HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2238, 29 July 1865, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

f- h I Thursday, July 27. ;?Tho Speaker took the Chair at 5 o'clock, and »r the usual prayers, the Clerk read tho minutes ft the previous sitting, which were duly con- « inea. I NEW MEMBERS. L Mr. Robert James Creighton, member for Par- t( ill, and Mr. Win. Buckland, member for Raglan, y |>k the usual oaths. 1 I petitions. . n iMr. JOHN WILLIAMSON presented a Peti- , V In from the Auckland Clumber of Commerce, ' * ■questing an alteration of the Customs Act, 186 1. •* The ATTORNEY-GENERAL presented a Pc- m ion from Sergeant John Johnson of the Taraki Militia, praying for a grant of land as a dis- t larged soldier. ■Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSON presented a Pc- a ion from 166 settlers who had suffered from " 8 native rebellion, and whose cases had been « vestigated by the Commissioner, praying that v ie report of the Commissioner be taken into conSeration. Mr. THOMAS GLEDHILL presented a Pc- 1 iion from F. A. Carrington of Taranaki, whose aim had not beenj|admitted by the Commissioner, faying that his claim might be brought beforo c House. PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL laid the folwing papers on the table by command of His Keeuency: — The amended rules and reguladns under which the practice and procedure jder the Land Registry Act, 1860, shallbereguted and conducted ; Papers relating to ministeal policy ; Memoranda by Ministers ; Further arliamentary papers presented to the Imperial 'arhament ; and Copies of Despatches from His xcellenejr to the Secretary of State, and in doing > he said the papers now laid on the table of the ouse would bi'ing down the whole series of unmunications to and from the Colonial and nperial Governments to the present time. They id beeu so recently received that they had not >en able to get them printed, but they would » to at once Q?he DEFENCE MINISTER laid on the table .return of officers and men enrolled in the Coloial Defence Force, in compliance with an order if the House dated 9th December, 1864. »The COLONIAL TREASURER laid on the Kble further papers relative to the £3,000,000 Kan which contained information up to the latest Kite. These were ordered to be printed. B HOUSE COMMITTEE. ■ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that in the »Bence of the Premier, who was unwell, he would with the leave of the House, move, — ■L"That a House Committee be appointed for Hhe Session, with power to confer with any Bjnilar Committee of tho Legislative Council, with ■ view to provide for the comfort and convenience m Members of both Houses, to consist of Mr. Billon Bell, Mr. Thompson, Mr. L. Walker, and Hr. Domett." RMr. STAFFORD said he would suggest the ■ropriety, as Mr. Dillon Bell was absent, and mere were many things which required immediate Ktention, of adding the names of Mr. Miles and Kr. Eyes. »The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that with Kie leave of the House he would add these names, Kit he believed Mr. Dillon Bell would bo present Rye next day. ■ On being put, the motion was carried. 1 MINISTERIAL RESIDENCES. ■ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he would wop the motion for the appointment of a Com■Uttee to report on the advisability of maintainBag residences for Ministers, and give notice of it Bi another day, as it might lead to discussion. B LIBRARY AND PRINTING COMMITTEE. j ■ Tho ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved,— ■ "That a Library and Printing Committee be wpointed for the Session, to consist of the Hon. Kr. Sewell, the Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. FitzBsrald,Mr. O'Rorke, Mr. Stafford, Mr Yogel, Mr. Htayne, and Mr. Domett." He said that by accident the name of Mr. Carleton, Bio vr&s a very valuable member of the Library Rjmmittee last Session, had been omitted. With ie leave of the House he would add his name. The SPEAKER said it was usual not to add anes to Committees without giving notice, but i had allowed it before, as it was merely a formal atter. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that with a leave of the House ho would withdraw the otion. Mr. STAFFORD said that it appeared to him at two subjects, which had no necessary rela- ! *)ut rather were opposed to one another, xixed up in the motion. The selection of euments to be printed might give rise to il discussion. SPEAKER said there was no question the House, as Mr. Sewell had withdrawn ition. PRIVATE GRIEVANCES COMMITTEE. ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved,— tat a Select Committee be appointed to cona.nd report upon Petitions upon Private mces; such Committee to consist of Mr. lon, Mr. Cracroft Wilson, C. 8., Mr. Ormond, >llie, Mr. James Williamson, and Mr. Curmotion was carried. JIVATE ORIBVANCE3 COMMITTEE-MKtf. ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved,— at no member of the Private Grievances ittee should be called on to serve on any Committee, excepting by his own consent," members of that Committee had so large >unt of business to do that it would fully r their time. Carried. PRIVATE BILLS~COMMITTEE. The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved that a raunittee of Selection on Private Bills be ap»inted for the Session, Buch Committee to conit of Mr. Stafford, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. O'Rorke id Mr. A. Richmond. Carried. INDEMNITY BILL. The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved for ive to bring in a Bill for indemnifying persons sting in the suppression of the Native Insurction. He said the House would be aware that ie last Indemity Act passed in 1863 had ceased operate at the end of last Session. Since that rie new circumstances had occurred, which retired the renewal of it. The Bill he was asking ive to introduce was, of similar effect to that avioualy passed ; it therefore needed no special planation. The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded. The Bill was then road a first tiro*, ordered be printed, and read a second time on Tuesday at. The House then adjourned till 12 o'clock next V-

► Fkiday, Jtjls 28. petition. Mr. J. O'Neillpresented a petition from William Mitch, Speaker of the Provincial Council, tekland, relative to the Audit Act. He said, ifhapa the more satifactory method would be to far the Provinces to adopt any rpgulations they ght think proper, but they would find many luahle hints in the Petition ho had the honor to I before the House. 'Petition received, fcolonel HAULTAIN presented a Petition from Omilitwy settler* >t Alexandra, praying that

