PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 27, 1 July 1874, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, July 1. The Speaker took the chair at noon. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE. Mr Walker asked the Government whethef they were aware that some of the immigrants in the cottages erected under the supervision of the Road Boards had refused fair offers of employment, at £1 per week with rations, or £1 10s without rations ? He would now ask what the Government intended to do in the matter ? Mr Maude replied that he could only say that the Government would be very glad if such cases as those brought under the notice of the House by the hon member were reported to the Government by the Road Boards, at whose request these cottages had been erected. It was, of course, not at all intended that if the immigrants were [offered fair wages they should be allowed to remain in these cottages, but would be obliged to give way to others. He might say that the Lincoln Road Board had been the first to move in this matter, and one of the conditions imposed was that the immigrants should work for the Road Board at five shillings per day. If they refused to work for this amount, they would have to leave the cottages. LOCAL ANALYST. Mr Potts asked the Government without notice, what steps had been taken to carry out the resolution of last session, relating to the appointment of a local analyst, in order to carry out the provisions of the Adulteration of Food Ordinance. Mr Jollie replied that the Government intended to take steps to appoint a local analyst, and carry the resolution alluded to strictly into effect. Mr Potts —Then do I understand that the Government have not yet appointed a local analyst ? Mr Jollie —That has not yet been done, but the Government will take every steps to carry out the resolution as early as possible. RAILWAY FARES. Mr John Tosswill asked the Secretary for Public Works, if it is the intention of the Government to make a reduction in the passenger fares now charged between the Weeden Station on the Southern Railway and Christchurch. Mr Maude replied, that the Government would endeavor to carry out a readjustment of the fares on the Canterbury railways, to meet the case of the station brought forward by the hon member. PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS. Mr Jebson asked the Secretary for Public Works why the runs westward of the Racecourse hill, Bangor, and Mr Cardale’s runs, between the rivers Selwyn and Waimakariri, were not inspected by the inspector of preemptive rights. Also, the number of the runs, the number of pre-emptive rights on each run, and the number of acres in each preemptive right in the district before named. Mr Maude said that the matter had been referred to the department. okain’s bay road board. Mr Pilliet asked the Secretary for Public Works whether any official communication had been scut to the Okain's Bay Road Board by the Government, wherein the Government entertains granting to one John Thacker permission to construct a tramway upon public roads. Mr Maude replied that the inference sought to be drawn by the question of the hon gentleman was stronger than the letter from the Government to the Road Board warranted. The letter was simply to the effect of asking the chairman of the Road Board to state what objection, if any, there might be to the proposed tramway. The Government had received a communication from the Road Board, to which a reply had been sent suggesting that Mr Thacker should seek an interview with the Road Board and inform it of his proposals, and upon the Government being made acquainted with the views of the Road Board thereon, if the Board and Mr Thacker could agree as to what was wanted the Government did not see why they should stand in the way if it was a reasonable proposal. PRE-EMPTIVE EIGHTS. Mr Maskell asked the Secretary for Public Works why the Inspector of Pre-emptive Rights was directed to couc.ude his work before he had inspected all the runs on,which lands are held under Pre-emptive Right, and more particularly why run No 41, In the occupation of Dean’s Trustees, was not included in the work of the inspector, j

