PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 January 1864, Page 1

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Pursuant to proclamation by His Honor the Superintendent, the Council met yesterday at 3 o'clock. . Present, — The - Speaker, the Superintendent, Messrs. Russell, Smith, Tuke, Bousfield, Edwards, Kennedy, Colenso, Tiffen, Curling, DolbeL Fitzgerald, Rhodes. Absent, Mr.' Ormond. The Speaker, read letters announcing jfehe return of Messrs. Edwards and Bousfield as new members, and acknowledged receipt from the Auditor of statements of. receipts and expenditure. Ojpening Address. His Honor the Superintendent then addressed the Council to the following effect — Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council, — Iv compliance with the requirements of the Constitution Act — that a session of the Provincial Council should be held in every year, I have considered it essential to call you together on the present occasion. The more immediate object for doing so has been explained to you in my circular letter of the 14th of December, last. ? The "Loan Act" which was passed during the last session of the Council, and "which has received the assent of His Excellency the Governor, has enabled me to conclude arrangements with the Union Bank of Australia for negociating the loan in England. The correspondence with the different banks relating to the subject will be laid before you. It has been found, on reference to persons acquainted with monetary transactions in the London market that the loan could be effected to greater advantage if the interest on the debentures were made payable in Londoninstead of at the Provincial Treasury. The Ameudment of Loan Act, together with the form of Debentures and Coupon, now laid before you, has been prepared with the view of facilitating this object. It is not my intention to bring any other business forward during this session, as many of the members must find it inconveuient to attend at this season of the year. I congratulate the Council and the iuhabitants generally on the tranquillity that has prevailed in this Province during a period of considerable danger, arising from a state of war with the native tribes in the Provinces of Taranaki and Auckland. • The defenceless position of the Province when the war commenced — the absence of any organized force excepting the military detachment stationed at Napier, called for streuuous exertions ou the part of the Government to provide greater security for the inhabitants. The establishment of one hundred of the Defence Force ; the training and arming of the Militia and Volunteers ; the prospect of obtaining a considerable influx of military settlers, — while it inspires confidence, also affords the strongest hope that the disasters of war may "be averted from this Province. I have to express my strong sense of the readiness with which the General Government responded to the appeals made for assistance in furtherance of these measures, which, although still inadequate to the requirements of the Province, without • the assistance of additional military support, have had the effect of inducing the natives to yield readier submission to our rule,, by referring several disputed cases, to<;6up courts of j ustice for. settlement. „ The co-operation afforded at all times

by Major Douglas, Commanding the Garrison ; and the zeal and energy displayed by Major Whitmore, Commanding the Civil. Forces, deserve my best thanks. Nor do I fail to recognise "with pleasure the -genuine feelings Of loyalty evinced by all classes of our ' community when called upon during an important crisis to make preparations for defence. The spirit of insui*rection, originating iv jealousy of British authority which has existed among some of the New Zealand tribes, is not yet suppressed; but I feel assured that I am only expressing your sentiments when I recognise the noble efforts made by the Imperial Government to establish Her Majesty's authority in this colony. The firmness and ability displayed by His Excellency's government in carrying out a decided policy requires no comment, from me, and I am sure you will join with me in^e^drftTng to "Geueral^Caiiie^brPand,' the Forces under his command,"' thVhigh^ est praise for the gallantry displayed by them ia the service in which they are engaged. '. .• ' ' • The address, on the motion' of Mr. CUEjiIXG, seconded by Mr. Smith, was ordered to be printed. Suspension of Standing Rides The Superintendent moved the suspension of all the standing rules, in order that he might bring in a certain, bill without notice. Mr. Colenso was quite talien by surprise at this course being taken by the government. It was one utterly without precedent, and its adoption would make Hawke's Bay the laughing-stock of the other provinces.. Some members had jugjfc ;Cpme to town, and yet they were called upon^tb, go. at once, and unprepared, into the business of "the session. He begged the government' to consider the matter before pressing it. -. - . r Mr. Edwabds was not aware of the reasons that might exist for the proposed suspension of the standing rules ; but he thought it the'f airest way to let them be acted upon. Mr. Tiffen was not aware what- business was intended to be brought forward ; but he was decidedly against any suspension of the standing rules. The Superintendent did not think that any member could plead ignorance of the business intended to be brought forward. He had fully explained it in his circular letter. At this time several members wanted to return to their homes ; and as he really saw no necessity for a long sitting, he was anxious to push through the business. If members had anything to say against the bill, the fairest course would be to let the business go on, and speak at the proper time, after the Government fiad had an opportunity of making its statement. Mr. Fitzgerald could not say that he was ignorant of what the business was ; but as a general rule he had opposed the suspension of the standing rules ; and he would certainly do so now. Mr. Colenso would just call the attention of the Council to the fact that he held certain resolutions, notice of which he had intended to give for to-morrow. These, in the event of the standing rules beieg suspended, he would bring on today, and his doing so might place the Government in an awkward position. The question was then put ; and, while the Speaker was hesitating how to decide upon tha voices, a division was called for, with the following result : — - - Noes— 7. Ayes— 6. Messrs. Colenso Messrs. McLean Tiffen Kennedy . Rhodes Eussell Dolbel Smith Edwards Tuke - Bousfield Curling Fitzgerald The motion was accordingly negatived. • Notices of motion, as underneath, having then been given, — The Council, on the motion of Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Curling, adjourned till next (this) day at 11 a.m. .