TUESDAY, MARCH 20.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 132, 31 March 1860, Page 1

TUESDAY, MARCH 20.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment. Present the Speaker and all the members. Province of TaranaM. Mr. Colenso, pursuant to notice, moved, — "That the Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay, ere it terminates its second session, is desirous of placing on record its full and entire sympathy with the Province of Taranaki, at present under martial law, owing to the meddling of disaffected aborigines. That this Council also congratulates the Province of Taranaki on the manly and self relying spirit which evidently appears to animate the bosoms of its settlers; and on the very efficient aid so promptly rendered it by the Governor of thiß Colony. And, while heartily and unanimously thanking His Excellency for the same, and for his equitable and open declaration of policy —which this Council also sincerely believes to be both suited to and beneficial for the entire interests of the Province of Hawke's Bay —it further begs to be allowed to express the hope that such policy will be for the future everywhere alike steadily and zealously adhered to. And, that a copy of this resolution be duly forwarded by the Speaker of this Council to His Excellency the Governor, and to the Superintendent of the Province of Taranaki" He said that having duly considered the important subject which had called forth this motion, he trusted that the present golden opporfttnity would be taken advantage of to stand by the native policy,. a declaration of which the Governor had put upon record —a policy which he (Mr. C.) had always wished to see carried out. A re-print of the address in which that policy was embodied had recently appeared in the local paper, and was evidently prepared by some one well acquainted with the Maori language and idiom; for it was a most expressive documnet. [Mr. Colenso here read extracts from it] A similar attempt to that which had led to the present state of things in Taranaki had, it was well known, been made in the Province of Hawke's Bay. Purchases duly made by Mr. McLean had been sought to be cancelled. The " runanga," instigated by a native who came overland from Waikato, had succeeded in collecting a sum equal to that paid by Mr. McLean, and had tendered it to him; and. on his refusal it was tendered to the Superintendent. Such an attempt had been made with reference to purchases at Porangahau, Ruataniwha, and the Upper Ngaruroro. He remembered being present at one interview between Mr. McLean and the Waikato native, at which the latter justified such interference on the part of the Maori king, saying that the chiefs had given up to him the mana or right over their land. Again referring to the published statement of the Governor's policy, he would ask was it not an equitable policy; and should not all colonists

back up the Governor in his spirited attempt to maintain that policy? Not that, perhaps, the Governor needed any backing ; but, as loyal subjects and seeing that there was an evil spirit abroad which only wanted a spark to burst into a confla- _ gration, we should not do our duty did we hesitate ,to give His Excellency all the support we could. His was ihe right policy — would it had come .jgarf'sr I la expressing sympathy -with. tKo ooio=. ¥ isls of Taranaki, it should not be forgotten that they depende&mainly upon agriculture, and that the outbreak had burst forth before the harvest was altogether in. He was surprised at the tone of the Wellington papers in this matter. The time was when they were loud enough in crying out for vigorous measures ; now they seemed to deprecate them. The position of Taranaki, too, was one thit might any day be our own. Did they not constantly hear of roads being stopped, of sales of land objected to, if not altogether repudiated. And were there not many such instances as that in the Kidnapper block, where the original reserve was no more than a landing-place, but which, yielding to the rapacious demands of the natives, had been increased to 300 acres. So also, on Mr. Curling's run — and in many other places. There was no knowing where it would end. Time and expense had been lavished to satisfy the natives, yet the more that was done the more dissatisfied and disaffected they became. All sales were more or less repudiated by them ; even the old purchases — which were often spoken of as model purchases — were constantly being disputed. Hence, the greater necessity for supporting the Governor in the stand he had made. He trusted they would no longer hear of a temporising — a vacillating policy ; a continuance of which would be fatal to the interests of the settlers. He hoped that the motion would be passed with the unanimous consent of the Council. Mr. FitzGebaud said that having carefully considered every line of the