SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2055, 5 September 1868, Page 2

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

POLITICAL;, Parliament has been almost wholly oc» ciipied since the date of our last Sum^ mary with the vdiscrtesioii of Mr Pox's anotion-calling 4Vapon the Ministry for a declaration of their Policy as regards the proposed alterations in the Constitution, and the management of Native affairs. T&o-thirds of our seventy representatives iave expressed their opinions in the course" of the debate, and three numbers of -Hansard are filled with their orations. The result of the debate was in favor of ihe Government as - every- one expectedr Itis needless to say that no declaration

of Policy was made by Ministers.

They contrived to evade, the question put to them by the Opposition, and no one is a whit the wiser as to the

intentions of our rulers on either of the points referred to. No one can say precisely what changes will be brought about an the Constitution of the colony, and certainly no one can form any idea as to what course will be pursued with regard io the disaffected Natives. The impression is universal that Mr. Stafford and

liis colleagues are determined to do away with the Provincial form of Government, and to substitute a General Government

for the whole colony on the usual centralising systerii. Their innovations in this direction will be carried out gradually, so as to avoid any political convulsions which might threaten their political position. As regards the Natives, it is but too clear Ihjai the Ministry have no policy, or anything in the shape of apolicy. They do not "believe that the present outbreaks -represent any general rebellion ; the time for that, they argue, has gone by. It will be seen, from particulars furnished in o*.her columns, that Native disturb-

nances have assumed a most unpleasant aspect The surprise of the redoubt at Turn turn Mokai has been followed by the Tmexpected escape of 160 Hauhaus from the Chatham Islands. These fanatics, «ince their landing at Poverty Bay, have contrived to elude our pursuit and to ieep the field. They have not, however, T>een joined by any disaffected tribes, and their suppression is probably not far off. Tho destruction of the pah Te Ngutu o te Manu— f the Beak of the Bird'--by Col. J&^Donneli, and the forces under his command, has prepared the way, we hope, lor the extinction of rebellion among the Maoris.

The following Summary of proceedings in both Houses since the despatch of the last Mail will give our home readers an Idea of the course which legislation has taken during the present Session. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. August 12.—A Debate took place on the motion of the Hon. Col. Russell "with reference to Native disturbances. He 1 wished to know under whose direct responsibility the action then being taken for the re-capture of the Natives escaped Irom the Chatham Islands was being carried on upon the East Coast; and also, who was responsible for military operations on the West Coast—who was the senior officer of the district—-and whether aU operations were subject to his control, or whether any other officers held independent command. It appears that on the WestCoPst, Colonel Gorton is commanding officer of the Militia district, ahd Colonel M'Donnell commanding officer of the. Armed Constabulary; while Major Toir Tempsky and Major Hunter hold positions which are not exactly defined. Then again there is Captain Buck at the liead of the hew levies. At the same time, there are Civil officers in the district, and :no military operations can take placeuntil called for by them. These are, Mr Parris the Civil Commissioner, and Mr Booth the Magistrate. -■ In reply to the questions put by Colonel Russell, the, Hon. Dr. Pollen, who represents the House in the Council, said that for all the operations in question the Executive Government was responsible. The operaiaons in Patea are directed by Colonel M'Donnell, and no other officers hold independent command in that district.

A short debate ori the Privileges and Constitution of the Council then followed, ion a motion for a Select Commitree by •the Hon. Mr Holmes to ascertain the «xact,_' powers and privileges of the Council, with a view to a modification of its constitution in such a direction as will tend ±?» extend its influence and preserve its independence.'; Three, objects were to be considered by the the Committee : (1) lie limitation of the number of members; <2) the preservation of the independence of the Council; and <3) the necessity of guarding against the possibility of a deadlock. The motion was agreed to. August.. 13. — The necessity of re■vising the Tariff was brought before the Council by the Hon. Mr Holmes. The 'peculiar interest of the debate ©n this occasion lies in the fact that the motion was a covert attempt to introduce the policy of Protection. Mr Holmes asserted that: he is a freetrader, but his arguments were confined to the sufferings of the farmers who were not allowed the protection of an import duty on breadstuff's, nor the encouragement of a low duty ori spirits in order to promote a local demand for barley in distillation. He proposed that import duties on breadstuffs should be added to the Tariff, that the duties on spirits should be lowered from t|s a gallon to 9s or 10s, and that distillation should be legalised. The current of opinion in the Council was against Mr Holmes. It is. quite true that the' Tariff requires, revision, but it is on other grounds.and for other purposes than those contemplated by Mr Holmes. The motion-for a Committee of Enquiry was agreed, to. August 14—The independence of the Council formed the subject of a motion of the Hpri; Mr Mantell for a correct return of,members : .of Council holding offices, of emolument under the General or Provincial^ Governments. The motion was ragreed'tb without .debate.

The escaped-Prisoners were brought -under the attention of the Council by the Hon. Col. Russell, who dwelt upon the disastrous character of the escape in question: -"'He thought it must be adj^mitted that great loss had already been result; loss not..only'" of a pecuniary YYif^bj^t^-^at was . the smallest loss* 1:0ough not slight in itself, for in addition 7sesie L2poo*or L3OOO worth of proDerty Yiatfthe Chatham. Islands, and the loss of JjIOOO worth ofequipments, horses, stores^ &o. 3 under, Captain Westrupp, there was the cost of ;the military operations for ther recapture of. the prisoners, which he had - yesterday: probably under-estimated'at i^W9 P«r week; and he might add the Joss which would arise to the Colony from claims r-for compensation, -which were' already being-preferred; The pecuniary loss was however slight, a3 compared with" -other losses—the loss of confidence in 'tiie administrative ability of the Governanent, and in their power to deal with great emergencies; the loss of confidence in the ability of our rhilitary officers, in *Ue power of our Colonial Troops to sustain reverses, arid in the "courage and faithfulness of our Native allies." Coloriel -» is3eli concluded by calling for copies of connected with the deportation ** rebel Natives to the Chatham Islands,

their safe keeping while on the islands, and their escape. The motion was agreed to.

