Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 387, 21 June 1866, Page 3

Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay.

Tuesday, 19th June, 1866. The tenth session of the Provincial Council of Hawke’s Bay was opened on Tuesday, 19th June, at three p.m., pursuant to proclamation by his Honor the Superintendent. Present, —Tho Speaker and all the members except Messrs Eiehardson and Tuke. The Glebe read the proclamation convening the Council. NEW MEMBERS.

The Speaker, having read prayers, read a letter from his Honor the Superintendent, notifying the return of William Colenso and Thomas Kennedy Newton, Esqs., for the Town of Napier, in the room of J. M. Stuart and William Colenso, Esqs., resigned ; also, the return of John Weston, Esq., fop Waimarama, in the room of Edward Spencer Curling, Esq-, resigned. THE SPEECH. His Honor the Superintendent then read the following address: — Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council , In calling you together for the despatch of public business, I am happy to be able to congratulate you on the sound financial condition of the Province, and on the steady progress it is making in material prosperity and wealth. This progress is not of that fluctuating nature which has its periods of prosperity and depression, neither has it been promoted by the discovery of gold-fields or other extraneous causes, but it is cheifly owing to the energy displayed by tho inhabitants, in developing the resources of a rich and productive District. In order to place this more clearly before you, I shall refer to the statistical returns of the last three years, which show that, while the exports for tho year 1863 were £86,592 145., those of a corresponding period in 1865 amounted to £181,281 55., exclusive of shipments of wool from the coast of the value of £20,000.

The imports for the year ending 1863, amounted to £56,576 10s., and for 1865 to £87,616. The ordinary revenue during the Bame time has more than doubled itself, I need not pursue this subject further, the figures quoted afford conclusive evidence of our advancement.

The territorial revenue for the year will be in excess of the amount estimated. A very considerable share of this has been realised from the sale of a portion of the country acquired for settlement at the Wairoa, a District which has opened a fresh field for enterprise and industry, and has the further advantage of being situated in a position on our Northern frontier, which must greatly contribute to the security and stability of the Province, while it provides a want long felt, that of being suited to the requirements of an agricultural population. It is desirable that the settlement of this District should be encouraged by the expenditure of a fair proportion of the revenue derived from it, in such local public works as are found requisite, more especially in improving the navigation of the river. Besides the Wairoa, of which small portion only has been sold, there is still in posession of the Government at the Northern end of the Province valuable tracts of available country, the survey of which is in a forward state. There are also several Blocks of Native Land under offer, which are being purchased for the Government by Mr Locke, a gentleman whose experience and knowledge of native matters fully qualify him for this duty. You will be asked to pass an Act on the basis already recommended by you during the late' session of Council, to authorise the subleasing by the Government of the Papakura and Ilikutoto Blocks on the Ahurirx Plains.

Tiio settlement and occupation of those newlyacquired Lands in various parts of the Province must necessarily give increased impetus to both agricultural and commercial pursuits. In the midst of the various pressing occupations incident to early settlement, it is encouraging to observe that the important subject of Education is not neglected. The readiness with which funds are subscribed for the erection of schools is most creditable; in evidence of this it may be stated that in the begining of 1863 there were only three schools in working condition, with a total average daily attendance of 45 scholars, whereas there are now twelve common and denominational schools in various parts of the province, affording instruction to upwards of 300 pupils, and returning on the 21st March last an average daily attendance of 226. Sis of those schools are conducted by trained masters introduced' from Great Britain.

In addition to public schools, there are several excellent private ones, so that the number of pupils at present receiving instruction must bo considerably over -100.