Mr Maude said' that he had sent for the information required, and would be enabled to give an answer to the hon gentleman later in the day, APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE. » Mr Jollie moved the suspension of Standing orders, to allow the Appropriation Ordinance, 1874, to pass through all its stages. The motion was agreed to, OHOKA CREEK, Mr Dixon moved—“ That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place the sum of £2OO on the supplementary estimates to clear the Ohoka Creek. After a slight discussion the motion was negatived on the voices. BEACH ROAD FROM WOODEND. Mr Dixon did not move the following resolution —“ That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place the sura of £2OO on the supplementary estimates, to make the beach road from Woodend to the sea beach.” ERECTION OP GUIDE POSTS. Mr Potts moved—“ That it be an instruction to Road Boards to erect guide posts, legibly inscribed, in places where such erections may conduce to the convenience of the public; and that the Government be requested to give effect to the above resolution,” Mr Jebson seconded the motion. Mr Montgomery moved that the words, “an instruction ” be omitted, with a view to insert the words, “ a recommendation.” The amendment was agreed to on the voices. The original resolution was then put and carried. SUNDAY TRAFFIC. Mr Haskell moved traffic on the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway be stopped for the future.” He had been told that he had put this notice of motion on the paper out of vindictive motives and out of spite. Now he denied this. The fact was that from the tone of the discussion last night, it appeared to him that a number of members were opposed to the running of trains on Sundays as involving the employment of a large number of Government servants. NoW, on the Lyttelton lino there were a great number of persons employed on Sundays, and the arguments used against the running of trains on the North and South line applied with equal force to the Lyttelton and Christchurch line. [Hear, hear.J It might be urged that it wag necessary to have a train running on the Lyttelton and Christchurch' line, in order that passengers might go down to travel by steamers leaving port on Sunday. But, by a vote of that House, they had declared that no one living at Kaiapoi or Rangiora should be allowed to go away by steamers on Sunday. (hear, hear.) Hon members appeared to be very solicitous that the railway servants should have one holiday during the week—and very properly so no doubt—but he had never heard a voice raised for the persons obliged to work on board steamers on Sunday. Now if they stopped the train to Lyttelton on Sunday the steamers would not leave on that day, but would remain till Monday, when all persons could travel. Altogether he felt that, if it was not right to run the trains on the North and South lines, it was not so to run on the Lyttelton and Christchurch line. c » .i/ . j Mr Higgins seconded the motion, and expressed his opinion that there was no necessity at all for trains running on the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway on Sundays.

Mr J. N. Tosswxll would call the attention of the House to the fact that the cases were not at all similar. The Lyttelton and Christchurch railway connected the capital with the port, and hon members would at once see the necessity of the communication being kept up. He had voted against the resolution the other evening because he felt that the country people did not require it; ’ in fact he believed the great majority would vote against it if their opinion were to be asked. If the trains were run on the Southern and Northern line, he believed that very few people would travel. Mr Isaac Wilson moved as an amendment that the words “ Sunday traffic ” be omitted, and that the resolution read as follow8_« That only two trains each may be run on the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway on Sunday.” Mr Turnbull, in seconding the amendment said he would be prepared next session to support a resolution similar to that brought down by the hon member for Sefton. Mr W. B. Tosswxll supported the amendment of the hon member for Mandeville (Mr Wilson). Mr Knight said it was well known that a large number of persons travelled into Lyttelton by trains on Sundays in order to be enabled to get what they could not in Christchurch ; they thus became travellers and could get refreshments. He thought that this was a practice not at all to be tolerated by that House. He might say that he did not believe that there were half-a-dozen people who travelled by the Sunday trains to meet steamers. He considered that this matter only exhibited the inconsistency of hon members. Mr Potts would oppose the resolution and amendment. If they went on legislating in this way they might as well be in Glasgow, where Sabbatarianism ran mad. [Hear, hear.J Mr Maudb said that the running of trains on the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway on Sundays was a great convenience to the public. [Mr Maskell: “ What’s the traffic 7”] Well, there was the traffic for the steamers, and in and out of Lyttelton. The Government felt that the trains on the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway on Sunday were a convenience.

Sir Cracront Wilson said that they in the nineteenth century were going to introduce the customs of the old Levitical law. They were doing an injustice to the north ; they said now they should not travel to the north, and where did they intend to stop ? It was a bitter mistake, and he hoped when the next session of the Council met they would rescind the mistaken resolution arrived at the other evening. [Hear, hear.] He should vote against the resolution. Mr Kennaway said that it was absolutely necessary that one day of rest should be observed in the week. He thought that too many trains were run on Sundays to Lyttelton, and he would support the amendment. If persons were going away by a steamer on Sunday, let them go into Lyttelton on the day before, and give the hotels the benefit of their expenditure. ■ ■ u Mr Buchanan believed that two trains per day on Sundays were ample, and he should therefore support the amendment of the hou member for Mandeville.

