in operation, the former would soon outewip the latter, as being the mrort eligible Hehing station on the Isiand, ‘The original condi- tons for grautsof Jown Lots were that they ehould be built on—of Pasture Lote, that they sueuld be cleared; and sume have been vecheated for non-compliance with theee terma,

Hon. Col. GRAY had beea miatutlerswod by the hon. leader of the opposition, He wad well aware that Ameritan Citizens could not woie at oar elections, Ue was happy to perceive (hat bon orember agreed with hrus as to the fuimre prospects of Prince- tow a,

flon. SPRAKEL. —If his hon. colleague had intended the @is- clanmer of obtaimtog a sent by unworthy motives to apply we hits, be would repudiate tm with acorn, Asto his statement that he woold not sii ta the howe onleas as the representative of the map etity of tezdent eleciurs, he was not inched to believe the

“wasertion, He was not ia the habit of making improper allusions

as bit hon. colleageae was. It did not Lecome lis position in the So

i! use.

Mr. SINCLAIR. —The hos. member, Mr. Howat, had asked why he bad wot sougit to throw off Lot 18 from Princetown, “The sn«wer was, that the anion of Lot 18 was the only means of preventing the resident voters of the lauer from being entirely swamped by non-resident electors, Elis only object was to secure the privileges of the place; awd although it had been sought to make bind the sttpe gout for the political acts of others, and he had been threatened wrth the adverse opinions of his constituents, he was not afrvid (0 give an account of his conduct. If he ma- jority intended to disfranchise Princetown, they coald do so; but they should not fay the blame on his shoulders.

Mr. MONTGOMERY was in fivour of the clause, as simpli- fying thie election law, and tending to prevent the boss of tune cossumed last year in settling controverted elections.

thon. Me POPE.—The addition ef Lot 18 16 Princetown, and the ‘ucrease of members to 30, was merety a political dodge to secure the late Goyernment ia power; bat it had sigaatiy tailed. it was suppored by them that the aatun of Aoot_ LB to Princetown und Royalty would give them two sapperters, tle would prefer redocing the number of members to 245 but it was easier to in- crease than redare, “The proposed District, Lot '7, contained mere houses and inhabuiante than Lot 18 and Princetown combined, Ele should ve bappy to assist Me. Siuclaie in di-franchi-ing these who sent him (Mr. Stucloir) there. os gefer nee had been made to his care of the intercsts of Prince Coanty, ia connection with a recent appointment to the Legis- ative Counerl, de woald state for te formation of Princes Couaty members, that at the time of that eppointent he was absent from Char! tletewn, on accoant of rimess im his fawaly. When he heard of what had been done. he disapproved of it, and we received the assurance of hia coflesgues in the Government, that the appointment had been made without cousideration of the peculiar claims of Prince County, and that it should in future receive ample jostice as regarded representation ia both branches of the Le is asore

Ilen. Mr. COLE.S.—Prince County had a jast cause of com- plaint at the slight which the Government had put on it in the last appoiotment to the Legislative Couseil. ‘They had three seata at their dispogil, and they bad filled them ali with gentle- men from Queen's County, which had previotsly an audue pre-

sderance iu that body. [t was not to be expected that the hon.

t. Pope should be present at the Council Board wher sickness was in his family; but t would have been easy for nis colleagues in the Goverumen! to nave obtained bis opinion before filling the vacancy, more especially ao when it was considered that that vecacy had been couted by the resignation Of a gentleman from Piinee Coupty. ‘The Legiststive Cuancil now eonsisis of the fol- towing relotive Mupiherts, vz: —9 members from Queen's, 2 from King's, and bat I from Prince County.

lien Me. LONG WORTTI.—The que-tion rélative to the Le- gi-lative Coancil was not properly belore the Howe. ‘Che hon. leader of the opposition woald not receive the thanks of the people of Priwee Coanty for his advoeney. Lis only ebject was to injore te Government, f he could. ft was sofficient that the Couuty Was soiisfied that no infuatite Way inteadéd by the Government, King's County would have an eQaal grotnd of complaint, as to ineqaultty of local representation; and in Nova Scotm, out of a Council consisting of some 20 members, UL or 12 were residents of Itelifax, while Cape Breton, ao Isiand lorger thaa this, sent bat 2.

After some observations of a personal character, Wr. Sinclair's amendment was pul and lost on the following division: —

Ayes—Messrs, Whelan, Coles, Conroy, Sinclair, Sutherland, Kmgin—6.

Navs—Mesers. Wightman, Davies, Howat, Laird, Haviland, Lengworth, Beer, Gray, Montgomery, Yeo, Kawsay, lope, Speaker—13.

