PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 722, 8 October 1859, Page 4

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thursday-; Got. 6th. The SpeaVtook the chair at the usual hour. - Present—Messrs. Bishop,'Cass, Codbson, Davis, :3Jobbs, Duncan, "Fooks, Tyre, Harman, &6ckhart, •'Ollivier, Packer,^Potts, -Ross, Thomson, Ward anfi , Wyatt. .■ , , •,. After prayers 'the minutes of the last •-were *eail and confirmed. .I'UBLIC HOSPITAL. -Mr. ■' Gllivieu laid on the table a memorial Troni the -inhabitants of Christchurch and its ■vicinity/to-his- Honor the Superintendent, touching the erection of an hospital in Christchurch, W'th correspondence relating thereto. -Memorial-read. -Pursuantto notice Mr. Ollivier asked leave to ' introduce' the Public Hospital Bill. The memorial Just read, he said, had appended toit a much larger number of signatures (amounting to 275) than was usual in cases of this nature, including all the principal residents in 'Christchurch. The time he thought had now fully arrived for making some provision for supplying Christchurch with a hospital, and he asked for authority to set apart a small portion, sa. Ib. 38p., of Hagley 'Park for the purpose of an hospital site. It was - one corner of the park, 'apart, as it were, being -separated by a creek and cutting from'the rest, :• admirably suited by its isolated position and :its contiguity to Christchurch for the purpose designed: No other -suitable dte <ould be procured but by great outlay in purchasing one, and -even then none would be nearly so suitable. Hospitals should be so -placed as not to be surrounded by houses, and the site proposed was nearly isolated. It was one which the Government had promised to lease to the 'farmer's Club for the cultivation-of natural grasses, but had at once been given up by them when asked to do so for the above purpose. The Government had -searched for other suitable sites, but could find none. The ground, was admirably adapted to the purpose, being high and close to water. Honorable members might object, as they did'last night, to cutting up the park. He maintained that this would not be done. He asked only for one isolated and otherwise nearly useless corner. An hospital should be so placed as to have sufficient ground to allow of free air and some exercise within its precincts for epnvalescertts. The only hospital in the settlement now was that wretched building so designated in Lyttelton, which he had felt to be a cause for shame to the Province; the'only place where patients i just risen from their heds could get fresh air was on a bench in the public street, where he and others present had often seen them sitting. This was a state of things which called for speedy improvement. It was known' that the present hospital site in Lyttelton would shortly be required for other purposes ; the Custom House was to be erected there; arid he hoped that some better provision in Lyttelton would be made for those invalids arriving over -'seas.'' But it was necessary that something should be done on the Plains as well. Numerous cases calling for aid were patent to the knowledge of himself and other other honourable members ■ some of sickness and destitution combined; others where the persons were not destitute entirely, but could and would afford to ;pay moderate,hospital charges. Men ■coming down ill from the country were driven to hotels, where their necessities in case of sickness -cculd not be properly attended to. Many of these were-able to pay proper hospital charges. , The sura expended by the Government for charitable aid had very greatly increased in the last twelve months. For the financial year ended 31st March, 1858, it had been £635; durinsr the past financial year from the Ist of October, 1858, to the end of September, 1859, it was £1408. The Colonial Surgeon was constantly complaining of want of means of providing for cases coming under his notice. It was actually a fact that so insufficient was the supply in Lyttelton hospital, that when he (Mr. Ollivier) visited it, both the passages and the private room of the matron were occupied by the beds of patients. Cases requiring hospital provision were also numerous on the Plains. It was ypropossd to set apart the site named to be vested in certain -trustees—-the Superintendent, the -'Judge,the Bishop, and the members of the Execu-Riive-Councn as ex officio governors, to act with five •others to be chosen from annual contributors of ».not less than fiw pounds to the hospital fund. The hospital-would be supported by private contribu- • tions, the-Governmei/t to grant money for its erection. The trustees WL'uld appoint hospital officers and dependants, and a trkwurar to receive donations. ~He proposed to add another clause^ empowering the Superintendent to grant admission and defray --expenses of certain persons obtaining medical certificates. . This would be no wow,than was now -done in Lyttelton. He had novish at-all to infrin?e on the people's privilege in the: case of Hag--ley Park ; nor did he imagine that cuVii"? off that •small corner now asked for would at all -do so. < Mr. Thomson/had no objection to to the principle of the' bill, bat he did object to the site1 .named, unless the Government were prepared to snVw an absolute necessity for fixing on that particV'ar location. Headmitted' the urgent necessity whio h -existed for the establishment of a public hospital, but'he believed another site could-T)e found. The par]* was designed as a public sanatorium, and the institution of a hospital there might be placing in the midst of the population anucleus of infection. For; his part he would rather that another site should he purchased, even at very great cost. Mr. Ward would add'his testimony to the truth -of the statement made by the Provincial Secretary as to the insufficiency of the hospital accommodation in Lyttelton, and he felt assured that were the'office of matron held by a less competent person the accommodation afforded by the'hospital would be even less than at present. He hoped before long to see better provision afforded for the number requiring treatment in Lyttelton, including very, many newly arrived immigrants. But an'hospital was. also required on the plains where the larger .population resided, and where perhaps abetter chance •of regaining health existed. The situation proposed was essentially a good one; b'eingclose to medical aid and other ■assistance, and'not offensive :tolhe town. 'It was in the Parle, it was true, but would scarcely ,• at first, be taken to :be .so-; indeed' it was .'scarcely a-.rceisible from the rest of the Park. Nor could he. see the probability of' any hospital placed thereon being the means of spreading infection'; being to the south of the town it was in the wholesome ,;;^qarter._ -Hedid not think that the tdosest atten.^^,l tft public convenience much less public re•icreatlpn ought to prevent ro small a sacrifice for .; ih> £«p>ly of no urgent a public want. j Mr. (>ss said that the plan would show thatno better site could lie obtained in Christchurch, not at least for sw'h a sum as he thought the Council would be likely to a-rree to. This site was enclosed by natural boundaries, arid Its appropriation could •interfere with no private rierhtn. Ont of the 50 acres contained in the Park the: Government asked ""W, % flvf- One principal object-wasi to have the hospital within easy medical and charitable reach-; na^y'body knew that bad walking was often made nn abstaining from visits of charity. The; Bishop of New Zealand had once told him (Mr.-Cass) never to'have a church built on a hill. :as it' afforded an excuse for asthmatinal people not to ■go there. ..He-thnughf.the site would meet all the ir qmrerhent* of the present day. He would remind 'theCottnei* that a hospital site had not as might b^ srinripsed'.been forgotten when. th« town was iffcst 'lai^jOUt; The^ite chosen was the very one ou;.whvfhf stood the building in which they weve ■Ww Wielded. In return for that .theleast they

