The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, NOV. 21, 1865.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 794, 21 November 1865, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, NOV. 21, 1865.

In the Provincial Council this afternoon, The Speaker took the chair at 2 o’clock. Mr Thompson presented a petition from the i xhabitants of Port Molyneux. Mr Grant asked the Government—“ Whether they brought before, or caused to be brought before the Resident Magistrate’s Court, thirteen helpless families squatted in tents or huts ou the City Belt, and whether those poor families were not warned to be off from their lairs within the space of ten days thereafter ?” The Provincial Secretary stated that the Government had nothing whatever to do with the matter. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, who was not a Provincial officer, had simply performed his duty in warning off trespassers on the Town Belt. In reply to a question from Mr Grant, the Provincial Treasurer stated that the total expenditure on the survey of the contemplated lines of railway from Port Chalmers to Dunedin, and thence to the Clutha, maps, plans, &c., in.cluding salaries and travelling expenses, was £3144. Mr Haggitt moved “that the petition of 1500 inhabitants of Dunedin, requesting this Council to reconsider its resolution come to last Session with reference to the Exhibition building be favorably entertained, and that the building known as the Exhibition building be not converted into an hospital.” Mr Grant supported the motion. Mr John Cargill moved that the petition he referred to a Select Committee, to consist of Messrs Morris, Lloyd, Miller, Reynolds and Moss. Mr Reynolds, although a city member, and an owner of property close to the building, objected to both the motion and the amendment. He denied that the site was unhealthy, or that it would injure property, as was believed

by many who had signed the petition. The Government had acted entirely on a decision of the Council, based upon the report of a Select Committee. - Mr Haughton supported the amendment. Messrs Mouat, Adam, Burns, Moss, Walker, and Capt. Mackenzie opposed both the motion and amendment. Mr Miller and Mr Hennie supported the amendment. Mr Haggitt had just risen to reply when our reporter left.