PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 317, 17 November 1864, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, 17th NOVEMBER. | i in-; Si'KAJvEu took the chair at. fifteen minutes pnst 3 ' o'clock. , The Clerk read (he minutes of the previous silting, There were twenty-fourmembers present. V KTITIOXS. Mr. Catmax presented a petition from John Douglas. NOTICES Ol' MOTION. There were no notices of motion. -Mr. Lhm.kv asked a question of the head of the head of the Executive (tovermnent when it was the int< ntion of the Government to send down an answer 10 address No. f>!-. Mr. Cauukton replied lliat tiie question was of a somewhat, .serious nature and uouhl require a much longer time to discuss it than remained to the Council. It wokld he tent down the first day alter the recess. SUSPENSION or STANIHNU OUUEItS. Mr. AVyxs moved tlitr suspension of the whole of tile standing ui ders, as he perceived there were t wei.ty-four number's present. Air. C.\l;i.K'l'i >n objected to the whole of the orders being suspended, as it would cause the Speaker to be powerless. There would be a kind of anarchy if the >pr;iker were left without a vestige of power, lie thought it undesirable to move the suspension of the I whole of the orders. lie would move as ;ui amendment that only so much of them as related to publie bills should be suspended. Mr. .1. o'Nf.ii.i. thought it unnecessary to suspend the whole of them, lie thought that they might be suspended ; from one to fifty-eight inclusive might be suspended. Mr. NVyx.n expressed his acceptance of the suggestion of Air. O' xNeill. The amendment of Mr. Curlcton was then put and lost. The motion of Mr. AVynn, as amended, was put and cartied. SITE OV TltE OI.V> Fl'vm V. K COVUT. Mr. Kim: said he won il, before proeeedini; anv further, ask leave to brinjj in a bill for the purchase of the site now occupied bv the old (Supremo Court. It would be remembered that resolution after resolution had gone tip accompanied by addresses to the Superintendi nt, rccimimciuung that means should be found to purchase '.his site for the province of Auckland, Xotwitstandiug this manifestation of tiie interest shown by the Council in the possession o' this property for the purposes of the province and the publie, they were now, when just. 011 the p< int •>! adjournment, obliged to take measures to secure thisite. Hi l would not needlessly occupy the time oi the Council. The subject had bten so frequently diseus.-ed that ev. ry lion, membir was fully informed as !o the merits of the case. Leave was given to bring in the bill. The bill was read a first time. The bill was read 11 second time and the house went into committee. Mr. Caiiletok moved that tho Supciintcndeut's message be read. Message No, 90 read accordingly. The bill was then read a second time in cxleuso. Mr. C.YUT.nTON would not oppose this bill, for he saw 110 harm in it ; neither would he support it, for it was of 110 use. lie believed the Superintendent was iirraiigi.'iir tlie mutter in another way. lie bchete.l the assent of the Superintendent would not be given. Mr. Wynn said that last night a message was to be sent, and this ( ouiiri) was told to-day that ill consequence of a press of business this message was not brought forward until live minutes part VI. Why win this r lie might venture to ailirm that Mr. Carloton had that message in his pricket at half-past l>. Now all this Council wished was that this si te should not be sold to-morrow. If it was the honest intention to abide by the resolution of this Council, the resolutions passed a few days ago, he thought, were sufficient for the matter; and if the site was procured the whole praise was due to his friend I. v. King. He believed tint what had'alien from the lips of Mr. Carleton showed that the Council were 011 the eve of victory, and that the site would become the propelty of the Province, lie would like to have his lion, trieud's bill pussfcd. Let h in have the credit of it, and not. the Superintendent. Mr. Kino moved that the House go into coinmi'tee. The House went into committee; Mr. J. O'Neill in the chair. Mr. Caui.ktox suggested that the appropriations mentioned in the bill were contrary to tho Constitution Act. The Committee reported the hill as read without amendment-. The Speaker then took the chair. Mr K1 Nit moved that the bill be read a third time. Hill read accordingly. Mr. \Vvxx stated 'thai he trusted this bill wotdd lie pissed, for whatever might he its fate, lie had the satisfaction of knowing that this Council had doi.e its dutv. It would at all events presirve tho site. Mr. Kl:Kit would not oppose the bill, but he would remark that the Government would not allow the l'ost-otlice to be built there. Mr. WvK.v was not wedded to having the site there. They might put a handsome town-liall there,, or any other public building. Mr* Kkuk thought- that very contradictory. _ He alwavs thought that it <vus tho wish of the Council to build a post-otiiee there. Mr. Ciiekseman