The Herald -- 1868-05-06 -- Page 2

THE HERALD, WEDNESDAY,

MAY 4, 1868.

LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY,

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

ee ee

‘Tuvaspay, Apnl 16.

Mr Bell, from the Committee to whom was referred the
on_of George Meggison, of Lot 53, presented to the
the report of said Committee, to phe effect, that said
Committee had investigated, so fur as they possibly could,
of petitigner, and that while they deeply
\ with him, they regretted that they could not
yecommend hd ong of the petition, .
Mr. Geo & r, Chairman of the Committe of the whole
House, on the bill to consolidate and amend the several laws

relating to Education, rted said bill agreed to with
amendments, _ .

~ When the House in Committce had through the bill,
the honoiable the Speuker said ho eas tek ue OY an
saying a few words on the iapaetnee subject of the bill, be-
fore it left Committee. His honor then reviewed the pro-
gress of Education in the Colony since the first introduction
of the Free School system, and a high compliment to
the hon Leader of the Government, whom, he said, was the
futher of that Act. that had given such general satisfaction
in The fact that in two from the passing
en ions w4e pe uapprcatn yn fi
af its a ‘ also allnde

f t of the pitied aD having far its
troduction of 4 uniform system of training
‘Teachers. He, (hon Mr Speaker), then referred to petitions
Presented to the, nen ng come “> years afler me toe
was put in operation, praying for ay jnerease of the
eachers* silarieg and some ot “Merstlons, which, he said,
were, on his motion, referyed to a special Committee, of
hom the late lamented Hon Mr Haviland, and the then
Attorney General, } Imer, were, among others,
pficient Cammitte held meetings for

jouw &

heys, ‘That sai
faa php iby selene a the Bs re ey
. a x Teac’ . and ot
Reale a uittton Tien of

!

2

in cation, The result of the
Jabors of that Committee, or Chiak be was Chairman, was
the introduction of a hill, based on their Kesolutions, com,

fifty sections, Je alluded to the subsequent change

by the Conseryatiye party, imposing on the parents
the y t ot a ae" mittee of the ‘Teachers,
which com arose from all parts of the country,

and that by the amendment of last Session, the system was
again restored, to the payment of Teachers wholly from the
+ The whole laws relating to Education had now,
Y the bill under consideration, bcen consolidated,
nd several important amendments had, he was glad to ob:
agreed to by the Caimiticr; and fram the

2

poem chyaghence ey Jy teen tion entered into, on every
in the bill, hoped i would not be necessary
to submit the subject to the Legislature again for some years
to come, 1, as amended, he trusted would meet the
roval of ublic, prove i ingly beneficial to the
educational ts of the Colony, and redown to the
credit of the Legislature.

The principal amendments to the Bill, in addition to the

. ve to the Normal Schgol ; the appointment of

oe han ey. two examiners, and oth gw already

summary reports oF the House, are the follow-

om iy—the po Bik of Female Teachers in Charlotte-

are fixed at £49 10s, per — ‘Those of said

Opun’ District Se’ is, raised to £40.

Assistant 'e sn th of City Schools £66. Scales of

salaries to Male Seen ot codinary om Schools

same as proyided y the act of jayt Session,

with the proviso that the number of Grammar Schools in

each County is limited ta—three in Prince, three in King’s,

and five in "s County, aver and above those Grammar
Schools already established in the county towns,

The school vacations are exjepded from one month to six
weeks, namely—three weeks in spring and three weeks in
autumn. The School Assessment clauses gre, to some ex-
tent, changed. ‘The asseagment for building school houses,
furniture and repairs, wi] extend to all householders mn each
School District, the trustees, however. in levying the rate,
must have due for the circumstances of each.

Several of pl rer ng amendments elicited ome dis:
cussion, though nat of a very prolonged nor party character,

It was by an hon member, that ‘I'rustecs of Pistyict

. to serve, should be visited with « penalty
for non aeeeptance of office, or for refusal ta act ; a sugges:
tion, }awever, which did not find fayar with han members,
generally, on hath sidea, Han Atty General remarking, in
course af discussion, that it been brought to his
knowledge, that office of Trustee was, in some cases, an ob-
ject of ambition, some Teachers having offered themselves to
act in the aouble capacity of Trustee and Teacher, although
such & con:bination of offices was not legal. In eases where

be united and formed into a Grammar

School, the areg pf Sc houses, hereafter, to be erected for
such Grammay shall be G0Q feet, Ordinary District
School houses, game area as befgre ya-sing this hill, but
the height of past between floor and cellar to be raised fram
9 ft. as formerly, tp 10 fect. In cases w the Board of
tion may he (lissatisfied with the cyndiciay of School
in Charlottetawn, they shall have power tg receive
School Assessments ani yent more suitable, commodious,
Mi ¥entilgted School Rooms, and to increase the
quarterly assesamayt b yd 43 to §s, for each scholar attend-
cee schouls, and to hy oo cape otker control. oyer
Charlottetown Distriot as said Board of Kdyca-
tion may deem advisable,

Progress was reported on. the bill for the relief af un-
— ; and also on the bill to. amend the Small

Hon Leader of the Goveanment presented Supplemen
extra, for Three Thousand Pounda, to be posed

ii

gf

H

aiding and destitute settlers to obtain Sced grain.
House ;
Fripay, April 17.

