Wednesday, 7th December, 1859.

Wellington Independent, 6 January 1860, Page 1

Wednesday, 7th December, 1859.

The Couuci! init as abore pursuant to adjournment. . , : . The Speaker took the Chair at serenlg'olook Present— Twelve members. The minutes of tbe last meeting were read and confirmed. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. Wakefield gave notice that on next sitting 1 day he would move,— " That the _fern >randum relative to > the Guaranteed Injmigratioa, laid on the table by the Provindial Treasurer, be printed." ' Tbe Prov. TsBASOBE-fgave- notice that da next sitting day hi would more,— "-For leave to bring i n a BiU to enable the Bupenntendent to sjrant a piece of land to certain Lodges of Odd Fellows." Mr. Allen gave notice that on Friday next. he would move,-" ' " That leava bj given to bring in a BiU to appropriate a portion of the Publio Revenue for &s£3E^^ endin * The House, the i proceeded to the Orders ol the Day, wben the house resolved itself into a Committee of Supply on the Estimates for the months of Novein *er and December, 1850. but the Chairman on the motion of Mr. Wakefield immediately reported progress and asked leave to sit again which was agreed to.

APPORTIONMBSNX OP THE PBOVINCML DSJBT. Mr. Huntbb in accordance with notioe of motion to tbat effect moved, —

'That an address be presented to the Superintendent, requesting him to lay before this Counoil copies of any correspondence which may have token place between the General Government and his «onor, on the subjeot of the apportionment of the Provincial debt between the Province of Wellington and Hawk©. Bay,'' ' ' alledging as a .eaßon forsodoin* that he had learnt from the Hawke's Bay Herald, of the 26th ultimo that the authorities at Napier had been.invited by the General Government fwho were about to lay son* o prl an before the A«ea£ bly when it met, for the Q.ml apportionment 0 f the Provincial debt >t we< »« Wellihirton and «awkes Bay), to make some suggestions as to * the principles on which the adjustment should be made, and he wished to knqw whether any similar communication had Wn received by Dr. Featherston, and if so. what reply had been sent P. Jhe subject was an important one and worthy oi every consideration, aud -wbuld form an important feature in any flriancmT puhcme they might hereafter t>e sall^W*- to uiSvUSS* ,'S^",' V , * * v ** ,'&• \ Mr; Carpenter seconded the rnoUon^Uich^ was agreed io.. t»ww

