WAR AND PEACE.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 407, 17 September 1861, Page 3

WAR AND PEACE.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. We think it may hereafter prove useful to have a record of the composition of the House of Representatives, under the head of War and of Peace party. The division upon Mr. Richmond's motion was 25 for war, and 26 for peace. We give Dr. Monro, the Speaker, who did not vote, to the war party, making it 26; and we give Mr. Gillies, who was absent, to the peace party, making it 27. The total number of members is 53. War. Peace. Total. Auckland 6 9 15 Taranaki 3 0 3 Hawke'a Bay 2 0 2 Wellington 0 9 9 Nelson 5 16 Maryborough ...«,,... 112 Canterbury 7 2 9 Otago 1 4 5 Southland 112 26 27 53

This statement shows that in this island there are for war 11 and for peace 18 members. The interest of Hawke's Bay makes peace as desirable there as in Wellington. Its members were animated by the fear that Mr. Fox would seek to re-annex that Province to Wellington, though he has introduced a Bill proving that he has no such intention. Without that fear doubtless the Hawke's Bay members would have voted with the peace party, and then there would have been 9 for war and 20 for peace. T&ranaki is in such an exceptional state, and has so committed itself to war, that its members may fairly be set aside, and if this be done we have 6 for war and 20 for peace. These figures make it evident that the great majority of the members, under any circumstance, for this island, cannot be ascused of causing or being parties to the cost, misery, and bloodshed that would be the consequence ofrenewingthewar. They have not forgotten religion and civilisation in the part they have played. No other province stands out so prominently for peace as Wellington. She does not give a single member to the war-at-any-price party, while Taranaki and Hawke's Bay are most unanimous in that party's support.

Nelaon has 5 for, war and 1 for peace. Marlborough 1 „.... „ 1 „ Canterbury 7 . „ ~2 „

Nelson and Canterbury show 12 for war and 3 for peace. All the Provinces returning members of the late Stafford-Rich-mond Ministry give large majorities for war.

Otago has 1 for war and 4 for peace. Southland 1 „ ~1 „

Captain Fraser was begotten of accident. He did not attend the nomination with the slightest intention of becoming a member, but there was none to be nominated—there was not even a seconder. He wished to see Auckland, so consented, to have his name endorsed on the return. A messenger was despatched, who succeeded in getting a seconder, Captain Fraser became an Otago member, has seeing Auckland, and has done his best to ruin the homes of this island. But for this accidental return, Otago would very probably, like Weliiiigion, have sent up all peace members. Mr. Dillon Bell, the Southland war member, lives at Auckland, is intimate with "the Governor and the late StaffordRichmond Ministry. It is well known that this gentleman is very susceptible to the influence of those with whom he is intimate. This was shown last session, tvhen. he declared, in the house, that the Nativ.e Offenders' Bill, if passed. y^sid . render .ibis island uninhabitable, yet voted with it* authors, the then Ministry—so much, for susceptibility; the] fear of blood is not when its eyes are closed with kindness. The North Island has 11 for war and 18 for peace. The South Island ~15 „ -„ 9 „ 26 27 The North Island has 29 members and gave 11 for war. The South Island has 24 members and gave 15 for war. 53 26 The peace party of this Island has 18 members. The war party of the South Island has 15 „ 3 majority of the peace party of this Island over the war party in the South Island. It is a remarkable fact that it is not the majority of those who live in this island who have strong and bitter feelings against the natives, but those who. live in the other island, as shown by these returns. The maxim is reversed: familiarity has begot respect and kindly feelings, while ignorance has produced hatred, its natural feeling. We suspect an examination of the division list would establish the facts that both talent and knowledge are possessed to a much greater extent by the peace than by the war party, and experience would lead to the expectation of such a result. Let not the South Island settlers say the North Island has dragged them, or was likely to drag them, into a costly war, for these figures prove that it is their own members who have declared in favor of wasting their means and bringing down ruin, misery, and blood upon the heads of the people of this island. This should be kept in mind, for a general election may not be far distant, when the electors must confirm or repudiate the acts of their war members.— 'Wellington Independent.

Nelson Building Society.—The following are the main points in the Second Annual Report of the Nelson Building, Land, &c, Society, which was read at a general meeting held at the Fleece Tavern on Monday night, 16th September. The Society is composed of 209 shareholders, who hold 517 shares, representing a capital of .£25,850; 45 shares have been ' realised' during the year, amounting to £2250, at an average bonus of £6 12s. 9d. per £50 share. The subscriptions received during the year amounted to £1607 15s. The management of the Society has cost about 4 per cent., leaving a net profit of 81 per cent, on the paid up capital. The meeting was not numerously attended. Mr. Auam.9 was called to the chair. Messrs. Webster, Catley, and Jones ■rvere elected auditors. The thanks of the meeting were given to the Directors, Auditors, and the Secretary.

Accidknt.—On Sunday afternoon an accident, which might have been attended with very serious consequences, occurred to Mr. Jasper, of the Mitre Hotel, Bridge-street. Returning home through Nile-street in a baggy, the horse veassuddenly set upon by a dog belonging to a repeat in that street, and bitten \<x ;kc Icjj; iiu? «2;: ; ! immediately became unmanageable, ana bet cfi .: full speed, and in turning the comer near Chuvcu hill the vehicle gave a lurch and threw Mr. Jasper out, the wheel passing over his foot. Mrs. Jasper, who remined in it, was carried along Hardy and Collingwood streets at the imminent risk of her life, several horsemen following with better intentions than judgment. The horse continued along Col-lingwood-stieet to the river, which it crossed ; and some persons the other side coming up, the horse swerved from them, and the vehicle was upset, throwing Mts. Jasper violently to the ground, and injuring her in the back. Although the effects might have been worse the injuries sustained are sufficiently severe; and as it is said that the dog that caused the mischief is- given to frequent exhibitions of pugnacity, it is time that the public ba. insured from further mischief,