The Marlborough Press. SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 1860.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 23, 9 June 1860, Page 2

The Marlborough Press. SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 1860.

Our Provincial Council, on Saturday last and Wednesday (it being adjourned on Tuesday, through want of a quorum) was almost entirely engaged in committees of the whole house upon the Estimates. The Auctioneers’ Licensing Bill was read a second time, and passed through committee, and the Education Repeal Bill was read a third time and passed. On Thursday, the Dog Nuisance Abatement Bill was read a third time and passed. ’ What we may perhaps call the great question of the session was then brought forward by Mr. Seymour, who moved— That the council considers Picton as the most eligible site for the public buildings, and that this council request the Superintendent to erect the same forthwith upon the site reserved for the purpose in the above mentioned town, and to erect a gaol upon such site in the said town as the Superintendent and principal engineer of the province shall consider most advisable. A very animated debate then ensued; it being contended in favour of Picton that it could he brought into easy communication with the rest of the province, both by land and water; that it had government reserves for such buildings!, and other town lands for sale which would increas the land revenue by the inducement then held out to purchasers; that , the land was high, and not affected by floods; that the report of a deputation especially appointed to choose a port for the Wairau was in its favour; that by the facilities given to traffic, and the attention thus directed to it, merchants and others would he induced to commence business there; that the establishment of a Custom

House at Picton would enable this province to obtain the whole of its share of revenue from that source; and that it was generally admitted to be one of the finest harbours in the colony. On the other hand, it was contended that Blenheim was most central, and that the majority of the inhabitants of the province who might have business to transact at Picton would either pass through or near Blenheim on their way, and that their journeys might be interrupted by floods; that near Blenheim there was the greatest quantity of good agricultural land the province contained, and therefore the likeliest part to attract population; that the present communication, which might be improved, was sufficient for the wants of the province, aud even if Picton were made the capital and port, whilst the head waters of the two rivers (Wairau and Opawa) were accessible from the sea, so long would the principal traffic of the province continue where it was; that the deputation who selected Waitolii as the best port had no other choice, as it was the only one in the Wairau belonging to the New Zealand Company, the other (Port Underwood) being then in the possession of the natives; and that there was no necessity to erect public buildings at all, as those already occupied by the Government, at a rent of <PIOO per year, or, as had since been offered, for -£ J oO, were sufficient for the requirements of the province. The following amendment was proposed by Mr. Eyes, and after some discussion negatived, viz.: — That this Conncil is of opinion that, iu the present circumstances of the province, and the state of the colony, the erection of any public building, excepting the addition to the present lock-up at Blenheim, or the erection of a small separate building for a gaol there, is wholly unnecessary. The debate was not concluded at the usual time for adjournment of the Council, and Mr. Dodson moved “ That the debate be adjourned until Wednesday, the 27th instant.” The motion was negatived, and it was agreed to resume the debate next day. On Friday, the debate on the site for public buildings was adjourned, on the motion of the Superintendent, until Tuesday, the 24th instant, to give the public an opportunity of expressing their opinions. It was moved that the house go into committee on the Estimates, when the Superintendent said, that in order to prevent misapprehension, both in that house and out of doors, he would inform them that so long as he continued to be Commissioner of Crown Lands, with a salary of o£ J 4OO a year, as he had previously stated, he should not take any payment for the office of Superintendent of this province. The Council then went into committee on the Estimates. On resuming, the Alteration of Roads Bill was read a first time. Mr. Seymour moved “ That the Superintendent be authorised to have those bills which have passed through this Council printed, and to proceed with the public works at his discretion.” The motion was agreed to. The Council was then adjourned until Tuesday, July 24th, at eleven o’clock. * It may perhaps not be out of place if we state, for the information of some of our readers who may not be acquainted with the matter, that the Standing Orders of the Marlborough Pro\ incial Council and other similar bodies, do not allow reporters to take notes of proceedings in committee.