Mr Montgomery said, as regarded the number of trains to be run on Sundays, he thought this should be left in the hands of the Government. He did not think as regarded

the religious aspect of the question, religion ■would be at all interfered-witli ihy peopjc; taking recreation on Sundays. The running of trains on the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway was a" matter of necessity. Mr Fisher opposed the original resolution. Mr Andrews supported the amendment, <buti thought the matter would- be better left in the hands of the Government. Mr Jebson hoped the House would adopt the amendment of the hon member for Mandeville, unless the Government could prove from their own principles, that to run four trains on Sundays would pay. Mr Webb said he believed he would be consulting the wishes of his constituents if he agreed to the resolution, as a large number of persons were obliged to labor on Sundays, who otherwise would not have to do. Besides this, the porters on the, railway, complained that, on Sundays, they had more drunken men to deal with than on any other day. [Hear, hear.] Mjr JOYNT said those members who had voted against the resolution last evening on religious grounds had been guilty of inconsistency, because they had endeavored to compound matters now by offering to run two trains on Sunday. If they were sincere, they would vote against trains running at all ; but it seemed to him that they said, “ we will break the Sabbath as little as possible,” therefore let there bo only two trains on Sunday instead of four. Last session he had brought down a resolution to run trains on the North line on Sunday, and would be prepared to do so again next session, when he would be prepared to show that the running of trains on Sunday would be perfectly orthodox. If it was the wish of hon members to strictly observe the Fourth Commandment, it was just as wrong to run a single train as to run trains from morning o night. [Hear, hear.] He thought Jthc matter should be left in the hands of the Government to decide how many trains should run, and therefore he should oppose the resolution, Mr Maskell, in reply, said he would not accept the amendment, as if it was right to run two trains it was right to run a dozen. [Hear, hear.] His object had been scived by the discussion evoked, and he would therefore asked leave to withdraw his resolution. He had no wish to stop Sunday trains on the Lyttelton dine ; what he wanted was to see trains running on the Northern and Southern lines. The amendment moved by Mr Wilson was then put and declared to be negatived. A division took place with the following result:— Ayes ' : 9 Noes 17 Majority for the amendment ... 8 |. The amendment was therefore lost. Mr Maskell asked leave to introduce his resolution, [ Cries of “ No, no.”] The resolution was put and declared to be negatived on the voices. Mr Knight called for a division which took place as follow : Ayes AL... ... ... 7 Noes 20 rvi ih I/. /-, ii i jOU'i 1 •! ;• v » Majority against resolution ... 13 ■ The,ayes were Messrs Jebson, Knight, Maskell, W. B. Tosswill, Higgins, I. Wilson, The resolution was therefore negatived, WEKA PASS TOLL-BAR. Mr Harper moved—“ That in the opinion 11 of this Council it ’ is desirable that the tolls on the Weka Pass road be abolished.” i - iMr Maskell seconded the motion. Mr Mallock said he would not object to the toll-bar being removed if the Government would place a sum of money at the disposal of the Road Boards to provide for the repairs of the road. It would require a man continually kept on the road to follow up stock to repair the road after them. Mr Maude said the Government would Oppose the resolution, as it would be unfair to the Road Board. The motion, after some discussion, was put and negatived on the voices. ' 1 Mr Harper demanded a divison, which took place as follows : Ayes ... 10 Noes 15 Msjority against the resolution ... 5 The resolution was therefore negatived. 1 ‘ 1 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Mr Kennaway moved Council, having before them the recommendations made by the commissioners as to the site of the public buildings in their report of the 25th June, consider that it would be expedient to defer their final decision until the next session of the Council.” There was, he believed, very great dissatisfaction in the minds of members as to the way in which this question had been dealt with. He might point out that he did not ask the Council to decide the question now . finally, but to allow the matter to stand over until nest session of the Council. The House had no opportunity of considering this matter, and therefore it would be as well to allow members to think the matter over during the recess. It might be said that this would result in deferiug the work for some months, but then it must be remembered that itwouldbefar better to do thisthan to commit a permanent mistake. They were going to expend a large sum of money on these buildings, and it was patent to all that the site was an important question. They should not shrink from going back from their decision if it was wrong. There was no doubt that there was considerable indecision in the public mind, which was shown he j thought by the City Council altering its opinions so decidedly, and adopting unanimously the report of the commission. The fact was that there was indecision on this . matter existing, and they could not do better than take the indication of public opinion as expressed by the City Council. It must have been something very important which had induced the City Council to change the < ' opinion they held so strongly that the best site was on the western side of Cathedral square. It had been said that they would be charged with inconsistency, but it was much better for them to retrace their steps n if they found it to be wrong. It had jbeen stated that this had been made a Government question; but he contended that a Government which had not made a Government question of j two ! most important questions affecting the constitution, would not do so of a matter which was only a question of taste after all! The main reason why he brought forward this resolution was, that it was desirable to avoid the mistake of . placing those buildings on a wrong site. Sir Cracroft Wilson seconded the resolution . Mr Montgomery said that the hon gentleman the member for Seadowu was quite

