PROVIANCIAE COUNCIL:

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1689, 30 May 1867, Page 4

PROVIANCIAE COUNCIL:

'. ;.; ; WEDNESDAY r -M^ 20th. ,' ; The Speaker (Mr-Wl H -Reynolds) ; took his seat at two o'clock. GA.OL AKD HOSPITAL C'ffAI'LAI.Y. Mr BURNS said that, in the report ot tlie division on the motiou by Mr Sibbald, relative to-the appointment of a gaol chaplain, a mistake had been made by which he wus made to appear as voting against the motion. {Tlie mistake was owing to a tritnsposition of the division lists. . In the division on-tho.'amendment by Mr M'lndoe, the correct "numbers wero i^-Ayes, 10: Messrs Brown, Duncan, Fraucd, Fraser, Hutcheson, Julius, M'lndoe,- Muir, Robertson, TaJ'ler. Nokj;, 10 : Messrs Bonis, Clark, Green, Hay, Henderson, Hughes/M'Dernud, Mollisjm, Mouat, Murrny,' Reid, Seaton, Shand, Shepherd, Sibbald, Thomson, When the original motion was put, the numbera were—Ayjbs, 10: Messrs Bums, Duncan, Green, -.Henderson, Hughes, Mollison, Murray, Seaton, Shand, Sibbald Koiw, 15: Messrs Brown, Clark, France, FniSer, Bay, Hutcheson, Julius, M'Dermid, M'lndoe, Mount, Muir, 'Robertson, Shepherd, Tayler, Thomson.] ■i'UTITIOJfS. Petitions with reference to Sunday traffic on the roads, from inhabitants of Waikouaiti and Palmerston, were presented by Sir Mitchell. '': .-"■■' ■ Mr MITCHELL brought up, also, the report of the Select Committee on,the petition of John Nugent Wood. The Committee considered that the sum of LB7 was due to fche petitioner, and recommended tliat tho amount shoidd be paid, LAh-ns ox rnzawruA. : Mr BRCWN naked the Government, "What steps they liave taken towards throwing open the lands, for the purpose of settlement, on both banks ofthe Clutha; from the Beaumont to Baldwin's Perry ?" Representations had previously ! been made in connection with this subject, *and a distinct promise had been made that certain blocks of land would be selected. There was a large population in the district; they were prohibited from grazing cattle on the land adjoining; and ho knew of a large amount of capital being sent out of the district, in consequence of these lands not being thrown open. The SECRETARY (Mr Duncan) said the Government were endeavoring to negotiate with the leaseholders in the district, with a view fco getting the lands opened up, MOIiNINGTO-V AND CAVEItSIIASf KOAtt, Mr BARR asked the Provincial Secretary, " Whether tho road leading from the Mornington District to Caversham, adjoining Mr Rattray's property, was closed by Mr Rattray or any other person, with fche sanction of the present or any former Government/" The SECRETARY said the ro;ul had been closed by Mr Ritfcray. He found that on-the 27th of December, 185S, the portion of road in question was sold by the General Road Board. Tlie Government, therefore; had no control over it. He was also told that tho owners of property adjoining the road lutd agreed to the sale. THB TOWJf BKLT. Mr BARR naked the Secretary for Public Works, "If it is the intention of the Government to survey the various proposed Road Lines through fchd Town Belt Lv fcho Suburbs, and proclaim the same in terms of the Dunedin Resotyes Management Ordinance?" He wisfted that, bdfore fche Town Belt wero handed over to the Corporation, these roads shoidd be proclaimed. Tho SECRETARY said it was the intention of the Government, us soon as convenient, to have these road lines surveyed and recorded on the map. Mr BARR asked the Secretary for Public Works, "If it is the intention of the Government to connect the line of road, leading from Mornington along the Town Belt boundary with the Main-Road at the Plough Inn?" It was desirable that this small piece of road should be opened at once,, The Mornington Local Board had expended nearly L3OO, and that outlay would be useless unless tbe road were earned through part of a section belonging to the Church., The SECRETARY 'said there was a little difficulty iv the matter. The road passed through the Church property, and it would take some trouble and timo to sjet a conveyance of tliat portion of ifc. The Government was now in negotiation with the Church Trustees, with the object |of handing over one piece of road for another. As soon as that were done, : the road would bo regularly oi>ened, and !in the meantime, he believed it would be available for public use. | SOJPFtY,—MiI WliKlH's COMPEKSATIOK : !■■'■■■•:. SHOTOVJEE BttmOß, I The TREASURER (Mr J. ? Yogel) ro- ! minded the House of the very, great- ■ in- ! convenience that would result if the Api propriation Bill was not passed before the end of the month.' Ifc was usual to end theaession.affcer the Appropriation >Bpl waa.., passed~-(hear, hear) ; but-rOnco ■'jthe,|,B^ / '.^w'..jpMs^y'.'.^.-'--<^' P3 P r®' Veni difficulty in cohnedfcibriHrithjthe last tfrb mmifchls'!a|>propriiitiona-^fcherio would be no desire on-the part of tlio Government to end the session so long as the H&uae desired to sit. He lioped, .therefore, that tho House would consent to go at once into Committed of Supply, so as to disposes of* the Contingent Motions on the paper. He wished to take the opportunity of referringto another matter. He was sure that no member desired that privilege of the Hquse should be taken advantage of to enable sweeping accusations to be made against persons outside, who had no direct opportunity of replying. He wished, tlierefore, to be allowed*to read to tho House- an extract fromaletter whichhehadreceivedfrom Mr M Holmes, with reference to a'statement by the honorable member for the Goldfields (Mr Shepherd) tothe 'effect that Mr Wilkin, Mr Holmes, and the Government^ were engaged in something .like a' conspiracy to obtain money,' Mr Holmes wrote :— - *- * ' • I observe in yesterday's paper, tbatsojne member of Council stated na the debate on Mr. Wilkin's^ claim, that my receiving L2QOO' for the deficient acreage, was contingent upon ' Mr Wilkins getting it from the Provincial Government. That' statement .was absolately false, as immediately after the award was given, that amount was dedhote4fr°m the price of the property. The award did