‘The origina! clao then parsed,

On the claus: requrmg an elector, on Statute Labor qual fertensoe produce a certificate of having performed his etaltte labor, when required at the poll, having been read,

Hon. Me. COL!-S obj ected, as it would put it in the power el Gny perizan overseer to ineTease the number of votes by giving false certhivates. If a receipt were produced, a can- didaw’ would natarally be dispesed to believe it genuine, as they allow the vote to be fecurded, unquestioned. The law did nut compel the overseer to give tie receipt f rthe eun- inutation money, tod in a majority of exses he did not do se. The elector shoulc wot be bound to keep bis reeeipis. All documents were to be left in the bands of the returmig officer; and in case of a new election, after a scrutiny, huw was the veer to preduce his receipt atthe poll, whea it had been forwarded to the S.cretary’s office among the papers con- wected with the controverted seat? Brsides, there were mauv efficient overseers who could not give the certificateon xerount of there Inatilty to write, The clause had be ter be omnied; tt would bat ereate difficulty and delay at the bust ing’, Without any comp 2 ating improvement.

Hon. Mr. LONG NORTH—Last session it had been proved before the J)onse that parties had voted two or three times, whea thev bad no legal right io dose. The class of electors who vote merely on the statute labor qualification, were not so we'!l known as the owners of property, and some check was absojute!y necessary to prevent the abuse of the franclise. Ifthe genuineness of the receipt were disj uted, the voter cold be sworn “There was a provision that the re-

‘ceipts were to be landed back to the owners, and if they were lost.the overseer would be required to furnish new ones. ‘The Statute Labor Act was in preeess of ameudu.ent, tucom- pel overseers to give receipts, under heavy penalties. The “measure would nave the effet of preventing illegal voting, aud causing parties to work on the rea’s ei: pay their ecm- mutation, At present young men employed in shipyards and other places, were in the habit of voting on the Statute |~bor qual fication, repreecuting that relatives had dune their ruad work for them

Mr. CONROY—1t would be impossible for the returning flicer to return the receipts, whieu might ameunt te 500 or 660. It might happen that a vore might be questioned, although twas keown that the party tendering it had per- tormed his Statute | ther, but it might be that he had no bis teevipt woh him. Mawy overseers were unatle to write, and even on these whe could, a vast amount of addpional Libor would be imposed, a2 well ae a great power of i:.flu- cocing eleenons,

Mr. BEER—Meabers seemed to be under the impression tat nearly all electors vote on the Siatute labor qualifieation, ‘while the Get was tiat the majority were composed of Lease- hulders, who vored in right of their Properties. The evil to be remedied was in the case of transient persons, some of whom were in the habit of going from one pulling place ta auether and boasting of the number of times they had voted. Mr. DAVIES would support any measore which might tend to check the tev deney to false swearing and immorality, which the present eystem fostered. Te revenue was too ‘wnat te edit the edeytion «f the system of registration. The clause would, in hie opinion, have the eflect of cheeking. Tea qreat degree, the evils which resulted from the imper- fections of the law as it at present stad.

Hon, Me. HAVILAND—The objection that overseers could not comp'y with the provisions of the clause from their iralntity to write, was of no weight; because such disability would off td a sufficient reason against there appomtmeant, for they were required by Statme to keep regular aecounis, and make reinmns to the Government, Any public officer de- clining te perform the duties of his situation, was liab'e to prosecution as a misdemeanant, besides being responsible tor damages at the suit of sey person aggrieved by bis miscon- deet.

Some conversation ensued 88 to the propriety of inserting in the Act, a penalty to be imposed on overseers refusing to give a certificate. ‘Ine House decided that such enactment would more appropriately form a portion of the Highway Ae

{lon M-. HAVILAND moved the first reading of a Bill tol'amend the Act for the Registration of Deeds. ‘Vhe Bill ‘provided tor the Rezisiry of a Deed on proof of the hand- erting of tha witness or grantor, in case of the death ur sleoriee Trot the Island of the former—read a firet time.

The Commirree on the Election Law was resumed.

Mr. MONTGOMERY having proposed that the polling pitte for eleciots on [ot 22, residing on the North eide of the a ee rowt. should vote at the polling place in Lot 67; avd Mi OWEN having suggested a transfer of the polling place in the 3rd Disirict of King’s County, from Narsow's Creek to Grand River Bridge, it was agreed that the dispos:- tion of the polling places should form the subject of a eepa- rate cianseefier me hers ehowld have had an opportunity of deliberation on the siuject. feb a

Tie ciause orovid ag that the ones of proof of the legality of a vote should be devolved wpon the party maintaining it, after production of prima facie evidence adduced against its validity, was, afier objections from Mr. Coles, that the party

n ing a vote should prove his cha-ge, assented to. ‘The ton Mtr Haviland, Mr. Longworth and others contending that the sufficient evidence in the majority of careson whieh questions wight arise. such for instance as io the ageofa voter, the | eriod of bis residence in the leland, &c., would be in the sale possession of the party voting. ' : Hen. Mr. POPE introduced the resolution which has been siready | ublished, on tne of transferring the electoral privileger of a Town from P;incetown and Lot 18, to Lot 47, whieh elie ted 2 brie! repetition of the arguments pro and cou which pare been already given to the public. ' Progress was then reported. .

