WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2452, 8 May 1875, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

May 8. Last night the Provincial Secretary announced that the Government had concluded their business, and would probably prorogue on Monday. Andrew gave notice of motion that a copy of judgment delivered by Sir George Arney, in Demurrer case, Attorney General v. Bunny, be laid on the table. Craickshank gave notice of motion asking for £400, to open a road betwen the Railway Bridge and the Pahautanui block. Watt being absent, his motion for £100 to be put on the estimates for purchasing a site for a signal station for the town of Wanganni, lapsed. In reply to Wright, regarding having a line of railway to the West Coast laid off and reserved in conformity with a resolution of the Council last session, Bunny said the Government would take care that every provision was made to secure railway reserves.

In replying to a question by Ludlam, asking how the sums relating to native land purchase under unauthorized expenditure had been expended, Bunny said that since the passing of the the law enabling private persons to purchase land direct from the natives great obstacles had been thrown in the way of the Government in negotiating their land purchases. In one case Mr Martin, who had been in treaty with the natives for the purchase of a large block which the Government desired to acquire, had to be paid £300, and though they could not complain of Martin, who dealt fairly with the Government in the matter, yet there were cases in which they had a great deal to complain of. In the case of the Murimotu Block, which the Native Minister eighteen months ago assured them there would be no] difficulty in acquiring, the matter had been put off, and in the meantime a number of private speculators stepped in, and it would now be many long days before the Government could' obtain possession of that land.,

The Council adjourned till Monday at 7.30. *

In Banco yesterday Robert Hart, senior member of the Wellington Bar, was depiyted to address His Honor previous to his departure from the judicial district, over which he has presided so many years, and in the course of which he referred to the obligation conferred upon the community by His Honor, through his exertions in giving beneficial and elevated direction to employment of their leisure, and by his constant kindness and hospitality. In reply, His Honor acknowledged great gratification on the part of the Bar, because "lam aware that on some occasions I may have been led in can anxious discharge of my duties into certain impetuosity in expression or in manner towards the profession, which may have caused some annoyance at times," and their forgiveness for any annoyance of that kind." He said this expression of feeling would encourage and strengthen him for the discharge of hia judicial duties during the remainder of his career. All the practising barristers were present.