proposed address, he entirely concurred in it, and had much pleasure in seconding it. Had they no sympathy for their fellow-colonists beyond that felt in other provinces at too great a distance to be directly affected by the causes which had led to the present disturbances, they might not feel absolutely called upon to give expression to it. But, seeing that the Province of Hawke's Bay was itself a sufferer from the weak, temporising policy that had hitherto been pursued towards the natives, it could cordially sympathise with the settlers of Taranaki, imder the circumstances of great difficulty in which they were placed, and could express heartfelt satisfaction at the energetic steps which had been taken by the Governor. The struggle was one which once commenced would not be quickly ended ; there was a great deal more in the rupture than many thought. He hoped that on the part of the colony, it would be vigorously carried out ; if not, the same difficulties would present themselves in this province, and the same lavish expenditure have again to be incurred ; for instance were now of common occurrence in which constitated authority was set at defiance, and the law treated as if it had no existence. Although it did not so appear, he thought it would be found that the whole strength of the king movement was ready to support Wiremu Kingi ; and those who knew the natives well thought it not improbable that a strong coalition might be formed throughout the colony, if not crushed in time. It was quite right and proper that, as one of the eight provinces of New Zealand, they should express their entire concurrence in the steps taken by the Governor. By and bye, the question would arise in the General Assembly how far the Governor was justified in incurring the heavy expenses which the war would entail ; and if public opinion went with him in what he had done, it was only right that it should be expressed. The policy hitherto adopted of giving a sop by way of smoothing over every difficulty as it arose, was very pernicious in its effects, and was, in fact, but laying the foundation for disastrous scenes at a future time. The many occasions on which the law had been treated by the natives with indignity would not be forgotten by the settlers, when numbers came to give them a pre-eminent position. It might then prove difficult to prevent the execution of their vengeance. If British law was really to exist in New Zealand, it must be in its entirety — not applicable to some, whilst others are exempt from its operation. As at present, one part of the population was strictly amenable to law, whilst another was permitted to set aside all law, to throw every obstacle in the way of public works, to dispute the piirchase of lands which had long been formally bought and paid for. He thought that, during the progress of the native struggle here, the government acted unwisely in not throwing more influence into one side — more especially in not protecting the chiefs who had proved themselve to be warm friends of the British government — Puhara and Hapuka. Their policy on that occasion was a false one, and had been attended with ill results. By throwing a very little weight into the scale, bloodshed might have been prevented; and the government, in case of emergency, would now have a powerful body of friends amongst the natives. As it was, it had many enemies, while those who would otherwise have proved friendly, would probably remain neutral. Mr. FitzGerald here enumerated many cases on the part of the natives here of pertinacious and unjust interference in the execution, of public works— instancing the Te Aute, the proposed new line to Olive, &c. ; and hoped, that, if i;he natives were to' benefit by British law, they would be compelled, iri common with Europeans, to permit roads, from which they derived ati, equal benefit

with the settlers, to be made through native lands. And he did hope that, in the.|ipproaching struggle at Taranaki, the natives would be dealt with, as our forefathers were dealt with. If a British subject rebelled, or participated in any rebellion, he forfeited his life as well as his lands ; he (Mr. ]?.) trusted that natives found in arms against the Queen would henceforth be made to feel the conwere not bo light as had hitherto been supposedHe hoped that the address would be passed, unanimously. Mr. Attrta-ndttr. regretted that he was not sooner aware of the terms of the motion before the Council, otherwise he should have been more fully prepared to express an opinion thereon. He agreed generally with what had fallen from both the members for Napier. He entirely concurred in what had been said regarding the course pursued by the Governor, and quite agreed that it was proper and just for the Council to express sympathy with the settlers of Taranaki, who had suffered greater hardships than those of any other