4 Ges

W. Hf. Hows, Reporter,

ange aeneeenenteneentnene dinate

Trursbay, March 22. STATUTE LABOR BILL.

fon. Me LONGWORTIHL.—I beg leave to present a Bill to make certain allerations in the Statute Lidbor Act. It has been already intimated that the Government intended to itro- duce a measure to improve the present roail system, as well, as to give effect to that partof the Blection Bill whieh re- quires electors to produce certificates from road overseers, The principal aheration contemplated by the bill 18 1 reter- ence to the main post roads, respecting which there bare been so many complaints, that the Government considered it neces- siry to introduce sete measure with the tlew of keeping thew in a constant state of repair, Alter giving the subject thature consideration, they have come to the coneiuston that the best method is to authorise the Commissioners to let these rovds by contraét for a certain number of years, subject to the approval of the Government. Perhaps the best method of all would be te appeint a Road Saperviser, as is done in the neighboring Coloniess to whoa alt returns are made. ; But the revenue of the Colony will not, at present, adinit of this course. Weare burdened with a heavy public debt, which it behoves us, if possible, to diminish betore we proceed to any new outlay. It is presumed, however, thatthe al esarion contemplated by the Lill will havea very good effect. Those who reside on the main pest reads will perform their statuie labor, or pay their commutation money, as heretofore; but the coutractor shall have the benefit of such labor or money, the amount of which he will be able to form an estimate of at the time of taking the contract. The post roads intended to come nuder this provision are those leading frow Charlottetown to the following places, namely: Georgetow™. Suamerside via St. FE eanor's, Su. Peter's, Hooper's Corser va Tryon and Cape Traverse. Hut such parts of these roads as are included in the Charlottetown and Royalty district, are to be excepted. The other prevision has been incidentally referred to i the debate oo the Election Bill. Tt requires road overseers, under stringent regulations, to furnish certificates to those who have conformed to the Statute Labor Act) and if avy uf these cer- ticates happen to be lost, they are bound to furuish a dupli- cate. The Boll also provides thar all road overseers shall send in their reterns tothe Commissiosers, who shall forward them to the Road Corre: pondent, in whose office they are to be kept for reterence. Bat [ have almost oaitied to mention that the Bul contemplates another impertaut alteration. The Commutation morey ts to Se reduted from 4s. tu 33 through- veut the Island = Thists tv entouraye all to pay, because it bas been ascertained that more work can be obtained tor this sum, than is usually perfocmed under the starute labor provi- sion,

a .

The Bill was then read a first time.

lon. Mr. LONGWORTHL moved that the order against reading bilis twice on the same day, be suspended, aud that it be read a second time this afiernoun.

Hon. Mr. COLES —An important bill like this should not

be burried through the Heuse ; time should be given hoa, members thorongoly to wergh us provisions. the pest reads within 5 or 6 miles of Charlottetown, which are excepted in the bill, are just those that most require to be let by contract for a number of years. Beyond that distance they are not so liable to he cut up, for the traveling ie less, consequently one repairing i the season is almost sufficient. With respect to the system proposed, | cunsider that our Road Commissioners, not being scientific men, are incapable of sa- perintendiog the periermanve vl such Contravisy the majority of them are entirely igberant of the proper method of enher making roads ur cunstructing bridges. The very man in the Island @ha is best qual fied for the Commissioner's office has lately been disaussed lL allude to the hea member from Car- digan, on my myebt, who has for a long time discharged the duties of that office with credit to himself, and advantave to the Colony. 1 beteve thas if a proper Road Supervisor were appointed, it would be a sav ug to the evuntry, besides a con Sideration on account of having the roads made ov one uotferimn sysiem, which cannot be the case while a number of differencly qvalified Coumissioners are to have charge of the contracts, How sbsard to talk of the Colony being so meth in debt, as not to be able to afford the salary of a Supervisor, when we are Called upon every year to vote large sums to repair bridges which bave been noproperly constructed — Let suet an officer be appointed, and give him a salary of £100 a year, and my conviction 1s that hundreds of pounds would be saved to the Colony every season. To let roads by contract, on which statute labor is performed, will, T tear, oceasion much trouble. The contractors will be continually complatuiog ihat the people have not wrought the full tiae required by law, and petitions will be coming betore the [louse every vear on tie sibj-ct. ‘The statute labor sheuld be performed on the side roads, and the sepair of post rosds solely intrusted to the Contractors.