August 18.—The Weights and Measures Bill was read a second time, and the third reading fixed for the day following. No debate,took place, 'The Hon. Dr. Pollen explained that the Bill in question was fraihed for the purpose of consolidating the law relating to weights and measures.

August 20. —The Weights and Measures i Bill was read a third time, and passed. A Bill for the Amendment of the Law' was read a second time; It was introduced by Dr Pollen, who said that the Bill was a transcript of a late -ImperialAct effecting amendments with reference to the taking of depositions, the administration of oaths to jurors, the disposition of money found in possession of persons convicted of theft, and the manner of bringing persons from prison before the Court.

August 21.—A report of the Committee on the Privileges of the Coimcil was read, and ordered to be printed. Dr PolLen obtained leave Vo introduce a Bill providing for the security and preservation of trigonometrical stations throughout the Colony. A considerable extent of trigonometrical survey is being carried out in several places, particularly over Native lands in Auckland. Certain Europeans who ought to bave known better had offered obstructions to the work, and to guard against suchY obstructions was the purpose of the BilL The Ferries and Bridges Bill was read a second time on tbe motion of Dr Pollen. Its object is, the assimilation of the laws in respect to particular subjects all over the colony. The special occasion for the introduction of the Bill arose out of the peculiar position of the County of Westland. j AOTTSE OW fREPRESENTATIVES. ; August ;11—Mr Stafford laid; upon the table papers relating to the Escape of the Hauhaus from the Islands. He stated that a report had been received from Captain Thomas'-as to the manner in which the prisoners had made their escape, and also a report from the Special Commissioner, Mr Cooper, appointed to inquire inio the circumstaftces. The substance of Captain Thomas's report as to the manner of therescape confirmed what was previously stated so far as regarded the seizure of the vessel. The scuffle was a' very short one, and there had been nothing to attract suspicion beforehand. He regretted to state that one casualty had taken place; Michael Harnett was killed by a tomahawk, but the others were not molested—merely bound and left lying there, and shortly afterwards they were released by others coming to their assistance. The number of escaped prisoners was 163 men, who with women and children made a total of 298, who got away. .-. ,- The debate on 'the Policy of the Government, which stood adjourned from the 7th, was resumed by Mr O'Neill. The following members took part in the debate :—Mr Carleton, Mr Kerr, Mr Swan, and Mr Hall, the Postmaster General. Mr Hall's speech occupies twjenty pages of Hansard, and was one. of; the most effective delivered during the debate.

August 12.—Mr Travers moved for a return of all lands lying between low and high water mark on the coasts of the

Colony, which have been granted in trust to Superintendents of Provinces or other persons. He said that land of the kind had been in many cases reclaimed and built upon; that the title in such cases was in his opinion insecure; and that it might consequently be necessary for the House to legislate upon the matter. —The mqtion was agreed to. A Mr Hall moved for leave to introduce a Bill to extend the operation of ' The Bishop of New Zealand's Trust Act 1858.' The Act of 1858wasnpt made prospective, and consequently it was not competent to the Bishop to convey in trust any property that had been recently acquired. Leave was granted j the Bill was brought in, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading fixed for the 14fch. Mr Boklase moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend 'The Joint Stock Companies Act ISoU' The object of the Bill was to enlarge the operations of the Act, as-it was found that, in cases of unsuccessful Companies, where it was necessary to reduce the fixed capital, such a step could not be taken under the existing law; Leave was granted! A debate took place oh a motion by Mr Yocfel that a petitionf presented by him -from Waikouaiti, praying for powers of local self government, be printed. The motion was opposed on the ground of expense, and supported oil the ground that petitions to the House demanded every attention. The Speaker ruled that the motion must lapse, as no report from the proper Committee had been brought up, Mr Hakrison movedfor a Committee to inquire into and report upon the existing distribution of the charges upon the public debts of the Province of Canterbury,, between that Province and the County of Weatland, with a view to their reconsideration by the House hi the event of the Committee coming to the conclusion thatra more equitable arrangement might be made. After a short discussion, the debate was adjourned for a fortnight.

The Debate on the Policy of the Government was resumed by Mr Macfarlane,; and concluded by Mr Fox. In the course .of his speech, Mr Fox thus alluded to the progress of the country under the influence of Provincial institutions :—" I knew the Province of Canterbury before the honorable member for Gladstone did ; bairely seventeen ye,ars ago! stood on that bridle-track which led from Lyttelton to Christchurch, and saw the land untenanted and uncultivated.. Now, Sir, if you stand on that hill above the noble •tunnel by ; which it is pierced, and with the iron-horse travelling daily through it, bearing from the cultivated lands of ther Province the rich grain, which is sent even to the Home Country, the spectator may look down on towns and villages, cultivated fields, splendid roads, fertile crops, innumerable flocks and herds, and 50, 000 brave arid enterprising colonists. All this-has been brought about since 3850, and it has been brought about by Provincial Government." The motion was put to the vote, the result being Ayes, 25 ; Noes, 34. Majority iri favor of the Government—9.

August 13.—Mr Vogel moved for a return showing how much of theL26o,ooo authorised to te raised by loan for certain public purposes^ had been expended up to date, specifying the amounts chargeable to the several purposes. The motion was agreed to, after some little objection on the part of Mr Hall, the acting Treasurer.

Mr Vogel moved for leave to introduce a Libel Bill. The object of the BiU was, to remove doubts concerning the privilege of publishing reports of public meetings. The motion was cordially seconded by Mr Stafford.