• The main linea of road throughout the province are in good repair. Those and other public works and undertakings have been carried on by Mr Weber, the Provincial Engineer, with Ms usual zeal and ability. Two hundred men have been kept in constant employment on tha public works since November last. The new line through the Forty-mile Bush to Manawatu on the West Coast will be completed this month. It extends from the. entrance of the bush at the Rua Taniwha Plains to the boundary of the Province at Te Ahu o Turanga, a distance of 35 miles. Much has yet to be done on the Wellington side before the whole line is open for regular traffic. This road will be of great importance in connecting the East and West Coasts of the island, and in facilitating intercourse with the country between Manawatu and Rangitikei, the settlement of which must prove of great advantage to our Province. As I shall again have occasion to convene the Council as soon after the sitting of the General Assembly as possibly, I shall only now ask you to vote the necessary supplies to carry on the public service in the interim. The war on the East Coast, wMch at first assumed such a serious aspect, has, in less than a year, been brought to a successful termination; this result is, in a great measure, due to the distinguished bravery and skill of the officers and men comprising the Colonial Forces, as well as to the loyalty and devotion so unmistakeably displayed by the friendly natives. The ending of the East Coast campaign after various brilliant achievements opens up much brighter prospects for the future of this Province, by creating that feeling of security which induces the introduction of fresh capital and labor, and furthers the formation and progress of English settlement. Mr Wilkinson moved that his Honor’s speech be printed. Mr Kennedy seconded the motion. Agreed to. Mr Colenso asked his Honor the Superintendent whether it was the intention of the Government to appoint a day for the consideration of his Honor’s address. His Honob replied in the negative. Mr Colenso said that he had gathered from his Honor’s address that it was only intended during the present session to provide for the expenditure of the Province until the next session should be called together. He thought there were numerous other matters in his Honor’s address wMch needed some time for consideration. Mr Buchanan complained that a return which he moved for and which was ordered to be prepared last session had not been laid on the table. His Honob said he would inquire into the matter, and refer to it next sitting. Mr Buchaban hoped there would be no delay in the printing of the Speech. It was necessary that members should have it in their bands as early as possible. PAPEES. The Speakee read a letter from the Audit Office, enclosing the Abstracts of Receipts and Expenditure for the Province of Hawke’s Bay for the Quarters ending 30th September and 31st December, 1865, and 31st March, 1866. Mr Colenso said that time was needed this session for the consideration of such matters. In other parts of the Colony the Audit Office was considered a sham which should be abolished altogether. adjournment. Mr M’Lean moved that the Council do now adjourn till to-morrow at 3 p.m. Mr Newton seconded the motion. Agreed to, and Council adjourned accordingly, at 3 - 35 p.m. Wednesday, 20th June. The Council met at 3 p.m., pursuant to adjournment. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. PAI'EES, His Honob the Supeexntendent laid the following papers on the table : 1 — Statement of the Receipts of the Province of Hawke’s Bay for the nine months ending 31st March. 1866, 2 on a Bridge to connect the Eastern and Western Spits. 3 Report on the Drainage and Embankment of the Meanee Flats. 4 Report upon Roads and Bridges in the Province of Hawke’s Bay. 5 Report on the re-survey of Puketapu block, —Mr Brcingan’s property. 6 Report on Surveys for the year ended June, 30th, 1866. 7 Report of Inspector of Sheep for the Northern District. 8— Report on the Taipo-road through Mr Alley’s property. 9 Report on the Taupo-road at Hakowai. 10— Report on Puketapu Surveys. 11— Report ou Artesian Wells in Napier. audit committee. Mr M'Lean gave a notice of motion in reference to an Audit Committee, for next sitting day. Mr Buchanan said he was out of order, hut he would draw the attention of the Council to the notice just given. Mr Obmond said the member was out of order. He hoped there would not be any unseemly discussions such as there were yesterday. Mr Buchanan moved the adjournment of the House. He was now in order. It was not customary for a member of the Government to bo appointed to an Audit Committee. He thought the Council should conform to the usual practice in this matter. That was what he wished to draw the attention of the Council to. PATEES. His Honob tho Supeeintkndent laid the following paper on the table:— Comparative Statement showing the sums voted for the service of the Provincial Govern men t for the twelve months ending 30th June, 1866 j Expenditure for the nine

