PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 2897, 1 June 1872, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Yestf,kday. RUDS DIVERSION BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. LAND IN BLOCKS. The Provincial Secretary moved; “That with a view to place the Government in a position to provide revenue to meet the expenditure of the votes in the appropriation of the present session, this Council resolves to authorise the Government to dispose of fifty thousand acres of land, in one or more blocks ; provided that no block of an area of less than 10,000 acres shall be sold under this resolution.” Mr Tolmie moved as an amendment—- “ That with a view to place the Government in a position to provide revenue to meet the expenditure of the votes in the appropriation of the present session, this Council resolves to authorise the Government to dispose of land, in one or more blocks, provided that no block is of an area of less than 10,000 acres, except under special circumstances—compensation for cancellation, if any, under such special circumstances, to be paid by the purchasers.” Mr Shepherd moved—That the following words he added to the amendment, viz.:— “Provided always, that no land shall be sold for less than 20s per acre net ; and that no such blocks shall include any land suitable for agricultural purposes.” Mr E-eyuolds would give the Government all the. help be could to obtain revenue to meet the various votes the Council had insisted upon putting on the Estimates; besides, by saving our lands we were simply saving them for the General Government. We could not take away the land, and if it was all sold to-morrow, those who purchased would not allow it to remain idle or unproductive. The hon. member read extracts from “Hansard” illustrative of the desire in certain quarters to acquire possession of the waste lands of the Province, and intimated his intention to support the motion. Mr Mervyn could hardly understand the conduct of the Government in this matter. Why did they wish to force so much land into the market ? As to the additional votes that had been put on the Estimates, be believed that LSOOO would cover the whole of those for which money would have to he provided. Ho would rather throw out the motion altogether ; but if it were to pass, he would move to insert words to exempt from sale any block said or supposed to be auriferous.

Dr Webster spoke strongly in favor of the motion, and Mr M'Glashan against it. Mr Thomson was sorry he could not slipport the Government on this occasion. He supported them in the policy which led to the sale of the Moa Flat, but then the case was altogether different. Then they had a an overdraft, and the Bank was pressing for payment, and, to enable the Government to meet the claim, he gave them his support. But now they had not an overdraft, but a credit balance, and therefore there was not the same necessity. Ho objected also to such a resolution being brought down just on the eve of the close of the session. If at all, it should have been put forward amongst the very first. Many members held back from any attempt to put votes on the estimates, because they could not see where the money was to come from. Had they known that money was to be obtained by a great sale of blocks of land many more would have used their efforts to get justice for their constituents. The course pursued by the Government was contrary to that professed by the Government when they took office, also the policy of those who usually supported them. He believed that if Mr Vogel still sat on those benches, and brought down such a motion, the gentlemen at the head of the present Government would bo amongst the loudest and strongest of the opposers of it. Mr Shaud spoke in favor of the original motion.

Mr Bastings strongly criticised the conduct of the Government in respect to the Moa Flat sale ; also the head of the government respecting statements personal to himself, and expressed his intention of supporting the motion, as it became an act of necessity to provide the revenue required. Mr Tolmie’s amendment was negatived upon a division of 22 against 12. Mr Shepherd’s addition being put, it also was negatived, and in this instance by 29 against 5. Mr Mervyn moved, as an addition—“ Nor shall any block be sold known to be auriferous.”

The Provincial Secretary thought the addition was harmless, .and also unnecessary. The hon. member defended himself against the charges made against him of changing his opinions, and replied to the remarks made by Mr Bastings. Mr Mervyn’s addition was affirmed, and the motion as amended was also affirmed, LAND FOR MRS THOMPSON. Mr Smith moved—“ That the Government be requested to give effect to the suggestion of the General Government, by granting Mrs Thompson 25 acres of land in the Hawkesbury district instead of at Stewart’s Island.” Carried. OOLDFIELDS COMMITTEE REPORT. All the reports of the Goldfields Select Committee were ordered to be referred to the Government for their consideration.” TOWNSHIP OF GREYTOWN, On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, it was ordered “ that an Address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will cause four acres of land in the township of Grey town to be reserved

for the use of the Taieri Agricultural Society. ” ENDOWMENT FOR ATHEN.EUMS. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, it was ordered “that an Address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will be please I to set aside 250 acres in block 7, as an endowment for the Alhenreum at Waitaluma West; and also 250 acres of the same block as an endowment for the Havelock Athemeum.”

