“SAVE ME FROM MY DEFENDERS.”
To the Editor of the New-Zealandur. Sm, —When there is war in any country every member of society lias much to cnlurc; the enemy makes frequent aggressive excursions amongst the population, who arc quietly following their agricultural pursuits, and only occasionally hear of the victories and defeats of the contending armies. But when you find your own countrymen, who ostensibly come to assist you, though in reality to make a raid on you and take what the enemy left, it defies the most phlegmatic disposition to keep his temper. Let us take for instance the unfortunate settlers at the Wairoa. The natives commenced to destroy that thriving district, and, although there was a force of several hundred men within turn hours’ march, not a man could be spared to assist the small detachment at Fort Galloway. For a day or two these natives were allowed to rob and plunder, and no effort made by the numerous forces in the vicinity to prevent them. Fortunately Major Lyons had the strength of mind to disobey his orders “ not to fight,” and attacked these rebels, and by his untiring energy in most inclement weather succeeded in driving them away. Weeks have passed away, the rain has ceased, and the roads are dry, fine weather apparently set in, and the rebels afar off. [?] The genial season appears to give new life to our slumbering warriors, for now 100 troopers leave Howick on a two days’ excursion, without forage or provisions, with orders to lay the settlers under contribution for all their wants, although withi i one hour’s ride of their head quarters and commissariat. The consequence is horses are turned into the orchards amongst the young fruit trees that have been planted and attended with so much care, and in many cases into gardens, everything eatable in the house or on the farm are taken; poultry disappear in an incredible short time, and, like the locusts in the Bast, those warriors leave every thing bare. The unfortunate man in charge is thrcatcend with imprisonment if he conceals any viands from his miscalled defenders. Now, sir, may I ask why this troop should be sent out for two days without provisions; if these cavaliers cannot carry one or two days’ provisions, could tho “Defence Department” not (having a line of coast along their road) have sent a boat with forage and provisions to meet them at some appointed place. The Flying Column, under that active officer Col. Nixon, carry three days’ provisions. Every man is on f on t ; —has a carbine, pistol, large knife, eight pounds of ammunition, two blankets, besides the three days’ provisions, and be it remembered they avoid all clear ground; they toil through the most dense part of tho forest, whereas our Howick cavaliers keep the clear road. Why do not those in command think of the Duke of Wellington’s orders when marching through Spain or Portugal ? His men were forbid to pillage the inhabitants: and in many cases he infiicted the punishment of death on those that would transgress. I know it vill be said that the horses were turned into the orchards to eat the grass only ; hut can you prevent loose horses from destroy ing young trees ; let us turn fifty horses into the gallant commandant’s garden fora day, and ho will remember the old proverb—- “ What unto others you would do, expect the same to be done to you.” I am happy to record the conduct of one officer, Captain Antrohus, in hopes others may emulate it. He read the articles of war to his men, and forbade pillaging. He then told the settler he was sent out hy his superior officer for two days, without provisions, and must entreat them to supply them, for which he would give him his receipt. But, Mr. Editor, why all this burlesque activity and show when the natives are gone ; why look for them along the roads when they are in the bush ? Yours, &c., A Sufferer. October 16th, 1863.
MILITIA VOLUNTEERS.
To the Editor of the New Zealander. “ Uulce ot decorum est pro patria mori.” Sir, —I believe that, without a single exception, every,man ot the detachment here is animated by the above sentiment, and is eager to partake of the long expected frav with the rebel Maoris. But the hopes of the detachment are likely to be frustrated for the reasons set forth in the letter inserted in vour valuable journal of the 10th, and sinned “ Militia Volunteers.” With the sentiments contained in that letter, all here agree, as was fn'ly demonstrated by the fact, of every man stepping to the front, when told to do so, if he did not accede to the proposals contained in Capt, W. B. St. John’s circular. And whv is this so ? 0 Tempora 0 mores! Simply b'cause the New Zealand Government wish to break faith with this portion of their employees. At the latter end of last June, and in the beginning of July, men were called upon to enlist upon certain terms ; amongst which it was distinctly stated, that men who were employed out of the Auckland district should receive one shilling per day extra. This was a distrnci understanding and agreement , and numbers volunteered solely upon this condition, who otherwise would not have done so? It woo'd scarcely he credited that the Government no v wish 'o shuffle (for I can use no milder term) out of thrir agreement, and to compel us to take land (land not yet conquered or annexed) in lieu of money for our ser- : ces. Do the Government, I would ask, now that they have procured troops from the neighbouring colonies upon quite a separate agreement to ours, exclaim “ Tempera mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis.” This principle, sir, may suit the Government policy • but is it fair, is it just or honest ? Again, with reference to the lan ! question : Weeks ago we were asked to volunteer to take land at Waikato, without am/ mention as to the stoppage of pay, but merely upon the condition of being military residents there for three years. In conclusion, I would observe, sir, that although acts like these may be considered but of little moment they yet arouse both suspicion and distrust, and that if ever unhappily the Government should be driven to an extremity for men. they will find but fewcome forward if such acts are allowed to be perpetrated, at least to be perpetrated with impunity. By kindly inserting this letter you will oblige the detachment here, and also Sir, your obedient servant. Miles. Mamku, 14th October, 1863.
AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL,
[Owing to a pressure upon our space on Thursday, we were compelled to withdraw our report of Tuesday’s proceedings in the Provincial Council.]
TUESDAY, October 13,
The Council assembled at two o’clock to-day, in consequence of the limited time for the disposal of the necessary business before the adjournment, which will be proposed on F riday. WATER COMMUNICATION WITH ORL’AWIIARO. Mr. A. O’Neill moved—“ That an address bo presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to lay on the table of this House copies ot the memoranda of the Provincial Surveyor, respecting ferries and water communications with the Oruawhaio, &c„ on the waters of the Kaipara.” Canied. THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. Dr. Pollen moved—" That a respectful addicss be presented to Ids Honor the Superintendent, requesting lie will lay before this Council copy of any correspondence or memoranda on record in his office, relative to the arrangement lor the rc-publicatiou of the Provincial Government Gazette in the Southern Cross newspaper.” In moving for this correspondence, he said be wished to ascertain what new circumstances rendered it necessary. What directed his attention to the matter was a re-publication of the Provincial Government Gazette ot 31st July in the Southern Cross of, he believed, the 3rd August, and he understood that a sum of £ I a column had been decided on as the price to be paid, with what accuracy he could not state.’ He enquired of the then contractor for the publication of the Guxette the amount of cost of composition, printing, &e., and was told it was 50s , while he found that double this sum was paid for its rc-pub-licalion iu the form of advertisement. He was not disposed to speculate on the objects of they arrangement, nor to scrutinize the reason for it. They had found that whenever the little eccentricities of his honor were put forth they were passed slightly over, ami he simply asked for information as to the reason why (he two papers in the town should not equally benent by such an arrangement. Carried. DISEASED CATTLE ACT. Mr. Foley moved —“That his Honors message, No. 16, and enclosures on the subject of the ‘Diseased Cattle Act, 1861,’ be printed.” Carried. THE POLICE FORCE. Mr. Cadman asked the head of the Executive whether it was intended to have the constabulary of Auckland augmented, seeing that even the wharf was not secure against thieves, a daring robbeiy having been committed on the previous evening. Mr. Daldy replied that Government would propose an increase of the police vote in next year’s estimates. IMMIGRATION REPORT. The order of the day—“ That the report of the land regulations and immigration committee be adopted—to hc° further considered in committee ” was next introduced, and the Council went into committee. Mr, May, in moving the recommendation of the committee that clauses 1 and 9 be struck out said he quite coincided in the views of the matter they had adopted. Dr. Pollen said ho thought the time had arrived when a revision ot the Waste Lands Act had become necessary. He had a great objection to the process of what he called tinkering. He thought the Waste Lands Act of 1858 had worked well, but the whole position of the Province had become altered since that period. The supply of land was very rapidly decreasing, and be believed it better to stop with a surplus in hand than attempt to carry out what we could not honorably and conscientiously discharge. He thought that the current wants of the province had been supplied bv the new method of settling the lands with military bv the Government, and that it would not be unwise to defer all interference with the working of the land regulations until the question had been decided in hon. members’ minds whether it would not be bettor to abstain from any further interference with a view to suspend their operation altogether. Mr. Daldy quite agreed with the last, speaker that the regulations had worked well, and that they had now done their work ; but at the same time he hoped the hon. members would not object to render justice to those who had received injustice, as was the object of part ot the new clauses. He trusted a sufficient time would be allowed for the decision of the Council to be made known to intending immigrants, whatever the decision might be, and also that the contracts already unfulfilled with immigrants in the province be justly disposed of. ... Mr. Wynn complained of the injustice done the immigrants iu the province, in the case of persons who hail already been in the province three years without having taken up their land, believing that they had five years in which to do it. by the substitution in the new Act of the words “ three ” for “ five.” He next exposed the utter fallacy of the provision inviting masters io bring out servants in order to get the benefit of the land order. . Mr. May replied, and moved the adoption or the first clause—" That your committee arc of opinion that clauses 1 and 7 should be struck out.” The motion was lost on the voices. Mr. May next moved—“ That in clause 6, line 1, the words ‘ the Board to be established under the last mentioned Act,’ be struck out, and the following words substituted —‘ a commission to be appointed, consisting of the Receiver of Land Revenue, or such other person as the Governor shall appoint, the Waste Lands Commissioner and the Provincial Law Officer who.’ In lines 4 and 6, the word ‘Board’ struck out and the word ‘ Commission ’ substituted, and that the clause as altered should stand.” Dr. Pollen thought they would not mend the matter by altering the Act, and that it would be well to lot the regulations die out, and then provide for the redress of any grievance that might ari. c. He moved the committee report progress and ask leave to sit again to-morrow. . Mr. Wynn suggested that some consideration should be paid to the military clauses, if they were considered he should not object to the proposition. Dr. Pollen said tiio suggestion ot the hon. member was one showing fhe necessity for a change in opposition to the amendment of the regulations. Progro-s was then reported, and leave granted to introduce the matter to-morrow (Wednesday). PETITIONS. Permission was given for the reception ot petitions relative to the second order of the day —the Drury Railway discussion. , , ~ A petition from the City Board in favour of the railway was presented by Mr. Hidings, and read as it appeared in our columns on Tuesday. _ _ . Mr. Buckland next presented a petition in favour of the railway from 122 merchants and others of the city, and also a petition signed by 55 of the leading land owners and others, in favour of the a option ot the scheme proposed by the railway committee. Mr. Buckland likewise presented a petition from Isaac Carcv, late serjeant of the 27th regiment, wo came by the Queen of Beaut;/ for the purpose of settling in the province, asking the indulgence of the privilege allotted to military settlers by the Government in respect of a grant of land. ADJOURNED DEBATE ON DRURY RAILWAY. The order of the day—Adjourned debate on the question "That the Report of the Railway Committee be adopted” was then introduced, when, Mr. Foley rose to ask for a further adjournment ot the subject. Mr Wynn opposed the idea, when Mr. Foley moved that the Council go into committee on the question. Mr Wynn amiin opposed, and the second manse having been read as follows:-" And your committee recommend that the sum of £IOO,OOO out of the money to be raised under the ‘ Loan Aei. 1863, ought to be diverted for the purpose of constructing the railway, and the further sum of £50,000, if found necessary should he raised by way of debentures, on security cf the works.” he went on to ask how the works were to be performed—if it was a question the Government ought to take up. If they showed that the scheme was merely n speculative one, then he considered it ought not to be introduced to the Council. He contended that it was a political duty, a duty they owed to the country, to carryout the project, for the purpose of assisting the General Government in the colonization of the interior. The guarantee proposition, in his estimation, was a simple absurdity, a piece of foolery by which the Government would run all the risk and lose all the profit. If the Council decided that the loan should not be touched the railway scheme was at an end —for where else could the funds be go* ? If this course was adopted he should be compelled to withdraw his support from the report. He believed the General Assembly would refuse to draft a bill for the carrying out of the work by a private company until in some state of preparation. He believed, however, that the real sore arose from a jealousy between north and south. (Cries of “ No, no.”) He presumed the question was not one of north and south,—that he considered a miserable, narrow-minded policy. If they wished to know what had been done for the north ns a set-off against this scheme for the benefit of the south, let them ask for the production of votes relative to the subject, and they would find that hitherto the expense of the north had far exceeded that •f the south. He could only see one source from
which to take the money for carrying out this scheme, and that was from the £200,000 voted for the introduction of immigrants. After the new method of populating the lands by military settlers, he thought steps should be immediately taken to expend this vote in some other useful way, and he saw no better investment than the projected railway. He considered that the exodus to this country, and the province itself, demanded the establishment of the scheme Mr. J. O'Neill protested against the domineering tone of discussion adopted by the hon. member who had just sat down. He could only understand the remarks of that gentleman to mean that the Government had the money, and therefore ought to spend it, or that it was a work of necessity. We had not the money, but the liberty merely to borrow the money when required, and he considered it would be monstrous to borrow, merely to have the felicity of spending it. The petitions presented that day were most respectably signed, but he thought if the gentlemen had such faith in the scheme they ought to get up a company amongst themselves—they had the money. He contended that if Government sold debentures placed on one thing and subsequently transferred to another, they would be acting a dishonest part. If the scheme was dragged through by merely a wnall majority, he considered that the Government would lo k upon it somewhat distrustingly. He concluded by proposing the following amendment: —“ That the Council will not at present assume the responsibility ot advising the Superintendent to divert any ot the money to beiai-ed under the Loan Act, 18G3, for the purpose of constructing a railway.” Mr. G orgb seconded the amendment, Mr. Harrop was still of opinion, notwithstanding the petitions and the decision of lion, members to the contrary that it was unnecessary on the conditions proposed, and felt it his duty strongly to oppose tne diversion of any part of the Loan Act of last session. Mr. Buckland, in supporting the railway scheme, spoke of the respectability and influence of the petition be had that day presented. In refuting the argument of the northern members, that the south were swallowing up all the funds, he challenged the bringing forward of the motion suggested by the hon. the mover of the scheme, which he was convinced, like the latter, would prove that the north had been swallowing the funds, instead of the south. The hon. member for Darnell had put forward some very stationary ideas, so much so as to lead him to think his mind was as stationary as his principles. They had been told that it was a factious project, but the petition of the leading merchants of the city, would go far to disprove that notion. He thought, like the hou. the law adviser, that the proper tide leading to prosperity was now at hand, and ought to be taken advantage of- - Mr. Foley rose to defend the views he had formerly enunciated. He repudiated the aigumcut that the north had been as expensive as the south. He thought the papers would prove that it was twenty-five per cent, below. Mr. Cadman said that the arguments of the last speaker were most unfortunate, lor if they were also to apply themselves to the construction of the JamaId Bridge, he did not see with what face the Council could be asked to vote £15,000 for that purpose, because the data as to the cost of the bridge were furnished by the same parties that furnished the data for the cost' of the railway to Drury ; and, of course, if the hon. member was correct, £60,000 could not be voted fot the Tamaki Bridge. But he (Mr. O.) believed that both estimates were equally reliable, and that the Drury Railway would be constructed, as nearly as possible, for £150,000. His hon. friend, Mr. O’Neill, had imparted a new element into the Govern ment of the Province, for he (the speaker) was not aware until that evening that the Bank of New Zealand was a portion of a Branch of the Government of this province. His hon. friend had said that they should not permit the Council to do this work because they would be breaking faith with them, —and hung that over them as a kind of threat that they would not get the money. Me contended that the Bank had simply nothing to do with it, —they had the whole Provincial revenue pledged to them for the loan, and the railroad would increase their security four-fold. His hon. friend Mr. Backhand had given them the other side of the story, and told them that the Directors of the Bank had signed one of the petitions presented that day in favour of the railway ; all that he (Mr. C.) could say was, that if the Bank got mixed up with the local politics of the Province, as two hon. members had endeavoured to show that day, then it was a rock upon which the Bank would split. It bail been said that the north had more than its share of the revcnue"expencled upon it, but he contended that it was idle to say so. Returns would come down shortly showing the very contrary. Hon. members might refer to Blue-books, and whilst lie knew they would sec sums voted, t!l °y oo'dd not venture to tell him they were expended ; and nearly the same votes had come down year after year with the like results. The north, from Mongonui to Titirangi had great cause to be dissatisfied and he did not wonder that so many members from the north opposed the scheme of the Drury railway. If he did not believe the construction of this railroad was apolitical necessity, he should feel it his dntv to vote with them in favour of the hon. member for "the City West’s am ml ment. The Waikato must lie opened up ; large Doilies of settlers must and would be located in that district ; and if they were to have peace with the natives, and to maintain peace with them they must look at the railroad as one of the oreat’objects to obtain that end As to its paying as a mercantile speculation, there would he no doubt of its paying, and paying well. The hon. members who had opposed the scheme had ignored the fact that it would carry all the merchandize and passengers, as well as all the produce of the settlers, to and from the whole of the Waikato country, which must yield a large income. But his chief reason for supporting the Drurv railroad was that it had become a political necessity and the whole interest of the province demanded'it ; therefore he should have great pleasure in supporting the adoption of the report. Mr. Ridings, in supporting the prayer of the petition he had that day presented from the City Board approving of the establishment of railways, said he could not approve of the diversion ot funds from channels that might, on the Assembly meeting, he found to throw down the scheme. He opposed the project on the ground that it could not be safely speculated in by private individuals-the proper persons to carry out such a scheme. He refuted the idea of a factious opposition on the part of the northern owners, and concluded by stating that he felt bound to vote for the amendment. Mr. King next addressed the Council in support of the project. lion, members generally admitted that railways were required, and the only obstacle to their successful establishment and working was how the funds were to he raised. He contended that the scheme would prove remunerative in twelve months from its commencement. The money necessary to be paid as the work progressed would doubtless spread over a period of four years. The hon. member was wrong in moving such an amendment as the one lie bad given to the meeting, condemning the diversion of the Immigration grant. He concluded by condemning the opposition of the Provincial Treasurer to the scheme, contending that his conduct was inconsistent. Mr. Skeen, in supporting the establishment of a railway, said the question had become a vexed one, and the obstacle to he overcome was the meagreness of funds. He quite coincided in (he proposition to apply part of the Immigration vote of last session to this very laudable and necessary purpose. There was no doubt that the railway must be carried on, and the sooner the better. Mr. Lynch regretted the introduction of north and south in the discussion. He thought there was a principle involved in the perversion of the vote of last session to that purpose, which it was not right to pass over so lightly. He agreed with the idea that we should have a railway, but thought it should be got without gambling, and setting aside just principles. He considered the facilities of water carriage would be sufficient for years to come. He was not opposed to a railway, but to a diversion of other moneys to such a purpose. It was as much f o his intrrest to vote for a railway as any other man in the Council, but be refrained from doing so on principle. Mr. Swanson, in supporting the amendment, said he believed that the scheme was only designed to get in the thin end of the wedge ; that no guarantee would be forthcoming to show that a further sum would not be asked. Mr. May could not understand how hon. members could approve of a railway, and yet vote against the monev being applied for their construction. Pie believed the member for City West had said it was not honest to divert the loan, but he believed the hon. member had gone too far in making the assertion. He should support the adoption of the second clause in the first resolution. Mr. Rowe moved adjournment of debate for one hour. Adjourned accordingly. Mr. Rowe, on the resumption of the debate, said that he believed communication by rail and tramways would prove the very cheapest means, in contradis tinction to Macadamized or any other roads. The question, at this moment, was one of infinite importance ; a necessity had arisen for peopling the northern part of this island, and unless this was done the question of military settlements would prove a failure, or at all events be very materially retarded in progress, by the overthrow' of this scheme. He trusted all party views and prejudices would be cast aside, and the subject discussed on the broadest and fairest basis. If this were done, there would be some chance