House in Committee of the whale on the fyrther consider-
ation of the Bill for the relief of unfortunate Debtors. The
necessity of cupcinting a third Ju ay 9 Commissioner of
Bankruptcy, whose duty it wou) to preside over the
Court constituted unger the bill, plicited considerable dis-
cussion, which ended in ppoyision yo g serene the Gov-,
ernment to appoint a Commissioner of Insolvency, to be

by fees and not jy salary, and-also a clerk of such
neolvent Debtors’ Oourt.

The Bill i question docs not embrace a general Bank-

ruptcy Law, but applies to the transactions of embarrassed
business men in the y, who, a assigned their debts
Applied for relief ‘The pre-

y to their ereditors, app!
8 of absconding debtors, nor any A
ae ee eee seeking the henegte of the’
are not A MoE censtonay Nor does it eyable a
Creditor to force his or jato the Insolyept Court thereb:
‘The Bill wes reported agreed to, and ordered

Gegnin, to whom was

gto Age sa P oan opening of Roada,
report of said Committee.

Committee of the whole on eport, the

which was that the Committee to whom were

alluded to, recommended that inquisi-

Act l4th Vie,, Cap. 1, for opening

Mill Road to the Shore, Lot 21,
Division Line, Lot 16, to Kent's Cross.
Road to Hillsborongh River,

ae” Cove Head,
provided for by the Members for
Fi Petitions relate.

ed Maat the Committee had gone
game amcndmepts, agreed
ed

mittee of the whole ILouse,

» Ordered, That the j ‘ d Report,
ble prt to prea ap pe is Excell.
Jency to direct that the As contained therein

carried into effect. be
Colonial Beeretary presented to se the pe-
of the Members aap Pa

uayley 8 6

Col Secretary, it was ordered that the

ation
a t@ continue and amend
pertneps. pt “
motion of the A Bill from the
Legistative Counceil,. td Bae betes of Sheriff's

equally between the three Counties, for the purpose Cc

: a Von
Wy "Rxealeny tranem
drag ta Bemion, pleased

Deeds, was read a second time, gubmitted to a C .
and after some amendments, was’ ed agreed to; and
the rule being suspended relative to the Sed reading of a
Dill, it was read a third time and passed,

Hon Col Secretary pescnte the bear Tlouse returns
for the year 1867, showing.that the exports of the Colony
for that penod, including shipping at £6 -per ton sterling,
exceeded the imports by about £80,000,

The ordinary Resolutions granting che usual renumerations
to Members of both branches of the Legislature, were then
passed, and supply was closed,

Mr. MeLennan Bi expressed his regret that the peti-
tion from Summerside, asking for a graut to aid in erecting
a Public Building for a Court House, Post Office, &c,, had
not been entertained by the Government; and that a small
sum had not been voted before closing supply, towards
fencing the Drill Shed grounds at Summerside, presented,
as Chairman of the Committee on expirmg laws, a bill to re-
vive the Act relating to that ‘Town,

House in Commatteo, resumed the consideration of the
bill relating to Small Debt Courts, After some time spent
in Committee, progress was reported,

Mouse adjourned,

Sarvapay, April 18.

The Revenue Bill was read a third time and passed,

The Bill to revive aud continue the Act relating to the
Fire Department at Summerside, was reported agreed to,

House in Committee on the Resolution submitted by the
Hon Atty General, granting £10,000 for the purpose of
authorizing the Government to purchase lands in the
Colony. Said Resolution was agreed to, and a Bll in con-
furmity: therewith was presented. — Received and read,
Ordered to be read a second time on Monday.

Hon Atty General said that though no proprietory lands
were at present offered, hopes were enter vines that certain
proprietors might yet accept ef offers whieh had been made
to them,

lion Mr MeAulay would not approve of placing the
money indiscriminately into the hands of the Government.
Some limits as to price, and restrictions relative to the
made of procedure under the bill, should be laad down, by
which to control the Government,

Hon Atty General said that discretionary power such as
that contemplated by the bill, had been conceded tg former
Governments, "The specie object in yiew was the purchas-
ing of proprietory lands Gu the most advantageous torms
poasible; and it was not to be presumed that the Govern.
ment would make an improper use of the money, for
which they were held accountable by the House,

louse jn Committee on Public Accounts.

