General fcemfctou HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 55, 6 October 1855, Page 3

General Assembly. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, August 21, ISSS.

The houso mot at 12 o'clock, pursuant to adjournment.

VACCINATION OF THE NATIVES.

Mr. BaCot moved " That an address bo presented to his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, requesting him to procure copies of any correspondence between the Provincial Government of Auckland and tho Vaccination Board appointed by the General Government, regarding tho best steps to be taken for introducing a general .system of vaccination of the native population." Agreed to.

AUCKLAND POST OFFICE.

Mr. O'Neill moved " That an humble address be presented to his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, bringing under his notice the present working of the Auckland Post Office, and praying hia « Excellency to cause the necessary instructions to be given for putting that establishment in a thorough state of efficiency, which is so urgently required to meet the increased commerce of tho Province."

Mr. Cbdmpton thought that tho motion should have reference to the Post Office system generally. Agreed to.

TITLES TO LAND. Mr. HA3IT moved "That an humble address ha presented to her Majesty the Queen by this house, praying that steps may be taken to procure the removal of doubts affecting titles to land in the settlements in New Zealand formed by the New Zealand Company, held under Grants from the Crown."

Mr. Teavers, in seconding the motion, expressed approval of what had fallen from the honourable member.

Mr. Seweii. acknowledged the importance of extinguishing the secret equities to which the honourable member had referred, as against the Crown Grants j and of giving to the holder of these grants a perfect and indefeasible title ; but he candidly confessed that he thought the house was competent of itself to cany that into effect.

Mr. Habt briefly replied, arguing that it was a much better course to obtain a short Act of the Imperial Parliament. Agreed to.

MESSAGES.

Several messages from his Excellency the Governor 1 were received and read, one of which (No. 24) referred to an item on the Estimates of £600 as a salary for the Bishop of New Zealand, and another (No. 28) to an item of £7,000 for barracks at Taranaki.

NEW ZEALAND BANK.

Mr. Hart moved " For leave to bring in a bill to establish a Joint Stock Bank, to bo called the Nevf Zealand Bank." The bill he proposed to introduce was of tho nature of a private bill, but it was one of considerable public interest ; for no doubt could exist of the great facilities that were afforded to commerce by a well-managed banking institution. The existing bank was no doubt a source of great public benefit, but, at the same time, it had an injurious monopoly of power. It was the receptacle of large deposits, and was the means of much capital lying idle and unproductive. By its rules it had also to confine its accommodation to the mercantile community, to the exclusion of agriculturists and other classes by whom the colony was most benefited. The honourable member" referred at some length to the advantages that would result from the establisliment of the bank in question, and concluded by urging the house to eceede to the motion.

Mr. Seweil said that the necessity of a new bank was apparent from the fact that the shareholders of the Union Bank had received a dividend of 30 or 40 per cent. He pointed out several objections to the bill, particularly that clause which limited the liability of the shareholders to double the amount of their shares. He thought that tho bill should be accompanied by a good law of bankruptcy. Mr. Teavebs had not the dread of the limited liability principle that seemed to influence the honourable member; but thought that there were some safeguards not to be met with in the bill, and feared that tho honourable mover could scarcely expect to get it through this session.

Mr. Forsaitji thought that, in the present state of the house, the introduction of a measure of so much importance was inopportune. He would suggest its withdrawal.

Mr. Meerimah' said that the question was not one of detail but of time. He thought that the bill had a most desirable object in view, and should be introduced. They wanted a bank that would establish A branch in all the settlements, and one that would not exercise undue political influence.

Mr. Brcyn said that the proposed measure was tantamount to the introduction of another mercantile establishment, and tho house was only called upon to givo it facilities for sueing and being sued. If the principle on which ifc did business was favourable, the public would deal with it ; otherrrise they would deal with another. The public would have due notice of the constitution of the new bank, and would certainly be the best judges whether or not it was to be trusted. He thought tho introduction of the bill very desirable.

Mr. Hart replied, showing that the paid-up capital of the bank would be amply sufficient to meet all its engagements. He supported the limited liability principle : arguing that, if its liability w&s limited, its credit would be limited in proportion. . The bill was read a first time.

ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.