of arriving at a right conclusion. With reference to the petition presenied that day, sonie very peculiar remarks had been made ;■ be was convinced niuetenths of the population of Auckland were in favour ot the scheme, and that the names could have been augmented four-fold if time bad permitted it. It was contended that if the merchants signing the petition believed so sangninely of its pecuniary success, they ought to have taken the matter up as a commercial speculation. He did not think that an argument. These gentlemen had an interest in the welfare and prosperity, and continued well-being and wealth of this province, and would not have taken the stop they did with any other feelings. The question of north and south, as it had been brought forward in the discussion, was a mistaken notion. The carrying out of this scheme would add very materially to the value of property in the north. He was convinced the northern members who opposed the scheme that day would very shortly regret that step, as one proving that they had been blind to their own interests, and the interests of the districts they represented. As a political measure, the work was necessary. If the Provincial Government would provide means for settlers to compete with other provinces, they must do it by lue establishment of a railway. Unless this was done, it would be useless to talk of the colony becoming the “ Britain of the South.” The question of guarantee had been alluded to * if a guarantee was given it must be on a ceitain sum for a certain period. If the hon. gentleman thought that bv this means the English capitalist would he induced to lay out his money on their railway he was much mistaken. Ihe produce of the centre of this island could not be profitably raised im less this scheme was carried out. Some members had asked, would it pay. He believed if opened to day it would pay to-morrow. The traffic would ensure this. It was proposed to locate 20,000 people on the Waikato, and that fact was a sufficient guarantee of its pecuniary success. He was, therefore, quite sure there was no measure that would more conduce to the interests of the province ; it carried out the province had a brilliant future before it, and its resources could not he developed without the railway. If they desired means to scatter their wool and corn, and produce over the world, then their debentures would rise in the estimation of merchants at home or abroad. If they wished to confer a benefit on the province they would vote for the railway. Mr. Ross briefly reviewed the remarks of the promoters. An hon. member had alluded to the settlement of 20,000 men on the Waikato, but he (the speaker) could not understand where he obtained the information from, for the settlement had been stopped by the General Government. Mr. Kerb, in supporting the scheme, said the road to Drury had costsome £IOO,OOO, and it was proposed to lay out another £IOO,OOO in further perfecting the oad. ' He was fully convinced that a railway would be the cheapest and best means of transit. He thought the passenger traffic would be very great be fore it bad been long opened. But he was opposed to the Government carrying out the scheme ; if they took it in hand it would be a failure. Ho was begining to lose all confidence in the present Government, He did not find fault so much with the Superintendent as with the Executive, and was surprised that the hon. the head should permit the Superintendent to talk of a railway in his opening address whilst the Executive was opposed to it. Mr. George was surprised at the change of opinion evinced by several members of the Council. He did not believe in enhancing the value of hon. members’ lands at the expense of the province. It would he time enough to ask for a railway when the produce which had been spoken of was raised and ready for transit. The scheme miglr suit lion, members who wished to have a cheap and expeditious mode of conveying their bricks, or liic pottery recently talked of. Ho should oppose the scheme by voting for tiic amendment. Mr. Allyn O’Neill, in opposing the clause, said he felt convinced the Government and the gentlemen who had come before the Council in the form of a petition, were afraid of its success, or the gentlemen would speculate and the Executive would not oppose. Air. Ball would resist the amendment. He thought no time more urgemly demanded the establishment of the railway than the present. He quite concurred in the remarks of the hon gentlemen who were opposed to the Provincial Government undertaking the scheme —if they could afford their fostering care it would be quite sufficient. It was the interest of all young colonics to arrive at the establishment of railways instead of roads. He disagreed with the hon. members who advocated its carrying out as a commercial undertaking if mercantile interests should he subordinate to political ; and even if as a speculation it did not pay, it would have an advantageous result of a far higher character. L rom the great changes which had taken place in the province the scheme had become necessary, and he had grcai pleasure in supporting it. Mr Galladgher supported the seticme. Amendment put, when Mr. Daldy’ rose to explain some misrepresentations which had fallen from some ho.n. members’ bps during the discussion. He had been told that he had lost 'he confidence of more than one member of the Council. He regretted this —but if tbeir confidence was to be retained at tiie cost of the subversion of bis principles only, then he freely parted with such confidence. The'hon. member for Newtown had spoken an his remarks respecting the necessity of the scheme, and ho could only repeat the assertion he had formerly made, that there was not a sufficient necessity shown for the establishment of a railway They required further development and information before deciding such an important question. He should oppose the second clause, whilst he cheerfully supported the remainder cf the report. He thought that at the present time the calculations respecting the railway to Waikato were greatly underrated. The vote might be sufficient to Drury—and he should be prepared to support a railway that distance—but the expense into the Waikato was more than they could or need undertake at the present time. He did not think the Government were purposing to initiate a system, as had been suggested. He was not wedded to the Loan Bill, but he did object to its being overthrown on secondary grounds. Before passing this it would he well to wait until the opinion of the General Government had been obtained. He was not yet prepared _ to give up his mind to the scheme, and should retain his present sentiments until convinced of their error. He should support the amendment. Capt. Rattray said there had not been brought before the members of the Council a point into which the terminus of the railroad could be carried. , 10 Council would be unwise to vote 150,000/. for establishing a railway to a part which was at present utterly unproductive of traffic. He should oppose the scheme on the ground of lack of proper route and terminus for the liii". . . Air. CtiEBSEMAN would only briefly supplement the remarks he had previously made on the subject. The opposition of the head of the Executive called for animadversion—the wav in which he supported the address of the Superintendent, who spoke so sangivjicly on that subject, and then coming forward after the debate had proceeded some length and saying he had not sufficient information on the question to warrant his going support. But, notwithstanding all his opposition, the railway must, and would he obtained. Other niemhcis had objected to the scheme, but he could not bear from their objections one satisfactory’ reason for such a co rse of conduct. Dr. Pollen thought that whilst the hon. member had asked for time to decide on the point, he ought to have come forward with a better statement than he had that evening made. He thought the statement fully justified the expressions of want_ of confidence which had fallen from hon members’ bps during tae debate. The only statement—for reasons be had not shewn—with which he had favoured the Council, was that he should like to see an experimental line constructed before he could give his full assent to the scheme proposed. He certainlv appeared, however, to have made a compromise wth himself for not feeling quite satisfied with the undertaking being carried to the full extent, he. was willing that it should be taken to Onehunga as an experiment. If the thing was wrong in principle he (the speaker) could not see how the hon. member at the head of the Executive could go so far even, the bon. member said he was not oppose i to the railway, but wanted to be informed on the subject: be was sorry for this, as the whole subject had been exhausted by the hon. members of the Council. It had been savl that the scheme would not pay. In what sense, he would ask, could it be said that the roads to the south paid ’—they did not expect them to pay. It it were possible for the hon. member to have taken one ot the broad views he had on a former occasion recommended the Council to take, he would have found that the profits of the undertaking might be measured by’ the amount of traffic on the one and the amount of traffic on the other. On the subject of the diversion of the money, it had been said on a former occasion - that we were noinn too fast a good deal, and there were likewise “some not able to see where the money was to come from ; but now having got the means of raising the money they could speak more decidedly on the subject. He thought it quite as possible to re-appropriate tlm loan as to determine its distribution when first voted. The holders of debentures, too, happily need have no fear of the works undertaken by the Council in the use of this money being a failure. There was another part of the vote amounting to 15.00H/. which could not be made use of for some years. The objects which it was first intended to apply the loan to being unnecessary, he thought it quite competent to dirert | it to the purpose proposed. The very nearest province, : Southland, was in course of constructing a railway ;
I Nelson was following in the wake ; whilst Canterbury, Otago, and Wellington had >et us the example. I Air. Wynn replied to the opposition at some length, I concluding by stating that he hoped the good sense of i the Council would prove triumphant in carrying the j resolution. ... The amendment was now put, and a division demanded. Air. O Neill and Mr. May tellcis. For the amendment 14 Against it, .. •• ••• 16 Majority, ••• •• - Noes May, Wallace, Cadman, Checseinan, Wynn King, McGhee. Skeen, Kerr, Rowe, Buckland,, Pollen, Gallaugher, Ball, Gruehy, Alartyn. Ayes : J. O’Neill, A. O’Neill. Wynn, Rattray. George, Swanson, Mackenzie, Sheehan, Foley, Lynch, Ross, ° Ridings, Harrop, and Daldy. The second resolution was then put to the meeting, and a division demanded. For the clause, .. •• •• 17 Against it, .. 13 Majority for motion, ~ .. 4 Tiie third and succeeding c'auses were then put to the meeting seriatim, after proposal by Air. Wynn in a few words of support, and carried : “3.—That the Plans and Sections are prepared for Parliamentary investigation ; your Committee having examined Mr. Fenton, Parliamentary agent, upon the mode of obtaining the necessary Bill, and the probable cost thereof, are of opinion that a resolution of the Council requesting the Superintendent to take the necessary steps to obtain a Bill, autliorisinf him to construct a railway, would satisfy the Committee of the General Assembly—this having been the course adopted in undertakings of this character in other Provinces. 4. —The probable cost of obtaining the Bill, if not opposed, would not exceed 500/. ; and upon inquiry into the cost of other Bills of a similar character, your Committee arc ot opinion that a less sum will be found sufficient. 5 —Your Committee, therefore, recommend that no time should be lost iu taking the necessary steps to obtain a Bill in the next Session of the General Assembly, to authorize the construction of the proposed Railway by the Provincial Government. G.—And that a respectful address be forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent, enclosing this Report, and requesting him to place u sum not exceeding 500/, on the Estimates to defray the cost of obtaining such a Bill, and also requesting him to take the necessary steps without delay” MESSAGE. A message No. 20 was laid on the table from his Honor, relative to the Council’s assent to the following items of expenditure : - Prison Contingencies, 250/.; Relief of sick and destitute, 400/. ; Great North Road, 200/. ; Police Station. Otahuhu, 500/. ; Surveying Line of Tramway from the Waitemate to the Kaipara, 70/. ; outlay for fortnightly Steam Communication with Napier for six months, 150/. ; Harbour Trust, 1000/. ; Quarantine Expenses, 200/. ; Obtaining Railway Bill,, Auckland. Ouehunga, and Drury Line, 500/; total, 3,270/. Air. Daldy moved that the message bo considered next sitting day. Carried. Message 21 was then opened, enclosing a petition from the rev. principal of St. John’s College, who left England some years since to settle in the province, asking for compensation for loss of land through absence from the province of two servants, whose passage he paid before the expiration of the three years necessary for their sojourn. On the motion of Air. Daldy the petition was referred to the Private Grievance Committee, The Council then adjourned—lo o’clock.