province, and, indeed, were quite victims to the aborigines of that part of the country. It was our boiinden duty to sympathise with their condition. He could not agree with what had been said of the view taken by the Wellington press of the Taranaki disturbances. He thought that they had taken a very proper view of the matter. They felt it to be a duty to advocate caution until the causes of the rupture should be more fully enquired into ; as, were a war to break out, it would spread like a conflagration over the whole colony, bringing ruin in its train. He hoped that the Council, in addressing His Excellency, would represent to him the importance of urging upon Her Majesty's government the necessity of sending out more troops to the colony. Were war to become general throughout the island, the troops now in the colony would be wholly insufficient to defend it. If, as many supposed, the feeling was gaining ground among the native population that it was necessary to extirpate the "Europeans, the present force in the colony would prove to be a mere handful. In this province, were the troops away, there would be nothing to prevent the natives from massacreing every one of the settlers. He was one, too, however, to say caution ; to say, look before you leap. He did not think that, after all, the settlers here had much cause to complain ; and it was an undoubted fact that the natives were gradually increasing in anxiety to amalgamate with the Europeans in their views and sentiments. Mr. CoiENso said that he. in common with the member for Napier Country, would advocate caution. He was not, at that time of his life, to learn what caution and forbearance were. But a cautious policy, after hostilities had already commenced, was the policy of an infant, and the savage men would not be slow to act thereupon. No doubt His Excellency had already looked before he leaped ; what was the just and equitable statement of policy he had published but an evidence of caution. With reference to the remark of the member for Napier that the government should have interfered in the late native feud, he (Mr. C.) had at the time shewn the government the error it would commit if it allowed its allies to be extirpated — allies who would of themselves have been a militia to Napier. Had the government even pitched a tent between the contending parties it would have aaved bloodshed ; but it followed the old cautious policy, and now was suffering the effects. Hapuku from the first had never swerved from his allegiance to the Queen, nor from his adherence to the European settlers ;' and had he been properly backed up when in danger he would prove to the Europeans of Hawke's Bay what Tamati Waka did to the colonists during the first native war. He (Mr. Colenso) would conclude by saying, Don't speak of caution after the sword is drawn. Were he a general, and any one proposed such a thing to him under such circumstances, he would hang him as a traitor. The motion was then carried without dissent. Medical Board at Napier. Dr. HlTCHliras. rose to move for the establishment of a Medical Board in Napier, in accordance with the Wellington Provincial Ordinance, to prevent the practising of unqualified medical practitioners in this province. He said that his motion required neither bombast nor dictation in support of it. It was simply asking what was already provided for under the Wellington Act, now in force within the Province — under clause 3 of which, the appointment of such board was vested in the Superintendent. The importance of this being done it was difficult to exaggerate. At present, John Oakes or Thomas Styles could practice as a medical man ; and the consequences might at any time be of a very serious nature. Mr. FiizG-EEAED said that but for doubts.formerly raised, but since set aside, of this and^ther Acts being in force within the province, such appointment would have been made some time since. It would now be done without the least possible delay. Mr.. Coienbo would ask whether such a law was in force in any of the other colonies, and whether, if the motion was free from bombast and dictation, it was not narrow and selfish. Although the majority, no doubt, preferred allopathic treatment, they could not shut their eyes to the faefc that, with many, homeopathy was the order of the day. While others again, and not a small; portion, were firm v believers in Holloway's pills. And it so happened that he (Mr. Colenso) had had

