AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Issue 18, 24 December 1863, Page 4

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wkpni-kday, Dec];miu:r 23hi>,

A petition was presented by Mr. Cadman from certain settlers of the Northern Division, complaining of the present state of tho North and other roads in that di.-tiict. The petition was read and ordered to be taken into consideration in committee on the estimates.

The question of Mr. Rowo, as to what stops tho Government intend to take to promote emigration to this province whs postponed until this day.

Mr. King moved the following resolutions

(1.) That the Council recognises with admiration the gallant and distinguished services of Lieut.General Cameron since his arrival and assuming the command ot the forces in this colony, with a view of putting down a lawless rebellion, the restoring of law and order, and maintaining the prerogative of the Crown ; and tru.sts that by his noble efforts peace may be shortly established on a permanent basis, and that tin; settlers may bo enabled thereby to resume their peaceful occupation*) in the settlement of the country and cultivation of the soil without fear of molestation.

(2.) That Mr. Speaker be requested to forward the foregoing iesolutiun to Lieut.-General Cameron, C.8., conveying the best thanks of this Council to him for his noble and important services, and requesting that he will cause to be conveyed to the. officers and forces under his command the wannest thanks and acknowledgments of this Council for their bruvu conduct and spirit displayed so conspicuously upon all occasions when called upon.

(3.) That Mr. Speaker be requested to convey to Commodore Sir W. Wiseman, the officers and forces under his command, the thanks of this Council for their distinguished services during the timo they have been engaged in assisting to suppress the rebellion, animated with and displaying at all times the same noble spirit of daring so tridy characteristic of tho British navy.

(4.) That Mr. Speaker be requested to convey to Major-General Galloway, tho officers and colonial forces under his command, the best thanks of this Council for their valuable and efficient services, tho brave spirit with which they have at all times been

actuated, in coining forward so cheerfully at a time of danger, mid when their services were so much required, in assisting to protect the families and homes of many of their brother settlers. That in the opinion of this Council such noble conduct will he ever remembered as a bright era in the history of the rebellion in New Zealand. Mr. Checseman begged the mover of these resolutions to withdraw them, as it was the intention of i the <.M)verninont to propose resolutions on the subI j''<-t. Mr. King declined withdrawing them. He knew i tint objections had been made to the frequent ' rc.iiiTi'nci- of the word "noble." lie would dhide- ! the Council upon tlivir adoption, if lie stood alone. i I>r. Pollen ue(-ciib<d the composition of these j an a " gushing one," perfectly uidepend- ! ent i'i" all rules of grammar. The mover had cer- ! thinly expressed the feeling of the CounrLJ, but he j thought that it became tin: digni<v ef t'uy Council to I expit;.-s t'.iut feeling in "language 1 •>.-;( p- n ro criticism. j Hi; should feel content to kiive tin. , bringing l'or- ' ward ot .suitable resolutions in the hands oV the ] Guvi^mment, I Mr. Wynn felt sure that the mover of the-' 1 rosolu- ' tioiLi must see that it wu.s not from w.mt of feeling of - admiration tor the Gen en 1 and Army that these ! revolutions were- not passed, but because of the I ungrammatical and imperfect laugunge. in which they ■ \\vre couehed. Mr. Wynn then moved the same I resolutions as those adopted by the General i Assembly. j Mr. Daidy seconded the resolutions proposed bv ' Mr. Wynn, regretting that Mr. King had attempted ! to force his nwn crude resolutions upon the Council. i Mr. Bucklaud had grout pleasure in supporting I Mr. Wynn's amendment. Mr. Harrop supped. , , d the amendment of the Law Officer. Mr. Rowe believed thoro was no difference of J opinion in the Council on the subject under discus-,-ion. Ail were anxious to express their feeling of ■ thftiiks aud gratitude- to the Oviit-ial aud the Forces,

