f ™ Se On oe Hon. the Paestpayt: We caonot extend the jurisdiction of the Court further than the limits of the Corporation. lon. Mr. Loro: 1 think we have power to add a clause to the bill to extend it, if we think proper; and { think the Mayor's Court is as Capable of udjadicating wepon cases as two or three Commissioners. Hon. Mr. Hexpexson : If { eaderstand his honor, he desires to let parties have the option ef having their cases tried in either Court, and 1 have no reasen to object to that it may, perhaps, imply that the business is not well conducted in the Small Debt Court ; and if such is the case, perhaps it would have the effect.o{ making them brush up, 60 es te have the business better done. It ex perience has proved that cases are noglected 4m the Small Pebe Court, a little opposition in this way may be of service. 1t may cause the “commissioners to look after the business beter, e. that the Court may become what st was intended to be. Hlon. Mr. Barr: The Small Debt Court is @ County Court, and in order to earry out the views of his honor from Priace County Mr. Lord), we would bave to alter the City Aucorporation Act. I think it is well to re- strain the jurisdiction of the Court to the limits of the City and Royalty. 1 am not prepared to say that there ure no grounds to find fault with the Small Debs Lourt. 1 bave heard complaints myself, but being broaght before the pudlic in this manner will, 1 donb: not, cause the Court to look sharper alter the business, and haye it set- sled up. iloa. Mr. Lorp: | do not wish to inter- fere with the bill; but the ideu struck me when it was read that it might be extended 1 believe his honor who has just spoken is ne of the Commissioners of the Swall Debt Court, and those compluiuts must have been brovght to his notice, df there are grounds for complaint, it is his duty to represent them, and see that they are removed; but perhaps to support the plan which J have euggested would be taking the grist from his: own mill. Sull the public intorest should be looked after. lion. Mr. Beer: Mis honor hae referred to me as one of the Commissivaers, and | may say that, whateyer talk thera may have been outside, no complaints, as far as | know, have ever come before the Beneh, and in my individual capacity, | Levy no m. re power than any ove of yyur honors, We have nothing to do with complaints outeide. If they come befure us as a judiwial body, it will be our duty to attend to them. Hon. the Pagestpenr: We would hrve to alter the Small Debt Act, as well as the City lacorperation Aet. The Commusiovers are appointed by the Government, but the Mayor aud City Councillors are elected by the City ; therefore their jurisdiction cannot extend be-. yond the bouads of the Corporation. dow. Mr. Lorp;: Lt was aot my intention to move an amendment. All Ll i: tended was merely to bring the eubject befor the public. i do not want to hawe tiose things keptsecret. 1 wes very glad to hear the opinion of one of the Commissioners (Mr. Beer). He knows very well that there is cause tor complaint. iien. Mr. Rawsay : Lf there are grounds for complaint agains; the Commisswaers’ Court, they mey be removed in a very suiamary way. if the Commissioners ace guilty of any dere- liction of duty, det it be represented to the proper autherities, and let thew be removed and others appemted. As to our discussing the subject merely to have our sentiments gu to the couutry, deconsider it an absurdity. There ie uo complaiat belore us in an official way, aod why then should we be asked to ex ap opiniva upoa the gubject ? on. Mr. Lorw: lf your honws are not to express an opinion till complaints come be- fore us in an oficial way, we will not have wach to de bere. Complaints do not often eome from that quarter. They are kept carefully closeted up. ; Seo. ie. Ramsay: 1 was not alluding to the Commissioners. to complain. Hon. the Parsipent : If any of your honors are aware that any irregulations exist in any department of the public service, or in the adminietration of justice, it is your ,reroga- tive to bring forward some inc asure to remove it. Lf the tault is in the Commissioners, the proper glace to complain is to the Govern- enest, and if it is in the Act, you should bring forward an amendment. It will be very little service to the public to make two or three speeches, if there is no intention te bring forward a measure to remedy the evil cow plained of. Ciwase agreed to. PETITIONS PRESENTED. The following petitioas were presented by the Hon. Attorney General : of divers inhabi- tante of Prince County, praying for the adoption of a decimal curreuey for this I[s- Jand, and also that hay, straw. flour, meai, &e., be sold in future by the one hundred pounds instead of by the hundred weight, as at present. Of divers tenants on Lots Nos. 24 and 33, praying that an act may be pas- wed to give effect to certain agreements for leases entered into with petitioners by the Jate John H. Winsloe, Esq , deceased. Of Hlizabeth MacKinnon, teacher of the female department of the Normal School, praying for an increase of salary Of divers inhabi- aants of Georgetowa and Royalty, praying tivet an Act way uvt bo d fur the pur- pose of having the Common of Georgetown divided and set off in Jots for cultivation for a term of years, as prayed fur by divers other inbabitants of said Town and Royalty. By the Hon. Mr. Beer: a pet.tion of divers inbabitants of Charlottetown, praying that # portion of the farm now in the occupation ot His Excellency the Lieutensnt Governor may ‘be set apart for the use of the citizens as @ place of recreation, and a purade or ex- ercising ground for the Militia and Volun- teers. The first four petitions above named were ordered to be laid on the table. lion. Mr. Beer, on rising to move that the ypetition of the inhabitants of Churlotteto wn, relative to Government farm be referred to a eelect committee to report upon, said : i would just observe that, in my opinion, dhe inhabitants of Charlottetown have been very Ladly dealt with by granting away the Coeimon to private individuals. It was in- tended for the benefit of the inhabitants of the City, but it wasall granted away by one of Ilis Excellency’s predecessors (Governor Fanning) in the year 1789. I am quite eativhed that the petitioners do not desire to snterfere with the comforts or convenience of His Excellency; oor do | tink he re- quires 100 acres of land for farming purposes I think one half of that quantity of land would be as much as Llis Excelieney would desire to make use of. The citizens are now without a suitable place for recreation, and they think that if a portion of Government farm were laid off fur that purpose it would he some slight compensation fur what they have lost in being deprived of the Commons At Georgetown — have a Common for the benefit of the inbubitants, but curs is gone. Tbis petition is asking to have » small por- tion of it given back. [ move that the petition be reterred to a special committee tu report upon by Bill or otherwise. Hon. Mr. Lord: | du net see why such a aestion as this should be brought up bere. we should rewember that the publication of the debates will cost something. I would have no objection if the Governiaent should take hold of the whole of that ‘arm except four or five acres about the House. 