MARLBOROUtfH.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 268, 15 May 1860, Page 2

MARLBOROUtfH.

(From the Marlborough Press.) : Our Provincial Council met for the first time on Tuesday last,,in the Court House, Blenheim. All the members except one wer* present, and thero was ft good sprinkling of visitoi's, who appeared greatly interested in the event. -The opposing political. parties, if they may he so called, met, but there was no gauntlet thrown down: all were as complaisant to each other as they could well be. Mr* Adams's party had evidently made all doe preparations, and accordingly proceeded at once to business. They first proposed Mr. Adams as Speaker (evidently a manwvvre to secure Mr, Goulter's vote in the great motion that was to follow), which was agreed to without a remark. Mr. Goulter then moved that Mr. Adams be Superintendent of the province. Messrs. Eyes, Dodson, and Sinclair expressed themselves as having no objection to Mr. Adams as Superintendent, and the latter that he had more claim to it than any other member. Such being the case, we may perhapii be. justi-. fied in concluding that the public business will not be retarded by vituperative attacks on each, other, which too often occur with the members of other Provincial Councils. .

The only objection the three honourable-mem-bers we have mentioned urged toMr. Adams was on constitutional grounds—that it was nqtadvisable for Mr. Adams Ho be both Superintendent arid Commissioner of Crown Lands. ;''r "

The Superintendent, immediately after his election, briefly addressed the house, and, like the honorable members who had before spoken, seemed desirous to get through-the business of the Council with as little relevancy as possible.. J. : . On Mr. Adams resigning the Speakerahip, Mr. ■■.'- Goulter was elected to that office, and it was remarked that to save expense, no one would be engaged as Clerk of the Council for some time—the Speaker being willing to do whatever work yras usually done by a Clerk. £\ Mr. Bailliethen moved that the Standing Orders of the Provincial Council of Nelson, as cor- : rected, should be adopted, and that the Speaker Messrs. Elliott, Ward, Sinclair,, and the mover form a committee during this session for the-pur-pose of proposing alterations. This; after a little discussion, was unanimously agreed to. A motion was also assented to that the Superintendent establish a Provincial Government Gazette, and adopt a seal for the province. The Council then adjonrned till the 22nd of ■ May. " '■'" ■ ' ■''■'' ' ".■ ~' '"

Altogether, the first day's, proceedings of tho Council passed off as cheerily as the day .was fine, and augur no unwillingness or inability in the men of this provine to govern themselves and mar nage their own affairs.

Land Sale.—We understand that the first land Bale in this province will take place about the 12th of July next. It will," therefore, be necessary for all parties desirous to have land put up at the first sale to make application during the present month.

Maori Meeting.—On Tuesday, the Ist instant,, about thirty natives waited upon our Resident" Magistrate and the Rev. H. F. Butt, when they assured those gentlemen of their loyalty and earnest desire to live peaceably with the pakeha. Dr. Muller explained to them the cause of the proceedings now being taken by the Governor against William Kingand his followers,' and said that all of them who were peaceably disposed would continue to have the protection of the law, and in every way enjoy the Bame liberty and privileges as the white man. (A full report of this meeting will be published in our next.) Building Society.—We have been requested to draw attention to the proposed meeting for the formation of a "Land, Building, ; and Investment Association, 1' which will be held in, the' School Room, on,the 9th instant. A similar society was established in Nelson several months since, which has been found to work very satisfactorily so far, and has every prospect of continuing to do so.

We extract the following from the advertising columns of the Marlborough Press, to show that they are about to commence business in earnest :■—«

To the Electors of Wairau Valley.—Gentlemen—Having been appointed Superintendent of this province, it is necessary for me to be reflected before I can take a seat in the Provincial Council, I therefore again offer myself as a candidate for your suffrages; and I trust to have (and ever to merit) your friendly approval and support. Believe me, faithfully you% William Adams, Langleydale, May 3. Superintendent's Office, Marlborough, May 5, 1860 Wanted,, a Clerk, accustomed to office or official business. He will bo required to produce good testimonials of steady conduct, &c, and to write a good and expeditious hand. Application, by letter, to be made to the Superintendent at this office.