THE Wellington Independent Saturday, August 23, 1862. THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1757, 23 August 1862, Page 2

THE Wellington Independent Saturday, August 23, 1862. THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

We heartily congratulate the Colony on the result of Thursday's debate for the removal of the Seat of Government from Auckland to Cook's Strait. The slender majority — the peipetually recurring majority of one — by which its retention at Auckland was affirmed settles the question. The opponents of Mr. Dick's motion had not a leg to stand on. The one on which the greatest reliance has always been felt, — -the necessity for the government being 1 in close proximity to the" great bulk of the Natives — was swept away like a cobweb, by the deliberate record by three successive Native Ministers, Messrs. Weld, MantellandFox, that it was an evil to have the Seat of Government in the portion of the Island were the Natives were most populous, and not a good. It is true Mr. Bell affirmed to the contiary, but the opinion of three to one may be consideied conclusive. The advocates for Mr. Dick's motion supported it by argument!) which convince us that the determination of the South, not to allow the interests of the Middle Island to continue to be materially impeded by keeping the Seat of Government at a distance, is no child's play — that they mean it, and as Mr. Moorhousc energetically observed, would by next Sessiou baud themselves compactly together to bring it to Wellington. Lest it should be thought that we take too sanguine a view of the eventual suocess of the efforts to remove the Seat of Government, we assure our readers that we are not more sanguiue than those who desire the contrary are fearful and depressed. It must be borne in mind that two votes were lost by the threat held out by Mr. Bell that if the House decided to change the Seat of Government he should resign his Ministerial seat — a threat which he had no right to make and for which,"after it had worked its mischief and after the division had tuken place, he apologised to the House. If it had not been for this threat the fulfilment of which might possibly have involved the delay and vexation jof another Misisterial crisis — a threat which urned two votes — the division would have been for the removal 24 to 21, instead of 23 to 22 against it. It must also be borne in mind that the change in the terms of the motiou from "Wellington" to " Cook's Straits" only gained one adherent. Keeping these facts in view, we say confidently that with the four additional members to Otago just authorised, the House will be in a position to demand the removal of the Seat of Government next session, mory especially if Canteibury and Otago bring all their members up, which is not now the case as will be shown presently. That the Colony, independently of the two provinces interested, (Auckland and Wellington) is favorable to the change, is proved by deducting the votes of those provices, when the numbers appear 13 for removal and 9 against it. The following analysis of the voting will shew the real feeling ofthe Colony. Mr. Mantel! paired with Mr. J. C. Richmond. For removal to Cooks'JSlraits. Against it. N. Island . Auckland . 0 15 Ahuriri 1 1 Tavanalii 0 2 Wellington 0 0 S. Island Nelson 1 4 Ma-rlborough 0 0 Canterbury 7 1 Otago 4 0 Southland 1 1 Totals, including Pair 23 24 We conclude, for the present, as we began by congratulating the Colony on the prospect before it, am| express the fullest belief that ere very long, the demands of the South will be attended to, and Wellington be made what she is so admirable fitted for, the seat of the central authority.

o'clock ' divide, diride," was heard from all parts and continued as each speaker concluded. It would have been well for the motion if the division hud taken place early, but member after member rose to" s-iy something," und it was not until 2 o'clock on Friday morning that the division was allowed to take place. The following are the names of the Speakers, — Dick, Stafford, O'Neill, Fox, R. Graham, Moorhouse, John Williamson, Wilson, Fitzgerald, Jollie, Richardson, Mantell, Bell, J. C. Richmond, Brandon, Renal!, Gillies, Rhodes. Wait, Colenso, Weld, Cugill, Wells, Henderson, Ward, and Dick in reply. The following is the division list, Mr. Cracroft Wilson for Christchurch, and Mr. Bell for Wallace, being the only members for the Provinces of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland who voted with the noes. Mr. Eyes of Marl borough was absent, and his / only colleague (the Speaker) being unable -to vote.

Ayes. 22. (Ahuriii) Ormoivl. (Wellington) Brandon, Carter, Featherstoii, Fitzherbert, Fox, Harrison, Renal! Rhodes, Taylor. (Nelson) Wells. (Canterbury) Cookson, Fitzgerald, Jollie, Moorhouse, Thompson, Ward. We'd. (Otago) Ctrgill, Dick, Gillies, Richardson. (Southland) Mr. Mantell paired with Mr. J. C. Richmond.)

Noes 23. (Taranaki) Atkinson, (Mi. J. C. Richmond paired with Mr. Man tell,) (Auckland) Carleton, Butler, Graham, J., Graham, R, HendersoD, Mason, Muuro, Nixon, O'Neill, O'Rorke, Russell, Taylor, Williamson, John, Williamson, Jas., Wood. (Nelson) Curtis, Domett, Richmond, Stafford. (Canterbury) Wilson. (Southland) Bell.