HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 18 July 1861, Page 6 (Supplement)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesdat, June 18, Continued.

Mr. Caeleton brought up an interim report from the Standing Orders Committee relative to public and private Bills. He proposed, to move its adoption on Friday next. The hon.' Mr. Weld in moving for leave to bring in a Bill for regulating the descent and disposal of lands held under Crown Grants by persons of the Native race in New Zealand, said that such a measure was necessary, for, under the existing state of things, land so granted very often reverted to the Crown.—The Bill was brought in, read a first tune, and ordered to be read a second time on Friday next. The hon. Mr. Staffoed moved for leave to bring in a Bill to establish Courts of Bankruptcy in New Zealand. The measure he now proposed had received the support of some of the members of last session. Independently of that expression of opinion, many of the Chambers of Commerce in the colony had petitioned in favor of a bankruptcy law. He knew, however, that opinion on the subject was divided. It was said that in the present state of the colony it would be unwise to press such a measure on the House, but as Government had given a promise to bring in the Bill, he would now leave it in the hands of hon. members.

Mr. Russell advocated its indefinite postponement, and said Auckland had no need of a Bankruptcy Act; a much simpler measure wmdd be sufficient. The colony had courts enough already, without the addition of an Insolvency Court.

Mr. Fox said the Act of last session did not make provision to get possession of the debtor’s property. lie did not like to see the expensive machinery of the English Bankruptcy Acts introduced into the colony. The hon. Mr. Richmond said that they did not bring this Bill forward as a Government measure, and they did not wish to add to the burdens of the colony. Mr. Brandon trusted that Government would introduce a measure to facilitate arrangements between debtors and creditors, and assimilate the proceedings of the District Court to those of the Supreme Court. Leave was given, the Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next.

On the motion of Mr. Creyke, leave of absence for one month was granted to Mr. Crosbie Ward and also to Mr. Thomas Rowley. Mr. Reader Wood moved for a return of all appointments made by the General Government since July 1, 1860, the names of each appointee, and the date, salary, and the reason of the appointment. Mr. Williamson seconded the motion.

The hon. Mr. Stafford said it was fully in the power of the House to institute enquiries into the expenditure of the country. • He would suggest an alteration in the wording of the motion and suggest that it be referred to a Select Committee to ascertain whether any of the offices could be abolished.

The hon. Mr. Richmond said the Government invited the House to pare down the expences of the colony, and he would cordially support any retrenchment when it could be effected without endangering the efficiency of the machinery of Government.—Mr. Wood amended his motion as suggested by the Colonial Secretary, when it was agreed to.

Mr. Waking Taylor’s motion for a copy of a letter from Sir William Denison to His Excellency dated the 16th May, 1860, was negatived. On the motion of Mr. F. D. Beil, the petition of Mr. Henry Sewell was referred to the Committee of Private Grievances.

Mr. Craceoft Wilson moved the adoption of the Interim Report from the Standing Orders’ Committee, relating to the Petition against the sitting member for the Bay of Islands.

Mr. Stafford seconded the motion, remarking, that he had on a former day moved the postponement of this Report, merely because he himsolf as well as other members, had not seen it. Mr. Williamson said that, as presenter of the Petition, he wished to state that having seconded the motion of the hon. Colonial 'Treasurer for the Petition to be referred to the consideration of the Select Committee on Standing Orders, as to the question whether it should he received or not, ho was prepared to abide by the decision, and would not oppose the motion for the adoption of the report. The motion was agreed to.

Air. Fox announced that in consequence of some of the returns ordered by the House not yet ha-

