LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2239, 1 August 1865, Page 7

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Fbiday, 28th July.

The Speaker took tho chair at 10 minutes past 2, and opened the proceedings with the usual form of prayer. MINUTES. The Cltjek having read tho minutes of the previous meeting, Tho COLONIAL SECRETARY referred to an error in tho minuses just read, which ho was desirous of seeing corrected. The draft reply to His Excellency's Speech was described as an Address, whereas it was merely a report framed by the Committee, upon which a respectful address to His Excellency was to be founded. Tho necessary amendment having been made, tho minutes were confirmed. COURT HOUSE AT KOHE-KOHE. The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid further papers on the table relative to the Court-House at Kohe-kohe. PETITION. The Hon. the SPEAKER presented to the House, a petition, from Mr John Smith Johnston, late Registrar of Deods and Notary Public at Invercargill, praying that jus ease might bo investigated and that eight months, salary due to him since his trial and acquittal on a charge of embozzloment, might be refunded to him. . , Tho document was ordered to be received and laid on the table. BTANDING- OBDEB, NO. 85. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved "That Standing Order, No. 85, be suspended for the Session." His object in moving this proposition was to enable him to proceed to the second resolution standing in his name which would have the effect, if carried, of preventing the hon. the Speaker being kept in his seat without relief all the evening. The Hon. Dr. RENWICE Bcconded the motion, which was adopted. COMMITTEES. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved « That tho hon. Major Richmond, C.8., be Chairman of Committees of the Council." He anticipated there would bo no difference of opinion on this subject, inasmuch as the gentleman proposed had held similar positions in the House on several previous occasions ; and acquitted himself in a most satisfactory manner, if, however, any hon. momber thought proper ho was of course at liberty to propose another candidato. The motion was carried without dissent. • DISEASED CATTLE ACT. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved " For leave to bring in a Bill to amend the ' Diseased Cattle Act, 1861.'" The Hon. Mr. PRENDERGAST seconded the motion, which was canned. MARINE UOAItD ACT. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved " For leave to bring in a Bill to amend 'The Marine Board Act of 1862.' " The necessity for some sort of connection between the Marine Board and the Provincial Government had been for some time past evident, and it was with a view to effect this desideratum, that he brought forward this Bill. The motion was adopted, and the Bill ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. GOLD T?IELDS* ACTS. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved " For leave to bring in a Bill to amend the 'Gold Fields Acts, 1862 and 1863.' " Ho did not consider it necessary to enter into full details on this question. The present law had been found inconvenient in its working, and he merely asked for permission to amend it. Tho motion was adopted, and tho Bill ordered to bo read a second tirao on Monday next. SALE AND LEASE OP SETTLED ESTATES. I Tho Hon. Mr. PRENDERGAST moved that leave be granted him to introduce a Bill "To provide'for the Sale and Lcase'of Settled Estates." He looked upon this as a measure much required. An act of a similar kind which had boen passed in England, had been found to operate most favorably, and he had no doubt that if introduced here it would prove an advantage. The motion wjvs adopted, and the Bill ordered to^be road a second timo on Tuesday next.