PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 286, 12 May 1875, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 11. The Speaker took the chair at 5 p.m. PAPERS. The Provincial Secretary laid a number of papers on the table. MESSAGES. The Speaker announced that he had received a message transmitting a Bill entitled the Boad Board Advances Ordinance 1875, and the proposed railway reserves for the Opawa extension. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Mr Wynn Williams in reply to a question from Mr Harper put last sitting day, replied that he had overlooked a later Act, and that the matter would be considered by the Government. RAILWAY PARCELS, &C. Ma Jebson asked the Government whether it was not possible to supply lamps to the guards on the railway; on account of this not being done parcels and mail bags were sometimes left in the guard's van for several hours. He thought that some alteration should be made in the state of things. The Secretary for Public Works said that the Government were not aware of the facts stated by the hon member. He might say that he did not think that lamps of the particular character referred to by the hon member could be obtained in the province. He would refer the matter to the traffic manager. RESIGNATION. The Speaker announced that he had received a communication from his Honor the Superintendent, intimating that Mr T. W. Maude had resigned his seat for Eangiora. SCHOOLMASTERS' GARDENS. Dr Bayner, without notice, asked the Government why the item of £5 lis 6d for putting the schoolmaster's garden at the Colombo road school in order was objected to by the Government, and what were " the circumstances " alluded to by the Provincial Secretary for afterwards agreeing to the passing of the voucher ? He might say that he should be very glad to get even this small sum for the Temuka school grounds, and there were also other schools who would be the same if they possessed sufficient influence. The Provincial Secretary said that the reason why the Government had objected in the first instance to this particular sum was that they did not consider that it was a fair charge against the public funds, and that the reason why they had afterwards agreed to the voucher was that they had ascertained that the Board of Education had been for some time past under the impression that, under the Ordinance of 1873, the Board was empowered to dispose of the sums voted by the Council at their discretion, and that under these circumstance the Government had agreed to the item being paid. NORTHERN RAILWAY. Mr I. Wilson asked the Secretary for Public Works if it is the intention of the •Government to increase the number of passenger trains on the Northern railway. He thought the time had arrived for another itrain to be run on the Northern railway. The Secretary for Public Works *aid that he could not approve of the sugigestion of attaching passenger carriages to goods trains. The fact was that the running of additional trains on the Northern line xesolved itself into the question whether they would pay. The whole matter would be referred to the traffic manager, and if the Government were advised that extra trains would pay, he presumed they would so run them as proposed. education ordinance. The Provincial Solicitor moved for leave to introduce a Bill intituled the Education Ordinance, 1875. Leave was given, the Bill read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading fixed for next sitting day. weeding the railway lines. Mr Gray moved —" That the Government be requested to obtain from the railway engineer, a report as to the necessity of weeding the railways of the province." Mr Harper seconded the motion. The Provincial Secretary said that the Government had no objection to procuring the return asked for. The motion was agreed to. erection of produce stores. Mr J. N. Tosswill moved—" Thai, with a view of affordiDg every possible facility for the erection of produce stores adjacent to the stations upon the railways, excepting those upon the Lyttelton and Christchurch Bailway, sidings leading from the station yards be granted to the owners of adjoining property upon payment of an annual sum." By the erection of these sheds, the grain traffic would be spread over the whole year, and not as now, rushed upon the railway : staff, necessitating the employment of a large amount of surplus labor. If this were ■done, the profits would be greatly enhanced, ;as the farmers would store their grain in •these sheds. It would of course be advisable to have these sheds erected on freehold Hand instead of the producer holding sites on tthe precarious tenure of a lease. It was rumored that the Government intended to ifollow up the course laid down by their predecessors, and resuming possession of the stores at Lyttelton and Christchurch; if this were so, the necessity for erecting sheds was greatly increased, and the best place for them to be erected would be in close -proximity to the railway stations. The i hidings at these stations would be under the j t -umediate control of the station-master, and WL >uld not be productive of any danger. He trut x ted the House would see the necessity of these ' sheds being erected. jj r I. Wilson seconded the resolution with gi ' e *t pleasure, as he felt that it woulr) assist tL ,e working of the railway greatly. He knew himself that at the Kaiapoi station it was aln w ß * impossible to carry on business during the height of the grain season. Mr Higg ws could not see that this proposal would benefit the general body of the public, but ">«M d only do so as regarded the owners of the** » heds - „ He d to he " a little more infor nation from the hon member who had introdu <sed the resolution when he 16 M? Jebson the igM that the great difficulty in this mat, ter was the tenure upon which the Provinci «l Government held the railways. -He undi awbood the hon member (Mr Tosswill) to say that the farmer would in this case reserve his grain until he could get a good.price for i t. Now he might say it had been found to be productive of serious difficulty at country 6 tations when the grain from the accttmnlatio u could not be got at for some time, and the' result was that any one who had sold his g rain had to wait some four or five weeks. If the sidings were granted, and inducemv ».nts thus offered to persons to put up stores, these difficulties

would be removed and a large expenditure of money saved. The Provincial Secretary said that this was a matter which was as nearly affecting the Colonial Government as the Provincial. Indeed they could not say whether they could carry out the resolution until communication had been held with the Colonial Government. Another point was that the Government would of necessity have to place a porter in charge of these sidings, because it would never do to allow any chance of a train running into a truck. It was therefore necessary to consider, even after the General and Provincial Governments had agreed upon the matter, that the persons for whose benefit the sidings were laid down would have not only to pay an annual charge, but also their quota of the cost of maintaining officers at these sidings. As, however, the Government intended to bring down an Ordinance regulating railway tolls and management, he would ask the hon member to withdraw the motion. The whole question of storage on the railway would then come up for discussion, and the Government would not now say whether they were in favor of the resolution or not. Mr Tosswill said that he did not contemplate these sidings being placed at all stations, but he would desire to ask the Provincial Secretary whether the Government were favorable to the principle contained in the resolution.

