PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ITEMS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 272, 22 May 1874, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ITEMS.

THE MAEREWUENirA GOUXFIKLD. ' Mr. de Lautom- asked the Provincial Secretary -whether the attention of the Government had been drawn to certain action at lav/ having been taken to interfere with the pursuance of the orderly working, under the Ooldlields Act of 1566 and regulations framed thereunder, of certain gold mines above the Alaercwhenija Jiiver- and whether the Gq-

vernment intended to take any steps to defend the miners- in the enjoyment of rights maintained according to the provisions of the above Act and regulations, by license fees duly paid to the provincial revenue for. such undisturbed enjoyment ? Mr. Reid said that the intention of the Government had been drawn to this matter. They did not see their way to take steps to defend the miners, but they would use their best endeavors to get a case and agreed to by the solicitors of Doth'-parties; and send it at once to the Court of Appeal without any litigation here. Further, the Government would be prepared to bear the expense that might be incurred in stating. a case for the consideration "of the Court of Appeal. The Government thought it was a matter that ought to be definitely settled, and without encouraging any litigation by either the miners or property-holders; and if they could induce those persons to agree to a proposal, they (the would use their best endeavors to get the decision of the Court of Appeal as early as possible. THE KAKANUI WATER RACE COMPANY. Mr. Sumpter asked the Provincial Secretary what steps had been taken by the Government in reference to the petition of William Williamson, which was referred last session to the favorable consideration of the Government ?—Dr. Webster stated that after the session of last year the petition was taken charge of by the Superintendent, who used his influence with the General Government to induce them to grant some recompense to the petitioner, and see if he could persuade the Government to introduce some measure regarding the water races,'and the rights of those who made them. He was, however, unsuccessful; but it was hoped that, by \ again' asking "the Geiieral Government to legislate on the matter,!there would be something done this year, in regard to water races. SURVEY OP MAEREWHENUA TOWNSHIP. Mr. Sumpter asked the Provincial Secretary why the resolutions in reference to laying off a township at Maerewhenua, a'ld erection of a bridge across the Maerewhenua river at the terminus of the Awamoka railway, had not been given effect to ? Mr. Reid,' referring to the first part of the motion, said that the reason a township had not been laid off was because the survey staff was inadequate to undertake at once all the demands made upon it. Instructions were given to'the Survey Department to get this township laid off, arid the Chief Surveyor had explained that it was impossible for him to overtake-the work. If a surveyor was not then on the ground he would be shortly. Regarding the latter part of the question, as to the erection of a bridge, he had to explain that v it was found impossible to grant part,of the £5,000 set apart for some of these works. The latest information he could get , was that the late Secretary.for Works would look into the matter when he was in the district. Mr. Bastings explained that no money was available for the work from the sum of £5,000. • GOLD EXPORT DUTY. Mr. de Lautour moved, "That, in the opinion of this Council, ■ it is advisable that the export duty on gold should be reduced sixpence per ounce.."—The motion was carried on the voices. :; RECREATION RESERVE, NASEBY. Mr. de Lautour asked the Government whether they would be prepared, in accordance with the interim report of the Goldfields Committee, to bring in a Bill to vest, the recreation reserve at Naseby in the Munici- ■ pal Council of that borough ? • Mr. Reid said the Government did intend to bring in a Bill. : , , ~ . . PETITIONS. , Mr. de Lautour presented petitions from the Municipal Council of Naseby, praying- ■ this Council to sanction the survey of land between 'Palmerstori "to Clyde, with the object of blocks being set aside as security; and from inhabitants of Hyde, praying that' an additional u ..block of land should be set aside contiguous to the land already settled.' .. Mr. M'Kenzie presented a petition from 64 isettlers in Shag.Valley, praying for the openling of land for settlement in that district. ■ Mr. de Lautour presented a petition from 92 settlers in Hyde and vicinity, praying for the erection of a light traffic bridge over the Taieri River. _, , x MAP OF MAEREWHENUA. Mr. Sumpter moved, " That in the absence of a Survey Office, the Mining Association at Maerewhenua-be furnished with an official map of the district, showing clearing freehold and leasehold land, also what land is now under the Goldfields Proclamation, and that any alteration be duly communicated to the said Association."—Motion carried. WATER RIGHTS. Mr. de Lautour moved, "That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that the Goldfields Committee take into consideration the advisability of a recommendation being forwarded to the General Government to_the effect that it is desirable that a commission should be appointed to inquire into the whole question of water rights in New Zealand, more especially on the goldfields of , the said colony, and that they be requested to report to this Council thereon within 10 days.". - • The motion was carried. . WASTE LANDS AND IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE. Mr. J. C. Brown moved, '' That a - Waste Lands and Immigration Committee be appointed, consisting of Mr. Speaker (with his consent),. Mr. de Lautour, Mr. Kinross, Mr. Reeves, Mr. M'Kenzie, Dr. Webster, and the mover; with power to call for persons, papers, &c, and to whom all matters and petitions on land "and immigration shall be referred. Committee to report from time to time." —The motion was put, and carried. MINING ENGINEER. Mr. Reeves moved, "That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that the services of an experienced Mining Engineer or Inspector be secured for the province." The hon. member explained that there -were many persons connected with mines who had lost money, and considered that matters at the seat of operations were not satisfactory; and it had occurred to them that if they appointed a gentleman such as ho had mentioned, he would be able to visit the different mining companies' works and report, and place in the possession of those persons in charge of the machinery and working of the mine proper and accurate information regarding goldmining. By carrying out this suggestion the Council would be conferring a boon upon this industry. Many of those connected with mines, would be willing to contribute towards the services of such an officer. He spoke on behalf of four or five different mining companies, and this he thought, would be the first and proper step towards.the establishment of a School of Mines. Mr. Fish seconded the motion. Mr. Stout pointed out that, if such an officer, was appointed, it would be only reasonable for others to urge that an officer connected with other .industries should be appointed; and he did not know why this particular industry should be. singled out. He agreed with much that the hon. member had said, but did not think it was a matter for the Government to deal with. No doubt as much had been lost in consequence of bad fanning as bad mining, and he did not see why the Government should step in to stop that more than in any other case. ' ' Mr. R. Clarke supported the motion, and hoped that some day even the General Government would see the necessity of supporting such an officer or officers on behalf of the colony. ■ Mr. M <K"ellar would support the motion, only on the faith that the hon. member (Mr." Reeves) would introduce a further motion, framing regulations making it compulsory on tjhe companies in this province to pay a .euf-