light in saying that this question was not made a Government one. The hon gentleman said that they should wait; they had done.so. Was it necessary to wait another nine or ten months before going on with this work ? Well, if so, why not begin all over again? The fact was, the Provincial* Government wanted the office room ; and the General Government would have to clear out. , It seemed to him that they were simply playing with the General Government, and the latter would, he feared, shortly take the matter into their own hands and erect buildings totally irrespective of the Provincial Council. Respecting the City Council, which had been alluded to by the hon member for Seadown, did he know whether the City Council were aware that the commissioners were not appointed to select the site? He believed he did not. The commissioners had gone to the Mayor of the town and talked to him, but they had not come to the Government. He hoped the Council would not agree to this resolution. [Left sitting.] Tuesday, June 30. The Speaker took the chair at 5 p.m, PETITION. Mr Maskell presented a petition from several residents of the Northern district, praying that the Weka Pass toll bar should be abolished. The petition was read and received. SUPREME COURT. In reply to Mr Potts, Mr MAUDE stated that a sura of money had been placed upon the estimates for the purpose of improving the acoustic properties of the Supreme Court, and that the attention of the Government had been drawn to the necessity of having a canopy erected. ERECTION OF 'THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE. Mr Knight asked if the Domain Board has been consulted by the Government in the question of erecting the Canterbury College in the domain. Mr Jollie replied that the matter of the erection of the Canterbury College in the domain had not been referred to the Domain Board, and the Government were not aware what the opinion of that body on the question was. MESSAGE, NO. 1. Mr MAUDE moved —“ That his Honor’s Message, No. 1 be taken into consideration, and that standing orders be suspended, to allow the Lyttelton Harbour Reserves Bill to ’be passed through all its stages in one sitting.” The motion was agreed to, the Bill brought in, read a first time, ordered to be printed, read a second time, committed, reported to the House, read a third time, and passed. KAITUNA SURVEY. Mr Potts asked the Secretary for Public Works if be would lay on the table all papers and reports relating to the survey of section No. 12,352 at Kaituna? Mr Jollie laid the papers on the table. LIBRARIAN. Mr Jollie moved—“ That the clerk of the Council be also librarian to the Council library.” The motion was carried. POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES IN GERALDINE. Mr T. S. Tancred moved—“ That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that section No preserve 752, containing one rood eleven perches, in Geraldine township, be set apart as a site for a post office and telegraph office.” Mr J. N. Tosswill seconded the motion, which was agreed to on the voices. licensing op teachers, &c. Mr Potts moved—“ That this Council is of opinion that the well-being of the public will be consulted by the passing in the Colonial Parliament of an educational enactment that shall provide for the licensing of all teachers of youth, and the sanitary inspection and registration of all schools. Contingent on the motion being granted to move that copies of the above resolution be forwarded to both Houses of the Colonial Legislature.” Mr Montgomery said the resolution was an excellent one, and the Government would endeavor to carry it out, so as to secure what the hon member required by moving bis motion. Mr Maskell moved as an amendment,that the words “The licensing of all teachers of youth.” be struck out. After some discussion both amendment and resolution were withdrawn, HOUR OP SITTING. Mr Jollie moved that the Council sit on Wednesday (this day) at 2 p.m. Mr Knight moved as an amendment, that the Council meet at noon. The amendment .was agreed to. The motion as amended was then passed. PUBLIC SEAL ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE. Mr JOYNT moved that the standing orders be suspended to allow the Public Seal Ordinance Amendment Ordinance to pass through all its stages, The motion was agreed to. Leave was then given to introduce the Public Seal Ordinance Amendment Ordinance. It was read a first time, ordered to be printed, read a second time, committed, reported to the House, read a third time, and passed. WEKA PASS TOLL BAR. Mr Harper withdrew the following motion standing in his name—“ That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the toll bar at the Weka Pass be abolished.” CARRIAGE OP DOGS ON RAILWAYS. Mr Andrews moved—“ That in the opinion of this Council tickets should be issued for the carriage of dogs over Canterbury railways somewhat similar to those used for passenger traffic.” Mr Buchanan seconded the motion. | Mr Maude said that if the hon member would withdraw the resolution, the Government would take steps to carry out the suggestion of the hon member as far as it was practicable. Mr Andrews said that after that assurance from the Government, he would ask leave to withdraw his resolution. The resolution was then withdrawn. ! DESIGNS FOR CANTERBURY COLLEGE. Mr Andrews moved —“ That in the opinson of this Council the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College be requested to call for new designs for the new building about to be erected by them, so as to make them suitable to the better position and the more extended grounds set aside by this Council for College purposes this session.” Mr R. Turnbull seconded the motion. Mr Webb, as one of the Board of Governors, thanked the hon member for Christchurch for bringing this matter before the Council ; but be thought that the resolution was too much an interference with the

