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COLONIAL LEGIS ATURE, LEUiSuAi LV is COUNCIL Lu. AFTERNOON Session, April

Committee ou the landlord aud tenant Bill

> 27.

Hon. Atrornes Gexerac: [ intend. your houors. to oiler a suspeudiug clause to the Bill before you; not that 1 deem it indispensably necessary ; but to prevent any vilecoustruction by parties eutside. which might enene from the course Which His Excellency would necessarily pursue when called upon to give lis assent to it. His Excellency would reserve the Bill for Her Majesty's assent, and I think it would be better adapted to the comprehension of those parties to have a suspending clase inserted in the uswal way. In future the reservation of Bille for Her Majesty's assent will take place in a different form from bitherte, for by the new Rova! Instructions which are new in force ia thia colony, and bear date nd November, (31, it seems the Governor of this Colony is author- ized, whenever a Bill requirea be reserved tor Her Majesty's sanction, to adopt the farm used in Canada; and whether the Act contains a saspending clause or not, if it is of that kind which comes within the Reyal Instructions, it is reserved for ¢he declaration of Her Majesty. Now, this Bill is one which affects the private rights of persons out af the [sland ; and it there- fore comes within the Royal Instrugtions. ! he Bill has come here without any suspending elause, and no doubt the members of the House ef Assembly considered it unnecessary under the new Royal Instructions, but I think it is better in this iustance to fullow the old style, in erder to avoid any misapprehevsion. 1 do not do so because | anticipate auy elfective oppo- sition to the Bill, but \t weuld devolve more es-

ecially upon myself, being the first law officer in the Colony, ta see that the Reyal Lnstrac-

ions were fully complied with. IL therefore move that the following clause be added to the Bill :—

* Nothing in this Act shall have any force or effect till Her Majesty's pleasure therein shall be knewn.”’

Agreed to.

The President then resumed the chair, and when the Bill was reported to the House the Hon. Mr. MeDonald again brought forward his motion, te stnke oat * fifteen’ and insert “ten.” The Hyuse divided thereon :—

ConTents.—Hon. Messrs. McDonald, Walk- er, Lord, and Dingwell,—4.

Non-Contenrs, — Hon. Mesars. Attorney General, Andersan., Ramsay, McLaren, Goff, Beer, and Henderson,—7.

Hon. Mr. Dingwell alsa brought forward his motion, to strike out all that related to the fish- ery reserves and quit rents, aud it was lost by the same division.

The House then, on motion, resolved itself inte a committee of the whole Honse te take into consideration the reasons given by the House of Assembly for disagreeing to the amendments made by the Council to the Bill relating to the fraudulent marking of merchau- dize.

Hon. Mr. Beer said there were only two courses for them to pursue; and he would rather give way and withdraw their amend- ments than loge the Bill.

Hon. Arroxyey Generar had no objection te withdraw their amendments. They nad struck oyt a principal part of the Bill, and it was not likeiy to be called in question except where articles were sold at whoesale ; and the vendor could protect himself by giving a written notice that he did not warrant the mark on an article to be genuine. A man might still im- port articles on which the marks were spurions, and he might tell his customers that he did not warrant them. There was a good deal of force in the reasons given by the liouse of Assem-

iy, and the responsibility of any inconvenience that might result from the operation of the Bill would rest ypon them. He thought it would be well to have a law of this kind, and therefore was not disposed to adhere to their amend- ments at the risk of loging the Bill.

Hon. Mr. Lok» was of opinion that the Bil! would be of no service, and it would occasion a great deal pf inconvenience. A merchant might be obliged to give a written deenment for the smallest article. It would be necessary for a merchant to have a lot of printed forms ready to be signed. We did not require any such law here. It would not have been thought of but for afew men who wanted to keep up their popularity, and he woul vote for adher- ing to cuir amendments. Were members of that House going to alter their opinions because the House of Assembly thoag!t proper to make suggestions to them?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay was of opinion, when the Bill was before the House. that if the amend- ment was @arried the Bill would be rendered useless. He was not inclined to adhere to their amendments.

