SOUTHLAND.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 685, 9 January 1865, Page 4

SOUTHLAND.

The SppERrNTEXDEircT. — Since the de cision of the Supreme Court that the ten " absolute majority" means a majority o the whole Council, it seems doubtful whethe either of the two present candidates ca] command votes enough to secure his election The Soutiiland IFews goes in for a dissolu tion of the Council. In its issue of tin 31st ult. that journal says: —With th judicial interpretation now given to the ex pression "absolute majority," we canno doubt that the aim of the legislature was t "give the Superintendent a practical workinj strength in the Council. With the element of support and antagonism so evenl; balanced, it would be impossible for th work of G-overnment to be efficiently carrie< on. There are but two alternatives befor us. One is to select a candidate whose nomi nation would at once command somethinj considerably more than an " absolute ma jority" of supporters; the second is t petition his Excellency to at once dissolve the House, in order that there may be i general election and the appointment o Superintendent be held over until a ne\ House is constituted. The name of Mt Scott is mentioned as one who wouL be likely to receive a large suppor from both sides ; but it is understood to b< very doubtful whether Mr. Scott woul< undertake the office. If it be deemed ad visable once more to resort to the tribuna of public opinion, no delay need be involved On the same day on which the Council wil reeume its sitting, Sir George Grey, wil arrive in Dunedin, for the purpose of open ing the New Zealand Exhibition. Th< Council meets on the 11th; the northen steamer leaves the Bluff on the 12th. Hii Excellency's proclamation might reach In. vercargill within three or four days after th< reassembling of the House. On man] grounds this course would be most desirable But possibly the Council itself, might objeei to petition the Governor for its own dissolu tion. It is certain that many of the presem members would not have their certificates renewed in case of a fresh election. It ii not unworthy of consideration, whether th< public ought not to take action in the mattei and petition on their own account for a dis solution. The Seizure of Government Property —The Southland Neios gives the following version of the late difficulty which resultec in the appearance of the bailiffs in the Government buildings : — Some misappre hension appears to exist as to the actua occurrences of that memorable chapter ir our local history, the seizure of the G-overn-ment property. We understand that or having the writ of execution placed in his hands, the sheriff at once took possession oJ the public offices; but receiving notice from the Superintendent that the whole property of the Provincial G-overnment had been transferred by a duly registered bill of sale to Sir George Grey, and at the same time a formal claim to the property by Capt. Elles, on behalf of the G-eneral Government, Mr. Price declined to sell without receiving an indemnity from Messrs. Mackenzie and Cain, the suitors. This the latter were advised by the legal gentleman who accompanied tttem from Dunedin not to give, and am receiving a formal answer to that effect, Mr. Price waited upon his Honor with an offer to withdraw, upon his indemnification on behalf of the Provincial Government. The offer was immediately accepted, Mr. Price undertaking the responsibility. It is of course an honorable engagement that the heads of parties in the House will recommend the endorsement of the indemnity by the Provincial Council. With reference to other false rumours afloat, it is stated that the messenger was not ejected from the Government buildings until he had effected an entrance, after the-seizure had been formally made, and that the course pursued in forcing an entry into theßailway offices was in strict conformity with law, the rule being that a legal entry having been made into a defendant's house a forcibly entry may afterwards be made into any other premises belonging to him. So much unpleasantness of feeling having been excited in connection with this matter, it seems only fair that the facts should be correctly stated.