1 believe she half of that farm will yet be required for military defences and for Darrack ground. Hen. Mr. McDowarp: 1 do pot think we have any right to ke up thisattter. [tis & jung time sinee these grounds were granted awey, ead we mightas well go aad ae seysicn of Jand which a man has squatted oo in the coustry forty or fifty years ago, Be- eides, | look upon it that the grounds about Government House, as they are at present, are ae eroament to the town, and are, in a great measure, the reasoa why that house appears to so much greater edvantage than the Government Houses io the avighbuuring Colonies. in Nova Scotts and New Brun- ewick their Government Llouse do not luok so well as ours, aod it is owing in a great aeasure, to its being more fayourably situ- ated with regard to the ground whieh eur- round it. 1 would leke to hear some better argiments for taking pvssesson of chose nds, or throwmyg them upen to the pub- 1c by ap uct of the Legislature, belore 1 would support 4 motion to reler the petition év & Commiltoe to fh port Upon. The people kauw where Hon. Me. Gory: L cannot lock upon it in the same light as his honor who hae just spoken. The ground was granted by Gover- nor Fanning for a residence for the Lieu- tenant Governor ; but it is public property, and if there is more land in it than 1s reguir- ed for the residence vf His Excellency, | do not see any good reagon why it should not be appropriated for the use of the inhabitants of the Island. It is not to be granted to in dividuals, but to be leit open tu the public— as open to the public from the country as to those residing in town. None will be pre- vented from going there. It need not des- troy the appearance of Government House. The ground might be made ornamental by fencing it in and planting trees upon it. Che inhabitants require @ place for recrea- tion; and the Volunteers require a place for drilland parade. If { thought it would io- terfere with the comfort of the present or any future Governor, | would not support such an act as the petitioners ask for, but it isa question upon my mind whether it is any benefit to his Excellency. I aw therefore disposed to support a measure to further the views of the petitioners. Hon. Mr. Henperson: | think, your ho- nors, that the question involves a principle referred to in a very ancient record, where it is said, ** The fathers have eaten sour grapes and ghe children’s teeth are set on edge.”’ But as the question is closely related to the interests of the city, and as his honor the Attorney General, who is present, will no doubt give us his opinion as to the legal bearing of the question, it would perhaps be premature fur me to say anything about it at present. llon. Arrorney GeneraL: I regret that the inhabitants of the city should be ander the necessity of making such an application They bad a fine piece of ground for recrea- tion, but the Legislature thought proper to pass an Act to deprive them of it: | mean the barrack ground. The citizens petitioned against chat bill, bat sull 1 became law, and therefore it is necessary to make this appli- gation. No dvudt the Government House ground was granted away improvidently, as the rest of the common was. ‘Lhe excuse for gramting away the common was, that it was 3 wilderness, and it was necessary tu have iteutdown and cultivated for the safety of the tewa, as it was likely to attract fire, and thereby endanger the property in the wown. Llowever, it wasgranted away, which is very wach to be regretted; and it is so long simee it was granted that it is beyond the reach of the law to regain any part of it; consequently there are no other grounds to resert to but those of Goverameut Louse, and they stand in much the same way, in a legal point of view, as the other parts of what was once the common. It is thought by some that the Governor had no authority to grant those grounds, but he may have had authority from the Governor Genera! or from the Colonial Office. However, nothing less than an act of the Legislature could now ap- propriate them to any other ase. Whether it is expedient to pass such an Act, it is for your honors tu say. It is @ question which deserves very serious attention. His Excel- leney the Lieutenant Governor for the time being does nut, I dare say, feel himself very much interested in the matter. Still there can be no doubt but a tract of Iand would be a be- nefit to the Lieutenant Governor. He wiil, of course, keep a stud of horses and some cows, and consequeatly wiil require seme land fur pasturage. It would alsuv be a contribution tu his salary, which would be some consider- ation, as | see by a recent despatch from the Colonial Office that the payment of the Go- vernor's salary will devolve upon the Culony, whieh ia vue of the advantages which the delegates have produced to the Island. It might be & consideration whether it would interfere with the perquisites of the first Go- vernor we may have to pay. I[ do not object, however, to the appropriation of a small part of that farm to the purposes suggested by the petition just presented. Pussibly there may be enough appropriated, and still enough left for the use of our Governor. Hon. Mr. Beer: I faney that there can be very little objection to granting the prayer of the petition, and [ also think that this is the best time to introduce a change of this sort; because the present occupant of Go- vernment Llouse will probably be leaving it in @ very short time, and his successor would not feel the want of what he never had in possession. From the geographical position of the farm, I think a portion of it may be appropriated to the purposes prayed fur by the petitioners without injury to the grounds. The petition was referred to a special com- mittee, consisting of the Hon. Messrs. Beer, Attorney General and Walker, to report upon by bill or otherwise. A bill to incorporate Summerside Bank was recommitted, and repurted agreed to without any amendment. