PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2181, 4 May 1870, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tms Day. Tho Speaker took the Chair at two o’clock. Mr MTndoe, after some difficulty, was permitted to read a statement by magistrates present at the sale of the Island Block, contradicting statements made that, by intimidation on the part of Mr Clark’s agent, several settlers had been prevented bidding for the sections of that block. Mr MTndoe moved that the document be referred to a Select Committee, consisting of Messrs Brown, Green, and the mover, for inquiry. Tho motion was agreed to. Mr Alien presented a petition from a number of settlers resident in Taieri, :nlWaipoii, asking a re-survey of Ifoe Glutha Line over the Taieri Plain. The petition and others on different subjects were received. In reply to Mr Barr, Mr Reid said that, although tho reserve at the back of section 73, Green Island Bush, was in the same category as many others, merely a temporary reserve, any person occupying or cropping it did so on" his own responsibility. Captain Mac : kenzie gave notice that on Monday he would move—That the Laud Laws of this Province are not such as can successfully compete with the inducements which neighboring colonies offer to intending settlers. That it is therefore necessary that the Land Law should be altered .or amended, and in order to secure for this Province a fair share of the labor and capital which is constantly emigrating from Europe, a new Land Law should be passed without delay, embodying the principle of free situation, deferred payments, and commission over unsold land; and in or ler to secure these three principles, provision should be made in the New Land Act. for the resumption by tbo Crown, at an early date, and on just and equitable terms, of a'l the lands now held on lease for pastoral purposes. Mr Sheppard moved that copies of the published debates be forwarded by post to the members of tbo House of Representatives to their known addresses, in order that they may consider the arguments advanced on the matter. A discussion ensued respecting the publication of the debate on his Honor’s reply on receiving the resolutions of the Council, which was negatived. A discussion toqk place on Mr Brown’s motion for a return, showing th.c various agricultural blocks, which have been proclaimed for settlement as recommended by Mr J. S. Gillies, specifying the area of such blocks, the rate of compensation, and whether the pastoral leases has ever been cancelled over the later blocks so set apart. The Secretary for Land and Works said the Government had had great difficulty in getting the blocks and arranging for them. They had, however, taken action, and were prepared to lay the return moved for before the House. [Left Sitting.]