THE Otago Daily Times. " Inveniam viam aui faciam." DUNEDIN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 618, 10 December 1863, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. " Inveniam viam aui faciam." DUNEDIN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10.

[Condensed from the Daily Southern Cross.]

In the House of Representatives, on Wednesday. November 25th, • ' , .• '-.

Mr Weld put a question as to what was contemplated respecting the future government of the Chatham Islands.

Mr Fox said that something* was intended to be done. He believed the best thing- tor the Maoris now there would be to remove them- bring them to the Northern Island. The proposal to establish a convict settlement on the Chathams might be entertained; but, of course, the Government had not matured any plan* on the subject. - ■ ■ -

Major Richardson asked ". whether Ministers de-r sign taking any measures for the institution of a penal establishment for the whole colony V

Mr Fox said that during the short time they had been in office the Government had had the subject under consideration, but had not yet formed a decided opinion concerning it.

On the motion of Mr Weld, seconded by Major Richart»son, the House went into Committee to consider the despatches of the Governor, relative to the Waitara, which had been laid on the table.

Mr Weld then moved—

"1. That this House, having supported the measure taken by his Excellency . the late Governor of New Zealand, to repress the armed interference of W. Kin£ at Waitara; because as set forth in its Resolution of August 16, 1860, in" the opinion of the House, such measures were ' indi*pensable for the due maintenance of her ~ Majesty's authority'—considers that the renewed and definitive recognition by his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, in his despatch of August"2s,lß63, 'of the iustice of exerting military force against W. I£ing and his allies,' has happily rendered it unnecessary for thjs House to controvert or supplement statements made by h's Excellf ney Sir George Grey, in his despatches on the Waitara question. '•" ' ..■■•';

"2. That, in the opinion ofthis House, the good faith of the Crown and the interests of both races of her Majesty's subjects in this colony demand that tbe chief Teira and his. people should be protected from possible illegal aggression; and that injustice to him, and. in compliance with the request contained ia his petition to this House", the investigation into the title to the Waitara block promised -by Governor Gore Brown aod by Governor Sir G. Grey should be completed at the earliest practicable period.".,

The honorable member made a long speech, almost confined to details of the action taken by the House.

Major Richardson seconded the motion.

It was agreed to without, discussion, reported to the House, read a second time and adopted, and. was ordered to be transmitted to his Excellency, with a request that he would transmit it to the .Secretary of Slate for'the"Colonies.'."•. '■■'..■

Papers were, laid on- the table, including the io\-. lowing—A letter by ' the native prisoners to W. Thompson, stating that they had surrendered their arms and made peace, recommending1 that others should make peace in the same way, that the mana should be put down, and all ambuscades stopped. A letter from Te Wheoroto the Governor, proposing to go with the interpreter, Mr Grundy, and offer terms of peace to the rebels; ' •

; .. Mr FiTZGEnAxD then moved an'address relative to the riemoyal of the seat of. Government,1 acopy of which ;will be' found in our second leading article in this day's piper. ' ■ . ■"■'' ■ ■'-■' ■'• -: ' ;

j The honorable member addressed the House for an Jiour and a half. If Auckland'"had any just claim to be the seat of Government, he "was not one who would' ignore it. But lie said that there was no' such claim.. In 1840, fh3 Government was removed from Hussel to Auckland : the only other then settlement being Wellington. From that time, the establish-