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. ‘Sarvanar, March 18. DECIMAL CURRENCY. On motion of Mr. McLennan, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole on a petition of Riehurd Hunt, Ronald Mae- donald, and other inhabitants of Prinee Jounty, setting forth their belief that the adoption of the system of keeping accounte im Dollars and Cents in this Island in lieu of proete. shillings and pence, would be found neficial, as in the Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Canada; and also that it would be of advantage and more easy, if articles such as hay, straw, flour, meal, iron, coal, fish, &e, when sold or bought by the hundred weight, be fixed at or intended to be one hundred pounds, and praying the House to take the premises into favourable consider- ation. Lion. Mr. Henstey asked if it was intended to make the adoption of the prayer of the petition compulsory, or merely to recognize the change in a permissive form ? Llon. Mr. Pope said that the Government did not intend, this Session, to introduce any measure for keeping the public accounts in doliarsand cents. The Governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick had gone no fur- ther than the application of the system to} the public accounts, and we should not deal | with the subject to any greater extent at present. While he read:iy admitted that the decimal system was far preferable, asa mods of keeping accounts, to that hitherto pursued. it would be advisable, in the peculiar posi- tiun of the people of the Island, that the minds of the tenantry should not te imbued with the idea that the proposed change would effect any alteration in the amounts which they bud to pay as rent. He would like an eXpression of the general opinion of the Llouse on the subject: and, if it were in favor of the aduptivn of the scheme, Government might next Session introduce a Bill in ac- cordance with the opinions of hon. members on thai subject, and at the same time the question of the currency could be considered in all its relations. Hon. Col. Sscretary could see no advan- tage from @ partial measure. There would be a difficulty in determining the value of a dollar, which ia Canada and Nova Svotia varied from the rate in New Brunswick. Hon. Mr. Lonoworru alluded to the fact that we had on our Stutute Book two several values of dullars. The gold dollar represent- ed six shillings, while the silver coin was valued at 6s 3d. The notes of the Union Bank represented 6s 3d, while those of the Rustico Bank were based on the value of the gold dollar, 6s. An uniformity of rate would be @ great convenience and improvement u vo the present system. There was no Soke that the system of decimal currency was more simple than that in present use among us; but the introduction of a compulsory measure was a matter of questionable pro- priety. It would be better that the people should gradually habituate themselves to its adoption. Hon. Mr. Davies said that the people would readily acquire facility in the prac- tice of the decimal system, the superiority of which over our present mode could be readily shown. The Union Bank had acted wisely in anticipating the time when the decimal currency would be adopted by the people of the Island. Mr. Howtan agreed in the opinion that the decimal currency was preferable to that in use in the Island. In the other Colonies the introduction of that mode of keeping the public accounts had been found convenient, and the people had readily adopted it in Aber private business. 1s was high time that our curreney should be assimilated to that of our neighbors. Mr. McLennan alluded to the present con- fused state of our currency, and the desira bility of introducing a uniform system such as obtained in the neighboring Colonies. He said that, as far back as the year, 1860, an intimate friend of his, then an hon. member of this House, advocated that measure; the chief argument against the prineiple then was, that ‘*the time had not arrived” for the change which the eyetem would effect in our monetary affairs; he hoped, however, that that stale and hackneyed phrase would not now be repeated in argueing this question. lle spoke of the facilities afforded account ants by the decimal system, and recommend- ed its use iu the yarious public offices of the Colony. , im Messrs Hensley, Longworth, Coles, Solicitor General, Pope, and Messrs Duncan and Howat opposed any immediate action op the subject, but would support the appoint- ment of a Committee, to whom should be re- ferred the petition to report thereon, by Bull or otherwise, at the next Session of that Biase. — LIBEL BILL. Hon,.Son Generat, in moving the 2nd read- ing of the bill in amendment of the law of libel, stated that it was a transcript of the Act knewn in England as Lord Campbell's Act. ‘The rale which obtaimed previously to the passage of that measure was based on the principle that @ defendant, in an action for libel could not justify his conduct, because the composition, ur rather, publication of libels was conducive to breaches of the peace, and that, consequently, the truth of the matter alleged to be libellous was irrelevant to the issue to be decided by a jury. The Bill also provided that the defendant should be at liberty to pay money into Court in an- ticipatory satisfaction of the amount of damages which a Jury might award, and which payment would be subject to the rules applicable to the adoption of the same prac- tice in other civil suits; Auy party desirous of instituting criminal proceedings for libel bad his constitutional remedy of application to the Grand Inquest of the County preserved to him intact; but the Bill provided that one result of an unsuccesviul appeal to that tribunal would be the obligation on the ap- plicant to pay his own costs. By the Bill, parties would be allowed to justify taeir statements, and an a;ology published in the journal in which the arucle complained of appeared, or in any other periodical, publi- cation to be selected by the party aggrieved, should be considered us a satisfaction to the plaintiff. The Bill also included a provisior relative to parties guilty of sending letters, the purport of which was the extortion of money under threats of publication of defa- matory matter. Hon. Mr. Henstey expressed his approval of the Bill, which, be considered, was an ad- vance in the principles of our lvcal legisla- tion. He thought it would be as weil, in dealing with the question, to treat it in all its relations, and he would therefore embody his views on one part of the subject which wae the professed object of the Bill, by sub- mitting ion Committee a resolution abolishing the practice of filing criminal information ip the case of private individuals, flon. CotoniaL Secretary would have much pleasure in supporting this Bill, and also the amendment which the hon. member for East Point proposed to make. The pre- sent law, which authorized the practice of filing criminal information in cases of private individuals, was antiquated, and it was bigh time that it should be abolished. He had experience enough himself in the matter to know that the Judges of the Supreme Court would seldom act upon it if they could con- veniently avoid the application. (Laughter.) Monpay Arrernoon, March 20. SUPPLY. The House went into Committee to consi- der further of a Supply. Hon. Mr. Davizs moved the following resolution :— Resolved, That the following sums be granted and placed at the disposal of the Government for the following services, viz : Southport Wharf, £270 Fife’s Ferry Bridge, 300 Poplar Island Bridge. 