PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 10, 11 June 1874, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, June 10. The Speaker took the chair at 5 p.m. PAPERS. Mr Maude laid upon the table a letter from Mr A. Duncan, received by the last mail from England. PETITION. Dr Turnbull presented a petition from certain electors praying for steps to be taken for improving the navigation of the Heathcote river. The SPEAKER pointed out that the petition was not to the Provincial Council, but was addressed to his Honor the Superintendent and the Provincial Council, and therefore could not be received. Dr Turnbull said he would withdraw the petition and get it altered, and would present it to-morrow. NORTH ASHBURTON BRIDGE. Mr Walker asked —Whether it was the intention of the Government to propose a rcvote of a sum previously voted for a bridge over the North Ashburton 1 Mr MAX DE replied in the negative. TIMARU HARBOUR WORKS. Hon Mr Buckley asked—Whether the Government will lay on the table of the Council all plans referred to in repoit on Timaru Harbour Works ; particularly one of the laic Mr Balfour’s, dated Hth November,

1805. Also, the plans and specifications of the bridges over rivers Pareora, Otaio, and Waihou ?

Mr Maude said that he would lay the plans of the Timaru harbor works on the table. As to the other plans, they were not in the possession of the Government, having been sent to the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works. CARRIAGE OF LIVE STOCK. Mr Harper asked the Government whether it is their intention to reduce the carriage of live stock on the railways of the province ? Mr Montgomery said that it had not been strongly represented to the Government that the present rates were excessive, and it was not the intention of the Government to make any alteration in the rates of carriage of live stock at present. SCHOOL BUILDING RATE. Mr Gray moved—“ That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that clause 42 of the Education Ordinance, 1873, should be altered as far as the payment of the school building rate by tenant occupiers is concerned, in the terms of the 22nd clause of the Canterbury Rivers Act, 1870, of which the following is an attached copy : ‘ 22. When at the time appointed for the payment of any rate the term for which any tenant or occupier liable to pay such rate shall then be entitled to occupy the property rated shall be less than five years computed from the time so appointed such tenant or occupier shall notwithstanding any contract to the contrary as between himself and his immediate landlord be entitled to deduct and retain out of the rent payable by him or recover from his landlord in case such rentshall not be sufficient for the purpose the amount of such rate paid by him Provided always that if such tenant or occupier shall have the power or right to purchase the property rented the rate paid shall not be so recovered.’ ” After a slight discussion the resolution was withdrawn, it being generally expressed that it was inexpedient to touch the Education Ordinance at present. MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Maude, by leave, brought in this Bill, which was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and to stand for the second reading on Tuesday. RETURN OP RESERVES. Mr Jebson moved —“ That a return be laid on the table showing the number of acres of land which have been reserved in each of the several Road Board districts for road board purposes, cemeteries, police and ferries, racecourses, superior education, general education and schools, school of technical science, school of agriculture, general government ; and any other purposes not included in the above for which lands may have been reserved. And showing in each case whether such lands are let or otherwise. And the date at which such reserves were made ; and also the date of the issue of the Crown Grant to the Superintendent.” Mr Maude pointed out that the return was very heavy and would involve a very heavy expense in preparation. Moreover he did not think there was any possibility of getting the return ready for the Council this session. If the House considered it necessary, and did not object to the expense, the Government would endeavour to get the return prepared. The motion was agreed to. STOCK STAGES AT THE RAILWAY STATIONS.

Mr Harper moved—“ That in the opinion of this Council it is expedient that yards and stage for forcing stock into the railway trucks should be erected at the principal railway stations, apart from the passenger platforms.” Mr Maude said that the Government would consent to the motion, and would take care that the necessary provision was made. The motion was agreed to. PROVINCIAL ELECTORAL DISTRICTS.

Mr Kennaway moved—“ That there be laid on the table of the House a map, showing the boundaries of the provincial electoral districts, and road districts respectively. The motion was agreed to.” COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.

Mr Jollie moved that the Speaker do leave the chair, Mr Webb drew attention to the necessity of establishing a water police force at Lyttelton, and said that he trusted that the Government would yet place the necessary sum on the supplementary estimates. Mr White inquired whether it was the intention of the Government to place a sum of money on the estimates for the construction of a bridge over the Rakaia at the Gorge ? The motion was agreed to, and the House went into committee.