Mr Travfrs moved for returns relating to the Colonial Defence Force. He-wished to know (1) The number of commissioned £f, C-^ S £ ec, eivin S Pay, either in the Militia, Volunteers, or Armed Constabulary, with the rank, jate of pay, and

allowances in each ca3e; also the district in which each officer was Berving : (2) The number of non-commissioned officers and privates in these services, distinguishing the number in each service, rate of pay, and allowances to each rank ; also where the men were now serving. This information he sought in order that the House might be put in possession of necessary facts with reference to' the 'disturbances in the Native districts, and the expenditure to which those disturbances were likely to give rise. This motion produced a long and interesting debate, in which one of the Maori members took part. The honorable member, alluding to the escape from the Chatham Islands, said : ' So then just look at the thoughts of the Maori people. If you were to take prisoners to England, most probably they wouldget a steamer and make their escape to New Zealand.' The motion was agreed to without opposition from the Government.

Mr Richmond moved the second reading of the Distillation Bill. This measure is a copy of the "Victorian Distillation Act, which again is a copy of the Imperial Distillation Act —' the fruit of a hundred years' experience of that particular business/ Mr Richmond took occasion to say that, in his opinion, distillation could not be profitably carried on in New Zealand, notwithstanding all that was urged in its favor. The Bill was read a second time.

: Mr Stafford moved the second reading of the Prevention of Frauds Bill, already passed by the Council. The Bill was intended to meet certain cases of fraud arising in the operations of retail dealers. The motion was opposed on the ground that the proposed measure would interfere with the necessary freedom of trade. The Bill was read a second time.

August 14 —Mr Hall moved the second reading of the Bishop of. New Zealand's Trust Bill. A question was raised as to whether this Bill was a public or a private one. The Speaker thought that, technically, it was a private one; but at the same time it should be recollected that it was introduced as an ahiendmerit to a measure originally passed as a public one, and therefore might fairly be considered public also. The Bill was read'a second time.

The Prevention of Frauds Bill was considered in Committee, and reported to the House with amendments, which were ordered to be considered on the 18th,

The House then went into Committee to consider the Standing Orders on Conferences. Sir D. Monro moved a resolution made on a previous occasion that the House should adopt the report of the Standing Orders Committee appointed to consider certain rules for the guidance of the Hotis& when in. conference with the Council. The Council required that conferences should be conducted in a more formal mariner than that which had hitherto prevailed, reserving the free conference as the ultimate proceeding when the ordinary conference had failed. The Council wished to assimilate their practice to that of the Imperial Parliament, and had framed certain rules for that purpose. Sir D. Monro proceeded to state these rules, and &ft*er some discussion the resolution was agreed to.

Mr Curtis moved for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Gold Fields Act, 1866. The object was to enable the Governor to bring reserves conveyed by him to the Superintendent of a Province, which reserves might afterwards prove to be auriferous, under the operation of the Gold Fields Act. Amendments were suggested, and leave granted. Mr Williamson moved that the Petition from certain school teachers in Auckland, and the report thereon, be referred back to the Committee. A debate ensued, but the motion, was ultimately agreed to. It appears that the teachers of twelve schools in Auckland were unable to obtain their salaries, owing to the empty state of the Provincial Treasury. A deputation waited on the Superintendent, who at first entertained their petition, but ultimately, rejected it.' The teachers then appealed to the House. One member stated that' there were persons in Auckland, possessing .large property, who grudged paying for the education of their children so long as they could get it done at the expense of the State.'

Mr Macfarlane moved for a return showing the names of persons in receipt of pensions, or allowances from the Government—the yearly amount received by each person—the Act under which it is paid—and the cause for which it is granted. He said an impression existed that large sums were paid away in pensions under circumstances requiring investigation. The motion was agreed to. '

... Mr Russell, a Maori, moved that Maoris te enabled to elect Europeans as their representatives. He said the experience of the session showed clearly 'that if the representation of the Maori race; was to be anything but a sham, they must be entitled to return Europeans in whom they had confidence. It was easy to see that the present Maori members did not understand what was going on, and;were often called upon to vote on questions of which they were utterly ignorant.' A long debate took place and resulted in the defeat of the motion by a majori• yof 10 out of 34 who voted. Mr Hall opposed the motion because, under such j a system as that proposed, Europeans would be returned as a matter of electioneering; trickery. Mr Fox thought that the introduction of a Maori member into the Council would be a wise step. August 18.—Mr O'Neill called the attention of the House to a paragraph in a Wellington journal reflecting on himself and other members. He considered it a breach of privilege. The House decided that it was, by a majority of two, but Mr O'Neill made no motion on the subject. Mr Stafford moved the second reading of the Lunatics Bill, which was accordingly read and committed. MrRicHMOND moved the second reading of the Provincial Lawsuits Amendment Bill, which was accordingly read and committed.

Mr Graham moved that Her Majesty's Government having signified its willingness to allow one regiment of Imperial troops to be stationed in the colony free of charge, on condition that the colony expended L 50,000 on Native purposes, it i* expedient to comply with this condition. On division, a majority of 16 decided against the proposal.

Mr Fox moved for a return showing how many stand of arms and accoutrements, and how much ammunition, have been issued to friendly Natives during the years 1865—1868, specifying the tribes, hapus, or individuals to whom such issues have been made. It was currently reported he said, that any native who fell in conflict with our troops was found to be. armed with a Government rifle—frequently a Snider—a Government pouch, belt, and other accoutrements; and the inference was that these" arms had beeri" supplied by the friendly Natives.—Motion agreed! to.

Mr Graham moved the abolition of the Defence Office, and the transfer of the business to the Colonial Secretary's department. The debate which ensued was adjourned.

