MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2580, 25 May 1871, Page 2

MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The Council met at noon to-day.

Forty members were present. The Speaker’s galleries were full, several ladies were present, and the seats in the Strangers’ Gallery were fully occupied. The Clerk of the Council having read the writ authorising the election of the Provincial Council, and the proclamation of the Superintendent calling it together, the House proceeded at once to the election of Speaker. The Provincial Secretary (Mr E. B. Cargill) at once rose, and in a few words proposed Mr W. H. Reynolds. Ho based his proposal on precedent, and on the long experience of the honorable member. This was seconded by Mr Turnbull without comment. Mr Reid then rose, and proposed Mr J. L. Gillies as Speaker. He referred to ihe events of the past session, and based his proposition upon some alleged partialities on the part of the late Speaker. At the same time, he disclaimed any idea that what he complained of was intentional, and referred to the strong feelings of Mr Reynolds on certain political subjects. Mr Bastings seconded the nomination of Mr Gillies in a few words, simply on the ground that Mr Reynolds should be left at liberty to act politically during the session. Mr Bathgate opposed the appointment of Mr Reynolds, on the ground that during the late election he had c anvassed in behalf of certain candidates Mr M'Glashan very pertinently asked who did not during the course of the late election. Mr Duncan based his opposition on the ground of Mr Reynolds not having coincided in certain reductions proposed by the late Executive. Mr.l. cShand boro testimony to the aid given to young members by the late speaker. Mr Thomson fol owed the example of Mr Shanrl, and intima ed his intention of supporting the candidature of Mr IL's nold«, but on grounds very different to those advanced by the member for tbe Taieri. He contended that no valid objection had been advanced why the late Speaker should not be ro el ctxl. So far as he understood, the only thing brought against Mr Reynolds was that he had not acted impartially while in the Speaker’s chair. Whilst he (Mr Thomson) had not been always satisfied with Mr Reynolds’ decisions in the chair, lie was aware that ho allowed the use of the Speaker’s room as a sort of room for the then Government party—which was very ohjectionabla—yet they knew that during the last sessions of the late Council party feeling ran so high that it was almost impossible for the Speaker to do other than have a leaning to his party. Mr Reynolds would no doubt bo guided by experience; and with his past experience he believed he could perform the duties of the office as well as any hon. member present. The objection as to partisanship applied equally strong to Mr Gillies as to Mr Reynolds. Mr Barton said, in view of the great questions which the present Council—perhaps the most important of any ever held in the Colony—would have to fight, it was of the highest moment that there should be placed in tbe Speaker’s chair one who would ho thoroughly impartial and desirous of doing what was right. There were 100 many men in high plac s already who were not above the shadow of suspicion, and the Council should not add to the number. With a passing reference toMrßeynolds’ position with his constitutionists —and gratuitous supply of the information that he ( dr Barton) voted for him at the election for the City, in the Assembly, preferring to choose the leaser of two evils--he summed up the grounds which induced him to come to the conclusion that Mr Reynolds was not “ a fit and proper person to maintain the common decencies and proprieties of the Council,” viz., his strong partisanship in the chair, his action in causing Mr J. G. S. Grant to be turned out of the Speaker’s galleiy, after he had received admittance (it may be remaiked pmntliet'cally, that Mr Reynolds denied that Mr. Grant had been turned out of the gallery by his orders) and his action in reference to the honorarium business. The Hon. J. M‘Lean expiessed his intention of supporting Mr Reynolds’s candidature, being of opinion it would be inadvisable to reject one the limit of whose partiality was known, in favor of one the limit of whose partiality was not known. After Mr Gillies had expressed his intention of contesting the elect.ou for Speaker, Mr Reynolds denied that any accusation of partiality had been or could be brought against him. All his decisions had been based upon precedents laid down in the cases under discussion. He was astonished that the charge should have been brought against him of having taken an active part in politics outside the House, when it was his duty as a citizen to do so ; he only wished every elector would take more interest in politics. The charge of having given the use of the Speaker’s room for party purposes was about the most ridiculous that could be brought forward, He had given the room to anyone who had asked for it; he felt himself at liberty to attend any meetings, provided he gave his decisions from the chair in such a way that they should he free from all bias. He vould prefer to see Mr Gillies elected sooner than he (Air Reynolds) should be returned, under the impression that he would act partially, Air Reid having replied, the House found itself in a dilemma as to the mode of procedure to be adopted; and after considerable discussion it was resolved to follow the practice of the Imperial Parliament in similar cases. Amid cries of “ Divide,” Air Thomson said a we k would not be ill-spent in discussing the matter, provided they hit upon the right man at last. Air Gillits, in the course of the few observations he had made, said he had only been asked an hour before coming to the Council to allow himself to be nominated. He (Mr Thomson) understood there was a condition attached that he could resign in the event of . The member for the Clutha was not allowed to finish h;s sentence, for the cries of “Divide” grew stronger ; he was twice called to order and once ruled out of order; but he seemed to have a great burden on his mind, which ho was anxious to get rid of, and made another attempt, which was as unsuccessful as the others. After nearly two hours debate tbe motion that Mr Reynolds be appointed, was put with tbe following result:—Ayes, 11—Cargill, Qalbraith, Holmes, Alollison, M'Glashan, Al'Lean, Seaton, Shaud, Smith, Thomson, Turnbull (teller), and Webster. Noes, 24—Allan, Armstrong, Barr, Barton, Bastings (tel'er), Bathgate, Bradshaw, Browne, Brown, Cantrell, Clark, Cuttcn, Duncan, Green, Haughton, Henderson, H g'iey, Hutcl e on, Alervyn, Al‘Arthur, Reid (idler), Rob.-it son, Shepherd, and Sumpter. The counter motion was put and carried on the voices, and thus ended the tiist division of the session. A few moments delay and the Speaker elect took

