Provincial Council.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 24, 1 July 1867, Page 151

Provincial Council.

THURSDAY, 27th JUNE.

v MONDAY, 24®h JUNE, 1807. ' Tbm Couricilmet at 3' o'clook, pursuant to .adjournment. Present,—The Speaker, and, ' *ll the members, except Messrs, Dolbel and Irvine. - : ; The OJiERK read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed by the • Speaker.<•' 7 ; r

RETURN OF NEW MEMBERS.

The SPEAKER read the notification of the return of Donald M‘Lean, Esq., to the seat rendered vacant by his acceptance pf the. office of Superintendent, and of Alex. Irvine, Esq., in place of T. K. Newton, - Esq;, resigned. . .

SUPERINTENDENT'S ADDRESS,

His Honor the SUPERINTENDENT then, read the following address

Speaker and Gentlemen op the Provincial Council; —

The present meeting of, the Council foils within a very short time pf the date fixed for the opening of the next session of the General Assembly, at which it is expected questions will be discussed affecting in a most important degree the future of the of the Colony, both as regards their political and financial condition.

It would, therefore, seem desirable to postpone the consideration of many questions which the Council will hare to deal with until after the close of the session of the General Assembly. In the meantime,' there are many matters sf pressing importance which cannot in the interest of the Province he deterred, and. which will not probably .be affected by the action of the General Assembly. Among the subjects which now require to be disposed of will be the legalising of the necessary expenditure for carrying on the business of the Province for the next four months, including the requisite outlay to repair damages to public works occasioned by the late floods. It is gratifying to be able to state that we continue to maintain the most friendly relations with the natives in this Province, who are steadily assuming a position which identifies them with the solonists, and it is to be hoped, as the latter greatly increase in numbers, they will always regard the Maori with that generous consideration for the weaker race for which our countrymen are distinguished. In order to obtain the best scientific advice before attempting to carry out such works as you may from time to time deem necessary for the improvement of the harbor, I applied to the General Government for the services of Mr Balfour, the Marine Engineer of the Colony, whose experience and attainments in such matters are highly spoken of, and I am happy to state that this gentleman is now here, and engaged in furnishing reports and desigus as to the best and most economical means of effecting such improvements. I gather from Mr Balfour that an outlay of £IO,OOO on the inner harbor would afford ample accommodation for the present shipping, including piling round the Spit end, and providing a simple machinery, to be worked by : hand labor, for deepening the channel.' Mr Balfour’s reports and plans will be laid before you, together with observations as to the best means of protecting river banks against the encroachment of heavy floods, a subject intimately connected with the harbor, and winch has of late very much engaged his attention. Mr Balfour will likewise take the earliest op-; portunity at his disposal to make a report on the Wairoa river.

The roads and public works authorised by the late Colony have been executed j all the old lines have been considerably improved, and several new districts opened up. The Ngaruroro Bridge has heen completed, and is a substantial structure which has withstood the severe test of the late floods. „ Some of the smaller bridges have suffered, but I am glad to be able to inform you that nearly all the lines of road are again open for traffic, and that all necessary repairs will be completed within a very few weeks. Mr Weber hasdisplayed the most untiring energy in carrying out these works, and has been particularly active in repairing the damages caused by the floods, which I am happy to state have not proved to be nearly so great as was at first anticipated. lon will perceive by correspondence which will be laid before you, that it is the intention of the General Government, during the next session of the Assembly, to introduce a measure for the consolidation of Provincial loans, the effect of which will be to give them increased value in the English market. There is every reason to expect that, after the passing of that Act, the Hawke’s Bay loan of £60,000, already authorised by former legislation will be disposed of to advantage. The correspondence oh this subject, which will be laid before you,-shows that this loan has been withdrawn from sale pending the legislation referred to.

The actual financial position of the province at the end'of this present Jnne' quarter of this . ■ year, shows an excess of liabilities over assets of £1,680. as this account includes amounts still unrealised, and questions of account . between the General Government and this province, itwill be necessary to enter more into detail when the subject of finance is'.brought forward. : In the meantime a full statement of the accounts ; will be laid upon the table. The depression which has been so generally . experienced throughout the colony has also to aome extent been felt in this Province. It should however be borne in mind that such periods are seldom of long duration, and often lead to the

exercise of greater economy and to increased ef- ’ forts in developing the resources of the country.’ The estimates'of the ensuing'year will shortly -be laid before yod. -There-is no-question that , the .large. territorial income which we have been

