Legislative Council.

The New Zealand “Journal,” 2nd June, 1849, makes the following announcement:— “A Legislative Council has met at Wellington, with all the formalities in such cases made and provided. It has also separated—we beg pardon—been adjourned, sine die, by page 427 the Governor-in-Chief, without having come to a single decision, or even had any definite subject before it. This Council has several distinct features, the most prominent of which was, that all participation in its measures had been respectfully declined by the influential and educated inhabitants of the settlement. In consequence of their disagreement with the Governor-in-Chief's proceedings, as savouring more of those of the autocrat of Russia than of the representative of the British Government. To Mr. Moore belongs the honour of having been the first ‘Independent Member’ to speak in the Council of the Colony. He said, in reference to the condition of the Colony, that ‘It would be unwise to entrust other than a bone knife to a child till he knew the use of a steel one.’ After this tour de force, His Excellency adjourned the Council to Saturday at 3 p.m.

An article designated “Fashionable Intelligence from the Court Circular,” including reports on the Legislative Council, expressly reported for the “Independent,” appeared in that paper dated 26th April, 1849, and re-published in the New Zealand “Journal” (3/11/49, p. 257). One or two extracts are given:—

“The Government brig ‘Victoria’ arrived on Thursday last, bringing the most Honourable Messrs. Greenwood, Monro and Seymour, the Governor's nominees. We understand these gentlemen have taken apartments in the Government Public House. On Monday, Lord Stanley gave a splendid Cabinet banquet at his mansion, Te Aro, to the whole of the nominees. We understand this was a brilliant affair, the arrangements being conducted by Thomas Ashbolt Esq., who acted as toastmaster on the occasion. The Hon. Mr. Bannatyne's whitebait dinner to his brother senators takes place at Karori next Saturday. The Hon. Mr. Nominee Ludlam arrived in town yesterday from his country seat at the Hutt, and intends residing in ‘Tiakiwi Pah’ during the sitting of the Council. The Hon. G. Moore's musical soiree to his colleagues takes place about the end of the month at Somes Island. Prior to the close of the session, the Flying Stationer intends inviting his patron and Sir Geo. Grey's nominees to a fruit lunch.”

An announcement that the Nominee Council would meet on the 1st August, 1850, appeared in the same journal, copied from “Independent,” 3/7/50. Mention is also made in another issue that “the resignation of Sir George Grey's nominees, Messrs. Bell, Bannatyne and Ludlam, have been received with the greatest good humour.”