his seat; and in returning thanks for the honor done him, said he trusted that during the time he held the office he would be enabled to perform the duties in a manner which would meet with approbation from both sides of the House. Once entered upon his duties, it would be his earnest wish, as it would be his endeavor, to leave partisanship behind. Ho considered the Speaker should act impartially, and that would be his aim. He concluded by testifying to the able manner, with a few exceptions, in which the late Speaker held the office. Another five minutes we-c occupied in obtaining the Superintendent’s assent to the election ; shortly after which his Honor was announced, The opening Speech was read as follows :

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council :

“ lu opening this, the first Session of the Sixth Provincial Council of Otago, we are naturally led to reflect upon what has been accomplished under the auspices of preceding Provincial Councils. Probably the history of colonisation does not afford an instance of greater progress than has been attained by this province since the Provinc’al Council was first instituted in 1853 progress which would have been much greater had the Province been a distinct colony, and left to its own resources. I am sure it is the earnest desire of each and all of us that, when the present Council shall have expire!, the amount of progress to which it may be able to lay claim, will be equal to that of any of its predecessors. “ Gentlemen, —I have to congratulate you upon the fact that the Southern Trunk Railway has at last commenced ; and that the work will be vigorously prosecuted upon terms much more advantageous to the Province than had hitherto been anticipated. Also that the necessary surveys are being effected for an extension of the line right through, by Winton, to Lake Wakatipu. I need not say that this road will open up a considerable area of unsold land available for population, and will be largely conducive towards the settlement of th • country. A line is also being surveyed from the northern boundary of the Province to Moeraki which will be ultimately extended to Dunedin. Application lias been made to the General Government to survey a branch line of the Southern Trunk Railway to Tuapeka, 1 trust you will concur with me in endeavouring to secure the immediate carrying out of these works by means of the Colonial Loan —the more especially seeing that their construction upon a scale adequate to our requirements will not involve much greater pecuniary outlay than we shall be subject to in the formation and maintenance of ordinary roads over the same ground. While the railway works now indicated are probably as extensive as we can enter upon at once, at the same Hme I am convinced that, with a view to true economy, the earlier we can lay down rails upon most of the main branch roads throughout the Province, the better.

“You will be glad to know that tbe railway between Dune lin and Port Chalmers ia progressing sitisfactorily, and is likely to be open for traffic in February next ; a ! so that the erection of the bridge across the Waitaki will be contracted for so soon as the necessary plans can be prepared. “ The long delay which has occurred in placing additional land in the market ha 1 *, as you are doubtless aware, seriously diminished the sum total of the revenue during the past year. .Notwithstanding this, however, it will be observed from tbe balancesheet for the yea”, that the bulk of tbe votes passed by the late Provincial Council have been expended, and that L 23.000 have been paid up to this date by way of subsidy to District Hoad Boards, being L3OOO in excess of the last animal vote. Asa necessary result, you will not be surprised to learn that the Provincial account is at present largely overdrawn. From the steps, however, which are now being taken towards placing land in the market, and reducing the departmental expenditure, it is hoped that the ac : count will speedily be in a more satisfactory position. “ From the Estimates, which will shortly be put before you, it will be seen that the most rigid economy is being enforced, and tii at the annual departmental expenditure iq considerably reduced. The Government has felt some delicacy in dealing with the esti-. mates of expenditure connected with the Provincial Council, but arc strongly of opinion that these may be greatly reduced. The matter is recommended to your careful consideration.

