PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3843, 18 June 1875, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Friday, June 18.

The committee on the Southland railway contracts reported haring arrived at the following conclusion “ That, owing to defects in the specifications, misunderstandings and differences have arisen between the engineer in charge of the works and the contractor, which, with more carefully prepared specifications, might have been avoided.” Wherefore they recommend that the whole matter should be left in the hands of the Government. A motion for the discharge of the Committee having been moved, the Provincial Secretary said that, in justice to the officers alluded to, the, evidence should not be published. The adoption of that course was also recommended by Mr Bastings, who again assured the head of the Government that his (Mr Hastings’s) Government had not moved for this inquiry, his own opinion being that it was purely an Executive matter; and he having deprecated interference with the Executive in such a matter ai wrong in principle, and damaging to the offic°trs in the service. Mr Beeves con. sidered the report a reflection upon the Engineer’s Department, and would, if possible, have moved that the first clause of it should be struck out. Mr Sdmpter, while admitting it to be a wise course to refer the matter to the Government, asked how members were to be in a position to do their duty if they had not an opportunity of considering the evidence taken by the committee. Mr M‘Dermxd, in replying, explained that he had dissented from the report because he did not consider the evidence justified the committee’s conclusion. Ho considered the evidence did not show the specifications to have been incorrect, but a very great want of management on the part of the supervising agent. Reflection was improperly made upon one officer, while another officer who, m his opinion, fshould have been reflected upon, was left untouched. With reluctance he said it, but he considered either the supervisor or the Government had been paid.— (Laughter.) This and two other committees were then discharged. In answer to a question, the Government stated—(l.) That it was quite possible that the survey of the Pine Orepuki to Waiau would be earned on during the recess; but it could hardly be expected that the line would be constructed within the next four or five years (2.) The Government could not undertake to give effect to the recommendations of public meetings, at Riverton especially The Town and Country Police Ordinance Amendment, and the Roxbuigh Waterworks Empowering Bills were passed. The debate was resumed on message No, 17, which recommended the construction out of revenue or loan of the first section of the Law-rence-Beaiupont section of the Lawrence-Teviot line, at as. estimated cost of J .60,000, and on Mr M‘Gli*AßHAn’l amendment thereto, that ne votes for railways, beyond those already sanctioned, should be introduced this session. The amendment was negatived by 19 against 9.