r This bill, he believed, was illegal. The Council could not legally vote away money ot the vear LStiS, for it was not Vtt received. And lie would nut like to see obloquy cast upon the Superintendent for giving his assent to this bill. Mr. "\V\>'X r \Vhen the hon. gentleman wishes to make an oration, he should go to tho public papers and "ive a communication. Mr. Cheksemax : Will tho honorable gentleman explain r Mr. V/yn:,- : The honorable member has told mt that ho has made communications to the Southert, Cross, which have not been printed. Mr. Chicksvman called upon the Southern Crnxs tc ref te this to-nioriMW. Mr. Wvkx : The question is now, " shall this bill be pasod" '■ Mr. Chbesemax called upon the Speaker to read a clause in the Constitution Act. The tsfEAiciin read it accordingly. Mr. o'Xeii.l r The Council has read the bill twicr and J lira been aske.l by tho Superintendent to ma'h< provis-.on f v the amount. It has only one object it view, tho ; rocur'n of tlmt site. Ho would reniar-l-that, t-.: B - it e was not expres-dy waired for a p ■ -r. ■ '■•lHcr. T.ierc w; b no pi.ice so well oi'.culaied lor any jtub.io b iildiiii; i.b ihia ono. He thought it Wou\l b<

wiso to have as little discussion as p> eeible, but to' pass the hill, and then adjourn for half an hour, to allow the Superintendent to send down an answer. Dr. Pollex said : The Council was to blame in allowing eveiy available piece of land in or near the c ity of Auckland to he sold, merely ior tho Fake of filling tl)e Treasury chest. Ho wan sorry to seo this Krcedy grasp of money. !No necessity existed for it. No one in this Council could say why tho most valuable piece of laud outside the Building .Act should be cut v.p into pot v allotments like a greedy grasping money-grubber would do. If this was allow-d, the placc would become a sink "f filth, sin, dirt, uncleanuess, rottenness, and iniquity I e called nj-'-.j. tho Council to protest against this grievous folly O let i ig such a valuable i-iere of landslip out of tho hands of the province. They were told that the Government would not allow this to bo bought by the Couhcil, but the members oi this Ceuncil would liavo the satisf iction of knowing that thev had done all thev could do. -Mr. Caw,eton thought that the bill which his Honor was :,bou[. to send down would do the thing much 111010 effectually than the one at present before the Council. Mr. M auti>- : This is merely a qnestion of money. Ih:.s Council will get the X' - ■), L> C 0 by some nieana or other, and tho city will get the site. Mr. IlA!;i;or supported the bill. Mr. J. i 1 N eii.l said that there was ono view of the matter did not appear to be considered. Tt was to be borne in mind that it was no otlior than persons connected with Provincial Government which had cnr.»#'d the country, and n-ied to go and ask the <'■ ■ nei nl Government for the appointment of a commission whenever their own incompettney prevented th.-ni from undertaking anything for tho improvement ot the province by public works or buildings. Dr. Poi.i.kn said it was the first time that a Provincial Government had suffered itself to fall so low >o other Superintendent would have presumed to publish his shame by the acceptance of the cond tion contained in the paper he held in his hand. When he had the honor of belonging to the Government there was not a building nor a road which could be made without the a-sent of the Council and tho supervision of tlu-ir otiicers. Mr. S'-vanso.n' fa id that it was carrying the joke too t.-:r to blame tin- people of Auckland for the state ofthe city. 11 u :is a notorious fact that when even tho officers ot termer Provincial Governments wanted money, they wem and sold an allotment. The worst part of the city up in this way. This was well known, i hesu aii-'tmeut.s would go into the hands of persons who would be followed by everything that was bad iiii;! nothing good. ■ There could be no doubt about ti!ri v. lie could only say. on tho part of tho City Borird, that they would either by their funds or in any other way lend their assistance to the purchase of this spot. The bin passed. Mr. M vx.v moved that tho Council should adjourn for one hour to enable the speaker to forward the hill to the Superintendent. Mi. it' v—addressing the Council w:t' l an envelope ami enclosure in his hand—said : 1 fog, sir, 1-- inform the O unci! tiiat. what I hid previously warned iheni 1 thought was tho fact, that the b : U 13 illegal: 1 have an opinion on it. 1 only sus] e :ted that such was tho cas-o before; now I know it to be so. Mr. Wyn>" said the hill was perfectly legal. [Wo were informed that the basis ofthe opinion to which the hon. member referred was that all money bills should proceed from tho Superintendent.] NATIVE LAXD ITKCI'A-E lilLI.. —MESSAGE 91. (mtrOWERIXG ACT.) MESSAGE NO. 91. Tne Superintendent returns to the Provincial Council the " Empowering Act, 1561," and proposes for the consideration of the Codncil the following amendments, viz.:— Ist. In tin l Ith line of the preamble, after the word •' exceeding," omit the sum £ 15,000, and insert the sum £o7, ; '00 in ]i eu thereof. -nd. In the 6th line of clause 1, after tho word "of" omit the word fifteen, and insert tho words thirtv-scvi nin lieu theroof. Again, after the word. " th' usind" in the same lino, insert the words five hundrod. (Signed) Robert Graham, ' Superintendent. Mr. C'at.i.iiton moved that an addresß be adopted, and said that the adoption of the recommendations contained in it were the conditions under which tho superintendent would co iscnt to take the sum of .