Ilan Mr Kelly, Chairman of the special Committee on
said Accounts, presented the report of that Committee,
which was reported agreed to without any amendments,

On motion of the Hon Col Seeretary, it was ordered that
the Resolutions touching the appropriations for seed grain,
be published in all the newspapers published in Charlotte-

wn.
ion Col Secretary presented the return of Mr Brecken,
showing the manner in which monica received by him, as one
of the members of the Electoral District of Charlottetown
and Royalty, were expended towards the macadamizing of
ronds jn said District,
Hanee in Ugmmittee on the bill to amend the Small Debt
Act. ‘The principal amendments santemplated by said bill
introduced by Hay Mr Kelly, are ta make sittings of Small
Debt Courts quarterly, instead of monthly, ‘To compel
creditors to sue to the Uourt nearcst the place where goods
were sold, or where the cause of action arose, 1é provides
that when 4 debtor in jail is sued before a Small Debt Court,
and wishes ta defend the action, he may, an application to
any of tho Judges of the Supreme Court, obtain an order
for the Sheriff to bring him (the said prisoner) to the Ceurt
where the suit is pending. ‘The bill also provides for the
establishment of a Small Debt Court at Egmont Bay, and
the removal of the Court at Cranberry Pot to Fort Au-
gustus, and the one at Eldon to Belle Creck,
A lengthy debate followed, the principal question being
whether or not 4 plaintiff it called an as a witness in his
own suit, shoyld he allowed mileage, When the question
to go inta Cgmmittee on the bill was put, hon Mr, Laird
moved, in amendment, that it be committed that day three
months, on which the Hoyso divided as follaws ;—Hor the
amendment—lHons Laird, Haviland, Howlan, MeAulay,
Henderson, Atty Gencral, Messrs, Bell, Owen, Brecker,
Green—10.
Against it—TJons Kelly, Col Secretary, Catlbeok, Dr.
Jenkins, Meases. McOormack, Heilly, Kickham, Cameron,
MeNeill, G, Sinclair, P. Sinclair—}1,
Tlouse then in Committee,
lfon Atty General submitted a clause, which he moved to
be, added to the bill, to the effect; that in the event of a
Plaintiff or Defendant, or any other person attending as a
witness in more than one case at the same timo ar Coyrt, he
should only be allowed one full sett witnesses’ fees, ta be di-
vided equally between each case allowed by law in Sma}!
Debt Courts. Said clause having been agreed to, the Chair,
man reported the bill as amended. After which Mr G.
Singlair moved, seconded by Mr P, Sinclair, that the bill be
yepommitted for the purpose of adding a clause to the fol-
lowing effeet, vis;
That in no ease shoul the Plaintiff to any suit or action
pronal im any Court of Conmpsioners for the recovery of

mall Debts, now constituted under any existing act, or to
be congtityted under ghe Lill now wader consideration, be
entitled to any mileage fees for attendance as witness in his
awn suit, ‘The question was then pyt an said motign, and
mrpeiees on the following division, via:

cas—Hons Col Seeretary, Callbeck, Kelly, Measrs G.

Sinclair, P. Sinclair, MeNeill, Arserault, Kickham-—-8,
Noys—Hons Laird, Haviland, McAulay, Henderson, Atty
Goneral, Howlan, Messrs. Green, Owen, Brecken, Cameron,
MoeCormack, Reilly, Bellis.
On motion of Hon Col Secretapy, the Touse went into

‘ pe on the various despatches transmitted by His Ex-
cellency during the Seasion,
The ch fiom the Home Government, on the subject

of the Lieutenant Governor's salary, yay read,

Hon Leader of the Government then gepyarked, that as it
was then past the usual hour of adjournment, he would not
detain the Committee by any Jengthenod remarks on the
subject. Ife presumed a similar course to that adopted in
a former Session, would be taken by the Legjslature on
that question,

ese

Monpay, April 0.

Hon Mr Speaker read to tho Hanae tho following

telegram, in answer to the Resolution of the House,

ne to the assassination of the late Hon. ‘T’. D. Mo-
ee 1—~

Ottawa, 15th April, 1868,

To Idn. Joseph Wightman, Speaker’ ot the Legisla-
tive Assembly, P. E. Island,
I am directed by the Speaker of the House of Com-
mons to acknowladge the receipt of your telegram.
containing Resolution of the House of Assembly of
Prince Edward Island, oxpreasing condolence on the
subject of the lamented death of the late Hon. Thamas
D' Arey McGee. and IT am further directed to say that
Mr. Speaker had the melancholy satisfaction of reading
the same éo the House of Commons.
( Signed ) Gro. H. MeAunay,
Speaker's Secretary,
Commens of Canada,
The Bil ta amend and explain the Aot relating to
the Celebration of Marriages, so far as relates to the
ae Church, was read a third time and
aseed,

Ilon Gol Seevetary presented the returns of the state
of the Union Bagk of P. E. Island, np to 4th Maroh,
1868. Ordered that eaid retarns be Inid on the tabl +,

House in Committee on the Despatch of the Seere-
tary of State, rulative to the salary of the Lieutenant
Governor.