■£' ofth, e Government at Auckland had been; constantly and stiongly protested against by otheS parts £ the colony Auckland cease ito be the seat of' tef^.^ Lord Grey's CoStS tion Act, by which it was constituted the seat for tbe Government of the Province of New Ulster Se Wellington was selected for that of New MutS From 1846 to 1852, the former was Tnder a governor, and the latter under a liJuten .ant-governor . and the governor, for fe three years lived in Wellington, conducting tl c Go vernment of the whole of the colony from thW In every session since.,the. fiist in 1854, the seat of Qovernment question has been discussed ff the House, except in 1855, when few Southern mlber^ were present. In 1854 he moved that the next sea! sion should beheld m a more central position ,• but Auckl nd was dominant as compared with any 'other place, and there was strong party feeling. In 1850 alter long discussion, it was resolved that the next session should be held in such other more central place as the Governor might decide ; but the Governor asked for something more explicit, and the House suggested Wellington. The Government asked for.a provision for the expense; and the Governor sent nnotber message, that he I considered Auckland would be the more convenient unless a lieutenant governor were appointed for that place. Through all these discussion?, no claim !as of right was urged ou behalf of Auckland. : In 1857 there waano session. In 1858, Mr Wardbrought the question on, but withdrew it; and the Governor1 intimated that he would convene the next session at Wellington. It was accordingly summoned to meet there _on the 3rd May, 1860, was prorogued to the 18th June, and again prorogued to the 25th July, to meet in Auckland. The. Colony had got into native difficulties by that time, and the Governor changed his intention. In 1861, a motion that the necessary public buildings should be erected in Auckland was proposed and negatived; that being the only proposal bearing on the subject. In 1862 an Otago member proposed the removal from Auckland; but the motion was negatived' by 23 to 22. Afterwards motions for. holding the next session at Wellington and Christchurch were both negatived. He thought hs had proved that there was no public agreement with/ Auckland on the matter; and the fact that there had been private speculat?ons on an assumption could not be considered.. The seat of government should be central as to accessibility, and Auckland was at one: it should be as convenient as possible for the Panama Mail Service, and to; meet that requirement, it must be sought in Cook's Straits. At Auckland, the Govern, ment was between the most powerful and warlike Natives-a position which, theoretically, all wpuld admit to be bad, and which he said had been : prfved: ;to be :so practically. Then i the military influence ,in Auckland was disadvantageous to " the Government. In Otago, the population was migratory, which was an equal objection to that just named; and the objection ot being at one end applied as forcibly to Otago as to Auckland. The ends being excluded, only the middle _? f T V°P k-'?..S traite. remained.. The carrying ofthis resolution aid. not mean, Separation ; for all who supported it did so because they felt sure that Separation would come unless the resolution was adopted. ; He would submit to the Auckland members that Auckland must choose between being an extremity of a united and great. colony, or the capital of a sm&ll colony over-shadowed by a great one.

Mr Cakgilii seconded the motion. Mr Gillies raised the point of order, that the paragraph in the address relating to a certain expenditure of money could only be discussed in a committee of the whole House. ■ ■ . :

The Speaker ruled that the money clause must be excluded, and subsequently considered in' Committee of the whole House, as suggested.

Mr; Stafford moved^" That in the opinion of this House, in the present critical state of the colony with; a dangerous native insurrection raging within a few miles of the seat of Government, it is highly inexpedient to take any stepsfor removing the seat of Government, having1 especial regard to the effect which such a proceeding would have upon the native mind and upon the Imperial Government." He was convinced that the future would point out Auckland to be »he Province most advantageously placed for "the seat of Government, both as regarded its wealth; population, and natural facilities for* steam "coin- : munication with all parts of the colony • and he conscientiously believed that a most unstatesmanlike mistake would be committed, if the motion was carried—one which the hon. 'mover himself if he lived long enough in the colony, would find it necessary to admit. The honorable member spoke for an hour, principally replying to the arguments of Mr Fitzgerald—who (he said) in searching the journals ot the House, and in his speech had unfairly, and no doubt unintentionally mixed up the perfectly distinct questions of the .seat of Government and the place of meeting.of the Assembly. Mr O'Neill seconded tha amendment:.

Major RICHARDSON supported the motion. There was a disease of a legislative and administrative character, which could only be cured by bringing the seat of Government into a central position! While it remained in the North with the whole at tention of the Government almost absorbed with native matters, the agitation for a removal would never cease.

Mr Gillies askei what was the effect of the amendment.

The Speaker , Eaid that the whole: address would be expunged after " that •" in the second line^

Mr Gillies said this prevented his moving amendments as he had intended. Although a prime mover in the Separation agitation, the, cessation of the "flour and sugar system" with the Maori's had removed one great cause of it. He would how lose his right hand rather than see separation if he could avert it by any fair and reasonable means. But the removal of the seat of Government to Wellington would add the misgovernment of the South to that of the North; and from the moment this motion was carried, he would leave no stone unturned to eflsct the separation of the two islands.

Mr Vogel considered the motion most inopportune, and asked the Ifouse to postpone consideration of the' question until the next session. Though approving- of Separation, he wished to see it effected with, the consent of both Houses.

Mr Fox intended to vote, as on previous occasions, for the removal of the Seat of Government. He did not believe the Imperial Government would ever consent to Separation. . ' - :

Mr Reynolds supported the motion.

Mr Brodis could hot approve of the amendment though it might be his duty to vote for. it, so as to get rid of the-motion. He would in every way endeavor to accomplish Separation.

; Mr Pateeson supported the motion, believing that lt.would allay the agitation for separation.