could do.would be to grant another. He did riot believe any other equally convenient site could' bo obtained for £1000. Leave to introduce g-ranted, and bill read a first time -and ordered to be printed. i ■ SAKE 0"F RESERVES. i Mr.'OLLrvrEii asked for leave to introduce theLunaticAfylumßeserveandGravelpitßeserveSaleßMl. He read :a letter from; the Colonial Secretary intimating the disallowance by the Governor of a bill on this subject passed last session ; his Excellency not deeming that the Provincial Government could deal with these reserves, which had never beenin their possession. The General Government having at the same time:expressed their readiness to hand over the reserves, the necessary grants had been forwarded to Auckland for the Governor's signature, and-were expected to "return by the next mail. The Government now proposed to sell by auction these reserves at an upset price of £5 per acre. It was proposed to place the sum of* £1500 on the estimates for the erection of the hospital; the sum to be derived from the sale of these reserves (200 acres and 20 respectively) at £5 would nearly covers the above proposed vote. With regard to the lunatic asylum reserve it was no longer required for its original purpose; the General Assembly having fixed on a site in Nelson for an asylum for the colon}', and it was thought all cases of an ordinary nature would ,be sufficiently provided for-by the proposed hospital. The reserve now proposed to be sold had been declared by a high authority one totally unfitted for the purpose for which it was originally intended. Leave to introduce granted, bill read a first time, and ordered to be printed. RESERVES. Mr. Ollivier asked for the approval of the Council to certain reserves made by the Government during the late recess. He submitted each reserve separately. Touching one in Okain's Bay, Mr. Harman wished to have some information and thought that some tracings or plans of the reserves for which approval was sought should have been laid before the Council. He did not think the Council should be asked to confine reserves about which no information was afforded.