Mr Reilly in the chaig.
Hfou Atty General remarked on the injustice done
to the Colony, by the manner in which the Township
lands thereof were aviginally granted away, and on the
compact ontered into an the introduction of Reapon-
sible Government, among othey reasons why the people
af the Colony ought watt pay the Governor's salary,
and at the close of his epeech subuitted a Resolution to
the following effect :-<-
That a Committee bo appointed to join a Committee
of the Legislative Coungil, to prepare an humble Ad-
dress to Her Majesty the Queen, peaying that Her
Majesty will be graciously pleased ta #e-consider the
determination to discontinug the paygaent of the sala-
ry of the Lieut. Governor of this Island, after the pre-
sent Lieut, Governor shall cease to administer the
overnment, as communjcated jn a I teh to hie
cellency George Dandae, Kequire, from his Grace
the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, Her Majesty's
pein | Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 12th
‘Ovt., 1867; and that Her Majesty would be graciously
to recommend the Imperial Parliament to con-
tinue. a8 heretofore, to wake pyavision for the payment
said salary.
Hon members on both rides of the House reiterated
the sentiments expressed in the joint address of the

Legislature, io answer to the Despatch from the Socra-

ta den the Color es, inthe year 1865, :
Ticct, In oiditien to the “fact that the ‘Township

the time of the » nder of the Crown Revennes to the
Colony, on the intreduetion of Responsible Government. |
provision wae not reqnired to be made in the Civil |
Vise for the salary of the Lieut. Governor,

That in the Law*passed by the Representatives of the
people, to give effect to the Civil List Bill—and whieh
duly received Her Majesty's Sanction—the salaries and
pensions which the Colony was rendered liable to pay
were enumerated; and. that ys paige that Law, the
Scermeture ef the Colovy bad no reason to suppose
that the Imperial Parliament would withdraw, or even
refase to provide for the salary of the Lieut, Governor ;
and that in consideration of the great aud unmitigated
wrong to this Colony, occasioned hy the very improvi
dent manner in which the lands of the Island were dis-
posed of as aforesaid, it was but reasonable to expect
from the Home Government the small compensation of
a salary to a Lieut. Governor, not appointed by the

le of thie Colony, were among the reasons urged
against the payment of the Governor's salary ; in ad-
dition to which, the faet that the salary of his Excel-
leney*s Private Secretary had becn recoutly provided
for out of the Local Treasury ; alo, that as one of the
natural (ruite arising from that unprecedented act of
cruelty perpateated against the Colony, by granting
away ite soil, and In addition to the many wide-spread
itations and hardens thereby entailed on the laboring
clagses, the expenses incurred in sending for a detach-
ment of Her Majesty's Treops. at the time of the re-
cent troubles in the Colony, ata cost to the country of
some £20,000, also was submitted.in proof of the pe-
enliar hardships endured by the inhabitants of the
Island, aa the result of alienating its Township lands.
The vicissitades to which the prosperity of the Colony
was subject, owing to the uncertain growth of the oil,
Which—in the absence of mines, minerals and other
sourecs of. wealth accessible to the sister Colonies —was
the solo support of the people, were also alladed to by
hon, members iu giving strong expression fo their
opinions that the Home Government should eontinue
the provision for the salary of the Lieut, Governor of
P. E. Island,

During the discnesion the Hon Mr Davies said that
the accepted opinion of both parties appeared 16 be
that « Court of Escheat had been denied by the Crown,
which he thought was questionable, ‘I'rue, Colonial
Ministers from time to time stated that insuperable ob-
jections to that tribunal existed, He contended, how-
ever, that under the provisions of the Civil List Bill
that Court was as attainable in this Colony as in Can-
ada, and the other Provinces, which, if established, and
thereby had the lands restored to the Colony, the call to
— for the salary of the Lieut, Governor would nat

unjust, but as the Colony was deprived of its: righta,
the demand to pay the salary in qnestion was extremely
unjustifiable, On motion of the Ties Atty General, it
was then

Ordered, that Hons Atty General, Col See'y, Towlan,
Laird, Messra G. Sinclair, and MeNeill, be a Commit-
tee on the part of the House to prepare said Address.

Hause adjourned,

Turspay, April 21.

When the motion for the third reading of the bill to
amend the Small Debt Act was made, Hon Mr.
McAulay took exception to the bill, on the grounds of
irregularity relative to the mode in which some of the
principles of the bill were introduced. ‘Tho petitions
on which the bill was based. he said. had no reference
toa principle embodied in one of its clauses. relating
to the bringing of prisoners from the Jail of any

Jounty to attend Commissioners’ Courts. Ile would
therefove move that the bill be read that day three
months, .
' Hon Leader of the Opposition doubted that the ques-
tion to read the bill could be pat to the Llouse, from the
fact that it levied a tax upon the subject, and therefore
involved a principle which shoyld have originated in a
Committee of the whole House.

Ilon Atty General did not consider the provision for
the tax alluded to was of such a natare as to call forth
“ serious objectian to the course adapted, :

Ir G, Sinclair could not support the objections
to the bil which, in his opinion were not based on
sound pringiples,

Ilou Mr Laird said the bill wag founded on three
different petitions asking fur seyeral amendments to the
Act. relative to the changing and establishing cf Simall
Debt Courts, bat there were other clauaes in the bill,
which, in his opinion, would not be found to work
favorably.

Ifon Coster of the Government said the fee eharze-
able by the bill way not of the nature of a tax payable
to the Treasury, aud dj) pot therefure come under the
roles alluded to,

Hon Mr Davies said it might be necessary to pay
due regard to rule, but did not feel bound to eppose
tho bill because of any technical objections which hon
mombers might choose to offer.