Hen. Mr. LONG WORTH I have no desire to hurry the Bill through the House, further than to expedite tie publ c bestnes-; butif any bun member wishes more time to con- sderut, Powell withdraw my metion. | was son ewhat sur- prised ta bear the bon. the leader of the Opposition express himself se warmly on this subject. He apyears to have risen vader the t fluence of Hoproper mutives, as he objects to the Bill be@ause it does wot provide for the appolutmentof a Read Supervisor; and when fu power hiunself, be vever introducrd a measure to institute such an office.

ilon. Mr. COLES.—1 did. Some years ago, 1 introduced a bill to appommt a Superintendent of public works aud bigh- wavs, but the House thought the salary was too high,

lion. Me. LONGWORTIL—I was not aware of such a measure ever being before the House. No doubt the appuint- ment of a persua to have the control of this department would be highly desirable; but the method proposed by the Bill is the best we could contrive under present circumstances. £100, as sugested by the hon. member, would not be a suf- ficient salary for a person fully compeient to discharge the duties of arvad supervisor; and ihe state of our finances will bot warrant us to grant even that amount. ‘The hon. the leader of the opposition seems to think that the Read Commis- Sioners are not qualified to superiniend the contracts on the post roads, and that as some understand road making better than others, one part of the read will be different from another, thus presenting, | suppose, the appearance of a piece of pateh- work. But the soil of this Istaed will not admit of great variety in this respeet, and We must for the present employ such material as we possess; besides, there are only two or tree commissioners in each county, through whose districis the post roads pass, Cousequentiy the diversity can noi be very great. Tf any persou who boulds this office were to show bim- s-lf particularly suecessful in improving the roads in bis dis- trict, he might be entitled to £4 of £5 more than the salary allowed by law. ‘The hon. member also objects to the excep- tun taken in the Bilt with regard to the reads in the vicinity ot Charlottetown, LHe stated that the parts of the roads within a few miles of the citv are those Which most require to be let by contract The Government have considered it better to leave the oversight of these reads as at present, aod allow the money appropriated ter them to be expended under the im- mediate eve of the Comuisaioner.

Mr BEER —Allusion has been made to the system of re- pair.ng the roads in the viemity of Charlottetown, I think the sysiem, if properly carried out, is good; but though the late Commissioner for these roads did very well, vet it is no- torious that he spent all the money at his disposal in two or three months, at the first of the season, se that in Antomn, when the roads beeame bad, be was enable to employ any person to work on them, There is somethng iv do on these roads all the time, and the money should be laid out gradually, as required.

On motion of Hon. Mr. Longworth, it was ordered that the Bill be read a second time to morrow.

The Louse then adjourned for one hour.

nth oe SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS.

Tuurspay, April 5

Hon. Col. Gray, by command, presented a message from His Excellency desiring that the iluase at its rising tu-day, should adjourn until Saturday.

Toe Statute Labor Bill, and the Bill relating to the duties of harbor and ballast master for that part of the Port of Charlottetown not under the control ot the City Council, were read a third time and passed.

The Llouse then spent sume time is Committee of Sup-

ly. ii m. Mr. Laird moved a resolution granting the sum of £20 to the Royal Agricultural Society, for the purpose of importing a thorough bred Blood Horse, the balance, after he is sold, to be paid into the Lreasury; and the charge for services not to eaceed 20s.

Mr. Beer was opposed to the resolution. He thought in was unnecessary ‘to vote money for that object this year, there being a nember of such horses already in the Coiony.

Hon. Mr. Coles considered that the Society was entitled to the amount, as they had not drawn the sum voted to them last year. A horse of this description was now much wanted on the Island. It would by no means bea useless expenditure, large sums had been brought te the Colony by exporting borses; and no doubt if care was taken to im- prove the stock, it would become an important trade when railway commudication was opened up trom Shediac to the United States

The hon the Speaker, Messrs. Howat, Sinclair and Me- Aulay, bad no objection to the resolution. provided Uat the services of the lierse were nut confined to Queen's County. but also extended tu the other Counties. The resolution was agreed to.

Hlon. Mr. Longworth introduced a Bill to consolidate and amend the Smail Debt Act. He stated that it was brougit in on aveount of the numerous petitions before the Hoase on the subject. The hon. member then explained that under the present law the jurisdiction of the Sinall Delt Courts is limited to £10, except at certain times when it is allowed to extend to £20; but thie Bill provides to ex-

‘The parts of

§

Che Examiner.

= SS ne

terd their power to £2M all the year ronnd. Italo gives debtors tried, in these Courts, the benefit of the insolvent law, a8 well as those whose cases come before the Supreme Court The Bill likewise contemplates abolishing imprison- ment fot all delts under £10.

Saturpay, April 7.

Hort. Mr. Longworth moved the order of the day for the second reading of the Small Dete Bill.

Some discussion ensued (which will he given in extend- ed deliiftes,) in the course of whieh Mr. Coles moved in améhdment, that the Bill be read this day three months. — Amendment negatited 18 to 3,

The House then resolved ittelf into Committee on Bill. Progress reported.

the

Monnay, April 9.

Hon. Mr. Longworth roge to answer 4 question which bon, Mr. Whelan had asked members of the Goverament on Satar- day, in reference to the appropriation which would be re- quired for the Post Roads under the Stadt Labor Bill, The Government had taken the subject into consideration, and as they could not consent that the whole atnount for this Service should be taken out of the general revenue, they had come to the conclusion that each County should appropriate tor these rouds a part of irs share of the £5000 voteu tor roads and bridges. Formerly it was customary to grant Queen's County a larger sum than the other two; but this year the Louse had thought proper to place the whole three on an equal footing. Under these circumstances, though the great- er portiun of the Post Koads was in Queen s County, the Go- veroment considered 1 would be a faire division it Prince and King’s Counties each should allow £75, and Queen's County £100 fur this service. lt was presumed that not more than £500 or £600 would be required, aud the remainder after the £250 was expended, might be taken out of tie general revenue under the provisions of te bill.

