1856.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

LETTER FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, CANTERBURY, ENCLOSING RESOLUTION OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, RELATIVE TO THE SITTINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT AT CANTERBURY.

Laid on the Table of the House, June 30th, 1856, and ordered to be printed.

Provincial Council Chamber, Canterbury , 23r<l May, 1856. Sir, I have the honor, pursuant to a Resolution of the Provincial Council, to forward you the enclosed Extract from the Journal of Proceedings of the Council. I have. &c., (Signed) Charles Bowen, The Honorable the Speaker Speaker. of the House of Representatives, of New Zealand, Auckland. Extract from the Journal of Proceedings of the Provincial Council, Session VI. Friday, May 23, 1856. " Motion made and question proposed,— " That, in the opinion of this Council, the unavoidable uncertainty as to the times of Sessions of the Supreme Court, imposes very serious expense and inconvenience on jurors, witnesses, and suitors in the Province of Canterbury. " That, as all ordinary business in the Supreme Court has now to be transacted at a place so distant and inaccessible as Wellington, delays, difficulties, and grievous additional expenses are occasioned to all persons concerned. " That, from these causes, the effective administration of civil as well as of criminal justice in the Province of Canterbury, is most seriously impaired. " That, the necessities of this Province urgently require the appointment of a Resident Judge of the Supreme Court. " That, his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested[to transmit the foregoing resolutions to his Excellency the Governor, with such explanations as may be required, praying his Excellency to adopt measures to secure to the inhabitants of Canterbury, a more perfect administration of the Law, by the Superior Courts. " That, Mr. Speaker be requested also to forward copies of these resolutions to the Honorable Speakers of the Legislative Council and of the House of Representatives. " Question put and agreed to." George A. Ross, Clerk to the Council,

A.—No, 11.