LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2300, 20 May 1886, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Council met at 2,30 p.m. Mr Buckley presented a paper relative to the leasing of Special Settlements, Mr Swanson presented a petition from 797 residents of New Zealand, complaining that special favors wore shown to Cardinal Moran, and honors heaped upon him by the Government on the occasion of that prelate's recent visit to Auckland, Mr Buckley hoped the petition contained nothing of an offensive' character either to the Council or to the Holy Roman ompire. Of course the hon. member who presented this petition was responsible for the wording of tho document, but he desired that hon, mombera should not be placed in a falße position. Mr Swanson replied that ho was not aware the petition contained anything of an offensive character. Tho Council decided the petition should bo read. It complained that the Government steamer had been despatched from Auckland to meet the steamer in which Cardinal Moran arrived at Auckland j that special favors were shown him, and special honors heaped upon him by tho Government, and that upwards of 20 polioemen in uniform formed part of the procession, The petition expressed a hope that as there was no state church in the colony, similar favors should not again be bestowed on any dignitary of any church visiting New Zealand. Mr Buckley considered that as the petition had been read, the names should also lie read.

Mr Swanson had no objection to this course being pursued. He believed the signatures wer» genuine.

Tha motion for the reading the names of the signatures was seconded by Mr Brett, but not being.pressed was not put, and the subject dropped. Mr Buckland gavo notice that on next day of sitting he would movo that a committee, consisting of the Speaker and Messrs Baillie, Eraser, Pollen, Reoves, Reynolds, Brett, and the mover, be appointed to d,raw up a congratulatory address to Hor Majeaty the Queen on the occasion of her approaching jubilee. Mr Buckley introduced the following Bille, which wero read, a first time, the second reading' being made by order for Friday next:—Dofence Act, 1886, and' Police Force Act, 1886. . The formal presentation of the address in reply to the Governor thep took placfl, aijd op resuming, the Council adjourned to Friday next.