PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3498, 9 May 1874, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Petitions were presented : From resident* in the Peninsula District against the running of trams on Sunday, by Mr. Tolmie; from George Bailey, late of Switzers, respecting a grievance in connection with a mining claTm m that goldfield, by Mr Ireland ; from Me 'sra J. and IN. Campbell respecting a contract for construction of railways in Southland, by Mr Wilson. J In answer to Mr Kinross, the Provincial Secretary stated that it was the intention of the Government to introduce an amendment of the Hoad Ordinance this session, but only in order to make a few unimportant alterations. Tbe Government did not intend to ask power to vote by proxy, nor did they think it desirable to introduce a provision for marking weights on vehicles—auch a provision would be more suitable in a Turnpike • 'rdinance. They did not consider it desirable to vest in the Superintendent the power of altering the boundaries of road districts ; they purposed to keep that power in the hands of the Council. Mr De Lautour asked the Governme'g •whether regulations under sub-section 6 ?-ses4 of the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872, have been framed, or when such regulations will be framed ? 8 The Provincial’ Secretary replied that n* did not believe that any regulations whatever had yet been framed under the Act, but the Government purposed at the earliest moment to have regulations framed A num her of resolutions were agreed to. recommending the setting aside of land as reserves for schools, cemeteries, and municipalities in Various parts of the Province. On the motion of the Provincial - eceeTARY, the Council resolved to join with his Honor the in recommeuding th.e Governor to proclaim the Bluff, Invercargill, and Oreti railways, as provided by the Immigration and Public Works Acts. On Mr Daniels motion, it was resolved to address the Superintendent, requesting him to urge upon the General Government the necessily for extending, the t legraph line from Riverton to Orepu i and Riverton to Otautau, with as little delay as possible. On Mr Green’s / motion a Select Com* mittee, consisting of Mr Speaker, the hon. Dr Menzies, Messrs Kinross, Stout, Sumpter, and the mover, was appointed to inquire into all. matters connected with the administration of the Cattle Ordinances. . After considerable discussion, Mr Kinross’s motion affirming that “it is desirable that as soon as practicable after the Government has arrived at a decision as to letting any contract exceeding fifty pounds, the District Engineer in the district wh-re the work is situated be informed by telegram of tbe name of the successful tenderer,” was carried. Mr Reeves’s motion-“ That it is desirable the services of an experienced Mining Engineer be secured for the Province, and that the-Government be requested to pro vide in the Estimates a salary for said officer, hot exceeding LBOD per annum,” was allowed to lapse, because the latter part of it only could bo moved in Committee of Supply. - • ~ On Mr Fish's motion the Government was requested to instruct the railway authorities at the Bluff to provide a truck for the conveyance of passengers’ luggage to the Railway Station upon the arrival of steamers at that Port.