Mr. Eoss thought that information to a further extent should be afforded. The Council should be told why the reserves had been made.

Mr. Ollivier said that the reasons' for making the reserves were stated. All was done in a straightforward manner. He was surprised that if tracings were wished for they, had not been asked for when the notice of the present motion had been given.—Reserve approved. Mr. Cass asked for approval of a reserve of three acres in Okain's Bay on the water's edge. These reserves had been advertised for, a period of eight months. This one was wanted for wharfage. Unless such a reserve had been made, the land would before now have got into private hands, and the owners would charge any price they liked for wharfage. The reserves originally made were not sufficient. Land had to be bought at Kaiapoi. He himself, as chief surveyor, had recommended this reserve.

Mr. Thomson thought the Government deserved the thanks of the Council for making the reserves. But he thought plans and full information should have been laid before the Council. They should not be referred to the Land Office; all plans should be shewn them here.

, Mr. Eooks said that that very evening a case had come under their notice of land improperly reserved. He alluded.to the Lunatic Asylum reserve. This ought to be avoided, and to that end the Council should havefull information so as to judge of the propriety of the reserve. Their time ought nottobe taken lip in passing acts to cancel improper reserves. He would move as an amendment that the reserves now asked to be confirmed be referred to a select committee.

Mr. Ollivieb remarked that this was a most unusual course to adopt. The Council had a right to ask for information, but was scarcely acting with propriety in appointing a committee to enquire into the acts of the Superintendent. The Government had acted in strict conformity with the terms of the Waste Lands Act and'the Regulations. If the reserves had not been made the land would ere this have fallen into private hands. Several of the bays in the peninsula were shut up as to wharfage, because reserves had not been made. The Council might or might not approve of. the reserves, but the appointment of a committee was an unusual course to take. The circumstances in each separate case had been set, forth, and no committee could obtain more information. He was, however, willing to postpone the subject and to produce plans if required. • , :

Mr. Packek was surprised at the line of argument taken by the Provincial Secretary. The Superintendent was permitted to make reserves during recess, till the Council should riieet to confirm them. The Council should have distinct understanding as to what they were doing, for the Superintendent may havb made bad reserves, as had been done in the case of the Lunatic Asylum and Gravel-pit. Mr. Habman hoped the amendment would not be pressed, if the Provincial Secretary would undertake to produce plans. The Council were right to criticise acts of the Executive during the recess. As io this particular reserve he had himself recommtridedit two years ago, and he believed the selectioni wins a wise one.

Mr.'.X^NCAN said that Government did not deny the rigbv ■''f tjlie Council to ask for information. Some hono rpble members however took a strange tone in argri.Ti snt. Mr. Packer had alluded.to the wrong selection of the Lunatic Asylum reserve. By whom was i.hat reserve made ? Why by the government of which he himself was at the head! He would recall to the honorable members' recollection the old proverb about those living in glass houses abstaining from throwing stones. Mr. Eooks only wanted full information. If the consideration of the reserve question were postponed he should withdraw; his amendment. Many of the existing reserves were unnecessary, , That the Council did not enquire fully enough into the conduct of the government of Mr. Packer, afforded only a stronger reason why they should do so into thatof the Government of the present day.-—Amend-ment withdrawn, and consideration of this question' postponed by'leave till Tuesday next.'. CHURCH PROPERTY^. . .-.- Mr. Thomson moved that the Church PropertyTrustees Amendment Bill be referred to a select ■committee.to consist of Messrs. Hall, Packer, Potts, Wyatt, Fooks, and the mover.—Agreed to. THE WAIMAKARIRI AND RANGITATA RIVERS. Mr. Thomson further moved that infoimation hb to-what steps have been taken for providing a bridge over the Waimakariri and a punt over the Rangitata be furnished to this' Council. Mr. Ollivier In reply said that the designs for the Wainiakariri bridge were still in the'bajfids of Colonel Mould. No answer had as yet''been received from that gentleman, who, as he hadbefore stated, had 'been confined by illness, which had occasioned the postponement of this and other questions. On Col. Mould's arrival^ expected ire about six wee"ks, they would learn sornethirig on 'this subject and on that of the' Otago boundary line. The Rangitata ferry had been let in the terms of the advertisement published to a steady trustworthy man. He could not speak positively about the punt, but he believed that it was not practicable to place one where it was originally intended, hut a punt would be placed somewhere on,the river so as to be available. The ferry at all events was established.