Mr Reader Wood said it had not been shown tfrat the seat of Government was ever away from Auckland. It was selected by. Governor Hobson; and ■successive ■ Governors had felt the impossibility of conducting the Government from any other place, Mr Jso, Williamson proposed to add to the amendment words providing for the appointment of a Lieutenant-Governor and an Executive for the Middle Island. If the motion was carried, he should for the first time become a. Separationist, and would agitate for it. . ' i

Mr Wilson could not vote for the motion, nor, as! 373 of his constituents had petitioned fora removal ii ol'the seat of Government, could he vote'for the amendment. So he would leave the House when tliei division was called. !

Mr Colenso felt that Auckland and Otago must > grumble with the Goyernment in Cook's Straits; and a3 he considered that, in the present state of the colony, it was wicked, if not insane, to proppsethe change, if it was carried he would heartily join th& Auckland members in striving for Separation. On tlie question being put, " That the words proposed to be struck out do stand part of the question," there appeared—

»>A yes ' 24: Messrs Domett, Fox, Cox, Wells, Richardson, Walker, Weld, Wilkin, W. W. Taylor, Wayne, Paterson. Fitz^rald, Cargill, Renall, Carter, Jolhe, Ormotid, Fitzhevbert, Rhodes, Brandon, Eyes Reynolds, Harrison, and Thomson.

Noes, 17 : Messrs Russell, Gillies, Butler, Monro G. Graham. O'Rorke, R. Graham, Mason. Colenso, James Williamson, John Williamson, Vogel, O\Neill G. J. Taylor, Stafford, Brodie, and Wood.

The address, minus the money clause, was therefore put ; and it was carried without a division.

The House adjourned at five minutes to two o'clock. The following pairs took place :— For

Mr Curtis Mr Mantell MrSaunders Mr J. C. Richmond Dr. Featherston.

Against. Lieut.-Colonel Nixon MrTarton Captain Baldwin Mr Henderson Mr Atkinson. "

■ On Thursday, 26th November, Mr Gimibs (in reply to Mr Wells) said that no orticial Communication had been received as to a steam postal service via Panama.

Mr Sta.pf3.bd ;'moved—

; " That before the next general election of members or the House ot Representatives, a general readjustment of the representation of the people of New Zealand in the said House should be made_; and that, as one principle on which such re-adjustment should be based, an equal number of members should be apportioned to the North and Middle Islands of New Zealand; and that it is the

T?n y-of^t'he .Govemment to prepare and introduce a ff lU >n the next session of the General Assembly with the above object."

;. Mr Williamson seconded the motion. "; It was negatived, the division beinj? as follows: - ■Ayeg,-15: Messrs O'Neill, G. Graham, C. Wilson, Uolenso^Atkinson, Cox, Mut.ro, Wavne, Turton, Butter, C. J. Taylor, Wood, Mason, Stafford, Joha w liiiamson. -

T^w'm n: m¥ essrs Carter ' F»rtevbert, Domett, pS Be.J l-, l T hlW )11» Richardson, Oarpill. Brodio, IJ? w w °i Ue» P^g^ld^Bves -Wells," Harrison *ox, Weld, Reynolds, Wilkm, Brandon. The Houss having gone into Committee. Mr Atkinson moved—

« n i o It r of the sumof L 200,000 appropriated soHii" the t Loa? Act, 1862, to the reinstatement of the settlement and. inhabitants of Taranaki, a sum not exneedms L175,0000u-ht to be devoted to liquidating the: losses suffered by the settlers of Taranaki in the I W'Tnfti 1.5?' '* " exPe'Hent that the said sum of 4,, V'■ ° b. e dwtnbuted forthwith. That tha delwnSl^Srr tt v loan finance, 1833, rTam- ■ (h5?L™ P ie ? 3l. led in and cancelled and the said urdmance repealed."

Ma Fitzgerald seconded the motion, tion VJ? ?£ £,n Ved an am«™dinent for the distxib,)relLed f^ >0 ° "-Iv' 00" as the selt^rs could be c»n tohS BteM} l.°«»Faiion B , interest at LC ie r of MJ? allowed in-lhe meant™e; that the WaJ-.ce »irPfi^ «'^ Su mS "PPropnaled, derincting L60.0C0 ..lready paid, be spent on'public works nsSjsshrv for £nd-^r? rtß^ 0? and Profifcable settlement r.f the Jand that the debentures under the Act of 18C3 be called m and cancelled; and the Act repealed. ob|s,ssa Hsc^a- "™

The House"went into Committee; and .Mr FiTzoEEALD moved the money'"'jinraprar-h which was omitted at the previous sitting frlni the Address respecting the seat of Government. ; A^oQ iV Miollit l^ rascSrried >" the number being— •ayes, 46; JNoes, 18.