ving been laid upon the table, and also of the important letter from William Thompson to his Excellency not having been presented to the House, he would not bo prepared to go on with the motion standing in his name for to-morrow. The proposed amendment of the Native Minister would nave the onecd oi simplifying the question of the Native War, He would discuss the first, and then move a substantive motion of a want of confidence of the House iu His Excellency’s present Advisers. nlr. Fisth gave notice that he would move for leave to-morrow to bring in a Bill to incorporate the Bank of New Zealand. The presentation of the Eeport on the importation of Cattle from places where Pleuro-Pneu-monia exists was deferred. The Law Practitioners Bill was read proforma , a second time, and referred to a Select Committee. The following Bills were received from the Legislative Council — Agents Advances Bill, Land Eegistry Amendment Bill. Survey Correction Bill, read a first time, and ordered to be read a second tune on Friday next. The Canterbury and Otago Bill was reported to the House by the Speaker, and on the motion of Mr. Dillon Bell it was read a third time, and passed and ordered to be taken to the Legislative Council. Mr. Cuetis brought in an interim Eeport from the Private Grievances Committee, and gave notice that he would move that the petition of Augustus Brown Abraham, shdpld be printed. The lion. Mr. upon the table a translation of Win. Thompson’s letter to Mr. McLean, dated 23rd May last. The Native Minister laid on the table papers lately ordered by the House. That which related to the Arms Act was ordered to be printed. The House then adjourned until to-morrow. Wedensdat, June 19. The Speaker took the Chair at 5 o’clock. < The hon. Mr. Weld laid on the table a translation of W. Thompson’s letter in reply to His Excellency’s declaration, laid on the table by command of His Excellency. The hon. Mr. Stafford laid on the table papers relative to Stewart’s Island. Mr. Cahleton brought an ad-interim report from the Standing Orders’ Committee, and moved that it be read. The report, which was the third on Election Petitions, having been read, Mr. Carlton gave notice to move that it he adopted. Mr. Jollie moved, that there be laid on the table of the House copies of any correspondence between his Lordship the Bishop of New Zealand and the hon. Colonial Secretary, on questions relating to the Natives of New Zealand. (Correspondence dating from August, 1860). Agreed to. Mr. Fox called the attention of the House to the fact that the correspondence between His Excelcellency’s Private Secretary and Mr. Carrington, and other documents accompanying the same, which were laid on the table of the House last session and ordered to be printed. Seconded by Mr. G. Graham, and agreed to. Mr. Firth moved that leave be given to bring in a Bill to incorporate the proprietors of a certain Banking Company called the “Bank of New Zealand” and for other purposes. Motion carried. Bill read a first time. Mr. Weld in a speech of considerable length moved the following ministerial resolutions 1. “ That the establishment within these islands of a sovereign authority, independent of the British Crown, is incompatible with the security of the colonists, the civilization of the Natives, and the welfare of both races.” 2. ‘That it is the duty of the colony cordially to second the measures taken by the Imperial Government for the assertion of Her Majesty’s sovereignty, and for securing a lasting peace.” 3. “ That if, unhappily, ncgociations should fail this House, relying on the best practical provision being made for the protection of life and property, does not shrink from the consequences of a resort to force.” Mr. Stafford seconded the motion. _ Mr. Carleton moved that the proposition be divided, and each resolution be considered separately. Mr. Stafford seconded the motion. Agreed to. The Speaker then put the first resolution to the House, and having declared that the “Ayes” have it, Mr. Curtis called for a division. The House having divided, Mr. Curtis alone stood on the side of the “ Noes,” and the Speaker ruled, that, as the Standing Orders required two Tellers on each side, there could be no division. Mr. Firth moved as an amendment that in place of the second and third resolutions the following be inserted;—“That if unhappily ncgociations should fail, this House relying on the best practical provision being made for the protection of life and property, is of opinion that it is the duty of the Colony cordially to second the measures taken by the Imperial Government for the assertion of Her Majesty’s sovereignty and for seen, ring a lasting peace.” Col. Nixon seconded the amendment. On the question being put Mr. Firth’s amendment was carried unanimously—the Government offering no opposition. Mr. Weld, with the leave of the House, withdrew the third resolution. The house then adjourned at a i past 7 o’clock. Thursday, June 20. The House met at 12 o’clock. Mr. A. J. Richmond presented a Petition from the Province of Marlborough relating to a railway. _ Mr. E. Graham presented a Petition from Josiah Plight, against the decision of the Crown Land Commissioner* Petition received. Mr. Cup-tis asked the hon. the Colonial SecretaT7> ff the Government have received any inform,A,f r] i» •EXT 11* I * i • y vi »* eiiington naving on a late occasion, exercised th.© Royal Prerogative of mercy. The hon. Mr. C. W, Richmond replied to the question by stating that papers had been received

which seemed to shew that the Superintendent of Wellington had exercised the Prerogative of Mercy. ° SXr. RrssEUj moved, Th&t the Law Proctitionera’ Bill be referred to a select coimnitteo, consistof Messrs. Fox, Brandon, C. \V. Richmond, Domett, and Wood.—Agreed to. Mr. Curtis moved, That the petition of Augustus Brown Abraham, now under the consideration of the Committee of Private Grievances, be print-

