THURSDAY, FEB. 11TH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 551, 13 February 1858, Page 4

THURSDAY, FEB. 11TH.

weil met at 5 p.m. — The Speaker, Messrs. Higgins, dtt, Hall, Harman, Sprat, Bishop, art. Dobbs, Studholme, Wyatt, Cass, 'livier, Blakiston, Packer. Duncan, Woodford, and Miln. ;: business commenced, Mr. Ollivier rl.a resignation by Mr. H. J. Tancred r. '.he Executive Council. . of time for bringing up the report ding Orders was granted^ to one week. m-jtidn of Mr. Hall the Slaughter •nendinent -Bill was read a second time. .ll then moved the house into commit.'cod's Mill Bill, iill the clauses of which <ned, a conversation arising..only on .-.n'.1,3. The bill was theft reported io

HEATHCOTE BKIDOK. | Mr. Bi,akiston moved that his Honor the ; Superintendent be i-equested to place on the | Estimates a sum of £2,500 for the formation of | a bridge over the river Heathcote near the pref j sent ferry. It was in contemplation to vote large sums on works of less importance. The present arrangements for traffic across this river were only suited to the infancy of the settlement and none were now satisfied with them. A bridge was wanted so that the river could be crossed at night if required; and this in mere justice to those who purchased land on the faith of its establishment. He disclaimed any connection between this bridge and the Sumner Road; whatever road should be eventually used the bridge was now required to connect I/yttelton and Christchurch. Mr. Ollivier said the sum was rather too large to place on the estimates when all the money was already bespoken. He hoped the motion would not be pressed. The chief objection was that it could not be decided just now in which direction the main road connecting the two towns should go. If great expense must be gone to on one line, it could not be so also on the other. He admitted that something was necessary at that point of the communication; the punt was insufficient. This question depended upon the settlement of the hills road, and he hoped it would be left till that was done. Mr. Cass said it was a question of bridges. If when the time came to determine, the direct road was found feasible by the Council the bridge would be built on that line: but he must say he thought himself that, from the difficulties of that route, and the high compensation to be paid, it would be better to go by the ferry. Still until the vote should come before the Council in a tangible form, he hoped the hon. gentleman ■would postpone his motion, as a vote of £2,500 for one object would inevitably shut out the other. Plans and specifications of the three : possible roads would be produced, and without j them the council was not really in a position to [ decide as to the merits of the case, ! Motion withdrawn. AZ.POBT V. CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION. Mr. Olliviek brought forward the following motion:—" That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent authorising payment out of the funds of the Canterbury Association's Estate of £256 lls., with interest" thereon, being the amount of debt and costs for which judgment has been obtained in the Supreme Court In the case of Alport v. Canterbury Association; together with any costs thereon. After a short, discussion, in. which Messrs. OUivier, Hall, Fooks, and Wyatt, joined, the motion was put and passed.

Mr. Olljvxer then moved " That payment be made out of the same funds to the Provincial Engineer for special services rendered in laying out the town reserves." Message No. 2 from his Honor transmitting tlie claim -was read, together with its enclosures : a minute of the late Superintendent, and a statement from Mr. Dobson on the question. Mr. Cass explained hour it came that Sir. I>obson was employed to survey the reserves. The question -turned upon the expediency or otherwise of giving payment for overtime to a salaried servant of the Government unless-a previous agreement as to remuneration had been entered into. Messrs. Blakiston and Ollivier spoke in favor of the motion. Messrs. Waitt, Hall, Davis, and Packer, against it. When the motion was put, the house divided. Ate:—Messrs. Fooks, Sprot, Blakiston, Bishop, Alport, Duncan, Dobbs, Wyatt, Ollivier, and Cass.—lo. No:—Messrs. Higgins, Studholme, Hall, Harmon, Packer, Davis, Thomson, Rhodes, and Waitt.—9. The motion was accordingly passed. The house then went into* committee on the Canterbury Association Reserves Amendment Bill, to consider the schedules defining the grant 3to the different bodies. They were passed without alteration, and the bill reported. Mr. Ollivier then asked leave to introduce the liyttelton Custom House Reserve BilL The reserve was part of the Association's property and was required for a Custom House by the General Government. Offices for the harbour and post departments would be erected on the same site, the General Government undertaking to disburse £2500 on the same.

