Provincial Council.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 626, 6 November 1858, Page 3

Provincial Council.

Tuesday, November 2. i The Council met at 5 p.m. ' Present—the Speaker, Messrs. Ollivier, Cass, Duncan, Dobbs, Fooks, Ithodes, Blakistonjlliggins, Bishop, Fyfe, Miln, Harman, White, Ward, Cooksori, Sttidholme, Hall, Thomson. ' "r ' The return of the writ notifying the election of Mr. Potts as Member for the Port Victoria District was announced. EDUCATION. Mr. Hall moved for a return of the average number of scholars in daily-attendance during the last six months, at all school? receiving aid from the' Government Grant. He did tins because the statement laid before the Conncil dil not show whether the number of scholars in each school was the total on,the books or the average attendance. ■■"■■■ '■" Mr. Higgins, in seconding the motion, suggested that the average coat per head of each scholar should be shown on the same return,' words to which effect were inserted. On the suggestion of Mr. Thomson, the period of twelve months past was substituted for that of six months; and the motion so amended was put and agreed to. . ■ In answer to a question from Mr. Hall, Mr. Ollivier stated that no appointment had yet been made of an inspector of schools, as such: an appointment had to receive the,sanction of the Bishop and a majority of the heads of other denominations. It was agreed to leave the choice of an indiyidualto Mr. Selfe in England, and a gentleman had been selected for the purpose, but some accident prevented his leaving England. If there was'any further information on the subject to be obtained on search, he would cause it to be laid before the Council. In answer to. a question from Mr. Ward," Mr. Ollivier stated that the Government thought that it was now too late to set apart a public holiday in honor of the Princess Boyal's Marriage; he was sorry that an act of loyalty had been omitted, but it should not be forgotten when another occasion offered. RANGITATA FERRT. Mr. Stxtdholme asked whether the contract for establishing a ferry-across the Kangitata had been taken by any one, or whether fresh tenders would be^ advertised for? It was generally understood that the terms offered by Government were so low that it was impossible to find a sensible' man who would accept them. Mr. Ollivier replied that the contract had been, taken, and by a very sensible man too. The condition of his going up was, however; that his private affairs down here could be arranged within the time, which did not prove, to be the case. Of this the Government had only lately been made aware, and further arrangements would be* made with as little delay as possible. ■ SHEEP BILL. On the motion of Mr. Hall, seconded by Mr. Ollivier, a bill to repeal the Scab and Catarrh Ordinance and the Amendment Ordinance, and -JStW^e^^diTSFsTtlSoSd ordered to~be~ printed. CHRISTCnURCn IMMIGRATION BARRACKS. ' Mr. Harman moved for a copy of any correspondence between the Immigration Agent and the Government on the state of the Barracks in Christchurch. It had come to his knowledge that there had been an inspection by the Agent, and that a report had been sent in by- that officer; from which he inferred that there was something worth reporting about, and therefore worth the, attention of the Council. Mr. Ollivier laid on the table a letter from the Immigration Agent (Mr. Hall) _ That gentleman had suggested certain alterations in the construction of the Barracks, which the Government considered .expensive.and undesirable; but they had made some modifications in the arrangement of the accommodation, which he believed would answer all the purposes required. ' On a motion by Mr. Studholme, . Mr. Ollivier stated that a letter had been written by the Superintendent of this Province to the Superintendent of Otago having referencfe to negotiations which had been entered into h a former personal interview, as to providing ferry and accommodation on the W.aitangi river. A reply might be expected soon, in which it was hoped that "the wants of, this province would bk met. In the mean time the Government hac reserved land for an accommodation house. i Mr. Ward proposed and Mr. Hall seconded a motion for an address to his Honor the'Super-' impendent praying for a sum for the purpose oj enclosing the spring on the bridle-path, and placing the tank in an ornamental and useful condition. ■ ■ . ' : Mr; Fooks thought it would be money thrown, away as the tunnel which was proposed to pais; just beneath would probably cut off the suppyof water from the spring altogether. \ The motion was put and passed. ; Mr Dobbs proposed and Mr. Blakiston si-f conded a motion requesting the Superintendent; to place on the estimates a sum of money for the. purpose of clearing the river Korotueka froipj and" other impediments to navigation f r ; Both speakers reminded the Council that th^ i was one of the few rivers used for traffic i^; i the province and that by means of it a larg| ,i 'supply of firewood was brought down, increasing < in amount every day. \ ' Mr. OCLiviEU said that as soon as the Pro- 1 viricial'Engineer was at liberty from more' pres- | sin" occupations (which he could not promise ,< would happen for some time to come), anestim- \ ate sUould be prepared of the. probable expense.!1: It was a mistake to suppose that a small sum; would suffice; in fact it was very likely that ifc would require: a large outlay. : Besides, this,: was one of the works which were not in th& nature of distinctly public enterm-ises; he should have liked "to see the proposition come in the shape of an ofler from" those locally interested to find half the sum, asking for a grant to the extent of the other half; as was customary in the case of accommodation roads. He must decline to accede to the motion. After aomo further discussion tho question was put to a division and lost by- U against, to 8 for, ♦ ! The Amended Cattle Trespass Bill wus then?

read a third time and passed, and numbered 4 of i Session X. • • Mr. Qllivier moved that the Council go into Committee of Supply. He Hoped they would be content to take the votes, which were for the over expenditure of last half year on the supplementary estimates, as read from a manuscript COPy; 'for through the delay of the printers the printed copies had not been-struck off. Some objection was raised by Mr. Hall and other 3to proceeding with the votes until copies were in the hands of all ; and Mr. Ollivier consented to postpone the motion for going into Committee. • • • . ■■ Mr. Ward took the opportunity of speaking to the question' for the sake of asking the Provincial Secretary for further information as to estimated receipts and expenditure detailed in the financial statement. It appeared that the balances in -handof various kinds amounted to 'upwards-of £43,000; and the year's revenue raised the total sum to be spent to £112,500. The statement had been made that as £48.000 of thii amount would be devoted to this year's public works, while only £20,000 would be required for next year's, other receipts and other expenditure remaining nearly the same, there would-be a surplus of £28,000 more in 1859-60 \ than in the year now commencing. He (Mr. W.) ! could not, after deducting- the sura first named, which "was a balance remaining from'previous year's receipts, add up the figures so as to arrive at anything like the result which the Provincial Secretary had flattered them with. He was really sorry to see so excellent a work as the tunnel put so far beyond their means as the statement referred to proved it to be if begun on the Government plan. It seemed that a greater sacrifice than was calculated oh would have to be made for the undertaking. Mr. Ollivier went into the figures again to show that with -the additional receipts which could be calculated on for future years in all departments his estimate of a surplus was by no means exaggerated! However, if his private opinion was to be expressed, he must say that he should prefer to see a loan contracted for the sum required, by which operation the province would be bound to the undertaking, and not be able to throw it off", half done, when tired of it. The formal question being then withdrawn, and notices of motion given, the Council adjourned. ■