jnofcdo me substantial justice, aa tbe price paid by mete lir Wilkin, for the quantity of landdoficicnti -was L2BOO.- If the Government will"nowlpnt^jne .in possession of the laud taken from Mr Wilkin,, and give me the same tenure of sit aa.Poj^s, I ; will give L2SOO for it^so that again, andnbtamss, will accrue to the Government. Mr Holmes referred' to the piec6 of conntry at iho Arrow, He (the Treasurer) moved that the Speaker do leave the chair* forthe purpose of going into Committed of Snpply. Mr SHEPHERD denied that ho'had stated,'as'a.fact,-thafc the money waste lie paid .on a contingency. What heboid was, that it might be so, for all he knew to the contrary, seeing tliat the Govern-? ment had refused a Committee on the subject. Ho was glad to learn from Mr Holmes's letter that what he (Mr Shepherd) said was possible," was not a fact, ..MrHAUGHTON wished to make a last .appeal'to the'Governmcnt, and especially to the Treasurer, on belialf of the district which he (Mr Haughton) represented, and which he considered had, so far as the Estimates conld lie evidence, been shamefully ill-treated and neglected Li Committee of Supply, he had not, of course, the opportunity of referring to tho subject when the votes for works out of loans were being considered. The only public work asked for iv liis district was the Shotover Bridge, which was nofc only a real need, but was a most pressing one. '.Members'should recollect that there was a large; agricultural population in this district. The TREASURER : Then why should it be'handed over to the General Government ? Mr HAUGHTON : Thafc matter seemed always uppermost in the Treasurer's mind. —(Hear, hear.) He (Mr Haughton) was nofc aware that the district had [been handed over. If it had, he should be very much out of place in that Council— ("Hear, hear, and laughter)^—which he did not feel. Because the General Government had temporarily taken the administration of the Goldfields, was no reason for saying that the Goldfields districts had been handed over to tliat Government. Hei.. did'not know thatthe General Government intended to: keep one sixpence of the Goldfields revenue,, beyond what was necessary for tlio administration ; so that the Provincial Government would remain in precisely the same position as they had been in, if thoy would act fairly. The General Government, as to the Goldfields, had done nothing bufc take thai' action which had been pointed oufc hy the newspaper which professed to represent the public opinion of the Province. Tho TREASURER made a remark, which could not be heard in the Gallery. Mr HAUGHTON was not .referring to anybody's private position or. occupation. No doubt, the General Government had acted as thoy had done, because of tlie advice they got from the Daily Times.— | ("Hear, hear," and "Oh! oii!") Ho must appeal to the Government to reconsider what they had done as to the Shotover Bridge, and to provide for it out of revenue. On each side of the river, thero was a very considerable agricultural population ; aad the river was absolutely impassable by man or horse during six months out- of the year, and was clangorous during the other six. He himself was recently very nearly drowned, in crossing the river on his way to to»vn. The only way of getting across was by going a long way round to a rmivll h.,mo hridgo, -Wfiiefi' wa» itself anything but safe. The TREASURER denied tliat thoro was anything like an idea of punishing the district in question. But the district had been taken by the General Government. The refusal to allow the Province fco soil fcho Wakatip runs—which nobody assumed to be auriferous—showed, that fche General Government were not confining themselves to an assumption of tho administration of the Goldfields.- Tho Province reaUy was loft without power over the district; and the honorable member for Tiie Lakes—but for the necessity of tliinking somewhat of hia unfortunate constituents—would bo the very first fco take the position that, extruded as they were from the district, the Pro vincial Government not only ought not to go into the district and spend money, but that they had no right to do so. When tho Shotover district came a«ain under the sway of tho Province, no doubt its wants would meet with attention ; and meanwhile, he was sure tliat there w;is no idea of punishing ,tho district, because it waa unfortunate mto its representative. There was every right to expect that fche Province would bo allowed a loan ; and if the honorable member, in his place in the Assembly, would support a loan, he would be really serving the interests of his constituents, aa the Shotover Bridge stood as one of the firsfc charges against that loan, Mr Shepherd, and .Mr Main spoke as to the pressing necessity there was for | the Shotover Bridge being immediately I constructed; Mr Fraser urged that tlte \ LSOOO for the Bridge shouldlb-e put upon - the same footing' aa the other votes for I the Goldfields ; arid the Treasurer said j that the vote was already out of loan or | out of revenue." ;' J j; Mr HAUGHTON,.as a question of (pid-t sdiege, jrish^Ho. know how long Wuntry members,wm?s to be kept in town by the jtwlpngqAioxiiM, the- session Bk asked i this, because be found' tbat only yesterday, one Select Committee'had summoned witnesses from the upper parts of the country. t ' > The TREASURER waa understood to say that the Committee referred to (on Goldfields Management) waa of the utmost importance to thb , He thought that ita duties would be best' fulfilled if the House waa nofc sitting for a lengthened period each day. The SPEAKER said thaUhe question waa not one of privilege. /»Mr^HAUGHTON had not iaw>wn how otherwise to the question ; and he had raised it because the honorable member for Dnnedin (Mr Reynolds) had raised a precisely similar one in the House of Representatives. • ' The SPEAKER said that ho oould not be- expected 4,t0 answer* the question, " How long is the House to sit/r' *" * The .questioii,wa^ one wholly fo&thojmembers of tho House. < The House went into Committee o£ Supply. *-,-.• i Mr REYNOIftS, in reference to remarks by Mr Haughton, said' the Select jCpmmittee ealle<Wfor in the - General , Assembly last session had been moved lor

by that hon. member, ~ Witnesses were called for from the Province of Otago, without consulting tlie Provincial Government*; lshesheiy it was possible, for them to attend, and also without consulting the Gehehil Government. Tho attention of thp Government was called to the circumstance, arid" the witnesses were prevented frdrii attending. In the caso< of the Committee at present sitting, he believed that witnesses were being called to attend, but the calls were being made, and the witnesses were attending, with the consent of the Government. The contingent notices of motion wero first considered by the Committee. SCHOOLMASTERS* LIBRAE*". .., Mr BARR moved, .." That an Address be x>resented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting that the sum of L3O be placed on tho" Supplementary Estimates towards giving assistance to Schoolmasters' Libraries." Mr MUIR proposed that the sum should be LSO. Mr TURNBULL believed tho object was to establish a library of books of reference, and that the Schoolmasters' Association had already subscribed an amount for tlie purpose. , The TREASURER said L3O was already on the' Estimates under fcho Education Ordinance, but the Government had no wish to place any obstacles in tho way of the Council's voting the larger sum. He took it for granted" that tlio books to be purchased were technical works, calculated to be useful to the teachers in the discharge of the duties of their profession. • The motion, as amended, [was agreed "tO.'" .