Mr. Travers moved " For leave to bring in a bill for bringing into operation within the colony, certain Acts of the Imperial Parliament." The Acts referred to wore — one for removing certain doubts connected with the Secondary Punishments Act, and the other for preventing the personal estate of a deceased person for being levied upon in satisfaction of a mortgage that had been granted, in his lifetime, upon his real estate. The honourable member said that much hardship and injustice had been obviated in England by the passing of this bill, Mr. Hart bore testimony to the same effect. The bill read a first time. MILITAEY PEOTECTION.

Mr. Travers moved "That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Officer administering tho Government, praying him to lay before this house a copy of a despatch from tho Duke of Newcastle to Sir George Grey, dated 9th June, 1853, on the general subject of the military protection to be afforded to New Zealand." Hi 3 object was to obtain a document to complete a series. As they would shortly be called upon to vote money in connection with this matter, he thought it advisable that the house should have all tho papers that boro upon tho question. Agreed to. NATIVE LANDS IN NELSON AND CAN-

TEKBURY.

Mr. Teavebs moved " That a respectful address bo presented to his Excellency tho Officer administering the Government, praying him to inform the house of the nature of the arrangements entered into with the natives for extinguishing their title to the lands in the Provinces of Nelson and Canterbury, partly referred to in the financial statement presented to the house on the 4th September, 1854 ; and whether the funds originally set apart for the purpose of the said purchases are still in the hands of the Government, and if not, how the same have been expended, and also of the probable time when the purchase will be completed." Certain arrangements had been made with natives who were interested in lands in Nelson and Canterbury. These arrangements, much to the disappointment of emigrants and others, had not been completed. He was very desirous of obtaining some information upon the subject. Agreed to.

NELSON POST OFFICE.

Mr. Traver3 moved "That a respectful address bef presented to his Excellency the Ofh'cer administering the Government, praying that he may direct that the Postmaster at Nelson shall in future attend at thcr Post Office at 10 o'clock, a.m., instead of 11 ; and that the same Post Office bo kept open until 4 o'clock on Saturdays, instead of being closed nt 2." The honourable member referred to the ill management of thff

lost Ofliro, Nelson, but believed it was only necessary to bring the matter formally under tho notice of the Govornraent to have tho evil removed.

Agreed to. LAND CLAIMANTS ORDINANCE AMEND-

MEKT BILL.

The house went into committee on the above bill, and a few verbal alterations were made in its clauses.

The houso resumed, and tho chairman of committee reported progrebs. The bill, as amended, was read a second time, and its third reading ordered for Tuesday.

SUMS RESERVED FOR PUKCHASES OF NATIVE LANDS.

Mr. SrWELL moved " That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Officer administering tho Government, praying him to lay before the house an estimate of the sums to be deducted from tho Or. dinarv and Land Revenue now under appropriation as first charges, specifying in particular the sums, if any, which will be required for the purchase of Native Lands during the currency of the period of appropriation, including a statement of all outstanding liabilities in account of the purchase of Native Lands." The object of the motion would be apparent to the house. Last year, a certain amount of tho land revenue had been placed at the disposal of the house, yet his Excellency had not hesitated to expend £30,000 or £40,000 of that amount in the purchase of native lands. It was an extremely inconsistent, if rot an illegal course, and one calculated completely to derange tho finances of the colony. For the Government to give the houso the disposal of a certain sum and then to expend ifc on purposes other than those for which the house had designed, was to ask tho Assombly to deal with a sham. He hoped that no such calamity would again happen to the country. Mr. Travers agreed with the honourable member as to tho evils which would result from a course whioil deprived tho Provinces of those funds on which their very existence depended. He would go further than tho honourablo member, and say that such a course was positively illegal. After the first charges on the Land Revenuo, fche Province acquired a vested interest in tho Eurplus ; and if that surplus were to be withdrawn in such a manner, a financial rebellion might be expected to ensue.

Major Greenwood said that, from tho capricious character of tho natives, it was necessary to have the mean? of purchasing tho land at the moment it was offered, otherwise the purchase would be postponed indefinitely. If the Governorwas to be called upon toresarvo tho sum that would be required for that purpose in the course of the year, such a reserve wculd necessarily bo a very largo one indeed — perhaps £100,000. Mr. Hart concurred with the honourable member. It was quite possible that tho house, in its zeal to place a limit upon tho expenditure of his Excellency m this particular, might be the means of doing serious injury to the colony. Mr. Porter had recently hnd a conversation with Mr. Maclean, who had mentioned many instances of natives who had come up to sell, but, their views not having been met at once, they had gone away disgusted. Ho therefore thought that no restriction should be placed on tho funds available for this purpose.

