SATURDAY, MARCH 24.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 133, 7 April 1860, Page 2

SATURDAY, MARCH 24.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment. Present, the Speaker and all the members.

Explanations,

Mr. EitzGtEßAld, pursuant to notice, rose to ask Mr. Ormond for an explanation of a statement made by him on 22nd March that he considered the Superintendent should consult the members of this council nioretban he does en the appointment of persons to offices in the province.

He would not occupy the time of the council by any remarks ; but would like to be informed how this was to be done, and what particular regulation he (Mr. F.) had transgressed.

Mr. Oeiiond believed that he used the word "desirable" — that it was desirable the Superintendent should consult the council. And he still thought so, especially with regard to important offices. He was aware that the power of making these appointments rested with the Superintendent and Executive Council, but thought that the opinion of the members of council might occasionally be taken with advantage.

Mr. Ctjeling- quite agreed in opinion with the member who had last spoken that it was desirable — important, that in the appointment of officers under the government, the Superintendent should consult the members of council. It was particularly so with reference to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Since this subject was mooted, he might mention a prevalent rumour that a gentleman who was a runholder was to be appointed Commissioner in the event of Mr. Tiffen vacating his office. He (Mr. C.) believed that no runholder should hold that appointment.

Mr. Colenso was astonished at the motion upon two grounds — the one that the Executive Act, which, had been carefully considered by all the members, gave those powers to the Superintendent and Executive which the member for "Waipukurau would now claim for the Council ; the other, that only three appointments of any consequence had really been made ; that of the Provincial Surgeon, to whom no objection could possibly be taken ; that of the Director of Public Works, whose abilities were yet to be tested ; and that of the unfortunate Auditor. He could not understand upon what grounds the motion was based ; and felt relieved when the question to the member for "Waipukurau was put on the paper. He was much surprised at finding that the member for Te Aute objected to a runholder being appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands. He (Mr. C.) had thought that, in battling last week for this very point, he stood alone in the Council.

M>. AIEXA.HDEE thought that the member for Napier, in referring as he had done to the Executive Act, had surely misunderstood the member for Waipukurau, who was .perfectly aware with whom the power of making appointments rested, and who had no intention, as the member for Napier had insinuated, of attempting to coerce the Superintendent into consulting the council; The member for Waipukurau had simply suggested that the Superintendent might, with advantage occasionally .'consult the members on such matters.

Dr. Hitchings said that he could safely congratulate the province upon the fact that, all appointments — that of himself, perhaps, excepted — had been judiciously made.. He did. not know of any office filled by the Superintendent, with ifcKe exception he had already made, that could;£tt this moment be better supplied. But he much doubt ed if the Constitution Act meant that Superintendents should possess the patronage they now exercise. He, had yet to learn why so. many new surveybrs had been, at once appointed dia-

trict surveyors, while a most valuable officer, whose surveys had been the best and the cheapest of any in the district, should have been wholly overlooked. The consequence was that the officer referred to (Mr. Skeet) had thrown up his appointment in disgust. With regard to important appointments yet to be made, such as the Provincial Treasurer, Commissioner of Crown Lands &c, he thought the council should undoubtedly be consulted. In minor appointments, lie would not consider this to be necessary.

Mr. Tuckeb regretted to find that in this, as •well as in other matters, the member for Napier (Mr. Colenso) had shewn a disposition to regard it as personal to himself. But this was a mistake ; his colleague and himself only argued upon, the broad principle of what was best for the province. It was not held by any one, so far as he knew, that the council should have power to veto any appointment made by the Superintendent; but it was simply said that it would, be desirable were the Superintendent occasionally to consult the members. With regard to past appointments he must say that in every case they had been ably filled ; and no reflection whatever was intended to be made upon the Superintendent. But still, constituted as they were, he thought it would prove very advantageous were the Superintendent, at a private meeting, to take the opinion of each member upon the important appointments likely soon to be made — not that any member thereby claimed as a right any voice in the matter. Mr. Coleuso, in explanation, said that he did not consider the motion as aimed at himself.