Mr. Hall observed that as part of the reserve was still to be occupied by the hospital, the bill should have a clause to that effect, as well as one requiring the General Government to spend the money promised. Sir. Ollivier said both considerations were met by the bilL Leave given, and bill read a first time. WASTE LANDS BEGULATIONS AMENDMENT BILL. Mr. Ollivieb moved the third readme of this bill. & Mr. Bishop could not let this bill pass with- i out another endeavour to correct some objection- , able matters in it. He was bound on all considerations to do his utmost to prevent what was unfair; and he therefore moved as an amendment that the bill be recommitted. Mr. Alport seconded the amendment Mr. Ollivieb asked why this bill should lie recommitted? He should have no objections if reasonable grounds were shown. But if the ob ject were merely to reconsider clauses which had already received full attention he could not accede to the request. Mr. Bishop pointed out clause 66, the one referring to pre-emptive rights, as that which he desired to amend. Mr. Thomson thought the honourable gentleman could not be acquainted with the fornw ©f the house. Such a course as he proposed wo%& certainly not have been permitted in the old houseMr. Alport observed that the step was necessary in a case where great harm was likely to result to the province. He would point particularly to those runs which were of small dimensions and lay in the neighbourhood of agricultural districts aa not being entitled to°the privileges they possessed. Hia chief desire in aiding to revive the question was to place on a settled footing what must be eventually brought up again if allowed to pass in its present shape Stock owners really did not require protection'

The simple rteht of pasturage had become extremely valuable to them. The same advantages were not given to others vrho use their land for their own purposes although at the same time they may improve it. The house divided on the amendment. Ays:—Messrs. Bishop, Davis and Alport—3. NcT:—Messrs. Higgins. Sprot, Thomson, Hall, ffarmau, Packer, Blakiston, Fooks, Duncan, Dobbs, Wyatt, Ollivier, and Cass—l3. The amendment was accordingly lost, and the bill read a third time, passed, and numbered Session IX., No. J. COMMITTEE OF SUPPI-T. The House then went into committee to consider the public works estimates. The first item was:— Navigation of the river Heathcote, JE2SO; passed. On a rote of £600 in land for Tuam street, Christchurch, Mr. QuiivjEß stated that the street had been already formed by Messrs. Hawdon and Aitken, who, beforp commencing, had applied to the Government to be paid in land. There was then no land to spare for the purpose, but it was promised that it should be referred to the Council. When formed, it would be necessary to metal it. The road >vas one of great importance, as through it all "the traffic between the Lincoln district and the river would pass. The whole j expense would be taken out in land. _' ■ Mr. Bo wen felt it necessary to enter an objec- \ tion. It would be a bad precedent to establish that if parties applied to contract with the Government and were refused, that by doing the j work they could enforce payment. ! Mr. Thomsox said it was merely a question whether there should be a road thereat all or not. The formation had been done \mder the Engineer's estimate and was approved by him, but it required completion. It was the direct route from the South to the shipping places. Mr. Alfost recommended that a sum of £6Q should be grsjnted to build culverts to connect' the formed road with the other streets. Mr. Hall thought as the road was of great benefit to the property of Messrs. Hawdon and Aitken they ought to contribute a portion—say one-third. A question then arose whether the road should be completed only if Messrs. Hawdon and Aitken undertook the culverts metalling and all, and contributed one-third of the whole expense; or whether they should be granted a sum of two-thirds the amount already spent by them. .■■'■■-.."■

Mr. Thomson moved the latter plan as an amendment, and "was supported by Messrs. Miln i and Rhodes? Messrs. Packer, Bowen, and Ollij Tier spoke in favour of the other plan. The question came to a division on the amendment, when there appeared:— Aye : — Messrs. Miln, Duncan, Woodford, Rhodes, Thomson, Higgins, and Studholme.—7. No:—Messrs. Fooks, Hall, Packer, Sprot, Bishop, Harrfian, Alport, Davis, Dobbs, Wyatt, OUivier, Cas^ and Bowen.—l3. Mr. OixrfitEK adopted Mr. Hall's suggestion and propose^a grant of £400 to meet a "sum of .£2OO contr|«S!ted by Messrs. Hawdon & Aitken; to be grantee* in land. This vote was" then passed. >' On the next item, which was a sum to level the Market Place, Mr. Hall observed that it was in the power of the Resident Magistrate to prevent holes being dug in the streets, and though in the case of excavation for gravel the power was not enforced, still, if holes were dug and not filled up, he should feel it his duty to prevent any more being dug till the old ones were closed. Mr. Bishop took this opportunity of recommending the formation of a good road to the cemetery. : The vote was passed in this shape:— - Levelling the Market Place and ) « on : filling up the ponds J ijJUO For drainage, outlets, and small culverts, at intersections of main roads, a sum of £100 was voted. A vote, introduced by Mr. Bishop, of £300 in aid of a bridge over the Avon connecting Co-lombo-street north and south, the inhabitants in the neighbourhood first subscribing £130, was passed after a short discussion. £250 for the improvement of streets in Kaiapoi was the nest item passed. On the' next vote of a sum of money for making the road from Christchurch to Papanui Churcli, a lengthened discussion arose on the principle of making payments for work in land. The question being asked as to the amount intended to be voted in land during the current i year, |