The House resumed

The Crown Grants Act Amendment Bill wag ordered to be committed. The clauses were «me:d to without amendment, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.

■"The Miners' Representation Amendment Bill passed through Committee, and was read a third time- as were also the Otago Waste Lands ltqratatioiu Amendment Bill, and the Secondary Punishments Act Amendment Bill.

When Mr Fitzgerald's motion was reported there was a divifcOD, and its adoption was carried by «U,yotes to 12. ...... J

The" Registration Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee, after some amendments. The Otago Waste Lands Bill, No. 2, (Taxing) waa read a second time;.and, in Committee, the clauses were agreed to with amendments.

.Some other Bills were advanced a stage. On Friday, November 28 th, ; Mr-Fox detained leave to introduce a Bill, the principle of which was that any Proviuce proposkg to raise a loan for constructing a railway should fiht set aside Buch a portion of its waste lands as would ultimately pay off the loans.—(Hear, hear.) The Bill was read a first time.

A Compulaory f Vaccinatiou Bill was introducer] by Mr Gillies, and was read a first time ; as was also a BiDito extend the'right of appeal against judgments of Wardens' Courts, to cases of less than L2O.

Mr Stafford asked leave to introduce a Bill temporarily to suspend., the operation of the Nelson Scab Act, which was to come into effect on the Ist January, for thresmoriths.

Alter a long discussion leave .was given, and the bill was read a first time.

Mr Fitzgerald obtained leave to introduca a Bill authorising the appointment of a Lieutenant Governor in any Prbvincs which desired it.

The House adjourned to attend the funerals of Captains Mercer.and Phelps,

On the House resuming,

The following Bills were read a third time and passed :—Marine Boards Bill, Registration let Amendment Bill, Otago Waste Lands Bill. No 2 Regulation of Elections Bill, and Nelson College Trust Funds Bill.

The Commencement of Acts Repeal Bill, tbe Foreign Offenders Apprehension Bill, and the Hawkea Bay Loan Security Bill were each read a second time. i ' ■ ■

Mr Dillon Bell moved the second reading »f ' A bill to make further provision for the representation of the people Of New Zealand in the General Assembly." , The bill was drawn in accordance with the reporb of the «elect committee appointed to consider the subject of representation. To the'present number of members, 57, it proposes to add 13, thus distributed:—For a new electoral district within the present boundaries of Marsden, one member j ..city of Christchurch (ajnitional) one .member; a rew district within the present boundaries of Cheviot, one member; a new district within the present boundaries of Tiranm and Hampden, one member; new districts within the present boundaries of Hampdeo, two members; two new districts within the present boundaries of Brace, four members; city of Invercargill (new district), one member; native districts, two members. The names of the new districts were to be—Albertland, Courtenay, The. Lakes, Tokomairiro, Clutha, and city of Invercargill.

I'he Bill was read a second time. Some Bills were - received from the Legislative Council; and the House adjourned.

Securing the door after the steed is stolen is at all times a most unprofitable arrangement and it is but little consolation for the loss ol one horse that a.second is made safer. And yet we fear the principle involved in the old adage is guiding this Province, and that unless a little more wisdom js infused into their proceedings, the people of Otago will-some day suddenly wake up' to the conviction that it would have been far better to have locked the door before instead of after the steed had departed. Just now several very important movements are taking place in New Zealand. We see Auckland, Nelson, Marlborougb, Canterbury, and Southland, fully alive to the advantages to be derived from railway communication, and straining every effort ,to obtain them. Canterbury, the first to enter seriously upon the subject, already^boasts of its railway, and part of "a system of complete. railway communication has been opened for traffic. Auckland hai matured its plans, and will soon commence their execution; Marlborough is similarly situated, and we but the other day chronicled the inauguration of aline of railway in Southland.

