PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

New Zealander, Volume 12, Issue 1029, 27 February 1856, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22. pre-emptive i.and claims’ bill. On the motion of Mr. Merriman for this Bill to be referred to a select committee, Mr. AUCKLAND rose to observe that, in justifi cation of what he had stated on the second reading of this Bill, relative to Governor Fitzßoy's being driven by European interference, through the medium of the Natives, to yield the Pre-emptive Proclamation, he would read an extract from a despatch of Governor Fitzßoy on the subject, addressed to the Secretary of State, and dated October 11th, 1844: " Unfortunate 1 ” * w ~ '\cti ca the case V, far to support the above assertion*, and to such an extent has the feeling grown among the natives, excited in every part (f the country by deigning persons, some of whom are aimiigat the expulsion of the Government, which interferes with their individual objects, that I am absolutely certain that a serious interruption of tranquillity, tending to destroy confidence and bring on hostilities, would be the consequence of a course of conduct different from that which I now believe it my duty to pursue, however startling and unauthorized such a course must appear to your Lordship until explained. “ To show further how this mischief has deen fomented and would be touch increased, I have to state that a number of persons have lately subscribed a large sum as a reward for whomsoever should do most towards stirring up and informing the natives how to act together on this subject. “ During my visit to the Southern Settlements, it was intended to agitate in the Northern parts of the country, in order that on my return I might find the stream of popular feeling too strong to oppose effectually.” The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY said be was aware of the existence of this despatch : indeed, he was familiar with all that had been published on this subject; but he believed, though he could never gain access to them, that documents were once to be found in the Government offices which would throw very different light on this matter. After a few remarks from Mr. MAY, to the ellect (as we understood) that Governor Fitzßoy had once been in favour of the direct purchase of land from the Natives, the question was jmt and carried.