Hon. Mr. McLaren observed that the amend- ments went to destroy the substance of the Bill; and as he considered it desirable to have alaw of that kind in all the British North American Colonies, in order to protect the British manufacturer from injary, to which he woald be liable by arsicles of merchandize be- ing fragdulently marked, he was willing to with- draw their amendinents.

Hon. the Presipext sail if their honors would refer to the journals they would find many instances of th: kind, and sometinies two or eas conferences were held on a Bill. It was no disparagement to their honors to give way when an ainendme nt was likely to prevent a Bill from passing. He thought the Bill would he « great benefit te the country, and he would therefore be willing te withdraw their amend- menta rather than lose it.

Hon. Mr. Axperson did not think the Bill was applicable to this country, and it would put inerchants to a great deal of trouble.

Hon. Mr. Hexverson said he had not spoken betore because he wished to hear the optnions ot those who were likely to feel the pinching of the hoot; and after all he had heard, he was more fully couvineed that he had done right in voting aguinst the amendments; for he saw that if the Bill as amended became law, it would be of very Jittle serviee. as the vital part of it would be destroyed. He did not wish to vote for any measgre that would bear unjnstly on the mer- chants; but, a@ hie honor from Prince County (Mr. Lord) had said. they could take care of themselves, and he would expect that those who elai-ued to be such friends of the people would vote for withdrawing the amendments.

Hon. Mr. McDonavp said he had fally ex- pressed his opinion when the Bill was before the Honse, and the majority of their honors were then of opinion that the provisions of it were toe atringent. He did not see the neces- sity for such a law here, though it mightfanswer very well in the old country ; neither did he see that the reasens given by the lleuse of Aseein- bly were sufficient to indace them te change their opinions. Bat it being a Government measure, and having been suggested by the authorities in Britain, he believed any objec- tions they might urge would have very little effect.

Hon. Arty. Gen. said the Bill had been rent out from the Colonial Office with a desire to have a uniformity of law in all the Colonies on that subject, and it was ouly fair and honest that we should give aid to the laws ef Britain as they did to ours,

Hon. Mr. Dinawetr thought it would canse a great deal of trouble and expense to the mer- chayts, and they would charge it upon the articles; #0 that instead of being a benefit it would he an injury.

Hon. Mr. Wacker thonght the Bill would have a very injurions effect, and ouly for the fact that it was a Government measure, he was sure it would not pass. It was said that the Bill Was to protect the manufacturers, but they had Hot petitioned for it. He could not conceive the necessity for a Bill of that kind here, for every man importing gouds would import the best le sould. If he sold a bad article to a customer he

wonld not call again. The leader of the Gov- froment wanted to know what the Legislative Couneil meant by sending che Bill hack to the

euse of Assembly with each amendments; bat

¢ could tell the leader of the Government that knew as much about the trade of the country fe be did, and he could way that the Bill would ve an injurious effect. Hon. Mr. Beer moved that the Council do not adhere to their ameudinents, Hon. Mr. McDonald moved, in amendment,

@b bind eateatene Phe House divided on the amendunn

amendment :-— Contents,—Hon. Mesars. Mi : Dingwell, icord, pt hing Welter,

= 1. Y- ' ~ — 7? ries aa re

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Rn aml oa rrr aes

Non-Contents.—Uon. Messrs. Atty. Gen. Rameay, MeLarev, Henderson, Gott, and Beer, —(5.

Originval motion agreed to.

A Bill relating to the settlement of the Wins- loe Estate was read the second time, passed through committee and agreed to without any amendment.

On motion of the Hon. Mr. Atty. Gen., a Bill to alter the Act for the trial in a summary way, and to make certain provisions for the trial of appeals from inferior Courts to the su- perior Courta of Judicature, was read the second time, and the House went into committee there-

ou.

ton. Mr. Axperson said he would like to know if summoning a jury for the trial of appeal causes, which the Bill would give power to do, would be likely to cost much more.