under the present circumstances of the Colony, a portion of her Majesty's troops might bo main- j tamed in that district, provided it was found im- 1 practicable to locate a sutlicient number of mili- f tary settlers there. •< Petition read and received. ) Colonel HAULTAIN presented a Petition'; from the executors of the late Colonel Nixon, com- j m uuling the Defence Force in Auckland, with ! reference to the pension to the sisters of the said . 1 Uolonol Nixon. } Mr. WELD said it was his duty to call the at- •■ tenfciou of the Speaker to what ho thought was a violation of the Standing Orders of the House. The Petition referred to a money grant. He merely asked the opinion of the Speaker, as ho thought no Petition could be brought before the House which had reference to grants of money. He trusted the hon. gentleman would sec that ho merely pointed out an irregularity. Mr. SPEAKEII,— The rulo referring to Petition is simply this — that no Petition shall bo brought before this Houso which has reference to j a grant of public money, but I tuink this Petition ! is not in violation of the Standing Orders, as^it merely aslcs the House to take the Petition into its consideration. Petition received. Colonel HAULTATN presented a Petition from Betty Hamlln, widow of Job Hiimlin, who was tilled by the natives at Wairoa, stating that she was precluded from tho pension awarded to the widows of those killed in action, and praying that the House would take her case into their consideration. Petition received. Colonel HAULTAIN presented a Petition from Mr McCasgill stating that he was precluded from having his claim to compensation investigated, and praying that the House would authorise the investigation of his claim. Petition received. Colonel HAULTAIN presented a Petition from Mr. Sampson Kempthornc, Secretary of the Buildin" Commission at Auckland, stating that ho haxl been summarily deprived of the emoluments agreed to be paid to him, and praying that en quiry might bo made into the matter, and thasuch compensation "might bo awarded as tho House might think right and just. Petition received. Mr. W. BUCKLAND presented a Petition from a number of settlers of Auckland, stating that they had suffered loss from the rebel natives, that their claims had been investigated, but that nothing further had been done in the matter, and praying that the House would take the matter into their consideration. Petition read and received. Mr. H: CARLETON presented a Petition from Charles Davis, Auckland, whoso claims to compensation for losses sustained through the native rebellion had not been investigated by the Commissioner in Auckland for want of dates The Petition being in some respects informal, i. was refused. Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSON presented a Petition from John Calligan, of Bussell, stating that he was a settler at Russell, and that during tho the war at the Bay of Islands he was ordered to the stockade and was wounded by an explosion in the stockade and that he was now unable to earn a living, and praying the House to grant him some pension. Petition read and received. Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSON presented a Petition from John Lawley, formerly a resident at Kawhia, stating that he was driven from his home in May, 1860, that he suffered severely since that, that he had applied to his Excellency's Government and that they had referred him to ttafc House, and praying that tho House would take t his case into their consideration . Petition received. Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSON presented a Petition from John Bolton who stated that he had suffered in his health from his attention to his business in the Post Office that he was now in / declining health and unable to earn his living, and praying that the House would take his case into their consideration. Mr. COX presented a Petition from several electors of the out districts of Canterbury, stating that in the outlay of the revenue tho outlying districts did not receive a due attention to their interests and praying that their part of the district might be made into a separate province. Petition received. The Hon. Mr. WELD laid on the table papers relative to tho Blockade of the River Thames ; papers relative to events that had taken place in Auckland ; a return to an order of the House of Representatives dated December 10th, 1861, respecting the petitions of several Maoris. The papers on the motion of the lion, member were ordered to be printed. DISQUALIFICATION ACT. Mr STAFFORD asked the hon. member at the head of the Government whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill j this Session to extend the opcrationof the Disqualification Act, so as to secure tho independence of the Legislature. The Hon. Mr. WELD replied that the Government had not considered it necessary to prepare a Bill to extend the operation of the Disqualification Act. At present tho Government were not prepared to say that it was their intention to bring in any such Bill. DEBTOR AND CREDITOR'S BCT. Mr THOMSON, in asking whether it was the 1 intention of the Government during the present Session to introduce any measure for the amendment of the laws affecting Debtors and Creditors throughout the colony, said that he believed there was great anxiety felt in this matter all over tho colony, and he knew it as regarded Canterbury. He had been one of the Committee who had recommended the present Bill to the Honse as a tentative measure rather than as a complete system, and he was prepared to say that in Canterbury at least it had, from its Avorking, proved a complete failure. It did not relieve the honest debtor as had been contemplated, as he believed it was possible in Canterbury for a debtor to bo six months in prison before lie could obtain relief, and it did not protect the interests of the creditors, as a dividend there was a thing almost utterly unknown. In fact, the Bill ought to be entitled an Act, for the absorption of Insolvent Debtors' Estate by members of the legal profession. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that though he would notfollow theexampleof the hon. member n going into the subject on this occasion, ho was prepared to admit that the present Bill had proved a failure. There were several reasons, however, sufficient to prevent tho Government from introducing a new Bill during tho present Session. He had during the recess sent queries to several public bodies and others as to the working of this Bill, and requesting suggestions and some of these had only reached here within the last day or two — another reason was that other Legislatures older than theirs, had had difficulty in perfecting ii system, and that tho matter was' even now before the British Government, on tho motion of Lord Wcstbury. Government thereforo thought it inexpedient to bring in any new bill till they saw tho result of Legislation there. At tho same time he would lay tho answers he had received to his queries on the table, and would be ready to receive suggestions as to improvements in tho mode of working the present measure. Mr. THOMSON said tho answer of the hon. and learned gentleman would be received with much regret and no little dissatisfaction. NEW PROVINCES ACT. Tho Hon. Mr. WELD moved for leave to bring in a Bill for limiting the operations of the New Provinces Act, 1858. Leave was granted, the Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Tuesday next.