Mr. Waring Taylor moved, That the copy of Despatches from Sir William Denison to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, dated June 8, 1860, together with a copy of a letter from Sir William Denison to His Excellency Governor Browne, dated May 16,1860, which have been laid on the table of this House, be printed. The motion having been amended by making it read t: despatch” instead of !: despatches” it was put and carried. Mr. Fox begged leave without notice, to ask the Government when the returns would be down which had been ordered by the House: —namely, papers relative to the Native Land Purchase Department and the War Expenditure. Mr. Stafford replied that some of the returns asked for could not be supplied without an application to the Imperial authorities. The returns of the Colonial Government expenditure would be ready by to-morrow or the next sitting day ; hut the others there was no possibility of getting, except in the way ho had before stated. Appointment by ballot of the Audit Committee. The members thus appointed wore Messrs. Curtis, Fitzherbert, and White. Mr. Curtis was selected as chairman by the hon. the Speaker, the numbers being for Curtis, 14—Fitzherbert, 13—White, 7. House adjourned before 2 o’clock. Friday, June 21. The House met at 13 o’clock. Messrs. Stafford and Domett presented Mr. Alfred Saunders who took the oath and Ins seat for the district of Waimea in the Province of Nelson. Mr. Richmond laid on the table a Return to an order of the House shewing the various sums expended out of the £150,000 War Loan, up to June 12, 1861. Ordered to he printed. Mr. Stafford laid on the table a Return to an order of the House, for Copies of letters addressed to the Governor, or the Native Secretary, by natives of the Wanganui river, relative to the alleged abduction by an officer holding a liigh commission under Government at Wanganui. Mr. A. Saunders presented a petition from the inhabitants of Nelson praying that measures may be taken to prevent the introduction of cattle from New South Wales, on account of the great prevalence of Pleuro-pneumonia. Petition received. Mr. Williamson begged to ask the Colonial Secretary, “ Ihat in the event of its being considered necessary to resort to force for the assertion of Her Majesty’s sovereignty, what provision does His Excellency’s Government propose to make for the protection of the lives and properties of settlers in the Northern Island ? Also, if property belonging to such settlers should bo destroyed, whether it has been considered as to the source— Imperial or Colonial —from which compensation for such losses should be provided ?” Mr. Stafford said the question had been raised last session by the late hon. member for Christchurch, and precedents had been examined without finding anything on wliich a claim on the Imperial funds could be based. Mr. Stafford, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Civil Service Superannuation Act—Motion ageed to. Bill brought up, road a first time, ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Wednesday next. ilr. Curtis in moving “ That the Interim Report of the Committee of Private Grievances on the Petition of Josiah Flight bo adopted,” called the attention ot the House to the Report which was to the effect that the Committee saw no reason why the Petition of Josiah Flight should be separated from the general claims for compensation of the Taranaki settlers, which e Commissioner had been appointed to adjudicate upon. Report adopted. In the absence of Mr. Firth, Mr. Russell moved that the New Zealand IBank Bill be referred to a select committee consisting of Messrs. Fox, Cookson, D. Bell, Mason, and Wood, and that they be instructed to confer with the Committee on the Bank of New South Wales Bill, with a view to assimulate the provisions of the two Bills. Motion agreed to. In the absence of Dr. Feathcrston, Mr. FitzHEEBert moved foy copy of correspondence between the General Government and the acting Resident Magistrate at Wellington, I’clative to the remission by the Superintendent of Wellington, of a fine inilictcd upon the Inspector of Police, together with a copy of the depositions in the case of Newry v Aitchcson.—Motion agreed to. Mr. Fox moved, That the Memorandum of an interview between His Excellency the Governor and the Members of the Province of Wellington, laid on the table of this House he printed. Motion agreed to. Mr. Weld laid on the table, by command of His Excellency, the following Papers ; Mr. Halse’s instructions when sent into the Waikato. Mr. Reimonschneider’s Letter. Copies of Letters addressed by certain Natives of Hawke’s Bay to the Governor, denying that they arc opposed to the supremacy of the Queen. Copy and translation of a Letter from W. Thompson, dated Juno 7, 1861. Ordered to be printed. Mr. R. Graham brought- up the report of the select conmittco on the prohibition on the importation of Cattle from places where the direase of Pleuro-Pneumouia is known*to exist. Rcnort received and read. On the motion o 1 the hon. member it was ordered to he printed. Ho also "ave notice to move its adoption on Tuesdav next. & Mr. G. W. Richmond moved a uig of the Advances to Agents’ Bill, Bill read a second time. The House then went into Committee of the whole on this Bill.

Reported without amendments,

Report to be considered on Tuesday next.

Mr. C. W. Richmond moved the second reading of the Land Registry Amendment Bill—and subsequently the Survey Correction Bill.

The Bills having been read.

Mr. Pox moved, seconded by Mr. Russell, that they bo referred to a select committee—the report to be brought up on Wednesday week. .agreed, to.

As the select committee might probably recommend alterations in these Bills and a discussion come on again on motion for the adoption of the report--it is not necessary to say more at present. _ The Colonial Tiieasueeu announced his intention of moving on Tuesday that the House go into Committee to consider that part of His Excellency’s speech which relates to supply—preparatory to his (Mr. R.’s) financial statement on Wednesday evening. House adjourned,