August 19—Mr VoGEJi moved the afco-

lition of the Postal charge on newspapers. After a short debate, the House divided and the motion was negatived by 33 to 22. Mr Carleton moved for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal the East Coast Land Titles Investigation Act. He did so on the grounds?that the confiscation of Native lands should have been made long since, and also that the Act had injured the Native Lands Court by its operation. Mr Richmond objected to the motion, because it really involved a whole policy, arid if carried, the House woiild be called upon to proceed much further than the mover anticipated. Leave was ultimately granted.

Mr Curtis moved the second reading of the Golds Fields Act Amendment Bill. Ordered to be committed.

Mr Wimiamson moved the second reading of a. Bill to amend the Protection to Animals Act. Read a second time.

The Bishop of New Zealand's Trust Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Fox resumed the debate on the motion respecting the Colonial Defence Office. Mr Stafford mo?ed as an amendment, the omission of the words referring to the transfer of the Defence business to the Colonial Secretary's depar fcment. The motion as thus amended was agreed to. Major Brown moved that the Reports of the Royal Commission on Prisons be referred to a Select Committee to enquire into and report on the best means of giving effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commissioners. After a long discussion, the motion was withdrawn.

: A debate took place regarding the accounts of the General and Provincial Governments. It was opened by Mr Fox, who began by referring to the extreme difficulties by which the subject was surrounded, and went on to state that numerous complaints had been made by the Provincial Governments not only aa to moneys actually due, them being withheld, but as to the absence of accounts of any kind between the various Governments. He concluded by moving that a Committee of inquiry be appointed. Mr Hall in reply denied that the subject was shrouded in any darkness, and deslared that full accounts as required by law had been furnished and were how before the house. This again was denied by Mr Dillon Bell, who stated that he had on a;previous occasion compelled Mr Hall to admit the incorrectness of the accounts referred to. Mr Stafford defended his colleague, stating that the accounts were so voluminous that the Treasurercould not always produce them as quickly as was desired. A lengthened discussion ensued, resulting in the.defeat of Mr Fox's motion.

Mr Vogel moved thesecond reading of the Libel Bill. The Bill simply proposed to protect fair and impartial reports of legislative and other official proceedings. The motion waa negatived by 26 to 21.

The Protection to Animals Act Amendment Bill was read a third time, and passed.

August 21.—Mr Stafford moved the second reading of s the Disqualification Bill. He said the purpose of the Bill was to secure the. purity and independence of the Legislature, by disqualifying candidates in receipt of pay or emoluments from the State. There is no part of the British dominions, in possession of constitutional government, which has not ; recognised the principle he now sought to introduce. In Great Britain itself, thirtyfour Disqualification Acts have been passed since the days of William and Mary. Canada has passed such Acts on more than one occasion; a stringent one prevailing at the present time, by which all persons holding office in the State are | excluded from the Legislature under heavy penalties. Disqualification Acts have also been passed in each of the neigbpring colonies. Provincial officers will be excluded by the present Bill; and he thought that, so long as those officers are concerned in the taxation of the country and the distribution of the revenue, there was even a greater reason for their exclusion from the Legislature than there was for the exclusion of those who held office under the General Go- ; vernment; inasmuch as they are spend- ; ing money they do not raise themselves, ! and are not responsible to the country for | imposing the taxation from which they ; | profit. The Bill was violently opposed" |by those members of the House who are in favor of the present form of Government. One-of them, Mr Borlase, asserted that the Government were attempt ! ing to create a despotism in the place of a Democratic Government. If they were allowed to go on with a measure like this, where would they draw the distinction ? Why should Superintendents of Provinces be exempted from exclusion, while Provincial Treasurers were not ? No distinction could be drawn. Another member, Mr Vogkl, said that a greater blow to Provincial institutions could not be struck thaa the passing of such a measure. It would go forth as the deliberate opinion of the Assembly that those who took part in Provincial politics are not eligible for seats' iri the Assembly. Mr Dillon Bell would oppose the second reading on the ground that the Bill would tend to lower the character of the House, already far below what it used to be. Mr James Paterson thought that the Bill, if passed, would exclude men who were well qualified to act as legislators—men, too, iri whom local communities had great confidence. Mr Fox thought that the men sought to be excluded were of all others the most desirable as members of the House/ We want nien in the House who have a direct interest; and who could be better qualified than the men already elected by .the people as their ; representatives in the Provinces ? or who could be more deserving of public confidence in the matters of taxation and expenditure than those who were already chosen for offices of trust? YThe Bill was ultimately read a second time. Mr Richmond moved the second reading of the Bakera and Millers Bill. Iti was a measure fur the protection of the public from frauds in, the retail flour trade. The Bill was opposed as containing unnecessary and impracticable restrictions on trade, but the second reading was carried.

September 2—Mr Hall made the Financial Statement of the Colpny. He explained in detail the difficulty of getting into working order the machinery created by the Public Revenues Act, occasioning delay in accounts between the General and Provincial Governments. In spite of these drawbacks, he now able to lay a detailed statement of account for the past financial year, which had never before been done by any Treasurer at the time of making the Annual Statement.

He suggested that a change should be made in the date of the ending of the financial year, fixing the date at an earlier period; so as to obviate the otherwise necessary delay which niust occur every session before the delivery of the Budget.