390 West River, Marshall's, Mabey's and Dog River Bridges, 300 Repairs to three Bridges on St. -eter’s Road, 300 Wilmot Creek Bridge and Cause- way, 300 Three Bridges on Tryon River, 375 New set of Lron Floaters for Ferry Wharf, Ch’town, Murray River Bridge, Wharf at Mortis’ Shipyard, New 250 100 London, 40 For building an L to Summerside Wharf, 300 New Glasgow Bridge, 60 Bridgeat South Pinette,asum equal to the Subscription List, 200 Squaw Bay Wharf, Lot 49, 22 1 Oyster-bed Wharf, Rustico, 30 W ood Islands’ Harbor, 300 Wharf at West Point, 250 Hayden’s Wharf, East River, 50 qgeecoceccecco ©€o cco es & S&S esse Enmore River Bridge, 30 Cvoper’s Wharf, Lut 13, 30 Bideford Yard Wharf, 25 Bridge at North Pinette, 150 £4032 10 0 IIe explained that these sums were for the large contracts undertaken directly by the Government, under the management of the Superintendent of Public Works. It was considered highly desirable that the con- tracts should be given out at a seascn when timber could be procured with less expense than in the summer. ‘The works to be un- dertaken this year were numerous, but not at all more than were required. Perhaps a better time could not be found to proceed with them, as the Public Accounts shuwed a good Revenue for the past year. Hon. Mr. Loncworru said there was an item which would be required, for which only a trifle was included in this resolution, namely, a sum fur renewing the Oyster-bed Wharf at Rustico. ‘The Superintendent had been sent out to examine what amount the work would probably cost, and his report had not been received in time to have the necessary sum included in the Estimates. The whole expense was estimated at about £250, and the members fur the district would be able to supply about 100/.; therefore it would require a supplementary estimate to be brought in for the sum of 150/. Hon. Mr. Key thought there was another omission in the estimates. The Superinten- dent of Public Works had recommended a certain sum for a Bridge on the Pisquid River, which seemed to have been overlouked by the Government. The people of the dis- trict had subscribed 66/. towards the object, and it was shown in the petition which had been forwarded to the Executive, that the erection of the bridge would save the Go- vernment about 50/. a year, in consequence of there being two schools, one on each side of the river, which might be united into one. But this was not the only advantage. It would save travellers six miles, who had now to go round near the head of the river. The proposed bridge wuuld also answer for the purposes of @ public wharf. He hoped, therefore, that the Government would grant the necessary amount. Tbe Superintendent of Public Work had estimated the cost at 400], but he (Mr. K ) thought that a less sum would be found sufficient. Hon. Mr. Davixs said it was no niggardly disposition on the part of tne Government which had caused them to refuse the appli- cation. Several large graats had been been made for that part of the country, and it was thought no special sum could be allowed this year for the proposed bridge. There was also another bridge on the Piaquid River ; and in this Colony where there were so many arms of the sea, it was impossible that shey could be bridged every few miles. Hon. Mr. Kevry remarked that the bridge now on the Pisquid River was near its bead, and only cost abvut 10/. altogether ; in fact, it might be said, in one sense, to vost the Government nothing, as the sum was given out of the money divided by the members for the district. Mr. Conroy said every district was not in- cluded in the special grants. None had been allowed for the district whie¢h he had the honor to represent; but he had no right to complain, a8 no application had been wade. Next year, however, tended to ask for a liberal grant toward roving the barbor ignish. “xr - — Mr. Pore nf + hperved that there was no large grant ry ny work in the dis- trict represented by © op member for Tig- nish ; and he was gle frp learn that this was not an oversight, as, pplication had been made. With respee, .» the application for the bridge at Pisquid. ihe were so many large works in that part Of fhe Island requiring grants, that they could got all be proceeded with. About £12,000 lad been allowed in all for roads and bridges, and it was quite as much as the eountry Could afford in one year. Perhaps the hon, member from Fort Augus- tus would be Chancellog for the Exchequer next year himself, aud ghen he might put in a liberal sum for his (favorite bridge. Io such an event be (Mr?-P.) was sure hon. members on his side of he House would not object to the grant. (Laughter. ) Hon. Mr. Coxzs hoped his hon. colleague ‘vould take the hint, and provide himeelt as well in that case, as did the hon. leader of the Government this year, for there was no less than some £900 in the estimate of his own district: Hon. Mr. Pors objected to the statement. Summerside was not in his district, and he hoped the hon member fur that town would resent the charge. Hon. Mr. Cogs supposed that Sammer- side was not in the district of the hon leader of the Government; but still he was interest- ed in its prosperity. But there was some £600 allowed for his own district. Then the district of the late leader of the Government was liberally provided for, he (Mr. C.) sup- posed tu keep that hon. member in working tune. Some £300 were set down for a break- water at Wood Islands; and £350 for wharfs at Pinette. The grants for his own district were very small; he observed £50 ailowed for a bridge at one place. Le thought his colleague might proceed with the Pisquid bridge out of the district money and trust to the Government to %pply the remainder. [f the bridge would save £50 in regard to schools, the Government could be no loser, as that was the interest of at least £1000 Hon. Cot. Gray said it was a misfortune in this House that hon. members forgot what was done in previous years. Last Session several applications came in from his district for works required there; but they could not be complied with on account of the necessities of the other end of the County. It was, then, but fair that grants should be given this year to the part of the County which he had the honor to represent. [iis constituents had, he believed, subscribed towards the undertaking a larger amount than was allowed by the Government. ‘This he understood was very unusual; and therefore, the people of the district deserved great credit for contributing so liberally towards public works in their lo- cality. ‘Tbe resolution was then agreed to, as well as some others on which no discussion arose. When the grant of £75 as salary of the Su- perintendent of Public Works was moved— Hon. Mr. Corgs said that he observed by the Public Accounts that the Superintendent charged 19s per day fur his services in over- seeing works, over’wnd above hie salary of 751. It would be better, he thought, tor the Superintendent to have a fixed salary for his whole services, as he was certain that his charges in all must amount to above 300/. Such an officer might have superintendence of all the roads, and then they would not be made in thirty-five diff-rent ways as at pre- sent. He was not going to say anything against the present Superintendent, as he believed that gentleman was a very efficient officer; but he thought it would be more ad- vantageous for the Government to give him a full fixed salary, and let him devote his whole time to public undertakings. Hon. Mr. Dayigs said the time of the off- cer in question was pretty generally occupied with the works of the Government. He did not