executive functions of the Board of Governors. They knew of the change of site, and probably would take steps to have the designs altered, so as to be more in consonance with the new site granted I>y the Council. Under these circumstances, he thought that the hon. member should withdraw the resolution. , r Mr Kenn A WAY thought that the motion was merely an intimation of the opinion of the Council on this matter.

Mr Montgomery said bo would ask the hon member to withdraw his resolution, as it would be better to leave this matter in the hands of the Governors of the College to alter the design and see that the building erected was one in keeping with the extended character of the site. The gentlemen composing the governing body of that College were men to whom could be very safely entrusted the erection of a suitable building. After some further discussion, Mr Andrews obtained leave to withdraw his motion, canterbury railways. Mr Andrews moved —“ That in the opinion of this Council a distinct code of rules and scale of prices should bo printed for the guidance of undertakers and others that are required to convey bodies in coffins over all Canterbury railways.” Mr Walker seconded the motion. Mr Maude said he did not know how the Government could make rules in what was really a matter of private trade. Mr Walker pointed out that what was wanted was a truck to be attached to any passenger train in which the friends could accompany the coffin to the place of interment. That was the purport of the motion of the hon member for Christchurch (Mr Andrews). Mr Andrews having replied, the motion was agreed to on the voices. ROLLESTON AND MALVERN LINE. Mr White moved—“ That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the Kolloston and Malvern line of railway be extended to the Post and Telegraph Offices on reserve 424, a distance of one and a half miles, and that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to forward this resolution to the General Government.” Mr Pilliet seconded the motion. Mr Maude said that there was no objection on the partof the Government to accept the motion. It would of course rest with the General Government whether they did the work or not. It was merely an expression of opinion on the part of the Council to be transmitted to the General Government. The motion was agreed to on the voices. ISLAND IN THE GORGE OF RAKAIA. Mr Potts moved—“ That the Government be requested to lay on the tabic a copy of any minute or memoranda that may exist in the Waste Lands or Survey Offices referring to the sale of the island in the gorge of the Rakaia, such information to be accompanied with a plan of the section in which this island was included at the time of sale, showing the district in which the purchase was made.” Mr Walker seconded the motion. Mr Maude said he was not aware that there was any more information procurable than had been laid on the table. The Government would, however, make enquiry into the matter.

The motion was then put and agreed to on the voices. daily mail to the south.

Mr Healey moved—That in view of the southern railway to the Ashburton the Government be requested to take such stops as will lead to the establishment of a daily mail to and from the south.” He might say that so soon as the railway was opened it was intended to start a daily coach from Timaru to the Ashburton. Mr Maude said that the Government would have great pleasure in acceding to the resolution, and would communicate with the postal authorities as to'the establishment of a daily mail service between Ashburton and Timaru.

The motion was agreed to on the voices. IMMIGRATION BARRACKS AT ELLESMERE.