---*-— ~--*-- - -; - ■ > - ---■■ , ;.; •; / SCHOOL PBIZES. Mr BARR moved, " That an Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting .that the sum of Llso be placed upon the Supplementary Estimates towards giving Prizes to District Schools." Mr BURNS was understood to say that the sum had been provided for. PUBLIC BATHB. Mr TURNBULL moved, "That an Address be presented te His Honor the . Superinteiidenti, requesting that the sum of LSOO be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of constructing Public Baths at Pelichet Bay, or some other convenient place; L 250 to he appropriated for Swimming Baths, and tho remaining L 250 for Baths suitable for the Hise of women and children." A sum for such a purpose had been promised, but waa found to be quite inadequate. Tho object was ono which might be said to be one of utitity to people from the country, as well as those in the city, and it waa possible the Baths might be made reproductive. Mr REYNOLDS objected to tho vote. If' Dunedin was entitled to any money, let it be a general vote to the Corporation, but these special votes were objectionable, and a rate for such a purpose might as legitimately be asked for all the towns in the Province. Mr JULIUS did not, as a country member, object to the vote ; bufc he thought thafc, as the Council had fouud fresh water for Dunedin, the people of I Dunedin should find salt-water for themselves. The TREASURER could not support fche resolution. He could not consider Dunedin io lw*vo any greater ciaim liimu other towns. Ifc was strictly a 3lunicipal matter, and he hoped tho Corporation would bo put in a position to meet all wants of the kind. Mr TURNBULL said the Corporation had promised some money towards tho object; but, being without moans, they wore unable to do anything. The TREASURER, in reply to somo questions,, said thu .num which bad already been promised bad been p;t#»3d to Suspense Account. Individually, he did not agree, with the propriety o( such a num being voted. Mr REYNOLDS hoped that, as the money had been passed to Suspense Account, ifc would not bo paid. The motion was negatived. WAITAHUNA BRIDGE. Sir BROWN moved, " That an Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent requesting that ho will be pleased to place a sufficient Hum of money on the Supplementary Estimates fco put, in thorough repair the Bridge across the Waitahuna River, at the township of Havelock, so as to ensure protection io life and property." Mr BURNS said the purpose of the motion had been provided for. THE FIIUS RUIOADK. Mr MILLAR moved, " That an Address be presented to His Honor tho Superintendent;, requesting fcluifc he bo •plowed.to, place upon the Supplementary Estimates the v sum of L 250, iv addition to the item already passed, in aid of the Fire Brigade." He reminded the Council 'tliat the range c»f the inestimable duties of-th^ Brigade extended for twenty miles rouna the city. ■. Sir REYNOLDS regretted that lm sbmild dtiXer from his colleagues in this matter. **Heqtute agreed' with the hon. mover aa-tp, the manner in. which the Brigade disclinrgcd tlieir" duties. Ho thought, however, tluifc* the Brigade should ,be entirely jmpported -by^the Municipality and the public. .If the Government were to support the Brigade, they might with equal reason lie called to 'db.soinothertownships or-in thoTaicH* I Plain. . . Mr HUGHES considered the support of the Pire Brigade to be properly a charge upon the Corporation, the public, and the "insurance companies. In Queenstown, ho liad seen a Pire Brigade, which woidd also liave good grounds for-receiving support from the Government The SOLICITOR (Mr Saggitfc) could not see the slightest force in the argument of hon. memtara opposed to this vote.' Hie services performed by tho Brigade were nofc to be locked upon as & benefit to those who were directly interested in the preservation oi property. The Brigade was tho'means of averting great and serious -injury to the public at largo. The Brigade had handed over to the theu? plant and stock) on the understanding that they 'should be paid LIOO por quarter; but although that arrangement had been made more than Inuiff JTidnths., ago, they h^d: only x&l wif <td D7sj and up to the present time

_—_ » »- —.—__—^_*_ the watchman in the X?ell Tower had beea. paid by the .captain-of the Brigade. Ther Corporation, when they had the funds^ would no dout^t bafe pleasure*"'in supportuig the Bir<?adP> hut at present they- wero uiiaWe te ~do §67 In the meantime, it was very doubtful if, .without such a vote being passed, , the Brigade could continue to ; exist, ancl he thought the attempt should be made to uphold it for other twebvo nioutJis at the least. It was not a question of suppcrfc-. ing a private company or a Dunediu institution. It was a qucstioi"* '"'of averting great public calamities, the eflects of wliich extended over town &u<l country.. Altogether, in consideration oV the energetic discharge of their duties, o\l the risks they ran, and the good they effected, he thought that no more deserving vo.te than one for the support of tlie Fire Brigade could come before the Committee, ai he did not think the Brigade would be asking too much if they asked for a- vote o£ LIOOO. Mr JULIUS thought the matter wvs one wliich they should not deal with from'town or country point of view. Dunedim w;i3 in a very different position from other*s places which had been, or might be, referred to. It was apparent that the Brigade had saved hundreds of thousands of pounds, and he thought tbe sum askes! was a very moderate one, indeed." He fully agreed with all thafc had been said by tha Solicitor. The TREASURER, when this vote - was previously under discussion, had said, that he had no reason to know that the money was required, as no application, had been made. Since, the Captain of the Brigade had informed him that, not only was tho money urgently wanted, but thafc tho Brigade was absolutely in debt, and had the greatest difficulty in going on. unless some assistance were, rendered He had voted'for the item last time, and. he would more strongly support it now. It was said, and with a considerable amount of reason, that by the existence of the Brigade, valuable protection wasgiven to the safety of the Government buildings and tho pubhc records. Mr MUIR recommended tliat the resolution should be withdrawn until the report of the Select Committee inquiringinto the position of tho Corporation should be received. It was likely that the Corporation would beplaced'infunds,, and the excuse wluch the Brigade had at present would nofc exist. Mr DRIVER thought the Solicitor was misinformed as to the money received by tlio Brigade from the Corporation, the JJJo having been got for actual expense*. This vote was naked for, because what the Brigade got from the Corporation"waa. nofc ablo fco support them. Tho vote waa .of small amount, and he thought it to ba a just one. The Government were directly interested, and indirectly many more than mere City interests were affected. Mr TURNBULL thought the matter was one with which tho Corporation should deal, ancl that tho suggestion made by Mr Muir was the legitimate course toadopt. Mr MILfeAR said that, by depending on assistance given to the Corporation, the Brigade would bo unable