He congratulated the Colony on the satisfactory settlement of the Imperial and Colonial claims, which was due to Mr Weld's sending Home half-a-million of Debentures, and the exertions of Mr Fitzherbert and Major Richardson. He estimated the Revenue of last year

at 14,084,000, of which L 980.700 were actually received, to which must be added L 25,000 Treasury Bills. There waa a decrease in the Customs of L 80,198, and in the Stamps of L 16,595. . Owing to the departure of the troops, there were no loans to spend. The low price of wool, &c., had occasioned a general depression. The revenues from the Post Office and the Telegraph, which were good indices to, the condition of the Colony, had*increased. The Government, believing that the use of stamps was largely evaded, had pnder consideration measures for repressing and prosecuting whenever an evasion of the Stamp Act was discovered. On the expenditure of the year, there was an apparent saving of L 154,000, partially, because of eleven months' salaries having been included, which was equal to L 51,000. The cash balance at the Bank was L 46.900, out of which L 25,000 has to be paid for Treasury Bills. There was also an asset from Southland of L 55,117. The Trust Funds amounted to L 167,000, all invested. The particulars of the. Consolidated Loan gave a saving to the present time, of LII,OOO annually to the Colony, and about the same to the Provinces, wliich more than compensated for the increased capitalised debt. The total amount received for the loan of 14,114,000 is L 1,080,580. There Will be, L 48,000 eveh of this riot required for purposes specified under the Loan Act, which (after deducting the cost of raising the loan, say at least L 10,000) will be appropriated to liquidating the Old Treasury Bills, still amounting to L 125,000, exclusive of the L 25,000 above mentioned. A full statement of liabilities on account of confiscated lands will be submitted, and however unpleasant it may be to have to pay where a profit was anticipated, the honor of the Government required it to be done. The receipts amounted to L 12,000, the payments to L 26,000, and further accruing liabilities, for surveys, &c, to L; 28,000. Mr Hall believes the receipts from the sales of confiscated lands would cover thia in two years; and proposed issuing Treasury Bills for two years to meet it meanwhile.

The L 55,117, available asset from Southland, is to be appropriated as follows :—• L 15,000 for new Government House, L 3,000 for increased offices for the Government and Legislature, L 8,500 for the Telegraph Department, including extension to Wanganui. The remaining L 28,000 will be reserved to meet renewed Native disturbances, should they occur. The following is the estimated revenue for 1868-9 :—Customs, L 800,000; Bonded Stores, L 6,500, Stamps, L 63,000; Telegraph,.Lls,ooo; Post Office, L 60,000; Miscellaneous, L 56,000. Total, L 1,000,500. The Expenditure is estimated as follows :—Civil List, L 27,500 ; Permanent Charges (Interest, sinking fund),L320,542; Public Domain, L 2,880; PubUc Departments, L 37,863 ; Law and Justice, L 55,687; Postal, L 106,401; Customs, L 41,781; Native Expenses, L 12,384 ; Miscellaneous, L 30,029 ; Militia and Volunteers, L 22,183 ; Defence, L 47,497 ; total, L 714,647. These figures show an increase on Permanent Charges of L 627, and a decrease on all the rest, viz., Domain, L 1,196 ; Departments, L 5,704 ; Law, L 13,561; Postal Charges, L 42,178; Customs, L 2,690; Native Expenses, L 11.16 0; Miscellaneous, L 18,054; Militia, L 2,355. The Defence was L 109,025 last year, but was charged on the loan. The Defence Minister is to be abolished at the earliest possible moment. • The proposed saving in the items of this year over the same items last year ia L 152,149.

The Government are unable to announce any reduction in taxation. The taxes in New Zealand have been exaggerated. They are not so high as in England, compared with the rate of wages. There it is L 3 Os lid, and here it is L4los per head. The most serious obstacle in the way of retrenchment was the present financial relations between the General and Provincial Governments. Four Provinces out of the nine had nothing left out of their share of the consolidated revenue, after paying their share of Provincial charges and interest and sinking fund. Indeed, some were actually in- debt. The Provincial cry to every Ministry was,, ' more money or your life.' The Government had decided to recommend that on lst January next this partnership should cease, and the funds (should any be required) for Provincial administration should be specially voted by the Assembly, the Provincial debts to cease, and to be charged against the Provinces raisingthem. The Harbor management is to be combined with the Customs solely under the General Government.

A Capitation Grant of seven shillings per head, based on the census population returns, is to be paid to the Provinces in aid of Police, Gaols, &c, and to be spent under audit. Besides this, the Provinces would retain the land fund and such local revenue as might be raised by acts of the Provincial Council. Had this plan been in operation last year, Auckland would have gained L 9,195 ; Taranaki, L 1,967; Hawke's Bay, L 3,093 ; Marlborough, L 2,132 ; Southland, L 17,974 ; while Wellington would have lost Lll, 000 • ISelson, L 20,453 ; Canterbury, L 767 ; Westland, L 2,213 ; Otago, L 10,894. Southland, by reason of the large amount of her debt, would have to pay L 12,000 annually from the Land fund; while to Nelson, L 90,000, and to Wellington, L 15,000, cash down, would have to be paid by the General Government in full compensation. A lump sum down is preferred to annual payments. . The sinking funds of all Provincial Loans are to be invested in comptroller s and two trustees, as also those of Colonial Loans.

< A sum of L 193,948 will shortly accrue m the hands of these Commissioners, out of which the Nelson and Wellington compensations are to be paid. The debt of L 200.000 charged on the territorial revenue of the Middle Island, and the Llßo,ooo expended on land purchased in the North Island, under the arrangement of 1856, are to be released. A. ■ '■

The proposed new financial scheme could only trench ori the Territorial Revenue of the Provinces of the Middle Island, in the event of their Consolidated Revenue not coming up to their interest and sinking fund, &c. which was an improbability. - , By the first of the following resolutions he now proposed that the Government would stand or fall. In the others they would accept amendments of details, viz:—

1. With a view to simplify resolutions between the Colonial and Provincial Go vernments,&c, the present systems are to be abolished, and the consolidated fund to be at the disposal of the Assembly, charged with loan interest, expenses of the Colonial Government, Harbors, &c 2. That L90,0Q0 be paid Nelson, and L 15,000 Wellington, and Southland have L 12,000 deducted annually from its territorial revenue.

