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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 4, Issue 189, 4 May 1861, Page 5

The Council, pursuant to adjournment from last sitting, will.meet on Monday next. Among the questions to come before its notice will be that of the Land Board. We have heard that no communication upon this subject has yet been received from the General Government ; but that the Provincial Law Officer has pronounced the appointments made by the late Superintendent to be illegal. If the latter be the case, the public will look forward with some anxiety to the course likely to be pursued by the government in this matter — although, indeed, it can do nothing until the Governor shall delegate his powers under the " Waste Lands Act, 1858," to the present Superintendent. From the expression of opinion given by Capt. Carter at Puketapu, we inferred that the government would support a measure for the enlargement of the Council. We have since been informed that such a bill is in course of preparation — the intention being to increase the number of members by five, of whom two will be allotted to the town of Napier. With reference to the approaching session, we have heard many express a hope that it will be one of business rather than of talk. In all parts of the world the speaking propensities of legislators have formed the theme of public animadversion ; and we fear that in this respect the members of our little legislature are not wholly blameless. Discussion is often effectual in eliciting truth, but it is apt, unless kept within proper limits, to degenerate into what is called " talking for talking's sake." Dui'ing last sitting, several instances occurred in which, on one day, a subject was worn threadbare, yet, on another, the whole discussion was taken de novo — the same arguments, if not the same words, being dinned in the ears of those who -were unfortunate enough to be compulsory listeners. We would also, with great deference, suggest that the standing rules be adhered to, or that they be suspended once and for ever.