Untitled

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1754, 16 August 1862, Page 3

Tuesday, August 12, 1862.

Tho SPEAKER took the Chair at 12 o'clock. Petition. Mr. CARTER presented a Petition from William Edinborough Chambeilain, settler of the Wairarapa. The Petitioner having obtained judgment against a native for a debt of is 18, and being refused an execution by the Resident Magistrate, prays that his case may be taken into consideration by this House. Petition received. Papers. The following Papers were then laid on the table :— Return of all persons who have held since the year 1853, or who now hold Commissions in the New Zealand Militia or Volunteers ; grades of tho commissions held ; dates of resignations, &c. Return of correspondence between the Colonial Government and Mr. Morrison, the New Zealand Government agent, relative to sending game to this colony. Papers respecting representation of New Zealand at the International Exhibition by Mr. Morrison. Return shewing strength of the various Volunteer Corps in the Colony, on January 15th, 1862, and on 30th June, 1863, respectively ; also, return to 30th June, 1862, shewing the number of resignations in those Corps, under the provisions of the Volunteer Regulations, dated January, 1868. Return shewing the number of discharged soldiers and pensioners, the number of civilians who have been drilled and the number of civilians who have been enrolled but not drilled in each of the Battallions of the Auckland Regiment of Militia. Papers relating to a claim by Major Herbert for lodging money while doing duty at Taranaki. Copies of all correspondence between Captain J. N. Watt, Taranaki Rifle Volunteers and the Deputy Adjutant General relating to the position of the Taranaki Volunteer Force, together with any Letter, Despatch, or Minute of Lieut.-General Cameron upon the subject of the rank and precedence of tho Officers of Militia and Volunteers, &o. Questions. Mr. DICK asked the hon, the Colonial Secretary : «• Whether it is the intention of Government to propose during this Session, a removal of the Seat of Government to a more central position m the colony? Mr. DOMETT replied that it was not the in. tention of Government during this session to propose such a step.

Mr. ONEILL asked the hon. the Colonial Secretary : Whether the Government intend during the present Session to introduce any measure for conferring Municipal Institutions on such I towns as may be desirous of obtaining the same?" . Tn putting this question, he said, he believed if the late Ministry had remained in office, they ' would have brought in a Bill of tho character [ indicated in his question, the population of large ■ towns was increasing, and they could not longer be expected to remain content with the powers conferred upon them by Provincial Councils. If the Government would bring in a Bill similar to the English Commissioner's Act, he thought that might meet the wants of the Colony. The people of Auckland, he knew, would not be satisfied with the powers given them under the Provincial Councils. He hoped the Government would take action in the matter, and then the inhabitants of large towns, who required large powers of selfgovernment, could apply for the same by petition. Mr. DOMETT stated in reply that so far as he was aware, it would be impossible for the Government at present to introduce Buch a' measure, the amount of other business on their hands being so great and pressing. Mr. O'NEIL aßked Ministers Whether the Hand-Book of Law, for the publishing of which money was voted laßt session, ia yet printed. The Hon. the ATTORNEY GENERAL replied tlvpi a portion of the work in question had been printed, and that the remainder would be gone on with immediately. Mr. FOX asked the Hon. the Colonial Secretary Whether it is the intention of the Government to make any, and what, provision for the better administration of the General Government in the Middle Island. The Hon. the COLONIAL SECRETARY replied that there had been a meeting of Southern members, who thought it better to leave matters in there present state than to adopt any partial removal of the Executive. He might therefore answer the hon. member's question in the negative. Native Lands Bill. The Hon. Mr. DOMETT said that as the Government would be prepared to lay before the House to-morrow their views on the subject of Native Lands, and the Native Minister would bring in the Bill the day after. The Government would on Thursday be prepared with their Finan ciul statement, which would be laid on the Table as early as possible. NOriCES OF MOTION. The Hon. the ATTORNEY GENERAL introduced the following Measures : — a Bill to amend the •• Miners Franchise Act, 1860," a Bill to afford additional Representation to the Province of Otago, a Bill to continue the Arms Act, 1860, for one year ; a Bill to amend the Bills of Sale Registration Act, 1856, and the Wool and Oil, Securities Act, 1858 ; a Bill to amend the Lo3t Land Orders Act, 1861 ; and a Bill to amend the Customs Duties Act, 1858, which were all agreed to, passed their first reading, ordered to be printed, and read a second- time to-morrow , Joint Slock Companies Act. The Hon. Mr. RUSSELL moved For leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Joint Stock Compa. niea Act, 1860. Agreed to, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and read a second time tomorrow. Issue of Crown Grants to Natives. The Hon. Mr. DILLON BELL moved— " for leave to bring in a Bill to authorise the issue of Crown Grants to Natives in certain cases." Which Bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and its second reading fixed for Friday next. Petition of Francis Williamson. Mr. FOX moved — " that the Petition of Francis Williamson, presented by tho mover, be referred to the Private Grievance Committee. Agreed to. Crown Lands Bill. Mr. FITZGERALD moved—" that the Crown Lands Bill be referred to a Select Committee consisting of the Hon. Mr. Russell, Mr. Colenso, Mr. J. C. Richmond, the Hon. Mr. Domett, .Mr. Brandon, Mr. Eyes, Mr. Crosbie Ward, the Hon. Mr. Gillies, and the Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell." Agreed to. Committee to report on Friday next,