LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 14, 17 May 1845, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Legislative Council terminated its labours for this session on Tuesday last, when his Excellency closed the proceedings with the following speech , — Council Room, 22nd April, 1845. Gentlemen,—l am now enabled to adjourn this fifth session of the Legislative Council —and to relieve you for some time from such tedious and irksome duties as those which yon have so cheerfully and regularly executed. I am fully sensible of the sacrifices that the non-official members have made in giving up their time to public affairs, and exposing themselves to public obloquy — the certain consequence of political exertion in whatever manner. It must be satisfactory to the council to reflect that by their zealous endeavours very great reductions have been effected in the current expenditure—and that the estimate for 1845-6 is ten thousand pounds (or one fourth) less than for 1844-s;—although the estimate for that year was twenty thosand pounds less than for 1843. The estimated expenditure for this year is only twenty-six thousand pounds—notwithstanding that the several distinct settlements so distant from each other cause so much expense on account of their separate establishments. In proposing that we should revert to the system of raising a revenue by means of duties of Customs, I felt extreme reluctance; but there was no choice. Six months trial has shown that a revenue nearly sufficient for the most economical expenditure on the Public account could not—under the peculiar circumstances of this •Colony—be raised by direct taxation. To have continued the.trial longer would have made the difficulties under which we are laboring still greater, Having failed to prevent insurrection by removing the restrictions of Customs regulations—the chief motive for their abolition ceased; and as the less of two evils, their re-establishment became imperative. At the commencement of this session I had no anticipation of such a disaster as that which bejel Kororarika. I considered that place sufficiently defended, and I looked cheerfully at the prospects ele.vhere. But the fall of Kororarika has taught all a lesson; and I trust that improvement will be the consequence, after a season of bitterness and inevitable warfare.

British authority must be vindicated, —but with justice and mercy.

Robert Fitz Roy,

We find that at the meeting of Council on the 15th April, the "Imprisonment for debt bill " was postponed until next session. Wheu are we to get rid of this wretched mockery of a deliberative body ? Not a man in it shows himself able to appreciate principle. All who have yet been in it, or are so now, have shown themselves equally destitute of thought and of education.

A " Supplimentary appropriation bill " has been passed, but of its contents we remain ignorant.

The Governor on the 19th April introduced a bill, having for its object bringing into operation two Acts of Parliament, the one abolishing the punishment of death in certain cases; the other extending and so improving the law of evidence.

A "Fines for assault bill," or rather a bill appropriating the consequent fines, was read a second time on the 19th April. In cases half the fine may be awarded to the complainant,

The " Highway and Public Improvement Bill" was read a third time and passed. It has been re-named as the "Public Road aud Works Bill." It provides a toll not exceeding sixpence, and for the creation of a Board of Commissioners, elected by landowners from their own body, to pass a rate to provide for public impiovement.