DUNEDIN HOSPITAL Dr Webster moved— “ That it is expedient that the Dunedin Hospital should be put in the same position as the General Hospitals at Home and in the Colonies as regards the ; number of medical officers attached to it; and that seeing the latest authorised medical statistics show that the average number of beds considered sufficient for one medical officer is 45, and that this Hospital has 138 now in use, and is capable of making up 62 more when necessary, this Council is of opinion that two additional medical officers should be appointed to the Dunedin Hospital, and that the Government be requested to take the necessary steps to carry out this arrangement, providing they find it practicable and expedient.” The Provincial Secretary thought it was throwing too much responsibility upon the executive to ask them to decide not only whether it was practicable, hut also whether it was expedient. Dr Webster explained that he had put the wo d “expedient” to provide for circumstances which might possibly occur. They all knew that it was talked of to establish a medical school in connection with the University, in which case a medical professor would probably be brought out from Home, who should have some position assigned to him in connection with the Hospital. It was for that reason he had put in the words “and expedient,” so that the Government might decide whether it would be desirable to make the proposed change at once, or wait and see first what was done in the matter of the medical school. However, he had no desire to retain the words, and would readily withdraw them if the Government desired it. KOAD TRAFFIC. Dr Webster moved—“ That in order to save a very large expenditure of public money in the maintenance and repair of the public roads of the Province, this Council is of opinion that the Government should be requested to introduce an Ordinance to regulate the weight of load which horse and bullock waggons and drays should be allowed to carry in future. —Carried, LAND RESERVATIONS. The following reserves were agreed to : 3 roods, Lawrence, for recreation purposes ; 530 acres, Beaumont, as an endowment for the Lawrence Athemeum; 215 acres, Kaitangata, as an endowment for Wangaloa Athemeum ; 340 acres, Kaitangata, as an endowment for Kaitangata Athenaeum ; 339 acres, Akatore, as an endowment for Milton Athenaeum ; 2£ acres, Balclutha, as a reserve for the Clutha Agricultural Society ; 500 acres as an endowment for Oamaru Athemeum. NASEBY ATHENAEUM. On the motion of Mr Mervyn, it was agreed to ask that L2OO should be placed on the supplementary estimates, as LI to LI subsidy on subscriptions raised by the residents in the Mount Ida district for the above purpose. BUSINESS OF THE SESSION, The Speaker laid on the table the following return, showing the business transacted during the late and previous sessions. The first figures represent the session of 1872; the second the session of 1871-Length of session, 32 days ;57 days. Number of sitting days, 22; 37. Messages from bis Honor title Superintendent. 8 ; 13. Petitions presented, 47 ; 70. Notices of questions given, 45; 54. Notices of motions given, 330 ; 317. Bills introduced, 33; 30. Bills passed, 27 ; 25. Addresses to Superintendent and resolutions to Government, 189 ; 154 Papers (apart from reports of committees and petitions), 74 ; 125. Divisions, 61 ; 88. ( ommittees appointed, 18 ; 16. Deports from committees, 38; 40. The average length of daily sittings was 7 hours 50 minutes ; the shortest sitting was one hour; the longest 22.

PROROGATION’. At 5 p. m. the Superintendent entered the Chamber and delivered the following speech : Gentlemen,—! have to congratulate you on the termination of a session, although not so lengthened as former sessions, has nevertheless been productive of a large amount of important work—work which I have no doubt will have a beneficial effect on the best interests of the Province.

I have this day, on behalf of the Governor, assented to the following Ordinances passed by you Police Ordinance (Southland) Repeal Ordinance, 1872 ; Licensed Carriage Ordinance, 1872; Cemeteries Ordinance (Southland) Repeal Ordinance, 1872; Hospital Ordinance (Southland) Repeal Ordinance, 1872 ; The Otago Roads Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1872 ; Licensing Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1872 ; Lawrence Athenanmx and Mining Institute Ordinance, 1872 ; Fencing Ordinance, 1872 ; Impounding Ordinance, 1872 ; Appropriation Ordinance, 1872-3.

I have this day also reserved for the signification of the Governor’s pleasure thereon, the following Bills passed by you :—Biverton Reserves Management Ordinance, 1872; Lawrence Reserves Management Ordinance, 1872; Invercargill Reserves Management Ordinance, 1872 ; Southland Education Reserve Exchange Ordinance, 1872; Invercargill Athenamm Ordinance Reserve Management Amendment Ordinance, 1872 ; Invercargill Reserve Exchange Ordinance, 1872 ; Education Reserve Jacob’s Liver Hundred Sale Ordinance, 1872; Otago Local Revenues Ordinance, 1872 ; Counties Ordinance, 1872; Otago Municipal Corporations Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1872 ; OamaruTown Reserves Management Ordinance, 1872; Lawrence Athenaeum and Mining Institute Re;erves Management Ordinance, 1872; Balclutha Reserves Management Ordinance, 1872 ; Oamaru Hospital Reserve Management Ordinance, 1872; Roads Diversion Ordinance, 1872 ; Dunedin Manse Reserve Ordinance, 1872; Dunstan Race-course Reserves Management Ordinance, 1872. Gentlemen, —The numerous and important resolutions which have been transmitted to me shall meet with due attention, and the supplies which you have voted for the public service will be distributed as equitably as may be throughout the Province, and with due regard to economy. The expending of the comparatively large sum which at your request has been placed on the Supplement*

ary Estimates, will be contingent upon such revenue as may be derived from land sales, beyond the ordinary revenue. lam glad that you have concurred in the proposal o£ the Executive to dispose ot large blocks of land sufficient to enable your votes to be carried into effect. Gentlemen, —You will, I am sure, agree with me in regretting that a number of the Constabulary force, of which the Province has hitherto felt so justly proud, have so far forgotten what was due to themselves as well a~ to the Province as to relinquish their duty without notice. The Government has taken the most prompt measures to meet the occasion, and hope in due time to have the force so re-organised as to prevent the recurrence of such an emergency. Gentlemen, —Thanking you for your attendance, I now declare this Council prorogued, and it stands prorogued accordingly.