£2ij,COO from the half-million loan !or the puichase ofthe site of the Supreme Court House. He would make an explanation. .1 lie fctiperintend:-nt would not allow the remainder ofthe .£50,000, originally devoted to the purchase of native land, to remain unappropriated while there was a charge of thi» nature against the loan, 'llie who'-e of tliut XoO.OuO, with the exception ofthe £12,000 which was to be taken from it for the present purpose, must be secured according to the original intention. 'J ho Council would be put in possession of the necessary hills for . nipoweriiig the Superintendent to effect- tho purchase from the General Government. It had been impossible to print them for the course was not fn.illy resolved on till shortly before the meeting ot the Council, and the Law Otlicer had been drafting with all haste. Looking at all the circumstances he considered the arrangement the only 0110 possible. TheSAEAKF.it read a message f.om the Superintendent, JN'o. S)2. MESSAGE >'0. 92. The Superintendent submits for consideration y the Provincial Council a bill to enable the fcuDeriniendent. of the Province of Auckland to acquire certain lauds in the City of Auckland. P.obkut Graii.ol, Superinter.dert The Council at this stage of the proceedings, 5 10 p.m., adjourned tor an hour, to enable the Hj-eaker to forward the bill to his Honor. . The Council re-nssenib'ed at a little after 6 o'clock, and proceeded to discuss a bill embodying the recommendations ofthe Message 90. ins honor's An Act to enable the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland to expend a sum not exceeding t'15,000 on the purchase of native lands. Whereas it is expedient to authorise the Superintendent to expend out of tho amount appropriated to the purposes of immigration and purchase cf land by the " Auckland Loan Act, 151>3," a sum not exceeding £lo,ui 0 011 the purchase of native lands. Be it therefore enacted by the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council thereof, as folic to : 1. Out of the amount appropriated to the objects of immigration and purchaso of native lands, and to be raised in virtue of the Auckland Loan Act, 1863, it shall be lawful for the Superintendent, and he is hereby authorized frcm time to time to pay and expend any sum or sums of money not exceeding in wlio'e the sum of .Cls,'. 00 in tho purchase of native lands, including therein tho whole cost of extinguishing the native title. 2. The short title of this Act shall be " Tho Empowering Act, ISC'!." The bill was read a first time. Mr. Qaiileton, in moving tho second reading, said the object of the bill was to enable his Honor the Superintendent to make arrangements for eventually securing this site to the Province. The object which the bill contemplated was the one which hon. members had in view, tie would not occupy the time of the Council any further, but would move the second reading. Mr. Ys y said that if the Government would give assurance that the Hand would not be sold to-morrow he was content. That was all that they wanted. It appeared to-him the effect of the bill was that they should have to go down to the auction and bid for their own property, allotment after allotment. If the Government said that the bill would stop the sale, they would jjasi the bill in five'minutes. Mr. Cabletox said li.aL the effect of the hill would not be as had been represented. The intention was that it would give tho guarantee for the purchase of the site. It was to make arrangements, for the Superintendent might, as tho Jaw at that moment stood, go down ami purchase without any bill whatever, liy tho acumen of the law officer, it would be oeen that tho second clause enabled the Supr-iintendent to 1 take immediate steps to save the land to the Province. He had been informed that it' Mr. Whitaker could only touch the money, Gr be perfectly satisfied that the money could he found, the site would be : withheld. Tho arrangements were then proceeding. Mr. said the most fastidious member of tho General Government must bo satisfied after what had , occtiricd in the Council. As for the acumen of the . law otlicer, his acumen would le dea t with by being 1 cut out. The Jaml was not to be sold as a whole ; block, but in small allotment-!. Ml'. King sa-'d then- f -u.«! he only ono iet&nsr.nn tho "subject, ;.nl that woi the . e pusiti&.i of the Bite j for provincial purpose..

