PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 2890, 24 May 1872, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Yesterday. The Speaker took the chair at 2 p.m, PETITIONS, ~Mr Clark presented a petition from thirtynine settlers in North Tokomairiro district, complaining that they have been deprived of certain grazing rights hitherto enjoyed by them, and praying redress. Mr Green presented a petition from fortysix miners and others in the district of Waikouaiti, setting forth the same premises and prayer as the foregoing. Mr Tolmie presented a petition from G. H. Connell, asking compensation for loss incurred hy him in connection with the surrey of 45,000 acres of land purchased by Mr Clark, The petitions were received.

’it* Notices. A very large number questions and motions Were given.’ ADJOURNED, The Provincial Secretary moved—“ That this House, as its rising, do adjourn till Saturday, at two p.m.” The motion was warmly, though strongly debated, and finally resulted in a division of 13 aganist 13 The Speaker gave his casting voice iu favor of the noes, and so the motion was lost. QUESTIONS. Mr Mervyn asked the Government—- “ Ist. hat was the cost of constructing the bridge over the Water of Leith at the old Botanical Gardens, under whose supervision it was constructed, if at present in use, and, if not, why? “ 2nd. Also the tramway at the back of the Post Office, the cost, it at present in use, and, if not, why ? “ 3rd. Also the cost of the crane at Rattray street jetty, and if it answers all the purposes for which it was intended when constructed ? ‘*4th. Also, under what authority is the Inspector of Works acting ? ” The Secretary for Works replied (1) —That he could not state the exact cost, as much had been done by prison labor. It was constructed under the supervision of the Inspector of Works. As to its being in present use, he had simply to reply—Yes. (2) That the cost had been about 13 As to its being at present in use, he could state of his own knowledge that it was not in use halt an hour ago, but he believed it was used wh never a heavy mail arrived. (3) He was not in a position to state the exact cost, bat believed it did answer the purpose of its construction. (4) Tbe Executive Government of the Province. COMMONAGE CROMWELL. Mr Hickey moved an address to the Superintendent for LI, 000 to be placed on the supplementary estimates for commonage, Cromwell. Mr Reid said, that recognising the necessity which existed for a common at Cramwell, the Government would take steps to ascertain whether they could arrange on reasonable terms with the runholder and otherwise, for the proclamation i f a common there.

Having this assurance Mr Hickey agreed to withdrawn is motion. CLINTON TO WAIPAHI. Mr Thomson moved for an address to the Superintendent for L4OO to be placed on the supplementary estimates for the road fr >m Clinton to Waipahi in addition to the LIOO already on the estimates. Mr Bell deprecated the placing of sham votes on the h'stimates. It was necessary, seeing that the revenue was more likely to decrease than increase, that they should act cautiously. Again, if there should be any surplus, it would only be fair that the various districts share equally, not that one district should receive a large sum of money, and another obtain no assistance whatever. It should also be remembered that there was a large overdraft at the Bank, and before they proceeded to vote money away in the manner indicated, the Council should pay off that overdraft, for it really was not creditable, nor fair to the Gov. rnment, that they should be kept under the thumb of any Bank, or that they should get such threatening letters as were received last year. He moved the following amendment:—“ Provided always that the actual revenue shall exceed the amount estimated for the current year, by an amount sufficient to enable all supplementary votes to be expended ; and provided further, that no payment be made on account of any such vote on the Supplementary Estimates until after the expenditure of the votes on the regular Estimates, and then only in the same proportion as such supplementary vote shall bear to tbs total amount of such Supplementary Estimates.” On a. division there voted, ayes, 14 ; noes, 20. The motion was then put and carried, BILLS. .The Otago Local Revenues Bill was read , a third time and passed. The following were read a second time : —Otago Municipal Corporations Ordinance, 1870, Amendment Ordinance (allowing municipal assessments to he made on the annual rental instead of a 21 years’ lease), and the Education Bill. THE AIDED SCHOOLS CLAUSE. The debate was resumed on Mr Clark’s motion. The original motion was amended so as to read “to place in the hands the Minister of Education,” instead of Ministers, ‘ Ja most dangerous patronage.” On a division being called for, a dozen members walked out. The result.of the division was, Ayes, 23 ; Messrs Allan, Bathgate, Bradshaw, Clark (teller) Cutteu, Henderson, Holmes (teller), lunes, Mollison, M'Arthur, M'Dermid, M'Kenzie, M'Leau, Reid, Reynolds, Shepherd, Smith, Sumpter, Thomson, Tolraie, and Webster. Noes, 3 : Messrs Barr (teller), Daniel, Hickey (teller). Mr Barr, explained that his sympathies were with the motion; but seeing many hon. members who were opposed to the motion run out of the House, he voted with the noes so that a division should be taken.