PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 28, 2 July 1874, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. [We continue the debate from the time of going to press yesterday.] Mr Knight said that he would support the resolution warmly. The fact was that the Government were piqued because the commissioners had not come to the Government and that was the reason why the report of the commissioners had been treated with such scant courtesy. He would like to know when the Provincial Government would be forced to give that notice to the General Government to clear out. The commissioners had, he thought, not received that courtesy to which they were entitled, and this was what he objected to. The matter would be all the better for standing over for a time as it would give members and the public an opportuuiry of considering the question. The other evening he had stated that the City Council were in favor of the site on the Western side of Cathedral square, but this was proved to be incorrect. As stated by him on a previous evening, it seemed to him that there was a very strong sectarian element imported into the "matter. He hoped the Council was in favor of the commissioners report, but he had been contradicted by the hon member for Christchurch (Mr Andrews), lie was glad, however, to find from what had taken place in the City Council that he (Mr Knight) was correct. The hon member for Christchurch had, he contended, misrepresented his constituents when he said that nine tenths of them never would agree to the resolution. Mr Andrews said that after seeing the report of the City Council proceedings, he went to the Mayor to demand an explana- ; tion. Time after time the Mayor, and the i City Council and himself had had interviews | on this subject, and had agreid that they | would not accept anything but Lin' western site. Therefore he went to the .Mayor for an j explanation, and what was Unit explanation.' I Why simply this, that the Mayor stated that

the report, of the commissioners had led the City Council to believe that they had been appointed to select the site for these buildings, and that then.hue they were only assenting to what was already a settled matter by adopting the report of the commissioners. As regarded the remark of the hon member about nine-tenths of his constituents voting in favor of the western site, he would undertake, if one day were granted to him, to bring a petition, signed by 5000 residents infavor of the western site. He contended that the Commissioners had most decidedly gone out of their way to recommend a site, when their duty was simply to choose a design. Mr Jollib said that the fact was the Provincial Government required far more room in the buildings than they had at the present moment. Besides this it must be remembered if they made any further delay in this matter, they would have the General Government putting up buildings themselves, perhaps on a site which would not at all be consonant with the wishes and taste of the inhabitants of the province. Mr Westenra said that he was in company with the hon member for Lincoln, when the Mayor stated most distinctly himself and the members of the City Council were in favor of the plan now proposed by the commissioners. [Hear, hear, from Mr Knight.] Mr Webb supported the resolution. Messrs POTTS and JEBSON spoke in favor of the resolution. Mr Dixon considered that the commissioners had very great presumption in reporting as they had done. If they could not have reported upon the question they were appointed to do, let them have resigned their office. He should oppose the resolution. If the commissioners wanted fresh instructions they should have come to the Government or Superintendent and received them. Mr Harper supported the resolution. Mr Kennaway having replied, the resolution was put and declared to be carried. A division was demanded, which took place as follows : Aves ... ... ... ... 18 Noes ~ ... 10 Majority for resolution 8 The result was received with cheers. WIDTH OP TIRES ORDINANCE, 1874. The order of the day for the further consideration in committee of this Bill was, on the motion of Mr Knight, discharged. FENCING ORDINANCE, 1874. On the motion of Sir Cracroft Wilson, this Bill was discharged. The House adjourned at 3.30 p.m. until 7.30. APPROPRIATION BILL, 1874. This Bill was passed through all its stages, reported to the House, and adopted. ANSWER TO QUESTIONS. Mr Maude made the following replies to questions put early in the day : By Mr Jebson —Why the runs westward of the Racecourse Hill —Bangor and Mr Cardale's runs, between the rivera Selwyn and Waimakariri —were not inspected by the Inspector of Pre-emptive Rights; also, the number of runs, the number of pre-emptive rights on each run, and the number of acres in each pre-emptive in the district before named ! By Mr Maskell—Why the Inspector of Pre-emptive Rights was directed to conclude his work before he had inspected all the runs on which lands are held under pre-emptive rights, and more particularly why run No 41, in the occupation of Dean's trustees, was not included in the work of the inspector ? Mr Maude replied to Mr Jebson's question as follows :—The runs westward of the Racecourse Hill, Bangor, and Mr Cardale's runs, between the rivers Selwyn and Waimakariri, were not reported upon by the Inspector of Pre-emptive Rights, because they were mostly lying outside the surveyed districts, and it was not anticipated at that time, that the sales of land would have extended so far back as they have done. The number of the runs, the number of pre-emptive rights in each run, and the number of acres in each pre-emptive right, arc as follows : —Run 41 : 31 improvement pre-emptive rights, 50 acres each, 1550 acres ; 1 improvement pre-emptive right, 78 acres ; 1 improvement pre-emptive right, 82 acres ; 1 improvement pre-emptive right, 25 acres ; total 1735 acres. Run 23 : 1 homestead pre-emptive right, 250 acres ; 7 improvement pre-emptive rights, 50 acres each, 350 acres ; 1 improvement pre-emptive right, 20 acres; total, 620 acres. Run 574 : 1 homestead pre-emptive right, 60 acres ; 11 improvement pre-emptive rights, 50 acres each, 550 acres ; 1 improvement pre-emptive right, 30 acres ; total, 610 acres. Run 575: 1 improvement pre-eruptive right, 50 acres. Mr Maude replied to Mr Maskell's question as follows : —The Inspector of Preemptive Rights finished all the work which he was directed to do, and it was not considered necessary to direct him to inspect all the runs on which lands are held under preemptive rights. The reason why run No. 41 was not included in the work of the Inspector was, because it was accidentally omitted in the tracings furnished to the Inspector. The Government will give directions that the inspection of pre-emptive rights shall continue. THE PROROGATION. His Honor the Superintendent then entered the Chamber, and delivered the following speech : Mr Speaker and Gentlemen— I have to thank you for the consideration which you have bestowed upon the measures and proposals which have been brought under your notice in the short but important session which has now come to a close. The careful attention of myself and my Executive will be devoted during the recess to the administration of the liberal supplies which you have voted for the public service. I have reserved for the signification of his Excellency's pleasure thereon, the Bill intituled , The Lyttclton Harbor Reserves Ordinance, 1874. On behalf of his Excellency I have assented to Tho Reserves No. 304 Ordinance, 1873, Amendment Ordinance, 1874. The Railway Tolls and Management Ordinance, 1572, Amendment Ordinance, 1874. 1 have reserved for the signification of his Excellency's pleasure thereon. The Racecourse Reserve Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1874. I have assented on behalf of his Excellency the Governor, to The Public Seal Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 187). The Appropriation Ordinance, 1874. 1 now decline this Council prorogued. Wm. Rolleston, Superintendent.