch (loose letters), are chargeable with full postage, according to the rates established by the foregoing tables, unless they arc iettora which it in not compulsory by law to send by post, in which case they are chargeable with the inland rato of postage only. • JNSUVVJOIHNT PAYSIEXT. Letters and packets liable to more than one rate of postage, and audres&ed.to places within the Colony, or to the United Kingdom, if bearing at leaata single rate, will be forwarded and charged with the postage deficient, and another single rate as a fine. Letters and [jackets so addressed, and bearing less than a single rate of postage, and all letters and packets otherwise addressed, not bearing the full postage chargeable, will bo deta -r-evl and returned to the Bender in all cases where practicable. Newspapers, if posted without prepayment of the full amount of postage chargeable, can neither be forwarded to their destination nor returned to the sender; but will be delivered or forwarded to the person addressed, on application, within six mouths, at the office where samo were ponted, and payment of the deficient postage in stamps. REGISTRATIOX. Any person can have a letter registered by affixing on it by means of the proper label* the amount of the registration fee, in addition to the proper postage, and presenting it at a Post Ollk'e during otHce hours, and at* least one hour before the rinsing of the mail by ■which' it is desired to be transmitted. Every precaution will b« adopted to ensure tlif ?afe delivery of a registered letter, by entering it on the letter bills, and obtaining a receipt for the same on delivery. As the Post Olfiee, however is. not rcajKMisihle for the losg oi any letter, whether registered or otherwise, pennons sending bank nou-s or ilraff. are udvistni to take the numb m and particular*, and to cut the lulu's or drafts in luilves, and tv send them by different post RB-DIRFCTION. Letters, newspajwrfc and packets wll be re-directe*l from one Post O;liec to another on the written instructions of th-j person addrpwtcd, but on re-direction are chargeable with a new and distinct rate of postage, to be paid on delivery. PENAI.TICB. Any person sending a<* exeiupt from postage letters not liable tv xeinptiun, or enclosing a communication in the nature of a Mttir in any netvspaper oi b>ok-packet, it liable to a penalty of £20. SSZE ASIi WEIGHT. No book-packet or packer ot newspapers will be received, nor will any VivtmMivr \>e n^juired to receive any letter if it«xc^ctt two feet in length, one foot in width or depth, or three pound* in weight. BOuK-rAOKETS TO UK OIKS |T»R IXSfUCTIOjri Kvt.ry book-p.icket hhull !>•• sent o'H'ii at the «>ndt» j or >-U\ei, and tlwrw t-hali l»e no enclosure scaled or I otlipnvi«e closed against inspection sent in or witli such packi-t. nor any thing printed or written in the nature of a letter. COSTKNTH. With the above limitations, a packet-book may contain any number of tiepftrah* book*, mai<«, printJl, or p.» •totrraph*, and any quantity of paper, vellum,. • or psuvhmviit, eitht-r printß-J, writUn on, or p.ain, . (exclusive of anything iv the nature of a letter • whitht r #«-aied or open,} with th« binding, coveriiiir, • or tuodiitiiig Attachetl or bcloti'-ring to such book, print, map, or photograph, and nil thin-** legittmat.'ly appertniuinar to or new«nry for ths tran*mwiion ot any endosai litt-rary or artistic matter. . but excluive of plans in any fo'tn. The names and .. address «if the render may aj'jtear on the cover. OVBHU.VU VAHKIAdK. ,1 Xo I'ootinaHter will l>e n-fjuirt-d in receive any lKi<>k-pai'krt for tran-mksion by an tm»rland mail, » from its w«-ii,'!it or any oth'-r enuse the packet *p- . j-tur ciiiculJttw! to retafil tin* carri«r.