Mr. Thomson drew the attention of the Provincial Secretary to the Kaiapoi road, lhe road had been cut oft; and part of the direct lino was unformed. ■ , . . , Mr. Ollivijer said that the road was formed or in course of formation. The attention of the Provincial Engineer had been called to the subjeot only that morning. APPOINTMENT OF RESIDENT MAGISTRATE. ! Mr. Packer moved that a copy of the correspondence between the General and Provincial Governments on the subject of the provision for the administration of justice in Lyttelton, Christchurch, and Kaiapoi, he laid on the table. Some change, they all knew, was contemplated. One magistrate was going home/and some substitute had to be found. He wished tor information. j' Mr. Ollivieb- said that no information as to future changes had been received by the Provincial I Government. The General Government were not | i in-the habit of keeping the Provincial Government informed of their intentions. One magistrate had, : lie knew, been appointed to Lyttelton. A communication on the subject had been svddressed to the I General by the Provincial Government. He would, if it were wished, produce that letter. Question put and agreed to. CUOWN GRANTS. Mr. Wyatt moved for the production.of the following returns:— 1. Return shewing the number of Crown Grants in preparation by the Chief Surveyor. 2. Return shewing the number of Crown; Grants waiting for the signature of his Excellency the Governor in Auckland. 3. Return shewing the number of Crown Grants in the hands of the Chief Commissioner of the "Waste Lands Board reddy for issue, ti; I 4. Return shewing the amount received by the Provincial Treasurer during the financial year, for Crown Grauts issued. 5. Return shewing the total number of Crown Grarits issued, and tlie total amount of fees - received on account of the same.

He said that lie believed delay frequently occurred in forwarding Crown Grants for his Excellency's signature; and also, that a pile of grants were then lying in the Commissioner's office, not having been called for by the grantees. Such returns had not, he thought, been asked for before. He felt assured that they would prove useful.—Motion granted.

On the motion of Mr. Ollivier. the House in committee (Mr. Thohison in the chair) proceeded to consider the

REPLY TO THE ADDRESS, which was as follows:— ■

(1.) The Provincial Council thank your Honor for the address with which you have opened their eleventh session. (2.) The Council desire to assure your Honor of their cordial co-operation in every endeavour to promote the welfare and advancement of the province.

(3.) It is satisfactory to the Council to hear that it is your Honor's intention to continue your efforts to develope the resources of the province by the extension of roads, and by the vigorous prosecution of public works. (4.) The Council anxiously await the report of the English agent upon the. subject of the proposed railway communication between the port arid the plains. The Council desire to express their hope that the arrival of the report by the next arrival of the English mail may enable them to come to some decision upon the important subject before the close of the session. (5.) The several bills which your Honor has directed to be sent down to the Council shall have the attention and careful consideration which they ' will deiharid and which they are entitled to receive. Clauses 1 and 2 agreed to. Mr. Packer objected to the wording of clause 3. The Council was in fact asked by it to concur in.all that had been.ilone by the Government during the recess. He could not pledge himself to do that! Last, session, when large grants were made for public works,; he had warned the Provincial Secretary to consider titer, labour/market, and had received a promise to that effect. The Government had not done so. They had'employed too large a proportion of labour, and had swamped the market. Now, all the money, he supposed, was spent. Agriculturists had been enticed away from the occupation and joined the Government works; they became disinclined to return to their original employment. Now, at the end of the business, the Government were employing otherwise idle men at minimum rates. He did not think the Provincial Engineer's estimates were calculated on a proper principle; they were based on high rates of labour. Accordingly, by the advertisements of contracts in the papers, it was clear that people had grasped at anything the Government would give them. A great re-action had now come. . Parties had written home to' say they.were getting 10s. and 12s. a-day; and numbers had come out determined to keep up the price of labour. He wished for some explanation of the conduct of the Government.