The Provincial Secretary said that he was not in a position to answer the question of the hon member at present. Mr Andrews thought that while the hon member who had brought this matter before the House was deserving of the thanks of the Council, it would be better for him to withdraw it until the Government brought down the Ordinance relative to railway tolls and management, when the whole subject could be discussed. There was, however, no doubt that some steps in the matter should be taken, and he hoped the Government would not lose sight of it. Mr Tosswill said that as the opinion of the House was in favor of the withdrawal of the motion he would do so. [Hear, hear.] At the same time, he hoped the Government would take the matter into their earliest consideration, with a view to putting the producer in a better position, and enabling them to get their produce away speedily to Lyttelton. The motion was then withdrawn. SURVEY DEPARTMENT. Mr Pilliet moved—" That it be an instruction to the Government that the case of James Bros relating to an alleged wrongful act of the survey department with reference to sections 17855 and 17856, be inquired into in accordance with a promise made on the 15th July, 1874, and to report to the House upon the same." The Provincial Secretary said that the Government had no objection to inquire into the circumstances of the case, but he would suggest to the hon member that the motion should be altered slightly so as to read that the Government " be requested" to inquire into the matter, instead of " that it be an instruction." Mr Higgins moved that the words " that it be an instruction to" be omitted. The motion was agreed to, as also the words " Government that." Ultimately the first portion of the resolution read as follows—" That the Government be requested to inquire into.'' The words "be inquired into" were also struck out." The resolution as amended was then put and agreed to.

regulations for survey department.

Mr Pilliet moved —" That there be laid on the table a copy of the regulations made for the conduct of the Survey department under section 16 of the Land Kegulations of Canterbury." The Provincial Secretary said that he had not been able to find any code of regulations such as the resolution of the hon member contemplated. The clause of the Land Regulations left it to the Waste Lands Board to frame such a code, but it had not been done. The motion was agreed to. SELECT COMMITTEE. Mr Jebson moved—" That the matters referred to in Resolution No 6, Notice Paper 6th May,and resolution No 3, Notice Paper 7th May, be referred to a Select Committee, such committee to consist of the following members :—Messrs Maskell, Knight, Webb, Pilliett, Walker, R. Turnbull, and the mover, with power to call for persons and papers, and to report within fourteen days." Dr Rayner seconded the motion, which was agreed to. diversion of roads special ordinance, NO 3. This Bill was further considered in committee. Progress was then reported with leave to sit again on Tuesday next. FENCING ORDINANCE, 1875. On the order of the day for the further consideration of this Bill being called on. Mr Parker moved that the chairman report progress and ask leave to sit again. Progress was then reported with leave to sit again on Thursday next. diversion of roads special ordinance, NO. 1, 1875. This Bill was further considered in committee, reported to the House, and the third reading fixed for next sitting day. THIRD READINGS. The following Bills were read a third time and passed—The f,Diversion of Roads, Special Ordinance No 8, 1875. The Diversion of Roads Special Ordinance No 7, 1875. The Diversion of Roads Special Ordinance, No 6, 1875. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The Secretary for Public Works in moving that tue House do go into committee of supply said:— Sir, —In making the statement which I am now about to do, I have to beg the indulgence of the House, partly because it is my first appearance in office, secondly on account of the short time the Government has had at its disposal for the preparation of the estimates, a duty which really in my opinion should occupy the attention of the Government over a long period, that is that the expenditure for each succeeding year should be based upon the necessity of it acquired by knowledge and experience. As to the matter of the form in which the estimates has been presented I shall say nothing, as my colleague'has so fully explained the reasons with which 1 fully concur. I have no doubt in many instances the amounts named may exceed the cost ; but I can assure the House that the strictest economy will be observed in the expenditure, always regarding the efficiency of the work. It is a matter of regret that the amount at the disposal of the province for public works is not so large as on former occasions. It has takea a very

considerable portion of the time at our disposal to cull out of the demands made upon it, all works which are not immediately pressing, and devote what funds arc available to such as have been either contracted for or are most urgently needed. As you are aware, the maintenance of the permanent way of the railways aud new works connected with them, is under the management of an experienced engineer brought out from England especially. Having been in office so short a time I have not yet made myself so well acquainted with all matters under his control as I should desire. Of course I intend to become more so, but it can hardly be supposed that a nou-profcssional man should interfere with the construction of such works; still I think it possible to advise upon many points with advantage. The traffic department is under the management of a gentleman whom I consider particularly adapted for the post. I feel that I shall be able to work with him in making such alterations in the management as will remove the disatisfaction that is felt, and increase the profits. In order to do this great reductions must be made in expenses, or else if laige accommodations are given they must be paid for. lam convinced that work performed has often been done at a loss. lam o'f opinion that the reductions in the rate of carriage was a mistake, and think it will be advisable to raise it again, if not on export, certainly upon import goods, at all events for some time to come. Other charges should also be made, such as haulage and craneage. It seems preposterous that so much money should have been, and is still being, spent upon wharves, and so little income be made. I believe the labor in connection with the wharfage is considerably more than the shilling per ton levied. A charge should be made either for the use of the cranes, to be worked at expense and risk of the ship, or we should make such a rate for doing the work as would at least cover labour, wear and tear, and risk, which latter item is of no small moment. A Railway Tolls and Management Bill will be brought down by the Government, to enable such rates to be levied. I shall commence and continue the explanation of the classes under the department of the Secretary for Public Works in the order in which they are placed upon the Estimates now before you, and will endeavour to make it as full as