PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3507, 20 May 1874, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 19. On Mr Cummings motion—“ That the Government be requested to cause the Thistle Ordinance to be putin force in Southland,” the Provincial Secretary said the Government would be guided in dealing with this motion by the opinions expressed by Southland members. If such a motion were proposed lor Otago proper,he would decidedly oppose it. He looked upon it as a great hardship that settlers should be obliged to eradicate thistles on their private properties, while the waste lands of the Crown, and even public roads, were the nurseries whence thistle seed was sown broadcast over the Province. Many were of opinion that it was useless to attempt to eradicate thistles, as they grew worse on the farms where attempts were made to destroy them. Mr Wood suggested that the motion should he withdrawn, to allow of an expression of opinion from the Road Boards in ihe Southland District. He pointed out that the Superintendent already possessed the power of putting in force the Thistle Ordinance in any district where requested to do so by the inhabitants. The motion was withdrawn. On the motion of Mr Brown it was agreed to request the government, whenever practicable, to cause lithographic maps to be posted on the walls in each Land Office withm the Province of Otago, showing all landf open for sale or lease in the respective districts where such Laud Office is situated. Also, indicating the sections as are reserved from sale, sold, or leased, by distinctive colors on the sections ro dealt with. Mr Fish's motion for a Select Committee, consisting of Mr Speaker, the Hon Dr Menzies, Messrs Davie, Green, Oliver, Roberts, and the mover, to inquire into the , acceptance by the late Executive of tenders tor the construction of light railways, and all circumstances in connection with the expenditure of money on the Lawrence and Tokomainro road was agreed to. Mr G. F. C. Browne moved—“ That in consequence of a large amount of land being . taken up under the A gricultural Lease Regulatious on the Goldfields (under the dummy i system), in the opinion of this Council it is i expedient that an officer be at once appointed - to see that the regulations are complied with —viz., that the holders of the different see- ; fclo p s sll a!l cultivate not less than one-eighth, and fence not less than one-half of the section se taken up within twelve months after the commencement of the term.” , Within the last month or so, fully 10,000 ! acres had been takon up under the system he complained of, in the Tuapeka district. The i present officers could see that the regulations were put in force. Mr Bastings agreed with the motion, but thought it might be framed ■ to meet another matter. He would therefore ' mo . ve an amendment—“ That, in order to enforce the regulations under the agricultural lease and deferred payment system, ind to prevent dummyism, it is necessary Ohat an officer should ba appointed to see that the conditions imposed are complied vvlt J- The Provincial Secretary agreed with the desirability of appointing some oftcer, but it was not necessary that a fresh officer should be employed. With reference to the Waste Lands Act, he did not think the Government had power to deal with the matter. The amendment was carried. t , Provincial .Secretary moved That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to introduce a Bill into the General Assembly at its next session, to enable the Oamarn Harbor Board to raise a loan not exceeding L 50.009, for the purpose of completing the Oamaru Harbor Works ? nd for otherwise improving the harbor. cu c ~* ar B® 3 on suc h loin to be defrayed out oi harbor dues and proceeds of property now vested in the Board, and to be contingently secured as a charge against the revenues of tne Province j in which latter case, provision to be made in the Act authorizing the loan, whereby, in the event of the receipts -“the harbor dues and other revenues of the Board being insufficient to defray the loan charges, the Superintendent shall be empowered to appoint a Receiver to collect the revenues, and shall thereafter, until the redemption of the loan, exercise all the funcu°nß °L the Baid Harbor Board.” It was asked that the collateral security of the Province should be given, but no risk was incurred, while a considerable sum would be secured yearly to the Dock Trust. The reports that had been laid on the table showed that considerable difficulty had been overcome in getting the work started. The reports and actual experience went to show that so far the work had been a success. Bhi PP ed Oamaru in 1873 was "* ouo ; this year