Mr. Brown gave a familiar illustration of tho state of things complained of, in the fact of the Province of Auckland having been refused, for the present, any part of the land revenue. Instead of £20,000, tho sum Baid to have been reserved, the financial committee had found that no less than £66,787 had been already expended, and that, nt present, there was a balance unaccounted for of £37,000. Ho thought it highly necessary thai a Bum for this service should bo fixed and adhered to, in order to save the whole colony from financial confusion.

Mr. Forsaith said that, if the house meant that his Excellency should name a limit, and bo bound down strictly to act within that limit, ho (Air. Foraaith) must exprcsg his dissent. The existence of many Provinces depended on the acquisition of territory, when offered to the Government. Every one knew that the native was a creature of impulse, and, •when ho offered to sell, tho Government should be in a. position at once to buy. Ho believed that, if his Excellency acted as tho house would appear to wish, he would commit an infringement of the Constitution Act.

Mr. Cableton, in referring to the stepß that the Government had taken in the matter under discussion, said that tho process had been a very curious one. The first provincial minute of his Excellency had informed tho house that purchases wero unadvisable. The house, acting upon this, mado no provision for such. In October, tho sum of £20,000 was estimated for the service. Ifc was lately intimated that £15,000 had been expended over this estimate, and now it appeared that, instead of £35,000, the actual expenditure was over £66,000.

Mr. SEWELL replied at considerable length. An honourable member had seemed to entreat forbearance on the part of the house in this matter j but was it possible to see an expenditure of £06,000, and a consequent confiscation of the land fund, without taking some notice of it ? Were tho Provinces to be drained of their capital for the purpose of purchasing land in AVmriri iW pastoral purpooco ? Tbe sum novr to be expondod for land in that district was £8,500, and the annual rent of the land so purchased would not probably exceed £100. They had implicit faith in his Excellency; and yet, notwithstanding his implied engagement with the house, the whole revenue of the colony had been swept away in purchases from the natives. Was that a ground of forbearance ? He did not hesitate to say that he did wish his Excellency's hands to be tied in this matter ; and he (Mr. Sewell) vas prepared to maintain intact, so far as he could, \he rights of tho Provinces to tho surplus land revenue. Motion agreed to. SALARY OF RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, NELSON. Mr. Trayehs moved—" That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency tho Officer administering the Government, praying him to lay before the house any correspondence between the Superintendent of Nehon and the General Government, on the subject of the appointment and Balary of the Resident Magistrate at Nelson." The holder of that office was also Registrar of Deeds, the salary to which, according to the Estimates, waß nil, but, in reality, £250, as that amount was voted by the Provincial Council. The .honourablo member mentioned other particulars, vhich he was desirous should be inquired into. Agreed to. NATITE HOSPITAL, TARANAKI. Mr. CROMPToy moved — "That a respectful address >be presented to his Excellency the Officer administering tho Government, praying that returns be laid on the table of this house, showing the quantity of bedding and medical stores applied for by the colonial surgeon at New Plymouth for the use of the Native Hospital in that Province since the month of June, 18oi; the quantity supplied of each article applied for, together with an explanation of the non-supply of such articles as may have been applied for, but have not been furnished." Tho hospital at Taranaki Vas in an unfit state for any emergency that might occur. The bedding was all borrowed, and there was a great deficiency in drugs. If an outbreak* should occur, there was no provision whatever for the reception of wounded natives. *" Mr. O'Neill could not undorotand why the ProVmee of Taranaki had its hospital supported by tho General Government, wliilo the other Provinces had to support their own. Agreed to. APPORTIONMENT OP MEMBERS. Mr. Porteb moved — "That a respectful address be presented to the Officer administering the Government, respectfully requesting his Excellency to send down » Bill to adjust the number of membera for each Province in proportion to the number of electors in tho same, in accordance with the Constitution Act, and to pray tluit a dissolution of this Assembly may not take place until the Bill lias received her Majesty's assent, and is brought into operation here." After some preliminary observations, the honourablo member Baid that, as an illustration cf tho principle he was desirous of seeing adopted, ho would take Auckland as a ground-work. It had an electoral roll of about 3,000— a number which would give 12 members for every 250 electors. By this system every Province and district throughout the colony would be fully and fairly represented. With regard *o the proposed dis-

solution—if such took place, many districts in the colony would be left entirely unrepresented for a period of 5 years. The proper course was for this matter to bo adjusted first, and responsible government introduced afterwards.