Hon. Arry. Gen. replied that expenses had been carefully guarded against.

Hon. Mr. Dinaweiu would feel satisfied if the Judge had power to call a Jury, bat did not think that either party concerned.should have that power. The party losing might be sub- jected to heavy costs, aud therefore he thought it was a daugerous power to put into the hands of one party. ee

Hon. Mr. McDoxatp thought the princi le was not a bad one. A matter of fact would be left te the Jury, but any question of the law would be left to the Judge. No person would object to leaving his case to a Jury if he thought there was a better chance of obtaining justice by that means.

Hon. Mr. Lorp said, it would cost a good deal, and he did not see what was to be gained by it. He did not think there was any fault found with the decisions of the Judges.

Hon. Arty. Gen. said he had often heard the Judge remark that he wished he had power to refer the case to a Jury.

Hon, the Prestpenr said it was not likely that the person who had gained a case in an in- ferior Court would ask for a Jury. The mau who felt himself aggrieved would do so.

Hon. Mr. ANDERSON observed. that in some of the inferior courts in the other Provinces the magistrates had power to calla Jury in a case on any subject which they did not understand,

Hon. Mr. McDoxaurp said that by the Bill the Judge or either of the parties would have the privilege of calling for a Jury, and the ques- tion was, whether it would not be better to con- fine it to the Judge alone. In nearly all cases the parties would like to have a Jary; but if it were left to the Judge alone to decide whether a Jury should be called, he, being a disinterested party, might be better able to determine whether or not it would be condneive to the ends of justice to have a Jury called.

Hon. Mr. Axperson said it night happen that a man would appeal for the very purpose of having his ease tried by a Jury, and the Judge might say that the case was so clear that a Jary Was not requried. He would leave it to either party to call for a Jury if he thought proper to do so.

After some farther desultory debate, the Hon. Mr. Dingwell moved an amendment, confining the power to the Judge or Judges to call a Jury, which was agreed to.

The House was then resumed, and the Bill reported agreed to with a certain amendment.

The Hon. the Attorney General presented a Bill in addition to the Act relating to the office of Surregate and Judge ot Probate of Wills and for granting letters of Administrauon, which was received and read a first time.

Adjourned till to-morrow at ten o'clock.

Tuurspay, April 28.

Hon. Arrorney Gen. moved the second reading of a Bill to alter the time for holding certain terms of the Supreme Court, in the several Counties of this Ixland, and in doing so observed, that the Bill had been called forth by a snggestion made by the Grand Jury of Queen's County, during the last term. The Jury had submitted that it would be a great convenience te jurers and others, who had business at the Court. if the January term were postponed one week later, because at the time it was held the roads were generally very bad, and the ice al- most impassable. He thonght there was just canse to complain, for he had known parties to withdraw cases from the Court, on account of the ditticulty of travelling at that time, and the insufficient state of the ice, and therefore he thonght it would be better to have the meeting of the Court one week later. But the Bill also interfered with the terms in Prince and King’s Counties, and he did not think there was so much necessity for altering the terins in those Counties. The Court was opened in George- town, by law, on the second Tuesday in March, and it was proposed to change it to the first Tuesday. This he thought quite unealled for. He thought there was not mach necessity for changing the Jane term at St. Eleanor’s from the first to the secend Tuesday, as proposed by the Bill. It was troe that in some seasous it might interfere with farming operations to hold the Court in the first week in June, but it was impossible to fix any time which would not in- terfere with some of the avocations necessary for the employment of mankind. If it were altered from the first to the secoud Tuesday in Jone, it might relieve the inhabitants from one degree of ditliculty and carry them into another. However, it rested more immediately, perhaps, with their honors who represented that County, to say whether the alteration should be made or not. As an individual, he bad vo particular interest in it. His interest was to have the time so arranged as to suit the convenience of the greatest number of suitors and jurors. At least his inconvenienee would be smali in com- parison with theirs.

