PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 186, 5 August 1864, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, July 13. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present—all the members but Messrs. Fitzgerald and Tuke. Mohaka Road. Mi*. M Lean laid the report of the Provincial Engineer on the Mohaka road on the table. Road from Puketapu to Oruawhera. Mr. Ormond moved the following for Mr. Tuke, who was absent: —“ That the Provincial Engineer be requested to report on the best line of road from Puketapu to Oruawhera, being part of the main line to Puketitiri.” The report was laid on the table by His Honor. Educational Reserves. Mr. Eiciiardson moved the following standing in the name of Mr. Fitzgerald :—"For a return of the sections, with the numbers, contents, and the present yearly value of each, in the Town of Napier and Scinde Island, originally set apart for educational reserves.” The motion was agreed to. Loan Appropriation Act. Mr. Ormond having obtained leave to bring in this bill, standing orders 27 and 37 were suspended, and the bill read a first time and ordered to be printed, and its second reading made an order of the day for Wednesday, the 20th instant. Education. Mr. Eichaedson (for Mr. Fitzgerald, who was absent,) asked the Superintendent “ if it is the intention of the Government to introduce this session any measure relative to education.” Mr. M Lean said that in reference to the question which had just been put, hemightatate they had had tne subject of education under consideration ; but they were unable this session to bring in any measure affecting it. They thought that the Actnow in force provided for all present purposes. What was chiefly wanted, however, was that the people should take a deeper interest in education, tor it is not by merely passing Acts that they could be educated. They, the Government, had considered several plans—that of Nelson among the number, which imposed a tax of f I per annum on every householder. He should, however, ask the Council to give more money for educational purposes this session, as there would be two or three additional schools requiring aid from the public funds—one of which was intended to be started at Puketapu, another at Waipawa, and another at Havelock, and it was not unlikely they might have another at Hampden. He thought the people were now awaking to the importance of this subject, and as soon as they were sufficiently aroused, the Government might then pass such serves still in their hands, and they might set apart more from the unalienated lands. There was perhaps no subject of such great interest as education, and it was one which Acts as were necessary. There were several reno Government would bejustified in neglecting. He trusted the people would cooperate with the Government in endeavoring to introduce a good system and a good class of teachers. j Highways Eill. The Council then went into Committee on the above-named bill, and after altering and amending some of the clauses, the chairman reported progress, and the Council adjourned. Thursday, July 14. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present, the Speaker and all the members but Mr. Tuke. Returns. Mr. M’Lean laid a return of the liabilities and i assets of the Province up to the Ist July on the

table ; also a return of Education and School Reserves. V, ■ Mates of Pilotage. Mr. Smith moved — “ That it is desirable that the clause of the Harbor Regulations, No. IY, affecting the rate of Pilotage charged at the Port of Napier be altered, and that tho’Superintondent be requested to order for the future that the rate of Pilotage be increased as follows:—id. per ton in and° 4d. out all vessels, the rate to be half or 2d. in the roadstead ; taking a Pilot to be optional.” —The present rates did not pay expenses, more especially in blowy weather, when extra men were required. He quoted the rates which were levied in other provinces, which were all higher than in this. Mr. Kenitedt seconded the motion, as ho thought the present charges were too low. Mr. Colenso would draw the attention of the member who had brought forward the motion to the Constitution Act. If it had not been for whathe saw there, he (Mr. Colenso) would have brought something of the kind in himself. It was not exactly fair to compare the charges of other Provinces with those of this Province, as they provided better accommodation for vessels. Mr. Edwaeds thought the motion out of order. On referring to the Marino Board Act, he found that it provided for the appointment of a Board, so that the Superintendent had no power. If such Board had not been constituted, the Superintendent had not fulfilled his duties. Mr. M’Lean said the Act had been repealed.