PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 264, 16 April 1875, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thursday, April 15. The Speaker took the chair at 5 p.m. THE NEW EXECUTIVE.

Sir Cracboft Wilson—Mr Speaker: I wish to inform the House that in accordance with the promise made by me to his Honor the Superintendent, I waited upon him this morning, and gave him the names of the following gentlemen who had consented to act with me as an Executive, viz—Sir Cracroft Wilson, as President of the Executive; Mr Maskell, as Provincial Secretary and Treasurer ; Mr Wynn Williams, as Provincial Solicitor; Hon J. T. Peacock, as Secretary for Public Works ; and Hon G. Buckley, without office. I need hardly explain to the House that it is necessary that some time should be given to us in order that we may make ourselves acquainted with the position of the affairs of the province—the more so as there are no estimates prepared, and nothing to go upon. We therefore propose to move the adjournment of the Council until the 4th proximo. We do not therefore intend to ask the House to proceed with the business on the order paper this evening, except ae regards one motion. That motion under the provisions of the Audit Act must be disposed of this evening, so we shall ask. the House to take No 6 on the order paper, having reference to a certain item of unauthorised expenditure incurred under warrant of the Superintendent. With regard to the other notices of motion and questions now ou the order paper, we do not intend that they shall lapse, but be taken in their present order on the re-assembling of the Council—that in fact they shall form the notice paper for Tuesday, the 4th May. [Hear, hear.J Therefore, sir, so soon as the motion I have referred to is carried, I shall move that the House adjourn until the 4th May. OPENING OP THE ASHLEY BRIDGE. Mr HARPER—I should like to ask a question without notice; I should like to ask the Presideut of the Executive what steps they have taken with regard to the opening of the Ashley Bridge on Saturday. Sir Cracropt Wilson—ln answer to the hon member, I may state that a special train has been ordered to be ready to leave the Christchurch station at 11 a.m. on Saturday to convey those who have been invited. Dr Kayner—Will the President of the Executive state who have been invited. Sir Cracroft Wilson —That I am not fa a position to state to the hon member. J know so far as I am concerned that I have not been invited myself. 1 got the information from a source which is open to the hon member that is I saw in the public papers that luncheon would be provided at the charge of 2s per head, so that J suppose every one who pays that amount can attend, [Laughter.] the estimates, Mr Maskell—Sir—l wish to make one Statement to the House with regard to thq

estimates. It will of course be understood that we necessarily require some time to frame the estimates for the current year, but I may state that it is our intention and I wish to state this to the House—if we can possibly manage it to have the estimates for the year laid upon the table on the first day of the re-assembling of the House, on the 4th May—[hearJ—so that there will be no more delay than we could possibly help. [Hear, hear. J Mr Parker : I should like to ask the gentlemen on the Government benches whether it would not be possible to make use of the estimates of their predecessors, so that there need be no more delay. I think that it is usual for this to be done in cases of change of Governments. Mr Maskell : Sir, on the first day of our taking office it is, as the House will at once see, impossible for us to ascertain what information has been left in the Government Offices. But I may say this, that the search I have been able to make to-day has not been attended with much information ; indeed, I may say that the information is of the meagrest kind, and|not such as would guide me in making a statement. UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE. The Provincial Secretary (Mr Maskell) moved that the House go into committee to consider the following resolution, viz : " That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, praying that he will send down to this Council a recommendation tc grant a sum of three hundred and pounds thirteen shillings- and tenpence, being the balance of the amount of the unauthorised expenditure incurred under the special orders directed, by his Honor to the Provincial Auditor since the last session of the Council." Mr Montgomery— Sir, I rise to second the motion with a great deal of pleasure. I take this opportunity of saying that I think, as a matter of fairness to the new Executive, they should have the time they ask for to frame their estimates. I may also say that the departmental estimates for the current year—the departmental estimates that is of the railways, public works—are, I believe, in the hands of the printer, and are of course available to the gentlemen opposite. I wish further to take this opportunity of saying that I think the gentlemen forming the Executive are entitled to the generous consideration of the House, and I can answer for the members of the late Government and for myself, that we shall place no obstacle in their way—nor attempt to obstruct in any way the efforts of thos« gentlemen who carry on the business of the country. Sir, I will not say that we will not offer factious opposition, because to offer factious opposition would be a wrong, and I feel sure the House would not believe that we should do such.a thing, but 1 will say that it is not our wish or intention to do anything to embarrass the Government. Of course we are now individual members o the House, and I say this for myself, that whatever action I may deem it my duty as a public man to take in criticising the measures which may be brought before this Council, I shall not—and I believe I speak the sentiments of my late colleagues—be actuated by a desire to return to those benches, [Hear, hear.] The motion was then put and agreed to. In committee the motion waa passed without amendment, reported to the House, and adopted. NEW ORDINANCES. Mr PERRY—WiII the Government state if they intend to introduce any new Ordinances 1 Sir Cracroft Wilson—The hon member must excuse my answering his question at this stage. [Hear, hear.] The motion for adjournment to May 4th was then put and agreed to.