receiving during past years cannot be realised for the future; and although. oilier.sources of revecue are gradually increasing, the whole ..amount ’available'for appropriation after providing for the necessary ordinary expenditure will be greatly diminished, and it' will become your duty to devise such means as may be. considered necessary for providing funds to carry out indispensable public - works; In reference to education, I am glad to be able to state that considerable progress has been .made the past year. Three additional -jschools have .'been'opened, with an increase of 57 pupils, ■making*, in 'all 14 schoois, affording education to «Sl4 : children;*-The~ Inspector’s report - will *be hpd: before you; . • ” ’ ' .'p' ■ isupgort of sobjopls .will, I feel al» way* chum tout favorahlejcnaimrieratiou, frand wbus will *t denbt SMiU liberal provision to

farther education,' I think it will still' he found necessary, in order to render Government assistance more efficient,, to adopt a system that has been found succesful in other Provinces—of imposing an education rate. ‘ "j . ..The number of Immigrants 1 who have arrived from Great Britain during'the last 12 months amount to 227, involvirig'an outlay, to be hereafter refunded to the ‘ Provincial Treasury, of £3,402: The immigrants have met with ready employment.’ I have agreed, subject ,to . your approval, to transfer to the General Government about 19,000 acres of the provincial estate at the Mahia peninsula, for £5,700. This land is required an political grounds for some of the Wairoa natives for whom the Government is bound to make provision. These natives are atpresentliving in too close proximity to the inland Uriwera tribes, and will be glad to have land placed at their disposal, as they may require it, in a more setted district. As this arrangement entails no loss to the province, I trust it will be affirmed by you. I take the.opportunity of expressing my thauks to the inhabitants for the confidence reposed in me, and to the members of this Council for the unanimity with which I have been re-elected to the important office which you have been pleased to comer upon me. Mr BUCHANAN moved— That His Honor’s address be printed. . Mr WESTON seconded’ th« motion, which was agreed to.

PAPERS

His HONOR laid on the table the following papers A Statement of the Assets and Liabilities of the Province to the 30th June.

A Statement of Interest and Sinking Fund, the share of General Government on Loans allocated to Hawke’s Bay. A letter from Mr Peters, of the firm of Cobb & Co., offering to run coaches between Napier and Wellington. A report, with plan, upon the harbor, tc., by Mr Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer.

ADJOURNMENT.

After several notices of motion had been given,-Mr M‘LEAN moved— That the Council adjourn to the usual sitting hour to-morrow.

Agreed to, and the Council adjourned aecordingly.

TUESDAY, 25th JUNE,

Thb Council met at 3 p.m. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

WITHDRAWAL OP PAPERS.

His HONOR requested the permission of the Council to withdraw the Statement of Assets and Liabilities laid on the table yesterday, as the document had been got up in rather a hurried manner, and the Government wished to place it ' before members in a clearer form.

Mr WESTON could not help thinking that it was rather humiliating, for.tfre-Go-vernment to withdraw, for the purpose of alteration, a paper laid on the table. \ It appeared as if it would not bear investigation.

Mr BUCHANAN said the Government should have stated the precise error in the document before they asked leave to. withdraw it. Was the error a serious one or not? . Was the document on the whole a fair statement of the condition of the Province ? He did not wish to qulbble about a few pounds, but possibly the mistake was a serious one, and the usual flourish about the “ sound financial condition of the Province ” was not true. If this was the case, it was, as the member for Waimarama had said, a most humiliating state of affairs. He had no objection to the withdrawal of the document provided it was not wholly withdrawn, but was to be re-submitted in an amended form.

Hia HONOR would again ask the permission of the Council, for the withdrawal of the document. The items were correct, but there were some errors in the figures. Leave was then granted, and the document withdrawn. CONSIDERATION OR SUPERINTENDENT’S SPEECH'.

Major LAMBERT, pursuant to notice, moved — That His Honor’s address be considered. —He had put the notice oh the paper yesterday in the absence of the junior member, to whose lot it should have 1 alien in the regular .order of proceedings.

