AUCKLAND.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 304, 18 September 1860, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

i (From the Southern Cross, Sept. 4.) House op Representatives, Auausr 30. COMPENSATION TO NELSON SETTLERS. Mr. Domett moved that the petition of the Provincial Council at Nelson, praying for compensation to persons for losses occasioned by breaches of contract by the New Zealand Company, be *akeh into' consideration. The hon. member entered at considerable length into the claims of the persons mentioned, and the investigations which had taken place, and concluded by moving that leave be granted to bring in a bill providing for the compensation of the persons named in the chedule of an Act passed by the Provincial Council of Nelson, entitled Land for Compensation Act of Nelson, on the terms and conditions laid down in the said Act,

Mr Kelling remarked on the number of claims which had been received by that House during that session, and added that he considered the liability of one province, as a liability on the whole Colony. The hon. member also went into some details as to the sufferings ot those laborers. He thought the House should feel satisfied about the validity of their claims. :

Mr. Carleton was always in favor of a-full and careful enquiry, where compensation could be claimed. He desired that all just claims, including those of the old land claimants, should be cleared off. The hon. member stated his intention as the House .had. the night before sanctioned compensation to the T&ranaki settlers—[Only a committee ofenquiry appointed], well, that was1 'the first step to it—of bringing" the case of the K.6----rorareka settlers, jwhose case^as parallel.?: Some-what-better [No] in fact, for there were no prospectiveadvantages held out to them-r-nq acquisition of land, involved in the Government proceedings which caused their losses. , ; ,

T)t. Monro said he believed that some of the la-r borers of Nelson had a valid claim ; he would port the motion. The hon..member proceeded to explain the nature of the claims, and the pro_ ceedings of the commissioners who were appointed to investigate, and how liable they were'to be influenced, being person's remaining in the district, and that some of the laborers were guilty of conduct even at the present day for which they deserved to be taken before a magistrate and punished instead of being compensated. Mr. Stafford said he would support the motion, but he would reserve himself the right of voting •against the bill if he Saw fit.1 ; " Mr. Sewell would oppose the motion because he believed the propositious of satisfying such claims Bhould emanate fiqm the Provincial Council of the Province. He would like that the .House would lay down^ that as a rule for itsi guidance. Mr. Brandon said that what the hon. member for ChristQhurcH wanted tq be done had in this

case""licen "done: -Tlie. Provincial Council '-.had passed a bill awarding certain parties compensation,; which bill had been disallowed, and consequently tliu legislation of the Council1 had been rendered futile by the WastetLaridsAct; of 1858, and thfe bill was simply to give the Provincial' Council of Nelson the power to compensate, them. >?-' Mr;" Fox would support the motion, it was simply placing the Provincein the same position as,the Province of Wellinton. -; ■ »

Mr. Fitzherberfc thought that the bill was simply an enabling Bill, to enable the Provincial Council of Nelson to grant compensation.to certain parties, which the legislation of 1858 had deprived them of the power to do. Mr. Richmond said lie would not oppose the motion. He thought that most;of the matters which had been discussed were merely matters of detail* and any alterations could Ke made in committee if the bill reached that stage. ; Mr. Domett said the Provincial Council had done everything but name the block of land to be given to them. The memorial referred to a bill attached, and that bill had a schedule which contained the names'of all the parties who were entitled to if. , '.':.■■.:..' ■■••'- ,'

Motion agreed to, and the Bill was read a first time. < .. -;. - .;- ••