Hon. Mr. Ramsay thonght it would be a very great benefit to the people of Prince County to have the term changed from the first to the second Tuesday in Jane. Every person ae- quainted with farming operations was aware that the first week in Juve was a very busy time with farmers in this eodntry. And when it was taken into account that jurers were some- times summoned from the Nerth Cape and West Point, it would be seen that it must be a very serious inconvenience to them. His honor the Attorney General had said that it might entail inconvenience in some other way, but he could net see how it could de so. The time at which the court was held had been complained ot for a long time, and as he thought a change was necessary, he would support the Bill.

Hon. Mr. Dixaweut had net heard any com- plaints about the time the court was held im King’s Connty, and he thought the people were sutistied with it; but ae the House of Assembly had thonght it was necessary to have the time changed, he would net oppose the Bill.

The Bill was then read the second time, and the House went into committee thereon.

Hon. Me. McDonaup did not see any reason for making the alteration in King’s County. He had never heard that it would be mere con- venient to hold the court in the first week of Mareh than the second, ‘The change in the term in Queen's County, it appears, had been suggested by the Grand Jury, and he thought it was very proper to comply with it; bat he saw no reason for altering the term in King’s County,—and besides the first week in March was very often stormy, and there was a greater probability of having fine weather in the second week. He would therefore move that the part relating to King’s County be struck out.

How. Mr. Beer observed that the present session of the legislature had been put off till after the court at Georgetown, and it was con- sidered that it was tou late a period for the legislature to meet. When they inet before the court, they had sometimes to adjourn during the sitting of the court; and it was thought that by having the meeting of the court at an earlier period the difficulty imght be obviated.

Hon. Mr. Dinawetr thonght that was part of the reason why the change was made ; bat the alteration of one week would not be suffi- cient if the Government stadied the conveni- ence of the country. He was sure their honors must see that persons coming fifty or a hundred miles to attend the mecting of the legislature, at that season of the year when the roads were almost impassable, must be a very great incon- venience. He made those remarks, not so much in reference to the Bill az to the time at which the legislature was summoned to meet, and he hoped such inconvenience would be avoided in future.

Hon. Arty. Gen. said that with regard to Prince County he had heard occasional com- plaints, that the term of the Court interfered With the time of farmers putting in their seed ; bat he was of opinion that if they altered it they would get inte other difficulties. He had no

otion. however, to alter the term there, but he did not see any reasou to alter the terin iu

Se

King’s County. Unless there was some good

cause assigned for it, they might conclade that it was very well as it was, and it was hetter to let well alone, The circumstance of the legis- lature having met so late in March, this year, was owing ta the Government being auxious to obtain an opinion from Britain on the Land Question before they were called; but they could not make it a rule to have them to meet ao late as the second week in March in future. Therefore to alter the term of the court from the second to the first Tuesday in March would taake very little difference, as far as the meet- ing of the legislature was concerned. Besides, the weather in the first week in March was generally more stormy than in the secoud, and many aged persons who had business at the Court were unable to atteud. He therefore thought it was better to leave the term as it was.

Hor. Mr. McDonatp thought that if the legislature were to meet, as a rule, so late as they had done this year, it might interfere with the May term of the court in Charlottetown, He was of opinion that it would be better for the country to have the legislature to meet at an earlier period, and for that purpose it might be necessary to have the public accounts made up at the end of the year instead of the 3ist of January, as at present.

Hon. Mr. Loxw did not think the legislature would meet mach before the first or second Tuesday in March, because the public accounts were increasing, and if the public officers had not sufficient time to make them up, they might he laid before the House in a worse state than they were this year. As it was, they were a considerable time in session betore the accounts were laid before them.

