PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2175, 27 April 1870, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

This Day. The Speaker took the chair at two o’clock. After the usual preliminaries, Mr Mitchell presented a petition from the inhabitants of Goodwood, the purport of which it was impossible to hear. Several notices of motion were given, amongst which were two by Mr Haughtom; one in favor of manhood suffrage, and the other for the reduction of the export duty. Mr M'Dermid gave notice o his intention to ask to-morrow, “If th f speech of his Honor meets approval through out, and if not, what part does not.” The Secretary for Land and Works laid the Harbor Master’s report of his voyage to Martin’s Bay on the table. Mr Mouat then moved—" That hn Address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent recommending that Section 1, Block IX, Queenstown, be set apart as a reserve for public utility for the use of the inhabitants of the Incorporated Town of Queenstown, for a site lor a lire enginehouse.” Mr Thomson objected to frequent appropriations of the sort without inquiry, and thought it would be better to refer the resolutions to a Committee. It was possible if he voted for Mr Mouat his purpose would be served, and he might not vote for a motion by him (Mr Thomson). There were several motions of the sort which might net all meet approval. Mr Main thought there should be a general principle laid down with regard to such motions. The Government, in moving such resolutions, generally gave as little information as possible, He hoped they would give more full particulars, as no matter whether for political capital or not it was wrong to make such appropriations. He trusted the House would not pass a resolution of this kind in the absence of a general principle. Mr Moseley concurred in what had been said. Either outlying reserves must be subject to the same rule as private property, if occupied, or they must revert to the country. Mr Laughton thought those who objected should give a hint as to the principle to be acted upon; but there could be no reason whatever in opposing the resolution, as it was stated to be for the purpose of a fireengine house. It was objected to as being applied for by a corporation. Corporations were to be controlled—all but the Dunedin Corporation, which was allowed to get into debt and to repudiate its debts ; but it was represented by twelve members, so it was allowed to do as it liked. There could be no objection to passing the resolution, as the object of it was stated. Mr M‘lndoe did not object to granting the reserve, but considered it, as well as all other similar applications, should be remitted to a committee. Mr M'Dermid considered sufficient time had not been given to members for consideration.— The Secretary for Land and Works was glad to find the Council determined to investigate every application of the sort under consideration. With regard to the reserves asked for, many had been promised for years. If he met the Council again in his present capacity, on -the first day of the session he should bring forward all reserves promised. The reason why the reserve .p - as asked for, was that the engine house was now on the main road, and required to be removed. Its value was two pounds. All motions emanating from those benches would be Government motions. He could not see that it would be advantageous to act pn a system of log-rolling such as was indicated by the hon, member for the Olutha. He had no objection to the appointment of a Committee, although he did not see any advantage likely to accrue.—Mr M'Dermid asked if it was to be a Government question, when Mr Reid reminded him if it were and the Government were defeated, it would not forwa.d his object in the slightest degree.— Mr Mouat replied, and said the reserve was a public reeerve, and not for endowment The motion on being put was carried. A Printing Committee and a Committee of Reference were appointed. Mr Mouat, in the absence of Mr Gillies, moved—“ That an address be presented to bis Honor the Superintendent, recommending that section 5, block 11, Tapanui, be set apart as a reserve for purposes of public utility for the use of the inhabitants of the town of Tapanui, for a Town Hall and Athemeum.” Mr Mouat said the Town Hall was built on the reserve. On the motion cf Mr Mouat, for Mr Gillies, a private petitions committee was appointed. The Speaker suggested that Mr MTndoe’s motion—“ That the member presenting a petition on a private grievance be ex officio a member of the Private Petitions

Committee’’—could not be moved, as contrary to the Standing Orders. The second part of the resolution was under discussion, when Message No. 1 from the Superintendent, forwarding an Imprest Supply Ordinance for LIO.OOO for twelve months, was read a first time. Mr Main -seconded Mr M‘lndoe’s motion. A discussion followed. On the question being put, the House divided, when there were for the motion Id, and against it 11. The Provincial Secretary moved—“ That an address be presented to Ids Honor the Superintendent, recommending that sections 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, and 143, Government Reserve, Port Chalmers, be set apart as a municipal estate, to be vested in the corporation of that town which was agreed to. The agreement for the Port Chalmers Railway and correspondence in regard to the Southern Trunk Railway were laid on the table.