ficient sum each to defray the expense of a Mining Engineer, and for the payment of an engineer on a fixed salary. He then explained, that double the amount of the gold obtained "was actually wasted, and that the- appointment of such an officer would tend to remedy this.

Mr. J. 0. Brown supported the motion, and said he considered there should also be appointed a Professor of Chemistry. They would be able to realise their position in reference to the loss of gold. They had induced a gentleman to take the appointment of Geologist It-was we.ll known that it would take some years for him to complete the duties in hand, and they might appoint another gentleman who would lend valuable assistance and help to complete the geological labois.

Mr. Wood would support the motion if the suggestion thrown out by Mr. M'Kellai" was accepted. Mr. Reid had heard the remarks of the hon. member (Mr. M'Kellar) with surprise, to the effect that the mining companies in the Province extracted one-third of the precious metal, and that two-thirds of it went to waste. He must say that it redounded very little to the credit of the superior, intellectual, and business-like men engaged in that industry that, after having gone to the expert of obtaining all the necessary labor, bringing in water, and paying duties to the Government, they should for a little more expense lose two-thirds of the precious metal. He feared that if they appointed such an officer it would be followed by the organisation of another staff in the Government service; and then when the time for retrenchment came those discharged would require compensation. He - (Mr, Eeid) then, referred to a motion carried by Mr. de Lautour last session, to the effect that the Government should obtain the services of scientific officers to report upon the deep leads, &c, in the Goldfields ; and said he did not see in his Honor's opening address that any steps, had been taken in the matter. In reply to the remarks of the hon. member (Mr. M'Kellar), >he said that if the gentleman referred to would say they would employ an officer such as had been mentioned, the Government would, bring him here," and contribute something towards his salary. But so far as tie debate had gone he did not. think the vernment would be justified in agreeing to the motion. He would not like to see the motion negatived, because it could not again come up during the session, but the Son. member might withdraw the motion, and bring it before the Council again in a manner that might enable the Government in office to give effect to it.

Mr. Oliver thought the discussion pointed to the necessity for the establishment, in connection with the University, of a School of Mines. Evidently the loss referred to had not occurred through the -want of intelligence or enterprise, but simply* through, the want of trained skill. The motion was carried. OPENING OF .LAND ON THE MANIOTOTO PLAINS. . The following select committee's report on a petition of residents at Naseby was tabled ' at yesterday's sitting of the Council by Mr. Bastings:—"The petition prays that sufficient blocks of land may be opened up on deferred payments, and that Hundreds be proclaimed on the Maniototo Plain. The committee took evidence on the point, and recommends that the Government be requested to open a block of suitable land near the line, of traffic, and that the Government should leave the selection of blocks of land to the. Warden or District Land Officer, and at least two other persons to be selected in the district, one of whom to be the member for the district." MR.; BASTINGS AND THE GOLDFIELDS. He (Mr. Bastings) had been accused of favoring the Goldfields during his administration. He emphatically denied that he had. He based his denial on the report before the Speaker—the report of the public works carried out in the Province; and he challenged hop. members to say that he had done anything that was more than was fair for the Goldfields. He would say this, that up to the time of his taking office the Goldfields never had anything like a fair share of the revenues of the Province. There was a. strong feeling to ignore the Goldfields. He stood there to advocate not one interest, but one common good of all But many of the Goldfields districts had become prosperous agricultural districts. For instance, in the Tuapeka and Wakatip districts There were something like 11,000 acres of agricultural land under crop. A great amount of settlement had taken place in many of these towns, and all this had been brought about by the pioneers of the Goldfields, who penetrated country which could not have been occupiedfor years had not that class of men come to Otago. He considered that the sale of large blocks of land would be detrimental to the interests of the country* and there he joined issue with his late colleagues now in office. THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF OTAGO. Mr. Fish, the hon. member for Dunedin, wishes to obtain some information with regard to the Province financially. He has intimated his intention to move, "That a select committee be appointed to enquire into the present financial condition of the Province, and all matters connected with the Treasury "Department, with power to call for persona and papers, and to report: to consist of Mr. Speaker (with his consent), the Hon. Dr. Menzies, * Messrs. de Lautour, Davie, Green, Oliver, and the mover."

THE CHABGE.CXF " ANAUSINQ- TJSNDERS." • On Tuesday evening last Mr. Fish was to move—|* Tbat a select committee be appointed to enquire into the acceptance of tenders by the late Executive for the construction of thelight railways, and also all circumstances in connection with, the expenditure of money on a road from.3?oiomairiro to Lawrence : such committee to consist of the Speaker, Messrs. Menzies, Davie, Green, Oliver, Roberts, and the mover, and to have power to call for persons and papers, and to report."