LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3331, 28 October 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Removal of the Legislative. — The decision arrived at by so large a majority in the House of Representatives on the motion of Mr Wood with reference to the removal of the Legislature to Dun edin ".has been reversed by an equally large majority, in to the number of members in the Legislative Council on jthe motion of Mr Waterhouse, " That in the opinion of the Council it is essential to the maintenance of efficiency in the public service, that the General Assembly should hold its sittings at the seat of Government." The numbers on division were — Ayes, 21 ; Noes, 7. Pbovincial Chabges. — In the House yesterday Mr O'llorke's motion relating to the transfer of provincial charges was rejected. The terms of the motion were : — " That the proposed transference of those estimates of expenditure hitherto known as ' provincial charges' to general charges is unjust to the provinces of Auckland, Taranaki, Nelson, and Otago, and ought not to be legalized, inasmuch as it is shown by the table appended to the financial statement that Auckland thereby loses per annum £13,750 2s 4d ; Taranaki, £1,648 11s 2d ; Nelson, £9,293 19s lOd ; Otago, £15,066 12s 7d." The numbers on either side were — Ayes, 37 ; noes, 27. Excelsior Minstrels.— -Pressure on our space compels us to apologise for so meagre a notice of last night's performance of this troupe. The House was a very crowded one, such a number of people being compressed within the walls of the Odd Fellows' Hall that we should fchink it would be advisable for the company to reconsider their intention of playing tonight for the last time. A longer notice will appear in our next issue.

Law Pbactitionebs Act Amendment Bill.— This bill, avowedly introduced for the purpose of excluding Mr Smythies from the retrospective clause of the act of 1866, has passed its second reading in the Legislative Council by a majority of one, the numbers being — Ayes, 13 ; noes, 12. The discussion was a very long one, many of the members taking the opportunity of expressing their condemnation of remarks made in the other branch of the Legislature as to the " surreptitious" manner of introducing the objectionable clause when the bill of 1866 was before the Council. The Hon Colonel Whitmore, and the Hon Mr Holmes were very bitter on the point. Although the bill has passed its second reading the danger is yet ahead, for many members who voted for the second reading did so some on the understanding that when in committee amendments should be introduced relegating the whole matter for the consideration of the judges, and others that it would be better to allow the act of 1866 to remain in its original form, and give Mr Smythies compensation. The bill will be committed on Tuesday next, Business of the House. — A motion by Mr Yogel, that for the remainder of the session the House meet daily, Saturdays and Sundays excepted, at half-past one o'clock, was carried in the House on Thursday, with the understanding that the House should sit on Saturdays till halfpast five. City Council. — A meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon, the Mayor presiding. A letter was read from Colonel Brett complaining of the drainage of Mulgrave street, and also of a nuisance arising therefrom, and was referred to the Engineer. A letter from Mr Olapham referred to the proposed supply of water to Mr Staples, withdrawing his objection thereto. The Engineer read a report on the subject of water supply to Mr Staples, and it was agreed that the same should be carried out. A letter from Mr Lewis, of Lewisville road, asked the Council to make some improvement on the street ; also, asking the Council to take over the same as a public street. A letter from Mr Simmons, on tbesame subject, informed the Council that he had paid £5 on the proposed works in Lewisville road, and that the same had not been performed. The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer. Accounts were passed to the amount of £263 0s 7d. The overdraft at the Bank was stated to be £463 7s 4d. Councillor Buckley moved that tenders be called for keeping in repair the main line of road between Featherstou's corner and Manners street. Agreed to. Councillor Moss informed the Council that he had canvassed Lambton Ward, and was successful in obtaining £9 10s, and he would ask the Council to supplement the amount. A great deal of discussion ensued, and it was ultimately agreed that the matter should bo left in the hands of a sub-com-mittee. Councillor Moss moved that Councillor Buckley and himself be a subcommittee to arrange the matter of watering the streets. Agreed to. The rough minutes were then read, and the Council adjourned. The Melanesian Mission. — The annual sermons in aid of the Melanesian mission will be preached on Sunday next in the Te Aro Church, iv the morning by Archdeacon Stock, in the eTening by the Rev B. W. Harvey. It is not generally known that Bishop Paterson, and Rev J. Codrington, the senior clergymau of the mission, derive no benefit whatever from the Mission Fund, but give their talents freely to this service. Such disinterested services will, we hope, be well remembered afc the collections. Dr Care is announced to give a seance in Kell's Hall, Karori, this evening. Native Lands Covet.— A meeting of this court was held before His Honor Chief Judge Fenton, and Mitai Pene Taui, Assessor, in the Maori House, Museum, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 25th, 26th, and 27th October, for the consideration of certain issues sent down by the Supreme Court to the Native Lands Court for investigation. Mrlzard appeared as counsel for the plaintiffs, and Mr Brandon for the defendants. The plaintiffs were Motu, Ngaponga, Hemi, Parai, Wi Tako, Ropiha, Moturoa, and the defendants were the hospital trustees, viz, W. Fizherbert, W. W. Taylor, and J. C. Crawford, Esq. Hemi Parai being absent, was represented by a gentleman holding a power of attorney. Moturoa was lying ill at the Hiitt, and was unable to attend. The first issue was in effect to try whether the chiefs who sold Te Aro to Colonel Wakefield were, according to tho Maori custom, the properly authorised persons to sell, and whether the first deed of cession was a good and valid one. The court decided that the chiefs who signed the deed haJ power to do so, and that therefore the deed was a good one.