T>r. Potxnn protested against tbo outnureoo.' P" :s •sore put npon the Council at that moment, jnat. bof<Ti •adjournment. He complimented the public spirit ol the City Board for the part thov had taken on thi•question. He would prefer to fo-i the monev take" from the fund for the purchase of native land. ''' rthought the necessity fcr placing a large suni foi the purchase of native land in the hands of the Go\em ment m ; ght be obviated. At all even f -P, tho ptosont opportunity would not be likely to return for obtaining this very eligihlo property. Mr. Cametox thought that even if tho second clause wore struck out of it, the bill might bo accepted. The responsibility would fall on the Council If tho bill passed, the arrangements necessary for securing tho sito might bo effected. Mr. Wvs'N thought that ninety-nine out of everv hundred in tho province were with tho Council in the matter. Thov wore not to bo threatened. Tho Superintendent should not be authorised to go down to Coclirano's mart to bid for tho land. Mr. Foley thought tho Superintendent should not "be Allowed to bid for tho pnperty. There was a portion of tho property sold without authority of the Council. Mr. Cavim.vn did not care by what means tho place ■was secured, bo long as it was secured. He would support the second reading of the bill. Mr. Hauhop thought that this Council should thank themselves that they had forced tho Superintendent to send down a bill at all. He thought that it whs only by continued pertinacity that this site was procured at all, and be doubted, if by this bil". oven, thov would be able to retain it. There bud boon -.1 dccided determination on the part of the Government to procrastinate in this matter. There bad been a want of will to meet the wishes of the Council, asked at the very last moment, only bis Honor bad sent down a bill. The Council however had anticipated him, and by a bill which he thought would be quite ns effectual as the one submit ted by his Honor to this Council. He would not oppose the bill. Tho bill was then ordered to be read a second time. Tho House then went into committee on the bill. Mr. ,T. O'Nkii.l taking the chair. In clause 1, Mr. WvNN moved as an amendment, that the words "at a sum not exceeding £25,000," "be added. Mr. CaM-etoit opposed the amendment on the jrround that if tho Council did not get this site for that amount, the whole of the blamo would be laid on the Government. Mr. "Wynn wished to obsorve that that was the sum required by tho Government for the tite, and if the Government did not get it for that sum, the •Government would have forfeited their word. The amendment was then put and carried. Mr. "Wvnx said this Council was told that it was •dangerous to limit the sum. l ie then read a part of a letter from Mr. Whitakerin which it was statrd that he would like to have an immediate mcssnsre from the Council stating whether they were willing to give .£20,0f0 for the building of the Supreme Court House, ■■and if so, thc-n the allotment should be handed over to tl e Council. Although the Council had no right to pay for this land, yet they were willing to give the £'25,C00 for the Supreme Court House, and he trusted the land would be handed over to the Council. It was resolved that tho clause as amended stand as part of the Act. In clause 2, Mr. Wynn moved as an amendment, that the words, " or paying tlie price of such land if exposed for public sale," be expunged. Mr. Cam.eto.s- thought that the omission of these "words would result in no inconvenience, for be did not think tliat Mr. "Wliitaker would press the sale a<ter receiving the bill. He would observe that lie was not entitled to speak for tlie Government, lie merely spoke his own opinions. As he iinderstood the jic L . the use for these words would not occur. If any evil should come of this, he would hold tho Go vemment entirely exonerated. Mr. Wtnx would not allow that the Superintendent should go down to Cochrane'? market and bid for tbeir own land. It was not to be put up as u whole but in small lots, and ho micht get one anH Tiot the other. The Council did not want any such thing. It wanted a bona fide arrangement with the Government. There is the money-—stop the sale, and give the land to tlie Council. Who postponed the sale for a week ? the Council. The Provincial G-ovemment never took a step in the matter, and this Council had brought them down to this, that "when they saw that the thing was to be seized out of their hands they endeavoured to creep out of it in tlie best way tliey could. It was due to this Council that this site was to be preserved to the city. The amendment, after some further discussion, was carried. The