Mr Kennaway, for Mr Bluett, moved—- “ That this Council deems it expedient that immigration barracks should be erected in the Ellesmere district.” Mr Knight seconded the motion.

Mr Maude said that the Government would have no objection’ to recommend the erection of a depot at Southbridgc. The motion was then put and agreed to on the voices. KAIAPOI AND EYRETON RAILWAY.

Mr Dixon moved “That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that at the junction of the Kaiapoi and Eyreton railway with the Northern railway the branch railway be continued unto the Kaiapoi railway station, and that his Honor the Superintendent be respectfullylrequested to transmit this resolution to the General Government.” Mr Isaac Wilson seconded the motion, Mr MAUDE said that he had always felt the necessity of this being carried out, and the bringing in of the line to the Kaiapoi station, involving as it did only one handling, which would be done by the Kaiapoi staff. The motion was agreed to on the voices. RETURNS. Mr Gray withdrew the following resolution ;—“ That a return be laid on the table showing the receipts and expenditure on the undermentioned portion of the Canterbury railways, namely, Christchurch and Lyttelton, south line, and north line, during the past eight months.” SURVEYS OF BANKS’ PENINSULA. The adjourned debate on the following resolution—“ That a commission be appointed to enquire, during the recess, into the state of existing surveys in Banks’ Peninsula, such commission to have power to call for documents and maps, and to examine witnesses on oath ; the report of such commission to be placed before the Council during the ensuing session,” was resumed by Mr Maskell, who moved that the words “ in Banks’ Peninsula ” be struck out and the words “ in the province ” inserted in lieu thereof. There was no doubt that great dissatisfaction existed as respected the surveys in the province generally, and not alone as regarded Banka’ Peninsula, Therefore he had thought it necessary that the amendment he had proposed should be incorporated in the resolution of the hon member for the Bays, so that the commission might also report upon the state of the surveys throughout the province generally. No time should, he thought, be lost in looking into the matter of inaccurate surveys, respecting which rumours were afloat. He might say that in one case of a block of some 3000 acres mistakes had been made to the extent of 150 acres. Mr Montgomery said that complaints as to the inaccuracy of surveys had come to the Chief Surveyor, who had now surveyors out 1 in various directions investigating alleged

