The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 202, 7 October 1854, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times.

Saturday, October 7, 1854. We are only able this week to give our readers a concise summary of the principal proceedings of the General Assembly since our last report. At the time that report closed the House of Representatives was about to consider the address in reply to the Wakefield Message No. 25. That address was carried by a majority of 22 to 10. Its substance was a repetition of the demand for Responsible Government enforced by a variety of arguments. It has already been made known to our readers. After a short interval, the Governor (still acting under Mr. Wakefield's advice) sent down a message avowing.his intention to prorogue the Assembly. That avowment was immediately followed by another message transmitting in an envelope a printed copy of a Gazette containing a proclamation proroguing the Assembly for a fortnight,—the Government messenger having waited listening outside the door, and entered the moment the reading of the first message by the Spfeaker had concluded. A scene of great excitement ensued, occasioned by the just indignation of the House at their prorogation by a ruse, at the instigation of Mr Wakefield, instead of in the usual and legal manner. Sundry resolutions were passed strongly condemnatory of the Governor's proceedings, and in particular praying him to remove Mr. Wakefield from his Councils; after which the House separated. During the interval

of the recess, Mr. Wakefield employed himself in endeavouring to form a Government —but with little success ; —and till within a few hours of the re-assembling of the Legislature, it was not supposed that any serious attempt of the kind would be made. The Governor's opening speech, however, avowed the formation of a Wakefield Government—composed of Mr. Jebningham Wakefield c of Canterbury; Mr. Foksaith, of Auckland ;i\ Mr. Tbateks, of Nelson; and Mr. Macandbew, of Otago. The principle of this combination of parties was stated to be a federal representation of the Provinces. Wellington and New Plymouth were, however, unrepresented, no member from those Provinces being found willing to join the Government. Our readers will understand how well the above named members represented their respective Provinces when they observe that Mr. Edwabd Jerntngham Wakemeld was the representative of Canterbury. The policy of the new Government was fully developed. Its main features were — a Waste Lands' Bill to be sent to England for approval enabling the General Assembly to transfer power over the Waste Lands to the Provincial Councils : —in the meantime the Governor (acting upon his ad interim powers, under the Constitution Act) to set apart one-third at least of the Waste Lands in each Province, the same to be placed out of the control of the Provincial Government, and administered by Boards of Commissioners, to be appointed by the Governor ; —the Provincial Councils dissolved ; —Responsible Government to be deferred till the assent of the Home Government should be obtained ; the seat of Government not to be removed from Auckland, except upon the condition of Auckland being separated from the rest of the colony, and placed under a distinct Government; —the representation to be altered, giving a greater preponderance to Auckland according to the supposed superiority of members—in fact, swamping the Southern provinces. We notice these as the distinctive features of the policy of the Wakefield Government A great variety of minor measures were proposed; some of them practically useful, but which were for the most part borrowed from the preceding Government. The whole presented a vast mass of subjects, which it was obviously impossible for the House at that time to consider. The address in answer to the speech was moved in the House of Representatives by Mr. Forsaith. A counter address was moved by way of amendment by Dr. Moneo, declaratory, amongst other things, of want of confidence

in the new Government. Dr. Monko's address was carried by a majority of 22 to 11. The following evening the new ministers announced their resignations. Their existence lasted about 24 hours. The House then proceeded with business and voted supplies, and passed Bills relating to the following subjects : — Public Reserves ; Waste Lands; Do. to be sent home for approval; Naturalization ; Secondary punishments ; Licensing Amendment; Power of Attorney ; Marriage ; Dower ; Nelson Trust Funds; English Acts; Appropriation. Various committees resumed their work, and brought up reports. The principal of which were :—the subject of public Debts, the New Zealand Company's Debt, the Prorogation Question, &c, &c. Addresses were voted to the Crown and both Houses of Parliament praying for enquiry and relief. Similar addresses were agreed to by the Legislative Council, and Mr. Adderley was appointed agent for the colony, to promote the object of the Legislature in relieving the colony from the Company's debt. In reference to the estimates the main point to be noticed is that the Resident Magistrates and Registrars of

Deeds, are placed under the Provincial Governments. The Session lasted rather more than a fortnight, during which the labour of members must have been unceasing, the House frequently sitting from twelve o'clock till three in the morning. The Assembly was prorogued by the Governor fin person on Saturday, the 16th ult. After which a dinner was given by the Southern members to the Northern members in the Council Room of the House of Representatives. The dinner passed off extremely well. On Monday, the whole body of the Southern members left Auckland to join the steamer lying in Manukau harbour off Onehunga.

As an intimation of the success with ■which the policy of the Wakefield Ministry has met in other parts of the Colony, it is a significant fact that Mr. Travebs was proposed as a member for the Waimea in the Provincial Council against Mr. Adams, the Provincial Solicitor of Nelson, (who had resigned on his acceptance of that office,) and was beaten by a majority of considerably more than 2 to 1, obtaining not half the number of votes which he obtained at the last election. Mr. Tkavebs had written to his constituents on his arrival proposing to meet them to explain his conduct* He was told that they would be happy to meet him, but that they would ask Dr. Moneo to attend, that they might hear the other side. We believe that this is in a district in which Dr. Mokko, a year ago, obtained but 7 or 8 votes.

Mr. Adams having been elected on the principle of Responsible Government, arrangements had been made before the steamer came down, to give him a dinner. On the arrival of the steamer it was agreed to amalgamate the dinner to Mr. Adams with one to Messrs. Fitz Geram) and Seweli in recognition of the value of their services in the House of Representatives at Auckland.

At Wellington also a dinner was given to Messrs. Fitz Gebald and Sewell on Monday the 2nd inst. The dinner was attended] by about 90 people. We have received no report of the speeches made, as the steamer sailed the next morning.

We understand that, on his arrival here, His Honor the Superintendent has handed over £116, being the amount allowed him for his expenses as a member of the House of Representatives, to the Colonists' Society, Lyttelton. It is in contemplation to apply this munificent donation to the foundation of a library in connection with the Society.

We would draw attention to an advertisement in another column announcing the intention of giving a public Breakfast to Messrs. Frrz Gerald and Seweli, on the occasion of their return to their constituents on the prorogation of the General Assembly. We are sure that the invitation to express approval of the conduct of the exMinistry will be gladly responded to by the people of Canterbury.