Mr. Oluvikr jgas surprised at Mr. Packer's attack. He should'ihav.e offered something like proot of his statement; the government had been accused of recklessly employing labour, Init he (Mr. Ollivier) defied proof of stich a charge 'to be brought. It was net true that the Government had employed labour at rates above those current, to the detriment of agriculturists. The Government . paid only reasonable rates. The Engineer's estimates" were based on the rate of ,7s. a day, and no more. By those very advertisements it would be seen that some of the tenders were 100 per cent, above the Engineer's estimate. Such tenders were never accepted. Not the lowest, certainly, but resonable tenders were, alone accepted. When tenders below the estimate were taken it was often the occasion of great inconvenience. Parties so contracting-could not complete their contracts. Since that had been ascertained, no contracts had been given but to those who the Government could feef assured were qualified to complete them. He denied the imputation of having employed labour at the cost: of the agriculturist. The contract for the repair of the Ferry Road had been let to a working man-at £300 though the Engineer's estimate was £500, and, the contract was thrown up after three months./ .When the estimates came on, the Government would be able to prove; that they had exercised care in the expenditure. Certainly works had been entered upon to an extent greater than was at first contemplated, which lie would be prepared to, defend. But. what was objected to in clause 3? ' What did it* really mean? Did the honorable meniber (Mr. Packer) object to co-operate in developing the resources of- the province? He (Mr. Ollivier) felt sure such, was not.the case. Such .resources must be developed by opening- roads, so' "that the population may he induced to extend over .the,face of the country. This'waslonly to be done by\a vigorous prosecution.of public works. There was\not ;a?word in the reply to which, any good objection could be shewn. He hoped honorable members would put away any schism, and exhibit unanimity in replying to hisllouor's address. Mr. Packer was .also anadyooate for unanimity. But lie must say that the"mode in which the Government had carried on the public works was ruinous.' Labour was now by many not to be procured; Men had refused 7s. a-day, for money had been madd on the roads, and contractors now would notretiirn 16 agriculture.:" '' Question put; and agreed to. Qn clause: 4,1 Mr. Harman drew attention to the 'resolutions passed by the Council last session containg their views on the railway question. A commission had. been appointed in )he province, and their duties specified. Another commission, had now, on the authority of the Superintendent only, been appointed in England, and the Executive Government by the instructions which they had given that commission had jjone far to imperil the whole question. There seemed'to be a discrepancy between his Honor and the Executive as to the origin of the English commission. *The Provincial Secretary had last night told them that the commission had been appointed on a suggestion of Mr. FitzGerald. In the Superintendent's address it was stated that it (the commission) had been appointed pursuant to tho resolutions of the Council in their last session This fli«crepaucy was strange. In' an ordinary matter

this might he passed over. But the subject before them now was of too grave importance to pass it over Jt was a question involving large expenditure' With whom did the responsibility of the acts of that commission rest? The Council ought to he relieved from it. The English commission might do mischief. He believed that if the instructions sent to the English commissioners had been sent to any commission constituted of different individuals the whole railway question would before this time have been shelved. The commission in the first place was instructed to obtain from the Colonial Office a promise that the Governor should be instructed to assent to an ordinance authorising the loan of a million and a half. . 2ndly, to obtain instructions to the Governor to endorse a £250,000 loan. Failing, those two schemes, to fall back on the resolutions of the Provincial Council! This was an unusual mode of procedure. The tenor of the reply to the letter of the Government to the English agent was a refusal to entertain the scheme. The opinions of such men as Mr. Cummins and Mr. Selfe were at least entitled to respect, hut that respect had not been shown. The error in the Superintendents-speech should be corrected and the Council should express their disapprobation of the line of conduct pursued by the Government. He proposed the following amendment to the clause under consideration:—

"That this Council will carefully consider any scheme for the establishment of railway communication in the province, which may be submitted to it, hut regret that the Government should have exceeded the resolutions of the last session by the appointment of an English Railway Commission and hy the instructions which they have issued to the same."