Hon. the Prestvent said: If the legislatare were to meet at an earlier period, they would have to increase their staff of public officers, particularly in the Excise department ; and the first thing they would have to do would be to ap- point a Financial Secretary. Ifthey were to meet in February, they would lave the business done before the public accounts were laid before them. He thought the reads were generally better im the first week in March than the second. He was decidedly in tavor of altering the term in Prince County, and he did net see any objection to the Bill.

The qnestion was then put on the motion to strike out all that related to King’s County, aud it passed iv the affirmative.

Honse resumed,-—Bill reported agreed to with an amendment.

On motion of the Hon. Atty. Gen., the Bill for settling differences between Landlords and ‘Tenants, aud to enable the tenants on certain Townships to purchase the fee-simple of their farms, was read a third tine; and a motion be- ing made, that the Bill do now pass, the House divided :—

Contents—Hon. Messrs. Atty. General, An- derson, McLaren Goll, Ramsay, Beer, and Henderson,—7.

Non-Contents—Hon. Messrs. Dingwell, Me- Donald, Walker, and Lord,—4.

So it passed in the affirmative.

On motion of the Hon. Atty. Gen., the Bill to continue for certain purposes the Lang Assess- ment Act of the [1th Victoria, Chapter 7, and the several Acts in amendment thereof, and for other purposes therein mentioned, was read the secoud time and the House went inte committee thereon.

Hon. Mr. Ramsay observed that the Govern- ment had been paying for land which was not tobe found. A great deal of it was under water, and the Government were paying for advertising it from year to year. He believed too that some parties were evading the land tax. The Sheriff could not find it out, and he was obliged to sell by metes and bounds. He thought it was a pity the Bill did not go a little further, and authorize the Sheriff to sell the laud and let the purchaser find it.

Hon. ATTORNEY GENERAL said, he was not aware that the Bill contained a clause of that kind. He thought the object of it was merely to continue the present Acts till the remainder of the tax for the past year would be cound up. Every one of their honers must agree that it. would be very desirable to ascertain the exact contents of each township. for it would be saving a great deal to the Government; bat they might not so generally agree as to the mode to be adopted in order to do se. He thought that by the mode preseribed in the Bill more ex- pense would be incurred than parties were ¢ aware of. and unless the exact amount of land were ascertained, the remedy would not be com- plete. And, even then, the Sheriff might have great difficulty in finding out what part of the township iands have been proclaimed for arrears of land tax. The clanse provided that three commissioners should be appointed to ascertain the area of the several townships throughout the Island ; but he thonght it would be impossible for them to ascertain it by that means, for the town- ships Were private property, and the owners might hot permit the Commissioners to pry into the area of their estates. And if they took it from the plans they would be likely to lead them astray. The plans filed in the office were few and very old and would afford very little infor- mation as to the area of the different townships. Then what were they to do? Were they to make a survey of the different estates? that would be a serious undertaking and would incur a great deal of expense. There were places where the lines of townships were in dispute, and how could the Commissioners aacertain where the proper boundaries where? They would be required to do that which had puzzled the Cormunissioners for establishing boundary lines for many years. Aud suppose they were to make an accurate survey of the townships, what were they todo with the Rivers and Bays? They would have to distinguish between land and water; where a wide river ran through a township, were they to conelnde that was a part of the township or net? It appeared to him that they could not give a satisfactory return. He could very well imagine how the Commis- sioners could employ officers and ran np an ac- count of £400 or £500. A large amount had been expended to ascertain the quantity of land in the Worrell Estate, and yet it was net known to the present day. ‘The vendors said it con- tained so many acres, and the Government said, no, it is sa many less. He observed that the clause limited the amount of remuneration te the Commissioners to £50, but he did not think he would undertake it for £350; bat he did not know what a surveyor might do.

Hon. Mr. ANDERSON was of opinion that if parties, when they were paying their land tax, were compelled to state on what part or what division of the township the land for which they paid was sitnated, it would then be easy to as- certain where the land was for which the tax Was not paid, and it would obviate the neces- sity for a survey.

