PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 240, 16 June 1874, Page 6

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Friday, June 5. In Committee of Supply, consideration of the Estimates was gone on with ; Under the head of “ Miscellaneous,” the following are among the items passed;— Subsidy toMorven Ferry, L.IOO ; Geological Survey, L.500 ; Mining Engineer, L.500. A discussion arose on the item of L.500 for the expenses of the visit of His Excellency the Governor. Mr Daniel complained of his conduct at Riverton ; and Mr Hallenstein of his conduct at Queenstown. Other members, including Mr MacKellar, complained of hia conduct generally. Mr Stout said members might have asked for an explanation of the item—as to how the expense was incurred, and for this there would have been some excuse. He believed that in one district there was a very great peculiarity in connection with the Governor’s visit. He had two or three horses with him when he visited a certain place that he (Mr Stout) would not mention, and though tho stay there was only for a few hours, the horses seemed to have been so taken with the place that they ate 75 bushels of oats.—(Laughter.) He would not name the district. His Excellency, however, was not present to defend himself, and it was the duty of the Council to honour the position he held. Mr Wood said that, this vote, of all others, was one that should have been passed without any discussion. He did not think they should split straws with reference to the payment of the visit of his Excellency to Dunedin, even if he did not act strictly up to what was expected of him. The Riverton people had nothing to provide for except refreshments, and his Excellency must have partaken very freely, for the expenses were two or three hundred pounds.—(Laughter.) Eventually the item was passed. Under the head “ Main Roads,” the following items were passed ;—Dunstan to Cromwell, L.2870 ; Cromwell to Queenstown, L.2G00; Cromwell to Wanaka, L.300 ; Kurow to Wanaka, L.500. Under the head, “ Miscellaneous Roads and Tracks,” the following items were passed: —Cromwell to Quartz Reef Point, L.150 ; to Bendigo Gully and Logantown, L.150; to Carrickton and Range, L.350; to Nevis, L.400 ; to Cardrona, L.200 ; to Cardrona, via Kirtlebu.rn, L.250 ; Clyde to Nevis, L.IOO ; Albertown to Pembroke, L.50 ; Arrow to Cardrona, L.IOO ; West side Lake Wanaka, L.50 ; Alberto wn to Makarora, L.200 ; approaches to Nevis Ferry Bridge, L.400. For “ Roads not provided for,” L. 2000 was passed ; and for “ Roads and Bridges on Gold-fields,” L.5000. Under the head of “ Bridges” : —Cromwell, L.1500 ; Gentle Annie, L.IOO ; Roaring Meg, L.IOO. The House then resumed. SANITARY CONDITION OP THE PROVINCE. Mr MacKellar moved—“ That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that some competent medical gentleman be appointed to inspect and report upon the sanitary condition of the various towns in the Province, with a view to a general report upon the subject being laid before the Council at its next Session.”

The Provincial Solicitor suggested that the matter should be referred to the Board of Health, which consisted of the Executive and several nominated members. Mr MacKellar withdrew his motion.

Monday, Junk 8. THE MAREWHENUA WATER RIGHTS CASE. The Gold-fields Committee reported on the petition of 948 miners and others in re the Marewhenna water rights case 1. That the Executive should, as indicated by the Provincial Secretary, got a case stated for the consideration of the Appeal Court, with a view to save the expense attendant upon protracted litigation. 2. That, failing their being successful in so doing, the Executive should take steps to defend the action on behalf of iHowo and party. 3. That, under any cir-

cumstances, the whole question should be brought under the notice of tho Colonial Government, with a view to the hardship complained of being removed, not only from tho present petitioners, but to prevent similar cases arising in future.

Mr R. Clarke moved—“ That a respectful Address bo presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting that suitable provision bo made on the for the erection of a bridge over the Kawarau River, near Arrow Junction, on the site recommended in the report of the Provincial Engineer.” Mr Clarke stated that 400 settlers had for three consecutive years petitioned for the erection of this bridge. Tho want of the bridge was a great hardship. Mr Stout said the item meant L. 10,000. Mr Clarke understood it would cost about L.6000. Motion lost. CARDRONA TO ARROWTOWN.

Mr R. Clarke moved—“ That a respectful Address be presented to His Honor tho Superintendent, requesting that a survey bo made of the best route to adopt as a dray road to Cardrona from Arrowtown, and that provision be made on the Estimates to the extent of L.IOOO to form the section of the road.” He advocated at some length tho making of the road, the total cost of which would be about L.2500.