Mr. FitzGebald said that he had made no appointment in which he did not consult his Executive Council ; nor, when he had an opportunity of so doing, without also consulting the members of council. In the first session particularly, he consulted every one of the then member of council respecting the appointments of clerl& treasurer, &c, which had met their unanimous approval. Nor to the appointment of Auditor was any serious objection raised by any one. With regai'd to the subsequent appointments of Registrar, Director of Public Works, and some members of the survey staff, he had no opportunity of taking the advice of the country members, but he had acted with the full concurrence of the Executive and one or two members that were in town. In no Bingle instance had he filled a situation at his own -will and pleasure. The patronage attached to the office he held was one of the most unpleasant parts of his duty — a part which he would most willingly surrender. But upon whom could the power devolve but upon those with whom lay the administration of the government, and who were responsible for its proper administration. So far as surveyors were concerned, the staff could not be kept up without sending to the neighbouring colonies for efficient men j and in doing so, he had acted for the best interests of the province. He would not reply in detail to a remark which had been made with reference to a surveyor formerly in the employ of government. He would only observe that there were very good reasons for not promoting the officer in question. These he would not make public, but they could be had at any time and made public if the council wished it. With reference to appointments yet to be made, he had already sought the opinion of members — not so much certainly with reference to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, for it was yet uncertain whether the General Government would delegate to the Superintendent its powers in this respect. But that a runholder should be singled out as one who, merely because he happened to be a runholder, should be disqualified from filling that office was, he thought, scarcely fair. As well might they say that a freeholder was incapable of filling it, from a probability that he would lean to the interests of his own class. He thought they should endeavour to secure the services of one who, whatever his position, would be likely to do his duty faithfully and firmly. There were practical difficulties, during the recess, of obtaining the opinion of members ; but he always would, whenever he had the opportunity, seek such opinion upon any appointment of moment that he might be called upon to make. At the same time, it would not be expected that the Superintendent and Executive would be mere figures stuffed with straw. They would have to exercise some independence of judgment. The members would doubtless influence their acts ; but still, it was to them (the Superintendent and Execative) that the public would look, and they it was who would be held responsible. As to what had been said of the immense power and undoubted patronage of the Superintendent, — it was no doubt possible that he might say to all his own friends, I will put you into all the offices under me, and turn the others out ; but he did not apprehend that any such charge was likely to be brought against him. Mr. Ttjceee, in explanation of the step taken by himself and colleague, would observe that the meeting of council was nearly at an end, and they constantly heard out of doors that so and so was to get this appointment, and so and so that. He felt that the people out of doors knew a good deal more of these matters than he did j and believed that his position as a member of council entitled him to better information, if to nothing more. Mr. FitzGeeaid said that the people out of doors knew a great deal more than he did him* self. Aijowrnment. The Council then adjourned till Monday at 3 o'clock — the standing rules having been suspended for this purpose, Monday not being a regular sitting day. Reeling of the Natives. Mr. Alexander said that, before the Speaker left the chair, he wished to make a statement — not bearing directly on the business of the council, but atill of public importance. On Thursday last he had a conversation with Tareha, with reference to the war inTaranaki, and also with reference to some observations made in that Coon-, ett, and reported to him by some perßon. He, on that occasion, requested him (Mr. Alexander) to assure the council that the relations between the, natives and*the Europeans, bo far as he was con» cerned, were perfectly, amicable. According to his' knowledge, there was not the slightest feeling . agamsfc the Europeans. He said that since the

Europeans were first located in the district, the old men, in dying, had died with the expression on their lips that the pakeha was left to them as a taonga, and must be protected. He (Mr. Alexander hoped that the day would never arrive when any collision should take place between the two races. The natives were grieved to hear that re« marks to their prejudice had been made in the council by one who knew them well and intimately, and who should have regarded them with feelings of more deference and respect.