THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

Western Star, Issue 31, 13 June 1874, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

* TluT following discussion is reported to Imre taken place in the Provincial Council on the sth instant on the item of “£SOO for th? expenses of the visit of Ms EseePency the Governor”: — Mr. Daniel said he coal I not a'low the item to i i this manner, and proceeded to rear to the circumstances a'.lsnd'ug his Excellency’s visit to Riverton, and to the fceMig in the d strict on the matte.*, an d to the comments that bad been made by the press. Mr. Hrdleisteii proceeded to explain how that, having liea-d Ms Exc-d’cocy’* wish oo the matter, the (ropa - atio>’s that bad been male were upset; aid he, as ren ■cse.ihat ve of ; hc- dist*!ct, and the Mayor, want to see the Gove nor cn’trde the town, as a coa -to** they would have extended to any other dV’ng.dshsd v site*. When thev met Ms E icd'c.icy their ea~s wero greeted with insuh-ieg language. Mr. J. L. Gi’Ms rose to a point of order, and ashed whether the remarks whh reference to Ins Excellency’s conduct were in accordaico with the rides of the House. Tli Chairman .-:n : d that ho was about to inform the honourable member that ho was trans-

grossing. M-. Hallcnstcln sa d that i f ho had transgressed the vu'es of the. House ho would a polo;-.‘so. Ho had simply -:i‘d what he felt, ami ho rc.j“Cited that what he stated was the case. Ho was stating (,}jc opi-don of the Wakai’p, when he said that they never wished to see bis Excellency again. Mr. Stout regretted that there had been any discussion on the hem. Instead of wliat had been said, the honourable member might have asked for any explanation of the item—as to how the expense was incu: red, and for this there would have been some excuse. He behoved that in one district there was a very great neculi.a'iiy in connection with the Governor’s visit. Ho had two or three horses with him whrmh? visits.l a certain place that ha (Mr. • c 'tou i ) wo dd »•••»*: mention, and though bts stay '.here was only f - a few hour--, the horses seemed to have been so taken with the place that they ace 7(i bushels of oats. (Laughter.) Ho would not name the district,!* His Eteehcnoy, however, was not present to defend, himself, and it was (he duty of the Council to honour the position he held. ■:l Mr. Eoboit Clarke was of opinion that the province :iad expressed it dissatisfaction o* the

subject, and be bad no doubt that the expression of opinion in the Council -would havo a satisfactory- effect. The Hon. Dr. Monzies said that there was no. doubt that different persons took offence at his Excellency’s conduct. What the Governor's private bearing might bo ho pould not tell, as ho had never had the honour of meeting him, but he had noticed in the papers that iu some places very great offence had been taken. It occurred to him that so far from the public taking offence at what the Governor was reported to have said, they should feel grateful that some one independent of teem bad spoken plainly to. them upon some subjects with reference to which it was nob unbearable that the plaiu truth shouhl been spoken. The Council had now to consider whether they were to make proper prov : .ion for the proper reception of the representative of her Majesty, and in this matter they should act like loyal subjects. Mr. M Kellar did not think that the question should he let pass in this manner. If his Excellency came to visit this province as Governor, they were entitled to receive from him a little different treatment than they got last time.

The Chai’-man sa : d that the honourable member, ;a reflecting upon the conduct of his Excel' leocy the Governor, was out of order. Mr. M Kehar was about to speak again when he was called to order. Mr. Kinross did not see why the Province should be cal'edupon to pay this amount, seeing that His Excs'lcncy was Governor of the whole colony. The colony should bear the charge.

Mr. Wilson said that the amount was not for travelling expenses, but for the reception of she Governor here. Mr Gil'ics wished to know whether this sum was intended to meet the expenses, of a future visit, or to pay for the past. They had nothing before them to show that the amount of £SOO had been actually been expended, and he stated this, iii order to show the evil of the system that had been adopted in not having an account o; the unauthorised expenditure before them m a detailed form.

M •. Turnbull stated that the item wasal-'abTitjr* Tnere was aum her hem ii the u saiucorised expend hu.-e which won l l come up for discussion a ider the resole : oa of which he had that day given notice. He nrght s a.e, for the informa-. lion of cue hono.au/e member, tbit the otherprovinces did pay for llie expenses a tending th& visit of vlio Governor. In .lie case of Canterbury the amount was very large, and, be thought*, eii/avagant. The lability before them wax pjn»y for the furmture a» Peru Hill, wlrch. belonged to the proviuce. Mr. Hazle it said that it was generally unders.ojcl that the Governor paid h-'s own expenses,, and he did so in vbe d*s„rict he (Mr. ilazietu) represented, Mr Thimbu. l ' slated thatH ; s Excellency paida 1 ! his household expenses wiiile in Dunedin.

Mr Wood saul that this vote, of aU o the: s, was one fc'»ni should have been passed -without any (i s-/ .voi. IJ.3did not t'dik they should sph.t. St v.ws wio'i rcJe-cnce- to the payment of the visit of li's E .cedeney to Dunedin, evea if ho did not act strictly up to what was exueetcd of him. Th.o 11 vc .on people had nothing to provide for except rc.-esiuncnis, and His Excellency must hare por.akon ve.y i.recly, for the expenses were two or three hunmeet pounds.—(Laughter.) Me, M'Dc. mid thought taut £oUi) might bo be„.er expended turn upon things widen JLa Excellency despised and overlooked. He thought that a Lee what had taken place the Government .-anla cons ; der that, if His Excellency came lice aga in he soould be tiea-ed as a private gon loman.

Mr. M'Lcan expressed h : s regret tliat the discussion had taken place, and thought that the province had I'ttle to compla n of. Tuo hem or £SOO was thou passed without further comment.