Major Greextvood would support the motion upon the bare principle of justice. The Constitution laid down a numerical bnsis for the apportionment trf members. In the South, there was no doubt that the Provinces had more members in proportion to their constituencies than Auckland had. The latter, therefore, was unfairly represented. Mr. Hart believed, in reference to the present motion, that his Excellency would feel himself pledged by his circular ; otherwise that circular was a deception. No resolution of that house, constituted as ifc was, in sucli a matter, could affect tho determination of his Excellency. If such a resolution wero acted upon, the circular coidd be viewed in no other light than that of a trap. It was on this ground he took his stand, but still, if the Census had been fairly taken, the number of members that Auckland returned was quite equal to its share. Mr. Lee hoped that, if tho motion were not carried, tho house would pray his Excellency to delay tho introduction of responsible government [oh, oh!] until tho disadvantages under which the colony was labouring, in this respect, were removed.

Mi*. Travers opposed the motion utterly irrespective of any of the principles involved in it. Had members from tho South anticipated the possibility of such a motion being intror uced, they would have token their places at any amount of inconvenience. He had attended at great inconvenience, in order to legalize tho public expenditure, but by no means to entertain a measure involving radical clmnges. But, looking at the principle involved, he believed that the population of Auckland was about 13,000, and it had 12 members ; Nelson had about 6,000, and had 6 members ; Wellington had from 8,000 to 9,000, and had 8 members — so that tho present apportionment was strictly on a numerical basis. For his own part, he would rather tend his resignation than have such a question forced upon the house in its present Btate.

Mr. Merriman believed that Auckland should at least; have four more members ; but still, ho considered that tho question waa bro\ight forward inopportunely, and he should vote against ifc.

Mr. O'Neill said that the Northern Provinces contributed four-ninths of tho entire revenue of the colony, and wero surely entitled to four-ninthß of the representation ; yet they only returned 12 members. He could not conceive why honourable members who took a different view of tho question should attempt to support that view by holding out threats. Mr. Bacot would voto against the motion, for tho simple reason that Southern members were not there to take their own part, Mr. Taylor regretted that he could not vote for the motion of the honourable member for the Suburbs. He agreed that Auckland ought to havo more members ; but, as the house was at present constituted, ho thought ifc would bo most inexpedient to enter upon so important a subject during the present session. He believed ifc would be taking an unfair advantage of the Southern parts of the colony, and to this he could not bo a party. He would not bo deterred, by an implied fear of meeting his constituency, from giving his vote aa he thought proper. A sense of duty required him to oppose tho motion.

Mr. Fobsaith could not see that the motion, if carried, would, either theoretically or practically, involve the least injustice. If tho honourablo members from the South were not in their places, ifc was their own faults. A fair construction had not been put on the language of the circular, and the true aspect of the question had been altogether misrepresented. If Auckland were to have an increase of memborß, would not other Provinces have an equal increase ? Where, then, was tho injustice ? Tho very £acfc of tho Southern members offering the opposition they did, was presumptive proof of the necessity for re-adjustment. The question of dissolution had been altered by the recent voto of the house. His Excellency might now say — Ab you havo not thought ifc necessary to comply with the condition laid down by the Secretary of State, there is no immediate necessity for affording the colony an opportunity of revising its choice of representatives. Auckland had claims for an increase of members, both on tho ground of wealth and population. The whole revenuo of the colony was £230,000, of which Auckland alono contributed £101,000.

Mr. Porter, with tho leavo of the house, would withdraw the latter part of his motion — that referring to a dissolution.

Mr. Meerimak would then support the measure, as ho considered that its most objectionable feature was withdrawn.

Mr. Sewell could not understand tho languago of Auckland. If the circular referred to did not convey to the Southern members this intimation — Be so good as come up to pass the Appropriation Bill, and then bo dissolved — the English languago had a different meaning in Auckland to what ifc had anywhere else. The honourable member referred to the finances of tho colony (a subject that had beeiv touched upon by Mr. Forsaifch), ana said that nob only was there a deficiency in the accounts of tho Colonial Treasurer of £11,000, but his firm belief was that the colony, at that moment, was £50,000 in debt. He denied that Auckland had any right to additional members, and considered that the honourable member for tho Suburbs, iv bringing forward such a motion, had put a great wrong upon the Southern members, and had drawn a great reproach upon himself.