see, however, that there was any great objection to the plan of allowing hin a small special salary fur drawing plans, and the like, and wages in additiun when engaged in the work of supervision. If the whole sum coming to him én one year did amount to 300/, it was scarcely as much us he could | have earned by erecting houses in the city. | He (Mr. D ) agreed ith the hon. leader of the Opposition that sume other suheme should be devised for road-making in this Colony, as it might be said that we had no system at present; but the Government were not pre- pared to bring furward any proposition in the matter. The resolution was then agreed to. sk nor~acelabaiaie SUMMARY OF THE PROVEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. Fripay, Mareh 31. On motion of the Hon. Colonial Secretary, the House went into Committee on the Despatch trom the Seeretary for the Colonies, intinating the withdrawal, at no distant period, of the liu- | perial grant for the payment of the salary of the Lieutenant Governor of the Island. Mr. Howlan in the chair. The Despatch was received and read. Hon. Col. Secretary remarked upon the injus. tice dune to the Island by the alienating of all its territories, during the reign of the late George the Third of England, and consequently the hardship of subjecting its people to the payment of the salary of the Lieut: Governor. He also alluded to the terms on which the Legislature of the Co- eoocececco os 98 ¢eo ose. © @ ecooe lony undertook tov pay the Civil List Bill, by which it was not intended that the salary of the Lieutenant Governor should be paid from the Colonial Treasury. Hons. Messrs. Longworth and Hensley also remarked on the strong claims the Island had to that annual Imperial grant for the payment of the salary of the Lieutenant Goveruor, and the neces- sity of taking immediate steps to prevent, if pus- sible, the peuple of the Island having to pay that salary, and expressed the hope that the Home Government would be induced to continue that annual grant as usual. The Hon. Colonial Seeretary then submitted a Resolution, to the effect that a Committee be ap- pointed to join a Committee of the Legislative Councii, for the purpose of preparing an address to Her Majesty the Queen, praying that Her Majesty would be pleased, in consideration of the peculiar circumstances in which the Island was placed, by reason of the alienation, by His Ma- jesty George the Third, of the entire lands of the Colony, to recommend te the Linperial Parliament the propriety of continuing the usual grant here- tofure made for the payment of the salary of the Lieutenant Governor.of the Island. The Resolution was then agreed to, and the following gentlemen were appointed to prepare an address in conformity therewith, viz:—Hons. Colomal Secretary, Longworth, Laird, and Mr Brecken. Hon. Mr. Davies submitted the Appropriation Bill fur the services of the year 1865. And, on motion, the House resolved itself into a Commit- tee of the whole thereon. Mr. McLennan in the chair. The Chairman having read the Bill, it was reported agreed to. Tbe Appropriation Bill for the year 1865 was read a third time and passed. The Bill relating to the Inspection of Pickled Fish, was read a third time and passed. Also the Bill for the better advancement of Justice. Hon. Mr. Longworth submitted the Report of a Committee appointed on a petition from certain inbabitants of Georgetown, asking for the erec- tion of a Pound ou the public square of that Town; which Report, declining to adhere to the prayer of said petition, was received, read aud agreed to. On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General, the House went into Committee ou the Law relating to the Agricultural Suciely. Mr. Yeo in the chair, On motion of the Hon. Soliciter General, the Bill to amend the Act to Incorporate the Royal Agricultural Society of P. E. Island, was sub- mitted to a Committee of the whole House. Teat Bill provided that the annual meeting of day iu May. next tor the present year, because, through neglect er.inadvertance, that meeting was hot held in March jast. The Lili also re- peals a clause in the*old Act, relating to the ap- poiatment of a class of subscribers called Go- vernors ; which clause was by that Bill abulished. The annual payment of 5s. to constitute subscri- bers members of the Society. The President and Conmunittee to be chosen by a majority of the members generally, at a meeting legally called fur that purpose, Another clause in the Act, relating to the mode of appointing the Secretary and Treasurer of that Society, was also abolished; that officer, in future, to be appointed by the President and Committee of the Society, instead of by the Lieu- tenant Governor and Council as beretotere. The duty of the Secretary should be to file, in the Office of the Colonial Secretary, a full aud eurrect statement of the acgounts and affairs of the Society ; such accounts tu be subject to the same audit as the Public A¢counts of the Colony. After some remarks frum several hon. mem- bers on the uecessity of renderjug wore efficient | es es TSS the Agricnitural Society, the object of which was the promotion of the best interests of the Island, the Bill was reported agreed to. : On motion of Mr. Yeo, the House went into Committee on the Report of the Special Com- mittee on Public Accounts. Mr. Sinclair in the ehair. ; Atter some time spent in Committee thereon, the said Report was agreed to without any aujendment. The following hon. members were then ap- pointed a Committee to report on the Contingent Expenses of the House, viz :—Messrs. Haslam. Yeo and McLennan. Hon. Mr. Hensley, Chairman of a Committee appointed last Session to report on the propriety of opening 4 new road through the farm of Alex- ander Hayden, of East River, submitted their Report, recommending the opening of said read ; said Report was then adopted, aud a Committee appointed to prepare au address to His Excel- lency on the subject. Hon. Leader of the Government read a letter from W. A. Lockerby, of Charlottetown, propos- ing to heat certain portions of the Colovial Build- ing on the hot air principle, as m operation in the Lunatic Asylam, and in some of the stores and private residences of the City; which letter was accompanied by the recommendations of the Hon. Messrs. Gray and Coles. A short discussion on the subject then took place, during which the priuciple was generally approved of, The adjourned debate on the Union of the Colonies was then resumed. After some remarks from the Hon. Mr. Davies, the Hoo. Leader of the Government delivered an address against the arguments advanced by the Unionists on that subject, and in defence of the course pursued by him in submitting the Resolu- tions in amendment to those of the Hon. Colonial Secretary Hon. ofr Coles then rose and spoke for nearly three bours on the subject of the debate. He re- viewed the whole question of Confederation, and avowed his opposition to the Report of the Que- bee Conterence. At the close of his speech several hon. members made some brief remarks. Hon. Messrs. Laird and Thornton, not having previously spoken, then