PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3807, 7 May 1875, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thursday, May 6. Several motions having been disposed of, the adjourned debate on the reply to the Address was called on shortly after 4 o clock, at which time there were only seventeen members present ; Mr Turton being among the absent. While Mr Wood’s proposition to adjourn tire debate was being discussed, Mr TllJiton put in an appearance, and at once proceeded to speak. Ho stated briefly that he failed to see the necessity of discussing at that stage,, tho several questions touched upon in tbe address, which he regarded as a ‘‘cunning” document. —Mr Bastings, recognising it to be the duty of every member to give expression to his opinion on the abolition question, said that while he had once strongly supported financial separation, it would now be mad to do so, as the Colony was to a large public works scheme. The Provincial Government had always had a central tendency —this Province, in fact, might as well have been governed by the Imperial Government — and it was not until a few years ago that any large public works were carried out upcountry. In fact, now, supervision more efficient than tho Provincial Government could give was required for the expenditure. As to education, he thought it the duty of the General Government to provide for education, also he thought that instead of expending revenue on education, such expenditure should be borrowed on the landed estate. The National Government should provide a National Education. If a comprehensive measure of local Government were brought down he would give it his support. It was a mere shadow to talk of abolishing Provincial institutions in the North, and yet keep them in the South. Tho Address, in reply, was then agreed to. The following Bills were read, committed, and passed: Southland Railways, West Hawksbury Reserves Management, Palmerston Reserves Management, Cemetery Reserves Management Ordinance Amendment, Cromwell Reserves Management, Lawrence Reserves Management, Dog Nuisance Ordinance (Southland) Repeal, In reference to the Cemeteries Reserves Management Bills, the Provincial Secretary explained that its object was to enable the Superintendent to empower a town council, road board, or other incorporated body, to manage cemeteries. It had been found very desirable in some cases to hand over cemeteries to the corporations or road boards, and under existing Ordinances this could not be done.