Mr Beil aaid af the bill would cause as much confusion
and give rise to the same diversity of opinign through-
out the country as it had doyein that Llouse, the sooner
it was thrown aut the bettey.

Mr MeNvill satd the bill mevited some consideration,
the changes sought for were no doubt required in the
localities to whieh they referred.

Mr Arsenault regretted that hon members appeared
determined to strangle the bill, Soeme of ite pravisions
were loudly called for in those parts of the country to
which they related,

lion Mr Kelly replied to the objections offered to the
hill by the lon Mr McAulay, and said that all the foroe
of speech that hon inember could emplay would not
change his views relative to the principles af the bill.
He (Hon Mr Kelly) and the district which he had the
honor tu represent, coukl do withont Commissioners’
Courts as well aa any section ot the Colony, Ile could
not, however, but expreg® his disapproval of the course
hon membors in opposition tv the bill had taken to
defeat it.

Hon Mr Henderson commented on the importance
of adhering to the established rules of the [louse, and
said that all matters aifvoting the interests of the sub-
ject, should be submitted in a constitutional manner.

Mr MeLennan woald support those clauees in the
bill which provided for the establishment and changing
of Small Debt Courts, but was opposed to its provision
relative to those mattora not prayed for by the peti-
tions on whieh the Lill was founded.

Mr P. Sinelair teared that some of the clauses im the
bill would give rise to trouble in the country, Ife was
expecially opposed to the provision made for allowing
Plaintiffs mileage fees m their own suite, and would
not therefore support the bill.

The question was then put on the motion to read the
bill that day three months, aud carried on the following
division, viz:

Yeas—Hons MeAulay, Laird, Howlan, Henderson,
Haviland, Messra, P, Sinclair, Bell, Cameron, Qwen,
Breoken, Green. MeLennan—13.

Nays+-Hons Kelly, Col sec'y, Atty General, Catheck,
Davies, Messrs. G. Sinclair, Avsnault, MeNelll, Reilly,
Kickham, MeCormack—11.

‘The THM was accordingly lost.

The Bill placing at the disopsal of the Government
£10,000 to purchase proprictory Landa was road a sec-
ond time, committed and reported agreed to.

Mr P. Sinclair asked the Government what action, if
any, they proposed taking relative to a petitions accom.

nied by a subscription list from the people of New
ondon, for a Beidge across the South West River, at
Graham's Wharf.

Hon Leader of the Government replied and said, the
potition miluded to was Inid befure the Government, ac-
companied too by avery handsome subseription list, in
ald of the coutemplated work, but as it would Involve a
large expenditure, the Government did not feel pre-
pared to entertain, for the present, the prayer of the pe-
titioners.

On motion, the following gentlemen were appointed
a Comuiittee on the Contingent Accounts of th. House,
for the present Session, viz: Lous Howlan, Callbeck,
and Mr Owen.

House in Committee resumed the consideration of
Nespatches, when the Despatch from the Sceretary of
State to His Excellency the Licutenant Governor, an-
nouncing the al Proclamation, declaring the Pro-
¥inces of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, to
be one Dominion, was read, It called forth from several

hoy members on both sides of the Mouse, strong

on the eanngtjoxgreselans of congratulation, that’. Ei. Island was not
!

| of the Colony were originally granted to absen- | 590 /

; . the unconstitutional manner in which they were
tame Who hae olsen om (ie : acows fur serviees to the | the that Unon, for the 1 of which Fo were how
Nation, either as soldiers, sailors, or statesmen ; that at | struggling, b rupa@nr :

> = gum mismo. Aaa

nded in the Qnion of the Provinces named, and of

pathy tayvards the people of Nova Scotia, because of

forced

Allusion was made to the apparent reaction that had

recently been manifested in New Brunswick, relative to
Confederation, the manufacturing interests of which Co-
lony were said to be seriously affeeted by the policy of,
the Dominion Government,
Tapers relating to Colonial Office list were then read.
Ilon Mr HAviland directed the attention of the House
to the negleeted condition of the Legislative Library,
the Books and Periodicals of which were taken end used
all over the City, as if they belonged to some trifting cir-
culating Library. He hoped the Joint Committee of the
Legisiatare, to whom were entrusted the Interest of the
Librayy, would do thely duty, and adept rules by whieh
to govern the Librarian fu the management thereof,

Hon Mr Coles also complained of the manner in whieh

Rooks were taken out of the Library. Volumes, the said,
disappeared and could not be traced,
Mr Geo. Sinclair expressed his disapproval of allow-
ing Books to be taken indiscriminately out of the Library.
During the Session, he wished to refer, on several oc-
casions, to Reviews and other records whiclt should be
found in the Library, but-were not forthcoming,

Mr Breeken said he hoped renewed Interest. would be
taken in that institution. and woukl willingly assist in
placing it in better eontition. ‘

After which progress was reported and the House ad-
jaurned,

on
Wroxespay, April 22nd.