cases of inaccurate surveys, lie might say that the Chief Surveyor was of opinion that the persons complaining as to inaccurate surveys should deposit a sum sufficient 1o cover the cost of a re-survey ; such deposit to be returned upon the survey being proved incorrect. This he thought was a very good plan, as, if it was not done, persons might come to the iSurvey Office and make complaints as to the matter of surveys, making mere statements on the subject, in which case a very great expense would be incurred by the country in order to make a re-survey of laud that very probably had already been correctly surveyed. If this was done, a very large number of surveyors would be required to ho added to the staff. The Government were perfectly willing to give the fullest possible information upon this subject ; but at the same time the Government would desire to know what information the commission was expected to give if it were appointed. This was, he contended, a matter which should bo left in the hands of the Government with the understanding that the Government would make the fullest investigation into the matter, and be prepared to come down to the next session of the Council with n report upon the matter, so as to put it in a proper manner before the House and the country. If they did not do this, then it would be for the Council at its next session to bring in a vote of censure on the Government, and they would deserve it thoroughly for so neglecting their duty. [Hear, hear.") Mr Pilliett said the state of things on the Peninsula as regarded the surveys was so thoroughly disgraceful that he had felt't his duty to bring the motion before the Council. So bad were they that it was now absolutely necessary that an investigation before a competent tribunal should be taken, and this was provided for by his resolution. Litigation would follow as a matter of course, unless some steps were taken to avoid the cause by at ouce stepping in. So wide spread were the complaints as to the inaccuracy of the surveys, that no time should be lost in taking some steps to remedy the evil. Ho might tell the House that in one case a survey or had been employed by the Provincial Government who had been discharged by the Government of Otago for iuccmpetcucy, and to remedy whose errors had cost the Government of Otago some £OOOO. The fact was that there was urgent need for reform in some way. and it was quite time that the public mind on this matter should be set at rest. He might say that he would accept the amendment of the hon member for Sefton, as he felt that by so doing, he would be enabled to get what he required. [Hear,' hear.] Mr R. Turnbull said, that from the startling revelations made by the hon member for the Bays (Mr Pilliet), there was no doubt that reform was most urgently needed in the matter of surveys on Banks’ Peninsula. Therefore it was necessary that the resolution should be passed, so that the public might really see what the state of affairs was. Complaints as to the inaccuracy of surveys were daily becoming more numerous, and he felt that they were bound to inquire into this matter. [Hear, hear.] The Chief Surveyor, he thought, was to be blamed for having placed the survey in the hands of a gentleman, such as that referred to by the hon member for the Bays (Mr Pilliet), who had been dismissed by the Government for incompetency. After some further discussion, Mr Maude said that the Government would not oppose either the amendment or the resolution, as they wished the matter to be brought before the House—[Hear, hear] —but the Government would ask the Council to leave the matter in the hands of the Government, who would investigate it thoroughly, and next session would be able to come down with a report upon the matter, which they would hardly be able to obtain if they appointed a commission. Messrs W. B. Tosswill and Dixon opposed the resolution on the ground that no practical result would follow from the appointment of such a commission as that contemplated by the resolution. Mr Potts pointed out that a case in point relative to the inaccuracy of the surveys was to he found in the Kaituna survey which had been before that House several times. Mr Rhodes was dissatisfied with the survey of his section, and had instructed a private surveyor to re-survey it, which was done, and it was found that there was an inaccuracy in it, Mr Rhodes’ surveyor had shifted the pegs originally put down by the surveyor first surveying the ground. On a previous evening the report of Mr Bain was laid before the Council, in which that gentleman stated that the survey was correct. Mr Bain had seen the pegging of Mr Rhodes’ private surveyor, and hence his report that the former surveyor was correct ; but this was really not the fact, as Mr Rhodes’ private surveyor had corrected the survey of the Government surveyor, which was found to be wrong when compared with the surveys which were scut up to Wellington, [Hear, hear.] After some further discussion, Mr Maskell’s ameudment was put and agreed to. The original resolution was then put as amended, Mr Jebson moved as a further amendment that the words “ on oath” be omitted. Mr Jcbson’s amendment was then put and agreed to. The original resolution was then put as amended, and declared to be negatived. Mr Maskbll demanded a division, which took place as follows — Ayes 15 Noes 15 The Speaker gave his casting vote with the nocs. The resolution was negatived, SUNDAY TRAINS. The adjourned debate on Mr Maskell’s motion that one train in the morning and one in the evening be run on the Northern and Southern railways on Sundays, was renewed by Mr Isaac Wilson, who opposed the resolution. Mr JOYNT said that ho would support this resolution. On a previous occasion he had moved a resolution to a similar effect, and he now felt that it be a very great convenience to the public. Mr Andrews moved the previous question. Mr Buchanan seconded the amendment, Mr Knight was opposed to the running of trains on Sundays, but should vote against the previous question, because he was in favor of speaking his views upon the question, and the previous question meant that it was uuadvisable to have any discussion. The motion for the previous question was then put and negatived on the voices.

The original motion was then put, and declared to be negatived. Mr Maskell demanded a division, which took place as follows : Ayes 12 Noes 10 Majority against the resolution 7 The result was received with cheers. The resolution was therefore negatived. The following is the division list ; Ayes, 12—Messrs Healey, Jollie, Joyut, Mallock, Masked, Maude, Montgomery, PilHct, Potts, Rayner, Westenra, and Sir J. C. Wilson. Noes, 19—Messrs Andrews, Buchanan, Dixon, Fisher, Gray, Higgins, Jebsou, Keunaway. Knight, Parker, T. S. Tancred, J. N. Toss will, W. B. Tosswill, J. S. Turnbull, R. Turnbull, Walker, Webb, White, and I. Wilson. HEN PHEASANT. Sir Ceacroet Wilson asked the Government, without x'otice, whether tlm Provincial Secretary had applied to the head ranger, so an to have a prosecution instituted under the Protection of Animals Act. respecting the matter of the hen pheasant being exposed for sale, which he had brought under the notice of the House. It might be as well to state that the Mr Lane referred to was Mr Frederick Lane. Colombo street, and not Mr H. B, Lane, Cashel street - . Mr Jollie said he had been engaged all day in the issue of publicans’ licenses, and had therefore not had time to enquire into the matter referred to by the hon member. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. On the motion of Mr Jollie the House went into committee for the further consideration of the supplementary estimates. The following voles were passed : Class 3 Buildings.—Casual ward, Lyttelton, £SOO ; hospital cottage, Waimate, £IGO ; Supreme Court, additional fittings (R.) £250 ; Kaiapoi police buildings, £3OO ; shed, &c.,for Temuka fire engine, £l5O ; chemist’s laboratory and lecture rooms, £3OOO ; pier master’s office, £25 ; drill shed, Lyttelton, £75.