Mr. Carleton was awaro that tho question could not come to a division ; that bhe^ Southern members, by retiring, could force a count-out ; he waa awaro that he could not bo obliged to declare himself one way or the other ; that no one, unless he choose, could know which way he was inclined. But he did not choose to 6creen himself behind a count-oufc; he should state his opinion without regard to consequences. Ho admitted that the amendment — the striking out of the paragraph praying that a dissolution might not take place — had very much improved the motion ; so much that he would have been able to give tho honourable mover a vote, but for a conclusive reason, which he would presently offer to the house. The peculiar wording of the motion had attracted his attention ; there were two motions in one — a motion about adjustment of representation, and another about dissolution. He had spoken of this to the mover ; he had strongly urged tho propriety of withdrawing the latter portion, tho real object of which was clear to those who were behind the scenes. But no argument could prevail; he (Mr. Porter) declared positively that nothing would induce him to make an alteration j that he would stand to the double motion to the last. But yet, for reasons that could be appreciated, he had veered suddenly round, and offered to strike out the words. That honourablo member, though in the habit of giving himself credit for firmness, was in reality the most thorough weather-wit in the house. The alteration being made, however, he (Mr. C.) would have voted for the motion, but for a reason that was plainly unanswerable. That was, the Governor's own position in tho matter. His Excellency had sent a circular to the South, Btating that tho business of the Bcssion would be confined to two bills, and the greater number of the Southern members had consequently thought it not worth their while to attend. The statement amounted to a pledge; his Excellency could not send down another bill, for the circular would then become a trap ; and he (Mr. C.) would not be a party to aßking the Governor to commit a breach of faith. The object of the present motion, however, was not that which appeared uj>on the face of it. The mover knew that he could not carry it, for want of a house. Ifc was not a bill that was [ sought, but a party end. The motion had a hidden meaning — it had a reference to coming events. There waß an election coming on, and this was an electioneering move. A powerful handle would be made of the vote on this occasion ; the motives of those who I opposed the motion would be perverted. He had I foreseen this from the beginning of the session ; he was quite aware of the cry that would be raised ; he had counted the cost, and did not care. He might have been silent, but did not choose to back out of the difficulty. But ho knew what the object of the motion was s—to5 — to force him to vote against it.

Me. Bbowjj was extremely sorry that tho question before the house should have been introduced at the present time, as it was one that could not be entertained without leading to angry feeling. It waß a subject of the utmost importance, and one that the sooner settled the better ; but it was also one which,

under present circumstances, should not be entertained.

Mr. Porter briefly replied. When he brought forward tho same measure in a full house last session, it was Baid to be the wrong time ; when ho brought it forward in a thin house this session, ifc was also said to be the wrong time. The fact was, that ifc was never the right time with honourable members to do justice to Auckland.

The house divided, the question of leave being granted to withdraw the latter part of the motion. On the division lists being handed the Speaker, he announced that there wero only 11 members present, and that the house stood adjourned. Adjourned accordingly.

Wednesday, August 22. There was nofc a quorum at 12 o'clock, and the house was acljour*ned till the following day. Thubsdat, August 23. The house met pursuant to adjournment. Several messages from his Excellency the Governor were handed to the Speaker. NEW ZEALAND COMPANY'S DEBT. Mr. Habt moved, " That a committee be appointed to consider and report upon the steps to be taken to follow up and give effect to the proceedings of the house during the former session, relative to the New Zealand Company's debt ; such committee to consist of Mr. Sewell, Mr. Crompton, Mr. Travers, Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Forsaith, and the mover. The report to be brought up on the 29th August." Agreed to. ALTEEATION IN CONSTITUTION ACT. Mr. Poster moved " For leave to bring in a bill to alter the Constitution Act, and the appropriation of the surplus revenuo, by dividing it among the several Provinces in the like proportion as the net proceeds of the said revenue shall have arisen, the amount of the civil list being first taken from tho revenue in proportion to the gross amount contributed by each Province." lie said, tho object of his motion was a very simple matter — that of enabling each Province to spend its own revenue in its own way. If the system he proposed were to become law, the members for each Province would have the disposal of its own revenue, and those members not immediately interested would merely look on, and bo prepared to act as arbitrators in cases when the members interested coidd not agree. Mr. Forsaith seconded the motion pro forma, as it did not altogether meet his approval. He thought that a proposal to effect so important an alteration in the Constitution Act should not be entertained this session. When the house entered upon the subject of alterations in that act, ho thought they should not confine themselves to one particular. Mr. Sewell said that tho motion was one to entertain which was clearly bejond the power of the house. It did not merely affect the proportionate distribution of the surplus revenue, but it actually affected tho civil list, which the house had no power to touch. He hoped tho honourable member would not waste the tirno of the house by seeking to introduce a bill which, when printed, would be worth no