possible, so that hon members may be well informed before proceeding to pass the various items, and save much time in committee. I shall afterwards state distinctly what items the Government intend to propose to the Council to strike out or defer. Class 13, subdivision I—There is a proposed increase of £SO to the Assistant Secretary. The Government think it necessary, from the onerous duties devolving upon this gentleman, that this increase should be made. In subdivision No 2 there is an additional draftsman, which has been recommended by the Engineer, and which we think necessary. Two additional engineers for this department were applied for by the Provincial Engineer; but the Government, thinking that less works in this department were necessary than formerly, and many of the votes being revotes for works for which plans and specifications and surveys have already been prepared, came to the conclusion that these appointments were unnecessary. Under class 14, Waste Lands Board, there is a reduction of £SO in contingencies. In class 17, the only change is, that £634 is placed under this class for Timaru Domain, instead of £BOO, being the amount required by the Timaru Domain Board for carrying on the operations for the year. Class 18—There is an outstanding liability for West Coast road incurred by authority of the Government, which must be met. In the next item it will be observed that the maintenance of the West Coast road and Hagley Park road is less by £350 than last year. This is in consequence of the outlay of which the above £4OO was a part (the General Government having subsidized the amount voted by the province by the sum of £1450) having enabled the road to be taken at a higher level, and out of flood line. The cost of future maintenance will thereby be decreased. The item £I2OO for bridges, ferries, &c, is necessary in consequence of the Government having taken them over under, resolution of the Council. The maintenance was formerly met out of the tolls. Under next item of £IOOO for buildings, &c, is included a sum for painting the Government buildings, a work which has been delayed too long already. The other items call for no special remark. Class 19, Subsidies to Ferries—These are simply engagements for the subsidy of the various ferries named. Class 20, Buildings and Works—The first item of £3600 is for the completion of the south wing of the Lyttelton gaol, which is absolutely necessary, owing to the crowded state of the place. This amount will include a third story, to serve as a general dining room, and has been recommended by the visiting justices. It is unnecessary to make any remark on the next item, as it speaks for itself, but I may state that a further sum of £ISOO was set down by the architect for the centre wards, which the Government, considering the additions being made to the Addington Gaol, and the fact that the Colonial Government are considering the formation of a central penal station for long service prisoners, could be dispensed with for the present. Under the head of Addington Gaol the £I2BO is due. The £3500 is to complete the building which the preceding item has commenced, therefore it is absolutely necessary; accommodation will be afforded for forty-eight prisoners, mostly in single cells, with other necessary offices; a portion of this will also be the infirmary. The next matter calling for remark is the hospital. The first item, £3500, is under contract, and is for the central buildings or administrative block, which contain rooms for the house surgeon and dispenser, also waiting, consulting, and store rooms, and dispensary. I may here state that the new wards have been finished, and contain twentytwo beds, and are fitted with gas, hot and cold water, and completely furnished. The washhouse and laundry is also completed. The next item of £I6OO will include a fence, which is necessary in order to prevent the patients from leaving the ground except by the porter's gate. The architect proposes a third ward, similar to the others, to connect with the present buildings, at an estimated cost of £3700. The Government, however, thinks this matter can stand over for _ the present. The casual ward at Lyttelton is a revote, the work being under contract. A larger sum for verandah, tank, bath rooms, &c, was proposed for the Industrial School, but we have only asked £SO, for the work absolutely necessary. The architect also furnished an estimate for an infirmary for the institution, at a cost of £565, but as the building is not fully tenanted, the Government think a spare room could be used for

the present, as it appears the invalids cannot legally be sent to the hospital. For the Lunatic Asylum, the £3487 is a revote, and now under contract. The next item of £3300 is for carpenters' work to complete the above. The other items explain themselves. A further sum of £BOO for steward's house and stable was requested, but has not been placed on the estimates. The next item for Drunkards' Asylum is a revote in part, we thinking it would suffice for the present. For the Supreme Court the first two and last items are revotes; the sum of £3OO for laying out ground between building and the river will in the opinion of the Government be sufficient to make the place sightly but they will not asphalte, as proposed by the architect, who estimates the cost at £7OO. The £2OO for furniture is required for the new portion of the builung recently completed. Orphan Asylum, first and second amounts are revotes, the third is for painting absolutely necessary. Since the estimates were framed, as honorable gentlemen are aware, a fire has destroyed the girls school room, for which a further sum of about £750 will be required to replace it. I may remark that this sum will be recovered from the underwriters. The next vote of £53,974 is for school buildings, of which the sum of £10,420 is a revote, the balance of £43,545 being a new vote for new and additional buildings, furniture, &c. The estimates of the Board of Education seem in some cases excessive; but the Ordinance as it at present stands does not give the Government control over this expenditure; the estimate has been put down as furnished by the Board. The proposed Bill, however, if carried, will' give the Government the control, when a strict scrutiny will be exercised with a view to a more economical expenditure. The amount of £3600 for the Normal School is a revote of £3370, and a new one of £230. The two amounts, I understand, will complete the present building. Public buildings, £14,540 —This is a revote, and our contribution to the public buildings for General Government purposes. Museum, £l3,624—This is a revote, and will be alluded to presently. College and chemist's laboratory and lecture rooms, £10,850. This is a revote, to which I will also allude more fully presently. Under police buildings the £240 set down for Christchurch is for new cells required in consequence of the generally overcrowded state of the present lockup. The £750 for Lyttelton is for additional accommodation for members of the force. That for Waimate is partly a revote, the balance required to give additional accommodation. Waitaki is a revote, and is under contract. Southbridge is a revote