Bridges: —Rakaia bridge, £6OOO ; Ashley bridge, £2750 ; Moffat’s bridge, Akaroaroad, £2OO ; Epworth bridge, on road to Tcrauka bridge, £SOOO ; Temuka bridge, £750 ; Waihi bridge, Geraldine, £BOO ; Kokohu, £BOO ; Bluff, Sclwyn (South Malvern) £6500 ; Mandeville and Raugiora swamp (bridge over No 2 drain) £l5O ; bridge over Ohou (£1000), Upper Waitaki (half cost by Otago), £500; Avon (New Brighton), foot, £l5O ; North Ashburton, £6500. Roads ; Hurunui road, £IOO ; Little racecourse hill and Kowai bush road (8 miles), £SOO ; South Malvern Hills road (5 miles), £ISOO ; Upper Rangitata, Peel Forest, completion of, £4OO ; Little River Road from lower bridge, through Educational reserve to Buchanan’s bridge, £SO; Wainui road, special grant, £SOO ; Le Eon’s Bay to Duvauchelle’s Bay, £l5O ; German Bay Saddle to Long Bay, £400; Le Eon’s Bay Saddle to Long Bay Track, £300; Road diversions, £2OOO ; Waimatc Gorge road and bridge over Waihou, £5000; Upper Waihou—New roads and bridges, £SOOO ; metalling roads and new stone bridges, Pareora to Washdyke (Levels district), £SOOO. Miscellaneous: Continuation Geological survey (R), £SOO ; boat and repairs, Waitaki ferry, £IOO ; planting reserves and bridge sites by Road Boards, £SOOO ; Ferry Road drain, £500; Quail Island (purchase), £4000; sites for cemeteries, Christchurch and Kaiapoi, £SOO, Grants in aid : Extension Gust drainage works (R), £100; Rangiora swamp drainage, £IOOO : Orari overflow, £SOO ; Eyre embankment, £SOO ; Oxford bush roads, £SOO. Class. —Grant to municipalities, £5500. Schedule C.—Class I—Railways : Extension Pointrailway to Opawa crossing, £50,000; extension Waimate branch railway, £10,000; passenger shed, Flaxton, £BS; yards and stage for stock (R), £SOO ; survey of line, Oxford to Waimakariri Gorge, including junction Kaiapoi and Eyroton line, £200; pathway, &c, Fendalltown to Riccarton station, £35 ; horse platform at Lyttelton, £SO ; repairs screw pile jetty, Lyttelton, £6OO ; station master’s house, Uunsandel, £300; well at Burnham, £75. Class 2 —Harbor works : Tiraaru harbor works, £50,000 ; survey Sumner bar (R), £100; Akaroa harbor light (R), £IOOO ; jetty, Diamond harbor, £2OO. Schedule A,—-Class 13—Miscellaneous : Mr Quin, late clerk of the Provincial Council, £2OO.

Class 20 Railways : Subdivision 13 Lyttelton regatta, £SO; Kaiapoi regatta, £25 : Akaroa regatta, £25. Class 18—Provincial Government works; Maintenance of lleathcotc swing bridge, £SO.

Schedule B.—Class 3—Bridges : Saltwater Creek bridge, repairs, £(500. Roads ; Barry’s Bay, £3OO ; Pawson’s Valley, £3OO, Grants in aid : Drainage into LI and No 2 rivers, £3OO.

Progress was then reported, and notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned at 1.10 a.m.