Mr IRVINE said that lie had intended to give notice of such a motion, yesterday, but had been unavoidably absent. Mr WESTON suggested that the ad* dress should be withdrawn as well as the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as tbe error in the latter would affect the speech. Mr M‘LEAN said that the proper time to discuss the error would be. when the document came under the consideration of the Council Mr BUCHANAN considered the Government should have arranged beforehand with the junior member about the reply to the address. They seemed oblivious of their duty, and of the respect due to & new member.,

Mr IRVINE gave notice that he would move the reply to the addreßß on Wednesday. ’ , ■ ■ Mr ORMOND thought that the motion before the House should be proceeded with.* -The Government knew what was and what was not their duty, and. did not think'it was any. part of it to move the reply* to the address. If there were any points in. it to which the Council had an objection they.should, be discussed. If the Council, wished to reply to the address the Government had no objection, bat there was no Responsible Government, and be could mot see what object would be gained by it. Tt was different in. the Assembly, where there was responsible Government, but he would 3 only waste iti time in eucKibliy. 'As tcH&e exxoit

in the document which had been" withdrawn, when it came under discussion it could be explained in a,few words. Major LAMBERT had heard the remarks of the member for Porangahau, but still believed in doing things in a proper manner.; *

-Mr TANNER said that theconsideration l of the. .speech ;should be deferred till the members bad the financial statement before them. , . . ' '

Mr BUCHANAN said that it was of no moment what the Government thought. The first Standing Order stated the rules by which the Council was to be and the Council must abide by them. <J; Mr ORMOND said the member for the Town bad misconstrued his words. The Government had not attempted to lav down the law to the Council, but had said that their present action was • a waste of time. This province had not an Executive like that of Wellington, which was ad composed of Government officers, —[Mr Buchanan : N o.] —well, nearly all.—[Mr Buchanan : No.] If it was there would be changes of Government every half dozen votes. He did not believe in this playing at responsible Governments in the parochial boards called Provincial Councils. Mr WESTON said that the Government finances was the subject on which the whole discussion on the Superintendent’s speech would hiwge. Mr ORMOND thought that the best course would be for the member for Waipukurau to withdraw his motion. .

Major LAMBERT said that the question seemed to be whether the Standing Orders Bhould be abided by or not. He did not see why the Government wished to get through the ’business hurriedly. The Council should show that it was the principal, part of the Government jof the province, and should abide exactly by the Standing Rules and Orders He should be glad to withdraw his motion if such a course met the views of the house.

Mr TANNER was surprised at the action of Government in inviting the discussion of the speech when the statement of the finances of the province contained in it was incorrect; and throwing obstacles in the way of the business of the Council Major LAMBERT moved for leave to withdraw lus motion. Leave granted.

Mr TANNER hoped that the corrected financial statement would be laid on tile table to-morrow iu time for thmdebate on the Address. W Mr ORMOND said it would be laid*®' the table as soon as it was ready. Heghad never heard of a financial statement' laid on the table before the consideration of the Address.

MrT\NNER would ask why it had been done in this instance. Mr ORMOND said it was not the financial statement, but a statement of assets and liabilities, and it was placed before the Council as early as possible. It had been prepared rather too hurriedly, hence the error. He hoped that when the Council entered into the consideration of figures, it would be as figures, and that they, would not. mix them them up with bis Honor’s address. Mr BUCHANAN said it was evident that the whole speech hinged upon the correctness of the statement made as to the finances of the province. All else in it referred to matters of minor importance. If the Government could not get the document ready to-morrow they had better say so, and let the reply he postponed to another day.

LAND REVENUE AND PUBLIC WORKS

Mr TIFFEN moved—

For a return of the total amount of land revenue in the different electoral districts of the Province since Ist November, 1858: Also for a return of the total amonnt of moneys expended in public works in such electoral districts.

—The return was one which his constituents had requested him to obtain, and it was for their satisfaction he brought forward this motion. His HONOR said that the return was in course of preparation, and would be ready in about four days. It was being proceeded with with all due expedition. Mr BUOHANAN said the subject was one which demanded a few observations. A cursory glance . at the motion would show what a complicated affair the return would be, and one which would be very apt to delude. It would be nothing less than a review of everything done in the province Bince it was a province. They all had their views as to the manner in which the money had been spent, but they could not recall any of it. The return, when it was furnished would possibly be a very interesting study for an antiquarian. The return would be very liable to lead to false views. For instance, he would take the district of Napier, which would of course be included in the return. He did not suppose that the. treasury received much from the original sales of land in Napier: but in Napier there had been a very large expenditure. It would not be fair to say that. that expenditure was entirely for the benefit of the Napier district. There was the building they were now in there was the jail; the hospital; and many . other. things of the kind he could name. . Again, in the Clive district, .there was .the Ngaruroro Bridge; through the Te Aute distiict there was the ,Te Aute road, on which large sums of money had been "spent. These works benefitted the whpln of tile ; inland districts. in the Pr»yincelyingiu. that direction.. ..The return shbfrfd '’distinguish all works of 3 genoral utility frofo works of onljspeoul benefit.