gave their views on the subject, both of whom declared their opposition tu the Union. The Resolutions submitted by the Hon. Colo- aial Secretary aud those proposed in amend- went by the Hon. J. C. Pope are given elsewhere. Mr. Sinclair then proposed a Resolution, to the effect that: Whereas the Government had ex- ceeded the authority of last Session by the appoint- ment of Delegates to Canada; and whereas that House, by resolutions, declared that Confedera- tion, if effected, would prove disastrous to the rights and liberties of the people of that Colony, therefore, that the Government should appoint no Delegation, or take any action to alter the Consti- tution, without the express authority of the Legis- lature. A discussion then ensued oa the subject of that Resolution, when it was argued that the adoption of such & course was unusual, and would place extraordinary restrictious on the prerogative of the Goverument. The question was then put on the said reso- lution which was negatived on the following division : Against it—Hon. Messrs. J. C. Pope, Gray, Longworth, Laird, Davies, Kaye, Col. Secretary, Solicitor General, Whelan, Thornton, Messrs. Ramsay. Montgomery, Haslam, Yeo, Brecken, Howat, Green, MeLennan—19. For the Resolution — Hon. Messrs. Coles, Elensley, Warburton, Beaton, Kelly, Messrs. Sin- clair, Couroy, Howlan, Walker, Sutherland—J0. The Resolution was accordingly lost. Hon. J.C. Pope then subuitted a Resolution for the purpose of appeiuting a Committee to prepare a joint address to Her Majesty the Queen, founded upon the Resolutions of that House, upon the subject of the proposed Confederation of the British North American Colonies, expressive of the determination of the Legislature, on the part of the people of the Colony, not to assent to such Confederation. Ordered that the Hon. J. C. Pope Longworth, Hensley, Coles, and Mr. Sinelair, be a Commit- tee on the part of that House, to prepare such address. After whieh, at a very late hour, the House adjvurued. Saturpay, April 1. The Bill to amend the law relating te the Agri- cultural Society was read a third time and passed. Hon. Mr. Hensley submitted an address to His Excellency on the subject of the Report agreed to by the House, relating to a new road through the farm of Alexander Hayden, of East River, and asking His Excellency’s approval of said report. Mr. Brecken presented the customary address to His Excellency, expressive of the thanks of the House for the various Despatches and Corres- pondence transmitted by him during the Session. Said address was adopted. Mr. McLennan, Chairman of the Committee on the petition of divers Merchants, Shipbuilders, and others, praying for the appointment of a Surveyor of Shipping tor Prince County, submitted tie report ot said Committee, which stated that the remedy for the grievance complained of rested with the Executive Council. On motioa of Mr. Breckeu, the House in Com- inittee resumed the consideration of the petition of the citizens of Charlottetown and Common, asking for a part of Government House farm to be set apart for a Parade Ground and Park. After a short debate on the subject of the peti. tion, it was cousidered too far advaneed in the Session to take any further action thereon for the present. It was, therefore, resolved that it was inex pedient, at that late period of the Session, tu proceed further with the said petition. Hon. J. C. Pope, Chairman of the Committee appointed to prepare an address to Her Majesty the Queen, on the subject of the Resolutions passed by the House relating to Colonial Con- tederation, submitted a Draft Address, which was received and read. Hon. Col. Secretary said he would only remark that he was prepared to record his vote against that address. Hon. Mr. Whelan then moved an amendment that said address be agreed te that day three months. For the amendment — Hon. Messrs. Whelan, Colonial Secretary, Solicitor General and Mr. Green—4. Agaivst it—Hon. Measrs. J. C. Pope, Hensley, Longworth, Kaye, Laird, Beaton; Messrs. Has- lam, Breeken, Duncan, Yeo, Howat, Ramsay, Montgomery—13. The address was accordingly carried. After the transaction of some further routine business, the House adjourned. Monvay, Apri 3. His Honor the Speaker communicated to the House a letter from His Excellency the Lieu- tenant Governor of dis intention to prorogue the Legislature at four o'clock this day. Hon, Leader of the Government reported, from the joint Committee, the address to her Majesty the Queen, relating to the payment of the salary of the Lieutenant Governor of this Colony, which was also agreed to. The Chairmen of the different Committees ap- pointed to wait on His Excellency with the va- rious addresses, severally reported the delivery of the same, and His Excellency’s replies thereto. Hon. Mr. Coles observed that no action bad been taken on the School Visitor's Report; be would, therefore, ask if it were the inteation of the Government to have it printed. Hon. Leader of the Government replied that they had no discretion in the watter ; the Jaw au- spostend the Buard of Educatiwu tu have it pub- ished, A few minutes after 4 o'clock, His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor came to the Council Chamber, and, by message, commanded the at- teudance of the House of Assembly at the bar of the Council chamber, where he gave his assent to 29 Bills which had passed both branches of the Legislature, and then closed the Session with the usual Speech. A. McNEILL, Reporter. CORRESPONDENCE, CuarLotretown, April 3, 1365. My Dear Sur :— Believing that you have always been de- sirous of improving the agricultural interests of this Island, allow me to trespass on your valuable space with the view of calling the attention of our farmers to the cultivation of Flax, a branch of industry which has been of late engaging the attention of agricultur- ists In my native country, Ireland. ‘The following extract from the report of the that Lustitutivn might be held un the first Tues- joint Fiax Committee of the Royal Dubie Society and the Royal Agricultural Society, may induce farmers to muke the experiment. Ll am confident, from practical experience, that flax can be grown Ses quite as well as in Ireland :— “ But notwithstanding the defects in eulture and dressing, the tarmers of the South and West obtained very rewunerative prices, in comparison with the proceeds of other crops, for their flax. At Seariff, in Clare, one man was offered £200 for the flax of seven acres in thestraw. In Cork, the flax on the grass produced £14 peracre. At Portumna, from £18 to £24 per acre, “ in the straw.” At Mohill, £15 per acre. At Strokes- town, £20 per acre. In Sligo, from £15 to £25 the acre. No other crop in those districts could produce for the same atnount of outlay the same awount of profit.” I have of late years tried experiments, and I find the best land for selsinn tek isa aed light sod land, not too dry, which bas been cow-penned during the summer and ploughed late in the fall not too deep. In the spring the land should be harrowed previous to sowing, and, when the seed is sown, made perfectly