NEW ZEALAND AFFAIRS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 95, 25 June 1866, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AFFAIRS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

April 24.—Mr. Selwyn put a question to Mr.' Cardwell relative to the delay in the consecration of the Key. A. B. Suter, the

Bishop nominate of Nelson, New-Zealand, and generally on the subject of the Colonial episcopate. 1 Mr. Cardwell replied that the letters patent have beeu withheld on account of the difficul- • ties which have-presented themselves, in connection with the late decision of the' Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the' Natal' cas«, but that he will shortly submit to Parliament a bill on the subject. In the-'event of the proposed bill settling the question, the Archbishop of Canterbury will'consecrate Mr. Suter to Nelson,. Mr. Postlethwaite -to New Westminster, Mr. Jenner to Duriedin, and some clergyman (if one can be found to accept it) to the long-deserted see of Hong Kong. Mr. Adderley : inquired what- reply "had beeu made to addresses" from New . Zealand for separation of the two islands-under distinct governments. Mr. Cardwell said the answer which the Governor had been directed by her Majesty's Government to return was that they were not prepared to encourage any expectation that they would be able to advise the concurrence of the Crown in the separation. At the same time the Governor having expressed his opinion in favor of some change of govenment in the northern island, he had directed him to bring that opinion under the consideration of his responsible advisers, that if they thought fit they might submit to the legislature of New Zealand such measures as might be necessary. ' The papers were in course of preparation, and would be shortly laid on the table. The Taranaki Herald-complains that'by a recent order from "Wellington all military settlers are to remain permanently upon their laud, and not to leave it for the purpose.of making a living in town or elsewhere. Hitherto, when any company was struck off pay, the men were allowed to find' employment where they could, the only stipulations being, if they left the block, that they should forfeit their ration allowance and- parade-once a month. It seems that some.of the men, by falsely representing themselves-as-living on the land, got their rations when not entitled to them, and to stop this practice the clumsy expedient we have mentioned has beenadopted. The men lose by being debarred the chance of-making a little capital—the great want in all the military settlements ; the Province, of course, loses to about, the same oxtent ; the Government loses by having to pay the full ration money,- and who is the gaiuer ? We trust the Government will be equally prompt to issue the Crown grants to these men when they are due. We take the following items from the Canterbury Times : — ; " The Customs returns of the colony for the last quarter show the important part which the West Coast traffic forms iv contributing •to the-revenue. Upwards of £40,000 have beeu received in the last tbiee months at Hokitika and Greymouth, of which £35,000 in round numbers will stand to the credit of Canterbury. The Customs revenue derived from the western half of Canterbury exceeded that of the eastern, amounting to by £s,oooduring that time. This province now stands at the head of the list, its revenue exceeding that of Otago by £60,000, and that of Auckland by £1.1.0,000 a year taken from the rates of last quarter's returns. The Provincial chest has been considerably recruited during the last month by the pasturage rents, the sale of town lauds on the West Coast, and the increased rcvenue-from the sale of lands on this side. No less than £5,000 must have been received from these sources during that period, a sum that will help materiallx-to reduce the large debtor balance afc the»ank of New Zealand." » The estimated revenue of the PrjKnce of Marlborough for the year euding lS#e 30-, 1867, is:—Ordinary, £4,924 Bs. Sjfc territorial, £15,090 ; total, £20,014 Bs. ML The. estimated expenditure is 2F 5d M oft which item is for a AoJM'3,OOO. No less a sum than £910 is - for charitable purposes. w A GergjjlMslgeon in Paris was iecently bereaved of his wife by death. HisWrieuds assembled to condole with him, anf found him eagaged in dissecting her body. , ' .