. Lieut,-Col. WHITMORE cordially sup ■ ported^,the' He should much like the Council to fix principles for future guidance with leference to the expenditure of the land revenue. Thejirovincial treasury had received large sums of money from the Wairoa district; blit not a shilling had found its way back feo the’ district. ThereTvas no encouragement'to settlers ,t.o extend their property when they knew ’the money would all be spent iu more favored districts.

Major LAMBERT could not agree with the motion at all. Its object appeared to be more to set' district against district, than to do good to the whole province. The ontlying districts could uever fairly have as much money spent upon them as the more central ones, and there would be an end to all good government if members thought only of their own districts. Mr TIFFEN, with the consent of the Council, altered his motion to include the nature of works, locality where constructed, and ii out of the provincial funde.

Mr TANNER could not see that the return would do any good. He did not think it would be worth the time and trouble expended in its preparation. Mr RHODES thought the discussion was without point, when the Government had readily promised to prepare the return. If it was intended for the benefit of outlying districts it was rather late in the day. The benefit the Government could afford the outlying districts in future would'•be small indeed. If the return would afford any pleasure to an antiquarian, which he doubted, that would be its only use.

Motion put and agreed to. PASTORAL LANDS AT WAIROA.

v Lieut.-Colonel WHITMORE asked the Government—

Whether the Government has any intention to lease the pastoral lands at Wairoa, and if S o, when. J '.

—He put this question at the request of his constituents.

His HON OR said that the leasing had been delayed, but he had no doubt they would be ready for lease in five or six weeks.

LAND OCCUPIED BT TOHA.

Lieut.-Col. WHITMORE asked the Government—

Under what tenure the native chief Toha holds the land occupied by him at Wairoa. the Maori Toha held au extensive block liftthe best land in the Wairoa district, and inhabitants wished to know under what tenure it was held. HON O tt said that the laud—a block ;6fi#jX)acreß—-hasl been made over to Toha 'in consideration of his reliuquishing his claim to a siieop-run in the land purchased by the Government.

THE WAIROA PILOT.

Lieut.-Col. WHITMORE asked the Go' vernment —

Whether the Government has any intention to provide a European pilot for Wairoa. —The people were very much discontented with Toha, the present pilot, and captaius of vessels had frequently said that they would prefer to have no pilot at all. He was an excellent boatman, but too irregular in his attendance, and too careless tc be of any use. The inhabitants were very anxious that he should be removed. His HONOR said that he was aware that slight inconvenience was sometimes occasioned by the irregularities of the pilot, but the Province was not now in a position to pay a European pilot and boats' crew. L'he inhabitants of Wairoa had also stated that they Bhould be very sorry to see him removed.

NAPIER LIFEBOAT.

Major LAMBERT moved—

For a return to be laid on the table showing the original cost of the lifeboat; from whom purchased ; and all expenses incurred on account of this boat. Also, to ask His Honor what steps (if any) hare been taken to man the boat in case of a vessel requiring aid.

—He had read in the Herald of two men being drowned in the roadstead in March last, and that when the life-boat was taken it was found unfit for sea. Some great blame attached somewhere. He read in the same paper that both the present and late pilot, and the late Mr Morrison, who w*s- certainly qualified to judge, had declared the boat unfit for the harbor. When such was- the case, how was it that it was not reported to the Government ? It was painful to think of two fellow-creatures being swept into eternity without an effort being made to save them.

Mr KENNEDY said that the boat was an excellent one in its class, but was neither self-emptying or self-righting. A boat of the latter description would cost from £3OO to £SOO. Mr B UCHANAN said it was notorious that the Government could only afford£iUo for their specially-imported boat. - They thought the expense of a boat such as the’ National Lifeboat Association use too great He did not think blame attached to any one in the matter of the wreck. No doubt the boat was as good as the money could purchase.

His HONOR said the Government had communicated with the Government at Wellington in reierence to a self-righting boat which they were importing.. When this boat arrived it was found to be of the same kind as tlio one at present at the harbor. ■ . ; . >

Major LAMBERT said that the Government should get a life boat in which men would not:fear to go ta sua. lt was never child’*.pley with .the best boat ins rough sea.. ■ ‘* ■

Motion agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT. On the motion of Mr M'Lean.tke.Couaoil adjourned.