to obtain any funds till the end of the year, ffc was possible that any loan-guaranteed by the Council might, uot bo obtained foe some time. On a division, there voted— ""AYKS, xi: iire»»t» urown,' -Driver,: Haggitt, Hutcheson, Julius, Millar. Mollison, Robertson, Shand, Sibbald, Vogel. Nobs, 13: Messrs Clark, Fraser, Hay Hughes, M'Dermid, M'lndoe, Mitchell, Muir, Murray, Reid, Reynolds, Tayler, i Thomson. [ The motion wos, therefore, negatived, j MOLVNK'JX HAItBOK. j Mr HENDERSON moved, " That aa Address be presented to His Honor the .Superintendent, requesting that a sum <£ LIOOO bo placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of -removing the Pocks from the entrance to the Harbor, Port Molyneux." It was well known fcluifc these rocks were a serious obstacle to the navigation of tho river. Two sessions ago, Capt. Mackenzie moved for a vote of L3OOO for the purpose o£ removing them, and a vote of L2OOO was passed. He believed that upwards of L2QO of that vote had been expended, so that LI7OO remained, as it wero, to the credit of tho object. He believed tliat L10G& would, under good management, be sufficient for tho removal of t?ie obstruction - and, seeing that large amounts had beem voted for the Northern District;, he ' thought an amount so small, and of such, vast importance,, to tho Clutha District might well be passed. * Mr DRIVER supported the motion. Mr HUGHES would support the vote on the understanding tliat the Government would first ascertain whether tho amount was fully sufficient foe tha purpose. Mr THOMSON also sup^ried iho. motion. ".'•■'" Mr M'DERMID believed 'that the. execution of tho proposed work? would b& a source of considerable saving to the Province.; It>would make/tlm: Molyneux more ■< available lor sailing vessels, andL subsidies to steamT vessels might be di»pensod with. It. would also open to, settlement a district .wliich, but for tha want, pf harbor facilities, slsould havobeen mtich more extensively settled thanifc is at present. — M> BURNS-was convinced that, the gum proposed, was totaUy/inadequate for fche x>urpo»Q, and he advised' .the Council to pause before passing the vote. Mr HENDERSON did not w&li ifo* money to be ex|«nded xmtil the Government was thorougldy satisfied tliat the? sum would be sufheient. On a division, tho motion was agreed to, the nmnbora being---Axk*, lfi ; Moisraßarr, Brown, Clarke Driver, Fraser, .[lay, Hend^jon, Hutched son, M'Dermid, Muir, Murray, Rei<L Reynolds, Seated, Thomson, TurnbulL Now*. Mk Messrs Burns, Duncan. Julius, M'lrxdoe, Millar. ML&hell, Mo£ hson, Robertson, Sha»d, Shepherd. , "" WAKATIP „Hp#PMMJU Mc SHEPHERD (on behalf ot IfcMovafc) moved, "That an A&dresa bep«e waited to His Hono* tha Superintendent* ■recommending that tho, suuvpf LSQO b» placed on tlie Supplemoniaiy Estimate* a* an additional subsidy to the WakatJlk - HospitaP' * . ~ 1 'B^r , Tho motion uraa agreed ii^l b : .<* ■-.> . t t .. t^ , h u L

OLKf "OAJtSOST BOAP, Mr ..MUXB, movea^ "That an Address ■^Bbojfcixenli& te^ent^ rthat he wowA fib® „ fi,-. ;-Bstimates a mm of £200, 'life the pui^ose j of assisting in erecting a Bridge over fCarron Creek, and constnictiug a road to setilem in Glen Oamm and the sea -&mt n .'>'H'ci.e^l4ih<^'iliat'tli'e cam jwas'a special one, and did not properly come 1 within the rutin as to District Roads. * Mr BURNS said the Government recommended the Committee to pass , tho vHe; and it was agreed to, -;'.':.:';:.'.:*:'^'KAftOIIAr*VAI.f,EV''ItOAI).* ;','.-.-■ Mr DRIVER moved,'"« Tbat an Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting .him to place' the sum of L6oo' on the Supplementary Estimates for completing tlie road through the Kaikorai Valley to Green Island." Mr BURNS said the Government could not recommend the vote. ! The motion was negatived on a! division— Arm, 7 : Messrs Barr, Brown, Driver, I'r&ser, Hily, M'lndoe, Robertson. t Noejj, 13: Messrs Burns, Duncan, Green, Hughes, M'Dermid, Millar, Mitchell, Mollison, Murray, Reynolds, Seaton, Shand, Shepherd. Paies : Ayes, Mr Julius ; Noes, Mr Reid. nom viACfyZAwnjansß. Mr HAY moved, "That au Address 'ho presented to Hin Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will be pleased to place a sufficient sum of money oh the '■ Supplementary Estimates for the formation and filling up of Ross Place, Lawrence." The SECRETARY said that the Government could not entertain the pro-* pos&L What wiis asked, had not heen -done for any'town-in the Province. Mr BROWN said that this was the main trunk road ffom Dunediu to Tho Lakes. The Government had sold sections adjoining fche road, at prices varying from 10s to 30s a foot; and there was an express understanding that the main road should be extended to its full width. After some discussion, Tlie TREASURER protested against the vote. If votes for such purposes were to bo passed, the Council had better-make.: up its mind to end the Municipal system.: If public money was to-be voted, because sections sold were not, or would not be, on the level of a street, hundreds of people iv Dunedin might fairly oome aud ask for money, and LOO,OOO might be .voted in a session. Mr HUGHES said that the property sold was nothing tb the Municipality of Lawrence, aud the Municipality had* no right to interfere at all, as. to filling up this road, which was a main one. ' The motion was negatived, tliere voting— Ayes, 7 : Messrs Brown. Hay, Hughes, Mam, M'lndoe, Millar, Shepherd. Noes, 15; Messrs Burns, Duncan, Hutcheson, Julius, Mackenzie, M'Dermid, Mitchell, Muir, Reid, Reynolds, Seaton, Sibbald, Thomson, Turnbull, Vogel. DIItKCTION POSTS. Mr SHEPHERD moved, " That an Address be presented*. to His Honor the Superintendent-, requesting him to place the sum of L 250 on the Supplementary Estimates for the erection of linger or direction posts at the crossing of Country Roads distant not less than twenty-five nuics zrijiii .T/uneciiu." no uiougnt* mat it would be admitted that finger-pout* would be of übo to every man travelling in the Province, and especially to residence in Dunedin who had Occasion to travel. He believed thafc L 250 would bo enough for the purpose. s The TREASURER said that fcho necessity for this work had not pressed'itself on the Government. In making roads, finger-posts could-be put where necessary, -■out-of the votes, lt would bo convenient if honorable members would, early in the session, put all their'" pressing wants"on the Notico Paper, instead of bringing them out in instalments. The more that was voted, tho greater seemed to be tho inducement to some honorable 'members to rack their brain;* for proposals for expenditure. Tho motion was negatived. SODTiiKHN BTBAM NAVIGATION COMPANY. Mr J ULIUS moved, «< That an Address bo presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place the sum of LOSO on the Supplementary Estimates, as compensation to tho Southern Steam Navigation Company, in consequence of the non-payment of the Subsidy placed on the Estimates hist year." He did so simply as tho mouthpiece of the Select Committee, which, after inquiry upon a petition, came to tlio conclusion that ihe petitioners had a just aud equitable claim for the amount now asked for. Messrs Tayler and Driver supported the motion. " The TREASURER thought tlie evidence already taken to be not sufficient'to warrant a decision on one side or the other ; but ho would not opposo the motion, if it was understood that the Government would look further.'into the matter, before making any '.payment to tho Company. ''-• The diamhan left., his seat at half-past five o'clock; and resumed it at seven I ■0*qlocE"; -/'-''' -''■"■ -! . ' ■ I Mr -SHEPHERD thdigh'fc there was a i ;wanfc'of;evidence in;favor of the'claim;•---■-1 ' Mr REID detailed tlie. cir&imstenpes i •(all of wliich were published last session).