of £675, and £l7O additional for fencing, &c. Bealey vote is absolutely required. Oxford vote is required for a new station, the present one being quite inadequate for the wants of the district, and not worth spending the vote of £BO upon which was taken last year. That for Malvern is a revote, as is also a portion of Kaiapoi. The amounts put down for Pleasant Point and Little River are both new votes, being for new stations required at both places. The £250 for general repairs requires no remark. The cottage for powder magazine keeper at Lyttelton is a new vote, and really required for the protection of the powder stored in the magazine at Baker's Bay. The Government will take into consideration the necessity of making a charge for storage at the magazine. The £IOO for repairs to the Provincial Engineer's office is in lieu of £3OO voted last year; the present building is not worth a larger expenditure. The matter of erecting a new engineer's office came under the consideration of the Government, but it was considered that the present offices might be made to answer requirements until the eastern portion of the Government buildings now occupied by the Registrar of Deeds was vacated. Fireproof safe £250, is a revote ;] also the removal of the pilot station, Lyttelton, to the extent of £I2OO. The additional £306 is required for a married pilot's residence. The Female Refuge item is a revote, and includes the payment for the site which has been selected. The Government do not propose to expend this money unless the property is placed in the hands of trustees. There were further sums for police buildings brought under our consideration, £10,970, which the Government did not feel justified in placing upon the present estimates. Under the head of Bridges, that of the Rakaia is a revote, in addition to which a supplementary vote of £9OO will be required. The material has been supplied, and the work going on by the railway engigineer's staff. Ashburton bridge is a revote, which will have to be paid to the General Government when the work is completed. Waimakariri Gorge bridge .£21,528, is a revote; the ironwork has been ordered and a portion came to hand in the Tintern Abbey, the remainder is afloat. The plans are in preparation by Mr Higginsou, and the work of erection will probably be commenced in January next. Ashley foot bridge was balance of vote is completed. Pareora, Otaio, and Waihou £4ooo—This amount is required to complete these bridges. In addition to the vote of £I4OO for the Opihi bridge, there will be a supplementary vote for £BBO, being the amount due under contract. For the Waihi bridge the sum of £1250 is required, which will cover the balance due on contract. The amount of £250 for Waihi Creek foot bridge is a new vote, as is also that for Te Ngawai bridge. This amount is asked for by the Board of Works, for painting and repairs of damage caused by flood. Ashley bridge, North road —This is a revote for a new one, and is under contract. Lower Selwyn is also under contract. Temuka is a new vote for double flooring ; it appears the old flooring being of Kauri would not stand the wear and tear of traffic. The two next items of £l5O and £IOO are revotes. Saltwater Creek is a new vote ; £6OO was voted last session, which was found insufficient. Hawkin's bridge is completed. The amount contains a revote of £234, and the balance of £l7B is required for the approaches rendered necessary by a flood. After the contract was signed, the site was altered, and the land had to be purchased. Hook bridge is a revote and under contract. Tekapo bridge is a revote of £3896, and an additional amount of £1534; this additional amount is required, as it is proposed to erect an iron bridge. The material has to be carted seventy miles. £SOO for the Ohou bridge bridge (Upper Waitaki), is a revote, and is not under contract. The Otago province will supplement this sum with an equal amount, as the bridge will be common to both provinces. The £7500 is a revote for Waitaki bridge, the question of the site is now under the consideration of the Government. The Otago Government has agreed to meet this sum with a like amount. The whole of the papers referring to this matter are laid upon the

table. Bluff and Selwyn Bridge is a revote, and is under contract for £5222; the balance placed on the estimates is necessary for approaches and engineering expenses connected with the work. Moffatt's bridge is a revote. Lower Rangitata, £7OO, one-third cost, the balance of the cost, viz, £I3OO, will be defrayed by the General Government, as per agreement. It is anticipated that the line to the Rangitata will be soon completed, and this bridge will facilitate the traffic between north bank and Timaru until the railway bridge is completed The work will be carried out by the General Government. Upper Rangitata protective works, £2210, is a new vote ; £IOOO of this is a liability authorised by the late Government; but not yet paid. This has been applied for by the Board of Works to protect the Upper Rangitata bridge, which may probably become isolated if these protective works are not carried out. The vote of £IOOO for willows and planting is intended for the protection of bridge sites south of the Rangitata. Bealey bridge, £750, is a new vote, This bridge is to be on the new level of the West Coast road, and is in substitution of one on the old line now rendered useless. Roads—The Hurunui road, £79 12s, is a revote, and under engagement. Kokohu to Burke's Pass,£2oo3, is a revote, and engaged; a sum of £4497 has been spent on this road during the past nine months. Governor's Bay road, £BOO, is partly a revote. About £7OO is for the purchase of land to continue the Orphanage road to Corsair Bay, it is intended to employ the prison labor upon the formation. Little River and Akaroa, £lsoo—Of this amount £450 is an additional vote. It is necessary under an Ordinance of the Council that the proceeds of the sale of the Little River Reserves shall be expended on this road; there remains of these reserves still unsold about £3OO worth, which will be applied under this vote. Waimate Gorge £12,466 —This is a revote, a large portion of which is under contract, as is also the sum of £9994 for the new roads in the Upper Waihou district. The sum of £SOO for roads and bridges in Mount Somers district is a revote, and the Road Board has liabilities outstanding against it. The next four items, Quarry roads, Wainui road, special grant roads, &c, in Mount Cook district and the Waipara beach road are revotes and under engagements. The Pareora gorge road, £4OOO, is a revote ; a tender has been received, and Is now under consideration. Roads Diversions—This vote is for fencing and purchasing new lines of roads where required. Little Racecourse Hill and Kowai bush roads, and South Malvern Hills roads, are both revotes ; the lines have been surveyed, plans and specifications prepared, and a tender for the latter is now under consideration. The road to the Look-out at Lyttelton Heads, £250, is rendered necessary by the erection of a new pilot station upon another site. Hon members will observe that several grants appearing on last year's estimates for Peninsula roads are not included in those