WEDNESDAY. 28th JUNE. The Speaker took the chair at 3 o’clock. Present—All the members except Mr. Dolbel.

The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. _

PUXETAPU SURTEES,

Mr WESTON moved—

That a copy of all further correspondence relative to the discrepancies in the Fukutapu Surveys, brought under notice in the previous Session, be laid on the table. Mr BUCHANAN seconded the motion.

Agreed to. His HONOR said that a plan of the district was in course of preparation, and with the correspondence called for, would be shortly laid on the table.

PROCEEDINGS OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,

Major LAMBERT moved —

That his Honor the Superintendent cause to belaid upon the table the book in which is recorded the proceedings of the Executive Council at all its meetings since the Ist of June last to date. —He made this motion with the vipw oF eliciting certain information from the Government. He wished to know how it was that the Government did not earlier take steps to meet the late financial depression, and not bv stopping the pay of the Provincial Officers make the Province appear in a state of insolvency.

Mr BUCHANAN seconded the motion. Mr RHODES said that the course taken by the member for Waipukurau was a most. unprecedented one. There was cer» tarjnly no hariA in asking for the minutespf .the proceedings of the Executive Council. There was no harm in asking for a great many good things, but asking for them was slightly different thing from getting them. He did not think the Council would affirm any such motion, but at any rate the book would not be laid before them. The Superintendent had several good reasonsfor his delay in this matter, one of the principal of which was the Wairoa meetting, at which liis presence was absolutely required. No real damage had been donato the credit of the Province by the delay, and it was in as good a financial position, as any other in the Colouy. Mr BUCHANAN had listened to tliameinber for Clive, but could only go with, him to a certain extent. He believed the object of the member for Waipukurau in briuging this motion before the house, was to ascertain whether or not any record was. kept of the proceedings of the Executive. The member for Clive had not given any information on this point, but deserved credit for tho clever manner in which ha had evaded the subject. His (Mr B’s.) impression was that no record had been kept. Very grave and important events had occurred iu the Province during the time included in the hon. member’s motion. One of the Executive had told the Council yesterday that the Government were not responsible for their actions, if this was the case the Province was in a very degrading position. The lives and properties of the settlers were in the hands of the Government ; a collision had occurred with the natives which had resulted in the expenditure of forty or fifty lives; few Governments had greater powers, and if they were not-respousible he should like to know who were. The General Government had delegated these powers to-Mr M'Lean as the elect of the Council, and surely when such grave events as • had recently taken taken place came under their consideration, they might takethe alight additional trouble of recording their decisions in writing. Mr ORMOND Baid that the member who had just apoken was under a mistake. The Government had never said they were not responsible for their actions ; they had merely said that the Government of the Province was not of the particular kind known as responsible government. The course taken, by the member for Waipukurau was wholly witnout precedent. The Council could not properly ask for the book of the proceedings of the Executive, but he fully admitted their right to examine the action of the Government on any particular question. Major LAMBERT said that from what the members of-the Government had said, ne believed that no such book as the one he had asked for . existed. 'The member for Porangahau said that the motiou was an unprecedented, one. This was not correct, tor the first session he H) sat in Council that member made the same request that ho had made to-day.—[Mr Ormond : Did I get it?]| —No; but the lecture he read the Government was omething astounding. Not a book 1 not any record of the proceedings »i the Executive L A Government must be strangely conducted for such negligence to occur. Suett was the style in wmeu that member spoA* on that occasion. [daughter.] The member for Clive had tavorauly compared the state of the Province with that ot others in New Zealand, but the financial condition of the other provinces was not the business of this Council. .The other Provinces might all be bankrupt, but it was the duty of.the Council to see that Hawke’s Bay. was solvent. He had also said that the duties of the Superintendent had kept him at Wairoa, and prevented him from taking earlier action with regard to this financial, depression. It appeared to .be question-* able, which .his Honor deemed of paramount importance--rhis duties as . Generali Go.yernment;Agexi^'‘joi; v Superintfndeu,t(H tho Provinee.

His HONOR ;eaicL;that he would have PQ objection tb laying the .Whole correspondence oh tKe particular subject to which fhe member referred on the table. With ''Respect to the meeting afcWairoa; it was in his capacity of Superintendent that he went ""there, and"that his" presence there at .that time was a matter of great importance. Major LAMBERT then, with the per* ' wisaionofthe house, withdrew hie motion.