* "The Committee could have taken a great j deal more evidence ; but it woulcl all have been of the same sort; and, as the Committee thought it most 'clear, that.tlio Company had ..an equitable claim, they did not think it advisable; so kite in the, ses-. sion, to require the attendance of additional witnesses. Tlio late Treasurer •stated to the Committee that he had no doubt ns to the equity of tlie cliuhi, butthat the vote last session was iii such a, shape that advantage could not'bo taken of it. The opinion of tlie late Treasurer was no doubt a most proper one; but thero was no^ the opportunity :of doingwhat was equitable. :^^^.^^^.'M6UA^;bppoeed:tW.-motion^' B ' \ m Oapi-MACfpNZIE briefly supported ....... rj it. ■-' , J motion^vas affirmed. fi '888 "* : " The Hotfeo'resumed} andl the resblii-^ .tions come to inCommittee w^re reported, and "werb adopted. 1 f ' . -«?:^:&n.'.^V{':y'>;-:BBPO»TS.' .'. - ' '-A ' .--. , MrTUßNßUlXbrmightup^

of tlie Select Committeo cm the City Corporation, jmAmmm^on^ up the Report i ..9s'imp*\e& Committee on the Classifica- | .*wn;.oC CmmctsßßjA'''■ B''B"B ;;y . -'■ -»■■ - J-fij'' ißfifiitm^.-^BSO-BAtl^B'ii'lifi'B-B^ TURKBULL proposed;..,that thei ilouse go lute Committee of Supply to consider the Report ot the Select (&m----mittee on the City Coi-porationfof; wliich printed «lip» were circulated.] Mr M'INDOE [and other: members] protested against fclie House pi-oeeedihg to consider-''s6-'-3ohg and important a report, when' there had been no time even to -readit.;.'^v .;;■■. ;'.:,* Mr TURNBULIi had no objection to delay; be would prefer it. But there was a money vote Involved j it was neces--B*rjr that the Appropriation Bill should be passed before tlie eiid of the month; and he Understood-'■ fchat the Government thought it desirable that the matter should be at once considered. The TREASURER suggested that the course fco be adopted should be this :•— Let the Govemnieiit add to the item in the Estimates for Municipalities and District .Roads, a gum of L 3500, which would be about the auiount required for a "subsidy' of 10s in the pound on the amount of als rate in the city—as proposed in the second recommendation of the Committee ; the Government giving a distinct pledge that no part: of the money should be given totheCorpox^tion iinlesH the"'House, after consideration of the report, cle?irly aiUnned the Committee^ recommendation, This^would not pledge the House in any way; but it would enable the Appropnation Bill to be passed. Mr REID objected to an item forthe City being in any way mixed up with the sulwidy for District Roads. Capt, MACKENZIE agreed with the previous speaker, and would like to know whether the City Corporation was really insatiable. Message, No} 17, from the Superintendent, was : brought town,: and was read. It recommended that provision should be made for certain services. The TREASURER proposed tliat the House go into Committee of Supply, at once, to consider the Message. The SPEAKER said that there was *'= question before tho House, .which must be disnosed of, before any other question could lie brought forward. .- The TREASURER submitted that a Mcftsage took precedence of all other business, Mr TURNBULL asked leave te withdraw his motion. Permission was withheld. There was a discussion on points of order. Mr BURNS moved tlio adjournment of the debate. Mr HAUGHTON suggested that the better.course would be to strikeout of air Tm-nbull's motion, all the words after "Supply," If that was agreed to, the motion would stand " That ihe House go into Committee of Supply," and tlio Message could bo considered.

Tho X TREASURER "quoted from the " Votes and Proceedings 1' ; of/last session, to show that, notwitlistandmg there being a question beforo tho H6use, bo was entitled to move to havo the Message considered in Committee of Supply. 'Al-' though in Committee of Supply, when a Message was brought down from the Su- j iim4.i<>o»»<t<mfc, the jßVnißfl a*, once resumed to receive it, and tlie motion. " That the Uohw go into Committee of Supply to consular the Message, immediately. " Tho SPEAKER said that in tlie in- ' stance quoted, thero was no question betore the House— <r the House resumed to receive the Message." There was now a question-before-tlio House. .There was no error last session, nor was there an error in the present ruling. The TREASURER wished to be allowed to put forward, in order to have a definite ruling, tho motion, "That the House go into. Committee of Supply immediately, to consider Message, No. 17." Tho SPEAKER said that he must take the opinion of tho House, whether liis ruling was to be upheld. Tho question was put, and the ruling was nflinned. Tho amendment of Mr Haughton was put and was adopted. SUPPLY. Tho House went into Committee of Supply. Tho CHAIRMAN said that the Message, No. 17, forwarded Supplementary Estimates, mainly representing the sums involved in the contingent motions passed \ d mng the afternoon sitting. | The following were new items ;—- Benevolent Asylum Building Fund, 1/250, The TREASURER explained tho aiiiGimt wits required for annexes to the building, required forthe accommodation ,of patients and other purposes. ! Expenses of Select. Committees,1 L2OO. . Capt. MACKENZIE considered the amount; excessive. ;h y^ n Mr REYNOLDS explained ; that a larger,amount than usual would probably be required iii connection with tho-lCom-imttee on Coldtields, among others^ but 4.WW possible jtho whole amount 'would not be rcqiiirec'l, """ .'' " " JJ- JMunicipalities,' Bistric^l&d Boards, and Supplemented Heads} 1/3500.; ? ■■■->({ The items were agreed to. '■'■'••• -t •'! ~ The House resumed, and progress Wa^ reported. J • '-■■■ j ■■'■- ■• fit'if \ ;.-:■?• ;.-.'; .I"^APJPBdPRUTioif OItDINiNOB.':;' i; B I Tlie SOLICITOR laid-upon the tabW1 " the Appropriation Ordinance, 1807-8, and j after the Bill had been read a first time*, ho moved the ; suspension of Standing Orders, for tho .purpose. o£ passing the Bill through all its stages, r _Mr HAUGHTON wished to abo tlie BiiLhefore. thomotion was agreed tp. Theyiwere passing a Bill mthout seeing it, and he /.doubted if it were fn existence. Tho Appropriation Bill would bo passed, and then,; he presumed, tlie House.vroidd bo asked' to adjourn until Monday, so that Goveriuhent might have alll its, time to canvas on this blessed plebiscite that wastocomeo£rr^La«gbt^j); ifil'Jfifi The TREASURER said there! was not the slightest intention of adjottrning. The Appropriation Ordinandi was generally pa&sed* without Itikpsfe printed,; •and* had )men so last* session, ; ,- ( - In it, there was a clause extending its lowers iforAaWq*. amonths—af% wtirso which was convenient; be(»use| ■without

