NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 252, 23 October 1868, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Thursday, October 1. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

gChe Hon. James Alexander Bonar took the oath and his seat as a member of the Council.

The Hon. Colonel Russell moved for a ' return of the Armed Constabulary and Police Force maintained by the General and Provincial Governments respectively, with the number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates,' remarking that his chief object in bringing this matter before the Council was to point out certain absurdities connected with our present police arrangements. One was that of the proportion of officers to men was taken it would be found to be one to five generally. If taken in detail the proportion of officers was even greater in most cases, being in some one to three, one to two, and he even found as much as one officer to one man. From inquiries which he had made, the present cost ofthe service amounted to more than 100,000, per year. Dr Pollen thought ' a force much larger and more efficient than at present existed might be maintained at a much smaller cost.' Agreed to.

The Hon. Col. Whitmore, after some very just observations on the arduous service performed by the colonial forces during the war, made a motion to the effect that, should a medal be granted to Imperial troops for services in the colony, steps should be taken by the Government to obtain a similar decoration for the local forces actually engaged in the suppression ofthe rebellion. Agreed to. Goldfields Reserve Bill read a third time and passed.

Dr Pollen, in bringing in the Provincial Lawsuits Act Amendment Bill, said that up to 1858 persons having dealings with the several Provincial Governments had in. general no legal remedy against them. But a law was then" passed, but it did not go far enough, for if the Superintendent of the province chose not to ask the Council to vote the money to satisfy the demand, there was no-way in which the judgment could be satisfied.

He remembered in the province of Auckland at one time that the bailiffs were in possession of the records, and it was only by an application to the Supreme ;, Court that those valuable documents were saved from being sold to the buttermerchants and cheesemongers. But by the Act of 1867, the Superintendent could set the Proving cial Council at defiance and submit himself to the judgment of the Supreme Court, and have a judgment for a debt contracted without authority of the Provincial Council paid without reference to the Provincial Council. The object of this bill was to do away with these difficulties. Bill read a second time. The Governor assented to the following Acts for 1868:— Bridges and Ferries, Bishop of New Zealand, Trigonometrical Stations, Bills of Sale, Mortgage on Stock, Provincial Audit, and Nelson and Cobden Railway. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. A long debate took place on ' privilege,' Mr Reynolds having made use bf the following words, which were taken down by the Speaker' 'Members who' are bought and sold by the honorable gentlemen on those benches.' Mr Reynolds's explanation was received by the House, and the hon. gentleman resumed his seat.

Post-office Act Amendment Bill, Customs Regulations Amendment Bill, &c, read third time.

The House went into committee for further consideration of the Election Bill. Two divisions took place; the only Nelson members present being Messrs Baigent and Collins.

A committee was appointed on the distribution of the Canterbury debt.

Several bills read a second time,