On motion that the Bill authorizing the Government
to appropriate ‘Ten thousand Pounds towards parchas-
ing Proprictory Lands, be read a third time,

Hon Leader of the Opposition commented on the
coutrast between the principles of that Bill, and the
compulsory measure soughtfor by the Minutes of Coun-
cil, transmitted by the Government to the Secretary of
State, with the view of obtaining the sanction of the
Home Government to a Bill compelling Proprietors to
sell their Estates,

The speech of the hon Leader ofthe Opposition. on
the policy of the Government, relative to that question,
gave rise to a considerable diseussion,

A Joint Address of the Legixlature was adopted in
reply to the Despatch from the Lome Office, on the
subject of Mis Excellency’s Salary. Said Address ex-
presses the unanimous opinion of the Legislature,
touching the injustice of calling on the Colony to pay
the Salary in question,

Hon Mr Henderson from the Committee to whom
waa referrd certain petitions, relating to. the right to |
collect and appropriate Sea Weed on the sen shore of
this Island, presented the Report of said Committee, to
the effect, that they are not prepared to recommend any
Legislative action npon the question, ‘Miat any
measure must neoessarilys-in order to meet the views
of some of the Petitioners—make an inroad upon well
defined and long established principles of Law, and that
such a measure should never be adopted without care-
ful and protracted consideration, which the Committee
had not, as yet, been able togive the questions raised
by the Petitions referred to in said Report.

House resumed the third reading of the Bill anthori-
zing the Government to appropriate £10,000 to pur-
chase lands,

Ion Leader of the Opposition contrasted the princi-
ples of the Bill ander consideration, and which had re-
evived the sanction of both Houses, with the coercive |
mearere contemplated by the Minute of Ceoancil, for.)
warded to the Colonial Office, with the view of obtain-
ing the consent of the Llome Government to a Bill to
compel Proprictors to sell their Estates. The reply,
however, of the Secretary of State for the Colonies,
was, he said, conclusive in refusing tondopt a diferent
policy to that hitherto pursued, and endorsed the poliey
of former Colonial Ministers on the question, It would
appear that the Government had abandoned their com-
pulsory policy, and was now prepared to purchase Lande
in the usual manner, Ile condemned the course pur-
sued by tho Government in applying to the Colouial
Office for permission to submit a Bill, which, if a con-
stitational and just measare, should have been intro-
duced on the floor of the House, and proceeded with in
the ordinary way. THe glanced at the early history of
the Colony, relative to its Land Tenures. showing that
had the Escheat party acted properly they might have |
succeeded in Excheating some nine Townships. He}
then submitted a tahular statement from the census
taken in the year 1827, showing that on Lot 3, there
were but 50 settlers; on Lot 4. 92 do.; on Lot 7, 50 do;
on Lot & 39 do.; on Lot 9, 26 do. ; on Lot 10, 45 do. ;
on Lot St, 12 do,; on Lot 54, 64 do.; du Lot 66, 4 do;
and on Lot 67, not even one settler, jn the year above
named, At that time there might be some reasoh iv
the Escheat argument, but now it was too late to en-
tertain. the question, He alluded to the views expres-
sed, relative to the Land Tenures in Ireland, by Mr.
Bright, the Representative man of the Liberal Party in
England, and in canclasion, said he was prepared to
support the 3rd reading of the Bill.

Ilon Atty General said the arguments need by the
hon member who had just sat down, were not in strict
accordance with the actual state of the case. His Ex-
eellency’s Despatch, which accompanied the Minute of
Couneil alluded to, did not infer that the Government
had abandoned the policy of the Land Purchase Hill
There was no desive to depart from the usual mode of
purchasing, provided the owners of Estates consented
to sell on fair and equitable terms. The Bill in’ ques-
tion. was necessary, in order to enable the Government
to purchase any settled Townships, such as Lord Mel-
ville, that might be offered; bat regarding the pur-
chase of which, the Government would be powerless
without the provisions of tiat Bill as it eould not he
expected that improved Township Lands could be
bought at the limited priee fixed by the Land Parchase
Aot, He then proceeded to show that the Conservative
party had porsved a similar course, relative to the
Fifteen Years’ Purchase Bill, when they senght to aa-
certain, vot only the views of the Home Goveroment,
bat also the consent of the Proprietors on that question.
He then read extracta to show that the Conservative
party had taken stepa to ascertain the terme: which
would receive the sanction of the Imperial Government,
and the assent of the Proprictore, stating, as they did,
that they had no gnarantee that any measure that they
might pass would be sanctioned by the Home Govern.
ment, as their Legislation was liable to be frastrated,
from the fact that they were dealing with the vested
and acknowledged rights of others; and. also, showing
that in urging the acceptance, by the Proprietors. of
certain propositions, the statutory confirmation of Pro-
prietory titles would necessarily have the effect of-in-
creasing the value of the Proprietory Estates. Thus,
he, (hon Atty General) contended that the course pur-
sued by the present Government in seeking the consent
and approval of the Home Government to a conipulsory
measuré, was not novel. nor without aprecedent. The
object was to try, by fair compensation, to cause pri-
vate interests to yiekl, to some extent, to the publie
good, Ile alluded to the Land Tenures in Ireland,
and said that ere long he believed the question would
receive due consideration from the British Parliament.