Hon. Mr Coles thought if £250 was all they intended to take from the Counties, it was searcely worth disturbing the road scales, which some hon, thembers hod already prepered. This sum would make a considerable reduction in ihe amounts

allowed to the differeat districts, but it Would nol be mben out of the veneral revenue. MeimtierS in making out their

scales would find that they had quite too litle without this reduction, Au application had just come im to-day fora grant to repair a bridle at Cove Liead, and be sesreely knew how 1 owas to be anet. The sain voted last vear for contin. Gencies, he Qaderstuod, was not all expended, and with the ipoeney vranted for the sathe purpose this year, and a small elm addittvnal from the yeneral revenue, be thought the amount required tor the Post Roads wight be made up.

M:. Cooper considered 1 was annecessary to ike a special appropriation fue the Post Roads this year. Perhaps the Legislanve Counei! might reject the Bill; but even af at be- came law, the best tine he thought to begin the contracts would be in August; aod the roads this spring meght be re- paired ii the usual mauner.

Hon. Me Ussiland said it. was quire reasonable that the money for the Post roads should be taken out of the £5000 voted for the road service; because if the Bil bad wet been introduced this session, provisicn would have bees mode tor them out of this eum, and why sheuld mt not be se sullt tie for one would not consent to take the whole amount required for these roads om of the peneral revenne.

Hons. Mess:s. Phornson, Coles and Perry thought it: was not in order to discuss the subject while the Speaker Was in the chair.—the Lense should yo tte Commitiee of Supply.

Hons Messis. Longworth, Uaviland and Laird awintained it Waa Unnecessary ta go tnto Committee, av there was no alteration to be made in the amount of the vote formerly pass- ed, but ouly instructions given te hen. inembers, when divi- ding their money, to reserve a sum for ihe Post reads trom each County; bat lest it might be cous dered a bad precedent, they agreed to go Into Supply.

LL. Commitee the reseluton granting £5000 for the read serv ce was re-considered, and amentled, 55 a8 to spteily tbat £100 should be taken fromthe share allotted to Qaven’s County, and £75 from the share of eacs of the other two Counties, the said £230 to be appropriated for the matu post toads.

House again in committee on the Small Debt Bill, Progress was reperied, aud the Llouse adjourned.

AFTERNOON SITTING.

House againin Comittee on the Salli Debt Bill. gress Was reported.

Mr. Beer from the Committee appointed te bring ina Bill to amend the Act for preventing Swine ranning at large in Summerside, reported a draft, which was read a first time.

Hon Mr. fflayviland introduced a Bill to prevent fraud by secret Bills of Sule—read a fits! time.

Tuespay, April 10.

Pro-

House met at 4 o'clock

The Bill relating to Swine at Summerside, read «second time, committed, and agreed to with an amendment

Hon. Col Gray, by-command, presented a copy of a Des- patch from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle im reference to the Revenue Act of last session

HIon Col. Gray introdueed a Billto incorporate the Min- ister and Trustees of the Church at Little Sands—read a first time.

House again spent some time in Committee on the Small

Mr. McNeill from the Committee on New Roads, present- ed their report, which was relerred to a Committee of the whole to-morrow.

Weonespay. April 11.

Hon. Mr. Longworth presented a petition from Rustico and New Glasgow, praying for a Court of Inquiry —laid on the table.

lon. Mr. Haviland’s Bill to prevent fraud by granting liberty to file Bills of Sale in the Prothonatary’s office of the County, was committed and reported agreed to without amendment.

Mr. MeNeill from the Committee of Public Accounts, presented their report.

Ilon. Mr. Yeo obtained leave of absence till Monday.

Hon. Col. Gray, by command, presented a message from His Excellency transmitting a copy of a Despatch and its enclosure from the Duke of Neweastle regarding the ap- peintment of Land Commissio—read, ordered to be prini- ed, and made the order of the day for to morrow.

House again in Committee on the Snall Debs Biil—re- ported agreed to with amendments, and ordered to be en- grossed.

lion. Col. Gray iotroduced a Bill to incorporate the Min- ister and Trustees of St. Cotumba’s Church, Blair-in- Athol, St. Peter's Road—read first time.

Tucrspay, April 12

Resolutiou relative to the appropriation fur Post Roads waa received und agreed tu

House went into Committee on the report of special Com- mittee on pew Roads—report agreed to with an amend- ment. .

M- Montgomery presented a petition from Crapand, praying ir a Court ul Inquiry, which Was read and Jaid on the table

Committee of Supply resumed. A resolution was ayr el to, granting £50 to W.C) Bourke for running his steamer sen i-weekiy froin Ch. Town to Mount Stewart Bridge.

