EVENING SITTING.

Southland Times, Issue 881, 13 January 1868, Page 2

EVENING SITTING.

WEDNESDAY Bth, JANUARY 1868. DISQUALIFICATION OF OPFICIALS AND CONTRACTORS. The House resumed business at 7.45 p.m. Mr M'Cltjbe, pursuant to notice, moved—" That it is contrary to English constitutionul usage, and injurious to the character of this Council, that any of its members shold hold any office or place of profit in the public service (except such as may be held in connection with the Executive Council), or be in receipt of emoluments arising from any contract or share of a contract on account of the public service." Considerable discussion ensued on this question, in which Messrs . Dalrymple, Hodgkinson, Armstrong, Monckton, Johnston, Pearson, and Lumsden, in addition to the mover, took part. A division being called for, resulted as follows : Ayes, — Lumsden, Clerke, Johnston, Dalrymple, Ross, M'Clure. Noes.— Blacklock, Hodgkinson, Buttler, Monckton, Ho well, Armstrong, Daniel, Longuet, Hately, Swale. M'IVOR'S CLAIM. Mr Clebke asked the Government " If they had settled Mr M'lvor's claim, re Oreti Eailway, and if so, to lay on the table a statement showing how the account had been settled." The Pbovtnxjiaij Teeasttbeb stated that the claim was all but settled, and that the expenses amounted to £90. PROPOSED CHANGE IN FORM OF GOVERNMENT. Mr Peabson moved— " That the form of government at present existing in New Zealand, viz., by Provincial G-overnments controlled by a General Government is no longer suited to the circumstances and requirements of the colony, and demands immediate modification." Legislature for the two islands would rglpea^lJ~cimdxtce-to the efficient performance of the functions of government, the financial credit of the colony, and the general good of the community." "That to effect such a change, the colony should be divided into counties, and. subdivided into road districts." "That the purely municipal administration of affairs in each county should^ be vested in a Board, the members of which should be elected in a manner similar to that prescribed for the election of Superintendents under Clause 4 of the Constitution Act." " That the police, gaol, harbor, land and survey departments should be under the entire control of the General Government." - "That our representatives in the General Assembly bS requested to use their utmost influence for the attainment of such a change in the present form of government." " That a copy of the foregoing resolution be sent to the honorable the Colonial Secretary." The great length to which the debate on this question extended obliges us to hold over our report until the conclusion [ of the session, when it will be given in full. The principal speakers on either side were, Mr Pearson in support of the motion, and Dr. Hodgkinson in opposition. The debate was twice adjourned, and occupied the greater portion of three sittings. _