PAPERS

fiis HONOR the Superintendent laid fta the table the following papers;— Report upon Savveys Report upon Schools . Report of the Provincial Surgeon Preliminary Report upon Napier Harbor, ht. 10 r OR.MOND laid on the table the feUowiug paper:— "A eorreetsd Statement of Provincial Aseeunts

or COKKITTXBB.

Mr M‘LKAN moved—- * That Mr TiSsn be sleeted Chairman *f GoatStitfees.

Agreed to.

executive xiaxinnwT.

Mr WOOD ashed the Government—

"Whether it. is the intention of the Government this" Session to bring in an Executive Act Amendment Bill, with a view to the number of members of the Executive Council being increased in an equal ratio to the late increase in members of the Provincial Council, and to an opportunity being afforded of new interests having their due weight pi the Government. ? —When on a former occasion the number of members of the Council had been in Creased, the Executive was also increased from two to three members. It had occurred to him that as a further increase jn the number of members had taken place, it would be advisable to increase *he Executive, especially as the small farming interest, which had grown jjvery rapidly of late, wns unrepresented in it. His HONOR said that the Government were prepared to act in this matter entirely in accordance with the expressed wish of the Council.

POLIO? ACT AMENDMENT.

Mr WOOD asked the Government—-

"Whether the Government has any intention of bringing in a Police Act Amendment Bill, with the view, among other things, of abolishing in the Town of Napier the system of open cesspools, and rendering compulsory the use of the earth closet. Also, whether any opinion has been obtained from the Provincial Engineer as to the suitability of the ?oil in the vicinity of the town for the purpose of the earth closet.

—This question was one of groat sanitary importance’ Numerous cases'nf low fever had occurred recently in Napier, which were greatly owing to the defective sanitary Arran'eentente of the town. The system referred to was compulsory in Wellington, pnd had proved very successful in Melbourne.

His HONOR said that the subject wa-* one which the Government would not Jose sight of.

EOAD TO HAVELOCK.

Mr WOOD, asked’ the Government—

Whether there is any probability of the unfnetalled portion of the main road between the .Ngaruroro Bridge and Havelock being speedily metalled out of the general revenue, or whether any scheme for local taxation to carry out that and similar objects is in contemplation by the jnent.

i —This was a matter which had been urged ptrongly upon him by bis constituents at Jhe time of his election. His HONOR said that this was a work which would involve a considerable outlay, g d the question would be brought before the Council'when the statement of Revenue was considered.

THE SWAMPS.

Mr WOOD asked the Government —

Whether the Government has had, or has at present, under consideration any scheme by which the swamps in the vicinity of Napier and Meauee /could be drained and reclaimed. —lt had been - rumored that!his Honor jiad taken measures to purchase these swamps, and he considered it was quite time that something was done towards "their reclamation. His HONOR said that action had been ‘taken to purchase the land,bat it bad not been completed. The cost of filling in the ewatnps had been estimated at £IB,OOO, or about £2O per acre, and the Govern-' ent were not at present in a position to afford ‘St-

BEPLT TO ADDRESS..

Mr IRYINE moved—

That the following Reply to his Honor’s address be adopted:— This Council returns its thanks to your Honor for jour address to them, and begs to assure you that p will give its most earnest consideration to the subjects which it embraces.

This Council, would recommend the strictest economy, with efficiency, to be exercised in every department under your Honor’s control, and that, ps your address indicate, an educational rate'will J/e imppsed. We would also add, as likely to be almost inupediately necessary, some provision for the maintenance of liijes of road already formed. We have heard with pleasure that the recent damages- by floods have not been nearly so exten. live as anticipated,-and that already the damages to the copimunicatians are in a forward state of Repair, and the traffic pf 'the various districts in jnost places already resumed. We' .congratulate your Honor upon the fact that the native ’ question, 'qo for as this province is concerned, rnay be considered as finally settled, and the faces are now living side by side, engaged in peaceful operations. , ; We are glad to see your Honor’s deserved encomium gn Mr Weber, ,who has. displayed great fg.ergy. (luringthp late stoppage, of public traffic gpcaeipned floods. suggest that the estimates for-the Mniihg'yeaP*be v Md ou the table at qs early a prite-as possible, and 'feirust that they will be pre-fi&ed-'with due consideration ta the present reipurpei.of the province, - !*»• wotipa. -

.Mr TANNER proposed as an amend? tpent— 1 ■■// ■ the reply be .printed, and the consideration of it, vrah that of his Honor’s address, be postponed till after the amended financial statement first laid on the table be printed, and xn the possession of members.