Mr. Conroy moved that a sum be granted for a sailing packet between Cuscumpee and Mirawichi—motion lost on the following Givision—

Por ic —Messrs Conroy, Pope Ramsay, J. Yeo, Davies, Doyle, Sinclair, Kelly, Coles, Perry —10

Against it—the Speaker, Messrs. Gray, Longworth [avi- land, Montgomery, Beer, Laird, Howat, Uolm, MeAulay, Owen, Thornton, Cooper—13.

Adjourned.

Fripay, April 13.

House in Committee on the Despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, laid belure the Louse on Wednesday last. :

Hon Col Gray moved the subjeined resolution—

Resolved, That this House deem it expedieut to coneur in the sug- gestion vifered for the consideration of the House of Asseinbly, as set forth in the Despateh from His Grace the Duke of Neweastle, dated Downing Street, 2ist March, 1800, ow the subject of the pro- posed appointment of a Commission of Enquiry for tue arrangement of the jong pending dispute between the Landlords and Tenants of this Island. The ifeuse of Assembly therefore agree to the appoint- ment of three Commissioners, one by Her Majesty, one by the Llouse of Assembly, and the third by the Proprietors; the expense of tie Commission to be equally divided between the Linperial Government, the general reveaue of the Colony, and the Proprietors.

The House of Assembly als, agree on the part of the Tenantry to abide by the decision of the Commissioners or the majority of them, aud pledge themselves to coneur in whatever measures may be re- quired to give validity to that decision.

lon Mr. Coles proposed the following as an anendmen::

Whereas by a Despatch of His Grace the Duke of Neweastle, to Ilis Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, dated 2]st Mareh, 1860, and Juid befure this House by message ou the Lith instant, His Grace refers to his Despatch No. 11, of September last, on the Laud Comusission, and encloses a copy of a letter from Sir samuel Cunard and other Proprivtors of land in this Island, wheiein they suggest “that instead of the mode preposed by the Address of the House of Assembly, three Commissioners or Referees should be appointed, one to be named by Her Majesty, one by the Mouse of Assembly, and the thind by the Proprietors” — which proposal, His Grace tue Duke of Neweastle approves of, “ if tie conseut of al! the parties can be vbtained to the proposal. But it will be necessary b: fore going further into the matter, to be assured that the Tenants will accept as binding the decision of the Commissioners or the majority of them, and as far as possible that the Legistature of the Colony would con- our in any measure which might be required to give validity to that decision.”

: Resolved, therefore, that there aro no means of ascertaining the view 8 and opinions of the Tenantry upon the important questions at issue, unless by an appeal to the whole people of the Colony in tue usual and constitutioval manner; and without such a course being pursued, any decision come to by tue Commissioners or Referees alluded to, if appointed, should not bo considered as binding upon the Tenantry. ™

The dehate on the resolutions oceupied the time of the a. till the hour of adjournment, aad was then uncon- clu led. ,

= een

¥

bandh

SN SS —_—

Saturvay, April 14.

House again in Committee on the Despareh of 21st M geh, ii tei@rence bo the appointment of a(lommission to seule the Land Question—debare onthe resolutions proposed yesterday resumed. 5 When the quesiion Was put on the resolution tneved by Hon Mr. Coles te amenthient to the one submitted by Ton Col Grav, it was lost on the following devistons—

