PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2389, 28 November 1870, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tins Day. At this afternoon’s sitting this afternoon, Air M urray presented a petition from Mr Cameron, Lovell’s Flat, which was received. Mr Ashcroft asked without notice if the 0 overnment were aware whether or not the Superintendent of Canterbury had, as promised, submitted the matter of the importation of cattle into Canterbury across the Waitaki for the consideration of tho Prnvincial Council of that Province, and whether the Government would telegraph to Christchurch to ascertain if it could be done. The Secretary for Lands replied that he had reason to believe that the matter had been referred to the Canterbury Provincial Council. In answer to Mr M‘l)erraid, the Secretary for Land and Works stated that the Superintendent had received a telegram announcing that the General Government had entered into a contract for the San Francisco Service, with Port Chalmers as the terminus. The statement was received with applause. The Secretary for Land and Works laid on the table plans of the line of railway from Tokomairiro to Tuapeka. Mr M‘lndoe then moved that the House at its rising at halfpast live o’clock on Wednesday ad j-turn to the following day. The Government expressed their willingness to carry on the business in the ordinary way on Wednesday if the House so desired. The motion was pressed to a division, but negatived by 21 to 10. Captain Mackenzie brought up the report of the Select 1 Committee on the petition of the settlers in the Popotunoa district; the repsrt recommended that the bush reserves in the district should not be leased, and that the Government fshould take steps to cancel all- leases granted. In answer to the Government stated that they at present had no intention of taking any steps towards the construction of the Waikouaiti Jetty ; that the tract of 500 acres of land shown on the maps as a commonage reserve for the township of Tapanui at the time the township was put up for sale, is only a temporary reserve ; that the plan of the Tuapeka railway, laid on the table to-day, was prepared by the officers of the Provincial Government with a view to the waste laud over which it passer being reserved for sale, which will shortly be done. The Provincial Government lias never been consulted with regard to any contracts entered into by the General Government in connexion with survey works under the Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870. (Hear, by Mr M - Tndoc,) In answer to a question without notice by Mr Fraser, the Secretary for Laud and Works stated that the Government had dot paid any money to the trustees of the Oamaru Dock, but if paid he had not the slightest doubt that it would be paid out of-the ordinary revenue? The debate on Mr Shepherd’s land resolutions, and the amendments thereto, was resumed.