liis eyes opened as to the shameful manner in which degrees wero sometimes obtained in England ; while persons had only to shew the bit of paper so easily obtained to be allowed to go and Mil as many as they pleased. He would like to see a board, if board there must be, not altogether composed of professional men. It seemed too much like protection to a class. He hoped, also, -it would be an open board. He had just been told that an attempt in Auckland to form a board -of this nature had failed. Dr. Hitchings, in reply, would ask the member who last sat down to look at the Act, when he woiild find that he must either repeal it or have a ..board composed solely of medical men. No doubt in the abundance of his botanical and other knowledge, it would be a pleasant variety for that member to have a seat in the board ; but lie (Dr. H.) imagined that the medical profession could dis.pense with his assistance. They did not wish the slightest interference on the part of the public. The motion was then agreed to. Accident to Barque Eclipse. Mr. Colenso, rose to move. — That this council will be pleased to institute an enquiry into the going ashore of the barque " Eclipse " on her leaving tha Ahuriri harbour; she being the first 3 masted He brought this forward that the public might be satisfied, and the character of the harbor vindicated. He thought that the investigation could be best conducted in a committee of the whole council. The subject was one that affected all. He had stated that the Eclipse was the first three masted vessel to enter the harbour, and the province might well be proud of tho fact. It was much to be deplored that any accident had hap- ■ pened, more especially when it was considered that the Snarosbrook, which lay all the while in the open roadstead, had, so far as he knew, never had occasion to lift her anchors. Mr. Alexander would second the motion, but would ask whether the council was eligible to institute such an enquiry. Mr. FitzGeeald said that it was quite competent in the council to institute an inquiry such as that now sought for — seeing that not a few only but the whole community, were interested in tho subject; for on the reputation of the harbour a .great deal depended. If the grounding of the Eclipse was found to be the fault of the harbour, vessels would be shy of entering it, and the . rate of insurance would be much raised ; but if, on the contrary, it was found to bo a mere accident, then no such results would follow. Ho would suggest that the Speaker be requested to . sum oions such witnesses as he may think necessary ; and that the enquiry should take place tomorrow. This was acquiesced in, and the motion agreed -to. Land Regulations. The next notice on the paper was, — Mr. Ormond. — To move the adoption of a me" morial to the General Government, embodying tho series of resolutions respecting the letting of the waste lands, just passed by the Council. Mr. Obsiond moved for leave to postpone his >motion till to-morrow. Mr. Coienso said that it was his painful duty cto move an amendment, viz. : — " That the memorial to the General Govern- < ment, embodying the report of the select committee on the waste lands of the province, be allowed to stand over till the next session of this •council; and that in the meanwhile, and because of the very great importance of the subject (affecting as it does a radical change in one of the great features of this province, and also the weli'aro of many who under the present system may j be coming hither,) copies of the said report be taken by each member to bis constituency, and that public meetings be held, and public opinions be sought and obtained upon this great question, before the next session of council." Mr. FitzGeeaed said that public opinion had been already sought upon thi3 subject in the only two districts where the constituencies could conveniently meet to express then 1 views. In the one, resolutions had been passed, and the principle of the report fully acquiesced in ; in the other — although no resolutions were actually passed, in consequence of an understanding that the electors should again meet to discuss the subject — the principle of the report had been debated ; and, he believed, generally approved of. He would, however, point out that this memorial was simply by way of recommendation : no action could by any possibility be taken upon it until made law by the General Assembly ; and he needed not to add that the subject was one which would not be •lightly treated by that body. The amendment was not seconded ; and the original motion carried. Finance Report. Leave was given for an extension of time for the bringiug~up-of this report.- ■ Estimates. The council went into committee for tho consideration of the estimates. The items under the head of Superintendent's Department, Provincial Treasurer, and Provincial Auditor, were postponed, pending the financial report. Harbour Department. — Harbour master and pilot, at £200 per annum. Passed, Mr. FitzGerald remarking that of this sum £25 was for the duty of harbour master. £150, with the ferry charges, was passed for the services of 3 boatmen for 9 months. The former pay of £5 per month, Mr. FitzGerald said, was insufficient— tho ferry yielding a very inconsiderable sum, especially as Government officers were conveyed free of charge. Contingencies, £60. Mr. FitzGerald said that an opinion prevailed that the money voted under this head was a fund into which any government officer could put his hand ; but ho might observe, although scarcely necessary io do so, that it was quite as difficult to draw money from the Treasury in the 6hape of contingencies as in any other. It was necessary, even only for the compression of the estimates, that small items of necessary expenditure should be comprehended under some general heading. In the case before the council, the amount asked for would include a now whalo- .,. boat, well built and copper-fastened, firewood for