Mr. Ollivier explained that the total expenditure on public works during the year would be about £30,000, of which a p irtion was to be taken out in land. I*ast year, in addition to the standing vote of one thousand acres, special votes had been agreed to to the amount of five thousand acres. It was not considered advisable by the Government to trench too much upon the land, and they -would, therefore, not ask for more than was wanted last year—six thousand acres. There would, accordingly, out of £30,000, remain £18,000 to be voted in cash. Mr. Rhodes expressed his conviction that land contracts were very objectionable. It was a. matter of frequent occurrence that a man who had thus obtained a land order sold it for less than the current price. He was sure that in any land contract a higher price was paid for work by 25 per cent than if the contract had been for cash. The land was thus made a drug or the wages eaftredftfrcre extravagant and the price of labour wag ■ faised, *:Ifr "did not do any good to the working-man either, who received the land and disposed of it again for less than the current price, and it was a great loss to the country. Sir. Daviß took a different view of the question. It was the best way for a working man to obtain land. Mr. Packer hoped the system of paying in land would be abolished as quickly as possible. Land was honestly worth its market price of £2 per acre, and more, and no advantage was gained by giving it away. Mr. Hall drew attention to the point from which they had started. Were these sums nowplaced on the estimates inclusive of or in addition to land to be voted? It waa mo3t impor-

■ | tant to settle this point before proceeding to vote the amounts. Mr. Ollivieu repeated his previous statement of the portion of the whole amount which would be required in land during the year, and added that for the half-year the total amount required would be about £17,000, leaving £13,000 for the next half-year. As the works during the latter period would be heavy in comparison, such as metalling, according to the Provincial Engineer's opinion they would be the best for land contracts; and, therefore, the larger proportion of land would be allotted to that period, and a larger proportion of cash to the first six months. As to the sums now placed on the estimates they were the whole amounts required for the time specified in respect of each work, whether paid in money or land, or both. The only difference from last year's practice was that the Government would not be bound to spend a certain sum in money and a certain sum in land on each work, but would ask for a grant of land to be added to the estimated revenue, to be apportioned among all or any of the works as seemed most convenient at the time. After some further conversation this and the next vote passed as follows:— North Road: from Christchurch to Papanui Church, forming, metalling and rebuilding two large culverts, £700; Papanui church to the 7th mile, earthwork and metalling, £1000. On the next item, including a bridge over the Waimakariri and a road over the island, to cost altogether £8000, of which £1,500 was asked for during the first six months, Mr. Ollivier stated that this sum was required for immediately commencing the bridge. The rest of the road would depend upon the site and construction of the bridge, and would follow on its completion. The whole formed a very important work. Mr. Harman enquired whether the plans'first exhibited had been altered since the late flood. The bridge then proposed did not seem to him calculated to resist such a body of water as then came down. i Mr. Olmvier said the attention of the En- j gineer had of course been particularly directed to the subject. He had not recommended the bridge-without being perfectly acquainted with the river both before and since the late flood. Mr. Bishop directed attention to the report of the committee on public works, in which the Engineer's evidence was direct upon the point. He had already carefully investigated the condition of the river with reference to the bridge. Mr. Alport felt bound to object decidedly to a large expenditure upon a work which might be lost to the province at any time. Evidence ought first to be carefully taken as to the stability of the work under flood. Messrs. Dobbs, Bishop, and Cass objected to delay in the matter. Mr. Davis supported Mr. Alport's view of the case. Mr. Fooks would vote for the grant in order to establish the responsibility of the Government for their recommendations, a responsibility which was in danger of being forgotten and destroyed by the action taken by the committee in these matters. = The vote was passed and stands thus:— 7th mile to the new bridge at Kaia- . poi,buildihg bridge over the "Waimakariri and making road along the centre of the Island, bat exclusive of metalling (total estimated cost £8,000, to be distributed over a period of three years) £1,500 The committee then reported progress and the house resumed.