The house met pursuant to adjournment. Several messages from his Excellency the Governor were handed to the Speaker. NEW ZEALAND COMPANY'S DEBT. Mr. Haet moved, " That a committee be appointed to consider and report upon the steps to be taken to follow up and give effect to the proceedings of the house during the former session, relative to the New Zealand Company's debt ; such committee to consist of Mr. Sewell, Mr. Crompton, Mr. Travers, Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Forsaith, and the mover. The report to be brought up on the 29th August." Agreed to. ALTEEATION IN CONSTITUTION ACT. Mr. Poster moved " For leave to bring in a bill to alter the Constitution Act, and the appropriation of the surplus revenuo, by dividing it among the several Provinces in the like proportion as the net proceeds of the said revenue shall have arisen, the amount of the civil list being first taken from tho revenue in proportion to tho gross amount contributed by each Province." 110 said, tho object of his motion was a very simple matter — that of enabling each Province to spend its own revenue in its own way. If the system he proposed were to become law, the members for each Province would have the disposal of its own revenue, and those members not immediately interested would merely look on, and bo prepared to act as arbitrators in cases when the members interested coidd not agree. Mr. Fobsaith seconded the motion pro forma, as ifc did not altogether meet his approval. He thought that a proposal to effect so important an alteration in the Constitution Act should not be entertained this session. When the house entered upon the subject of alterations in that act, ho thought they should not confine themselves to one particular. Mr. Sewell said that tho motion was one to entertain which was clearly bejond the power of the house. It did not merely affect the proportionate distribution of the surplus revenue, but ifc actually affected tho civil list, which the house had no power to touch. He hoped tho honourable member would not waste the tirno of the house by seeking to introduce a bill which, when printed, would be worth no more than waste paper. Mr. TEAVEH9 suggested the withdrawal of the motion, as, if the house affirmed it, tho bill, as Ids honourable friend had remarked, would be worth no more than waste paper, while, if the house voted in the negative, an impression might be created that it did so in opposition to tho principles involvod in the motion, whereas many members of the house were favourable to those principles. Mr. Porter would yield to the sense of the house, and withdraw his motion. RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OF TENEMENTS. Mr. Mebbimait moved " For leave to bring in a bill to recover possession of tenements improperly held over." Tho honourablo member said, that in England, provision was made for obtaining possession of tenements by a summary process, the result of a simple application to tho justices hi petty session. This process, he was informed, had also been adopted in some of the neighbouring colonies ; and it was with tho view of assimilating tho practice of New Zealand to that of the mother country that ho proposed to introduce the bill in question. Leave granted, and tho bill read a first time. NEW ZEALAND BANK BILL. Mr. Hart moved, " That tho New Zealand Bank Bill be referred to a select committee, to consist of Mr. Sewell, Mr. Travcrs, Mr. Merriman, Mr. Brown, Mr. Crompton, and the mover." Mr. Teavees moved, as an amendment, ■*' That this house, while approving of the objects of the New Zealand Bank Bill, is yet of opinion, having regard to the probable duration of the present session, that the discussion of said bill should not now be entered upon." He thought it all but impossible that the bill could pass the house during tho present session, and therefore to begin ifc would be unnecessarily to occupy time that might bo better employed. Amendment agreed to. The house then adjourned till Friday. Fbiday, Avgvst 21. The house met pursuant to adjournment. PETITIONS. Mr. Fob3aith presented a petition from the inhabitants of tho city of Auckland, in public meeting assembled, on the subject of the sum of £1,200 that had been placed upon tho Estimates for a salary to the Bishop of New Zealand, and praying the house to refuse to vote such sum, or any sum whatever for such purpose. Received and read. PETITION OF PENSIONERS.