3. Capitation Grant to be appropriated annually for Police and Gaols,

4. That leave be given to Iring in a Bill as above, commencing on lst January, 1»69. : SOCIAL. The screw steamer Keera has been hauled up a little to the south of the Pelichet Bay Jetty, just where the Lady of the Lake was originally put together, and the Peninsula was subsequently built. The Keera'has "been put upon a pair of very fine ways ; and workmen of Messrs Kincaid, M'Queen, and Co. the contractors for lengthening her, have cut or removed the rivets so as to allow of the boat being severed a little forward of the centre. The work of hauling the fore part 30ft up the ways will be undertaken to-day. The new frames are all on the ground beside the vessel, and most of them are ready for being put into position. i The annual Ball of theDunedin Scottish Volunteer Company, No. 2, took place on the 28th ult., at St. George's Hall. There | was a good attendance, and the ball passed off pleasantly. The room was decorated with flags and banners. Anderson's excellent band was in attendance, and there was a well arranged programme of dances, which were goDe through with spirit. The officers of the Company, Captain Tolmie, Lieut. Kirkcaldy, and Ensign Jamieson, acted as Stewards, and their efforts to make the evening a pleasant one were completely successful. ; A sea elephant, nine feet in length, and beautifully marked, was caught at Brighton on the 20th August. I On the evening of the 18th ultimo, the residents of Blueskin met in the Schoolhouse for the purpose of presenting Mr J. C. King with a testimonial of their esteeni, on the occasion of his leaving the district. Mr William Anderson, Waitati Hotel, being called to the chair, stated the object of the meeting; and Mr James Green, M.P.C., after a few appropriate remarks, in the name of the settlers of Blueskin, presented Mr King with an address and a purse of sovereigns. The address was beautifully lithographed on parchment.

The Salamander has brought a number of Spanish merino rams, transhipped in London, ex steamer Sado, from Lisbon, with most surprising good fortune— .npt having lost one on the voyage, which ha 3 been extremely rough. From the Cape downwards, she encountered a succession of heavy gales, accompanied by snow showers and a terrible sea. This will prove that the pure Spanish merino breed, as he is ori the high bleak hills of Old Castillo, is not such a delicate animal as is generally supposed, for these sheep have been travelling since the 12th of March. We believe this is the first importation of Spanish merino sheep direct from Spain into any of the Australian Colonies. Mr Thomas Reynolds, their owner, has accompanied them in all their wanderings through Spain and Portugal to our shores, and has spared neither expense nor trouble to effect his object of introducing pure Spanish merino blood into New Zealand.

We were lately shown a sample of four bales of cotton recently imported from the Fiji Islands, by the Banshee. The cotton is of two kinds, mixed and sea-island. It is of a fine, silky texture, and, considering the imperfect appliances for preparing it at present in operation in the Fijis, it may be considered free from impurities. The importers are Messrs Calvert and Campbell of this city, and we understand that should their venture meet, sufficient encouragement, there is every prospect of its being repeated. , scientific.A correspondent, writing on the 13th August, says :—" I beg to inform you, for the sake of those of your readers who may take an interest in astronomical pursuits, that a spot of rather unusual size may now be seen on the sun's disc. It is irre&ular in form, being broken in upon on one side by a deep gulf which terminates in an acute apex near the middle of. the f acuta . Several smaller faeulce lie near it, and the whole is surrounded by a penumbra of remarkable breadth. A glass of the most ordinary power will be sufficient to detect it. I yesterday observed it with. great distinctness through an achromatic instrument of 2|in. aperture. A beautiful halo round the moon was observed at Oamaru at about half-past nine o'clock on the evening of the 30th ult, The local journal states that "the halo, which consists of faint bands of rainbow-colored Ught, took the form of a ring about ten feet apparent diameter, removed from the moon itself, which was, therefore, in no way obscured." art and manufactures. Mr John Tensfield. artist, Princes street, has just published a new " Photographic Souvenir," containing twenty very good photographs of " important and interesting places" in New Zealand. Every publication of this description is interesting, not only to those who live in the Colony, but to friends and the public at Home. The beautiful scenery of New Zealand cannot fail to draw attention when exhibited in works of art like that compiled by Mr Tensfield, while the photo-raph3 of churches, public buildings, ports, and towns, so practically demonstrate the rapid advancement of the Colony that it is hardly possible to employ a more effective emigration agency thana wide diffusion of them would prove. Mr Tensfield has bound the sketches up in a neat volume, well fitted to he on a drawing-room.table. A meeting in connection with the proposed Fine Arts Exhibition took place on the afternoon of the Ist inst., in the lower room of the Athenseum, and was numerously attended. Mr John Hyde Harris took the chair. The steps necessary to. the successful carrying out of the object in view were discussed, and eventually the following resolutions .were passed :—"(l.) That it is desirable that an Exhibition of Fine Arts should be held in Dunedin in or about- the month of January next.—(2 ) That the following gentlemen be requested to act as Committee, with power to add to their number | for the purpose of carrying out the last resolution : His Honor the Superintendent, Judge Chapman, Messrs R B Martin Hulme, W. D. Murison, F. D*. Bell, A R. C. Strode, E. B. Cargill, Oliver, Bathgate, Larnach, J. T. Thomson, W. Mason, Jackson, Carrick, J H Harris Geo. Turnbull, W. M. Hodgklns! E. P. Kenyon, Butterworth, Jas. Smith Eccles, CantreU, Vogel, and Captain * raser. Mr Hodgkins consented to act as ohnorary secretary and treasurer. A fine Collection of Oil Paintings, Ohromo Lithographs, and Water Colors, based on Photographs, have been lately exhibiting at the Photographic Establishment of Messrs Burton Bros., Princes street. The collection comprises eighty-. eight pieces in all, and among them are some of remarkable beauty. accidents. A fire occurred about six on the evening of the 23rd ult., in the stables of Mr Mitchell, Parkside Hotel, Caversham. The fire commenced at the east end of the stables, where, on Saturday, about 25cwt of straw had been put into loose boxes. That straw was consumed, the wind favoring its destruction ; but there being a good supply of water, and plenty of':