House resunced—Rill reported agreed to.

Hon. ArrorneY GENERAL moved the second reading of a J8ill to consolidate and amend the several laws imposing an assessment on all lands in this colony and for the encouragement of Education, and on doing so remarked that it inade no alteration in, but was merely a con- solidation of, the laws already in operation. There were several) laws for that purpose and they had become very mach complicated.

Bill read and committed.

Fifth seetion read.—

Hon. Mr. Ramsay observed that this clanse referred to the same subject asthe one they had been discussing in the Bill previously onder consideration. It was impossible for the Sheriff to find the land for which the tax had not been paid. A great deal had been sold and not settled upon, particularly in the western part of the Island, which greatly increased the diffj- culty. Ile was aware that it cost the Govern- ment a great deal; a few years ago he was Sheriff of Prince County, and his deputy sent in his account, and instead of anything being rea- lized from the sales, he brought the Govern- ment in debt. He was still of opinion that if the Sheriff were allowed to sell the jand and let the purchasers fiud it, it would answer a better purpose.

Hon. Mr. Lorp would like to know how the purchasers could find the land if the Sheriff conld not do so. He believed that was the mode pur- sued a few years ago, but the Act was found not to work well and it was amended.

Hon. Mr. ANDERSON thought that if the old Act were revived it would work better than the one now in operation. The Sheriff could get a list of all who had paid tax, and he could sell all the land not included im that list. At present the Sheriff aud Surveyor were at a great deal of trouble and expense, and they could not find vut the land.

Hon. Arry. Gey. did not think it would be well to revert back to the old loose and incon-

' }

venient Act. He thought it was opposed to the principles of law to sell and buy land en xn uneertainty. Formerly it was the castom for the Sheriff to sell a thonsand sores of land tor the tax, and when the purchaser asked him where it was, he would say, “Oh, it is on several townships. Yon rast find it, and when ou get it surveyed and bring me a description, will give youn deed.’ He thought that mode was very objectionable. It was tuo mueh of 8 gambling transaction, and it was likely to lead to contention and breaches of the peace. He thought the law was far better as it was. Howse resumed, and progress reported. Adjourned till four o'clock, p. ut.

AFTERNOON.

A message was brought from the House of Assembly, by the Hon. 4. C. Pope, with a Bill intitaled “An Act for raising a revenue.”’

The land assessment Bill was recontmitted and reported agreed to. :

On motion of the Hon. Mr. Beer, the Bill to alter the Act for the trial of actions in a sum- wary way, and to make certain provisions for the trial of cases of appeal from inferior courts to the Supreme Court of Judicature, was read a third time and passed.

On motion of the Hon. Atty. Gen., the Bill for the settlement of the Winsloe Estate was read a third time and passed.

The Bill relating to the office of the Judge of Probate was read a second time, committed, and reported agreed to.

The House was then oceupied in committee on the revenue Bill up to the hour of adjourn- ment.

Fripay, April 29.

The Bill to continue for certain purposes the Land Assessment Act, and the Bill to alter the time for holding certain terms of the Supreme Court, were severally read the third time and passed.

The Bill to continue certain Acts therein mentioned was read a second time. committed, and reported agreed to without any amend- ment,

On motion of the Hon. Attorney General, the Bill in addition to and in extension and amend- ment of the Act to authorize a cash account to be opened by the Governor in Couneil with the Bank of Prince Edward Island was read a se- cond time, and committed to a committee of the whole House. After some time, the House was resumed and progress reported.

The Bill to provide for the payment of cer- tain debentures was then read a second time and committed,—Hon. Attorney General in the chair.