before them. The Government found in considering this matter it could not decide in time but the decision will appear in the supplementary estimates. Miscellaneous—Water Supply, Malvern to Rolleston, £22,432. This is a revote and no part under contract, I will allude to this more particularly presently. Water supply, Pareora to Timaru, £6072 is a revote to the extent of £2073, the additional amount of £4OOO is intended to carry out the Provincial Engineer's recommendation of pitching the reservoir and any other works necessary. Water supply, Lyttelton—£lo,774 is a revote. Ten artesian wells have been sunk in the Heathcote Valley with a view of testing if a sufficient supply of water could be obtained from that source but the experiment has not succeeded. A brick well is now being sunk under Mr Higginson's advice, but has not proceeded far enough to judge of its success or otherwise. The necessary ironwork, pumping gear, &c, has been ordered from England, the estimated cost free on board is £3152. Should the well not succeed it will be a matter for the engineer's further consideration as to the source from whence a sufficient supply can be obtained. The vote of £SOO for building for time ball at Lyttelton is a new one, the amount of £750 voted last year, and intended to include the building, was more than absorbed by the machinery itself. Contingencies of £3OOO requires no comment, being merely to cover unforeseen expenses. Telegraph station is a revote. Punt and gear, Tekapo, £SOO, is a revote, with a liability of £IOO. Pukaki ferry is a new vote, and is recommended by the Board of Works. Planting school sites, £240, is a revote Drainage of reserves, £336, iB a revote. It will be seen that the vote of £BOO of last year has been reduced by £SOO. Sites for cemeteries, £ISOO, is a revote. If suitable waste lands can be procured within easyaccess of Christchurch and Kaiapoi this money may not be required. This matter is now under our consideration, and we may be in a position before the vote is taken to inform the House. The sum of £SOOO for Public Libraries is a revote to the extent of £2109, which, together with the new vote of £2891, is to be expended in the same manner as in previous appropriations. Bllesmere survey, £439, is an engagement. A report from Mr Bray will be shortly laid upon the table. Planting reserves, £4OOO, it will be seen is less than the unappropriated balances from last year by about £3OOO, the Government thinking this sum sufficient. Grants in Aid—£so9 for Rangiora swamp overflow is a revote. Oust and Oxford drainage, £SOO is a revote of £173 ss. The balance is a new vote. The whole amount is made up as follows—£2oo for Mr Bray's charge for survey and report consequent on a resolution of the Council, and £3OO for work and compensation, the work is being carried out by the General Government, who have contributed £l5O. LI river is a revote. Avon river upwards it will be seen the last year's vote has been reduced in the sum of £250 ; the work was down for a rather less amount last year. Roads to Coal Pits, £soo—This item has also been reduced in the sum of £250. Lake Wanaka, £250, is a revote; the work is being carried out by the Otago Government, who supplement the sum named with an equal amount. New Brighton, £2OO, is a revote under a resolution of the Council. Heathcote and Spreydon drainage, £630, is a revote, and under engagement; papers upon this matter have been laid upon the table. Protective Embankment, Kaiapoi, £SOO, is a revote. Fire Engines for Temuka, Akaroa, Kangiora, and Lyttelton, are revotes ; that for Ashburton is a new one. To summarise, the total amount appearing upon the estimates under the head of buildings and works, is Revote, £215,980 ; new vote, £85,169 ; making a total of £301,149. Under the head of Municipalities and Road Boards, a sum of £75,000 has

been placed upon the estimates the, proposed distribution of this amount will be placed before the House previous to the vote being passed. The harbor estimates require but little explanation. It will be seen that the amount of appropriation for thecurrent yearis less than that of last by the sum of about £430, this being chiefly accounted for by the omission of the item £225 for assistant pilot, which appointment was never made, and is not necessary. Harbor works—The amount of £122.109 is the outstanding liability for works now in progress and the purchase of dredge, and the amount of £BOOO is for bringing out the dredge and barges, via Suez. Papers relating to the purchase are upon the table. The next item of £4506 is estimated by the Provincial Engineer as working expenses for six months. The vessels may be expected here in about three months. Graving dock, £405, is a revote and under engagement. Sir John Coode has promised to furnish plans, specifications, and estimate of the cost. Extension of boat jetty, £lO6, is balauce due on contract. Head of the bay jetty, Akaroa. £SOO ; Barry's bay jetty, £93; Akaroa jetty extension, £733; goods shed extension, Akaroa, £479. These are all revotes and under contract excepting the head of the bay jetty, for which modified plans and specifications have been prepared. The next item, £l6B, is put down to complete new jetty at Akaroa. The appropriation of last year was £350, to which was added a contribution of £IOO, making in all £450 available for the work; but already £SBB 18s 4d has been paid. There is no actual liability against the amount of £l6B, but it is necessary to expend it before the jetty can be made use of; the total cost will then be £756 18s 4d, which is an amount in excess of vote of £306 18s 4d. Correspondence upon this matter is on the table. The item for Leßon's Bay, Little Akaloa, Governor's Bay (Quarry) and Wainui jetties, £l9ll, is a revote of £l4ll, and a new vote of £SOO. The contract has been let for Leßon's Bay, and for iron and timber for Little Akaloa, and plans are prepared for the others. Repairs to buoys is a new vote. The moorings at Little Akaloa, Leßon's Bay, Wainui, and Okain's Bay, have been recommended by the Provincial Engineer and Harbor-master as being very necessary. The. vote for new boat sheds and protection of boat ways at Pilot Station are works rendered necessary by erection of the new pilot station. The vote for contingencies needs no explanation. Timaru breakwater and survey, £10,200; this is a revote, of which £4OB was expended in connection with Mr Eliot's visit of inspection to Timaru to obtain data for Sir John Coode. We have just received a telegram from him, stating that the plans are progressing. Harbor light, £IOOO. This light has been ordered through the General Government. The one for Akaroa, which appeared in last year's estimates, has been allowed to lapse, in consequence of the amount required for its erection being very much in excess of the £IOOO voted. The correspondence upon this subject is before ;the Council. To summarise, the total amount appearing under Harbor works is as follows: Revote, £228,778; new vote, £15,100; total, £243,878. Thevoteof £3OOO for immigration is required for liabilities. Last year the Government expended £19,295, being apparently in excess of appropriation by the sum of .