POSTPONEMENT OF MOTION. The following motion standing in Mr. Wakefield's name, was al his request postponed to next sitting <!iiy, viz : — " On going into Committee on the past illegal expenditure, that the most suitable form of a Bill of Indemnity tor items sanctioned by the Committee be considered." MB. WAKEFIELD'S ADDBESS TO TIIESUrEIIINTENDENT Mr. Wakefield pursuant to notice of motion given yesterday, moved the following address to hisHont-r the Superintendent, first obtaining leave of the House to amend his motion, He said the amendments were rendered necessary by the information received from the Prov, Treasurer the previous evening. After some condemnatory remarks as to certain alleged discrepancies ol statements of the Prov. Treasurer, relative to immigration, and after dwelling some little time on tins matter, he concluded by stating that the address embodied the opinions of those on his side of the house, as-to the present state of affairs which must, contended the hon. member, shot tiy come to un end. The address was to this effect! ADDKKSS. The Council in reference to the Surerinten. dent's Message No. 5, dated tbe 4th November 1869, declir ing to change the present Executive for one possessing the confidence of the Council, begs respectlu'ly to culls his Houoi's attention to the following circumstances* — Since the receipt of that Message, tbe Coun. oil has been inlonned by the Colonial Secretary that the Governor has been ad vised to refuse the prayer of the petition for a dissolution, al leged to have been signed -by 1593 inhabitants ©f the Province, because his Excellency's Government do not consider that the proceedings of the Council have justified any charge against it of being unable or unwilling loco oporate •aith the Superintendent in keeping up the or dinary establishments of tbe Provnce. Probably, then, tbe composition of the Coun 'dl will remain as at present, or nearly so, lor some time to come. The Council begs to urge upon the Superintendent a re considertion of the decbion at which he had arrived, while yet unaware of the result of the petition alluded to. Should bs Honor still adhere to the determination « f keeping in tbe chiel Executive "dices, gentlemen iv whom t_e majority of the Council bah no confidence, the Council will be compelled to condemn . so useless a mockery of Responsil.le Government, and will be justified in refusing tv sanciiou t!:e payment of any further salaries to tbe membeis of the Executive •Council, ot! er than the Supcnntendeut, uutil Che usual pr ctice be complied with. The su called responsible Ministers actually represent not tbeir ow: 1 , but his Houoi's policy, whether as to finance, legal proceedings, or general administration. Tbe Treasurer has no otber financial scheme, and tbe Secretary has no other general policy, than that devised by tbe Superintendent himself; and whenever a doubtful legal question of importance arises, it is not the salaried Piuviuciai Solicitor, but a legal gentleman living at Nelson, or tbe AttorueyOeneruls of Syduey and Melbourne, who are consulted at considerable ext-a expense to the Province. The Council is consequently, at a loss to kno'v what advantage the Province derives from paying tiose tbree gentlemen salaries for explaining a policy which everybody knows to be the Superintendents, and which he as constantly explains, by message to the Council as though he had no responsible advisers. If it be, then, his Honor's irrevocable deter-iermiDtttian-iiot io comply with the usual practice by choosing advisrrs fiom the majority, the Council will clieeifull} join with him in doing away with an expensive machinery wbich has no longer any object, by so altering the Executive Government Act as to leave the administration of affairs iv the hands of the Superintendent, assisted by efficient clerks, and controlled by the Council or its Committees. Such is the actual, although not the nominal state, of things, in consequence of the false position in wbich the Superintendent maintains the present members of the Executive.

Tbe Couticil is, however, very desirous to do ttOre than keep up the ordinary establishments, and is perfectly willing under fair conditions, to Co operate with tbe Superintendent in recruit ing, by wise means, the exhausted finances of the Province, and in laying the foundation of a wore sound and reliable progress for the future. But so long as the Superintendent manifests his distrust of the Council by refusing tv select advisers from its majority, or to sanction any of the measures wbich tbat majority may decide jupou as best — so long, moreover, as be continues to band the exclusive knowledge management, aud supervision uf all Government business tv gentlemeu wbo do not possess the -confidence of the Counc I — so long his Honor can hardly expect the Council to inform bim by what measures it believes that the present state of tbiugs may be at once improved, and eventually lestored to prosperity. The Council is not even fully informed of the actual state of the Provincial assets aud liabilities. Owing to the imperfect manner in which the books of the Registrar of Immigration are kept, and also to the fact of that officer having been directed to perform duties as Inspector of Boads, which are incompatible .villi a reat'y reckoning of those books, the Council has only just been infoi mcd, after sitting for three months, of the amount of immigrants' promissory notes still due to the Province, but without any listol the names, euahling tbe Council to form an opinion as to how much uf ibe debt is likely to be repaid, and when.

The amount still owing is £2^,700; and of this it appears from tbe Estimates for l*t:o l«iid before the Council, thai the Superintendent only reckons on receiving the nominal sum of £000 during tise ensuing year. Tbe Council is informed that the passages of 231 statute adults are guaranteed from England involving a liability of £4,600, tbe repayment of which may be as dillatory or doubtful as tbat of tbe £23,700 already mentioned. So that out of the debt of £100,000 already contracted, upwards of £28,000 may probably be spent as an advance without hope of recovery. Tbe accounts relatiug to the collection of these outstanding debts are so kept, as to come under uo audit whatever.