WEDNESDAY, October 14.
The Council met at three o’clock. Air. Kerr brought up the report of the Panmure Bridge Committee, which was read and ordered to be printed, together with the accompanying evidence of witnesses examined by die committee. QUESTION. Mr. Gallujgiier asked the hon. member at the head of the Executive, “ If it is the intention of the Government this Session to place any money on the Estimates for the purpose of making the road leading from < Inohnnga Beach, past Mount Smart, to the Great South Road, passable for carts ?’’ Air. Daldy expressed his inability to answer the question. TAKAPUNA. Air. A. O’Neill moved, ■* That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent requesting that the persons interested in improving the village of Takapuna be authorised to form themselves into a Board to make certain improvements on the highway from the beach opposite to Auckland to the,, said village or TaKupnffif, arra unit m me event ot this Board and the securities which they offer being satisfactory to the Superintendent, his Honor he authorised to advance the necessary funds for such purpose.” The road was, he sa'd, about three miles and a-half, and tolerably level, and the amount required for the work would not lie large Air. Daldy preferred that the licit, member should move that the Superintendent he requested to cause inquiries to be made as to the requisite improvements soliciie iby the gent omen of Takapuna. If the inquiry were made he should be prepared to entertain the proposition. Mr. Buckland thought the motion simply requested the Council to improve the village of Takapuna prior to its coming into the market for sale, as he believed Takapuna was a village not yet opened up, and that it was intended shortly to bring it into the market. Mr. Hi in os and Mr. Cadman having asked for information on the subject. Air. A. O’Neill replied, stating that the people of of the north were not willing to ho neglected, and that the present was only a modest request. Carried. LAND REGULATION COMMITTEE. Mr. Daldy moved, “ That, tin name of Mr. Ball lie added to the Laud Regulations and Immigration Committee.” Caraicd. SALE OF DRINK TO NATIVES. Air. Ball moved, That a respectful address he presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to instruct the Commissioner of Police to issue such orders to the officers under his direction in the country districts especially iu the North, and to adopt such other measures, as shall be best adapted to prevent the sale o( intoxicating (rinks to ihe native population, whether by licensed o unlicensed vendors.” ho did not wish to'lie considered an alarmist, but thought from observations he had made there was much necessity for such a precaution. Mr. Wynn 'argued that the Maoris had as much right to enter a store for ihe purchase of beer as any other British subjects. The remedy rested iu denouncing them as British subjects. He thought the bon. member ought to introduce a Maine law for rein dying the evil. The course lie had adopted was a narrowminded one, and he must oppose it. Air. J. O’Neill asked it tin hon. the law adviser was speaking the sentiments of the Government on this subject in the enunciation he had just made. He supported the motion on moral and. economic grounds, believing it to lie for the benefit of the Maoris. Mr. Wynn replied by stating that he did not answer it in any Government capacity. Air. Rowe disapproved of the sale of spirits to the natives, but could not agree with the views of the speaker who had just sat down He believed the law was violated and it ought to be looked into. Mr. Daldy approved of the motion, and would accept it on the part of tbe Government. Air. Harrop thought if they restrained the natives from procuring such supplies they placed themselves in an awkward position, and they might by-and-bye find those res/rietions violated with injury to the province. ...Mr. Buckland looked upon the motion as an expression of the hon. members opinion that diligence had not been used by the Government in carrying out their duties, and he was surprised at the head of the executive saying he disapproved of the motion. Air. Cadman supported the motion in a brief speech. Carried. POTATOES AND TUB NORTH. Air. Skeen moved, “That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will lay before this Council copy of the official correspondence relating to the recent distribution of seed potatoes in the Northern Districts by the Provincial Government.” Air. Cadman seconded. Air. Dai.dy said the Government would be happy to comply with the hon. member’s request. Air. Harrop was thunderstruck, ou seeing the notice, that the Council were about to indu’ge in a little private speculation of transmitting potatoes to the north. Dr. Pollen was clad the lion, member on the Treasury benches was not disposed, on behalf of the Government, to offer any opposition to the motion ‘before ihe Council. The doctor then went on to speak in an ironical tone of tfie scheme under consideration, and afforded hon. members some amusement by fiis observations. He said, in conclusion, the Council were arriving by slow degrees at an idea of the government policy, and it appeared to include a little speculation in seed potatoes, it was desirable to know whether his Honor had confined his attention to any particular district. Carried.
PRIVATE O IE VANCE PETITIONS. Mr. Cheeseman moved, “That the petition of Charles Morey, laid on the table of this House on the 10th of April last, be referred to the Private Grievance Committee.” Carried. Mr. Buckland moved, “That the petition of Isaac Kcary be referred to the Select Committee.” Carried. Mr. Cadman moved, “ That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that ho will place upon the estimates a sufficient Sum for the purpose of building a bridge, on the road leading from Kelly’s flat towards the Waitemata.” The hon. member adduced reasons for the erection of the bridge, setting forth that the augmented population and traffic, —the march of progress—demanded the improvements. Mr. Dal y opposed the motion, stating that if the Superintendent was advised to lay such sums upon the estimates he should feel bound to do it before the production of the estimates to the Council for the ensuing year. Mr. Howe said that if the gentlemen residing in the district felt it to be a work of necessity, and would contribute a sum of money for the purpose, then he thought the Superintendent should come forward and assist them, but otherwise he would oppose the motion as a departure from recognised principles. Mr. J. O’Neill said they had departed from the principle to the tune of £SOO lor Slippery > reek, but when a much loss sum was asked it was opposed, because it was for the north. Mr. Foley supported the motion in a brief speech. Mr. Lynch thought the motion was premature, and ought to be deferred till after the production of the estimates. Mr. Ball took a similar view. Mr. Buckland proposed as an amendment “ That the question be deferred until after the production of the estimates.” Mr. May seconded the amendment. Mr. A. O’Neill regretted the postponement of this motion. Mr llauhop opposed the motion. Mr Ross likewise briefly opposed the motion. Mr. Cadman replied to the opposition, stating that if hon. gentlemen wanted more information on the question he was quite willing that the motion should be postponed, but ho deprecated the continual opposition to a shadow of expenditure of money in improving the condition of the north. The amendment was then put and carried. Mr. Cadman said that before the next tw-o motions standing in bis name were put, be should wish to ask pet mission to have them postponed, seeing the result of his former proposition. At the suggestion of the Speaker, the following motions were then withdrawn : “ That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place a sufficient sum upon the estimates for the purpose of building a Foot Bridge at the Falls, Mahurangi River, in conformity with a petition presented to his Honor from certain residents in the district of Mahurangi.” “ That a respectful address he presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will place a sufficient sum upon the estimates for the purpose of re-bttildimg a bridge across Swanson’s Creek.” the constabulary. Mr. Cadman moved “ That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will, at his earliest convenience, cause the Constabulary Force to be augmented, so as to afford sufficient protection to the properly of the City and Country Districts.” Mr. Markup seconded. Mr. Daldy said the Government would give the question their best consideration. Mr. Ball asked leave to withdraw the following motion standing in his name “That a re-peetlitl address he presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requestin copies of correspondence, or memoranda of communication, between the Provincial and General Government in relation to the formation of Trank Roads north of Auckland, and referred to in his Honor’s opening speech. Also, a statement of the amount appropriated to the several districts for carrying out this object, the names of the gentlemen to whom the expenditure is entrusted, the date of authority, and the instructions by which the authority is accompanied.” SALE OF BREAD BILL. The Council then went into committee upon the Sale of Bread Bill. The clauses, with alterations, were put and carried seriatim. The following clauses will serve to show the tenor of the Bill - “ No baker, or seller of bread shall make, sell, or offer for sale, any bread (except fancy bread) not made weight respectively ; and, in case of any baker or seller of bread, shall sell, or offer for sale, any bread (except fancy bread) in any other manner than in loaves of two, four, six, or eight pounds in weight, lie shall forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding live pounds. “ It shall be lawful for the Inspector of Weights and Measures, and ire is'hereby required, from time to time, in the City of Auckland, to inspect all bread offered for sale, or in the course of delivery to customers, in the City of Auckland, and, if he shall think lit, to weigh the same with fit and proper scales and weights, or require the same to be weighed by any baker or seller of bread who offers such bread for sale, or who is in the course of delivering the same to customers ; an 1, in case any bread so sold or offered for sale shall be found deficient in weight, any such baker or seller of bread who shall so offend, shall forfeit and pay anv sum not exceeding five pounds.” “ It shall be lawful for the Superintendent, and he is hereby required in such districts as he may think fit, but such districts not to include any part of the City of Auckland, to appoint some Police Constable, or other lit and proper person to b ■ Inspector of Bread ; and such person so appointed shall perform the same duties within such district as be shall be appointed for as the Inspector of Weights and Measures is required to perform within