£2107, but in reality it was not so, as the General Government refunded to the Province the sum of £5784, which would leave a credit balance on this vote of £3677. The liabilities are £IOOO to Mr Duncan, which has already been paid under imprest, and £2OOO on account of cottages which have been built. Under class 27, railway and wharves appears as a total of £148,450. The various items making up this sum are based upon those of last year, with such exceptions as can be explained when taking the votes for the subdivisions. The total amount of expenses of course exceeds that of the preceding year, but it is accounted for by the large number of extensions provided for, many of them not yet in use, but will be shortly. We confidently anticipate that by the arrangement now made to do all the outside work of loading and stacking timber, &c, that a great saving will be effected. We have it under consideration to apply the same system wherever it can be adopted. Class 28, Lighterage, £Booo—We have this matter under consideration, with a view to discontinue the system which has hitherto obtained, if we find, as I imagine, it has not worked profitably. Railway Works—Selwyn bridge, £IBO. This item is required for piles, which were borrowed from the General Government, and have not yet been returnpd. Increase of Shed, Lyttelton, £24oo—This work is being constructed under contract for £2114; the balance is required for interior fittings and traverser table. New Shed at Lyttelton, £sooo—This work is also in course of construction under contract ; the price was less than anticipated. Purchase of Buildings at Lyttelton, £3ooo—ln consequence ol the late Government having given to Mr Cunningham notice to resume possession of the portion of the stores now occupied by him, this sum will be required as compensation, in accordance with the terms of the lease. Goods Sheds at Papanui and Styx, £4OO each These are also being constructed under contract. Additional Roads and Sidings, Christchurch Goods Yards, £3ooo—These roads are in connection with the new works in progress: viz., carriage sheds (N.G.), workshops, &c, and includes also forming and metalling the goods yards. The new carriage and engine sheds recently constructed cannot be utilised without this expenditure. Extension of Sidings, &c, £B,OO0 —These are required throughout the lines at nearly all the principal stations. The siding accommodation is for the increasing traffic. Where sidings are needed on General Government lines, it is expected we shall receive a contribution. Conversion of Gauge from Rakaia to Addington, £30,000 — The gauge is converted on the South line as far as Duiisandel, and the rails laid as far as Rolleston. It is proposed to break the gauge at Rolleston when the line is opened to the Rangitata, which it is hoped may be done in abouVa fortnight. The sum asked for will take the N.G. line into Lyttelton. It also includes £IO,OOO additional vote to last year's, which is due to the fact that in the last year's estimate no amount was allowed for transhipping the materiel from the broad to the narrow guage waggons. This, I am informed, has been more than was expected, as the time occupied has been considerable, but unavoidable. A large portion of the new rails have also been paid for out of thiß amount. [See report of 10th March last.] Drainage of Christchurch Goods Yard, £SOOO —This is most necessary; the yard is under water in rainy weather, and the present drain which is taken for temporary purposes into the new sewer on the South town belt, is not

large enough to take the water. The engineer proposes to take the drainage down to the river Heathcote at Opawa along the railway reserve. The drain while being necessary for railway purposes, will also assist the drainage of the Heathcote and Spreydon districts. Porter's Cottage, Addington, £2OO This work is let, and now in course of construction. Repairing Shop and Carriage Shed at Rangioia, £Boo—This is requisite for doing the necessary repairs to the nai-row guage rolling stock on north line. Narrow Guage Engine and Carriage Shed, £3ooo— work is in course of construction under contract; the vote is over that of last year, but it includes the interior fittings. Railway Workshops and Machinery, £9OOO-The plans for the workshops are in hand, and the machinery is ordered from England. This is mostly a revote. The machinery will cost about £3OOO. Contingencies,£4ooo—This vote needs no explanation. Weigh bridges, £2OOO—A portion of this vote is a liability, five having been ordered, costing in round numbers £250 each landed, to which has to be added the expense of fixing them here; the amount also includes the cost of procuring others for the principal stations, which has been recommended by the engineer. Cranes, .£4OOO —A portion of this vote represents a liability. In this case also it will be necessary to provide more cranage during the ensuing year. The engineer advises me that difficulties have already happened at various stations for want of cranes. Branch Railway, £SOOO —This is the balance payable to the General Government on account of the Eyreton branch line, and is a part of the £42,000 originally set apart by the Province by resolution for branch lines. Timaru aud Temuka, £7ooo—This was also set apart by resolution of a later date, aud is payable when the line is completed. Washdyke to the Point, £6ooo—This is partly a revote, the difference is required for connecting with the main line; this line is being superintended by the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works engineer. Extension of Point Railway to Opawa, £6o,ooo—This is a revote; the line has been surveyed, and the plans and specification are in the hands of the Board of Works, Timaru. All the permanent way has been ordered, and under contract to amount of about £15,000. A Bill will have to pass through the General Assembly before this work can proceed. Rolling Stock—sft 3in, £IOOO. This is a liability on account of ten broad gauge waggons, built by Mr Anderson to the order of a former Goverment. When a vote was taken last year for £1350 under this head it was not known that the ten waggons above mentioned had been ordered—it appears the order was given and forgotten until the waggons came to hand. The £782 expended last year was for the other waggons constructed. Rolling Stock, 3ft 6in gauge, £7ooo This includes a balance of last year's vote, which is a liability, the remainder is the cost of 100 narrow gauge waggons ordered from England at a cost of about £65 each; they are now on the way out. Additional Roads on Reclaimed Land, Lyttelton, £looo—lt will be necessary to put these down in connection with the new shed. Extension of Goods Shed, Kaiapoi, £Boo— is a revote; the plans are completed and approved by the General Government Engineer. Tenders have been sent in, but are not yet accepted by the General Govorn ment, who will contribute £4OO out of a total cost of £I2OO. Alteration of Platform and Roads, Kaiapoi. £soo—The additional amount is required in consequence of the narrow gauge line being brought into Kaiapoi, which will render it necessary to alter the broad gauge roads and sidings more than was anticipated at the date the last year's rote was taken, Extension