Qtago, that ought to be the first in the race of civilization; that possesses ample means for "carrying out important public works, and whose necessities for railway communication are certainly equal to, if not greater than those of other provinces, appears content to stand an idle spectator of the enterprise of less favored, provinces. To stand, means of necessity to retrograde, and while this province is wasting time' in unprofitable delay, other provinces are rapidly outstripping it. Perhaps when Canterbury and Southland attract the chief share,of.immigration; when the lands [. of Otago lie" unnoticed while those of its neighI bors are eagerly purchased and actively populated; perhaps when Southland succeeds in ii absorbing the. trade-of the Lake gold fields, |! the people of Otago will arrive at the convic|i tion that railway communication is not only > desirable, but absolutely necessary. Unless : this province at once set about doing what at ;no very distant day it will be compelled^ (undertake, the results we have' indicated !as possible will surely take place, and the jloss of its trade, the neglect of its lands and the Stagnation of its commercial and general interests will when top late drive home bitter regret for past inattention. Then everybody will cry out loudly for locking the door, and probably indulge in earnest reproaches against

those responsible for the' neglect -which had occasioned the loss of the provincial steed. There is another question equally important in its way and respecting which there appears to have been a strange want of interest if not positive apathy.. We refer to the Panama Mail Service. . In spite of all we have urged of the vital consequence of this measure, nothing but a sort of spasmodic interest lias been created on the subject. Some thought the scheme premature; others thought it unprofitable ; some again thought it of no great consequence to the' Province ; arid others did not take the trouble to think anything about it. But the Panama Service is all but an accomplished fact,, and the advantages , of being directly connected with the route are now the subject -of keen rivalry between various colonial i ports. Auckland and Wellington are straining every .effort in= the matter, and unless Otago comes forward and brings all its'influence and importance to bear, one or other of the two '•.; places named will assuredly achieve the coveted position. The Provincial Council incapable of or at any rate failing to estimate properly the momentous importance of the question, negatived the proposal of offering pecuniary aid to the scheme, and the Government have maintained the like indifference. But we have more than the. Government or Council to deal with in this matter. [What has the mercantile community done beyond simply expressing opinions on the matter? 'Surely it does not require that we should point out to the merchants of Otago the immense advantages to be derived from kncor- ' poration with a direct system of steam communication with Great Britain. And yet apathy most unaccountable appears to exist,, and total indifference as to , whether,, Auckland or Wellington shall become the terminal port. Again, what is heing done respecting, the graving dock scheme ? Months have elapsed ?!2? c-ih.?-J?I9EPsal was....first.-laid- beforje the public; it received unanimous support, and 1. : the Provincial Council agreed to guarantee in-; terest on the required capital. •.'. But the un- . ; ;,dertaking is still only a chateau de Espagne, ■■» find the only evidencesi ..of its existence ar,e the ■- picturesque drawing in the Chamber of (Commerce, and, the records of the Provincial '. Council. The success of the: Graving pock: scheme is intimately connected with the obtaining the selection of this port as the terminal point of the Panama Service1, and : the construction of the Graving Docks is ~,.9 matter, likely, to affect the choice ofj the .terminus. We should like to know how j it is that the Government guarantee has no|t yet been applied for, and why no steps have Sheen taken to place the undertaking in a tangible : form before the public. We cannot see any difficulties in the way, and surely sufficient time has elapsed to enable the engineer to prepare the required plans, and to admit of 'the Company being registered. ! While Otago is thus wasting valuable itime Wellington is pushing on its plans. Already a Bill has been introduced in the General Assembly to enable the Superintendent of Wellington to purchase the land required for a patent slip, and every influence, Tre may be sure, is being brought to bear to secure the. selection of terminus. Now, we are quite sure - that if proper steps were taken in this matter Otago could secure the selection. It lias a claim to the first consideration by reason of the extent of its commerce, its ; large contributtons to the general revenue, and the fact that it will be the chief feeder of the iine.; We have not space to day to devote to any detailed , statistics, but we could, and will at a future time unmistakably prove that Otago has a right to claim to be made the terminus of! the . Panama route. But it requires something beyond this ; it requires that the inhabitants, and particularly the mercantile community should evince a lively interest in the matter. As :to the relative advantages of the various claimants, in regard to situation, distance, and shipping facilities, Otago is certainly second to none in any 61 these particulars, and might be made very far superior. The statistics of the Colony, prove that the harbor of Port Chalmers is quite capable of accommodating vessels of the largest class, and the casualties to shipping bear a. very infinitesimal proportion to ;the amount of tonnage entering the Port' The Government have ordered a steam dredge which will enable the harbor to be made still more accessible, and if the graving dock scheme be carried out, no other port in New Zealand can offer greater facilities to shipping. We are not aware whether the choice of terminus will rest with the General Government or with the Steam Company, but in any case Otago could gain the selection if it bestirred itself sufficiently. If the selection rest with the Government a strong representation pf the claims ot this port, could not fail to be listened tor-rat least one would suppose that the Province that contributes the lion's share of the colonial revenue is entitled to be heard. If the contractors are allowed to choose their own terminus, it only requires that they should be convinced it would be most profitable to select Port Chalmers, to secure the preference.