the City of Auckland. “ No baker or seller of bread shall be compelled or required to weigh any bread under the provisions of this act, it such bread shall have been manufactured for twelve hj mrs and upwards : provided that in ease any baker or seller of bread shall sell or offer fo sale any bread which has been manufactured for a period of twelve hours or upwards, he shall in all cases when selling the same inform the purchaser or intending purchaser that such bread has been manufactured for a period of twelve hours or upwards ; and in case of his neglecting so to do, he shall be liable to incur all the penalties of this Act in respect of such bread, notwithstanding that any such bread so sold may have been manufactured tor a period of twelve hours and upwards : Provided also that the onus of proving that any such bread has been manufactured for a period of twelve hours or upwards shall be upon the baker or seller of bread who shall sell or offer such bread for sale. “ Every person or persons who shall wilfully resist, impede, or obstruct the Inspector of Weights and Measures, or any o'her Inspector appointed under the provisions of this Act, in the lawful execution of his duty, shall forfeit and par any sum. not exceeding ten pounds nor less than two.” The Council, at this stage, adjourned for an hour, and resumed at 7.35. SUPERINTENDENCY election. The order of the dav, adjourned debate on the question, “ That ihc report of the Superintendence Election Committee be adopted.” was next brought up. Mr. Wynn introduced the adjourned debate, Ho said that the first clause had been assented to, and the principle of the clause under consideration (the second) was fully discussed. He moved its adoption, thinning, as he did, that the Council should not be restricted in their choice to the members of their own body. Such a system was dangerous, besides which he held that a good representative might prove a bad superintendent. Mr. King was of opinion that a superintendent should be voted out of the Council, because it was necessary he should be a man of experience in provincial politics. He thought the Council should be cautious ' how they allowed men to become candidates for the superintendency who were not willing to be randidates for seats in the Provincial Council. Mr. Skeen endorsed the opinions of the hon. member who had just sat down. Mr. Daldy could not take the same view. Such a conclusion would make the Council appear afraid of itsclt. It would make their choice very limited, for the men were very few who would sacrifice their business to take the Superintendency, It would shut out many very suitable persons, and might compel the election of one wholly unsuitable Tf a member, on being elected, were bound to serve as Superintendent, if chosen, the thing would not he so objectionable, but otherwise he felt that it would be very injurious ; and hoped every member would weigh the question carefully before voting. Mr. Cadman characterised the speech of the hon. member the head of the Executive as a wholesale disfranchisement of the electors of the province. Who had asked the Council to make this alteration, or intermeddle in any way ? Was it the electors ? A Superintendent elected in this way would be a mere tool—jammed, without any chance of freedom of action. This sort of putting up a puppet, a mere machine, lie could not understand. It would be quite time to consider the question in this light when the
electors petitioned for a change. Bribery had been much talked about, but a system nearly as bad would take place under the arrangement proposed. Let the Superintendent be independent,— either elected by the people or nominated by the Governor, but not tno puppet of the Council. He would oppose this attempt to disfranchise the people, and believed if it was carried they would not be well pleaded with it Mr. Kerr agreed with the last speaker that no man had a riget to make merchandize of his vote, but dissented from him in saying that the proposal was one calculated to disfranchise the constituents. The people elected the members to represent them : if they were not elected then the people would represent themselves. He knew the constituency he represented would quite agree with the scheme, and ho believed the whole af the constituency would likewise be found favourable. Mr. Foley had not had sufficient time to decide what course to adopt in this matter, and was unwilling that it should be passed lightly over, whilst it was of such vital importance to the constituency. After repudiating several charwy- - ' -jbciy ami demoralization laid to the cluv' ' l '' o constituents, and regretting the absence ou. member who moved the question (Mr. Biieklai' t; Jk proposed, by way •of amendment, that the Council adjourn the question for a day or tv.i,. - f Mr. Daldy said >if the General Assembly were to be asked to legislate, a decision must be come to this week. Mr. Foley would move then, that the debate bo adjourned till Thursday. Mr. Wynn seconded the motion in consequence of the absence of Mr. Bnekland, the prime mover in the matter, and so many other hon. members. Mr. J. O’Neill said that if members felt an interest in the subject, they would have hern present; and he would rat iter not sec the debate adjourned further unless it was adjourned indefinitely. Mr. Rowe concurred in the propriety of not deciding this question in such a thin house. EMPOWERING ACT AMENDMENT BILL The second reading of the Empowering Act Amendment Bill was then introduc-d, and the Council went into committee. Mr. Daldy, in moving the first clause, said the object ot the bill was to amend the schedule of the ' Empowering Act, in accordance with the arrangement entered into with the General Government, wi It reference to the Government House. Instead of the original item “ £30,000 for Supreme Court House, Post office, and General Government offices,” it was now to stand, “ Erection of a Government House, £25,000 ; erection of a Post office, £5,000.” The Post office would bo erected on the site of the present Custom House, that reserve having been set apart tor the purpose. Mr. King approved of the bargain with the General Government, but not of the proposition relative to the Post office ; the proper site for which had been declared to be at the corner of Victoria-street. He could not approve of the Gaol reserve being sold and cut up. Mr. J. O’Neill thought it was a pity the General Government could not let the province select the site for its own public buildings. He trusted to the Provincial Government to sec that the valuable site in Queen street was not lose to the province. Mr. Rowe wished to know to what purpose the existing Government House was to be applied. With regard to the site in Queen street, it was certainly the duty of the Council and the Government; to make every endeavour to secure it to the province, and he had no doubt that the General Government would hand it over on being paid the £2,000 owing by the province, and also allow the province to erect its own buildings. Mr. Daldy detailed the steps which had been taken by the Government with reference to the site, and said the Government would, alter the recess, tell the Council what they proposed relative to public buildings for the coming year With regard to Government House, it would serve as a good House of Assembly for a time, and relieve the present Government offices ; but if that was to be the site for the new Government buildings, they would have to stand in front of the existing buildmg. Ho did not think it would be advisable to throw all the new public buildings on the labour market at once, as the lime was probably not far off when a large number of the inhabitants of this province would be wanting labour ; and if it was not to be had they would leave for other colonics. Mr. King urged the immediate erection of the Lunatic Asylum, Supreme Court House, and Custom House. Let the money for Government House bo taken from some other source, and not from public buildings. Mr. Daldy wished to close the transaction at once, and preferred altering the Empowering Act rather than the Loan Act. —*■ f —■■ —ry' irkg from Mr. Mat. -tbc .ebmsc was pill and earned. The preamble having been also adopted, the Bill was reported without amendment, and ordered to be read a third time on Thursday. LAND REGULATIONS. On the motion ot Mr, May the adjourned debate on the report of the Land Regulations and Immigration Committee was further adjourned to Thursday. VOTE OP CREDIT. On the motion of Mr, Daldy the Council went into Committee to consider his Honor’s message No. 20, asking a vote of credit for £'3,270. The first item was Prison Contingencies, £250. Mr. J. O’Neill referred to the necessity of revising the scale of provisions given to the prisoners, -topping their luxuries, and making their labour productive. He also thought that the Government should pay chaplains of two or three of the largest denominations to visit the prison and open a school there. At present they were dependent on the occasional visits which a clergyman, having a charge elsewhere, could pay them. Mr. Wynn could not assent to the lion, member’s last proposition. It would not do to sel-ct two or three denominations from which chaplains should be sent to the gaol. Mr. J. O’Neill would rather sec a chaplain of the smallest section of Christians going regularly to the gaol than that the prisoners should not know what the Sabbath was. A heavy responsibility rested on the Council if they denied these men spiritual instruction. The first item was, after some further conversation, put and agreed to. Relief of sick and destitute, £4OO. —Agreed to. Great North Road, £2OO. - Agreed to. Land, and erection of Police-station at Otahuhn, £soo.—Agreed to. Surveying Tramway from the Waitemata to the Kaipara, £7o.—Agreed to. The item for steam subsidy was postponed. Harbour Trust, £I.OOO. This was for the preparation of piles for wharf extension. Mr. King was not much in favour ot extending the present wharf. He thought the Government should rather set about commencing a more permanent work, as the existing wharf, though it had done good service, could not last many years. Mr. Rowe believed the present wharf, with so:ne repairs, would last several years yet ; and some extension would be necessary. As to permanent works, there would be great difference of opinion as to whether a stone wharf would be preferable to an open pile wharf. Mr. Daldy said the Government were getting information as to screw iron piles. The present wharf was more than paying its expenses. The amount of this year’s revenue from it would be £4OOO. Vote put and agreed to. Quarantine expenses, £2OO. Mr. Daldy said be believed this would prove an over estimate, and it would not toe all loss, as tlie tents were available for the next case of the kind. Vote agreed to. Expenses of Railway Bill, £SOO. Agreed to. , . Progress was then reported, and leave obtained to sit again on the next day. Council adjourned at 10 o’clock.
THURSDAY^— Oct. 15.