Class 2—Administration, £2OOO. Mr Potts suggested that under this head the sum of £2OO should be put down as an honorarium to the chairman of the Board of Education.

Mr Knight advocated the appointment of a Minister of Education having a seat on the Government benches, and being responsible to that House for the conduct of the Board. He also inquired whether it was the intention of the Government to appoint a Provincial Treasurer ?

Mr Montgomery pointed out that the chairman of the Board of Education was elected by the Board itself. The management of the Education department was a very large question and one to which the Government were giving serious consideration and probably after March next they would be prepared to bring down some scheme. As to the Minister of Education alluded to by the hon member for Lincoln (Mr Knight), personally, he (Mr Montgomery) objected to a political officer having charge of the education of the province, and should a motion for appointing a Minister of Education be brought forward would probably vote against it. As to the Provincial Treasurer the Government intended to offer the appointment to a gentleman at the proper time, but it would have been unfair had the Government selected a gentleman at this early period of the session, and requested him to make the financial statement when he must be unprepared to do so.

Mr Knight then moved that the item be reduced by £l5O, the sum put on the estimates for the salary of Provincial Treasurer. The Government had told them that the office of Provincial Treasurer was efficiently filled by the Provincial Secretary, so that it was not necessary to vote a salary for the former office.

The Hon. Mr BUCKLEY said that, whether they ha i a large balance in the bank or not, there was always some member of that House who wished the Council to do something mean. If the services of the gentlemen were worth having they were worth paying for. [Hear, hear.] He looked forward to the time when all the members of the Executive, non-official and others, would be paid, [Hear, hcar.J

Mr KENNAWAY quite agreed with the hon. member for Waimate as to the Executive being paid. Regarding the amendment of the hon. member for Lincoln (Mr Knight), he was rather inclined to agree with him. He did not think it necessary that the whole time of the political head should be devoted to the Provincial Secretary’s department. Now that the Secretary for Public Works was disassociated from the Provincial Secretary, the latter might take the work of Minister of Education, and then another officer might be appointed as Provincial Treasurer. The work of the Provincial Treasurer was little but signing cheques, as the Provincial Sub-Treasurer did all the work.

Mr J. N. Tosswill said he could not see how the appointment of a Minister of Education would at all serve the interests of the province. The gentleman who would be chosen would not be so for his special aptitude for the work, but rather from a combination of fortuitous circumstances in politics bringing him to the front, and making him a man who could help to swell the working majority of his party. Besides this, he would be inundated with requests for favors to schools from his supporters in the House, and altogether the appointment of a political head of their educational system would, he believed, be very disastrous. (Hear, hear.) The amendment of Mr Knight was negatived on the voices, and the item passed as printed. Class 3—Provincial Council, JEISIB 15s. Agreed to. Class 4—Gaols, Lyttelton, Christchurch, and Timaru, £4762 18s sd. Agreed to. Class s—Police, £13,437 ss. On this item being put,

Mr Haskell asked the Government whether any steps had been taken towards carrying out the resolution of last session regarding the superannuation allowance of the police ? Mr Jollie replied that the Government had considered the matter, and had determined to bring in a Bill at the next session of the Council, not only including the police, but all departments Jof the Government service, [Hear, hear.] After some further discussion, the item passed as printed. Class 6—Hospitals, Christchurch and Tiraaru, £5499 10s. Agreed to. Class 7—Lunatic Asylum, £7738 19s 9d. Agreed to. Class B—Charitable aid, £5096 sa. Agreed to. Class 9 Agreed to. Class 10—-Orphan Asylum, £2119 18s. Agreed to. Mr Jebson moved—“ That the chairman report progress, and ask leave to sit again.”

The motion was negatived on the voices. Class 11—Inspection of sheep, £155613s 4d Agreed to. Class 12—Education, £15,356 ss.

After some discussion on this item— Mr Knight moved—“ That the chairman report progress.” Ultimately the motion for reporting progress was withdrawn, and the item passed as printed. Progress was then reported, with leave to sit again next day. Notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned at 11.20 p.m. to 5 p.m. this day.