«ome suchproviaion, an earlier meeting of tfte House would be necessary to gsyss a sepafate Appropriation Ordinance for two °£ $}*¥ months, as had been done at W|llingteii. The p^wer given • twfcr to enahle money fco:be expended uritil the next Appropriation Ordinance was passed, in the tame prdpe-rtions as during the twelve months. There wm no other noticeable feature in the Bill j it was precisely the sameasthat of last session; and he could assure the hon; member that there was not the slightest " drapery 5" behind it. \ Capt. MACKENZIE thought thoConnj cii should pause t)efore ''passing the Approi nation''Ordinance for fourteen months. It would lie wise to pass the Ordinance m that the Councii should be called together again before the expiry of twelve months. The SOLICITOR explained that it waa quite unusual to have the Ordinance printed before ifc was passed! The printing would take a considerable time, and the Council were quite aware of m content*, ' '. Mr HAUGHTON noticed that another Message had come down from His Honor the Superintendent, with regard to'tlio construction of a Floating Dock, and he saw, by the proceedings of the Dock .Trust,.that even the Chairman approved of a cheaper dock, because ifc was better or more available. He wished to know now whether tho originally proposed sum was to be included, in fche '.Estimate* and charged to Revenue ? The TREASURER said that, if tho House approved of giving a guarantee for the floating dock, it was not the intention ofthe Government to give the goomnteo of LIO,OOO a year out of Revenue; it was proposed that the .Graving Dock should hi made a cliarge upon Loan. Tliere was no idea that such a dock was not absolutely necessary, but the idea was thafc it would bo constructed much more cheaply if they ted the Loan, than on'deferred payments for five years. If the floating dock wereprovided, they would be in a position to wait for the Loan, when tho graving dock \fouldbe more cheaply constructed. Mr MOIR asked how it was that the item for Municipalities, &c., was'-L3500. According tp his.calculations, ifc should be less. ~■ ... . Tho TREASURER said it was simply a rough computation of a sixpenny rate on assessed property in Dunedin, and ho believed it was a little more than the amount. Thp proposal,: in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee, was a sixpence in the pound, or 10s in the pound un a shilling rate. The Bill was read a second timo and committed. Mr REYNOLDS objected to the clause providing forthe continuance of payments for two months after the expiry of the first twelve months. He always found that Governments, including those of wliich ho had been a member, postponed fche meeting of the Council to the very last day, and ho thought ifc would be more convenient to omit fcho clause, and to have fclie Council called within ten days after fche 31st of March. Mr HAGGITT believed tho result would be the'-disallowance of tho Ordinance. On the ground "that the-Auditor could nofc tell whether he was in possession of the money or not, the Colonial Secretary liad,-last year, expressly advised thafc tho clause introduced should not be repeated, and intimated; besides,5 that if such a clause wero introduced, tho Ordinance would be disallowed. Ifc was to meet this objection that the present clause had been "adoptotl*- ' '•■ - ■■-.-■' ; The TREASURER said tlie clause wasfurther, a convenience "--Go""hon. members; It ifc were nofc passed, it vbuld be necessary to call tbo Council'"'before the .'ilsfc of March, to pass a special Appropriation Ordinance, and then to adjourn, It would be impossible for the Treasurer to come down with tiro Estimates for somo tune after the balance had expired. .Mr REYNOLDS hold that the Colonial Secretary could not go contrary to law'• or, if he did, ho must' bear the eonse^ quences. Ho could nofc see why any difficulty should arise between the Auditor and the Treasurer, or why the Council should not meet on the lst of April. There was a long discussion,-in which Sir Mouat, Captain Mackenzie, Mr Turnbull, Mr Shepherd, Mr M'lndoe, arid Mr M'Dermid took part. •Mr REID proposed an amendment, limiting the period to one month. The amendment was negatived. Mr REYNOLDS suggested tbat an Ordinance or a resolution might be introduced, fixing the elate of the meeting of Council. ° Mr REID asked if tho Government would introduce such a resolution. The TREASURER said the Government could not clo otherwise than regard the passing of a resolution fixing the time of calling tlie Council together, as an expression of want, .of'confidence.''1 An .Ordinance with tbat object, would be an interference, with the prerogative of the Superintendent. Mr MAIN iound, by tiie 15th; Clause of the Constitution Act, that ifc would be aii interference with. the prerogative of the Superintendent; and it would, imidoubfcedly, as held by the Treasured, be equivalent to a vote of want of confidence. Mr REYNOLDS did not mean io distrust the Government;; but it was impossible to say who might be the Government at the expiry of the yearjand hehedd an extension of the Appropriation Ordinance, althonghvliitherto adopted, to be .a- bad precedent.s.'■.-. I -;K- ,-j,;,;. ,._=-..? fifilßfifi A . The clause *as put Iyy the COikumari^ and was declared; to be affirnied by the voices. A division' Was /called for ; but pnft?-2?^;<«a«rof "Ayestotho-righf? ?? m;? 0M to"' being given by the Chairman, no boh. members took tlieir places on the left, and as'there wore no tellers on that side, ho division could be recorded; - . ■>' .. -:'! ---;q yfi^B;B.t ■■:. ~* Jljfi.fi: , TJjo/. CHAIRMAN readeiauseVstat> ing tliat corteinamourits(Ll4o' 000) should be paid out of Loans, and, if tlie Loan* were refused, out of Revenue. * iB ; -. j'h Mr MOUAT asked if this larg^ ainounfr were to be a cliarge .upon: revenue, if the guarantee ofL^aits were refused.- If* ft" were, so,; a more mitirb abrogation of every l™acW* of Appropriation Act could ; WSfy: $« /W»ed. CTho ought to be framed with special regaM to revenue.; If they were to Icavo% the Government such d discretionary rlower all |has th?y had: done,; oiTmight do, in iconnecfcmn with tltepalssmg of iho fe;; mates, was not of the, slightest avail ß(k&

