TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 284, 7 December 1870, Page 2

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6.

The Speaker took the chair at three o'clock. The Clerk read the minutes of the preceding sitting, which were confirmed. Dr. Nichoison said after the vote of Friday evening, and in conformity with the | pledge given by the late Executive, he had | tendered his resignation. The late Executive . advised his Honor the Superintendent to | send for Mr. Hurst, the mover of the hostile , motion. He could only say that on his part, or on the part of any member of the late Executive, there would be no factious opposition to the new Executive. It would be rather otherwise, and he would do all in his power to facilitate the public business. (Hear, hear, hear.) s Mr. Hubst thanked the lion, member for the manner in which he had spoken, and that, no factious opposition would be offered to the Government. The Government coming into office under such circumstances would need all the indulgence the Council could bestow. The Government would use every possible enorgy to promote the good of the province as a whole. (Hear, hear.) The PeovinciA-- Secbetaey said that it might be thought desirable by the Council to hear from the Executive What their intentions were in respect to the conduct of public business. It would 'be the object of the present Executive to get ll ibusiuess at preseut before the Council dealt with, and, if possible, disposed of before Christmas. There were only live measures brought down by the late Government, n respect of which it would be necessary to make any remark. These were the Highways Act, the Education Bill, with its supplement; the Education Reserves Act, and the Licensing Bill. With respect to the Highways Act, the Government were prepared to proceed with that measure, as it was one of very great importance. They had only the single desire of making the Act as workable as possible, and they would merely, a_ individual members, propose such amend-; ments as would be calculated to.effect that object. The same he would observe in respect to the Education Act, for an Education Act, in one form or other, was imperatively required. The Government would help this billa* far as possible, to the extent of appropriating, if possible, a larger sum for this purpose than was sent down on their estimates by the late Government. The Education Reserves Act would be treated in a similar manner. In respect to the License Act, they had not had the means of forming a deliberate opinion ; but this would also, as far as possible, be dealt with in like manner. But the Government were not prepared to pledge themselves to tie up a portion of the revenue of the province for certain specified objects. It was to be hoped that the relief of the sick and destitute would not continue so gigantic a claim upon the resources of the province. He could only sky that the Government would do all in then, power to expediate the public business. 'MESSAGES. -•■•■!.. (27.) A reply to address 52, in which His Honor informs the Council that he has no means to inform the Council of the number of General Government officors whose salaries are charged against the province, without 'communicating with the lion, the Colonial Secretary. The address had been forwarded to the Colonial Secretary,: and his reply would be laid before the Council. (28.) Enclosing ah estimate of the cost of constructing a road across Mechanics' Bay to the foot of Parnell Hill. HABBOPE BOABD 811/ p. ■ ! On the motion of Dr. Nicholson, the Council resolved itself into committeo to consider the report of the select 1 oiiiinitteo on the Harbour Bill, Dr. Sam in the chair. The report'was considered in committee, progress made and reported, and leave given to sit again'next sitting day. • . ■ • • STEAM TO W.TI. , •. .< The Council ra-olved itst If into committee to consider His Honor's mes.age (11) on this subject. A contract had been signed within the last few days between the-Colonial Treasurer and certain parties in America for a mail service in which the Islands are to be made ports of call. The result wa3 that what was dc-ired by a steamer, was in some sort'done, in another way. He would however move a resolution which would enable the Government to be prepared for every event." .'

Mr. MoLeod (J.) was glad to hear the announcement made by the hon. the Provincial Secretary. He trusted that a portion of the sum saved would he given to education. Dr. NICI-01.-.ON did not think that any of the advantages contemplated by the subsidy Would bo securedj" for the mail boat- would be under a good m.ny restrictions. The object was to' secure for Auckland a portion of a valuable trade'with'^hdsc'islands,

which trade was now carried to Sydney Auckland had the advantage in distance and other facilities. He believed; upon the aut&oi rity of gentlemen of the greatest knowledge and experience, that a subsidy of between £3000 and £5000, or even a less subsidy, {o t six months, would be sufficient to secure _, very valuable trade—a trade _o valuable that $__;<.oalcl be carried on at a profit, and the subTftfdy 'wouh-T-ttot be yequired. s, Mr. _B(s_*oA_<. concurred in the observations of. the lion, member (Dr. Niholson). H fl thought thrt tlieiCouncil should not act precipitately lit such; a matter. Mr. Shtjehan''concurred in a great deal that had fallen from the hou. member (Dr. Nicholson), but the contract would operate very powerfully in favour of Auckland. He thought tihat the Council might make provision for a steam service, so as to be prepared to take advantage of the course of events.

'""Mr. Hat 'thought that the'"'mi.ir"st^?iii6|g-««» would, be, greatly pressed for time, and, it might'in any'case be advisable,to haveaßmall steamer.

"" After'sbine discussiOn'thefo.lowing'^egi.hp* tion was agreed to : —" That the subject he referred to the Steam" Services Committee, with instructions to report specially upon this message in a week." 3

highways; act,—in- comm:jttei_< ) a | This bill was further considered in committee, Dr. Sam in the chair. , ; Classes 42 aiyL 48) were postponed ; clauses 44 to 53 were | nassed, when progress was reported, and leave given to sit again. ,The Council adjourned at a quarter past, 9 o'clock. ■■• .. U; uw