of Waimate Branch Line, £lo,ooo—This is a revote upon which no liability exists. It is for the extension of the Waimate branch line (to which we contributed £5000) from the town terminus to the bush. A Bill must be passed through the General Assembly before this work can proceed. Yards and Stage for Stock, £looo—This is for the erection of yards and stages for stock at different stations, similar to those already put up at Rakaia, Selwyn, Duusandel and Rolleston. Survey of Line, Oxford to Waimakiriri Gorge, including Junction Kaiapoi and Nyreton Line, £soo—This work is in hand at present. The vote of last year was insufficient for the work, the sum now >set down will defray the cost of survey of Feventeen and a half miles. The Ashley Gorge survey is also included. Wells at Dunsandel and Rolleston, £ 145—This water supply is very much required. Widening Roadway and New Gates, Riccarton and Papanui, £so—The Road Board asks that this should be done, it seems only reasonable, as the gates are very narrow. Gate Keeper's House, Antigua street, £2oo— is necessary, the man should be on the spot, especially as the traffic will be much increased shortly. Outfit for New Lines, including Water Supply at Stations, £soo— includes all work in connection with fitting out new stations. This has always been done by the province, as has also the water supply to new lines. Groin at Waimakiriri Bridge, £4OO. This is required for the protection of the approach, it may probably be recovered from General Government—lncrease of Platform and Station Accommodation, £Boo—This item is for the lengthening of station platforms, and providing more waiting room and office accommodation at stations. Great delay is caused now owing to the platforms not being long enough. The waiting rooms also at several stations are of the most scanty description, and might with advantage be made more conducive to the comfort of passengers. The General Government will be asked to assist. Carriage docks at stations, £2oo—These are for the purpose of loading and unloading carriages and horses, which have now to be landed oa the passenger platforms, if at all. Additions to import shed, Christchurch, £3OO. This item is for some alteration to the shed, and for additional offices, and facilities for loading and unloading impoit goods. Some portion of this expenditure is for the benefit of the Customs department, which probably will be refunded by the General Government. Purchase of land at Christchurch, £l2oo— is an engagement, the land is so close to the present workshops it is desirable to acquire it. Purchase of Howe's land, Lyttelton and Christchurch line, £sso—This is for the purchase of land near Opawa, occupied by the line of railway; it has been in abeyance for many years; an additional amount of £sl will appear on the supplementary esti mates to cover interest on above. Gas for Lyttelton station and wharves, £looo—The acquisition of gas is necessary in order to facilitate night work; the sum will cover all the fittings. Railway signal apparatus, J& 1000—This is for the system of signalling 0B the Lyttelton and Cbrißtchuicb line at

the tunnel and at the principal junctions. This is necessary for the protection more particularly of the tunnel traffic. [See Engineer's report.] Railway telegraph system, £lsoo—This is for providing a proper system of telegraphing between the principal and some intermediate stations, as proposed by the traffic manager and railway engineer in their several reports; tbe:e are numberless instances to prove the necessity of this work. Rails, materials, points, crossings, &c, £Booo—This includes rails, fastenings, &c. A great part of this item is a liability, material having been ordered from England, aud now on the way out. Accommodation for employees at country stations, £s6oo—This is an item which requires special mention. At the present time, the railway department is paying 'both directly and indirectly, large sums for carrying employees to and from their work. It is the opinion of the Government, that it is most desirable the men should be at or near their work; for this purpose, and for the sake of economy, we recommend that accommodation should be provided at such places where it cannot at present be got. It is not proposed that this accommodation should be provided free, but that the men should be called on to pay a rental, sufficient to reimburse the Government for this outlay. Water tank, Christchurch yard, £9oo—This is for the protection of the buildings against fire. The present tank is not large enough, as the fire engine can pump out the supply in six minutes. Waggon docks at engine shed, £loo—These are for the convenience of getting the fire engine away over the lines in the event of fire. Fencing Christchurch goods yard, £soo—This is required to [close fence the premises on the south side; at present they are exposed and unprotected. To summarise, the total amount appearing under railway works is—Revote, £142,244; new vote, £61,381 ; total, £203,625. Having now gone through the list of matters connected with my office, I proceed to indicate to the Council those items on which we hope to effect a saving. " Public Buildings ; £14,540," Estimates, page 14—The Council last year resolved that it would defer its final dscision on the questions of site and design for these buildings until the present session. We find that since then no steps appear to have been taken to come to any definite arrangement, though the Colonial Government wrote some time ago to ask what is proposed to be done. Under all circumstances, though obliged by the resolution of this Council to place the sum upon the estimates, the Government will not object to its reduction. Museum—With regard to this vote, what the Government have done is this. They find that on the last day of the financial year, ending the 31st of March last, the previous Government advised the acceptance of Mr Tait's contract for excavating and laying concrete foundations, &c, £6281 17s 6d, and Messrs England's tender for timber, work, &c, £6329 3s. It appears, however, on inquiry that this was not intimated to the College Governors until afterwards, and that no contract was entered into by them until the 20th of April following, and the vote must therefore be taken as having lapsed with the rest of the previous votes. We also find that the previous Government declined very properly to hand over the money to the College Board, as requested by them. On further enquiry it was also found that no site had been settled, and therefore that no definite plan having been decided upon by the Government, and the vote having lapsed, it would be absolutely necessary to bring the vote forward again for consideration. In considering the question of the necessity for this expenditure the Government were compelled, looking at the state of the finances of the province, and the many serious claims upon the public funds, to consider whether important works of another character were not more urgently needed than such an extensive additions to" the Museum, which may be fairly classed as a luxury, but which the Government consider ought not to take precedence of works which are of vital importance to the progress of the province. Under these circumstances the Government gave notice to the College Governors and to Messrs 'fait and England, that any works connected with the proposed additions would have to stand over until after the Appropiiation Act had passed. The Government regret that such precipitancy was shown on the part of the College Governors in entering into any arrangement with the builders after the vote had lapsed, thereby, in all probability, rendering themselves liable to be called upon to pay compensation. The Council will observe from dates that at the time when this correspondence with regard to these additions to the Museum was carried on, notice had been served, dated March 19th, upon all the Road Boards in the following words:—" In forwarding this circular I think it as well to intimate to you that, owing to the marked falling off in the sale of waste lands during the past three months, there cannot be any further payment to the Road Boards during the current financial period.