neighbors or passers-by ready to assist, no further damage was done. There werfe - about 20 horses in the stables, but they were all got out safely, as soon as the firewas discovered. There is no idea as to what caused the fire, nor any belief that. it was purposely caused by stragglers or others. About an hour elapsed, after tha - discovery of the fire, before it was en* farely extinguished. Mounted Constablo • Wood, who was present, reports aa to heartiness of the workers to stop thanames. x

A man named Robert O. Berry met his - death on the morning of the 13th ult., by a most unusual accident. He waa part owner of the lighter Alexandra, now lying off Rattray street jetty, and was on board cooking some meat. He was seen to leav» - the stove and jump upon the -wharf, and-' it was found that he was choking, a piece of meat having stuck in his throat. Th& bystanders endeavored to remove thameat, but were unsuccessful; nor were the efforts of Dr Alexander effectual. Death ensued in a few minutes. At an inquest held the same evening, before T r M. Hocken, Coroner, Dr Alexander de--tailed the cause of death, and a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned. agriculture. A champion ploughing match was held: at Christchurch on the 20th August, on v the farm of Mr Hill, Avonhead, near tho Great South Road. The land selected for the match formed part of the first plottilled in Canterbury. Not having been ploughed since 1851, the ground was very ~ stiff, and formed an excellent test of tho ploughmen's skill. The first prize, Lls-. and a medal worth L 5, was won by a fed named Pannett, who made his first appearance as a skilled ploughman at Lincoln in,. 1866, and has since contrived to keep his. laurels. The Bruce Herald feels "it pleasant to record another instance of that kind and neighborly feeling which induces oursettlers to assist beginners on their entrance upon new farms. With this landable object in view, ori-Tuesday, the 4tb a August, the neighbors of Mr Fraser, who has recently purchased the farm lately occupied by Mr J. P. Mundell, and situate in South Tokomairiro, sent forward 19 teams to give him a day's ploughing. We understand that nearly 19 acres were, turned over in good style. The ploughmen were hospitably entertained by MrFraser, and after finishing their pleasant duty of giving him a 'lift,'they returned!----to; their respective homes, cordially wishing Mr Fraser success in his new undertaking." ' STATISTICAL. The Provincial Government Gazette con-- - tains a statement of the Revenue and Expenditure of the . Province for thequarter ending June 30th. The total, receipts are set down at L47,793257<L, The Various sources from which thai amount was derived, are stated as follows^ —Crown Lands, including Gold duty, for April, L 23,445 6s 9d ; Customs Revenue, L16,28918s 3d ; Harbor Dues, L8816s8d; ; JettyDues,L9B49sld; Sheep Assessment, L 2 5s 6d; Dog Tax, L 1405 10s; Licenses, L80015s; Rents,.L3 ss; Immigration Repayments, L 613 10s; Education (School Books and School Fees), L 193 4s ; Hospitals Repayments, LB9 10s sd; Gaol, L2O 10s 6d ; Tolls on. Roads, L 2445 133 sd; LithographicMaps, 3s 6d; Incidental Receipts, L 374 9s 3d; Telegraphic Messages, L 154 5s 9d; Education Reserves, LBB 13s 9d ; Tonnage Dues,-5s 2d. The expenditure for the quarter, tinder votes arid appropriations, was L 63,480 16s lid, of whicli . L 21,346 3s ld, was on roads and public works..: : During the month of July, 622 Post- , office orders were issued in Otago, , representing L 2767 16a Id, and 317 werepaid, amounting to L 1392 14s 7d. Since , the commencement of the system, on the^ > Ist September, 1862, 33,965 orders have, ; been issued, representing L 158,606 7s 4d, ( and 15,824, amounting to L 76,638 10a, ~ have been paid, in the Post-office Savings-. Bank Department the number of new accounts opened during July was 70; ands there were 246 additions made to existing accounts. The deposits on new ac- ,' counts, amounted to L 1560 6s, and tho . additions to L 1932 6s. The total number of deposits was 316, making 4199 from the \ beginning of the system, and the whole-. ■ amounting to L 50,537 16s Id. There: r were 190 withdrawals during' July, in-- . eluding 31 closed accounts. The amount: withdrawn was L 3092 10s sd. Since theestablishment of the system there havebeen 1446 withdrawals, making together*L22,734451d. / 8' ' RELIGIOUS. The Rev. Dr Burns has received letterar from .the. Rev Mr Inglis, of the New Hebrides Ministry, intimating that he has been appointed to visit the Presbyterian Churches of New Zealand, and tha&. he may be expected in Dunedin early «* January, by the Mission ship Day Spring, which sails for Port Chalmers about the. middle of December. The quarterly meeting of the Dunedia-. Presbytery was held on 2nd inst., in the school-room beneath the First Church.. There were present* the Rev. M. Watt, M;A., Moderator. The Rev. Messra" Stuart, Sutherland, Scrimgeour, Will, Johnston, Ryley, M'Naughton, Christie,. Greig, Gillies, and Connor, Ministers,. Messrs Mollison, Wilkie, King, Somerville, A. King, and Cargill, Elders. The minutes of the last meeting wereread and confirmed. The Clerk (the Rev. W. Gillies) read, the following report upon the Schedules,, which had" been issued by the Presbytery in reference to the state of the Church within the bounds. . The returns svnt in represent nominally 12,. but really 14, congregations, as in two instances—Otepopo and Hampden, and Waikouaiti and Palmerston—there are two separate congregations, with separate organisations, though under one ministerial charge. Taking, then, the number of congregations a? 14, there are 10 of them which have the regular organisation of elders aiid deacons, and four which, instead of deacons, have simply managers. The number of elders ia all is 79, two-fifths of that number, or 32; being in Dunedin. Of deacons tliere are ia all 70, the proportion in Dunedin being rather more than two-fifths, or 31. In Dunedin, the number of elders and deacons is. just about equal, the elders having only a. majority of 1. The managers in four country congregations number 26. Of communicant^ there are a total of-'2484, nearly one-half, or^ 1200, being in Dunedin. In connection with: 11 out of the 14 congregations, there am* Sabbath schools, with a staff of 123 teachers^ ; about three-fifths, or 75, being in Dunedin*. The average attendance is 1029, of which Dunedin claims . over three-fifths, or 640 children ; the' actual attendance will, of course, be somewhat larger. The proportioa of scholars to each teacher is slightly over S„ Of ministers' Bible classes, there are 1% with an average attendance of 273, of which 125, or Uttle over two-fifths, are in Dunedia. All the 12 ministers hare manses, and 13 of the congregations have church buildings. The number of sittings in these 13 churches is 4137, of which considerably over twofifths (nearly ane-half), or 1980, being provided in the three Dunedin churches. Safe at two out-stations (Blueskin and Greytown^ there are also church buildings with an additional seat accommodation for 280. Cam* paring the actual church accommodation ia Dunedin of 19S0 sittings with the Presbgg

