19

A.—l

22nd June, 1893. Befeeeing to his memorandum of yesterday, the Governor observes he did not mention that Despatch No. 12, page 41, in the return therein alluded to, and which he did not send to the Clerk of the Executive Council for publication, was omitted, because in the telegram in which Lord Bipon informed him that he was about to lay the correspondence in question on the table of Parliament he added that he intended to omit the despatch of the 16th August, above alluded to, unless the Governor particularly wished it printed. Having replied that he did not desire its publication, considering it of no importance, he did not expect to see it in this return, and therefore did not send it to the Premier. Glasgow.

Enclosures. A.—Copy of division-lists, Legislative Council, session 1892. [Not printed.] B.—Copy of division-lists in Committee of the whole Council, session 1892. [Not printed.] C.—Members absent from the Legislative Council, session 1892 : With His Excellency the Governor's leave —Hon. Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Peacock (2). Absent in England without leave, which is not necessary when a member is only absent one session—Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Wilson (2). Absent the greater part of the session—3oth June, from illness, Hon. Mr. Shephard; 26th July, from sickness, Hon. Mr. Shrimski; 21st July, from sickness, Hon. Captain Kenny; 21st July, granted absence for three weeks, but did not return, Hon. Mr. Bonar (4). Total absent, 8. Members on roll, 35. Members attending the session of Parliament, 27. D.—Concerning division-lists in the Legislative Council, or in General Committee thereof, also particulars concerning the said Council: — During the session of 1892 the Legislative Council's strength was 35, but, from absence and indisposition, only 27 were present. Forty Government measures were introduced in the Legislative Council. Of these, thirtyseven were passed, one was dropped, and only two were rejected, and these only after conference with the other House. The Governor is empowered under the Constitution of the colony to call to the Legislative Council such persons as he shall see fit, and no limitation has ever been made to the number, although on one occasion a Committee of the Council reported in favour of limiting the Council to half the strength of the House of Bepresentatives. That was in 1887, when, in deference to public opinion, the strength of the House of Bepresentatives was reduced from 95 to 74 members. Ac that time the strength of the Legislative Council was 49, or a fraction more than half of the other House. From that date till 1891 no appointments were made, and the strength of the Council fell to 39, or a fraction over half the other House after reduction. In 1891 the late Governor granted Sir Harry Atkinson's Government seven other appointments, but the number now granted makes the strength of the Council 47, or only two less than when the other House numbered 95, as against 74 at present. General view of results of divisions, as shown hereafter : There was a Government majority in ten divisions; there would have been a Government majority, had twelve Councillors been appointed, in other thirty-one divisions ; so that twelve appointments would have given a Government majority in forty-one divisions out of a total of forty-two divisions, leaving the Opposition, had twelve appointments been made, with a majority in one division; whereas the unbiassed opinion of the Council, as it existed before reinforcement, gave the Government a majority in only ten divisions, although all the Government measures were carried except three.

List of Divisions in the Legislative Council and in General Committee thereof during the Session of 1892 in which the Government possessed a Majority.

Date of Division. Votes for Votes for Opposition. Majority for Remarks showing the Number who voted, 27 being the Total of the Council during the Session. Government. Government. 13th September 23rd 27th 27th 28th 28th 6th October ... 8th 10th 10th 15 12 9 7 18 14 17 12 12 16 8 5 6 6 6 5 2 7 7 2 7 7 3 1 7 9 15 5 5 14 23 voted. 17 „ 15 „ 13 „ 19 „ 19 . 19 „ 19 „ 19 „ 18 „ Number of divisions. 10.