by the hon. memi er, Mr, Whelan, in bebalf of the fair eex ing tit he was a native of the Euersid ele. (Laughter) He not reongnise the validity of the argument drawn from the Legisle ’ of Nuva Scotia or New Brunswick. Ue bad ne objvetion to that — of the Bill which secured ty her own use the separate earnings ta Wile winse bssband had deserted ber. LHe was opposed to the prinei of the first part, which #ot!! infase a spirit of bargain and of Sepnrat | of interests between partic’ abe ut to contract matriage, “ Hon, Mr. LONGWORTH could not fuppert the motion of the Hon Mr. Thornton, for altietgh he agreed with bim in bis opinion Dgnine the first clouse of the Bill, be thought it but right to support the nicag. ure iv so fur as it securrd the property earned by wives deserted } their husbands. The Ilon: Mr Haviland bad stated traly enoy b that under the present lew, the Sherif bad to declare whose property be was selling under an execution; bar although the Recerd Office mig give evidence of Owucrship in cases of the seizure aud gale cf TEAL Oxtute how would that office be enabied to ascertain the property in chattels’ | It might be that the father bad given to his daughter on ber Marriagg a certain wuuber of cattle, which specific animals bi d been exchanyeg | fer others Which thas became the property of the husband; and in such | case, the virtual properiy of the wife would be uppreprinted to the pay. | ment of the husband's debts The fact was, that the Bill would Lave a tendency 19 promote fraud, and on that account be opposed that por. tion to which he had stated his objection’. | Mr. BEER would support the ili if the first clause were omitted That part of it would, in his opinio:, lead to fratd; for it would be a | watter ef no Gifficulty for » wan who sa® ruin impending over bi to _ transfer his property ts some iiiend who should reeonvey it to his wife ) aud thus creditors would be defrauded, atid buviness hampered in ton | portion to the depreciation of persunal eon fidence. lion, Mr. PERRY thonght that it would be uufair and Wrong in principle that a married Wowan should be at liberty to run ber bushand into debt by wiliai eXtravayance; avd when he might be the inwate of ; aj il ohaceount of ber liabilities she might iste i . Exeelleney Lieutenant Governor Dundns, of tue 21st March last, jel of ber separate means. HH: ps fatten 7 = areal for the purpose of settling the long pending question between Land- } mittee on the Lill, where the objectionable feature could ~~ - sal lord and Tenant in this Island, this House do hercby name the Hon- | Jfun, Mr. McAULAY would Support the metion for conn tie = ourable Joseph Howe, of Nova Scotia, as the Referce or Arbitrator Bill, Much tad already been said, and much could still y 6g the on behalt of the Tenantry of this Isinnd, to act under the Commis- | gh,» subject with which the Bull propered to deal, byt there w mh sion to be issued by ler Majesty’s Government, as set forth inthe | gument which strongly influerecd him in supp: soko Pr sgt wm are. despatch referred to, the other two Keferecs or Arbitrators under | was devised with a View of protecting the rights a eta a It the said Commission to be named, as intimated | in said Despatch, Who, it was admittcd, required protection, abe for whose ands sd | ope Uy Her Majesty’s Imperial Government, and the other by the | curity a Chrictian Legislature should ever manifest a fostering care | Proprietors. The Bill would not have the effect attributed to it, of Causing dierension The Committee then rese, and the chairman reported | in families; for if no higher considerations than those of worldly inte. two reolutious Wren the Speaker was ateut to put the | rest conented the tniow of the tumily cirele, the house divided against question on {fun Col Geay’s resolunon, Hon. Mr. Coles | 2 ieee es ¢ : si avain moved bis amendment, whieh was lost on the same |. Fe VVALOL was in favor of the Bill, ard cne ground of bis support : a: bigit be found in the fatt that tity were legislating for these wh division as above, sbbstitting the name of the chairman, J. | net and could not eeenhitevns noth a 8 ~ vom Yeo, for the Speaker, 8ernep that of Whelan among the ul The catnned Gi Etthaaanmeniataaknodan faced ~ vo, for { é y | House ¢ Opponents of the Bill appeared tw labor under the impresé yeas. and emitting that of Doyle io the d Vision, the latter | sion that it would copter too great power on warried women, by givin teany aisent when ts tote Was taken, avd Me, Whelau | them that protection which their rlatively defenceless position render abseut in Committee aie Tt was a thust deplor tle state of things that a worthles# | preflizate, after running through his means, and leaving Lis wile w | Struggle alone with the world, sbould have it in his power to retara and | appropriate Ler bard earnings The supposed case of the wife abandon. | ing her huslLand was set of equal hardsinp, fur he was generally able to work for the wiaiutenanee of his family. The Bill was exuwitted aud agreed to with the onission of the first ciause,

Yeas —Ilons. Coles, Kelly; Messrs. Sutherland, Cooper, Conroyv—5. .

Navs.—Hons. Col. Gray. the Speaker, Pape, Longworth, Haviland, Laird, Thornton, Perrys Messrs. Ramsay. Mont. yomery, Beer, MeNeiil, Hewat, Holm, Davies, Owen, Sivetair. Doyle, MeAutav— 15

The question was then put on Toa. Col. Gray's resolution, which was carned on the same division, the position of the names being Chanyved.,

The Committee then preceeded to the appointhent of a Reteree on behaifiel the Tenaniry, ia accordance with the resolution just passed,

Hon. Mr. Longworth named the Hon Joseph Howe, of Nova Scotia, as a person whose tilents aud experience eminently qualified bun for the appointment After some desultory debace, chiefly respecting the proba- bility of his consenting te act as Commissioner or Reteree, if apprinted, Mr. Howat subsitied the fullowins resolution, Which was agreed to:—

Resolved, That in order to carry into effect the suggestions of His Grace the Duke of Neweastle, as set fort in his Despatch to Ilis

The resolution in referente to the somination of Toe, Joseph TeWe as Referee, when put by the Sy aker, was unanimously agreed to.

Acj-urced fur ane hour, D. Laren, Reporter.