Hon. Mr. Beer: I am sorry that this Bill has been brought forward in the absence of His Honor from Prince County (Mr. Lord), who had made a charge against the Publie Land’s Office, or against the gentleman who at present holds the office of Commissioner of Public Lands, in a speech which his houor delivered here some time ago on the subject of the Public Accounts, and which has lately been published. When the Commissioner had read that speech of his honor, he felt rather annoyed about it, and he has handed me a voucher, from which it will be seen that there was no fonadation for the attack which his honer made. These de- bentures were to be issued for the payment of the debt contracted in the purchase of the Worrell Estate ten years ago, and from which estate not £1000 have yet been realized to pay the first cost, nearly all the proceeds having been eaten up in the expenses of working the estate and the Joss of land tax; and in making this calculation, the other estates purchased by the Government have been charged with their proportion of the expences of the Land Office. It will be seen by the disbursements of the last year that of the £2514 Ss. 6d. expenditure, £1297 13s. 7d. (more than one half) is for ex- penses of the Worrell Estate alone; also, that the Selkirk, Stansfield, and Montgomery Es- tates combined, only cost £600 in expenditure, not one half of the cost of management of the Worrell Estate, althongh of Jarger extent. The expenses of Lot 11 were £156 7s. Id.; of the Selkirk Estate. £357 6s. Gd.; of Lot 54, £196 19s. Id.; aud of the Montgomery Estate, £49 Is. 9d. On the Worrell Estate, with the exception of about £800, the whole amount of £20.650 still remains due, and to be paid to the holders of debentures for the purchase thereof this pre- seut year. Whereas, on three estates parchias- ed by the present Government, the sum of £6570, over and above the expenditare, has been paid inte the Treasury; leaving the balance due on the three estates a little over £3000,—that is, nearly one half of the purchase meuey has already been paid, while ouly from one to three years of the ten allowed by the Act have yet expired. So that the estates purchased by the present Goverument will not ouly be self-sustaining, but will actually leave a vrofit, while the Worrell Estate will be a dead lees to the country, The expenses of the Land Office are now about £200 less than they were during the time of the late Government, though the quantity of land to be managed is more than double.

Hon. Mr. WALKER: There are no roads opened now. Hon. Mr. Berr: Yes, there were twelve

miles of roads opened last year. 1 ain sorry that his honor who made that charge against the Land Office (Mr. Lord) is not present, for he would see what became of the money. However, the Government is bound to see those debentures paid, and there is no way of doing 80 but to authorize the issue of new debentures. a faith of the country is pledged to see them paid,

Hon. Mr. Dinawetu: If his honor rose to correct a statement of a member of this House, I think he should have done so when he was present. It is not fair te insinuate that the statements of any hon. gentleman are not cor- rect, when ne is uot in his place to defend them.

Hon. Mr. Beer: I did not say that his state- Ments were not correct, nor anything of that sort ; but I called attention to how the money was expended which he spoke about.

Hon. Mr. DingweL_L: His honor said such and such was the case; now I want to know if the statements of his honor (Mr. Lord) were correct or not. Did he state the facts of the case !

Hon. Mr. Beer: His honor wanted to be en- lightened,—he wanted to know how it was that the expenses of the Land Office were so large, and i have shown how it was.

Hon. Mr. Dinaweti: ‘hen [am to under- stand that his honor’s statements Were correct ; aud if so, 1 do not think that he should be taken by surprise. A charge should not be brought against him when he is not in his place. I am at a loss to know how the expences of the Land Office can be so great, and if they cannot be curtailed, I would advise the Government to sell the land as quickly as possible and close the office. It ix said that the Selkirk Estate is self- sustaining, but it does not appear so from the advertisements in the Royal Gazette.

Hon. Mr. Beer: The figures show plainly that it will be self-sustaining.

Hon. Mr. Dinaweti: Well, T am happy to hear that one measure which the Liberal Gov- ernment introduced is successful.

Hon. Mr. Beer: If it had continned to be carried on as it was the first few years after it Was passed, it would have ruined the whole Sone but it has come into other hands, and it has been shown that it can be worked so as to be a great benefit to the colony. A very in- experienced hand may build a ship but cannot sail it.