it would reach 30,000, and if stone could be shipped, would no doubt rea,ch 40,000 tons. The revenue was large, and very little risk was run in authorizing the Board to borrow on its own estate. The question was, should they allow the Province to become security as well ? and the powers proposed to be given to the Superintendent would do away wiih any risk. Mr De Latour complained of the question being put in such a thin House, and cautioned the Council to deal carefully with loans of the kind. After remarks by Sir Kinross, who did not see the urgency of the works, aud by Mr Haggitt, who considered Oamaru was fairly entitled to the loan asked for, Mr M‘Lkan pointed out that all that would be gained by the guarantee was that the Trust would be able to borrow the money at five instead of eight or perhaps ten per cent. At present the export trade of the district was almost at a standstill m consequence of large vessels having been prohibited from going to Oamaru. If the loan was got, the contemplated works could be executed in about eighteen months. Dr W ebster said the proposed works would provide a safe aud commodious landing place; and Mr Sumpter stated that, when completed, they would in effect render Oamaru a harbor of refuge. On the Secretary for Lands moving that the Council approve of the recommendations contained in Message No. 9, and request the Superintendent to recommend the Governor to proclaim the several Hundreds therein named, Mr Bastings remarked that the question of Hundreds had -assumed a different phase to what it presented a few years ago. At one time they promoted bona fide settlement, but now the pastoral lessee for his own personal protection, was compelled to buy thtm up. It would be better to borrow money for public works i w sacrifice the bd.-Mr Wilson moved Man amendment that the land specified in the message should be protectedfor bom S ssssi by Thc lt H ua H r kionß « practicable. Lhe Hon Dr Menzies believed " d^ CUty -™ ld bo ov «Wome to some extent by laying cut the land in 200 to 600 acre sections, with a certain o|

good and a certain proporlion of inferior lard intermixed. The Provincial Solicitor was prepared to go to (he full extreme and say that the State shcu d part with no more land, and that for revenue purposes a laud tax should be at once imposed.— Mtllaggitt considered the deferred payment system one of the greases' mistakes ever committed, and one which, under existing legislation, it was impossible to administer efficiently. The Southland Land *ct of last session was a piece of hasty legislation, V. hioh would cieato endless confusion. It was his opinion, as a lawyer, that if any opposition were made to the opening of deferred b’oeks by the runholders, the Government would he altogether helpless until further legislation on the subject had been obtained, unless indeed the block wanted happened to be included in a Hundred. After further discussion the debate was adjourned. Wednesday, May 20. A petition was presented from 103 residents at Naseby, praying that the Recreation Reserve there might be thrown open for mining. In answer to a question, the Government said that the Superintendent of Canterbury had written to the Superintendent ©{ this Province proposing to bear half the cost of an ordinary traffic bridge over the Waitaki, and that his Honor replied, agreeing to the proposition, and stating that a sum would be placed on the Estimates for the purpose. The engineers had met to fix the site, and if their report was satisfactory, and showed that the work couid be undertaken for a reasonable sum, no doubt such a vote would be brought before the Council. The Private Petitions Committee reported on the petition of John Mitchell, who prayed that an exchange of End should be granted to him, as some land he had purchased had been rendered useless by the ravages of rabbi's—that the ground on which the request was made was bad ; but they thought that the proposed exchange Was entirely a matter for Executive action. On the petition ef Thomas Grundy, who prayed for an inquiry into the circumstances of bis dismisssal from office as Inspector of Depasturing Licences at Tpapeka—that it appeared the Government resolved to transfer the duties discharged by Mr Grundy to the Sheep Inspector, and that he received notice of the abolition of his office. The Govrnment had assured the Committee that the reports to which the petitioner had referred had nothing to do with his removal. The Dunedin City Council Borrowing Powers Extension Bill, and the Otago Doc 1 * Trust Ordinance Repeal Ordinance (which dissolves the Otago Dock Board and.vest the property in the Superintendent) 'were carried through all their stages and passed.