The news from the Tsforth is as regards warlike intelligence very meagre, Nothing particular has occurred since the defeat of. the . rebels at Kangiriri, and General Cameron had made no forward movement up to the departure of the mail. There were many flying ru- . mours respecting the probability of peace, and the Waikatos are reported to be desirous of making terms. We should not be sorry, at a cessation of hostilities, but it must not be ;on any other terms than the absolute and unconditional surrender of the rebels, and thesforfeiture of their arms. There must be no hesitating in the work oi" subjugation, and the war must be carried on until every vestige of rebellion is trampled down. ; : .Further details confirm the fearful loss the ..troops suffered at Rangiriri, and the report of 200 certain of Maori killed resolves itself into an actual loss of some forty or fifty. The prisoners of war are for the present in durance on H. M. ship Curacoa, waiting the decision of His Excellency as to "what snail he do with it ?" or them.

The political subject that is most engrossing attention is the proposed removal of the seat of Government. On the 25th Ult., the following Address to the Governor was, on the motion

of Mr. Fitzgerald, carried in the House by a majority of seven, Messrs. Cargill, Wayne, Paterson, Reynolds, and Major Richardson voting in its favor:-7 : '■.;.,;. ; May ix ?i,ease your ExoelT/Ency, ! • We, the Commons of New Zealand], in Parliament assembled, desire respectfully to express to your Excellency our strong conviction ■ that the time has arrived when it has become imperatively necessary, for the good government of the whole colony, and for the maintananca of its unity, that the permanent position of the Seat of Government should now be finally settled. . ; We are of opinion that the just claims and varied necessities of all parts of the colony require that the Seat of Government should be placed in a central position, that is to say, somewhere upon the shores of Cook's Straits. , ; , . I ; We rlesire that the actual site of the capital should be submitted to some independent tribunal, by which the interests of the whole colony may be Impartially considered, apart from those local claims which are sure to be asserted by the several settlements of Cook's Strait, in the discussion of a question so important to their respective interests. ; Such a tribunal would, in our opinion, be best formed by commissioners having: no interest in, or relations with any part of the colony, and whose hiah social and intellectual standing would guarantee a full enquiry and an impartial decision, founded solely upon a consideration of the advantages which the different"5 sites in Cook's Strait present for the administration of the Government of the whole colony. We venture to think that the Governors of the neighboring coloniea woulJ, if moved theretoiby your Excellency, readily lend their aid in tbe selection of such commissioners. We therefore respectfully pray that your Excellency will be pleased to request their Excellencies the Governors of New South' Wales, Victoria, and of Tasmania, each to appoint one Commissioner of th.B character, and for the purpose Herein referred to; and that your Excellency will bejpleased to submit to the consideration of the commissioners so appointed the question as to the. best site-for the Seat of Government within. Cook's Strait. !

We further pray that immediately upon receiving the report of the commissioners so appointed, your Excellency will be pleased to cause the site recommended by them to be forthwith procured, and'the necessary buildings for the residence of the Governor, for the offices of Government, and; for the meetings of the General Assembly, to be forthwith erected; and the House hereby undertakes to vote all such, sums as your Excellency shall direct to he incurred for the expenses of the Commission, and for. the establish ment of the seat of Government in the localiiy.thus to be selected. •' ' ■ '- '' ' ; -' : L i -■

, Impressed with the "conviction that continued delay in the settlement of this question will only tend to keep alive those feelings of rivah-y and jealouky, between different parts, of-the colony, -which seriously tend to impede the action of Responsible Government, and which threatens at no distant period the dismemberment of the colony; we respectfully but earnestly pray that your: Excellency will cause no time to be.lost in carrying: into effect the measures now submitted; ; ' : i; •. ; \ i

