PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3811, 12 May 1875, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, Mat 11.

Another short sitting, lasting little over an hour and a half. After petitions had been presented by Messrs Db Lautoub and ArmhTBOKO t the Goldfields’ Committee reported on the petition of residents of Cardrona, who prayed that that township might be surveyed and sold, that the Government had-already given effect to the passage of a similar petition. In answer to questions, the Government -(1.) That the peiition of ratepayers on the Waumatuka subdivision of the Aparima road district praying that the sub-division might be divided mto wards had been sent in November last to the road board in order that it make any -remarks necessary on the statements contained in the petition, hat too answer had yetbeon and if theGovenunent heard

nothing mere about the matter they would take action irrespective of the Board. (2.) That the Government had not yet fixed upon a station site at or near the junction of the Riverton-Wallacetown-Otantau Railway, but in determining one they would be guided very much by the opinion of the officials who would have the management and working of the line. S.n moving the Hundreds resolutions, the ovmoiAL Secretary said it was proposed to recommend the proclamation of 125,000 acres into new Hundreds. The selection had been made without regard to the individuals affected, and simply with the view of semiring the most statable land. The largest area in one block was that situated at Otakarama, Landslip Hill, South Glenkenich and North Glenkenich, in the one block, forming an area of 66,000 acres. Through that block was being constructed the railway from Clntba to Mataura, and there was *B°od ordinary road through the district. The Government had reason to believe that this would be a jsuitable block for agricultural settlement, and if it were opened, with a limited area of land, under the de ferred payment system, through it the block could not fail to be taken up very readily. The Tapanui Hundred, comprising 14,500 acres, was a block of very superior land, and contained some of the remaining level land at the foot of the Blue Mountains, and part of the mnd adjoining the Heriot Hundred. The Kingston Hundred, containing 8,000 acres, was adjacent to the railway now being formed be“J' re *“^ ,lverc argill and Kingston. The land in the v/hiltem Hundred was also of very superior quality. It was immediately adjoining the large block of 60,000 acres compiised m the Landslip and North and South Glenkenich Hundreds. In that locality .there were altogether some 86,000 acres. The debate was ad joumed till next day. •

Wednesday, Mat 12.

The principal business this afternoon was the Hundreds and deferred payment resolutions, which passed without debate. In introducing the latterlthe Provincial Secretary made a vig irons speech, condemning as a blet upon our representative system that crotchety individuals to whom the circumstances of the Province were unknown should have the power to impede settlement. On the Harbor Board Ordinance, Mr M‘Dermid divided the Council on the first two clauses, with the result of in the one case 33 ayes, and in the other 36 ayes against two uees. Mr Bastings gave notice of his intention to move that the Board should consist of six members, to be chosen by the Provincial Council—three from the Council and three from outside that body.