but all wished that the resolutions should carry weight with them, which Mr. King's did not. He complained also of the bad taste exhibited by Mr. King when, in moving the resolutions, he contrasted the action of the troops under General Cameron with what he termed the inaction of the troops under Generals Pratt and Gold. Mr. Lynch was sorry that Mr. King- had put himself into so uncomfortable a position by hurrying to take upon himself a duty which belonged to the Uoveniment, and wliich he had hurriedly snatched from them. The resolutions of Mr. Wynn wore then proposed ;>s an amendment, upon which Mr. King called for a division, in which he stood alone against 22, the whole Council then present. On the. motion of Mr. J. O'Neill, That the petition of tho overseers at the Mount Eden Stockade be taken into consideration when the Council is in committee on the Estimates,

Mr. Buckland said that the Council had no power to increase salaries, all they could do was to address the Superintendent on the matter. The motion was agreed to.

Mr. A. O'Neill moved, That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to have the bridges on the Great North Road repaired as soon as possible, especially those from the Paddock to the Ranges, and that a bridge in the Wade district, now impassable, be included. He explained that these bridges, though kept by the present Provincial Government in excellent repair for hort-e traffic, were very inconvenient for the passage of sheep. Mr. Harrop blamed tho late Provincial Government for the present incomplete and detrimental state in which they wore, the fault lying with their first construction, they having been built with improper descriptions of timber and on wrong levels. Tho motion was then put and carried. The motion of Mr. King, That the standing orders committee be requested to consider the question of extending the time for the receiving of petitions by this Council, which, under the amended rule past last session, extends only to twelve days, was carried.

Tho motion of Mr. Ball, That the interests of the district of Mongonui have not been duly regarded in the operations of the Provincial Government, especially in the opening of lands for selection and encouragement of settlement; and that further neglect will entail upon tho district loss of population and deterioration of property, was withdrawn by leave of the Council.

Mr. Daldy stated that ho was not yet prepared to go into the second reading of the Appropriation Bill; and as the consideration of the I'aninuru Bridge Bill was to be deferred, he hoped the Council woidd proceed with the notices of motion, the time for the discussion of whichhad now lapsed.

Mr. Cheeseman then moved that the name of Mr. Newman be added to the committee for talcing into consideration certain matters a-s they relate to the London agents of this Province. Mr. Howe opposed the motion, as also did Dr. Pollen, on the ground that a feud had long existed between Mr. Newman and Messrs. Ridgway. Mr. Ball recommended the withdrawal of the motion. Mr. Cheesomnn" pressed the motion, which was then put and lost. Mr. Gallaughor moved, That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to send down to this Council on the next sitting day but one, a statement showing the. number of all weights and measures inspected by the Government Inspector within the last twelve months, specifying the locality or district in which such weights and measures are staniped, and the amount of all money received by such Inspector from owners of weights and measures stamped within the above named period, and to what purpose (if any) such monies are applied.

Mr. Daldy explained that there were no records from which such statements could be made out. He thought no good could result from the motion being pressed, but would not oppose it.

Mr. Cadnian thought that a clause might, at the present time, be introduced into the City Board Act Amendment Bill, now before the Council, giving the Hoard the power to appoint and control this officer.

Mr. Wyun e>iplained that this course was beyond tile power oi til'-. ( oinieil.

Tin , motion \v.;s ;igi ( -i>d to

The M-e-iiid leading of the Appropriation Bill was j)ostp"[irn until this day, and tin's Council went into committee on tin- Citv Hoard Act Amendment Act.

Mr. O'Neill wished to restrict the amount of salary ol' the Chairman of The Hoard lo £200, but that g'-ntleinaii to perform the duty for nothing if he was wdl.ng to ilo so.

Mr. Wynn opposed any .such amendment. A el iuse w;:s introduced making mortgagees in possession lialilu for rates.

The lii-i hm.-s issued by the Board were also made to terminate at a fixed date, the 31st of July.

Progress was then reported, and the Tamaki Bridgi- Bill in committee having boon postponed till next Mtting day, the Council adjourned.