As we predicted, the question of removal has resulted in a combination between Auckland and Otago for promoting the Separation of the two islands, and a powerful League has been formed to carry out the measure. Meantime Wellington is jubilant, and Auckland vents its indignation in. no measured terms. As affording some clue to the motives of some of the: supporters of the Wellington party, we may quote the following extract from : the Southern Cross : — " So far as a vote of the House of Representatives can settle the question at issue, ' somewhere on Cook's Straits' is to be the seat of government in all time coming ; arid by the very terms of the address, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch are alike shut put from competition before the commissioners, who are to decide between the rival claimants. Surely, it Auckland must be sacrificed it is hardly fair to Dunedin and the rising city of Christchurch, to ignore their existence, and select a solitary spot on Cook's Straits. * * * * *; ..* This proposition is too monstrous to be ratified by the constituents of Mr Fitzgerald ; and certain we are that those Otago members who have stultified themselves by their vote on this question will be called to account on their return. Three of the Otago members saw that by supporting the motion, they neither secured Jor themselves the benefits arising from a local, government, nor anything like an equitable distribution of the revenue to which their province contributed so largely, and they opposed the motion. One was absent, and- th e remaining members looked at the question through commercial spectacles. They are identified with that commercial party in the House whose head-quarters is ' somewhere on Cook's Straits,' and which openly calculates upon the votes of its members in the General Assembly to secure for a certain undertaking the monopoly of the steam service of the colony, and« of course' liberal subsidies, which will enable the directors to continue to pay handsome dividends to their shareholders. Thus, we find wheels within wheels at work; and attention to the revolution of this complicated piece of machinery, enables us to arrive at the exact nature of the motive

power.''

For information respecting the legislation affecting the Otago Land Laws, we refer our readers for the present to the letter from our Correspondent at Auckland, published in another column. ......

To-day's supplement contains farther Parliamentary reports; the letters from our Auckland and "Wellington correspondents, the report of Supreme Court proceedings, and other matter of general interest. • . . . •

The performances to-morrow night at the Princess' Theatre are announced for the benefit of Mrs Clararice Holt, a lady whose efforts upon the Dunedin stage are fully deserving the special recognition of a crowded house. Without being hypercritical, it may fairly be stated that Mrs Holt, byher.talents.and industry,-has achieyed. the position of a decided favorite with the theatrical public. The range of characters she has taken has been very great, and she has given satisfaction in all. The pieces to be produced are "Love's Sacrifice" and "The Windmill,'-' with an interlude between, Mr and Mrs Holt, Miss Julia Mathews, and Mr Harry Jackson assuming the leading eha-acters. There willino doubt be a very crowded house. i

At the Resident Magistrate's Court a seaman named John Houßton was sent to gaol for six weeks for deserting from his ship the Daniel Eankin, which has recently arrived at Port Chalmers from Glasgow. The man expressed his regret fpr leaving, and his willingness to return? to his duty, and begged that another chance might be afforded him, and the worthy magistrate urged Captain Miller to give the man another trial but without "avail. The Captain admitted that tho seaman's character had been good previously, but pressed for a conviction. Surely a timely display of leniency to a

truant member.of his crew would have been more gracious and manly on the part of the shipmaster* It is not by such harshness that crews can be kept together. .This severity may cause a willing hand to become a sulky sailor. .;

We were shown yesterday, a very fine sample of gold, weighing about 20 oz, purchased at the West Taieri by Mr Lyons. The parties who sold the gold would not disclose the locality jwhere it was found. Some good finds are being made in the hills about Blacksmith's Gully, to which there was a rush a few days since.

We notice that the schooner Pryde has been chartered by the Provincial Government: to proceed to the Kaduku River, Martin's Bay,| on the West Coast, and is to sail on the 14th inst.

Persons through whose properties roads have been taken, and who are consequently interested in any alterations contemplated in theni are by advertisement in the "Provincial Government Gazette," requested to communicate at once with the Secretary of public works.

No fewer than eleven bachanalians; were brought up and fined at the Police Court yesterr day, some of these were new arrivals who celebrated their landing by over imbibition, and had a lodging at the station house, for which the} paid 2Os next morning.

The following land sales are advertised in the " Provincial Government Gazette" of yesterday :— "Township of Clyde, on the east bank; of the Clutha, Upper Dunstan Township, at the Camp, on the 11th January, at 11 o'clock, a.m.; township of Cromwell, at the junction of the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers, at the Camp, on the 13th January, at 11 a.m.; township of ITrankton, at the junction., of the, Wakatipu Lake with the Kawarau River, ,at the Camp, on Friday, the 15th January, at 11 a.m. ; townshipof Queenstown, on the north bank of the Wakatipu Lake^ at the Camp, on Monday, the 18th January, at 11 a.m.; ani township of Kingstown, at the south'end of the-Wakatipu Lake, on Thursday, the 21st

Jannary, at 11 o'clock

The weekly meeting for practice of the Philharmonic. Society, .was • held yesterday evening, at the Assembly Rooms, Prince's street. ' There was a large, attendance, and the advantage of practice was manifest in the improvement that has taken place in the choruses. : We believe it is purposed to give the Oratorio of the Messiah on .Christmas Ever ~' .......;

Applications were received at the Land Office, Dunedin; between the 18tli November last, and the 2nd of this month, both inclusive, for 752 acres of rural land. There are eight applicants, the smallest block measures 59 acres,, and the largest, 150. The decision win be made at, the .Waste Land i Board Office,: Dunedin, on Tuesday, the 15th of this month. !