level and well pulverised with the harrow. It requires nothing further until ready to pull. ‘e Treland the flex is usually steeped in a river or pond until the straw is sufficiently rotted. i believe here it is bet- ter to have it spread on the ground and left to rot, but care should be taken, by constant turning, that it does not mould, and become useless. Last season | grew & considerable quantity of flax. Many of my neighbours considered it as good us is usually grown in Ireland, and I feel convinced, if the Govern- ment were to give some encouragement to its cultivation, flax would, ere long, become one of our principal articles of export. At present, I Selieve, there 18 not any kind of flax mill on the Island, and it is impossible to prepare large quantities for market by hand, especially in the fall of the year, when preparation bas to be made for the ensuing spring’s crop. I intend this season to sow a larger crop than usual. I shall measure the ground carefully and the seed sown, so that I may be able to find out the value of the crop per acre and quantity of seed sown.” If these few remarks have the effect of in- ducing others to try experiments in the cul- tivation of flax, or any other seed that may increase the value of our exports, or of ar- ticles for home consumption, 1 shall have at- tained my object—the improvement of our resources. l remain yours very truly, JAS. WARBURTON. fon. E. Whelan. +0 ee -— POSSE COMITATUS. A waggish school-boy inthe country reads in Ross s Weekly about the Posse Comitatus. Grandmother sitting by—having lost some teeth, is rather hard of hearing — asks, ‘What is that, child?’’ Boy—A big lot of Yankees coming down to buy potatoes. Grandmother—L wish they would, as we have a good lot to spare this spring. Boy proceeds with his reading. Grandmotter, after musing awhile, asks for the paper, hunts round fur her spectacles, and com- mences reading; coming to the word comi- fatus, says, that is not the way they spelled ‘waters when I was a gal, but | ‘spose spellin bas changed since then. Boy—That is Duteh, grandmother, and means common potatoes ! Common taters, indeed! exclaims grand- mother indignantly ; hang their Yankee pic- tures, Our taters are better than any they can raise, or they woulda’t be sreaking down here every year to buy them. Gives back the paper. Boy reads—The Posse Comitatus are to be armed with bricks. Grandmother — Pay for them in bricks! Well did [ ever—if their bricks ain’t no better than their pinchup jewellery, their rotten cloth and other nouons, they'd better leave them to home. What next will them Yankee varmints bring to sell ? Uyster shells, suggested the wag. 1 should’nt wonder, cuild, says grand- mother, and they would try and imake the tenants believe they would make a capital ointment to use between them and the land- lords; or try to make people beliove they would make excellent plaster to patch up our creaky government! Bat I'm aleared them shells would do the people’s eyes no more good here than they did at Bedeque onee, because they'd make what the Buble cells untempered mortar ! Che Cxaminer. Charlottetown, April 19, 1865. THE POSSE COMITATUS. ‘Sweet draught: Suvfet, quotha ‘a! Troilus and Cressida, “ Now, Master Sheriff) what's your will with me? “Suertres. First pardon me, my lord. A hneand ery “ Wath followed certaiu men into this house.” Henry the Fourth, “Gremro. Fie, fie, omall tired jades! ona!l mad masters! and all fon} ways! beaten? Wus ever man so ray'd? Wasever man so weary? I aw sent before to make a fire, and Was ever man se the insolent bravado of Catehpole Curtis, had been soundly primimelied nobody would pitied him, because be had selected a wos proper time and oceasion for attempting to his arrest. ae to secure his pri he should have pne to the man’s place of dence. If ne did not find him there; or by finding him, he wers obstructed in the exec of his duty, all he would be required to do be to report the facts of the case, and leave thy higher authorities fo deal with the matter. ii This fellow Curtis was, how ever, evi from the first, afraid to trust his are. leas bones into the settlement in which Fletcher lives. He would fain be a bully ip vicinity of the Police Court, under the eyes the police officers, where be attempted to ' the arrest; but like most other bullies and bravadees, he seems to be one of those nates sent into the world without judgment discretion, and who can succeed in nothing but bringing into costempt the little authority with which they may te invested. Foiled and funking, the erest-fallen Dem reported to his Master that he could not, would not, attempt to take the redoubtable g Fletcher and the pther person who put tae puty in the mud, upless a force were placed the authority of tle Sheriff. There waa no alte native for the Sheriff but to apply tu the Exeg. tive for instructions. He get them. He way told that he MUsT execute the duties Of ie offi, and if necessary to call out the posse comitatyy ty help nm. He obeyed bis instructions He called out the posse comitatus. In we cannot censure the Sherif. The onlyy we can attach to him is, in taking at the com wencement of bis Shrevalty swceh 9 wretch tool fur a Deputy as Cateh Curtis, who} caused all this trouble. = a A few paragraphe more will suffice to the closing act of the Farce. The Sheriff's ed men — the conscripts — the select party, sembled opposite the Bank punctually at the eight on Friday morning. There was motion in the town, The shutters of the ; were not, generally, down, and the Bauk we closed. The party left for Southport, where de rollewas called. The valorous men—very gon : derably short of the Two Hundred—who anawer ed to their names, then preceeded to the of war. Some were m wagons —the most gy” couth and ricketty concerns that could be sean up for the eceasion,— seme on he broken-winded, dilipadated nags, which, if season favoured, the crows would have 1 advured,—and a considerable number tu propel themselves oun “ Shank’s M animal being notoriously slow, the ge «* the belief that they might” possibly make @ journey to Vernon River‘in three days, that at the rate of five miles a day. The pedestrian however, accomplished wonders A few, stopped {o rest themselves at Mrs. Long's exe lent hostelry ou the south side of Tea Ril be tour miles frow the Ferry, where they were fon by their companions (net in arme ) ow their rely from the seat of war ;— but the majority of pedestrians went three miles further, to F at Lot 49, which they regarded as the of pedestrianism, at Jeast for that day. We have no authentie record of the ings which occurred at Vernon River when Sheriff and his reluctant followers — stained and weary — reached that plsee. camp followers report, however, that a ¢ of war was beld at Adams’s—(in that snug path where so much Tenant League plotting has be done)—and the plan of the campaign Sam Fletcher was théep and there de upop. It was resulyed to strike the “ blow and great-diveruragement ” al the lious Sam on the following morning; aad whe the momentous morving of Saturday came ) Sheriff and bis Deputy, witha very much force