Hon. Mr. Dineweiw: If ali the spars do not go overboard, the ship may clear the headlands; but she is in heavy weather, and I am afraid she will founder. Your honors have no reasou to complain of the Liberal Government for in- troducing that measure. I would support any nivasure introduced by the present Government which I thought would be as much benefit to the people.

Hon. the Prestpent: That portion of the ship relating to the Worrell Estate was left in such a condition by the late Government that the present Government have been unable to repair the damages, and the present Bill is bronght in for that purpose. It is to authorize the Goverument to issue debentures to the amount of £20.000 to repair the damages, and therefore I do not think that favorite measure of the Liberals is going to be such a benefit to the country after all. But it is no use to mourn over those things. The late Government en- tered into the contract and the present Govern- ment must make it good. Any Government might fail in the same way, but every Govern- ment is bound to carry out the acts of their Predecessors. It was the first speculation of

the kind. and—even in mercantile transactions —one man may fail and another make a good

h

husitiess of it, and f hope it will be so in this case. [ do pet see any nse in holding a large estate like that whieh will not pay the expense of managing it. It would le bettet to sell it at a very low figure, and thet we would have the land tax, if nothing more.

Hon. Mr. Henprerson: I do not see much use in discussing this Bill; but itis somewhat remarkable that the expences of the Land Office are £200 less now than they were when the Worrell Estate alone was to be managed, and it would show that the business in that office is conducted in a satisfactory mannert. His honor from Bay Fortune (Mr. Dingwell) sttys he does not see much canse to complain, With regard to the Land Porvhase “Bill; but what | complain of is that so mach time is con- sumed by one party retorting npen the other,— the late Government retorting apon the present, and sometimes affirming whatis not fact. It is stid, for exaniple, that the present Government repudiate the Land Purchase Bill, which is not atact. IT wotld not take advantage of the late Government in regard to the Worrell Estate, if they would not turn round and retort upon the present Government in the mannet which they do. Aud while I am honestly a supporter of the present Government, | would not support what I did not think was right. The present Government are charged with repudiating the Land Purchase Bill, but [have praised it, Yet if it is said that it will answer im all eases, I deny it; it will only be a benefit to the country when the proprietors are graciously pleased to sell, It will only extend as far as the proprie- tors will allow it to go. If it be affirmed that the present Government have repudiated the Land Purchase Act, surely their purchase of the Selkirk estate and the Montgomery estate cannot be called repudiation. Is it fair, then, that such things should be sent to the country as facts, when they are not?) I think it would be far better for all parties to admit what is de- fective,—for each party to make allowance for their neighbors and their neighbors for them, But that is not the order of the day ; 1t is rather to magnify each other’s failures; and this re- mark is particularly appheable to the present opposition. Erroneous statements are sent forth to the country ; they know best for what reason, but I know what those statements are calculat- ed to do. They are not the friends of the country who send forth garbled and colored statements to rouse up the people, A cause that requires such spasmodic action to bolster it up is in greater danger than the ship referred to by ove of your honors. As to that ship, I believe it only wants a pennyworth of tar to make it fit to weather the storim.—yes, and greater storms than any it has yet experienced !

Hou. Mr. Dinaweii: Really his honor has made out a very good case, and he is capable of making a very plausible speech; bot 1 think there is some Lecemealiin upon his honor; there is not that fire in his speech which he usually exhibits. But why is there no reference made to any other but the Worrel! Estate!) There is not a word said about Lot Il. No, it does not euit your hovers to say anything about that. What I meant to say was, that the late Govern- ment passed the Land Purchase Bill, aud when the present Government came into power they could net do any better than follow ont the principles which the Liberal Government estab- lished. If the purchase of the Worrell Estate Was unfortunate, are we to pat Lot Tt along with it, and say that it is unfortunate too? | believe there were more settlers made freehold- ers on that Lot by the Land Purehase Ball than will ever be made free by that famous Bill which has just been passed.