PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 236, 19 May 1874, Page 6

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Friday, May 8. cardrona. Among a whole host of motions moved by Mr Reid recommending sites and reserves for schools, &c, was the following : Mr Reid moved—"That an address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, recommending that section 10, block 1., Cardrona district, be set apart as a site for a public school." Agreed to. CROMWELL MUNICIPAL RESERVES. On the motion of Mr Reid, it was agreed to present an address to the Superintendent recommending a large number of sections in the town of Cromwell as municipal reserves. SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS. Mr Kinross moved—" That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that as soon as practicable after the Government has arrived at a decision a3 to letting any contract exceeding fifty pounds, the District Engineer in the district where the work is situated be informed by telegram of the name of the successful tenderer." Some discussion took place on the motion, and several amendments were moved, but ultimately the original motion was carried on the voices. Monday, May 11. Mr MacKellar presented a petition from residents of Ca/rdronawith reference to the formation of a road from Cardrona to Arrow. EXTENSION OF RAILWAY FROM LAWRENCE TO ROXBURGH. Mr' MacKellar asked the Secretary for Works—" What steps were taken during the recess in re proceeding with the extension of the Railway from Lawrence to Roxburgh simultaneously with the construction of the Tokomairiro-Lawrence line ?" Mr Reid replied that the only step he was aware of having been taken was that the matter had been brought before the General Assembly. Ha believed a Bill was passed through the House of Representatives recommending that the railway should be proceeded with, and that land should be set aside as security for its construction. That Bill was not passed by the Legislative Council, and there, he believed, the matter dropped. REPORT ON PETITION. Mr Bastings brought up a report by the Gold-fields Committee upon the petition of certain miners of Blacks—praying that some land should be thrown open in. their district. The Committee recommended that the prayer of the petition should be granted to the extent of 2500 acres. Tuesday, May 12. immigrants. Mr M'Grlashan asked a question as to the truth of the reports which have spread about the Asia immigrants. Mr Reid replied that there was no doubt some of the immigrants were of a worthless character. Some of the men would not work ; and several of the girls had returned to the barracks, having been uncivil to their employers. But such reports %vere calculated to do harm to the whole of the passengers ; many of whom were suitable find of a superior class. BXTBNSION OF LAWRENCE LINE OF RAILWAY. Mi* MacKellar asked the Government—-

" For further information with regard to the stops taken by the Government in, re proceeding with the extension of Lawrence line of railway, and to state whether they intend to take any action during this present year?" Mr Reid regretted that he could not give the honourable member fuller information than he gave him on the previous day in regard to the stops taken in proceeding with the railway. So far as he know, 'the only stops taken were that the Superintendent supported in the Assembly a Bill dealing with the matter. He would rather that the honourable member should postpone the latter portion of his question as to the action to be taken by the Government this year. They would certainly take action as far as inducing the Colonial Government to under take a loan, but he could not say whether they would take action with the means at the disposal of the Province. Mr MacKellar said he would withdraw the latter'portion of his question. GOLD EXPORT DUTY. Mr De Lautour moved—"That in the opinion of this Council it is advisable that the export duty on gold should be reduced sixpence per ounce." The motion was put, and the voices declared against it. A division was called for, when the motion was carried. Wednesday, May 13. Mr De Lautour presented a petition from the Municipal Council of Naseby, praying for the survey of a railway line from Palmerston to Clyde, with the object of selecting specific blocks to be set aside a3 security for such line. NEW LUNATIC ASYLUM AND ASYLUM FOR INEBRIATES. A message was received from his Honor the Superintendent, submitting proposals for the establishment of a lunatic asylum at Tokomairiro, and also of an inebriate asylum. DISPUTE RESPECTING WORKING OF GOLD MINES ABOVE MAREWHENUA RIVER. Mr De Lautour asked the- Provincial Secretary—" Whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to certain action at law having been taken to interfere with the pursuance of the orderly working, under the Goldfields Act of ISBS and regulations framed thereunder, of certain gold mines above the Marewhenua river ; and whether the Government intends to take any steps to defend the miners in the enjoyment of rights maintained according to the provisions of the above Act and Regulations, by license fees duly paid to the Provincial revenue for such undisturbed enjoyment." Mr Reid replied that the attention of the Government had been drawn to this matter. They did not see their way to taking steps to defend the miners, but they would U3e thenbest endeavours in order to get both parties to agree to a case being stated by solicitation on each side to be sent at once to the Court of Appeal without any litigation in Dunedin. The Government would be prepared to bear the expense that would be incurred in stating such a case for the Court of Appeal. The Government thought this was a matter that should be definitely settled, aud if possible without encouraging any litigation either by the miners or the property owners ; and if the Government could induce those persons to agree to this proposal, they would use their best endeavours to get a final decision from the Court of Appeal as soon as possible. WATER RIGHTS. Mr De Lautour moved—"That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the Gold-fields Committee take into consideration the advisability of a recommendation being forwarded to the General Government to the effect—That it is desirable that a Commission should be appointed to enquire into the whole question of water rights in New Zealand, more especially on the goldfields of the said Colony, and that they be requested to report to the Council thereon within ten days." The Government was allowed to deal with water rights in a manner that was forbidden to private individuals, and it was very desirable that a Commission .such as he suggested be appointed. The Government at the present time was selling and leasing the same rights to the same persons. Mr Bastings said that he quite agreed that this Avas purely a matter for the General Government to decide, for the question was one that affected the whole of New Zealand. He would suggest that instead of referring the matter to the Goldfields Committee, he should put it in the form of a recommendation from the Council. Mr Reidsnpportedthe motion, and thought it would be better to send a recommendation from the Council to the General Government. It was quite time that this matter was settled in some way, and it was incumbent on tlie General Government to settle iton some sound basis. The motion was agreed to. Thursday, May 14. A number of petitions were pi'eseutecl, most of them from inhabitants of different portions of the Province in regard to Sunday traffic on the Dunedin and Port Chalmers railway. APPOINTMENT OP MINING! ENGINEER. Mr Reeves moved— *' That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the services of an experienced Mining Engineer or Inspector be secured for the Province." In doing so, the honourable member said it might be thought that he was encroaching upon the domain of the Goldfields membevs. But for many years ho had taken a warm interest in the goldfields, and he felt that in common with many other mining shareholders, ho had loat much money through the