office, new oars, painting boats, &c. Passed. Total for department for the year, £467 10s. Police, Napier. — 1 serjeant at 7s. per diem. Mr. FitzGerald said that the passing of the estimates would involve a total change in this department. At present, the state of the police was very unsatisfactory ; it did not possess the confidence of the public. The pay in the first instance was too low ; when working men were getting 7s. and Bs. a day it was scarcely to be expected that good men would do the disagreeable duties of police for 4s. 6d. And at present the police had no proper chief or head — the members of the force being pretty much independent of each other. He thought it would be a better ar-i rangement for the police of the province to be under one head ; and with that view he had put such a sum on the estimates for the pay of a serjeant as would secure the services of a fit person. He also proposed that no policeman should be permanently stationed at any one place. He had since thought that it would be necessary to make provision for a gaoler ; for at present there was no officer whose duty it was to attend to the prisoners. — Mr. Colenso said that as a general rule policemen wero wanted in towns, not in the country. He thought that, as at Auckland, district constables should be appointed for the country — men who would do duty when wanted, but not be flunkeys to the magistrate, which he feared was the case in more places than one. In the Auckland estimates £30 per annum was put down as the pay of those officers. — Mr. FitzGerald said that these might do for very remote and thinly scattered localities ; but not for such places as Clive or Waipukurau, where the duty was such as to require persons of activity and their whole time. He would, however, ask, meanwhile, for a postponement of the items under this head. Judicial. — Supreme and Dictrict Courts. — Under this heading, a vote at the rate of £100 for expenses of prisoners and witnesses, and at £10 for the Sheriff's department, was passed — Mr. FitzGerald, however, expressing a hope that those sums would not be required. Total, £110. Registrar of Deeds. —^Registrar, at £250 per annum. Mr. Ormond asked whether the time of this officer was fully employed. — Mr. FitzGerald said that it was ; for although the office was closed at two o'clock, it was for the purpose of being permitted to copy without interruption. The Registrar was most patient and persevering whilst at work, and got through it very expeditiously and accurately. The fees, he might remark, were more than sufficient to cover the expense of this department ; it was, in point of fact a sovn'ce of revenue. Ho would observe with regard to the present system of registration, thot it was a rotten one, and would have to be altei'ed at as early a period as possible by the General Assembly. It was only useful as a record of charges upon property. The Auckland system worked well ; it took the grant from the Crown as the basis of all titles, which was essential to prevent complication. Passed. Contingencies, £50. This, Mr. FitzGerald feared, would not be enough, the cost in Sydney of a large iron safe being in itself a very heavy item. Passed. Total for department, £300. The items * Register of Brands,' ' Inspector of Sheep,' and ' 2 Inspectors under Dog Nuisance Act ' were postponed on the motion of Mr. OltMOND. Printing Gazette, at £150 per annum. Mr. FitzGerald said that, up to the present time, the whole of the amount voted had not been expended. He might take the opportunity of stating that the ' Gazette ' was not issued here so often as in the other provinces — he deeming it unnecessary to go to the expense of publishing anything that was not really required. Passed ; total for the year, £150. Charitable Aid, at £50 per annum. Passed — Mr. FitzGerald observing that the drafts against the former vote had been very trilling indeed. Steam Navigation. — The amount under this heading was formerly voted for the year. Mr. FitzGerald took occasion to regret that the traffic between Sydney and Napier, which he had hoped to see brought about by means of steam, was still very trifling. The subject was one in which tho publicwas more deeply interested than was generally