THE. GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Colonist, Issue 77, 16 July 1858, Page 3

THE. GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. On Thursday, May 27, the Speaker and seventeen members were present.

Mr. Richmond laid upon the table a summary of land purchases, made from the natives, from the Ist of July, 1856, to the 31st of March, 1858. Mr. Hall, pursuant to notice, would ask the Colonial Treasurer, " What steps the Government proposed to adopt with reference, to the claim made by the Province of Canterbury, for the reimbursement of a portion of the expenditure incurred for maps and surveys in that province." He would explain that since Sir George Grey took, possession of the maps and surveys, the Piovincial Government ot Canterbury had never ceased to urge their claim for compensation

Mr. Richmond stated, in reply, that the Government had come to no decision. The question was one for the House to decide. There were many questions presenting peculiar features that had been rendered difficult of adjustment, by the transfer of the Land Department to Provincial Governments, which he should propose on an early day should be referred to a Select Committee, that they might be thoroughly sifted. The Government were not called upon to decide these questions, involving details of the value of property. Mr. Richmond, pursuant to notice, moved, "That it be referred to the Printing committee to enquire and report as to the expediency of establishing a Government Printing Establishment." And said that the great expense incurred by the colony for printing was a proper subject for enquiry, which might perhaps result in some measure of practical economy. At any rate, they would satisfy themselves whether or not the present large expenditure was necessary.—Agreed to. Mr. Stafford moved for leave to bring in a " Bill to sell and exchange certain allotments of Land, in and near the City of Auckland, and apply the proceeds to public improvement." The Bill was then read a first time, and the second reading ordered for next sitting day. Mr. Stafford moved for leave to bring in a " Bill to disqualify persons holding certain offices from being members of the House ot Representatives, Superintendents ot Provinces, or members of Provincial Councils." This Bill involved principles of the highest importance, which had been already recognised- by the house; that the administration of justice should be removed from local political influence. The House had hitherto been anxious to be guided by the procedure ofthe house of Commons, and it would'be great presumption for the Government of a colony, yet in its infancy, to ignore the long established usages of the Home legislature. If these safeguards were necessary in the House of Commons, it became more essentially necessary that, in so small a body as this Assembly, every cai*e_should be taken to guard the independence of its members. Measures had, from time to time been passed preventing office holders from taking seats in the House of Commons, and it was the desire of the Government to exclude the same

class of persons, witli a few trivials exceptions, who were excluded at home ; but it was not their inattention to prevent gentlemen holding office in other parts ol the colony "from having seats in that House who hid been returned by the constituencies of their respective Provinces as best fitted to represent their interests, with the exception of those connected with the administration of justice. The bill was then read a first time, and ordered to be printed and read a second time on Wednesday next.

Mr. Richmond moved for leave to bring in a bill to enable the Governor to establish a settlement for colonisation at the Bay of Islands. He would briefly state the object of this bill, reserving further explanation for tlie second reading. Tlie bill was connected with the scheme for the better government of tho native population which he had introduced on a former occasion. This measure,' which was quite experimental, was to enable the Executive Government to carry out their scheme. Tlie population being a mixed one of Maoris and Europeans the Government wished to establish purely English institutions, and that English laws should run throughout tbe new district. Tlie site of the proposed settlement was at Ken Keri, which, from its accessibility to a large district of country, promised superior advantages. Tho opinions of the Government had not been formed hastily. He (Mi*. Richmond) had not bad an opportunity of judging of its local advantages, but another member ofthe Government who was well acquainted with the district, and who had attended the Governor on his recent tour to the North, had given the subject great consideration, and his entire approval of the proposed site, in which opinion Colonel Mould also concurred. Large vessels of war had anchored off tho Keri Keri, although it; could not be compared to the noble harbor at Korarareka; as a port, it was very suitable to tlieir purpose. The local authorities were favorable to this scheme, and he did not anticipate opposition from any other quarter. On the question of Native affairs no difference had arisen between the Government, and two successive Provincial Councils, and from tho sound opinions entertained by the Provincial Government, he did not think differences would arise.

The bill was then read a first time, and ordered to be printed, and read a second time on Thursday next.

Mr. Richmond then moved for leave to bring in a bill to provide for the Audit of Public Accounts.

The bill was read a first time, and ordered to be printed, and read a second time on Thursday next

The Roman Catholic Endowments Bill, and the Provincial Reserves Bill", were each read a third time and passed.

The Native Districts Regulation Bill was then committed and reported with amendment, when the House adjourned until Tuesday at 12 o'clock.