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 <