— (Signed) T. W. Maude, Secretary for Public Works." It will also be observed that the amount due to the Road Boards exceeds by £IOOO only the very amount proposed to be expended on the Museum, viz, £14,000. The Government consider that this sum ought not to be expended on a costly luxury, when far more important works are required, and they therefore propose to leave this vote out, if the Council will leave it to the Government to settle the matter with the builders and Governors of the college. College, £Booo—Chemists' Laboratory and Lecture Rooms, £2850, same page—We propose to give over to the Canterbury College a part of the building known as the Normal school. It will be remembered that part of this building was intended to be used as a district school, for Christchurch West, and the remainder for instructing school teachers. In the present unfinished state of the building, the Government have not been able to decide positively what will be done. But we think that at all events one wing of the Normal school might be devoted to College purposes. We shall be able under these circumstances, we think, to save this £10,850 for the present year. Female Refuge, £2ooo—Of this sum about £450 has been engaged to pay for the site of this building, but the Govarnment do not intend to proceed with the work unless on the understanding that the institution is vested in trustees so as to relieve the public funds from further liabilities from it. In all probability the remaining £ISOO will be saved for this year. Waimakiriri Gorge Bridge, £21,528 0s 3d, same page—Of this it appears that about £IO,OOO is under engagement for ironwork ordered in England. We estimate that the remaining £II,OOO will certainly not be required before the end of the present financial year, Waitaki Bridge (half cost)

£7500, page 15—This should be called Waitaki Gorge Bridge. We estimate that at least £SOOO of the amount will not be wanted till next year. Water Supply, Kalvern to holleston, £22,432 6s 6d—Against this item there appears to be no liability at the present time. Certain small works have betn begun in the riverbed of the Kowai, but we understand that the sum already appropriated under votes of this Council will not be sufficient within many thousands of pounds to construct anything like such a work as can be expected to be useful. We understand also that the late Government dispensed with the services of the engineer in charge of it, and the works are now entirely suspended. Under these circumstances, we think that we can save the whole of the sum asked for his purpose, at all events for the present. Water Supply, Lyttelton, £10,774 17s 4d, same page. Of this we estimate that £SOOO will not be wanted this year. Sites for cemeteries,£lsoo, same page. We propose to save this sum by making a reserve of waste land suitable for a public cemetery near a railway station. Timaru breakwater, £IOO,OOO, page 18. It is almost a certainty that at least £90,000 of this will not be required this year. Railway Works—Out of this class we believe that the following sums can be saved for the year : Conversion of gauge, £IO,OOO ; Point railway to Opawa, £50,000; Waimate extension, £5000; on other railway works, £10,000; or a total of £75,000. Beyond these there is a sum of £6OOO which we may expect to be able to claim from the Colonial Government for works to be done during the year on the General Government lines, and included in the railway estimates. I may mention that this sum would have appeared on the estimates amongst the classes of revenue, but until the railway engineer's estimates were received we were not aware that we could look for such a sum. Adding together, then, the sums I have mentioned, we arrive at a total of £256,446 17s sd. This total is made up of items proposed to be saved this year, £70,446 17s sd, and items postponed to the financial year 1876-77, £186,000, leaving an estimated cash deficit on March 31st, 1876, of £24,584 18s. But this may be met either out of revenue of future years or out of such savings as great economy during the present year may effect. I have to thank the Council for the very patient hearing they have accorded, in listening to what must of necessity be to a very large extent a mere statement of dry details. In conclusion, I wish to remark that it will be the determined object of the Government, if they receive the confidence of the Council, to keep a strict control over the expenditure, so as to avoid the necessity of disposing of large sums of money on works which may without injury to the public service be allowed to stand over. By adopting a rigid scrutiny into the public works and railway departments the Government hopes during the financial year so to arrange the expenditure as to bring the accounts down at the termination of the year in such a state as to show a sound financial position. Applause followed when the Secretary for Public Works concluded his statement, Mr Montgomery asked if the Government had any objection to an adjournment of the debate until to-morrow. The Secretary for Public Works— The Government have no objection if the House wishes.

Dr Turnbull asked if he heard rightly that the Goverment intended raising the charges by railways on imports, and leaving the charges upon exports as they are now ? The Secretary for Public Works reiterated what he had said on the subject in his statement.

Sir Cracroft Wilson moved the adjournment of the debate until to-morrow. Mr W. B. Tosswill asked if the debate would be taken on the whole estimates tomorrow. [Cries of Yes !J Dr Turnbull asked if the correspondence relating to the Museum buildings was included in the papers laid on the table. The Provincial Secretary—As far as I know all the coirespondence up to this morning is laid on the table. Mr W. B. Tosswill asked if the Government would have the return of all the lands sold laid on the table by to morrow evening, as it would be of great use in considering the estimates.

The Secretary for Public Works said the return was in th>3 course of preparation, and would be laid on the table at once. The motion for the adjournment of the debate was agreed to. Notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned until 5 p.m. this day.