■—He had been verv, much surprised at the action of the Government yesterday, in forcing on the consideration of the address in opposition,to the expre«sed wish of the Council. He also objected to the manner of the most prominent member of the Executive, whose object appeared to be little elee than to burk discussion. He would have acted more wisely in yielding to the opinion of the Council, but the action he took was simply provocative of discussion. Mr RHODES said that the Government Had no objection to wait three days or three weeks if the Council saw fit to waste its time that long. The whole of the discussion they were striving to bring on would all be repeated over the estimates. He certainly thought the time of the Council might be better employed. Major LAMBERT said that if the Government gave them a speech upon which no reliance could be placed, and thought even less of the reply, he might ask who was wasting the time of the Council. The whole onus of the mistake and the loss of time it occasioned rested with the Government.

Mr BUCHANAN said that the member for Clive had almost in plain words charged the Council with a wish to delay the business. [Mr Khodes: Certainly.] The blame rested with the Government for giving them a speech which, could not be relied on, and a document which they admitted was not worth the paper it was written onMr ORMOND said that great misconception prevailed as to the action of the Government. They had no objection to delay if cause for delay was shown. With respect to the objection of the member for Te Aute, if he had spoken oll’ensively he was sorry for it. It had been said that the only point in hia Honor’s address was the paragraph relating to finance. lie supposed the gentlemen opposite did not consider education a subject of importance. If they did not, however, the Government did.

Mr TANNER disclaimed having made any personal allusion to the member for Porangahau. The amendment was then put and agreed to, and the Council, on the motion of Mr OBMON D, adjourned.

The Council met at 3p. in. Present, — The Speaker and all the members except Lt.-Colonel Whitmore and Mr Ormond.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

PAPERS.

The SPEAKER read a letter from the Provincial Auditor, accompanying a state rnent of the accounts of the Province.

THISTLE BILL,

MrTIFFEN, pursuant to notice, moved For leave to bring in a Thistle Act. —The motion needed no explanation, as the draft had for some time been before the public.

Mr WOOD seconded the motion, and leave was granted. The bill was afterwards read, ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Tuesday.

CATTLE TRESPASS AND IMPOUNDING BILL.

Mr CARLYON moved—

For leave to bring in a Cattle Trespass and.lmpounding Bill. Leave granted. Bill read a first time, and ordered to be printed. To be road a second time on Wednesday.

FENCING.

Mr CARLYON moved—

For leave ts bring in a bill to facilitate Fencing. Leave granted. Bill read a first time.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE. Major LAMBERT, pursuant? to notice, moved—

That his Honor theSuperintendentwill cause to be stated the number of meetings of the Executive (if any took place) to make-arrangements to meet the financial difficulties of the Province, and the minutes of the proceedings at such meetings.

—This motion was not put with any desire to obstruct the Government, but merely to seek information. He considered that the Council ought to know what steps the Government took to meet- the crisis, the number of meetings held by the Executive Council with regard to this subject, and the decision arrived at by them. The Government of the Province seemed to consider that the Council were only to carry out their ideas, and when that body made enquiries about their action, they were taxed with throwing obstacles in the way of business. In his opinion, when the Government were in difficulty their best course would be to apply to the Council to get them : out of it. At any rate, if the Council had no right to require this information, he would ask it as a favor.

His HONOR said the Government had no hesitation in supplying the Council with all the information required. The late financial depression had been foreseen by the Government, and more than one meeting had been held by the Executive on thi subject. Soon after the loan had been placed in the English market a depression occurred, during which it. could not have been disposed of except at great disadvantage, and it was accordingly withdrawn. When an improvement took place the Banks were again instructed to place the shares in the market,..but there- were then so many other Provincial loans that it was found impossible-, to float them. Having failed in this, after fulh discussion in the Executive Council, Government decito apply to t-hf fhis

time the meeting at Wairoa occurred—a meeting of the utmost importance, and one at which the presence of the Superintendent was imperatively required, and as soon as possible after the 'conclusion of the meeting, the Government took the requisite steps to procure the money. He then laid on the table the correspondence between the Provincial and General Governments, and between the Provincial Government and the Banks on the subject. The Government, had not been guilty of neglect in this matter. In conclusion, he would frankly state that no record had been kept of the proceedings of the Executive in the matter.