The aniiual meeting to consider the applications made for the granting and renewal of 1 Auc tioneers' Licenses, is appointed to be held in the Provincial Secretary's Office, Dunedin, on Monday, the 28th of this month, at two o'clock in the

afternoon

The Provincial Treasurer, by advertisement in the " Provincial Gazette," of the 9th instant, asks for tenders for the supply of rations and medical comforts for the Dunedin Hospital and Lunatic Asylum for the year ending 30th December, 1864. .-•; : •..'..; . -.' '. :

By announcement in the " Provincial Gazette," the Provincial Government offices in Dunedin will not be opened on the Fast Day, Thursday next, the 17th inst. :

A meeting of the Otago General Road Board is appointed to be held at the Government offices, Dunedin, on Friday week, the 18th instant, at noon, for the dispatch of business.

John Hardy, Esq., M.P.C., George Hepburn, Esq., M-PiC, and George Duncan, Esq., M.P.C., are appointed under the Superintendent's warwant, Commissioners to inquire into and receive evidence upon the question of roads and their deviations throughout the Province of Otago.

By advertisement in the "Provincial Gazette of the 9th instant, tenders are invited by the Provincial Secretary for five tons of hay or chaff, 100 bushels of colonial oats, and 20 bushels of bran, to be delivered at the Teviot Station ; and also separate tenders for the supply of Manuka firewood and coals during the year 1864 for the Government offices, Police offices, Gaol, Hospital. Lunatic Asylum, Immigrants' Barracks in Dune" din.

The people of Nelson, true to their reputation for somnolency, appear to manifest the utmost indifference concerning their West Coast gold fields. In spite of urgent representations from the miners of the necessity of proclaiming! the Buller diggings a gold field, the Government took no steps in the matter, and we now learn from the "Nelson Examiner" that a meeting called for the purpose of memorialising the Government to proclaim the Buller district "a gold field, " was so thinly attended that, after electing a Chairman, the meeting was adjourned for a week."

The Secretary of the Education Board by advertisement in the " Gazette" of the 9th instant, asks for tenders for the erection of Schoolhouses for South Dunedin and Wakari respectively.

Tenders are invited by the Secretary for Public Works, by advertisement in the " Provincial Gazette," 9th December, for 300 yards of road metal for the Koad, Northern Trunk, Port Chalmers; for the construction of a lock-up at WestTaieri ; for 240 yards of metal for the Pine Hill road ; for 300 yards of metal for the portion of the Main North Trunk, between the 4th and 6th mile posts from Dunedin ; for the construction of about 2 miles and 60 chains of the Northern Trunk road through the Hawkesbury District; for stone for about 4 miles of the * Southern Trunk Koad between the south branch, of the Tokomairiro Kiver and the crossing of Lovell's Creek : for the erection of a court-house at Port .Chalmers ; and.for. the supply, delivery^ erection, and maintenance of telegraph posts between Tokomairiro and the Wakatipu Lake.

The Auckland Races come off oh the Ist and 2nd "of'January',' 18641 On the first day, the races on the card will be a Maiden Plate of 100 soys, with sweepstakes of 10 soys added; the Ladies'' Purse of—soys, welter weights; a .Royal .Cavalry Volunteer Plate, ;for horses the property of members of Ithe corps ; an innkeeper's Plate, of-—soys}" a Farmer's Plate, of r- soys; and a p,ony race. The second day opens w^th a 1 Madden Produce, of — soys, for horses bred in the colony ; then will follow the Jockey Club Plate, ol 200 soys, with a sweepstakes of 10 soys, and, far this race the following horses are entered ,—Mr Redwood's eh m Ladybird, Mr Redwood's eh "c Regnum, Mr Morse's blk 'g Chrysalis, Mr Cameron's hrg Volunteer, Mr Macfarlane's br g Koheroa, Mr Wild's br g Gra rotter; Mr, Wild ns;br:m Brunetta^Mr St. Hill's ■b.m Siren, CaptWalmsiey's eh h Maori Chief, Mr Rogers's g g Sam Slick, Mr King's eh g Butterfly. The remaining races of the day are a Hurdle Race, a Military Plate, the Consolation Stakes, and a Forced Handicap. The entries are to be made on or before the 24th of December.