ienan population, according to last Census, . of 5478, it will be seen that there is accom- „ tnodation for only little over one-third of the Presbyterians ; and as the population in the . other districts amounts to about 10,000 Soule, from which we may deduct, say, 4000 as beyond-the reach of ordinances, or in attendance at other places of worship, 6000, Which is somewhat under the Presbyterian population above returned as resident in - these districts, as against slightly over 2000 sittings of church accommodation, so that there are still 4000 unprovided for. In the 13 churches there are 3852 sittings let, * showing in all only 285 unlet, and of which unlet sittings only five are in Dunedin. The proportion of sittings let is just a little over one-half more thaa the number of communi- » cants ; the proportion iv Dunedin being just about the same as over the others; commimi- - cants in Dunedin being 1200, and sittings let 1870. The average attendance is 3530, the average for the forenoon being taken ' where there are two regular services. This - attendance shows an absence of only 392 seatholdere, or a little more than one in a : thousand, and of these absentees only 105, or less than two fifths, are in Dunedin. To the average attendance at the regular • churches must be added an additional 450 - at out-stations, making in all an attendance • of 3980, as against a population of at least 11,000. All the 12 ministers, save one, have two services regularly each Sabbath day, and •'■ his return states " he hopes soon to have two." In connection with 8 out of the 14 • congregations, there are weekly prayer meetings ; and in one other there is a monthly '■ meeting; and in another occasional district ; meetings. Six congregations have libraries rf 3916 volumes,.of which 3459 volumes belong to the three Dunedin con- ■ gregatioas. The various church and manse ~ buildings were erected at a cost of L 23.865, the delt on which is only L 3284. or less than one-seventh of the total cost. To the total -cost, Dunedin contributes L9OOO, or rather ! less than two-fifths of the whole; and LISOO to the de t, or somewhat more than twofifths of the whole. St. Andrew's, Dcnedin, however, is not included, as the returns upon these money matters were not filled in from that congregation. Four out of the 13 con- -. gregations have no debt at all, whose con'tiabutioris to the total cost amounted to L 8325 ; and other three congregations, whose contributions to the total cost of buildings '-amounted to L 5350, have a debt of only L3BO between them. The other sums are so - distributed that no very serious debt rests upon any. The report-was ordered to be entered <ra the minutes. -' A request from the congregation at Oamaru for the moderation of a call was received, and was granted, and Wednesday,- 16th instant, fixed for that purpose. It was arranged that the Rev. M. Watt ' preach and preside, the edict to be served on Sabbath < first by ; Rev. Mr Ryley. Plans for a Manse at Kaikorai were laid "on the table, and sustained; the usual grant towards building being authorised. "The plans for a Manse at North-East Harbor were also submitted, but the sanctioning of them was remitted to a Committee. The plans of the proposed new church for ' St Andrew's congregation were laid t.efore the Presbytery, and highly commended. "The Rev. Dr Burns presented to the c- Presbytery, for the use of the CoVegz, more than 150 volumes of valuable theo- • logical works from his private library. He desired that students might have free access to them, to aid them in their studies v for the ministry. '■ The Presbytery, in ■■ accepting the gift, expressed their warm- - est appreciation of the donor's kindness, • and the hope that his example would be : followed by others. Mr James Chisholm was appointed librarian. The Presbytery • orderedtherecordsofSessionsandDeacons' '• Courts to be brought up for examination at ' the next sitting. The Rev. W. Gillies :: gave notice, "-That at the next meeting, ■* be would propose the transmission of an overture to the Synod, anent the ads ministration of the Ministers' Widows •and Orphans Fund." The Presbytery adjourned, to meet afc Oamaru on the 16th instant, and the next ordinary meet- ■• ing was fixed for Wednesday, December ~23rd. GOLDFIELDS. Mr Warden Pyke has been appointed to the Clyde district; arid we understand that he will at once proceed to Clyde, to relieve Mr Warden Robinson, who takes f the Mount Ida district, Mr Warden Broad having fecei-jjpd an appointment in Auck- - land.