of the posse —seme baring returmed they are coming after to warm them. Ifofa, hoa! Curtis! “* * Curtis. Is my masterand his wife coming, Gramio? * Gromio. O, ay, Curtis, ay; and therefore— Fire; fire, cast on no water. “Curtis. Is she so hot a shrew as she’s reported ? “Gremio. She was, good Curtis, before this frost ; but, thou knowest, winter tames man, woman and beast, for it hati tamed my old master, and my new mistress, and myself, fellow Curtis. * * * A cold world, Curtis, in every office but thine, and therefore— Fire: Do thy du'y, and have thy duty.”” Taming of the Shrew, Act 4, 3, 1. “QO, how our hearts were beating, when at the dawn of day We saw the army of the League drawn ont in Iong array.” MaAcauLay, A little excitement is a good thing in a place 80 incomparably dull as Charlottetown is well known to be. Our dullness and littleness as a community always induce us to attach much im- portancy to the cause of the excitement, and to regard fhe author of it somewhat in the light ofa benefactor. We have this week the gratification of recording our gratitude to the “ powers that be” for a little dramatic entertainment provided by them during the past week, which some per- sous of weak nerves were inclined to think might border upon tragedy, while others were disposed to believe it would be nothing but a farce; and events have proved that the latter class were right in their belief. We shall describe the dramatic incidents of the performance as best we can. Early in the week the High Sheriff of this great County of Queen’s issued his commands in official form to some two hundred liege subjects of the Queen to meet him at his residence in frout of the old Bank, on Friday morning at eight o’cluck, for the purpose of as- sisting him in the execution of his official duties. The select Two Hundred, with unpardonable in- gratitude for the houour thus conferred, were mons, and held numerous meetings at all the corners of the town, and even in the Temperance Hall, whereat they, protested svlemnly against this appeal to their loyalty. They remonstrated with the Iligh Sheriff—they remonstrated with a still higher functionary, the Lieut. Governor— they begged tu be excused in obeying the sum- The Sheriff was inexorable—the Gover- nor would’nt interfere—it was the right and duty of the Sheriff to call out the posse comitatus whenever he considered it necessary tou do s0,— and the valiant Twe Hundred were the dis- tinguished Posse. It came to pass that the valour of the Two Hundred was to be tested in seizing the body of one Sam Fletcher, who dwelleth, when his habita- tion knows him, somewhere about Orwell or Ver- non River. This Sam Fletcher—according to all accuunts—appears to be a bad subject. He is guilty of the unpar@onable offence—which is so very rare in this happy Island—of owing certain monies to his landlady as arrears of rent. Qn St. Patrick's day last, he had the temerity to appear in @ procession of the Tenant League, when that body kindiy edified the people of thus fair city by an exhibition of their numerical force. The lynx- eyed Catchpole;—known-by thetitle-of Deputy Sheriff, who had a writ in his pocket for the re- cusant and audacious Sam—made an attempt to seize the aforesaid Sam, and to deprive him of his momentary enjoyment and his liberty. Master Catchpole came to grief. Sam wriggled out of his clutches as easily as an eel would, and a syw- pathising friend planted a blow upon Catchpole, by which he was summarily made acquainted with congenial dirt and filth. Every one who witnessed the scene laughed right heartily at the rebuke thus administered to mons. * m * *» immensely disgusted and indignant at the sum-| ¢oterprise. tower, and others reported--on. the ay invatidet-and-unfit-for service — proceeded encounter the enemy. Nothing serions obstract the march of the galant foree. Tenant : were, indeed, seen alung the roadside, their radiant with suspicious if not malicious On the line of mareb only one portentous t was seen. It was inscribed in large letters “ Nine Pounder,” but there was bo necessity putting such an inscription wpon it; for there i was, plain to be seeu—nine worn-out stove joints, protruding from an embankment of me and sand, bebind which stood two effigies, te. present the guoners, dressed in the most tesque fashion. The abode of rebellion was st length but Sam, the ungrateful dog! for wiose tation te the High Sheriff and his select p elaborate preparations bad been taken bimeelf to parts unknown; but business or on pleasure our informant * He had, hewever, some little politences im i He left a representative at his gate—an straw, clothed in garments not of the newest texture, nor of the latest fashion. — right arm of the figure was placed upon theg as if in the act of opaning it, and the party we ed into the domicile of the redoubtable & Fletcher without the least difficulty. Here tht. were only a few non-combatants—an od and some children, who kindly offered b when the panting and valorous invaders peti for a drink of water. Sam nowhere, the i ing force concluded upon, and effected a m ly retreat; and in their backward march, © succeeded in capturing the effigy at the which was, to say the least of it, a shabby ® quital for the enemy's politeness. There other incident al of note. The whole had returned to town by Saturday evening, much to the consolation of their anxious frie whose sympathies were excited in only two ¢ by some ugly tumbles in the mud, which a the only casualties that marred the glory of b- * It is almost impossible to write seriously this burlesque, by whieh law and authority for a while, been brought into contempt. - have no reason to blawe Mr. Sheriff Morris the part be took in it. He acted under the press authority of the Government, who him for advice to the Attorney General brilliant statesinan, the loss of whose wise sels in the Government is so mwnuch our religious contemporary. It was Mr. who advised the calling out of the posse tatus—-ut least such is the report we have reeei and it was Catchpole{Curtis who rep his Chief the necessity of the call. Had the been possessed of a gpark of courage, he have gone to Fletcher's house himself in the iustance, and we will’be bound he could have@ ecuted the duties - office without the obstruction. Had difficulties, however, b in his way, it was very easy for him to get the services of half dozen special cu through whose aid he could have effected the rest of his man, if it was pessible at all to et it, although there ht be some delay in? operation. The pomp of summocing the was not, of course, unknown te Fletcher. Heb ample leisure for getting out of the way and laa ing at the authorities, The calling out of thep™ — is never resorted to now-a-days—was never? sorted to in olden times but when a county ¥- in a seriously disturbed rtate—in a state of rection. Here, acawardly—fetlowof a D Sheriff declares to his Master that he fit to take a man living fifteen miles away of the qwetest parts of the county; and ® through bad advice, the posse comitatus ed out, and sent, at a very unpleasart a foot tramp through mud and wire,