Mi*. Sewell moved the consideration of the petition of certain pensioners, presented by him on the 21st instant. After a lengthened debate, the motion was agreed to.

APPROPRIATION BILL.

Mr. SEWEHi moved that the Appropriation Bill bo read a second time. Read, and ordered to be committed on Monday. The house then adjourned.

Tuesday, August 28.

Tho house met pursuant to adjournment. Several messages from his Excellency the Governor were received by the Speaker and laid before the house. CULTIVATION AND PREPARATION OF FLAX.

Mr. Bacot moved "That a humble address be presented to his Excellency, requesting him to place a aum of money on the Estimates for the purpose of conducting a scientific inquiry into the plans of Baron de Thierry and other individuals, for the cultivation and preparation of New Zealand Flax."

Mr. Brown seconded the motion.

Mr. Hart thought that the undoubted profits which would result from entering with spirit into the preparation of this article was of itself a sufficient stimulus to private enterprise. Mr. Travers would also oppose the motion. The plan of Baron de Thierry had been in use in Nelson, in a simplified form, for the last ten or twelve years. Flax could be produced at from £10 to £12 per ton, and was largely shipped from Nelson. Ifc needed no scientific inquiry to show that the preparation of flax, by such a process, was a remunerative undertaking. All that was required waa sufficient energy on the part of private individuals. Messrs. Mackay and Sewell spoke to a similar purport, and the motion was negatived.

ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Mr. Travers moved, " That in the opinion of this house, it is expedient that copies of all Acts of the General Assembly should be forwarded to Justices of the Peace and other public officers throughout the Colony." To this he would add :— " And that the same should be prepared and so forwarded by the Colonial Secretary." The expediency of the proposition could hardly be doubted. There were two classes of magistrates— the territorial and the provincial. The latter received no copy of these acts, and no copy of the Government Gazette. In effect, therefore, they were called upon to administer law with which they were unacquainted. Ths expense of printing extra copieß was h'ttle more than the expense of paper. He had added a few words to the original notice of motion, aa he found that the Clerk of the House had