Mr P. Sinclair enid the question before the House
was the third reading of the Bill, giving discretionary
power to the Government to pucchase Proprietory Ka-
tates to the amountof £10,000. He approved of the
Bill, because there were Township Lande on the Te-
land that could not be purchased under any of the Acts
now in operation. Small Proprietors whose Eytates
were all settled, would not sell for the prices limited hy
the provisions of the Land Purchase Act, and the ten-
antry on snel Estates would not purchaee under the
Fifteen Years’ Purchase Act. Tt woe therefore neces.
sary. he said, to give diseretionary power to the Gov,
ernment to purchase sach Estates as Lord Melville's,
and others that might be offered. The Tenantey, in
many Instances, were, he said, anxious to purchase at a
higher figore than the Land Purehase Act wonld allow
them, thengh not wilting ta pay at the rate of the
Fifteen Years’ Purchase Bill. Cultivated Ketates
which are all settled, if purchased at about ten ‘shillings
an acre, could be resold by the Governmenttothe Ten-
antry at as low a price as wore the Estates parchased
under the Land Parcharo Act, on the settled portions of
such Estates. Hon members might say-—that they can-
sidered it great inconsistency on the part of the Gov-
ernment to pass the Hill, after requesting the Secretary
for the Colonies to sanction a coercive measure. The

door, but not on the sidewalk,

pel Proprietors to sell their Estates ata price propor-
tionate to their value, and the Bill enabled the Govern.
ment to accept the offer of those that would voluntarily
consent to do so, The action of the Government
appeared to him to be in both cases perfectly consis-
tent.

A great portion of the day was ocenpied in Confer-
ences with the Legislative Council,

[The continuation of this day's Debate to be farnish-
ed in our next number]

Tuunrspay,.April. 23.
The greater portion of the day was occupied in Con-
ferenees with the Legislative Council,’ relative fa the
amendments made by that Rody td tite Unfortunate
Debtors’ Aot. The loue in Committee received the
Report of the Committee on Contingent Expenses, the
discussion on which took place with closed doors.

(For Friday's proceedings, see Urnayp of the 20th

April.)

¥ ‘ve cy <<? 2 LA
News by Telegraph’.
ty matin, a alt Me aaah

Orrawa, April 22.— tiste Langlin, I. ix.
French Canadian who ae the ets et ps Be por A 4
taken to jall this morning to see whether he could iden-
tify among the prisoners the man who. fired the shot.
All the prisoners were brought out together, Whelan
having previously been dressed in the cap, dark coat
aud light pants which lie ts believed to have worn on the
night of the murder, and whieh had been described with
great accuracy by Lacroix. As soon.as Lacroix was ad-
mitted to where the prisoners were, he ran his eye along
them, and as soon as it rested upon Whelan, he pointed
to him and said, #* He Was-the man?’ *Pheré is no reason
to doubt the trath of Lacroix’s story about witnessing
the murder, His statement that he had been visiting an
uncle named Marquette, at Le Breton’s Flats, on the
night of the murder. has been confirmed, and also the
statement that after informing the authorities of what he
had seen he had left the city, in eonsequence of threats
made agalost him by Irishmen living near him on the
flats. Last night Mr. O’Retlly took lim to the seene of
the murder, where he gave a cireumstantial account of
what he had scen, Ie said he had reached the second
door trom-O'Connor strect on the side of Sparks street,
when he saw a man with a hat and carrying a eane pass-
ing westward an the opposite side. The man whom
Laeroix to-day identified as Whelan, came out of the
arch-wWay next McCormack’s store and going on the side-
walk, Into the street rapidly followed the first man. On
reaching Mr. Trotter's, the first man bent over as if to
open the door, when Whelan who was then opposite tl
ised his arm, anit
Lecrolx sawa polf of sineke and heard the report of a
pistol, ‘Tho man who was tired at fell Into the doorway.
Whehin then tarned and ran baek toward the archway,
still on the street, After running fifteen or twenty
ynrds he made for the sidewalk and ran against a low
kitchen post. As he struck it he cried “ Jesus,” paused
a moment, and then conthined ranning to the arch-way,
where he disappeared, Lacroix crouched, down to
eseape observation, foaring he himself might be shot.
Afler Wholan disappeared he went along Sparks street,
over the Sapper's Uridge to Lower Town, where his
family were then living, He is an ignorant Frenchman,
who speaks English imperfectly and seems to have
thought little of the occurrence, forhe made no mention
of it until Thursday or Friday, when he made a state-
meantto the police. They, however, did not attach much
importance to what he said, because he was unable to
make himself well understood, and he went away. At
this time Me. O'Rellly was absent in Kingston. When he
returned and heard ahout Lacroix he directed the police
to procure him, but he was not to be found, having lett
town because of the threats agatnst his life. Tt was not
till yesterday that he was discovered. Sergt-My. Cum-
mins fading him at work nine miles from the city. He
was a good deal alarmed lest he should be detained in
custody, and was only anxlous to go back to his work,
He gave a very straightforward story to Mr. O'Reilly
last night In the presenee of a number of gentlemen, the
whole alr of the man indicated that he was speaking the
truth, It appenra that when he witnessed. the murder;
he must have stood at the door of a vacant house neanly
opposite Trotter's, The story Is, that Whelan after
fring the shot. ron towards this door, but seeing, the
man standing there turned towards McCormack’'s arch-
way, and tp the eagermess of his flight filled to see the
post against which he stumbled. It is he
turned into the arch-way until Lacroix went away, and
darted across the street to the vacanthouse. This wouht
account for his presence en Wellington and Elgin streets
a few minutes after the murder, and his reaching the
Russell House by that route; but it is just as Jikely he
continued down the areh-way, jamped the fence at
the end ofthe yard, and thas got into Queen street, when
a couple of minutes’ walk would have brought bim inte
Wellington street. A report of another very important |
confirmation of Lacroix’s evidence is afloat, | Ttis stated
that in consequence of bia statement respecting the maa
he saw firing the shot strike himseY against a post in -
running away, it was determined to examine the prisoner
to ascertain if there were any mark on his person, and ,
the appearance of a recent blow on his chest was at onee
discovered. If this statement be correet, this Is another
ht At 2 mg link in the chain of evidence surrouniing