Mr. Ross rose to second the amendnient. It was somewhat unusual perhaps to differ upon the address but so also were the circumstances calling for it. Mr. Ross here read from the Minute Book the resolutions of the last session refered to by Mr. Harman, as follows :— . - 1. That it is desirable that the services of a competent engineer should be obtained from England to report with as little delay as possible upon the best means of effecting railwaycommunication between Lyttelton and Christchurch: and that the sum of .^4OOO be placed at the disposal of his Honor the Superiiitendentforthispurpo.se. 2. That it is desirable that a commission, consisting of Messrs. Bray, Cass, Harman, Whitcomb, Wylde, the Provincial Engineer, and the Provincial Secretary, be appointed to confer with his Honor the Superintendent, and to report upon the other lines of railway communication throughout the province, and to take the necessary steps for enabling the Provincial Government to reserve at once the land required for such lines and in the neighbourhood thereof. 3. That the beforementionod commissioners, collect for the purpose of transmission to England the maps, plans, and other information connected with the proposed railway communication between Lyttelton and Christchurch for the purpose of being submitted to an engineering firm of. eminence, with' a view to ascertain if they or any contracting firm would undertake the execution of the works in question.

Mr. Ollivier admitted that some ambiguity was apparent in the Superintendent's address/ but the mistake was merely in the wording. He would' refer Mr. Harman to his (Mr. Ollivier's) letter in March last to Mr. FitzGerald. (Mr. Ollivier, then rpad the letter in which he.on the part of the Government instructed Mr. FitzGerald as to the decided preference of the Government for the direct line of railway, and authorised him, subject to the consent, of the Council, and adhering strictly to the direct line, to take steps in the master). Mr. Crinir mins and Mr. Selfe were appointed at the suggestion of Mr. FitzGerald.' The first intimation of -instructions having been issued to the Governor respecting the loan,of. £70,000 was received from His Excellency. The resolutions of the Conncil were not very definite on this subject; the matter of negotiation was left incomplete. The.instructions v to Mr. FitzGerald tallied exactly with the resolutions; he was desired to adhere to the direct line'- and that alonejland there was nothing in the semi-official letter : . of. the Superintendent to Mr. Selfe but a further development of the railway scheme. The Commission was instructed to take the opinion of an engineer on. the direct route. If that opinion were favorable and the loan were guaranteed, an engineer was to- be sent out to report, and his passage home again if •' necessary to be guaranteed, He maintained that: all this was corroborative of the inteption of. the. Governs me'nt to carry out the resolutions of the.Council! The Commissioners were only to collect information to be submitted to the Council and, their approval taken. He hoped the clause would- be allowed to pass.

Mr. Harman could not fall in with the practice of allowing the reply to pass as a matter of course. The Council were quite justified in objecting to the acts of. the Government during the recess. Great, stress had been laid by the Provincial Secretary on the adherence of the Government to the direct line; but who had decided on that line? No decision had been come to; yet instructions had been issued to the English commission, as if the matter had been decided. If the instructions to the commission had been carried put, the Governor would, he believed, have been instructed to withhold his assent to the loan.

