(36)

That would take away one of my objections, by
preventing the resolution of a standing order.
The effect would be precisely the same as it the
course recommended by the Governor was adopted.
I believe the Government is actuated by the best
intentions in introducing this measure. Different
feelings may be entertained out of doors, but I
disavow any participation in those sentiments.—
There is nothing to prevent the Attorney-General
from making his statement now, and that will
give him an advantage, as there will be no reply.

The Attorney-General—I do not know why so
frequent allusion should be made to me; but I
will tell the hon. member that I decline availing
myself of any advantage whatever. I will not
put myself in a position to strike, without giving
opponents an opportunity of returning the blow.
I shall not, therefore, enter upon any explanation
at present.

The Colonial Secretary—In the present temper
of the Council, I think the Attorney-General's
decision is a prudential one. No member of
government would avail himself of any advan-
tage, nor is it their wish to press the measure
unfairly. They are certainly anxious to settle
this great question; but, I repeat, they are fully
confident no ordinance can be effective, unless it
is satisfactory to the inhabitants, or at least gene-
rally so.

Mr. Earp—The word "temper" has been used,
and I wish to ask the hon. member on which side
has any want of "temper" been exhibited?

The Colonial Secretary—I did not use the word
in an offensive sense;—it was called forth by an
observation of the hon. member, respecting the
motives of government.

Mr. Porter—I have certainly not heard one
word from any member of this Council that could
be construed into an imputation of the objects or
intentions of Government. For myself, I give
them credit for having acted from the purest of
motives.

Mr. Earp rose, but gave way to—

The Governor, who said—It is my duty, sitting
in this chair, to act as umpire. I have a perfect
recollection that the hon. member (Mr. Earp),
in expressing his own opinions as to the motives
of government, said, different feelings might be
entertained out of doors, but he distinctly dis-
avowed them on his own part.

The Colonial Secretary—I must have misun-
derstood the hon. gentleman; but I can see no
reason why, in our discussions, any distinction
should be drawn between officers of the govern-
ment and other members.

The amendment was then put, when there ap-
peared:

Ayes—The Governor,
The Colonial Secretary,
The Attorney-General,
The Colonial Treasurer.

Noes—Mr. Porter,
Mr. Clendon,
Mr. Earp.

The first petition was then read. It prayed that
the Second Reading of the Land Claims' Bill
might be deferred "for ten days or more," and
that it should not be passed into a law without
"mature and serious consideration." [To this
document was appended twenty signatures.]

Mr. Porter moved that the petition be printed.
Mr. Earp seconded the motion.

The Colonial Treasurer could not see that any
benefit would be derived from printing the peti-
tion, and he should, therefore, oppose the motion.

The Governor observed, that the petition was
very short, and had not, like the one previously
read, been inserted in the newspapers.

The motion was then put to the vote, when
there appeared—

Ayes—The Governor,
The Colonial Secretary,
Mr. Earp,
Mr. Porter,
Mr. Clendon;

Noes—The Colonial Treasurer,
The Attorney-General.

Mr. Clendon presented a petition from "the
Female European Inhabitants in the Northern
part of New Zealand."

The petition having been received, the Hon.
Member moved that it be printed.

The Governor said—The question of printing
the petition requires some consideration. I know
many of the parties whose names are appended
to this document. No man (His Excellency added
in a good humoured strain), can be more reluctant
than myself to treat any portion of the female
population with apparent discourtesy; but it is
clearly out of their province to interfere in ques-
tions of this nature; and, after all, it is but an
echo of the sentiments expressed in the other
petition from their husbands, fathers, and brothers

The motion was not seconded, and the petition
was laid on the table.

On the motion of the Colonial Secretary,
seconded by the Colonial Treasurer, the second
reading of the Land Claims Bill was postponed
to Tuesday; but subsequently, on its being men-
tioned that the sale of Government Lands was
fixed for that day, it was ordered, that the second
reading be fixed for Monday, the 31st January,

On the motion of the Colonial Secretary,
seconded by the Attorney General, it was ordered,
that the "Church Extension Bill" be read a
second time on Friday the 28th January.

The Governor laid on the table "The Licensing
Bill," which was ordered to be read a first time on
Friday, the 28th January.

THE ESTIMATES.

In reply to questions from Mr. Earp and Mr.
Porter,

The Governor said—The documents relating to
the expenses incurred in Sydney on account of
this colony, had not yet been received, but the best
possible estimates should be made out without
them, and without loss of time.

The Colonial Treasurer added that they knew
what amount had been expended under each head,
but were anxious to obtain the details.

The Governor observed that this Government
had exercised but little control over a great part
of the expense, and were, consequently, only res-
ponsible for a portion of the amount.

The Colonial Secretary—That an inconvenience
arose in making out the accounts, from the cir-