The Speaker took the chair at three o’clock, and the minutes of the pn>r}ous meeting having been read and confirmed, " A. - Mr. Wynn pvescja'cd a petition from Exuperms Griffiths claiming a grant of land. Mr. Williams brought out the report of the Audit Committee, Vffiich was read. . Mr. Daldy.-laid on the table message 22, laying before the council copy of correspondence relative to the rc-publication of the Provincial Government Gazette I the Southern Cross newspaper. On the motion of Dr. Pollen the conesponde was read. question. Mr. Foley asked the Provincial Secretary—“ Upon what terms, if any, the portion of Eden-street abut t „ on the sea shore and enclosed is occupied bv ‘ Brown and Campbell, or their tenant; and whether / provision is made to s cure the right of a public thereon. ” a, p Mr. Daldy regretted his inability to ansn question. EXPENDITURE ON NORTH AND SOUTH ROAD . Mr. Foley moved “That an address be I 1 !?®! 1 to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting > . ■ send down to this Council a statement of the am
" ""T.ip.i 0 ., the Great South Road and the m oney expense lst Jamiarv. 1858, up tothc preGrcat Not th R explained that his reason fur *r r f ”i «»>«» f f ■;« '»"■ ‘"»'7 asking r 1 C s inerrorin making the Statement he a <iv T' r , " V ! o us discussion respecting the exj enduure hadin a l ),L °r the g(a(c(] t)mt ])e hiul not alluded to the J expenditure on the North Road, and after some | ky obtained leave to withdraw the motion, | forPlie purpose of putting it in an amended form on j [he following day. PAX MULE U IDOE BILL. moved “That the Report of the Select] _ Mr L c 0 n tbe Panmure Bridge Bill be adopted. ’ j C °The Report, having been read, was adopted as j the main questions which arose for the con- j • on of votir Committee were-Whether the un- | a S' should be prosecuted under the supervision | . t Td Board or bv tbe Provincial Government; o! - Whether a land rate should he levied ns well tolls established on the Bridge. Your Committee Lave examined witnesses, and arc of opinion that the •mr, 1 ies attending the levyingoja rate are such as JS, ‘render it imp amicable also exa- : 1 witnesses as to the probabi bridge, and I the amount of tolls that would- el,mm, find !, ; present the traffic upon a n# - . to I would 'c l a n d revenue of 1,137/. 10s. winch would y ® . rO/ (io r, l pay the interest ami sinking fund WI iZmi (the Vsti,Hated cost of the bridge!; and into consideration the rapid increase ol the raffle that would ncccssari y take place upon the com-iGi-don of the bridge, there can be no doubt that tins Licicncv would be more than made up, and that there Id be an amide margin left for the necessary repairs Vibe bridge His Honor the Superintendent has mmvn. d vour Comndttce that a sufficient number of r-psnunsible landowners interested in the construction nf the bridge arc prepared to enter into a guarantee to the Provincial Government for the payment of the ni-t-rcat and sinking fund upon the funds advanced for the construction of the bridge until ns completion You" CVmnrittec arc of opinion that inasmuch as the levying of a local rale upon the lands will he found impracticable, the formation of a local board would be unnecessary and inexpedient, and that the work should be undertaken by the Provincial Government. Your Committee, therefore, recommend that the present Bill should not be proceeded with any further, and that a resnecthil address be presented to Ins Honor the superintendent, requesting him to send down to this Council „ Hill for the purpose of authorising the expenditure of a sum not exceeding Ia.OuOL for the construction of ,-i bridge across the Tarnaki at Panmure. That such a Bill should con'.ain provision to prohibit the exponditateof any money until tbe aforesaid guarantee has been entered into, and also proper provision for the maintenance ol tolls on the bridge.—John Kerr, Chairman.” Air Wynn asked leave to amend the motion standing in Ifsname, “ 'flint leave lie given to withdraw the Panmure Bridge Bill, 1803, by adding the words “with the view of introducing another Bill on the same subLeave granted; and on Air. Wynn moving the amended proposition, . . Mr. Roavk said he could not sec the propriety oi the bon. member’s course. He was opposed to steps being delayed on this subject until the Council met Daldy said he should look for the amended bill with interest. . M r. Foley opposed such procrastination on the part of the Government. . Air. Harrop took a similar view, regretting the delay occasioned by the hon. member’s proposition. 'Air. Kerr siiid he was not unprepared for the opposition of the hon. member at the head of the Executive, having been told that lie was strongly opposed to the scheme; which was confirmed the other dav by the hon. member saying, if the railway proposition was carried, they could not have the Tarnaki bridge. These statements induced him to withdraw all confidence in the hon. member as his Honor’s adviser. He thought it better to be outspoken on the matter, ami to know the true opinion of the Government respecting it. If they proposed to pass over the bill he should raise his voice in opposition. Air. Daldy said he had no objection to the bridge, but simply stood in defence of the Loan Bill. Mr. W ynn thought, it better to get rid of the extreme difficulty of forming a district for the purpose of being rated for this bridge. The only equitable plan was by a moderate toll, and that toll would soon bo profitable, the present traffic alone being sufficient to yield a net revenue of £I,OOO per annum. The bill was at this stage withdrawn, and the motion assented to. u iMfi ll ilVetf'\o 1 “ftfill L’otifiinf 11 (flt'n tig' "t lie last Session, be referred to the i’rivate Grievance Committee.” SALE OF BREAD DILL. The Council then went into Committee on the sale of b: cad bill. This was an adjouned consideration. Permission was given Mr. Wynn to withdraw the 6th clause, and add the following to clause 4, viz : “Provided that no baker or seller of bread shall be liable to the aforesaid Penalty in respect of any stale bread. Provided, nevertheless, that it any Baker or seller of bread shall sell any loaf or loaves of stale bread which may be found deficient in weight, he shall make up such deficiency by adding thereto other bread; an 1 in case of any baker or seller of bread selling any stale bread deficient in weight without making up such deficiency as aforesaid, he shall for feit and pay any sum not exceeding £5.” [Considerable difference of opinion existed as to what shmtldbe included tinier the term ‘fancy bread.’] Tbe word was ultimately interpreted as comprehending “cottage loaves,” “ twists,” “French loaves,’’--and till small bread not exceeding one pound in weight. “ Stale bread” was interpretated as bread upwards of 24 hours old With some slight nitrations, the bill was carried as amended, and the Committee reported progress. Air. Wynn said he should move the third reading on the following day. SUPERINTENDENCY ELECTIONS. The adjourned debate on the Question —“That the Report of the Superintendency Election Committee ho adopted” wat then gone into. The debate was adjourned on the 2ml clause, “That the mode of election adopted in ‘ The New Provinces Act, 1838,’ is one which your Committee consider best calculated to secure the desired object,” and on its resumption, Air. Foley said he had heard no tangible caused assigned for the proposed charge, Air. Georoe thought the person bribing at an election ought to he disfranchised ; and at the same time, ho did not think the whole constituency should be disfranchised for the faults of a few. Mr. J, O’Neill said many members had alluded to bribery at elections, but tbe hon. member Mr. Kerr bad portrayed the scene in its most deplorable aspect. He was of opinion that if a change was made it should be one that would secure a real good, and not one equally doubtful with the present system. The Superintendent ought to be elected out of the Council if lie wore to be elected by it. He did not believe those gentlemen would be so very few who would h- willing to give jbeii' time for the good of the province. He thought it was time some steps should be taken to improve the tone of the Provincial Council. He moved tlm following as an amendment to the second clause, “ That as it is generally believed that a necessity exists for improving the toneol the Provincial Council, a fair opportunity now presents itself by bidding out an honourable position in some measure sufficient to induce men of intellect to come forward as candidates for seals in the I’rovincial Legislature ; that if any change in the present mode of electing the Superintendent he thought desirable, the Council is of opinion that the election of Superintendent ought to be made by, and out of, the Provincial Council.” Air. Cadman seconded ; and Mr. Rowe rose to oppose the principle of the amendment. No person denied that there were some grounds I for complaint in the present system of electing Super- | intcmlents, but the question arose, how were they to be avoided ? I his would require the milleninm for its revelation. He thought the evil would he perpetuated b.' the combination of members if the election was left entirely in the hands of :lie Council. He thought they should not be restricted in their choice. As n rule, he thought a Superintendent would be elected out of the Council, but did not think thev should be bound to the Council for tlvL flection. He ! i should support the report, as the means at their disposal lor remedying tlie evil, an.V should consequently oppose the amendment. 1 ■dr. May could not support the amendment in its 1 entirety, though he approved of part of the paragraph, < Whilst he thought a Superintendent should he nomi- i noted ftom the Council, if the former part of the • amendment were erased, he would support it. i Air. Harrop did not thin 1 ; the duty of Superintendent a mere sinecure, and could not see how it t could fe filled by a merchant carrying on business in ' the city. It demanded the whole time and attention s of the person espousing it. He should support the t c.ause before the Council, in opposition to the amend- s meat r Mr. King was in favour of the latter part of the s amendment of the lion, member, hut was unwilling to t support the first clause. He did rot see any reason i s to doubt that fit and proper persons would be forth- | coming ffir the office. He did not think they were 1 1