clause as amended was ordered to stand part of the bill. Before clause 3 was put to the committee, Mr Swanson wished to state that the City Board had authorised him to go to the Council and offer anv sum that the Council might be short towards buying the ?ite, and that the chrese parings and candle ends that might be saved might be applied yearly to the repaying of the loan to the Board. Mr. Ross would oppose any money being uffld by the Superintendent for the purpose which va;set apart for other purposes. Mr. Cahlitton said that the Superintendent had given way to the Council, and he hoped the Council would give way a little to the Superintendent. He did not wish to get the character in this Council of being obstinate without any reason. Dr. Pollen did not wish to divide the House, and so endanger the common object they had in view, bv delay. But he objected to so large a sum being taken from the city, and he would record his protest against it. After some further discussion, the" bill sent down by his Honor, was read a third time and passed. Message No. P3. The Superintendent lays before the Provincial Council copy of a letter from the Manager of t e New Zealand Steam Navigation Company. B. Bert Ghaiiam, Superintendent. " Auckland, November 15th, 18(54. "Sir, —As I intimated to your honor verbally this morning, I now beg to inform you that in consequents of the Provincial Council having refused to vote any sum for the inauguration and maintenance of a steam service between Auckland and the Northern Ports, the s.s. ' Wonga Wonga' will beat once withdrawn and be ordered to proceed to Wellington. " In order however to keep faith with the public she will perform the trip to the Bay of Islands already advertised, and go round tlie North Cape to 1 he Manukau, and from thence will sail for Taranaki and.Wellington without delay. " On behalf of the Company I have the honor to represent, I cannot help expressing the surprise I feel at the course adopted by the Council in thus breaking an agreement entered into by you on behalf of the Province, upon tlie faith of which tlie Company despatched a steamer to commence a service which at the time it was promised to be undertaken, was understood could not possibly prove a remuneration or be a self-supporting one unless it received some assistance from the Government. " I also desire to draw you-. attention to the fact that a considerable expense "was incurred in sendiug the vessel from Wellington to Auckland, and preparing to enter upon the new service. This lam confident must be estimated at less than £250. " Ab might reasonably be expected, tlie first month's working also exhibits a loss which amounts to over £300. " It may be satisfactory information for you to bo made awaro of that during the second month's operations, a better prospect was opening which merely required the assurance of the Government paving the subsidy you agreed to give, to lead me to conclude thataßteamer could be kept running for say twelve months, without much loss accruing to the Company, whilst at the same time it ivouhl tend with ce,-u. Ny rapidly to increase-tlje trade of tlie port ot Auckland, and all'ord the public generally, the means of communicating with.the capital of the Province, and the important settlements in tlie North, this would be much sooner accomplished if the coal', lately discovered, were worked, and it waß found possible to deliver some in large quantities. "Having a steamer running between Auckland and the Bay of Islands would no doubt have facilitated operations having that end in view. " So far as the immediate interests of tlie Company are concerned, I cannot avoid saying that I do not at all regret the determination of the Provincial Council, but feel it nevertheless to be my duty to state that I have communicated with tlie directors of the Company on the subject, and wait'their instructions as to the course I am to take in relation to the peculiar position this matter lias unfortunately assumed between your Honor's Government and the Company " In conclusion, I wish to remove from your mind any misapprehension as rcspocta keeping the ' Wonga