The present system of Auditing the Treasury accounts -»ftiuds no security to the. Council ♦gainst expenditure without appropriation* and as tbe Auditors are entirely subject to the Superintendent's instructions tbe labors of tbe Auditors involve expense without yielding any advantage ; since tbe Council bas to do the aame work over again in any case where ii may desire to iu vestigue or cluck tbe proceeding of the Government. Without an Auditor responsible l > the Conned itself, fbe public can have no confidence in the cot reet ness or economy of the expenditure. Under a proper system, tbe duties ut the Auditors would be laid down by law, and the correctness of each item of expenditure. Under a proper sy-tern, the duties of the Auditors would be laid down by Jaw, v»ould be vouched for before it was incurred, insi^u 'ef a flu wards.

The existing regulations for the occupation and disposal of public land are notoriously obstructive aud unsatisfactory to all classes of Colonist?. Altluiuuh it is uot iv tbe power of the Provincial Legislature to alter these laws at piesent, an energetic appeal from tbe Superintendent and Provincial Council would doubt less induce the General Assembly, wbich is to meet here in a few months, to allow this Pro vince the same power as others have enjoyed to make the most advantageous use of its great public estate. Measures might he devised, by which, without lessening the value uf that estate as a security for our share of the Colonial Debt, both run holders and would-be freeholders should be encouraged, instead of heing discouraged, as now. An equitable reassessment of pastoral land on fairer terms to the public, together with some provisions for more necure tenure to tbe occupiers, mi-j-ht be combined with a more careful reservation of really available land for freeholders, and special re servations for tbe purpose of attaching immigrants to tbe soi! by grunts in remission of passage money on condition of occupation, on a system similar to that so successfully carried out in tbe Province of Auckland. By all these means combined, not only the Land Revenue might be considerably increased, but the Customs' Revenue would largely augment with tbe progress arisiug from immigration of a permanent nature.

The Superintendent, however, must be fully award that it is almost impossible for the Council to advise, without the power of administet ing. The best of laws, if carried into executiun hy officers not possessing the confidence of the Council, would probably result in dissatisfaction to any Council which should enact those laws.

Tbe Council, therefore, f.arneslly urges on the Superintendent to inform it,at bis earliest convenience, of tbe course which he now intends to pursue with regard to the composition of tbe Executive Council. By his decision the Provincial Council will be guided in its proceedings with regard to Estimates for the future ; wbich, having now determined what items of past illegal expenditure it intends to sanction by a Bill of Indemnity, it is ready to consider. The Council also respectfully requests the Superintendent to inform it of bis decision wilh regard to the Governor's assent to tbe Municipal Corporation ._Jßi.ll for the City of Wellington ; a similar Bill to wfifclr was j assed by the Council iv its last Session, but received no attention of any kind from bis Honor.

In any case, the Council will not feel justified in passing Estimates for any longer period I than that at tlie end of which it believes the 'Council should be again convened to consult with bis Honor on tbe peace, order, aud good government of the Province. Provincial Council Chamber, December, 1859. Mr. Hunter socoiided tbe motion. Tite Pn«v. TmsASunEn complained of mi.«reprpsentattoii of fact. What be really had said reiative to tbe subject alluded to by Mi. Wake field was, that while there current orders for 900 immigrants he did not believe that one fourth of tbem would arrive. Wben tbe bouse considered tbat they voted the salary of tbe Registrar of Immigration for only two months it was ridiculous and unfair lo charge him witb making any wilful mis statements as arguments to induce tbem to vote the salary — he did not expect that even the opposition would charge bim wiih seeMng to persuade tbe house to vote £8 6s. 81. on a wilful perversion of fact. He admitted tbat he had been iv error, bnt had not intentionally misled tbe house. The small sum of £000 upon tbe Estimates, for Immigration during tbe year 1860 piovetl t»iat n'» greater number of Immigrants thau 40 ur 50 were expected out.

Mr. Bowler supported the motion, contending that the Prov. Treasurer having chosen to uphold the doings of Messrs. Knowles and Huldsworih, in relation to theii duties in connection with Iniinigratiua, he became responsible for their short comings. As nsual Mr. Woodward in getting out of one scrape generally managed tv fall into another, a truth amply verified that evening iv Mr, Woodward's attempts at explanation ; after a few further remarks Vfr. Bowler contended that the schem • of Immigration us carried out by the Government of this province was disgraceful in the extreme.