d aling with the interests of the province in disfn.ncliisin tlie electors on this question, but he believtd that a chargi was necessary, and that a gentleman could be found in the Council sufficiently acquainted with local government to undertake the Supenndcncy. ! Mr. J. O’Neill asked leave to withdraw the pte--1 amble of his amendment. Mr. Giieeseman did not think that either the clause I or the amendment before the Council would remedy the evil complained of. He did not think the Council I need be so hasty in the consideration of this question, j ns there was no' likelihood of a Superintendency c.ecj lion taking place this session ; under these circum- ! stances he thought it would be better to allow the I matter to stand over until after the adjournment, in I order that the constituents might have an oppoitunity i of expressing their views on the subject.^ ! Mr. Cadman hiiefly enunciated his views in oppo- ! sition to any change being adopted. | Mr. Ross was also opposed to the motion and ! amendment. Mr. Kerr did not approve of confining the election i to the Council, but supported the motion. Mr. Wynn opposed the amendment. In alluding | to the expediency of a change, and in illustration of | the public feeling on this important subject, he quoted I the following paragraph from a letter to the editor of ! the New-Zealander of that morning, which he con j tended was a strong comment on this topic. It wa headed “ .Mr. Superintendent Graham’s Promises, ’ and ran:— “In opening the sixteenth session of the Provincial Council, amongst other tilings, his Honor Superintendent Graham says ; ‘ The growing trade between the Bay of Islands, Wangarei, Matakana, Mahurangi, and Auckland, on the east const, renders it very desirable that a subsl ly should bo offered for suitable steamers to be put on. 1 Now, sir, I should like to . know why Wanganui and Mongonni have been excluded from his Honor’s recommendation? With the exception of four votes, I believe all this distr et pulled for Graham at the last Superintendent’s election, and tills ’ is the way he returns their support. Verily we are beginning to doubt the wisdom of our proceedings at the last election. Mr. Williamson never threw m uverj board in this manner. If his Honor neglects us in this J way, lie will soon find we are not so docile as he cx- ! pccted ” —Mr. Wynn then proceeded to reply on the whole debate. He was convinced that whichever motion was carried the General Assembly would not permit the choice of the Council to he restricted within Used ; 1 for the result of such a system might he that a single ' constituency could prevent a man’s election to the Superiivendency. ! The amendment was then put to the Council, but 1 lost on the voices. 1 The mosion was then put, ami a division demanded, ’ Air. Kowe and Mr. Foley tellers. For the motion - - - H Against it 0 Majority for clause - 2 Ayes : Messrs. Wynn, Ridings, Dally, McGee, 3 Williams, Harrop, J. O’Neill, Bail, May, Rouse, and Against Messrs. Foley, George, Shecham, Cadman, Gallaugher, Ross, Skeen, and Mackenzie. : The third clause was then put, as follows . “ That your Committee do not, however, recommend that the Superintendent should be eligible for a I scat in the Council, as provided in the said Act ; hut being elected as aforesaid, his seat in the Council . (should he be a member) should be vacated, and ins functions as Superintendent remain as at present. , Clause put and carried. C Mr. Wynn moved that the report, as adopted, he transmitted to his honor the Superintendent, as the expression of the Council. Carried. . MANUKAU HARBOUR COMMITTEE. ' r Mr. Daldy brought up the report of the Manukau • Harbour Committee, which was ordered to bo read, . and printed with the evidence of this and the previous 1 session, before committee. Mr. Daldy gave notice that he should move the adoption on the following 3 day. 3 LAND REGULATIONS COMMITTEE S REPORT. t This report was ordered to be read and printed; j Mr. May giving notice of third reading on the following day. , " MESSAGE. The Speaker read Message 23 from his honor the 3 Superintendent, requesting the Council to make pro X vision out of the sum appropriated last session for f carrying out the Domain water scheme, for the making . of four additional wells in the city, in accordance with 1 a request of the City Board. The sum of £450 was suggested to he voicd for this purpose, i Mr. Daldy moved that the Message he taken into . - - 1 empowering act. Air. Daldy moved the third, reading of the Empowering Act Amendment Bill. Air. King thought the lion, member was acting unC wisely in taking this money from the object which e most demanded its application public buildings. He thought there was a probability ol an entire change , when the Assembly came to consider the subject. He would warn them that by doing this they would have “ no money left for public erections. Mr. Foley thought the sooner the Loan was got j rid of the better, as it would only he squandered away. He believed £23,000 to be a bargain, and should coaj sequently support it t Mr. • - owe believed the Province would be the richer when the question was settled, and lie should support the third reading. t Mr. Daldy' replied. ' The Bill was read a third time, and passed. IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE. I The Council then went into Committee on the question ‘‘ That the report of Land Regulations and Inimi- > gration Committee be adopted.’’ The paragraph under consideration was; 1 “ That in clause 6, line 1. the words, ‘ the board to be established under the last mentioned Act.’ bo struck out, and tbe following words substituted—‘ a Commission be appointed, consisting of the Receiver of Land Revenue, or such other person as the Governor shall appoint, ihe Waste Lands Commissioner and ilic Provincial Law Officer who.’ In lines 4 and 6, the word ‘Board’ struck out, and the word ‘Commission’ substituted, and that the clause as altered should stand.” Mr. Ball thought the Provincial Law Officer should be kept raiher in abeyance in investigations into emigrants’ rijits to their land. A Court of equity should rather he established. Mr. Wynn said a Commission appointed to enquire into emigrants’ claims would be materially assisted by having a lawyer connected therewith, otherwise they must inevitably fall into some mistake in disposing of the claim Air. Cadman looked upon the appointment of the Board of Commission as entirely a one-sided affair The immigrant would bo entirely at their mercy, and it would only be fair to permit tbe immigrant to have a lawyer on his side to combat the arguments of the Law Officer who wished to guide the Government. It was well known how lawyers differed, .and it would not be fair to allow the Law Officer to set up his opinion and lead fie Board without any counter opinion being permitted. Mr. Wynn did not apprehend that any gentleman sit tinon the Commission would for one moment throw any opposition in the way of any applicant being represented by his lawyer. The hon. member hj d evidently been labouring under the idea that the Law 1 Jfficer would be the advocate of the Government, and antagonistic to the applicant. Mr. King considered that as there was such a thin House the Council should act with extreme caution in dec ding to pass such a measure constituting a Board io try cases of applicants. He was opposed to the appointment of a Board, and thought the power of deciding cases ought to be retained by the Council. Air. Daldy said that there were many cases as to 1 selection of land, in which relief was urgently wanted. | Where persons had chosen land conjointly, and one having left the Province, it was necessary to state which portion the applicant remaining on the land was entitled to. " At this stage the Council was counted 0ut—8.35.
cape of good hope
[From the “ Cape Argun," July 21.] By this mail steamer the Cape colony loses one of the most popular ami respected of its public men —one who, from the moment he set foot upon these shores to the present time, has been regarded with affection by the whole body of the people, who have from time to time given marked and public expression to their feelings of regard and admirat ion ; and to those expressions the inhabitants of Cape Town will add another uumistakeable one to-day. We believe that there is not one person in this city but sincerely regrets that Lieutenant Governor Wynyard is compelled to leave this colony. They woyld have deeply regretted ; o' 1 iosc him under any circumstances, but more especially do they deplore that lie is compelled to leave on account of ill-health. The Lieutenant-Governorship of this colony is an ollice anomalous in its character, with duties so vague and ill-defined that it affords no opportunity to him who holds it to distinguish himself by administrative ability. It is not known precisely what relationship it hears to the Government of the colony, or to the troops which are supposed to be somewhat under the Lieutenant-Governor’s charge and command. Yet the office is one of high importance, and one in which much good can he performed and much influence exercised. General Wynyard came to this colony in 1809. He tilled the office of acting Governor during the recall of Sir George Grey, and and in that high office, difficult as it was to fill for another person lie acquitted himself to the satisfaction of the colony and the Imperial Government. When he left the frontier to take the reins of Government, he did so with the best wishes of the frontier people, amongst whom he had a residence up to that time. When he returned to the fl'Olltici he was received with manifestations Ot welcome such as iiad seldom been exhibited towards one holding that office. It was, indeed, a marked contrast to the feeling exhibited towards his predecessors. He is a gentleman of singularly amiable , disposition, frank, and liberal in all his deallugs. His hospitality to the colonists, both on the frontier and here, has been most open and marked, and the interest he has always evinced in the Volunteer movement has much endeared him to the whole of the corps, East 1 and West. We feel confident that the | Volunteers of the Eastern Province will be i pained that they are denied the opportunity of sharing in the following address, which was presented to the General in the name of * the Volunteers of Cape Town, “To His Excellency Lieutenant-General R. IT. Wynyard, D.8., Lieut.-Governor of the Colony of the Cape of Good Mope, and Commander of the Forces, &e., See., Ac. “ May it Please your Excellency,— j “ The Volunteers of Cape Town and the Cape . Division have learned with unfeigned regret that they : are about to lose that friendly countenance and invaluaidc support which they have hitherto enjoyed from your Excellency’s continuous good officers, by reason of your Excellency's unlooked-for return to Europe. ’ “ A soldier yourself, you have generously appreciated and warmly fostered our humble efforts to coutribut , as loyal subjects, towards the defences of the country, while in the discharge of your high administrative 3 functions, you have been careful to support every measure conducive to our efficiency If tin-Volunteer 1 force of the colony has not attained the highest stand- ? ! ard of c cellence," it has assuredly not been for the 1 j want of your support. 3 “ Our concern for your Excellency’s departure is j enhanced when we consider the cause. Wccatncstly * hope that the voyage home and the air of your native land will bring back renewed health, ami restore you wneu am'ru.i ——- ..1... . ,ii. <l wc. believe that carry away with you the esteem and good wishes —not - of the Volunteers only, but ot ail classes, who have learned to appreciate the gallant soldier and upright - gentleman. i “ (in behalf of the Volunteers, . J. M. Hill, Dolonel-in-Chief. ; “ Cane Town, Cape of Good Hope, ; “July, 1863.” ! To the address His Excellency returned t the following reply : , “I assure you, Colonel Hill and gentlemen of the ■ ! Cape Town Volunteers, that I receive with much pleasure and gratification the address yon now present i to me on my departure from your slier- s, and I trust, I 1 need not here smte how much I regret leaving you thus suddenly and unexpectedly. “ 1 had promised myself the satisfaction of seeing you often on p trade, during, what I anticipated would have proved tv lengthened sojourn amongst you ; but ciietimstances which I little expected, and most assuredly never foresaw, render it advisable for me to leave a climate and a service in which I apprehend I have, as it is, been too long. If anything was wanting j to connect the link tha has heretofore existed between j the Cape Town Volunteers and trnse'f it is the kindly j sentiments conveyed in this parting address. I “ No one can venture o call in question the spirit ! that animates the Volunteers, who Inis ever been j cognizant of their read in. ss to put their sh aider to the ' wheel when, as in the case of ihe Indian mutiny and j disturbance in Natal, their services were needed, or I who has seen them turn out, as I have done, on the I first general parade I had in the colony in 1859, on the ( occasion of Prince Alfred’s visit in 1860, on several occasions when incorporated with the regulars, and ! subsequently, on u rumour of war with America, when I saw them day after day, in the batteries, gaining that information in the heavy gun drill flptt qualified them and would have enabled them to render good service in* time of need m the defence ol theii hearths and homes. “ Adi this since 1859 I can myself hear testimony to, and which I have not, on several occasions, failed to represent in its true colours tu the authorities in England, and which I shall repeat again wit n I submit th" address I now receive for the information and perusal f His Rival Highness the Field Marshal Comm u i ig-in-Chief. “ Perm t me, Colonel Hill and gentlemen, to wish you every success in the cause you have embarked in. and imlividua'ly every prosperity ltd happiness lor yourselves and families. R H. Wynyard, L'eut.