tain works to^ which a preference might! "H undertaken owt ot re- r fivkm, wMd Uhers t for 4 which 4 they imcl 1 distinctly voted amounts, might b$ left undone, or receive only secondary cfrir sideration. - Already, in connection with one work—tlie Shotover Bridgo—a most undignified course had Jbcen adoptedl A particular district was punished for no I" other reason that ho could see, except ! that-thepolitical' opinions of the district j differed from those of the present Government. ; >>..■■'■':' \" Mr'REYNOLDS thought that the honorable member need not-press his objection; for in the Bill, iho words inthe Estimates were used. As the matter stood, if the Loan was not allowed, the Government might spend these items out of revenue—if ifc had the revenue. Mr MOUAT; There is the power of spending some items, and not others. The TREASURER thought there was a very clear understanding during the afternoon, tliat when the Goldfields were returned to their proper control, this item for the Shotover Bridge would bo expended without delay. Ho could not agree that it was necessary for the honorable member for the Goldfields (Mr Mouat), because he had left the Government, te change all lm opinions. Tlio honorable member sat on the Government benches when the Resolutions aa to tho Goldfields were passed-; and it was then understood that if there was one opinion tlie honorable member held more strongly than another it was that the Government should not spend money in parts of the country where it had no control There should be no stinger reason why the House should have confidence in the Government, than that the honorable member, who knew so much about the Government, had been unable to bring forward anything that liad induced the House at all to withdraw its confidence. Mr MOUAT said that on a recent occasion, tho Treasurer charged him with being unpopular on the Goldfields. Tliat statement was not borne oufc by the facts; nor were any other of the honorable member's charges. He (Mr Mouat) held that ho had a perfect right to change liis opinions on leaving the Government— (hear, hear); wlule in tho Government, he was obliged to make his opinions to some extent' accord with the views of the majority of the Government, so long as no great principles were involved. To the best of his relief, the item for the Shotover Bridge was put against revenue ; he believed it so stood when ho left the Government; and he had a perfect right to protest agiunst the change which had been made. As a general principle, he had supported the present Government; but surely that was not to prevent him from stating why he differed from the Government iii some points, The TREASURER protested against the principles enunciated by the honorable member, with respect to holding opinions in and out of a Government. The discussion was continued for some time; and was then declared by the Chairman to bo out of order. Tlie clause was agreed fco, an read ; as was tho preamble. On the short title, Mr REYNOLDS suggested thafc ifc would bo veiy convenient fco honorable members, ancl would nofc be inconvenient to the Government, if the Appropriation Bill was, in .future. Bessions, printed bdbvoWl - blanks being left for the different sums, to W filled in, "when the Bill was -in .Committee. The House resumed. The Bill was reported without amendments; and it was read a third time and. passed. lIOAO, WAITAHUNA. The discussion on the motion of Mr Burns, "That the construction of the road, * Waitahuna to Main Line,' be undertaken afc once, and thafc fche course of the said road be from the head of Manuka Creek to the Main Gully, Waitahuna, by way of what is known as Duffy's Spur," stood to be resumed. After a brief conversation, the motion wus agreed to. DOCSS. Mr HAUGHTON withdrew tho Do« Nuisance Ordinance, 18G2, Amendment Bill (which stood for second reading). He found tliat most of tlie dogs wero registered for this year, owing to the careful attention of tlie- Government to the revenue. His Bill could nofc, under any circumstances, come into operation until the Ist April next; and he would try durjgg the session whether ho could not hit upon a still better Ordinance. BUSH JIBSBaVBg BILL, Tins Bill stood for second reading. The SOLICITOR said"'that'the honorable member for Matau (Mr Mosley), whose Bill this was, was not iv his place. Tt would be well that the Bill should bo dropped. In its present shape, tho Bill could not be passed ; for it dealt with Waste Lands of the Crown that had uot heen in any way reserved. Mr THOMSON explained that Mr Mosley had beeu unexpectedly called out of town; but ho believed that, if present, Mr Mosley would .have consented to the Bill being dropped. ; * Tiie notice was passed over. ' - NEGLECTED AND CRIMINAL QUtLDBES. The. SOLICITOR moved the second reading of the Neglected and Criminal Children Bill. Tho attention of the' Government waii first called to the necessity for sush a measure by the Commissioner of Police, whose report had never Jbeeri printed, although extracts from it were included in the Supplementary Report of the Inspector of Schools. At tho time of making his report, the Commissioner stated that thero were 351 cliildren, coming under the designation of destitute or neglected.. Of the 151, there were eight, both of whose parents "were dead ; 09, whose fathers were dead ; 28 who were absolutely deserted ; 27 who3o fathers were sick; two; whose fathers were in prison ; and 10, as to whose parents notlmig wais specified. There were remarks contained in the report, explanatory of the condition of most of these cliildren, wluch he (The Solicitor) .would not attempt to read to the House, but which honorable members who would refer to the report, would find disclosed circumstances that were hideous and loathsome in oxtrome. ■ The report altogether afforded abundant proof of the absolute- necessity- for some such; Ordinance as the present . The ; subject

j would undoubtedly have to he taken up jfe^m General Assembly ; but by tms Ordinance, a notoriously great evil would te, to a considerable extent j remedied, so Otiigo vfrnconcernodJ r Sir BURNS seconded the motion. Mr REID cordially approved of the vv*i t° wJlafc lt *** proposed by tins Ordinance to do. He believed that: tho Ordinance itself was an excellent ono; but he feared that nothing really effective could be done, until a 'Colonial measure dealing with the subject was passed. .Mr HAUGHTON had no doubt that this "Ordinance was calculated to confer great benefits upon the Province. As to a Colonial measure, if- the honorable member for the Taieri (Mr Reid) would bring a Bill into the Assembly, he (Mr Haughton) would bo most happy to give it all the support, he could. He had carefully read tlirough tho preseutßUl; and— (the additional clause of which notice had been given by the Solicitor being in-cluded)—-he thought it was capable-of very little alteration for tlie better. It seemed to him to meet every difficulty that was likely to arise ; and the Solicitor was to be congratulated cm having produced so excellent a measure. Mr M'INDOE also supported the motion, Mr MAIN agreed fully w to the necessity for some such measure, and aa to the excellence of this Bill as it stood. But be wished the opinion of the Solicitor whether tliere was any chance ofthe Bill being assented to. Did it not infringe the Constitution Act, as, in some degree, providing for