velan, ae

Orrawa, April 25.—Detective Cullen overheard in the
eels a conversation between Whelan and Doyle. Whelan
told Doyle the whole story of the murder of Mr. McGee. !
Ue rested his hopes of e8cape on a Fenian Jory. , The |
whole account is published, and canses a great senkation.
Doyle has been committed for trial as an accessory be- |
fore the faot, Buckley ts alwo dumplicated.—Nearly all the
members of the Senate and House of Commons have:
subscribed tive dollars cach to the fund for dischagging,
Mr. McGee's liabilities.--Sanford Fleming has returned
from his Inercolonial exploration, He reports that he
hax discovered a more favorable passage over the.
mountains on the central route, ; ¢

Moxtrean, April 30.—The nomination fora member ,
to serve in Parliament for Montreal West, vaoant by,
the death of the Hon. D'Arcy MeGee, took place to-
day, and M. P. Ryan, Esq. an Irish Reman Catholio
Merchant of thia city, was elected by acclamation, —

Orrawa, April 30,—Dehate on Mr. MeDonald's re-
solution, lasted till two o'clock this morning, Holton,
moved amendment afirming expediency of Monse go-
ing into committce of Nova Scotia grievances,. Cartier,
MeDonald, Antigonishe, Gampbell, MeLeNan, Me-
.Kenzie, Forbes, Dorion, Sie John and others, took ‘part.
in debate which exerted great interest... Holten’s
amendment lost, yeas 39, nays 41. Morrie’ amend-
ment affirming that maintenance of Union waa for. in-”
ae of ag as well ag all Provinces, caried, yeas

0, nays 16, Expected Parliament will be prarogu
about middle of May, re

Loxpon, April 24, eve.—Further particulars of the:
attempted assassination of Prince Alfred have. heen re-
ceived, The culprit was an Irishman named: Farrell.
who is known to be connected with the Fenian oganiz-:
ation, Farrell shot the Prince in the back on the 28th’
March at Sydney, Australia. The ball was not ex-/
tracted from the wound until two days afterwards,
The wound was dangerous and painful, but the Prineo
is doing well beyond even the hopes of bis physicians, :
His recovery will necessarily he alow, necording to the
advices received from lis medieal attendant. The
Prince has sailed for England. The attempted assas-
sination of Prinoe Alfred has prodaced the moat pro-
found excitement throughout the nation. ‘The press
teems with denunciations. of the assassin.

Loxvox, April 25, eve.+Despatches have hoen re-
ceived from Abyssinia, which give the following gratify-
ing and important intelligence :—A battle was fought
on Good Friday before Magdala, between the British
troops, commanded by Gen, Napier, and the Abyssinian.
forees under the command of their King in’ person.
The latter were defeated and retreated into the town,
Their loss in killed and wounded wag very heavy, On
the Monday following, all his preparations having been
completed, Gen, Napier ordered an assanit upon Mag-
dala, ond the town and citadel were carried by storin,
King Theodore was slain, A large number of warriors
were killed, wounded and taken prisoners, and the
entire capital remained in possestion of the British’
forces, All the captives were found in the city alive
and well, and were set free,

Loxpox, April 27,—-Details of the Abyssinian newa,
report that the enemies’ works were carried after a
Vigorous resistance, ‘Theodorus lost, during the en-
gagement, sixty men killed and two hundred wounded,
The English had fifteen rank and file wounded, after
the works. were completely carried. ' was,
found dead by tie English soldiers in the contre of his,
stronghold, he had been shot through the head. _ Some
say he was killed during one of the battles, others in-

me mm

object of the Minute of Council alluded to, was to com-

cline to the opinion that he committed suicide when be