TUB COURT HOUSE AT KOITEKOHIS. | Before moving the next resolution tho Hon. < Mr. WELD said ho wished to lay on the table : further pipers relative to the Court Houso at '. Kohekohe. These papers were a printed copy of a : return asked for by the Legislative Council lust : session. RIQIIT3 OF THE NATIVF3. The Hon. Mr. WELD moved "for leave to bring in a Bill for declaring certain rights of the Aboriginal Natives of New Zealand, and for enabling the Governor to appoint a Commission for certain purposes." NATIA'E RESERVES. Tho Hon. Mr. MANTELL morcd "for copies of all papers, plans and correspondence relative to Reserves in the towns of Port Chalmers and Dunedin made by His Excellency the Governor in 1852-3." Mr. STAFFORD called the attention of tho Houso to the fact that the hon. gentleman was a member of the Government. They had heard rumors that he had resigned his seat, but there was no official not ice of the fact. Mr MANTELL explained that he had certainly given .up his office simply because there was nothing further for him to do. Mr. REYNOLDS proposed as an amendment that the word " Native" should be omitted in the second line, and that after the word " Dunedin," the words " alleged to be Native Reserves" be inserted. The motion as amended was carried. GOVERNMENT UOVSE, AUCKI.A.SD. Tlis ATTO OE Y-GEN T E HAL moved that aSelcct Committee be appointed to consider the circumstances relating to the transfer of Government II juso, Auckland, to the Superintendent of Auckland, and the proper disposal of the proceeds thereof, to consist of Mr. Stafford, Mr. Robert Graham, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Domett, Mr. Phaimyn, and Mr. A. Richmond, and in moving the resolution made a statement of the facts connected with the sale of the Government House. Much discussion arose on the matter in which all the Auckland members took a very active part, Mr. CURTIS said he was surprised at Mr. Stafford wishing the General Government to hand over the Government Houso to tho Auckland Province without being paid for it. Mr. STAFFORD explained that ho had not said so. Mr. CURTIS said in continuation that ho could not accept the correction and that ho rose to support the original motion. Mr. BRODIE rose to draw the attention of the Houso to the irregularity of the discussion, as the only motion before the House was whether there should be a committee or not. Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSON said there was no objection on the part of the Auckland members to the Committee, but the Attorney-General and the Premier had raised a discussion by their remarks on the question. It was necessary to have a Government House in Auckland, whero the Governor might reside, if circumstances should render his presence in Auckland necessary. Tho POSTMASTER-GENERAL was of , opinion that the debate was entirely beside the question. Mr. GEORGE GRAHAM said with reference to a remark which tho Attorney-General had made, that the site of tho Government House consisted of less than fourteen acres, as there was a certain quantity of land round the barrack wall in Auckland claimed by the military authorities. The hon. member then made some remarks about the price of the land. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said tho Government desired to leave the whole matter in the hands of the Committee, by whom it would be fairly judged, and he ventured to appeal to the , formation of the Committee to prove that the Goj vernment did not wish to take any advantage of tho Province of Auckland, 110 (the AttorneyGeneral) had every desire to do justice to Auckland and every other place in the colony. On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENE-RAL, the Petition of J. Johnston was referred to tho Committee on Private Grievances. Mr STAFFORD moved for any correspondence which had taken placd between the Government and the Chief Justice or other Judges of the Supreme Court, relative to any opinion expressed by them on the administration of the law in New Zealand. After some discussion, the motion was carried. On the motion of Dr. FEATHERSTON, it was ordered that certain papers relating to the Rangitikei Land Dispute shauld be laid on the table. On the motion of Mr. J. WILLAMSON, the Petition from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was ordered to be printed. The House then went into Committee on the new Standing Orders, and eventually adjourned till Tuesday.