Mr. Packer said, that from what had fallen, the Council appeared to be in an awkward position. There seemed to have been a difference in the cabinet somewhere, but the Executive Government was not the Provincial Council. The schemes proposed were outrageous and foolish; so much, so that other settlements laughed at us. It was proposed first to get a loan of a million and a'-half; if that conld not be had, to ask for a quarter of a million; if that was not forthcoming, his Honor would •be content with-£70,000; and if that also .should be refused, why, " shake hands and good-bye." It reminded him of the story of the man who asked his landlord to allow him to cut timber enough to, build a barn. To which he got "no, certainly not," for an answer. "Well, may I have sufficient to put up a stable?" "No." "Well, then, may I take a piece for a gate post?" "Oh, yes, you can have a post." So with us in "matter of loans. (Laughter.) The railway was doubtless at the proper time a very desirable thing, but it was outrageous and absurd.now. Mr. Stephenson's report was to come by next mail; it was astonishing how many things were to come, by that next mail. The Superintendent told the Council that if the session should expire before the arrival of next mail, he will call a special railway session. In his (Mr. P.'s) opinion, they were going out of the way to promulgate schemes which are Taughed at. Mr. Ward read the papers differently from Mr. Harman. Referring first to the Council's resolutions of last Session he.found authority given to lay out certain reserves for railway lines throughout the province, and to take certain engineering steps preliminary to the execution of a railway between Christchurch and Lyttelton. That nothing happened to be said about the funds by which these works were to he done did not infer that the Council expected them to he finished without money, or that the executive was precluded from taking steps to secure a power of obtaining.money- for the purpose. The instructions to the English commission, which were said to he contrary to the.design of the Council, directed certain movements with the view of obtaining authority to provide the province with money to execute the very works contemplated by the Council, and plainly directed the' commission to proceed to carry ont the resolutions of the Council, not—as stated by Mr. Harman—if the former instructions could not be executed, but in case of success. The Executive,- in giving these instructions to the commission, were doing their best to assist in having matters ready for the Council to proceed with the undertaking according to the dcs re expressed in the resolutions last session,'and showed not the slightest desire to adopt any new scheme, whatever. Mr. Harman, reading the instructions, had supposed that as they were numbered consecutively, each was intended to have priority according to its place on tho list; and therefore, because the Council's resolution was mentioned towards the end, that it was to be left to be considered if the others failed ; but the committee, would find on reading the papers that the forme* instructions simply pointed to the financial means of carrying out the latter. Ho would ask—if the Executive were not to use a little foresight in arranging matters to facilitate the business'of the Council, what was expected from them? In conclusion, he begged hon. members to give some attention to a subject which had obtained the approval of professional men in the colony, and was sent down for their consideration by the Superintendent^ who

had given his constant thoughts to it, and whose special business it was, being chosen for the purpose to devote his time to such matters. He (Mr. W) thought it w«uld be no less than impertinent in Hon gentlemen, whose minds must have been occupied with other, affairs to pronounce abruptly and unreasonirigly a confident opinion in contempt of that arrived at by the chief Executive officer of the Province, and subscribed to by professional gentlemen Mr. Ollivieb had had his eyes opened to Mr' Harman's real cause of offence. The letter of instructions had dwelt upon a recommendation of the • direct line.' He (Mr. 0.) now. understood the meaning of Mr. Harman, whose ideas were bent upon the Gollan's Bay line. This was why lie protested so strongly against the instructions. He (Mr. 0.) would say that the Government had pot the slightest intention of making Gollan's Bay a terminus,' The Council had^ authorised-them to take steps' for connecting Christchurch and Lyttelton—evidently the proper course. They would have nothing to do with. Gollan's Bay, and would soonl have an opportunity: of bringing evidence to 'show the worthlessness of that point as a terminus, not to speak of the injury which would be done to Lyttelton by its adoption. Mr. ILvbman had rip wish especially for the Gollan's Bay line; butlie wished to.see. the past resolutions of the Council' Carried out. If Mr. Stephenson's opinions were favourable to the direct line, and money could be got for it, he would .wish to see it prosecuted. He repudiated the wish to cut out Lyttelton by Gollan's Bay. Mr. Fyfe thought there was still one point to he brought forward. The engineer's opinion should have been.obtained before attempting to negotiate the loam , ■ '; .; , . ' ,

> Mr. Harman's amendment put arid negatived. Original clause put and carried. ..,.-_ „, 4 Clause 5 carried. '

The resolutions-were then reported to the Council and the reply was adopted and ordered, to be conveyed to his Honor by a deputation, consisting of the Speaker and Messrs. Thomson arid Lockhart. After notices of motion, the Council adjourned to Friday (yesterday). . .