CRO.illlE WARD. Pi«*tnia^nr-npn«Tal

Miscellaneous. IF th:» Hhoul-t me.;t the eye of MA It JAKbT .1 lIA V KS, pleas*: wri?e to your sinter Mary Havre, t!i«>Sir Hfiirj lUrkly Hoy«! f Kichmond, near Mtlliourne, Victoria. BH 11.D1NO ALLOTM BNTB. ~ Two ».j,lemlid Allolmcnts in High atrt-et, irumaliatdy abovttht« entrance to the H«n*l Prino* Theatre, and oppo»i<« thft Union Batik pmj>«rty. Apply to John Drew Atkin, Tnmora Hott-1, IliK*li-street. HOR.SKS FOIt SALK On Wednesday, at tbo Cotatusrcbl Hor*i» Baiaar. .)/} PIILST CLASS liOltSKS,«ui able fur heavy ■6U packing or riding. Also, soim? first-cla-* Dray HoraiX WILSON k WAIN. POUT CIULMRRS AND DUNEDIN LIGiITKUAGK ASSOCIATION. A GENKRAL MEETING of MEMBERS will jf\. be lM»Id at ttie Asaociation'n ojficft«, Princes Kinet, at 4 p.m. o'» Thurwlav, the 2Bth iust. W3I. U.'MVMVUHD, Agent. DUNUDIX VOLUNTEER FIIIK BRIQADK. A UKNKRAL MEETING of the Acting £_. Member* of the B igade will b^ hdd at the oM CommerriaJ Hotel, on Wednesday, the 27th iast., at halt-paint 7 p.m. , IJumhcjM^—Klection of ofF.cera and framing Rules. Those wishing to join are invited to attend. JJv ord«-r. WM. 11. MUMPORD, Hon. Sec. Fire Brigade. FOR THE HARTLEY DIGGINGS. Notice io Dkr^era. DRAYS will lew? the New Iron Stores of Baiui» Hrotiikks, Wailrouiiti, on Saturday, first, and proceed to the pbovc Gold Fields. J. A. _ R. IJAIRD, Princes-street. ■VTOTICK.—To Whom it may Concern.—That n : J_\ Red Heifer is running «>u Walter Miller's Run. . li not clhimed within a month from this date, will be ! sul 1 to defray eX'-i-iiRCS. Tokoinairi'ro, _t)th August, 1802. i DARBY TESTIMONIAL ■ f|l!IK Commhte-j of the above Fund are pnri, tioiilariy request^ to meet at the Shamrock Hotel, this evening, August 2Gt!t, at 7 p in. WM. SHAW, Hon. Sec. BUL' OCX and Horse Teams for Hartley Diggings to start on Wednesday. Swics and 1 jading at current rate*. Apply Edward Camper & Co , Exchange Hale Rooms. SBI'AUATE ACCOMMODATION is offered to Two or Three Respectable Uoitr-Jer?, at a very quiet Private Boarding E-tabiishment, bc:tutiiul!y situated. Apply Geelonjf Priyite Hotel, Maclayan •tivet. Ru« i:rwi~^uTsi~drn=ipe^ Sausages, Victerian Butcher's Com p., Staffordt'Qft TKKTH! TEETH !! TEETH!!! MR. ALFRED BOOT, Surgical Mechanical Destist, Princes-Htreet, (Formerly Pupil of 11. L. Jacob, Esq., M.It.C.S. M.CD. and L. A.C, and late Dentist to the Royal Hridgwater Hospital,) BEGS to call the attention of the public to his improved method of fitting teeth on the principle of ?e!f a-lhcsion, by which the process of mastication is perfectly peiformeJ, and the articulation' completely restored.

The numerous impositions daily practised on the public by persons pretending to a proficiency of k«owledge in tho different branches of mechanical dentistry and the disappointments consequent thereon, deter many from availing themselves of relief under the inconveniences incidental to the loss of these most essential and ornamental appendages, without which | mastication cannot be properly effected, and the train of diseases arising from indigestion natnrn'ly follow This requisite m necessary to health, and to the enjoyment of our food, is effectively substituted on Mr. Boot's principle from one to a complete bet, without the least inconvenience to the wearer. Charges moderate. Cl a k ITm on th o'lTiri Moray Place, Bell Hill, ESTABLISHMENT FOR YOUNG LADIES Conducted by Mrs. Wurm. Boarders, 50 guineas per annum Day pupils, 3 „ quarter ProspectUH on application.