WELLINGTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 26, 5 July 1851, Page 6

WELLINGTON.

We compile from the Spectator of the 14th and 18th ult., the following summary of the proceedings in Wellington. Legislative Council. Wednesday, June 11. —The New Zealand Corapany's}Land Claimants' Bill, came under consideration in committee. Some discussion took place as to the time to be allowed for parties to send in their claims. Sir George Grey recommended that six months only should be allowed to persons living in the colony, and fifteen months to persons residing out of it. Mr. Cautley alluded to the case of certain persons at Nelson holding leases of land, forming the private estate of the Company, which they believed to be valid, but which it was reported were illegal ; as these lessees were for the most part of the labouring [class, and had spent considerable sums on the lands, he thought it would be of importance to frame such a clause as would meet the peculiar circumstances of their case. Conversation on this point continued till the Committee adjourned, without havin"1 decided on the adoption of any measure. The Interpretation Ordinance was read a second time, and the several clauses agreed to in committee, with the exception of the 3rd and 7th, the consideration of which was postponed. In committee on the Census Bill, the Colonial Secretary for New Munster, proposed several new clauses, so that the Bill would stand as follows:—the two first clauses would fix the J2SS fov_taking the census, power would then blTgiven ,to appoinrc^llectorsT-one cluuse -wouldimpose all the penalties inflicted by the Bill,

and a provision at the end would name the clauses, to avoid tautology. The Bill was ordered to be reprinted in this form.

Thuksday, June 12. Mr. Cautley moved for returns of the quantity of land sold by the New Zealand Company in the settlements of Wellington and Wanganuij Nelson, New Plymouth, and Otago, with the price of the same per acre, and the names of the several districts in each settlement. Also a return of all lands in cultivation, and amount of scrip awarded in each j settlement. i

. Sir George Grey said that up to the present moment the Government was not in possession of the records of the Company's transactions in Wellington and Wnnganui, those at Nelson and New Plymouth had, he believed, been given up. At Otago, in consequence of a dispute between the Association and the Company, he thought the records would not be given up. Sir George Grey presented a memorial signed by three persons on behalf of a public meeting at Nelson, for extending the franchise, and praying that the word "tenement" should be substituted for "dwelling-house," as many of the houses in that settlement were so bad as not to come within the description of the act. The petition was ordered to be printed. In committee on the Interpretation Bill, an amendment was proposed by the AttorneyGeneral, giving the same powers, in respect of the Ordinance, to the Lieutenant-G-overriors as to the Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand, so that they would have the fullest liberty to act in cases of emergency, while in ordinary cases they would be guided by the instructions of the Governor-in-Chief.

Feiday, June 13. Sir George Grey laid on the table an Ordinance to regulate Building Societies.

The Customs Bill was then resumed ia Committee. Mr. Hickson moved that tobacco required for sheepwashing should be taken out of bond duty free. Mr. Cautley advocated this measure, because it would allow the sheepowner to use the wash when the wool was longest, a time when he required the most encouragement, both in saving the wool and eradicating the disease, and expressed his opinion that if the measure passed the Council, the disease would ultimately be eradicated.

The Collector of Customs urged that if the duty were totally removed from tobacco used for this purpose, the Government would never be able to prevent smuggling, and advocated the imposition of a general tax of 3d. per lb. Mr. Bell opposed the measure on the grounds of the great profits of the sheep owner. The Colonial Secretary for New Munster said he would rather see the revenue decreased than so important an interest as that of wool-growing should be hampered. Sir George Grey advocated a permanent removal of the duty for the purpose referred to, and proposed an additional duty of Is. per gallon upon spirits. The subject was deferred for further consideration.

The following additions to the Schedule were agreed to: —cyder Is. 3d. per doz ; plain cottons 36 inches and tinder in width, %d. per yard ; above 36 inches, id. per yard.

The following articles under the head of Marine Stores were agreed to be admitted duty free. Sail canvas, copper, composition sheathing, bolts and copper nails of ditto, cordage. Anchors, chains, and chain cables. Junk, oakum, pitch (vegetable and mineral), tar (ditto). Boat oars.

On the motion of Mr Hickson that empty oil casks, hoop iron, and rivets should he admitted duty free, to encourage whaling, Sir George Grey expressed himself favourable to such a measure.

On the item of passengers baggage being proposed among the articles free of duty, a discussion arose as to the articles included in the term. Sir George Grey advised that a discretionary power should be left with collectors of customs on this head, as in New Zealand there would always be settlements in various stages of progress. He had therefore in the use of the term left a large scope for the exercise of such discretionary power, the necessity for which he had been impressed with by a receiit visit to Lyttelton.

Agricultural implements and machinery were proposed to be admitted duty free. Si? George Grey said if the remission of a d«:^ which last year amounted only to 91. would relieve or prevent agricultural distress, he thought the-Council would-have-no objection'to remit it.

An addition of Is. per gallon to the duty on spirits was agreed to. The body of the Customs Bill having been agreed to, with a mere verbal alteration in its title* the council adjourned.