EVENING SITTING.

Southland Times, Issue 885, 20 January 1868, Page 1

EVENING SITTING.

•WEDNESDAY Bth. JANUARY 1868. DISQUALIFICATION OF OFFICIALS AND CONTRACTORS. The House resumed business at 7.45 p.m. _. Mr M'Cltjre, pursuant to notice, fiio'ved—•« That it k contrary to English consiitiitionui nsage, and injurious to the character of this Couueil, 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 eihare of a contract on account of the public service." ,-...- Considerable discussion ensued on this question^ in which Messrs Dalrymple, Hodgkinson, Armstrong, Monckton j Johnston, Pearson, aud Lumsden, in addition to the mover, took part. A division being called for, resulted as follows : Ayes. —Lumsden, Clerke, Johnston, Dalrymple, Boss, M'Clure. Noes.—Blacklock, Hodgkinson, Buttler, Monckton, Ho well, Armstrong, Daniel, Longuet, Hately 3 Swale. M'IVOR'S CLAIM. Mr. Cl-erke asked the Government "If they had settled Mr M'lvor's claim; t-e Oreti Railway, and if so,' to lay on the tabie a statement showing how the account had been settled." The Provincial Treasurer stated that tbe 'claim was all but settled, and that-the expenses amounted to £90. PROPOSED CHANGE IN FORM OF GOVERNMENT. Mr Pearson moved —" That the form of government at present existing in New Zealand, viz., by Provincial Governments controlled by a General Government is bo longer suited to the circumstances and requirements of the colony, and demands immediate modification." " That a Central Government and Legislature for the two islands would greatly conduce to the efficient performance of the functions of gbvernraent, 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 be requested to use Jheir 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 oppositioD. The debate was twice adjourned, and occupied the greater portion of three sittings.