Mr. A_r.EX in his usual style and at great length supported the motion.

Mr. H oxter followed on the same side, and after alluding to the failure of getting any requisition signed wbich would induce the radical members to vacate their seats, went on to say he thought the points raised in the address worthy of serious consideration ; and be hoped would result in measures being adopted tv restore piece, order and good government, practically speaking he regarded the province as being without a government, aud this too at a time when a wHe and active administration of public affairs was necessary tv alleviate public depression aud restore public confidence: any alteration in such a state of affairs would meet his cordial support. Mr. Wakefield replied, and the motion was agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT. On the motion of Mb. Aij.kn, the House then adjourned tv the 9tb instant. HAWKES BAY, By the Wonga Wonga, we bave received a file of tbt Herald up to the 31st Dtcember. Mr. T. Fitzgerald bad been re elected to tbe office of Superintendent of tbe Province. In remarking upou tbe event, the Herald of tbe 17lh says : — " The Town Election came off very quietly. Mr. Fitzgerald was proposed by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mi. Garry, and declared to be duly elected. Dr. HitchinL's read a letter from tbe Superintendent, expressing regret tbat, from a sereie cpld, he was unable to attend, more prrticuhirly . as he wtsl.cd lo explain that although tor some time past be bad almost given up business, he was so circumstanced, from having previously made arrangements for a mill, &C., that he conld nut entirely relinquish mercantile pursuits ; nor ivi-uld he wish t,i do no were it in /is power, seeing that the office he hi Id was a purely po il.ical one, ami that he would not attempt to re; ain it should he at any time find that be could not conscientiously agree with the m.'jority of the gentlcmcu wbo p need him in it. It would, however, he bis endeavour, so long as be held office, to perform its duties satisfactorily •" Tbe same paper gives ihe following account of ihe arrangements entered into l.y the Su|*crimeudeui and the owner of lbs Waite Swan : —

Steam Communication. — We are nappy to be aide t> Ciminiiimctc cheering news on this all impmtiint question. The owners of ihe Whil« Swan bave agree to the proposal made by the Supori*'leiiiieiit* Th.it vessi I will iv I'uluie leave Auckland iuiiticdiiitcly on the arrival of the t'oicnvtii steamer, briujti: aon the English mail, and convoying goods fiom Sydney al 60-.. per loi>, wit:out_tXpetise of tr ushi|i.uuut. Tho owin rs also guarantee that present ralss of passage mono)

between Napier and Wellington will not be raised, and tbat tbe steamer will remain in port not less than 24 hours each time.

The General Government on being apprised of the state of the negotiation, prompt'y and generously look upm itself the payment of tke requind sum of £1000, demanding only an assurance from tbe Provincial Government that the money mil be refunded in the event of the General Assembly refusing to ratify the arrangement Otic difficulty alone remained, .md that lay in the trips of the Wonga. Tbis the government got over by declining to subsidize that steamer after the present year, and by guaranteeing £500 a ypar to the Swan, payable only so long as the Wonga may continue running aga'nst her. While sorry that the little Wonga should thus he ignored, all must admit tbat a highly advantageous arrangement bas been made — one tbat will rapidly redound to the prosperity of the Province. We are happy to be able to add that, next trip, and, it is to be hoped, all subsequent ones, the Swan will come inside — the Provincial Government having ordered to be put ou board the necessary anchors &c. The Sea Serpent on her last trip hence called at Blackhead —the first vessel to do so—landing 20 tons cargo and 6 passengers for settlers in the Porangahau district. Captain Blair reports tbe roadstead to be good except in southerly winds ; hut says that tbe place will be nothing for loading or landing until a cutting of 30 feet wide is made through tbe soft rock on tbe beach. T.ie Sea Serpent, this time, brought up Mr. Bee's wool from the coast, for shipment per "Eclipse." — H. B. Herald.