PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2177, 29 April 1870, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Yesterday

On the meeting of the Provincial Council last evening little was done beyond the mere routine ceremony of replying to his Honor’s address. This was moved in due form by Mr Allan, the last elected of the Provincial Council, and seconded by the member for Waikouaiti, Mr Mitchell, as his senior by a few weeks. Neither gentlemen showed any decided political tendency; but Mr Mitchell made a bit of a demonstration on the land question, which seems to intimate that he is inclined to bring it up again if he can. Mr Shepherd seized the opportunity of saying a good deal of common-place about a many thing', some of them as remote from the topics in the speech as if he were legislating for Golconda. But as they form part of the grand things that could be dope were he Secretary for Land and Works, we must accept them as part of his programme. Messrs M'Dermid, Mackenzie, MTndoe, Shand, Hutcheson, and Thomson pointed to various omissions, hut none of them moved an amendment. The Secretary for Land and Works in a few words disposed of the objections, if not to his own satisfaction and that of the House, at least as a wind-up of the affair, and the address in reply was adopted. Very little more business was done. The Secretary for Land and Works was opposed by Mr Thomson in his proposition to provide commonage for the South Molyneux district, and the debate was adjourned to to-day.

Tiiis Day. The Speaker took the chair at two o’clock. Several notices of motions and questions •were given. A message was received from his Honor the Superintendent that ho had assented to the Imprest Supply Ordinance. Several papers were laid on the table. ' Mr Sibbald presented a petition from certain settlers at Martin’s Bay, that a regular trader be put on between Port Chalmers and Martin’s Bay. Mr Mitchell moved for leave to introduce a Bill to repeal the Thistle Prevention Ordinance, 18(52. He drew attention to the rapid extension of the thistle nuisance, on the ground that the arrangements of the Government for that purpose were useless, and that as the Ordinance was inoperative, it would be better to repeal it. Leave was granted, and the Bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading was fixed for Tuesday. The Secretary for Land and Works ntroduced a Bill for the management of rivers, which was read a first time. The second reading is to take place on Monday. The Provincial Treasurer moved that an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, asking him for certain sections of land at P-oxburgh for a Police Station. Captain Mackenzie asked w r hy the corrections made by him in the report of his speeches were not made in the Hansard. The Speaker stated that the reports were held back for a week to give opportunity for corrections being made, and ihat where they were not received in time they were ppt ip an erratum at the end of the work. Every pains had been taken to render the report as perfect as possible. The Secretary for Land and Works moved that Ip's Honor be recommended to set apart a certain portion of land for the purpose of erecting and maintaining works for the conservation of the Clutha Kiver. Mr Moseley proposed the debate be adjourned to Monday,—Mr Thomson seconded the motion. Mr Ashcroft supported the motion for adjournment on the ground that fuller information should be given.—Mr Mitchell supported the mo-

tion for adjournment, we believe, but from his peculiar manner of speaking it was impossible to understand his reasons. The adjournment was advocated by Captain Mackenzie. The Secretary for Land and Works would not object to that course. Mr Main presented a petition from the Licensed Victuallers, praying for the abolition of the bottle license. The petition was received. . On the orders of the day being called, Mr Thomson, in addition to 300 acres proposed by the Secretary of Land and Works to be set aside as a reserve for commonage for the use of the inhabitants of Port Molyneux, 250 acres should be added. Mr Mosley supported the amendment, which was opposed by Mr Hutcheson, as the ground which was proposed as a reserve was the only proper sfte for a township, and that a priucip'e should be laid down on which reserves should be granted. Mr M‘Dermid considered the area proposed was so trifling as not worth discussion, and that were the whole block not set aside, that proposed by the Government would be useless. Captain M'Kenzie supported the amendment. It was opposed by Mr Shepherd and Mr France. The Secretary for Land and Works considered that where maps were issued on which reservoirs were marked, those reservoirs should he strictly adhered to. The Provincial Government had geen blameahle in not having these reserves legally set aside. The Government had no objection to the extension proposed if it met with the views of the Council. The Council divided on the amendment, when 12 voted for and 10 against it. The amendment was therefore carried. The Provincial Solicitor moved the second reading of the Licensing Ordinance Amendment Bill. The object of the Bill is to do away with the necessity for periodical applications to a bench of magistrates for a license after it has once been granted, and that it may he continued on due payment of the license fee at the Treasury. It provides for investigation as to charges against landlords of improperly conducting their houses. Mr Haughton proposed, when the Bill was read a second time, that the Bill he referred to a select committee in order to introduce provisions to abolish the bottle license. The Bill was then read a second time. The Provincial Solicitor moved that the Bill be committed, when Mr Haughton moved, and Mr Hughes seconded, that it be referred to a select committee whom he named. Mr M‘lndoe proposed the committee should he appointed by ballot. The amendment was carried, and a ballot taken.