Wonga' permanently on tliis line. Tho directors ■ sent this steamer, as tho only ono they had at the t time, intending to replace her in a month or so b\ t, tho * Storm Bird* as soon as she was ready for service; and were also rosolved to place another larger steamer on wheuever tho traftie ior cargo or passengeis 1 required it. " I have, &c., 1 " R. J. Duncan, " Manager, N.Z.S.N. Co." Mks*aok No. !'4. , The Supremo C< urt House A -t, passed by the ( Provincial Council, has been pre x ;nteel by tho lion, j the Speaker to tlio Superintendent for tho Governor's t assent. _ . . , t The Superintendent is advised by tlio Provincial Law Otliei-r that he cannot legally assent to the .Supreme Court House .Act. , The Superintendent has accordingly withheld I assent of tho Governor to the Supremo Court House J Act. f (Signed) 1 Bomif.T Guaiiam, f , Superintendent MHSSAIiF.. i Tho Council went to the further consideration of message 91, upon the question that .UIo.OOU be altered to £137,•'">00. Mr. Kim; objected to any such increase. He did not think the Superintendent should have nearly the > whole of the surplus fund being placed in the hands of the Superintendent. What had the purchase ol land to do with the Supremo Court lUWise r | Mr. Cari.f.ton was astonished at the objection raised. Here was an agreement, silently entered into, repudiated. They hail heard tlie condition contained ) in sending down the bill, and tlu-y ae-e-epte-el the bill, knowing that condition, and they had repudiated. ' He knew what the verdict of every man trained to j honourable ideas would give upon this proceeding ' He had been himself trained to such idces. lie had only heard the objection taken by one lion, member. He trusted his example would not be followed. 1 Mr. \Vy>*x said there had been no agreement —no ' understanding. Was it to be said that an arrangement had been come to with the Superintendent in terms in which he said, " Give a few thousand more i —1 will pass you the bill." lie asks, "II you will give nie £37,000 more than the L'IHMKH) I eiriginally asked, I will go to the General Government and bargain for you.'' Was the Council to be bribed — was such a bait to be taken? He wanted £7000 more, and he would go to Mr. lrtaker and bargain for the land. There was no such intention in passing the bill. He never thought of entering into so disgraceful a compact. Ml-. lCv.int said the debate was all one-sided. The lion, gentleman at the head of the Exe-e-ntive was not treated quite fairly. There certainly were conditions in the two bills to be considered together. Cries of " No, 110, no." Mr. Kino inquired whether the proposition, asking both bills to be considered together, had been put to the House? Mr. Si'KAKEii said it had not. Mr. Kicnit said such conditions were certainly spoken to by the hon. gentleman (Mr. Carleton) and assented to by the Council. Cries of " No, no, no." Mr. Cahj.eton : Hear, hear. Mr. KKr.lt said he had not intended to have spoken on the question, but he had done so in the interest of what he considered fair piny. Upon the motion that .C 15,000 be altered to £37,500, the House divided, when thenunibers were: ! Ayes, 3 ; Noes, 10. Tlio bill was theiofore lost, and e r.lered to be reurned without amendment. VOI.I'NTKEIi AND MII.ITIA COMI'ANIIS. Mr. 0 a dm An moved, that in the opinion ol' tills Council, it is c-xpedient and desirable that the Volunteer and Militia Companies who have been engaged on act,ml service dm ing the present insurrection in this province, should be entitled to tlie privileges I granted i:i the Military Se-ttkrs' clauses of the Auck- i land Waste Lanel Act, ISiS." ! lie thought it ve.-ry hard that while strangers | were allowed claims to land that tho-e- who lead given their services, left their In me-s, give'n up wales ami shut up their shops, for tlie protection nf this province, and many of them had been struck down by disease and hardships had an e'qual claim. He thought tbeir claims ti iintcendid any that could be urged on behalf of the immigrants w ho came to settle. Sir. Kfuu scconeleel the; motion. Tie was erne.- of tho body him:e'.f. He bene.- bis le-timony to the ir i zeal, ee urage, and plications. Tlie-y had selde in twe, j consc utivu nights in led, and their sutleiings had j been gicatly inbaiutd by tin; 7( al they hud con- j tributcd to the safety of AucHanel. lie thought the j whole of the militaiv deserved seme-thing fit m the I country. It might come out of tin; lands to be; eon- | liscated !y the General Government. j Sir. E iNt; supported the- motion, lie was glad it; had been brought up before the-meeting of the Oene-- I ral Assembly. Last \iar if was said that nothing j was done by the General Assembly treatise the: pro- j vince of Auckland had not move el in tlie- matter. He- ! cemld bear his testimmv to their eoneliie-t. The-v i were ever willing to perform any elutv, or to face; anv i danger. They were not a ne-wjy orgai.i-eel body. I They neither supplied them with tuuels or gave; e-u- i eouragement. He} thought upe-n the-roce»i!«ruendatiou 1 ot the Council tile General Asse.mliy weiuld be elis- ' posed to consider their case. A laige peertion ( of tlie eonlec.ited lands was lertile-, ami there could be no better elefonee force- than the-ir own settlers, who had done such service-. Her was sure tho House would consent to ie-eognise-those services. He had moved a .