tricts, the Court of Requests Bill giving him (the Governor) power to appoint parties to act as Commissioners in many places in the absence of the Commissioners. The reduction in the Commission of Land Claims would be the salaries of the Chief Commissioner and Commissioner Godfrey; he thought by the end of the year, that their services could be dispensed with, as the claims were nearly all settled. The item for Land Purchase would be discontinued, unless special funds were provided by the home Government. The reductions he had mentioned could only be considered as a proposition, amounted altogether to 10,000l., and he was happy to say, very few individuals would suffer, except in the Customs. The expenditure for this year was estimated at 36,000l.; for the next, 26,000l., from which we might deduct 10,000l., which he was sure would be provided by the home Government, leaving 16,000l. to be provided for by the colony; should, however, the amount of expenditure, though a very wrong estimate, reach 40,000l. this year, the proposed reductions of 10,000l. would leave it at 30,000 l., from which we might deduct the 7,000l. which we knew was already provided by the home Government, which would leave 23,000l. to be raised in the colony; these might be considered as a maximum and minimum, 16,000l. would be the lowest, and 23,000l. the highest sum we should have to raise. Should we, however, be unable to provide for the expenditure in either case, he should propose to charge a per centage from 4 l. to 10l. per cent. on the salaries paid by the colonial government; about six per cent. he thought would be sufficient; he was looking at the question in every possible view. His own opinion was, that 16,000l. would for several years be lent to the colony by the home Government, and that 16,000 l. or 18,000l. would be the most we should have to raise. The ways and means to raise which appeared to him, supposing the Property Rate Bill to become law, would be for Making 14,000 l.; he would not estimate the colonial revenue, from all sources, at more than 14,000 l. for the ensuing year, to which we might add 10,000 l. more from the Home Government; if that proved to be the most we could raise, further reductions must take place. He was sure before the end of the year to receive instructions on the subject; until then he could not say what would be done. His Excellency theu laid on the table a copy of the proposed alterations for the information of the Council. PROPERTY RATE BILL. The Colonial Secretary moved the further consideration thereof. Clause 3 was, on the motion of the Attorney-general, slightly altered, and passed. On the motion of Dr. Martin, the further consideration of the clauses was postponed till the Schedule, containing the scale of rates, should be agreed on. The Schedule, after a long discussion, was, on the motion of Mr. Brown, amended and passed. Clause 5 read and agreed to. Clause 7, calling for yearly returns of the amount of property and income possessed by each individual, gave rise to a long discussion. Dr. Martin moved as an amendment, that the returns be quarterly, but subsequently withdrew the amendment. Clause allowed. Clause 6 amended, so that parties wishing it may pay the rate for the year in advance. Clause 8, rating property consigned to agents on sale, was opposed by Mr. Brown, on the ground that property so consigned did not usually remain in the possession of the agents more than three months before it was disposed of, and became the property of the colony, and liable to the rate. The Governor took the same view; thought the Council should confine itself to persons and property in the colony. After some further discussion, in which all the members took a part, the clause was erased. Clauses 9 and 11, having reference to the same subject, were also erased, and clause 10 amended and passed. The clauses were then read seriatim, and the Bill ordered to be read a third time on Saturday next. On the motion of the Governor, the Bill confirming the rules of the Supreme Court was read a third time and passed. [Council adjourned to Saturday next, at 12 o'clock. COPIES or EXTRACTS of DESPATCHES from the Governor of New Zealand, received since those last presented to Parliament.-(14 March 1845, Sess. Paper, No. 131.) (Mr. Charles Buller.) Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, [Price 1 s. 9 d.] 247. Under 28 oz. NEW ZEALAND. RETURN to an Address of the Honourable The House of Commons, "COPIES or EXTRACTS of DESPATCHES from the Governor of New Zealand, received since those last presented to Parliament" (22 April 1845, Sess. Paper, No. 247). SCHEDULE. No. DATE. SUBJECT. 1. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 16 Sept. 1844 Reporting alteration in the arrangement of the Post-office Department in New Zealand 2. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 29 Sept. 1844 Respecting the abolition of Customs Duties in the Colony, PAGE. - 3 and explaining the circumstances which led to the immediate execution of that measure; enclosing Ordiuance for imposing a Rate on Property and repealing the Customs' Ordinance, and Copy of Harbour Regulations - 11 Advising of Bills drawn to the amount of 9027. 17 s. 6d. Enclosing Minutes of Council and Proclamation respecting the purchase of Land from the Aborigines 3. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 5 Oct. 1844 4. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 14 Oct. 1844 5. Governor Fitz Roy to Lord Stanley 14 Oct. 1844 Respecting the New Zealand Company's purchase of Land at Port Nicholson 6. Governor Fitzroy to Lord Stanley 15 Oct. 1844 Transmitting the "Blue Book" for 1843, explaining reasons of its delay 7. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 15 Oct. 1844 Referring to the state of the Colony at the end of 1843, and the condition to which it was reduced, notwithstanding its extraordinary natural resources, with Memorandum on the Products of New Zealand · 20 20 27 28 - 28 8. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 16 Oct. 1844 Further explanation of the urgent necessity for the issue of Debentures, and the making them a legal tender pending 9. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 19 Oct. 1844 Enclosing Documents respecting another Disturbance at the Bay of Islands 10. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 21 Oct. 1844 Relative to intended proceedings, and transmission of Despatches · 11. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 22 Oct. 1844 Reporting on all Ordinances passed in New Zealand during the year 1844, Sessions 3 & 4 12 Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 22 Oct. 1844 Forwarding Letters from the New Zealand Company's Agent at Nelson, and from the Manager of the Brauch Bank at that Settlement, with two Memorials 13. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 10 Dec. 1844 Transmitting Correspondence on a purchase of Land at Otago by the New Zealand Company (with Plans) 14. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 16 Dec. 1844 Forwarding Copy of a Letter from Mr. Hogg, and recommending him to Lord Stanley's notice 15. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 18 Dec. 1844 Forwarding Reports relative to the Aborigines of New Zealand 16. Governor FitzRoy to Lord Stanley 19 Dec. 1844 Improvements in the general state of the Colony; that the practical working of the Land arrangements answer the Governor's expectation; enclosing Memorandums on the Arrangements of the Land question at Taranaki, and the Territorial Rights of Natives when in captivity, &c. 30 31 40 40 46 54 72 73 99 |