THE Wellington Independent Saturday, August 2,1862. YESTERDAY'S ASSEMBLY. The Ministerial Crisis.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1748, 2 August 1862, Page 2

THE Wellington Independent Saturday, August 2, 1862. YESTERDAY'S ASSEMBLY. The Ministerial Crisis.

The Speaker took the chair .at 12 o'clock. Mr. DOMETT asked the attention of the House before proceeding to business. The House Was already aware from what was said yesterday by the lion, member for Ellesmere (Mr. Fitzgerald) that His Excellency had sent lor him (Mr. Domett) to form a Ministry. He hadaio desire to accept the task and only consented at the strong request of His Excellency, He was desirous of forming a Ministry that should be strong — that should meet with the support of that House and with favour outside. He tirst applied the hon. gentleman at present at the head of jho Government, but that gentlfcman had for

certain reasons declined joining him. He thought the course pursued by that gentleman, was what, under all the circumstances, he ought to have pursued ; he considered the reasons which Mr. Fox had urged, justified him in declining to form one of his (Mr. Domett's) Ministry. Having I'ailed ! to obtain Mr. Fox's adhesion ho was obliged to look elsewhere, and he believed he was in a fair way of forming a ministry. Cabinet making was difficult work, and he must asktli6 House to give him to Tuesday next to perfecst his, arrangements. He had expressed hia views Ittf.' Hia Excellency, and he might now say that with reference to this Island he thought large pacific measures would be required, and he believed he might tell His Excellency that the House would be willing to approve them (applause). Panama Route. The POSTMASTER-GENERAL brought up the following interim Eeport having reference to the Panama route. Interim Report. Your Committee having taken into consideration that part of the subject committed to them which refers to communication with the United Kingdom and to the Ocean Postal Service, have agreed to the following resolutions, which they recommend for adoption by this House. 1. That, iv the opinion of this Committee, the establishment of regular monthly steam communication between New Zealand and the United Kingdom via Panama is calculated to confer very great benefit upon this Colony. 2- That, considering the prob.able expenseof such an undertaking, it is desirable that the service should be so constructed as to confer advantage upon, and obtain the support of the neighbouring Colonies. 3. That this Committee recommends the appropriation of a sum not exceeding £30,000 per annum from Ist January, 18154, for five years, as a contribution towards the Colonial portion of a subsidy for such a service. Cuosbie Ward. July 31st, 1862. Chairman. The COLONIAL SECRETARY said that as it was doubtful as to who was in charge of the business of the House, he would move an adjournment until Monday next. Adjourned accordingly.