W. M. Hows, Reporter,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SUMMARY. |

—_——

Wepyespay arrernoon, March 21. MARRIED WOMAN’S BILL.

| Hon. Mr. HAVILAND moved the second reading of the Bill , to protect the property of married women from hability for | the debts of their husbands. At present all the personal | > | property wi ich a «oman might own became absolutely ves'ed | Weonespar, 11th April, 1860 jm the hushand after marriage, and her real estate was hos! Bill intituled ** An Act to repeal certain paris of the aa | during her life, ant! in euse of a child being burn, during that consolidating the Election Laws, and to make other provisions jof the husband. aod was liable for his debts. Thus it often _in lieu thereof.”’ happened that the vey arate property of the wife—che gift of.| On motion of the Hon Mr. Palmer. geconded by the Hon. }or ivberttance from ver family, was taken from her and ay-| Mr. Simps n, the Bill above named, after considerable debate j plied to the payment of her bushand’s debts. The Bill left | was read the sccond time. ’ , the separate property of the wile liable for her debts con- | The House then wert into Committee thereon —His Tlonor | tracted before marriage, and secured to her any proverty she | Mr. Walker in the Chair. ‘ ‘might acquire by her own exertions, when living separate; After considerabie time spent therein, and long and earnest from her husband. As the law at present stood, t e bushand deb te up n the provisions and principles of the Bill, on jor his creditors could seize ber earnings, and apply them to!) motion of the Hon. Mr. Dingwell, bibceibee by the lon. Mr. jtheir own purposes, Sume were opposed to the measure, | Bagnall, the following resolution, on a division of 7 to 3 was Supposing it would tend to encourage fraudalent transfers agreed to : ‘trom the hushand to the wife; but the Bill dealt merely with | ‘ Resolveed—That the Bill under consideration contains so ithe property of tee wife derived from others than the husband.) many proportions of a novel character, that it is the opinion | Tlon. Mr, COLES thought the Ball might operate against | of this Committee that the proper course fo be pursued is to the ladies who probably found it no easy matter to get hus- cause it to be published once in the Islander and Erominer | bands as the law now stood; and off-rs would probably not | newspapers, sv that its provis ons may be made known to the | be so nume ous if the Bill passed as at present. (Laugiter.) | public ; and that its further consideration be del ‘yed until | Hon. Col, GRAY wished to know if the Bill made a dis- the next ensuing Session of the Genera! Assembly.” j tinction between real and personal property, and whether it! The consideration \ bieh, chiefly, if not solely. induced the | provided any limitation of the value to be affected by it? It) majority of the House in Committee to adopt the abuve Ke. | Was, he admitted, desirable to protect married womee who hal | solution was, that one—the lead ng provision of it, would, as | been deserted by their husbands, and whose separate e rn-|they thought, unfairly throw so many obstacles in the gs Should be preserved to themselves. Serious inconvenience, | way of the exercising of the elective franchise by persons |however, might occur in the disposition of real estate, where | whose qualifications to vote at a general or partial election ithe rights ef children were ecoucerned. if the Bill comprised | rested sol- ly on their liability to perform Statute Lab. r, that, within the scope of its action property of that nature. | in many instances, it might operate as an actual disfranchise- ) Hon wr. HAVILAND explained that the Bill extended to) ment of such persons. | property of all kind , which might have acerued to the wife! The House laving been resumed the ahove Resolution was j/rom any suurve other than her husband. At present it was) reported from the Committee by the Hon. Mr. Walker; and | legal and usual to attain the same objec by ercating an estate |a imotion having been matte that the said Resolution be jin trust, for the separate benefit of the wife. 18 to limiting | adopted, the amount to be protected no principle could be urged for it.| Hon. Mr. Palmer moved, in amendment. that all after the | Why should not the wifs’s property, if worth £10,000, be | word ** public,’ in the said Resolution be left out. secured to her as surely as if it amounted only to hundreds? | The question of concurrence having been put therecn, the | Lfon. Mr. LAIRD—A woman should not marry if she evald | Uouse divided as follows : not trust her hushand with her property. | Cortents—Hon. Mr. Juhnson, Hon. Mr. Palmer, and Hon. | dlon, Mr. HAVILAND—What woman would refuse the! Vr. Simpson,—3. |chance of matrmge? (Laughter,) | Non- ontents—IJis Honor the President, Hon. Mr. Col. Mr. COOPER objected tu the Bul, on the ground that while | Swabey, Hon. Mr. Dingwell, Hon Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. the wife was at liberty to spend her husband's means, and | Craswell, lon. Mr. Bagnall, Hon. Mr. Hutchinsen, Hon. Mr. While her extravagance might reduce him to bankraptey her) MeIntyre, 8. So it passed in the negative. jown property would be exempted from liability for the debts; The question having then been put un the main motion, the which she herself bad contracted. | House again divided as follows : | Hon, Mr. LONGWORTH—The Bill proposed to confer on! _Contents--His Honor the President, Hon. Col. Swsbey, marriedgvomen the absolute control of property acquired prior | Hon. Mr. Dingwell. Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. Crasweil, (or subsequent to marriage, ius introducing a most important | Hon. Mr. Bagnall, Hon. Mr. Hutchinson, Hon Mr. McIntyre. | change in the law, Grave questions would arise if the Bill —8. p (Came into operation as to the ownership of property, and the | Non- Contents—TIlon. Mr. Johnson, Ion. Mr. Palmer, Hon. /sources whence it was derived. As the law now stood, the Mr. Simpson. - 3. husband had a limited interest in the real estate of the wife,; So it was resolved in the affirmative, and ordered accordingly. . ae arties had a chi 10% i . , ; and if the parties had a child. he beeame invested with the’ R. B. Invixe Reporter.