After some further discussion,—— Major LAMB ERT said that some time ago the Executive Government of this Province bad the control of a matter in which the lives and properties of two or three thousand people were at stake, and he thought that when they had to deal with such momentous subjects some record should be kept. He still thought that early enough action had not been taken. What time did the native meeting take place. Mr M‘LEAN: The 29th of March, I believe.

Major LAMBERT said that action should have been taken long before March. Mr M‘LE AN said the member for Waipukurau had merely misunderstood what he said. Action had been taken long before March, and had failed.

Major LAMBERT wished to know what steps have been taken to reduce the expenditure. He did not think that they should have looked to the loan to raise money. When the Government officers—eren the policemen—were not paid, he thought ‘it must be demoralizing to the community. The habit of getting into debt was a bad one, one which grew upon government as well as people. He thought the late crisis might have been averted if the Government had taken earlier and proper steps for its prevention.

PAPERS.

His HONOR laid on the table the return moved for by Major Lambert with reference to the lifeboat.

CONSIDERATION OF THE REPLY

A long discussion took place on the reply moved by Mr Irvine, members gener ally finding great fault with it. A select committee was ultimately appointed to draw up a reply to be "laid before the Council on Friday. The Council adjourned at 6 o’clock.

FRIDAY, 28th JUNE.

G’he Council met at 3 p m. Present, —The Speaker and oil the numbers, j The of the la t meeting were read and confirmed.

SUITE RE RS BY THE LATE FLOODS

iMr WOOD asked—

"Whether, with reference to the late floods and to the serious damage they have caused to the holders of leases ou the Papakura Block, the Government has given to the position of such lessees

the careful consideration which the hardship of their case merits, and whether the Government has determined upon any course, either by remission of rent or otherwise, calculated to afford relief to such lessees. His HONOR said that the Government had given the subject their full consideration, but the financial position of the Province would not admit of any assistance being given to the sufferers by the Govemrae. any remission of their reut -being made.

SLAUGHTER HOUSES.

Mr WOOD asked—

Whether tlie Government has considered the question of the deleterious influence exercised by slaughtering houses being allowed to exist within the precints of the Town of Napier, with a view of setting apart a suitable site, at a proper distance from town, for the purpose of a public slaughterhouse, or of: taking other steps for mitigating or removing an evil now very much com r plained of.

—This question wa* of the same nature as one he had put on Wednesday. Disease had of late been very prevalent in Napier, -md no doubt the slaughterhouses in town were a prolific cause.

His HONOR said that the Inspector of Slaughter Houses was preparing a report, which would shortly be laid on the table. It was the intention of the Government to reclaim a piece of land between the town and Tareha’s Bridge for the purpose of a public slaughter house.

PUKETARU SURVEYS,

Mr BUCHANAN moved—

That the papers relating to the Puketapu Stir-? veys be printed. Mr WESTON seconded the motion.

Agreed to.

TOWN BOARD.

Mr LOCKE asked the Government—

Whether it was their intention to bring in a for forming a Town Board for the Town of Napier*

His HONOR thanked the member for drawing attention, to the subject. The. best eourse, however, would be to refer the question to a committee of town members.

CONSIDERATION OF REPLY.

Mr RHODES read the report of the Committee appointed to prepare a reply to the opening address, and the following reply, which was agreed to without dissent : :

We, the Provincial Council, return our. thanks to your Honor for your address, to which we will not fail, in the conduct of business, to give our most attentive consideration.

Not being informed of the nature of the special questions to be brought forward in the General Assembly affecting this province, we have no means of judging the necessity for adjournment, beyond the general reliance on jour Honor’s prudence in the matter, ... .

We beg to concur in the gratification expressed by your Honor at the continuance' of peaceful relation* between the tattlers and- Ike popular®*, '• * ■'■■■'" ' ' *\ ’ > I •«. - ---- - •- -■ - - . •;

v • , ~ .• -7— —————— We believe that much benefit will ; arise from the visit of a gentleman BoweU'qugJified to give advice on engineering subjects aSTilrßalfour. We hear with pleasure that the damage caused by the recent inundations is not likely to prove so serious as was at first apprehended; and that, owing to the energy displayed by the Government, the interruption to traffic in & great measure been already remedied.

We trust that the estimates of the ensuing year will be laid before us with promptitude, and we would respectfully suggest that, in future sessions, the estimates should be, as far as possible, prepared before the first day of the session.

ADJOURNMENT. The Council then adjourned till the usual sitting hour on Tuesday (to-morrow).