months ending 31st March, 1866 j the excess of vote over expenditure and of expenditure over vote • as well as the sums paid on accounts not specially provided for, &c. PAPAEUEA AND IIIKUTOTO EE-DBASE Bill. Mr M ‘Lean moved, pursuant to notice— For leave to Bring in a Bill to authorize the Superintenflent to re-lease the Hikutoto and Papakura Blocks. —He would reserve his remarks on this Bill for S future occasion. Mr .Kennedy seconded the motion. Agreed to, Mr M - Lean moved that the Bill be printed. Mr Coeenso rose to a point of order. The Bill must be brought in before it could be printed. Mr M‘Lean moved that the Bill be read a first time. Agreed to, and Bill read a first time inglyMr M‘Lean moved that the Bill be printed and read a second time on Friday. Mr Osmond seconded the motion. Mr Coeenso rose to a point of order. Those two things were distinct, and could not be lumped together in one motion. Mr M‘Le.sn moved that the Bill be printed, Mr Oemond seconded the motion. Agreed to. adjournment. Mr M‘Lean moved that this house do now adjourn till to-morrow at the usual sitting hour.' Mr Kennedy seconded the motion. Agreed to, and Council adjourned accordingly, at 3 50 p.m. J NOTICES OF MOTION. Thursday, 21st June. Mr Coeenso to ask the Government— Whether the Government has received any intimation from the General Government relative to the stoppage of the three-eighths Customs Revenue ? Mr Coeenso to ask the Government— What is the present amount of cash in the Treasury chest? and what is the exact state of its account current with the Provincial Banker to date ? Mr Coeenso to ask the Government— Whether any of the sum of £60,000 under the Loan Act of 1563 has been raised and expended? and, if so, howmuch ?

Mr Cobenso to ask the Government— What is the gross amount lately determined on Tjy the Commissioners appointed by his Excellency of the Provincial Allocation, or charge, against the Province of Hawke’s Bay, on account of the war loan ? Mr Cobinso to ask the Government— What has been done by the Government, or by the Commissioners appointed by this Council, in the matter of tiio (so-called) Wellington debt ? Mr Cobenso to ask the Government— Whether the Rural Bands at Porangihau, advertised by the Government to be for sale on the 6th proximo, aro not those lands formerly set apart by this Council as Commonage for the small farm settlements there ? Mr Colenso to ask the Government Whether, in the late sales of the Wairoa lands, that portion of the proceeds agreed on to be set apart for the local benefit of those lands in roads and bridges, has been so set apart ? and, if so, to be further informed as to Its present total amount, and whether such amount is still in'the Bank?

Mr Cox/eKSO to ask the Government— Whether the Government intend bringing before tho Council for its opinion tho subject of the proposed annexation of a portion of tho East Coast, —the same bciir- at present a part of the Province of Auckland ? particularly as it is believed that this matter may he brought forward in the General Assembly during its'approaching session, and as the member for Napier in the House of Representatives is the present superintendent of this province. Mr Cobenso to ask tho Government— Why it is that no reports from heads of departments,— no returns of any kind,—no copies of despatches, or of instructions, or of letters from the General Government. — or of any public correspondence whatever, —have been laid upon tbe Council table ? Mr Colenso to move— That the Speech of his Honor the Superintendent bo taken into consideration. Mr Colenso to move— For copies of all correspondence between the Provincial and General Governments relative to the Representation Act (Hawke’s Bay) 1565.” Mr Colenso to move—1— That as the “Provincial Audit Act, 1861,” will shortly expire by effluxion of time, it is the opinion of this Council that its rc-enaotment, or the enactment of any similar Act, or the continuation by the Provincial Government of any Provincial Auditor possessing only such, or similar, limited powers, is of no benefit or practical use whatsoever to tho Province. 2 That the two Hawke’s Bay members in the General Assembly bo requested to act up to this resolution in thenplaces in the House during its approaching session,—especially as those gentlemen aro both members of this Council and of the Executive Government of this Proviuce. Mr Newton to move— That his Honor the Superintendent he requested to communicate to the Postmaster-General the wishes of a large section of the inhabitants of Napier that a branch office, under the charge of the Post Office authorities, should be opened in a central position in the Town of Napier, and that the representatives of the Province in the General Assembly be requested to assist in forwarding the object in view. Mr M‘Lean to move— That a Select Committee be appointed to examine the Public Accounts of the Province from the Ist July, 1865, to the 30th June, 1866. Such committee to consist of Messrs Tiffen, Newton, Colenso, Kennedy, and Wilkinson.

Friday, 22nd June. Mr Wilkinson to ask his Honor the Superintendent — If the works in the Coote-road are to be continued In order to render it complete and secure for the inhabitants of Nai ier using the road r iv! r il'Lc.va to move— That the Papukura and Hikutoko Leasing Bill be read a second time.