“ Gentlemen—l need not say that it is anything but a pleasant duty to have io, dispense with the services of public officers from no fault of their own, —the necessities of the service, however, and the exigency of the case, alike leave no option in the matter. While upon this subject, I ftel that any re: trcnchment which can be effected here will be very incomplete, unless the General Government reduces the number of its civil servants by amalgamation of offices or otherwise. At present, L 50,000 a year is retained out of our share of the Consolidated revenue, in icspect of General Government services Provincially charged. I trust the representatives of the Province in the Colonial Assembly will endeavor to get the amount largely diminished, so that the difference may be applied to public works. “Resolutions will be (submitted‘for your consideration, f having for their object such amendments in the Otago Waste Land Act, as shall offer greater facilities and encourage, meat for the acquisitions «f laud for settle-, rneut, It if> hoped that your recommendations on this subject may be so unanimous as to. recure their being given effect to by the. Colonial Legislature. “A Bill will be submitted for your approval with a view to the consolidation of existing Eo.ul Districts, the establishing of Road Boards all over the Province, and the conferring of mors extended powers on suqh boards. Should this bill beep,me law, it will be a question whether or not it may be desirable to band over the administration of the main roads to the district boards.

“ Resolutions will be submitted, expressive of our approval, of the provisions of the Otago Settlements Act being extended to various portions of the Province. Ypur concurrence will also be asked in Province availing itself of the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act, in respeet of immigration.

“In fuitilment of a promise made by me at the late clsction, a commission has been appointed, comprising delegates specially representing the mining comnrijnity, for the purpose of conferring as to tire practical working of the Gold Fields Act, aiui the mining regulations, with a vi w of recommending such amendments as past experience may suggest, I trust the result of the conference may be beneficial.

“ Resolutions will be proposed, expressive

of your concurrence in an immediate application being made to the General Government for the proportion due to the Province of the L.300,000 allocated to the Goldfields under part 111 of Immigration and Public Works Act, IS7O. . “ With a view to the more efficient administration of the Goldfields, I have felt it my duty to call to the Executive Council, a member specially connected therewith whose time will be chiefly devoted to the mining interest. I hope this arrangement will meet with your app: oval “In compliance with a resolution or the late Provincial Council, the Government some time ago framed certain conditions for the encouragement of the planting of forest trees, by means of free grants of land. A number of applications for such grants

have been received. It has been found, however, in proceeding to deal with these applications, that there are difficulties in the way of giving effect to them which were not anticipated, and which will require further consideration by the Government.

“Among other subjects of more or less importance respecting which your advice will be solicited is the question of the btewart and Traqnair Hundreds. The latter, especially, is invo’ved in a considerable difficulty. I would suggest the appointment of a Select Committee for the purpose of deliberating as to what is best to be done in the matter. . “Gentlemen,-In conclusion, I hare only to express mv most earnest hope that m the fulfilment of the responsible functions which have been entrusted to us, we may all be guided by that spirit of enlightenment and of unity which will render our acirniuistrat’on of affairs creditable to ourselves and beneficial to the Province. *‘l now declare this Council open f. r the despa ch of business.” Amongst the other business transacted was the appointment of a House Committee; the production of correspondence with the Home Agent; notice of motion by Mr M'Glashan, that on the 29th iust. he would move the address in reply ; the production of the Hampden Mechanics’ Institute Reserves Management Hill; the Hoads Ordinance ; the District Roads Compulsory Land Taking Ordinance ; and the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Reserves Management Ordinance, all of which were read a first time ; notice of a series of land resolutions for the Ist prox.; and notice or intention to move to move to-morrow by the Provincial Secretary, that Mr Thomson be appointed Chairman of Committees. The Council adjourned at a few minutes before three o’clock until 2 p. in. to-morrow.