the administration of justice ? The SOLICITOR said that if giving power to convict achild of beiug neglected, so that it might bo sent to a school, was "creating an offence," then it would lie, no doubt, of no effect for the Council te pass the Bill. The Council, in such a case, might provide for a child being sent to school for six months; bufc tliat would be useless.; and it would be a most clumsy expedient to go on committing a child for six months after six montlis. He was by no means sure that ii was convicting a child of an offence, to convict it of being deserted or destitute; and he did think that preventing a child from beuig starved, or from necessarily growing up'a criminal, waa witliin the maintenance of tho "peace, good order,, and government," of the Province. He fully believed that the General Government would stretch a point, if necessary, to allow the Bill, if passed, to come into operation. At tho lowest, the passing of the Bill would lie the most effective way of calling the attention of the General Government and tho Assembly to the subject. The motion was agreed te. The Bill waa read a second timo, and was committed, In Committee, The clauses were agreed to with some amendments. The House having resumed, the Bill was so reported. The third reading was made an Order of tho day for fche next sitting. LOAN BJIJ.. The second reading of this Bill was moved. A motion for the adjournment ot tbo House was made (it lieiug just eleven o'clock), and was negatived by ll votes to 10. Mr HAUGHTON moved the adjournment of the debate. There was discussion for a quarter of an hour ; and then tlie motion was ne#itived ; there .being 10 for, and 18 against. Capt. MACKENZIE moved the adjournment of tho House. The SPEAKER called tho attention of the Provincial Solicitor to the facfc that if the adjournment of tho debate was carried as agjiinst the motiou for tho second reading of tho Loan Bill, ifc was exceedingly doubtful whether the Bill could bo read a second time. The SOLICITOR asked the honorable member to allow tho amendment to bo withdrawn ; the Government undertaking not to ask to liave tho Bill committed afc this sitting. 'Capt MACKENZIE consented to ask permission to withdraw the amendment; not because of the effect it might have, but because he hud proposed ifc in ignorance of that effect. Permission to withdraw the- amendment was withheld ; thero being a voice (Mr Haughton's) in tho negative. Mr BURNS: Who seconded tlie amendment? The SPEAKER : The Provincial Solicitor. Mr BURNS: The Solicitor moved the second reading of the Bill, and he could not.second an amendment on his own motion. The amendment falls. Mr HAUGHTON: I agree that the Scilicitor could nest second the amendment. So wo revert to the position that the amendment has been proposed only ; and I have great pleasure iv seconding it. The amendment (for the adjournment of tho debate) was negatived on the voices. i The motion was agreed to; and the I Loan Bill was read a second time. '' Tlie House was, at half-past cloven, ; adjourned until two o'clock today (Thursday). MR. JAMES PATERSON, M.H. B. The following are the requisition to Mr Paterson to resign his seat as member for Dunedin in the House of Representatives, and his reply. Six hundred signatures were appended to the requisition, Dunedin, April, 1807. Sir—Wo, tho undersigned electors of the City' of Dtmedin, considering thafc the £ resent political exigency demands tliat our Representatives in tbe General Assembly should be agreed on tbo great question of Separation, respectfully call upon you to redeem the promise made by yon afc a public meeting, on tlie 15th day of Oetebcr last, and resign your seat hi the General Assembly, fchat fche electors may have an opportunity of choosing a member whose opinions "will accord with tbeir own on this and other great qnestiens.--We are, ke. Crichton, Tokomairiro, 27fch May, 18G7. ~ Sir—l duly received, per Mr Dick, yonr note of 23rd inst., signed as "Secy, tothe Committee," accompanying a requisition from the electors of Dunedin tb resign my seat in the General Assembly. In reply, I beg to say that,> in ordinary circumstances Ishotdd at once have acceded <

tto the rcqa^-tmadc, but, in tlie present case, thoPij are/1 think, peculiar circumstances, M^hich seem te justify me in adopting a different coarse. The requisition itself simply contains what may he regarded as two reasons for iiskin^me to resign—First, that« the representatives should be agreed on the grtsit question of Separation;" and, second, that I " promised te resign at a public meeting in Dunedin.'* With regard'to' the firet, it apptsais to me somewhat uuteasonable, that after all that has passed, I shoidd be requested to resign on such grounds, without a single inc|ttiry..'being .made ns te whether recent events have at all affected'my views on thafc and other important questions likely t<> come before the Assembly. And as to the other, i have already publicly stated my views, and now repeat, that my resolution*hi regard to my own. case wae given wh-?n I told the meeting-tliat though I came there prepared to ix'ijigu, yet, on account of tho treatment I liad received, I would not do so. All thafc passed subsequently on thafc occasion was in connection with the resigiiatum of fchs whole fifteen, and had reference to myself only as oue of the number. 1 regj-efc very much that any misunderstanding shoidd have arisen between the electors of Duneilin aud mysidf, aa I have oyer regarded the jjwd opinion of my fellow citixens sMi a legitimate source of gratification. 1-cannot, however, charge myself with having done anything to bring aVftit such a state of matters ; neither will I attempt here to blame others for cb»ing so, though 1 have my own opinion on that point! At the same timo, I have no hesitation in saying, that the electors of Dnnedin have suffered themselves to bo grossly imposed on, and have in consequence inflicted ou me a grievous wrong. They {irst received, and acted on, as true, certain accusations against mc, industriously circulated in my absence, for the express purpose of injuring mo in my rclatioiw with tbem ; and then they refitsctl to hear me m my own defence when I aiqicarcd at a public meeting for the purpose of explanation. Were I now, therefore, to comply with their request, it would Ik? a virtual acknowledgment of the tnifli of the chaises referred to, and an admission tliafc the treatment I then rcccivwl was merited on my part; both of wbicb conulusions 1 distinctly and utterly rejnidiate. I have only further to say, that if I again go up tothe Assembly, it will l«j at a great Jjerscmai sacrifice to myself, and it is pansiblc 1 may yet sec it to be my duty not to go. Bufc if I resolve on that course, it will iw the result of my own free will, aud not at the request of the electors of Dunedin. You will oblige mo by communicating this reply to tho elector* signing the requisition. 1 am, Sir, Your oWdt. servant, .lamks Patkjwon. David R. Hay, Eiq., Secretary to the Committee.