Mr. Wyatt moved an address to his Honor requesting a sum of £150 for the road from Christchurch to the slaughter yards on Kerr's run. The river had risen over the road in places, and it was all but impassable. Mr. Harsian seconded the motion. That road had been entirely formed by private individuals, and had never received a farthing of the public funds from the commencement. Mr. Ollivier promised that the attention of the Engineer should be drawn to it. "Withdrawn. Mr. Studholme moved an address to his Honor requesting a sum of £50 for a ferry across the Bangitata. Passengers- were frequently de- - layed at this river, or else forced to cross at great risk. Accidents had been far more numerous there than at any other river. >The construction of a ferry would also assist the postal service. Mr. Hall seconded the motion, which, he said, should be considered as authorizing the Government to construct the ferry, irrespective of the amount actually recommended. He hoped it would be done soon and effectually; something more than " taken into consideration," or made to "wait for the Provincial Engineer," two courses most fatal to works. Mr. Rhodes supported the motion. Mr. Ollivier said the work had been 'under consideration,' and it was found desirable to improve the communication. A sum was placed on the estimates for opening up the South-road, and this ,work would come under that head. The plan to adopt would be to give certain advantages to the ferryman as was the case with the Kakaia ferry. Still, too much should not be expected. A difficulty might be found in choosing a place for the ferry as the river was dangerous and uncertain. Withdrawn. Mr. Alport, on behalf of Mr. Fyfe, rose to ask in what way it was intended to deal with the sums arising from the sales of the Association's estate; also whether it was intended to sell the whole of the estate. Mr. Ox-mvier said that the appropriation of monies was directed in the ordinance itself, and the Government intended to deal with the property as also pointed out in the same ordinance. Mr. Davis moved that his Honor be requested to place on the estimates a sum of £1000 to widen and improve the Bridle-path leading from Lyttelton to the plains. If the sum had been applied a year ago, the road would have been most useful Even in its present condition a load of 17 cwt. had been brought over it. [In the motion the spelling was Bridaf-path.] Mr. Wyatt seconded the motion. It was equivocally worded, and he couid not tell precisely what the lion, gentleman, meant by the appropriation of this sum to the purpose, whether or not lie included a temple to Hymen. 1c was something at any rate worthy of suppor*.

Mr. Hall said the committee of public works ' had not overlooked this item, though they did not deal so pleasantly with it as the hon, gen- ■ tleman had done. It had been found a very ( slippery matter to deal with. They had reported / favourably of the work, and a sum would be found appropriated to it. Mr. Ollivieb was somewhat struck by the motion; it indicated a wish to take' a road in a direction to which he had always understood that the hon. gent, was opposed. Was the bridal path to be understood as that to Sumner, and was the hon. gentleman really coming round to advocate that line? However whether or no he would find his desires realised. It being now past 11, other business of the House was postponed, and the following NOTICES OP MOTION for Tuesday, Feb. 16, were given:— ) Mr. Hall: to move the 3rd reading of Inwood's / Mill Bill, also the Committal of the Slaughter House Amendment Bill. Mr. Rhodes: To move in committee of Supply that the items of the Superintendent's and] Provincial Secretary's salaries be recon- \ sidered. Mr. Dokcan: To ask what steps have been./ taken or are proposed to be taken with resi pect to building a jetty at Akaroa as proposed. Mr. Davis: To move for copies of correspondence between the Sheriff and the Proviii cial Engineer in reference to the employ ment of prisoners on public works, and* the instructions of the Government to ttt Sheriff on the subject. 5 Mr. Woodfokd: To ask if it is the intention-? the Government to place a post and rW fence along the river bank between Inwocxs proposed Mill and the Royal Hotel. Mr. Oluyier: To move the introduction -pfa Loan Amendment Bill. Also, the 2nd redinap of the Lyttelton Custom House Keseve, Bill. Also, the 3rd reading of the Caner^ bury, Association's Reserves Amendment Bill. Also, to move the House into ibm-' mittee of Supply. I \ The House then adjourned till Tuesday next at 5 p.m. |