540

would, under such provisions, be given
over to the Executive—the position of
the Superintendent would be little else
than that of chairman of the Executive,
having little or no power in the adminis-
tration. Such a fundamental alteration
in the constitution of a Provincial Go-
vernment as this arrangement would
amount to, should be effected only after
due deliberation, and by legislation.—
23rd July.

By the Superintendent—The gentle-
men who are willing to form an Exe-
cutive demand that the entire control
of the Government should be given over
to the Executive. If this demand was
acceded to, a radical change would be
effected in the constitution of the Pro-
vincial Government. In support of this
memorandum, the message of February
17, 1864, to the Council may be referred
to, as published in the Southland Gazette
of 24th March, No. 11, where the point
is considered at pages 453, 454, and 455.
The remarks made there have not been
controverted. The Superintendent thinks
that such an alteration should be made
by legislation. It is of a character too
important to be concluded as a private
arrangement between the Superinten-
dent and the Executive Council, which
would not necessarily bind the next
Superintendent as an Ordinance would.
Judging from the expressions of opinion
which reach him, the Superintendent
infers that he is supposed to desire to
dispense with an Executive Council.
Such a supposition, if it exists, is abso-
lutely untrue. The Superintendent is
now, and as a rule always has been, willing
to be guided by the decision of the ma-
jority of the members of the Executive
Council in all matters in which legisla-
tion gives them a consultative power, and
he is quite willing to consult with them
in other matters, in respect of which, he
may possess authority to decide without
such consultation.—26th July, 1864.

Letter from Mr. Pearson.

"Invercargill, 26th July, 1864.

SIR,—I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your Honor's memoran-
dum of to-day's date.

"In answer, I have to state that the
gentlemen with whom I have been acting,
agree with me in the determination to
take office only on the terms previously
submitted to your Honor by me.

"I have, &c.,

"WALTER H. PEARSON."

His Honor the Superintendent,
Southland.

Resolutions of Provincial Council passed July 27th.

1. That in the opinion of this House
   the interests of the whole colony are, to
   a considerable extent, bound up with,
   and may be seriously compromised by
   the continuance of the present financial
   condition of this province.

2. That the management of the finan-
   cial affairs of this province is of so
   disastrous a character that an immediate
   change of administration is absolutely
   required.

3. That through such management
   the affairs of this province have become
   seriously involved; and, therefore, this
   House views, with the utmost alarm, the
   position of antagonism, to the views of
   the Provincial Council, still maintained
   by his Honor the Superintendent.

4. That seeing the Superintendent
   refuses to act in accordance with the
   wishes or advice of the Provincial
   Council, this House respectfully, but
   earnestly calls upon his Excellency the
   Governor to dissolve the Council forth-
   with, or to take such steps as he shall
   think necessary to prevent the further
   ruin of the interests of the province, as
   well as for the protection of the credit of
   the colony.

5. That the Hon. the Speaker be re-
   quested to forward a copy of the above re-
   solutions to His Excellency the Governor.

Resolutions of Provincial Council passed July 28th.

1. That this Council views with alarm
   the determination of the Superintendent
   to continue the administration of the
   affairs of the Province independently of
   the control of executive officers responsible
   to this Council.

2. The Appropriation Act No. 3, 1864,
   sanctioned a scale of expenditure totally
   inappropriate to the present condition of
   the Province. This Council is therefore
   of opinion that a new and largely reduced
   Appropriation Act ought to be introduced.

3. Should the present Council be pro-
   rogued without a new Appropriation
   Ordinance being introduced, this Council
   protests against the continuance of ex-
   penditure under the last one.

4. This Council is of opinion that the
   continued non-payment of sums owing by
   the Provincial Government is ruinous to
   its creditors, and this Council pledges
   itself to unite with the Superintendent
   in any prudent measures by which these
   debts may be liquidated.

5. That whereas considerable distress
   is said to prevail among many of the cre-
   ditors of the Province, this House, as a
   measure of relief, would respectfully urge