Mr Fish moved as an amendment that all the words after “ Arrowtown” be omitted, and the words “ and that an estimate of the cost be furnished” be substituted. The motion as amended was carried. REPAYMENTS TO EXPORTERS OF GOLD.

Mr Do Lautour moved—' 4 That a respectful Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, praying that a sum be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for making repayments, at the rate of sixpence per ounce, to exporters of gold, the produce of the Province of Otago and the late Province of Southland, during the current year.” Mr De Lautour said it had been admitted in the House of Representatives that this was an unjust tax, and it would have been done away with, had it not been for the impccuniosity of some Northern Provinces. He did not go so far as to say the duty should be done away with altogether, but only to such an extent as would leave an amount to cover the expenditure on the Gold-fields. Mr Gillies agreed with the honourable member that it was an exceptional tax, and had year after year voted for its abolition. But he thought this would not accomplish its object, as it would give the benefit of the rebate to the Banks and not to the miner. The Banks could not accept this as permanent, and would continue to buy at the same rates as formerly.

Mr Reid regretted he could not see his way to support this proposal, though he had supported a motion for reducing the gold duty. The reason why he was in favour of reducing the gold duty was to allow of large companies to carry on when they had to cut it fine. This reduction would not benefit the working miner. Mr Clarke spoke in favour of the reduction. duty w r as a grievous injustice. Mr De Lautour pointed out that with the Government exporting, as it did, gold for the miners, and the competition of the Banks, the miners would receive the benefit of the reduction. The new Colonial Bank would also aid the miner in getting the benefit of the reduction. Air Gillies condemned the tax as iniquitous. Mr Fish supported the resolution. The House had affirmed the desirability of reducing the gold duty, and for the sake of consistency he would support the motion. The miner would get the benefit of the reduction if it were made. The motion was carried on a division by 17 to 11. There voted : Ayes, 17 : Bastings, Brown (J.C.), Browne (G.F.C.), Clarke (ll.), Daniel, De Lautour (teller), Fish (teller), Haggitt, Hazlett, Ireland, M'Keuzie, Oliver, Reeves, Rogers, Sumpter, Turton, Wilson. Noes, 11; Allan, Gillies (teller). Henderson, Lumsden, Menzies, M'Lean, M'Neil, Reid, Stout, Webster, Wood. GOLD-SAVING APPARATUS. MrDe Lautour moved—“ That a respectful Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the Supplementary Estimates such sura as may appear to him sufficient as a bonus for the best gold-saving apparatus—for saving gold extracted by hydraulic sluicing—that can he devised cheap enough to he practicable —said apparatus to be constructed subject to such competition and regulations as to His Honor may seem fit.” In answer to Mr Reid, Mr De Lautour said L.250 would be adequate.

Mr Reid said there would be no objection, to place it on the Supplementary Estimates. After some further discussion, Mr Reid could not conceive how the expenditure of the small sum of L.250, if it would lead to the great saving of gold mentioned, had not been gone to long ago by private individuals. He moved the omission of the words “said apparatus to he constructed subject to such competition and regulations,” and the substitution of the words “ said bonus to be paid to such an extent and on such terms.” Motion as amended was carried.

Wednesday, June 10. THE MINING CONFERENCE. The Cold-Holds Committee reported, recommending that copies of the reports of the Mining Conferences of 1872 and 1874 should

bo forwarded to the Colonial Government for its consideration in re Gold-fields Bill. EXPENDITURE ON ROADS IN GODD-fIELDS. Mr R. Clarke moved, “ That the provisions made in the Estimates for the construction of roads in gold- fields is inadequate to their requirements, and prejudicially disproportionate to the general and special Territorial Revenue raised therein, and that a respectful Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting that the sum of L.5!)00 be placed upon the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of forming roads and tracks through such portions of the goldfields as are not under the operation of Road Boards, such sum to be allotted in proportion to the revenue derived from the district applying for the formation of such road, the proportion to be fixed by His Honor the Superintendent and his Executive Council upon the consideration of applications from districts praying for the formation of such roads.” The motion was lost on a division by 18 votes against 9. VOTES FOR WAKATIP DISTRICT. Mr R. Clarke moved—“ That a respectful Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will be pleased to place on the Supplementary Estimates Ist. The sum of L.75 for the purpose of erecting snow poles along the track between the Upper Nevis and Gibbs Town. 2nd. The sum of L.50 for the pui'pose of improving the road from Gibbs Town to the Coal Pits, on the south side of the Kawarau. 3rd. The sum of L.75 as a subsidy at the rate of pound for pound, for the erection of a building as a Public Library at Moke Creek, near Queenstown.” The two first resolutions were agreed to ; and the third was withdrawn.