-cries ol re-solutions last year, which were to bo founel in page- («'' e>f the; blue book. He would move these resolutions again as an amendment. Mr. Sk I KN said there could be no question as to their merits. Any testimonial by this Lemncil could not be lvgardeel as sullicient. '1 he country was proud of them ; they had done their duty in the dav of danger. He did not think that the 10 ae-re clause would supply the means for their reward. '1 he source from which their reward in his opinie n should come was the iancl taken from the natives. It was not. to the Province of Auckland hut to the whede colony that they had rendered such signal services. It would have bee-n a graceful act tor tinProvincial Council to initiate some pmce-eding. Their services had been the protection, not merely of the; province, or the city, but of the whole; colony, lie would have supported the motion most cordially, but the resolution appeared to him to place the matter ill a better position. j Mr. J. O'Nuilj. and Mr. lloss also supported there- ' solution. j Mr. Katthay thought the amendment the more j deserving to be adopted, as the G neral Government ! derived t e greatc.-t benefit from the service. It was 1 a colonial question more than a pi-ovim-ial one. | Mr. Gi:on<;E said it was a question for the Ge-ncral \ Government. They defenoed the sovereignty of the Queen. II they hael to ben-row mone'v where was ■ the distinction to be drawn between the rich and poor ; between those who had given mue-h service- ' and those who hud rendered little, tie was veiv i much al'ra d this was an attempt at vote-catching. Mr. Swanson was astonished to sue so thin a House on this occasion, but, was glad to see such an alteration in the tone of tho Council on this subject. , But lie objecteel to the idea that hael obtained here, ! and lha" was, that the men went willinglv. He hail i seen dozens of cas.'s where men we-rc compelled to go I in spite of themselves. He thought the-y ought t'i ! give these men a tangible recompense.-fur what tln-v had done willingly or otherwise. \\*o were serveil and we ought to pay for it. Mr. Wynn thought that the Council was wearied, and asked the Council to adjourn tlie debate, and at the same time adjourn the Council. He was quite piepared to vole for this, but would ask for an adjournment. The motion was negatived. Mr. KeiU£ thought that this ought to be given by the General Government. He said he hael not slated that this was got up for vote-catching, but it looked very much like it. Mr. J. O'Neill said that the hon. member for Pianklin was very soro. Of course it was very hard thai the otlicer who drilled a lot of men on .he B rrack Square should not receive more than the private militiaman. But. wdien 'hey were out at Drury euotl er places, tlio men who were doing duty i!in-ht after night were more entitled to tho land than the.otlicer who did nothing but go mind once a a : ght to visit those who were roally doing the dutv. H would vote that all should be on the; same scale. Mr. Fuley said he was as independent as Mr. George as regarded cate hmg votes. He believed the mo:ion-would be carrioi without many dissentient vo'cei. Mr. Coolauan was of opinion that the men who led the volunteers were entitled to moro than an ordinary man. He was talking of officers. He was speaking of men whoritljed thoir lives to proteot liun

and others who stayed behind. Ho was of opiniem that tho officii!" slie.nlel get more; than the men, and that privates should be remunerated for the protection thov had given. Mr. Cai>m an regretteid that Mr. Kerr was so angry. He had accused him (Mr. Caelinan) of catching vot a, but he thought that Mi. Kerr's spceih was-u vote j catcher. On tho nmondment biang put, ii. was cnr.ied. The following is the amendment : — "1. That the Council recognises the claim of Hie Volunteer Militia Cavalry and Naval Korccs, wlio have been engaged during the rebellion, to grants of lanel, not so much as payment, for service, but mor to substantially testily as an acknowledgement by the Government of the) valuable and etiioient aid reneli-reel in time of need. <4 'J. That the Coune-il for eoni-ilera-tion by the General Govornme.-nt the fore'going resolution, with a view to some portion of tho lands in the; W'aikate), about, to be confiscated, being set apart for the above purpose. ■ " o. Th-.t the! Speaker 1)0 requested to forward the foregoing re-solutions to tho Geiucral Government." Mr. Wvnn inoveel the aeljournment of the Council until to-inorreiw, at 11 o'cloelc.