-General “Castle Cape Town, 2l)th July, 1863 ’’ THE CEREMONY TO BE OBSERVED AT THE EMBARKATION The Lieut.-Governor leaves by tbe mail steamer liriton for England to-day. Colonel Bisset has issued the following memorandum relative to the Lieutenant-Governor’s embark til ion : “Castle, Cape Town, 17fh July, 186.3, • MEMORANDUM. “ His Excellency the Cumm-.m ler of the Forces will emha.kon the 21st instant, on hoar i the mail steam packer Britan, for Png and. The following order will be observed on the occasion : “ ist. Commanding officers ofeo- ps beaks of departments, and the officers ot tke gan i-on, »re invited to he present at Government-house at 3 o’elo k, Id accompany him to the central wharf. “ 2nd. The Koval Artillery will fire a salute of fifteen guns from the Imhoft Battery on Hi< Excellency’s embarking at the wharf. “ 3rd. On the termination of the a hue from the ( Imhoff Battery rli>* Volunteer Artillery will fire a similar one from their fiel I •us in rear of the Custom- ' house. ! “4th. The troop of the Cap Maeit d Riflemen 1 and the Yeomanry Cavalry will esemr His Excellency . from Government House to the whaif , “sth The 2nd battalion llrh regiment will furnish a guard of honour, consisting - f one captain, two 1 subalterns, four sergeants, and one hundred rank and i file, with the regim ntal colour, hand and drums, to , parade at the wharf at 3 o’el- ck. “ fith 'he Volunteer Rifle f’orp-, with their hand, will also form a guard of honour at the same hour and I place as slated in the foregoing paragr.i hj. 1 “ 7th. The'remaining troops in garrison will line the j streets from Government House to the wharf. “ Officers will appear in full dre s uniform, “ Bv command, “ J. J. BISSET, Colonel, D.Q.M.G.” <
Colouel Hill has issued a memorandum to the Volunteers that the programme relative to the embarkation of Lieut.-General Wynyard, C.8., to-day, is so far altered that his Excellency will take his departure from Government-house, in place of the Castle, an 1 that the escort of cavalry will attend there at 3 o'clock. The guard of honour of the Rifles wilt assemble at the centra; wharf at the same hour ; and the remainder of the force to form on the left of the 2nd battalion 11th regiment to line the streets. The heads of departments are invited to be at Government-house at 3 o'clock p.m. By the military to whom he has been longest known he is regarded with the greatest admiration and respect, and they will take leave of him as of an old and tried friend, whose place it will be difficult to fill. the farewell ball. The officers of the garrison gave on Friday : evening last, at the Barracks a farewell ball | to His Excellency. The ball was attended | by His Excellency the Governor and Lady. | Wodehouse, Sir Baldwin Walker, and the { Misses Walker, Sir William, Lady, and the Misses Hodges, and about five hundred of elite of the city. The whole of the officers of the garrison and their families were present. We can only add to the kind expressions j in which farewell has been conveyed to His j Excellency our best and fervent wishes that he may have a pleasant voyage and speedily find renewed health in his native land. [From the “ Cape Argas” Julj 23.] Up to Tuesday morning the leave-taking of His Excellency had been confined to a Volunteer address ; and our readers already know the manner of its presentation, and who it was presented by. There was Colonel Hill, the veteran chief of the Volunteers ; Capt. R. D. Jones, the pride of Cape Royals ; Sergeant Fairbridge,without whom no address is perfect ; and Gunner Sherman, from Port Elizabeth, the sole representative of the great guns of the East. Colonel Ilill did the presentation ceremony in style and manner befitting the occasion ; Sergeant Fairbridge read the address in audible and clear voice ; but the General, overcome by the? to him, hidden cause of his sudden departure from a colony where ho has mot with nothing but respect and kindness, feared to trust himself with ( uj reading of his own answer. The Deputation marked the expression of pain upon that fine, frank, manly face, and with true sympathy, ■ relieved His Excellency, without one word of remark, of the necessity of formally reading it. There were brief “ good byes,” not spoken in the ordinary form of words, for the hearts of all were too full to permit any other language but that which finds expression in the farwell grasp of loving hands. The General stood under that old quaint verandah which overshadows the entrance to the Castle headquarters for a long time, watching the departure of those of whom he had taken farewell. , No word escaped his lips, for he had more 1 than he could do to keep his overwrought t feelings under control. The Deputation i walked away briskly, the Colonel grasping nervously the document that conveyed to the general body of Volunteers the farewell of . their old and tried friend. Neither the Colonel, the Captain, the Sergeant, nor the 5 Gunner had a word to say for themselves, nor for or about anything. All this may sound , weak and sentimental in soldiers, and the J i'fl sbVeugßi bl affection wore un--3 related. But what is manly is soldierlike, t and there is nothing more (ruly manly than that men in arms should recognize each other s best qualities, and cherish affection, which in moments of parting finds such expression as we have noted on this occasion. [ f ie address to the General Avas not voluminous, but expressive of generous sentiments and the best of wishes ; the General’s ! answer was characteristic of the man. It Avas a hearty, and avc believe sincere reciprocation of the sentiments and Avishes expressed by the 1 Volunteers toAvards himself. But it Avas never intended that the lea\ retaking should be confined to those avlio bear arms. There is not a civilian in this colony but deplored the forced departure of the excellent General Wynyard ; and the j citizens of this metropolis, knoAving how great a calamity it is to lose from the colony a truly good and kind man, felt his departure to be a public calamity. They kueAV nothing nor : cared nothing about the generalship of His Excellency ; they had never concerned themj selves about his soldier-like qualities in camp ; or garrison, and as to the lieutenant-governor-j ship of the colony being avoll or ill filled, j they knew no more than if no such office had ever existed within the colonial boundaries. It is an universally accepted belief that the eolonv is as avcl 1 without the office of lieu-tenant-governor as Avith it, Avhilst it is as universally believed that the colony is Averse for the loss Avhich it has just sustained. It derived more good from the man than from the office ; hence the feeling exhibited on his departure. The Parliament on Monday had decided to suspend its sitting in the afternoon of the next dav that the Executive might be present at the final leave-taking ; His Excellency the governor had gazetted a notice proclaiming a half-holiday f >r the civil servants, and Cape Toavii had made preparations to accompany the Lieutenant-Governor to the side of the mail steamer. Not a carriage in the city but Avas engaged ; not a boat but Avas pressed into the service of the public. Of course, Tuesday Avas Avet and dirty ; the streets, as they always are when it is A\ r et and dirty. Avere, if not quite impassible, certainly over ankle deep in mud ; the bay Avas in that terrible state of restlessness which precludes landsmen from venturing off the wharf. It is nhvavs so when.any high official is about to leave Avhom Cape Toavu cares about. The rain commenced on Monday. It did not pelt into the city and wash off the crust of thick mud from the surface of the streets, but it fell lightly —-just sufficiently heavy to soak doAvn into the mud, first filling up the tracks of wheels, then Avashing them out and gradually rubbing out all impressions and reducing the mud, Avhich was thick and impressible. to a creamy and sloppy state. Adderlystreet. the repair of Avhich Avas the pride and boast of our municipal magnates a Abav weeks ago, AA r as. long before the hour of embarkation, like a large basin of pea-soup, getting thicker and more sloppy every minute. Clerks and messengers Avith postal messages, running to and fro between the Post Office and the mercantile establishments, vainly tried to save the nolish upon their boots by careful tip-toe tread —Day and Martin surrendered instantly. Even the pavements were redolent of the elayey mixture ; and the crossings, which were intended to give clean passages to pedestrians, had vanished five inches deep in i
mire. There never Avas so much mess, muck, aud discomfort in any other city pretending to be civilized. At three o’clock —the hour at Avhich the General Avas to receive at Go-verument-liouse those avlio Avished to say good-by for the last time —the Avcather was at its Avorst, and the muck and filth of the streets had reached their climax. Yet the inhabitants of Cape Town were not restrained from paying their respects to their parting friend. Government House Avas crowded, and hasty adieus Avere paid. Then the tlags Avent up simultaneously at the consular offices —horsemen and vehicles galloped through the streets, and the city Avas all astir. The stars and stripes of the American Union at Deane and Johnson’s, where the consul of that country hoists his colours, floated gallantly by the side of the Union Jack. There Avere other stars and stripes at the office of Holmes ami Co. The Prussian eagle spread its wings over the office of Mr. James King, the representativeofthat country ; Russian and English colours Avere hoisted at Thomson, Watson, and Co.’s ; and other merchant stores Avere conspicuous for flags of various colours and designs, “ too numerous to mention.” This is as far as Adderlcy-street is concerned. St. George’s and other streets Avhere consular offices are, acted in a similar spirit. Here and there a dashing Cavalryman galloped through the streets to Government House to join the guard of honour. The 11th Regiment lined the streets ; then the spirited Artillery, Avith their great guns a-limborcd, came like, a Avhirhvind round the corner of the Telegraph Office, and took up their position at the Custom-house, ready to fire a royal salute. The Cape Royal Rifles had mustered at the Town-house, and marched down Shortmar ket-street to the tunc of “Annie Laurie,” and formed into lines on each side of the Central Jetty. The Regulars and Volunteers had hardly taken up their position, Avhcn a mariner ran through the crowd of “ here comes the General and attended by a guard of honour of the Volunteer Cavalry, and preceded by the Cape Mounted Rifles, he did come on in an open carriage, with Mrs. Wynyard and His Excellency the Governor. The General looked pale and ill. By the side of his carriage rode Colonel Jenner, Colouel Hill, Colonel Bisset, and several others of his most intimate acquaintance. Next folloAved carriages Avith the Executive ; the Avhole of the consuls in the city, and leading merchants, and other inhabitants. It Avas a long procession. But from the time the General left Government-house until he reached the central jetty, the vast crowd which lined the streets Avere as silent as the grave. There was no plan of operations concerted, but the public feeling Avas one of sadness. It Avas only when the General left the jetty that one cheer rose high, loud and strong, —uumistakeably a burst of avcll wishing for his safe arrival home. There never Avas a more circumspect multitude assembled to do public homage to a public man. The General took leave of his friends, and Avas received into the new life-boat by the Port Captain. The Artillery fired their royal salute—and avcll they did it, too, and General Wynyard Ava s on his voyage home —God bless him !
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New Zealander, Volume XIX, Issue 1995, 17 October 1863, Page 5
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16,921“SAVE ME FROM MY DEFENDERS.” New Zealander, Volume XIX, Issue 1995, 17 October 1863, Page 5
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