THURSDAY JUNE 2.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 2, Issue 89, 4 June 1859, Page 3

THURSDAY JUNE 2.

Electoral Divisions. Mr. Tucker brought up the report of the select committee upon the electoral divisions of the province. Petition of Shakespeare road residents. On the motion of Mr. Colenso, the council took into consideration the petition of certain residents in the Shakespeare road. Mr. Tiffen and the Superintendent commented upon the terms of this petition — the latter stating that the road was at once to be metalled throughout, and that, on the whole, the petitioners were very fortunate in the increased value which the great improvements on this road had given to property on each side of it. Much of the matter of the petition rested on no sound foundation, as he shewed by going over its paragraphs seriatim ; he would therefore suggest to the council the propriety of passing a resolution to the effect that the petition required no further consideration. After a few words from Mr. ColenSO, expressive of satisfaction at the explanations that had been given, the discussion was brought to a close by Capt. Carter, who moved, as a resolution, that no case had been made out by the petitioners requiring investigation. — Seconded by Mr. Riddell and agreed to. Education. Mr. Riddell brought up the. report of the select committee appointed to enquire into the best method of encouraging the education of youth within the Province. Report read. It was acompanied by a draft of a bill. Mr. Riddell gave notice of his intention to move on Tuesday for leave to bring it in. - ' Arms for Militia. Mr. Rhodes moved the council into committee for " the purpose of taking' into consideration the necessity or advisability of procuring arms and ammunition for the use of the militia and volunteers of the Province; and that tlie Superintendent be requested to

place a sum on the estimates for that purpose". The continent of Europe was in a very disturbed state, and war might break out at any moment. A consequence of war might be a visit from a French privateer, and the place laid desolate. There might be no danger either of external or internal aggression, but it was well to be prepared. Mr. Colenso said they should first ask whether such a motion was regular. The Supeeintendent said that it was quite regular. This was one of the subjects he had not failed to bring under the notice of the Governor, who informed him that the Province of Auckland, through him, had armed the militia with the Enfield rifle. The cost might be about M each. There was no doubt that the present position of the settlers, as to means of defence, was very unsatisfactory. They were as defenceless as a flock of sheep. Mr. Colenso denounced the motion in strong terms. Fears either of foreign ! or internal aggression .were equally ungrounded ; and supposing the possibility of an armed attack, a few rifles would do very little towards withstanding it. As regards the natives, the very mention of the thing would effectually lock up the plains from Europeans. He scouted the idea of refusing £200 for Carlyle street, and of voting about JIOOO for so ridiculous a purpose. The discussion was continued, Messrs Rhodes and Colenso being almost the only speakers. It ended in the Superintendent being requested to write to the Governor upon the subject of organising the Hawke's Bay militia, and of obtaining on account of the Province, 200 stand of arms. The council then adjourned.