Provincial Council.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1588, 26 June 1874, Page 267

Provincial Council.

WEDNESDAY, 24th JUNE. The report of the Select Committee on the Sheep Act was adopted. Mr Johnston moved—" That in the opinion of this Council, an extension of time for making improvements should be granted to holders of land on deferred payments." Motion lost. Leave was granted to bring in a Bill intituled the Port Ahuviri Act Amendment Act, which was read a first time, and ordered to be printed. Supply. Eoad from Patea to Wairoa, £3OOO. Mr Ormond said that this sum w as necessary in order to make the road pa s " sable; and it would open up some very rich land. The land had all the features of a prosperous settlement, the only drawback being the want of such a road as that proposed. Mr Sutton agreed with His Honor's remarks, and thought that the district required such a road. He would support the vote. Mr Carlilb would also support the vote, but he thought it ought to be spent on the inland track, and not on the bridel track along the coast. Mr Kennedy said that the vote ought to be spent on the inland road, as it would be simply throwing it away to spend it upon the coast track. The gradients of the coast line were insurmountable obstacles to the formation of the coast line track, unless at a very large cost. Mr Buchanan would support the vote, provided the principle of draining swamps were extended to other districts besides the Wairoa. Mr Ormond said he had never intended to drain swamps, unless it was necessary to the formation of the roads. He had given to the district more time, labor, and consideration than any other part of the Province, and yet he had been held up to the people as an enemy of that district. Mr Rhodes said he thought this was an opportunity for speaking on the reduction of* the estimates. The items were being passed one by one, and he thought that some of them might be lowered. He thought that the little districts, such as Olive, ought to have a share in the general • Mr Johnston moved—" That the item be reduced to £2OOO, which sum was the Engineer's estimate." He thought that other parts of the Province were neglected, and that the Wairoa had received too much of the public monoy! Mr Carlile said he would oppose Mr Johnston's amendment. ■ Mr. Ormond said he was placed in a very embarrassing position with regard to this matter. P;ne day he had to fight hard to prevent'the Wairoa from getting a vote, and 'the next day he had to fight to obtain The Council divided on. Mr Johnston's amendment, which was plunder of £66,000. ::. . . . lost by a majority of three, and the original motion carried. Eoad to open land on deferred payments, £SOO. Passed. Grant'in aid of bridge over Wairoa at Omahu, at 2000. Mr Manjsy said that where a bodyoi settlers were willing to contribute a third of the cost, they ought to be given an opportunity of doiDg so. : This bridge

was important, as it opened a very useful road: one that would ultimately become the chief road of the district. He thought that this money ought to be voted for this bridge, as a grant in aid, and the settlers in the neighborhood were willing to give £1,300 towards its construction. Mr A'Deane said that he would oppose the vote, on the ground that his own vote of £3OO for the Hampden road was refused, and that road was a more important work than the bridge. Mr Colenso said that he would vote for the item, as it was an important bridge, and unless it was constructed it would retard the progress of the district; but he thought that £I,OOO would be sufficient, and he would only, vote for that amount. The Council divided on the amendment, which was lost, and the item was voted to read. The Grant in aid of the bridge over the Waipawa, near Homewood, passed, and the Couucil adjourned till 7.30 p.m. At the evening sitting a number of road estimates were passed, almost without alteration, and with very little discussion, if we except a personal altercation, an account of which we give elsewhere.