PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 371, 4 June 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(Abridged from the Daihj Times,)

Tuesday, May 25

Mr. Brown presented a petition from persons residing at Mount Benger and Black’s in reference to the sotting apart of certain blocks of land for settlement. Ho also moved that the matter should bo referred to a select committee.

Mr. Gillies brought Up the following report of the select committe on the “ Otago Representation Bill.” It was as follow^*—• “ Your Committee, in bringing up their report on the Bill referred to them, cannot recommend that the said Bill should be further preceded With this session, as it is deemed advisable by them that the proposals of this Council in respect to a redivision of the frovinoo into electoral liistriets. should be submitted to the General Government ] rovious to their passing into

law, with a view to some arrangement hcing.come to, having for its object the making of the boundaries coincident in tho

■event of any re-distribution of electoral districts for the Assembly. Your Committee are also of opinion that any proposed alterations in the electoral districts of the province, and the number of members to be allotted to the said districts, should bo for some time before the public, with a view to afford opportunity of giving expression to public opinion on the general subject of representation. Your Committee recommends the following distribution of members r—Danediir, four members ; Tuapeka, two ; Oamaru, two ; Taieri, two ; Tokomairiro, two ; Clutha, two ; Dunstan, two; Mount Ida, two ; Waikouaiti, one; North Harbor, 1 ; Caversham, one ; Roslyn, one; Mount Benger, one—Total, twenty-four members.

Mr. Haugton asked the Secretary for Land and Works, “ Whether the attention of the Government had been drawn to the great injustice done to the residents in Arrowiown by the delay, after repeated promises for years, in the sale of that township, whereby the annual expense of business licenses has been incurred.” It was only now that the sale was advertised in the newspapers. He did not expect that the Government would place a sum on the estimates, but there was still left to them an opportunity of compensating those who had been injured, by their causing to be established in the neighborhood a telegraph station.

Mr. Reid admitted that the residents in the district referred.to had suffered a hardship by the delay which had arisen ; but he pointed out that the Government had also been great losers in the matter. The delay had arisen in consequence of the supposed auriferous nature of the locality. He could not say that a telegraph station would be erected in the neighborhood at once, in order to compensate the re-idents. The sale of the township would take place shortly, and he had no doubt but that a telegraphic station would be erected as soon as it was convenient to do so.

Mr. Fraser ased, “ Whether the Government liave entirely abandoned the idea of erecting a bridge across the Manuhorikia.” He (Mr. Fraser) explained that a sum had been voted last year, but that it did not appear on the estimates.

Mr. Reid was not aware that a slim appeared on the estimates last year. It seemed, however, that it would be necessary to spend £3,000 in order to make the toad to the bridge available. The Government were not prepared to undertake the whole of the work during the present year, and he thought it would be better for the bridge and the approach thereto to be proceeded with simultaneously. Mr. Haughton moved, “That there be laid upon the table a return showing the amounts respectively received for assess ment of stock in theWakatip district defore and since the constitution of the Board of Wardens.” Mr. Haughton presented a petition from certain leaseholders in the Wakatip district. The petition was received. Mr. Shepherd moved—“ That the Government subsidy of £3 to £1 raised by private subscription, to the Hospitals on the Goldfields be continued ; and that an address be presented to the Superintendent, requesting that he will be pleased to provide for same on the Estimates.” Ho thought that, if the Government wished to reduce the subsidy they should have given proper notice, and a select Committee ought to have been appointed to consider the matter. To make a reduction in the summary manner proposed, might have the effect of abolishing these institutions. The residents of the Goldfields had displayed great liberality in the support of them. In twelve months, there was collected of pr - vate subscriptions, towards the Lawrence, Clyde, and Wakatipu Hospitals, nearly £2OOO.

Mr. M‘Loan pointed out that the Lawrence, Duustan, and Wakatipu Hospitals wore in a very flourisking condition ; the last returns showed large balances in their favour. He also said be bad been given to understand that the Benevolent Institution Committee considered that they could manage very well if the rate wore kept at £2to.£l. If, at the end of the financial year; these institutions found themselves in financial difficulties, the House might take such difficulties into consideration. Mr. Fraser said there were no doubt many reasons why the subsidy should not be reduced ; and the fact that many Chinese had recently come into the country, and that the Committee of the Clyde Hospital would have to incur expense in the erection of a ward for their accomodation, was one reason why a reduction should not take place.

Mr. Bell pointed out that some honorable members were attempting to place the House in a ridiculous position by asking the Government for a large sum of money •when the Treasurer had no means of meeting it. They had already voted, and more than Voted, what was available as revenue, and they knew that the Trearurcr had been obliged to say he would apply to the General Assembly to obtain a loan They ■were debating about a sum of money which could not be provided ; he sympathised with the gentlemen who wanted to increase the subsidy, but under the circumstances ho thought the course, proposed to be taken was unfair to the Government, to the Committee, and the country.

The motion was negatived oil a division by 21 votes to 10.

In Committee of Supply, the following Stems wore passed ; Charitable Institutions £9500 ; two Inspectors Goldfield Depasturing Districts, £7OO : Provincial Coitncil, £2SI ss. ; Committees, £725 ; Superintendent’s salary, £76 ; Clerical assistance, for Solicitor, £323 9s 8d; District Gaolers, £325; Harbour Department, £l4B 15s j Sheep Inspector, travelling expenses, £IOO ; Collection of Tolls, £1250 ; Steam Service, £1433 Cs Sd ; Supplemented Hoads,£sooo j

Printing Book of Brands, £6O 3s 8d ; Henderson's and Hutcheson’s Honorarium, £214 11s. 9d.; Museum, £200; Fine Art Exhibition, £3O; Acclimatization Society, £250; Hampden Mechanics’lnstitute, £100; Compensation to John Gillies, £150; Visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, £250; Road Engine, £600; Cattle Inspector and travelling expenses, £150; Roads, £3,260; Works and Buildings, £5,800; Bridges, £2,519; General road board, £46 13s. 4d.; Compensation to discharged officers, £3,089 17s. sd.