hitherto been called upon by the Government to prepare tho acts that passed the house, which he (Mr. Travers) conceived was no paTt of his duty. The Speaker suggested that it would be a great convenience to the public to fix a place and price at which the acts of tho house could bo purchased. After some remarks from a few other honourablo members, the motion wa3 agreed to. MILITARY PROTECTION TO NEW PLYMOUTH. Mr. Traters rose to move the following address to his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, in reply to his Excellency's messages, numbered 2, 13, 15, 28, and 33. "To his Excellency the Officer administering the Government of New Zealand — " We, the Commons of New Zealand, in the House of Representatives assembled, respectfully beg leave to address your Excellency in reply to messages numbered 2, 13, 15, 28, and 33, presented to this house on the subject of the disturbed state of tho natives of New Plymouth, of the steps taken by your Excellency in relation thereto, and of the provision to be mado for defraying the expenses to be incurred in affording military protection to the European population of that pi-ovinee, and more particularly of the cost of erecting barracks, and otherwise providing accommodation for the troops. "We thank your Excellency for the information conveyed to us by these messages, and assure your Excellency that wo have given to tho matters referred to in them the most careful and anxious consideration. "Wo beg to renew to your Excellency the expression of our deep regret at the unhappy occurrences detailed in your Excellency's message numbered 2 j but we feel that, in the present position of this house, having regard more particularly to tho fact that the power of exercising constitutional control over the executive proceedings of the Government has not been acceded to the Legislature, wo should not be justified in expressing any opinion as to the course of policy to bo pursued by the Government in dealing with them. "We aro tho further induced to refrain from expressing any such opinion in consequence of the absence, during the present session, of fche great majority of the representatives of tho Southern provinces. " Whilst wo admit the absolute necessity of providing for tho defenco of the Province of New Plymouth, we feel ourselves compelled respectfully to decline, for tho reasons above submitted, to appropriate any portion of the public revenue towards the expenses to bo incurred in tho erection of barracks for tho troops, or otherwise in affording military protection to the European population of that province. "Wo sincerely trust, however, that the measures taken by your Excellency will lead to tho beneficial results mentioned in the address by which your Excellency was pleased to open the present session." The honourable member then, in a lengthened statement of the origin of the disturbances afc Taranaki, showed that tho quarrel was one which affected Europeans as well as natives. A debate ensued, at tho close of which the address was adopted. ENGLISH ACT 3 BILL. Mr. Teavers moved that this bill be read a second time. Read accordingly. LAND CLAIMANTS ORDINANCE AMENDMENT BILL. Mr. Travers moved that this bill be read a third time. Read a third time, passed, and transmitted to the Legislative Council. SALARY OF THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND. The consideration of message No. 24, which related to tho amount proposed to bo voted the Bishop of New Zealand, was tho next order of the day. Mr. Forsaith rose to move, " That while fully recognizing the zeal and energy of his Lordship the Bishop of Now Zealand, and acknoivledging the voluablo services rendered by him on various occasions to tho colony, this houso cannot adopt tho recommendation of the Secretary of State, communicated in a message from his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, No. 21, of voting a salary to his Lordship, without departing from tho principle of perfect civil equality of all tho denominations, a principle which this houso has already affirmed, and to the maintenance of which it stands pledged." A long discussion ensued, when tho motion was agreed to, and an addrress voted to his Excellency, embodying the resolution. WIDOWS, ETC., OF OFFICERS IN CIVIL SERVICE. Mr. Merriman rose to move " For leave to bring in a bill to provide for tho retirement of officers in tho civil service of the Government, and for granting assistance to tho widows and children of officers dying whilst in such service." Messrs. Sewell, Travers, and Hart opposed the bill on the grounds of its being an impossible bill, the introduction of which would only waste the time of tho house, and of shortness of time to entertain new measures. Mr. Merriman would not be deterred from pressing the introduction of the bill by the tougbcar of tZze | steamer. If honourable members from the South wero not there, ifc was their own fault. Leave granted. BUI brought up, read a first time j ordered to be read a second time, and printed. GIVING DEEDS OF GRANT A RETROSPECTIVE OPERATION. j Mr. Haet rose to move " That the message of his Excellency the Officer administering tho Government bo taken into consideration, with a view to address his Excellency, praying that a bill may bo sent down to remedy the evil mentioned in the correspondence referred to in that message." Mr. Merriman observed, that when a bill was brought in by a Southern member, there was nothing said about the steamer. Mr. Haet expressed surprise at this remark. Tho bill had as much relation to the Northern as to the Southern provinces. , Agreed to. The house then adjourned till Wednesday.

Wednesday, August 29. The house met pursuant to adjournment. DISTRIBUTION OF NET REVENUE. Mr. Porter moved for leave to bring in a bill "to alter tho Constitution Act, and, after deducting tho first charges from the revenue as directed by the Act, and all general charges paid, to distribute the net surplus revenue, unappropriated by the General Assembly, among the Provinces, in proportion as the same shall have arisen in each Province." He believed, notwithstanding what had transpired on the late introduction of a motion similar in its nature, that the bill he was now desirous of seeing introduced was strictly according to tho Constitution Act. Ifc was necessary, inasmuch as by the present system justice was not done to all the provinces. If a ship's husband paid the disbursements of six different ships from the gross proceeds af those ships and apportioned the amount in the gross, without reference to tho net proceeds of each, the house would see a case, exactly parallel to the present system of distributing the revenue amongst the Bix provinces. It was impossible that such a plan could work satisfactorily. Tho Southern members not being all in their places was no sufficient excuse for not entertaining the bill. If it was thvown out, the country would go on unfairly represented for the next five years. Major Greekwood would second the motion, conceiving that ifc was founded upon justice. Mr. Sewell said that the bill of the honourable member was likely to be a very innocuous bill, as, from what he had seen, ifc was doubtful if there would be any surplus net revenuo at all. Was it really worth fche while of the honourable member to try to pass through its various stages a bill from which no practical benefit was likely to arise ? Mr. Porter said that what he wanted was no more than justice to Auckland, whether in a full or a thin house. Still he would withdraw the motion. Withdrawn accordingly. ORIENTAL BANK CORPORATION.

Mr. Sewell rose to move, ''An Address to his Excellency the Officer adminsfcering the Government, for copies of the correspondence between the Oriental Bank Corporation and the Government respecting the introduction of a branch or branches of that establishment into this colony."