want of a sufficient scientific knowledge at the scene of operations. It seemed to him 1 that if they could secure in the Province the appointment of a gentleman of experience who would be able to visit the different mining companies to report and place in possession of those in charge of the machinery the proper and most recent methods, they would be conferring a great boon upon this important industry. lie was sure that a great portion of the salary paid to such an ofhctr would bo recouped by the fees, which the various mining companies would gladly pay. One advantage of having such an officer would be that the public generally would berable to obtain an impartial report upon any goldmining project placed before them. Mr Fish seconded t'ie motion. " Mr Stout said that if such an Engineer or Inspector were appointed he expected that all the industries in the Province—the farming, pastoral, and manufacturing classes — would be asking for scientific assistance from the Government. He did not think that this wa3 a case for Government interference. Mr Maclvellar said that although he intended to support the motion he hardly felt satisfied with the motion as it stood. He supported it only en the faith that the honorable member, Mr Peeves, would introduce a further motion framing regulations to make it compulsory on the Companies in the Province to pay a sufficient sum to defray the expenses of this Inspector, or Mining Engineer. He could corroborate the statements made by the honourable member, Mr Reeves, as to the loss sustained in working mines in this country. For every, pine thousand ounces of gold obtained in 'this Colony he was confident that two thousand were lost. He might mention many instances to prove this statement. One of the best known com panies in the Province was the Cromwell Company. The stone from that claim yielded G ounces to the ton, but he was sure that if the tailings from that Company's battery were tested by delicate tests they would yield at the rate of 12 ounces to the ton. Mr J. C. Brown said that they had secured the services of a geologist for the Province, and it was well known that some years would elapse before that gentleman could complete the work he now had in hand. If the appointment now proposed were made, the Mining Inspector or Engineer might render valuable aid to the Provincial Geologist, who might thus be enabled to complete his work at a much earlier date than he otherwise could.

Mr Reid was surprised to hear that the gold-fields residents, who were represented as being of such superior intellect, should have for years allowed two-thirds of their gold to be wasted, simply for the purpose of saving the little extra expense which they would be incurring in obtaining the services of a Mining Engineer. He had grave doubts whether the advantages anticipated by some honourable members would follow the appointment of a Mining Engineer. He was strongly of opinion that such an appointment would only be the initiation of a large staff; which., in a fit of retrenchment, would be discharged from the Government service by the Council. Mr Oliver maintained that the discussion which had taken place on the motion showed clearly, not the want of a Mining Engineer, but the great necessity for the establishment of a School of Mines, which could be carried on in connection with the University. The resolution was carried on the voices. WANT OP CONFIDENCE MOTION. Mr Bastings moved—" That the composition of the present Executive, and the Land Policy enunciated by it, do not command the confidence of the Council." After a discussion of several hours'duration, the motion was lost by 2i to 17. Ayes, 17.—Bastings (teller). J. C. Brown, G. P. C. Browne, H. Clark, R. Clarke, De Lautour, Pish (teller), Green, Hazlett, Ireland, M'Dermid. M'Glashan, M'Kenzie, Oliver, Reeves, Sumpter, and Turton. Noes, 24.—Allan, Daniel, Davie, Haggitt, Henderson, Kinross, Lumsden, Menzies, E. Mollison, MacKellar, M'Lean, M'Neil, Reid (teller), Reynolds, Rogers, Roberts, Shand, Stout (teller), Teschemaker, Tolmie, Turnbuil, Webster, Wilson, and Wood.

The debate on Mr Bastings' motion is thus summarised in the telegraphic columns of the Mount, Ida Chronicle-: Eastings' speech in opening was very weak, and Roid was extremely sarcastic. Fish and Stout made the best speeches in the debate. Turntrall, being greatly taunted, attacked Bastings strongly. He charged him with overriding the votes of the Council, favouring the Tuapeka district, and making discreditable appointments without the sanction of the Executive. Toimie, Daniel, and Ireland, said they intended to vote for the motion, if Bastings' explanation proved satisfactory, Bastings replied in a strong speech, and emphatically denied spending moneys on the Tuapeka road beyond what the Executive sanctioned. He charged Turnbull with utterly neglecting the public business, and accused him of making false statements about him (Bastings) analysing the railway tenders before they were sent to the Executive. Here a scene ensued. Bastings apologised, and withdrew the expixsuon. Turnbull withdrew his statement, and expressed regret at having made it. Bastings continued to say that he had three times offered to resign, but it had not been accepted. Said that he himself proposed postponing the light railway tenders, because the price was too high. He charged Webster and Turnbull with sanctioning the road vote of £2400 to Oamarn when the engineer certified that £ISOO was sufficient.