supposed. The custom revenue, he was sorry to say, was almost standing still at a time when everything else was - progressing. There was an immense increase in the consumption of imported commodities, but on the bulk of goods the duty was paid cither at Auckland or Wellington. The only remedy for a state of things which interfered so much with the revenues of the province was to impoit manufactured goods from London direct, and eastern produce from. Sydney, which lie yet hoped to see generally done. Schools. — Inspector or Inspectors, at £100 per annum. Mr. FitzGerald said that at the present time there were four schools taking advantage of tho Education Act — those at Napier, Clive, Petane, and Wairoa — although, with regard to the first, there was some disagreement as to the terms on which the property was to be held. It was absolutely necessary that an inspector or inspectors should be immediately appointed, to make certain that the conditions of the Act were properly complied with. Passed. Grants in aid, at £500. Mr. FitzGerald feared that this vote would not be taken advantage of to a great extent. He might mention that at present the yearly gratuity for the education of children was 28s. per annum ; which was very small when the trifling number of scholars in the outlying schools was considered. At Petane, for instance, the number varied from 9 to 16, which was only a wretched pittance to the schoolmaster. He thought of meeting this difficulty by asking for a resolution of the council to increase the rate to 50s. per annum, which, could be paid out of the amount now voted. This could be done without interfering with the Act, and would be a step towards encouraging a superior class of teachers. Mr. Rhodes quite concurred in the necessity of increasing the bonus. In Clive, the number of scholars was from 12 to 14, and the master was scarcely making laborer's wages. Vote agreed to. Total for schools, £600. Medical.— Provincial Surgeon, at £120 per an. Mr. FitzGerald said that he need not say much in support of this item, as most present knew the arduous dutiea which the gentleman filling this

office was called upon to perform. The salary was really not sufficient, although the officer in question was satisfied with it. The number of patients and of applications was much greater than could have been supposed ; and was quite likely to increase with the increase of population. Vote agreed to ; also the items of Hospital attendant at £80, Bations for patients at £80, and Contingencies, Furniture &c. £120 — Dr. Hitchings fearing that the latter would be found insufficient to supply the new hospital with every necessary. TotaLmedical, £420. Provincial Council. — Speaker, at £100. Mr, FitzGrerald had put this sum on the estimates from i having heard comments upon the paltry sum formerly voted. The Speaker was one of those gentlemen who received no allowance for expenses ; and he had a good deal to do in connection with the business of the cpuncil. Item postponed on the motion of Mr. Alexander. Clerk of Council, at £50, and contingencies at £50, were passed without comment. Respecting the item of printing at £100, Mr. FitzGerald, in reply to Dr. Hitchings, explained that this was for the printing of the Acts, proceedings, &c. The amount thus expended was trifling in comparison with any other province, Taranaki perhaps excepted. Passed, also Messenger to Offices, at £100. Expenses to members, £50, postponed till last day of session. Dr. Hitchings was glad at the postponement of this item, because he intended to move that the town members should be also paid for their attendance. The sacrifice was quite as great on their part as on that of the country members, who, in fact, rather enjoyed a pleasure trip to town once a year. Chairman of Committees, at £50. Mr. EitzGerald had placed this sum on the estimates in accordance with the practice of every other province except Taranaki. It was absolutely necessary that officers of the council should feel themselves under some responsibility, otherwise they would stay away as often as they pleased. This officer had also a good deal of work to do. He would not, of course, also receive payment of expenses. — Mr. Ehodes. — Which would come to the same thing, for the council was not likely to sit for less than 50 days throughout the year. Passed. Public Bitildings. — The only addition to the items under this head was the sum of £100 for addition to the hospital tanks, &c, which was passed. In reply to a question, Mr. MtzGerald said that of the sums formerly voted part had not been expended ; but it was his intention, on an early occasion, to lay on the table a list of unexpended balances, and to ask a fresh appropriation for the same. The items under '• Crown Lands- Department" were postponed on the motion of Mr. Curling ; the chairman then reported progress, and the council adjourned.