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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue III, 13 June 1868, Page 2

Friday, June 1 2. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. All the members were present, except Mr Baigent. Mr Donne's motion that the nest annual session of the Nelson Provincial Council be held at Westport, was, with the permission of the. House, " withdrawn. Mr Donne's motion that the Superintendent be requested to give effect to the prayer of the petition addressed by certain inhabitants of Charleston to his Honor, and by him transmitted to the Council in Message No. 8, was lost by 1 1 to 9. The motion standing in Mr Gibba' name that the Council resolve itself into committee to consider the Superintendent's Message No. 7, in reference to the Brunner Coalmine, was postponed until Tuesday next. Mr Pitt then move! that in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the Government should, forthwith,- take the necessary steps to procure the construction of a Dry Dock in tKe Nelson Harbor, at a cost not exceeding £32,000, and that the sum of £10,000 should be set apart out of this year's revenue, as a first instalment towards the payment of that work. Mr Pitt said that he had been induced to table this motion, becnusehe considered that the question should be presented in a distinct and positive shape, rather than be discussed when the House was engaged upoa the Estimates. It was one of very great importance to the province, and he trusted that hon. members would not regard it as a measure connected solely with the city, for it was, if not a colonial work — for it would be a valuable accession to the resources of the colony — afc all events a provincial one. If the dock were begun at once it would be the first constructed in New Zealand, and it did not require to point to the natural advantages of the Nelson harbor, which, from the great rise and fall of the tide, were superior to those of any other port in the colony. He then contended that the Council was thoroughly warranted in undertaking such a work by the fact that, four years ago, there was only one local steamer, whereas now there were 10, and 33 steamers now periodically visited this port, and whenever they required cleaning or repairing, availed themselves of the facilities offered by this harbor, whilst, when more extensive repairs were required, they were forced to go elsewhere, although they would doubtless come here, if we were possessed of such a convenience as a Dry Dock. He regarded also the present as well as the prospective advantages derivable from the construction of such a work, the demand for supplies, and the labor required upon it, which would be productive of direct as well as indirect advantages to Nelson. For instance, there were a considerable number of American whalers. which were in the habit of visiting the ports of. these colonies for repairs, and which, whilst this was going on, spent a good deal of money. He asked for a less sum than that set down on the Estimates by the Superintendent for the purpose, and considered that by such a grant as he asked for, Nelsou would only get her fair share of the money set down on the Estimates for disposal by the Council. Mr Akersten seconded the motion, and at considerable length demonstrated that the dock had been admitted, as far back as 1861, to be a work of necessity, and one which would certainly be reproductive. He read the evidence given in its favor before the Council on the occasions on which the subject has received its consideration, and reviewed the several arguments for and against it. He then gave his reasons for preferring a Dry Dock to a Patent Slip, and stated his opinion that the site selected by the Provincial Engineers was everyway well suited for it, but thought his estimate of the cost excessive. An hon. member had said that if it could be shown that the dock would pay 1 per cent, on the outlay, it would be a strong argument in its favor ; he was prepared to show that, supposing that £32,000 was spent in its construction, £8,000 would be returned to the revenue during the two years and a half which it would take for that purpose.

■ Mr Donne moved as an amendment that the sum of £32,000 should be raised by loan for the purpose, which fell to the ground, for want of a seconder. Mr Gibbs thought it inexpedient to discuss the question at that time, as however the debate might result, it would be reopened when the item was considered on the Estimates. Ha disclaimed all selfish motives, as a country member, ia opposing the motion, and thought that a patent slip was all that would be required. Mr Burn supported the motion, and trusted that if the question were fairly settled that day, it would be allowed to rest quietly, mentioning as a proof of the increased requiremeut of such a work, that in the year 1867-8 no less than 1091 vessels had entered this port. Mr C. Kelling hoped that the country members would not look upon the dock as a merely local work, but would regard it as one likely to benefit the whole province. The Council had repeatedly affirmed the necessity of such a work, and he could not believe they would now change their minds. Mr Simmonds supported the motion, and said that the dock should be commenced at once, as the Wellington people were talking of constructing one, which, would in all probability be carried out. A very general opinion prevailed outside the Council favorable to a dry dock, as being preferable to a slip, and as the question had now assumed quite a different shape, his conscience was relieved from any scruples as to supporting it. Mr Beitt would wish to know why, if the work was so requisite, the merchants of Nelson did not unite aud forma company for its construction ? He objected to its being done out of the public funds. Mr Parker differed in opinion as to its being a provincial work; it might in some insignificant degree benefit the province at large, but to so small an extent that the outlying districts should not be called v pon to contribute to it. He thought the Council was not justified in voting away so large a sum for such a purpose, which might be done by a loan, to which the General Government, he thought, would readily accede. Elsewhere such projects had been carried out by companies and by municipal bodies. His constituents, the Motueka people, had learned much from past experience of the treatment they had received at the hanJs of the city, and they . at all events, did not wish to have their share of the revenue 'docked.' Why should not this sum be divided amongst the country districts for bridges and other requisite works, for which they could not obtain money, instead of spending it all upon the city. And after all, be had serious doubts whether this £12,000 was really available. Mr Parker concluded by reiterating his opinion that, even without this item of expenditure, the city had more than its due share, and that the Council, by adopting this motion would not act fairly to the country districts. Mr Home expressed his intention of voting for the motion, and thus promoting an undertaking, which, if successful (of which he had do doubt), would benefit the whole province, and in which all parts of the colony would participate. In reply to the last speaker, Mr Home stated that he was not aware that any reasonable proposition brought before the Council, for the benefit of the country districts had ever been rejected. With regard to the relative merits of a slip and of a dry dock, he said that owners of •vessels would not encounter the strain caused by putting them on a slip, and it was this which caused the construction of the Melbourne Dock, whilst no, one who had seen the working of both could have any doubt as to the superiority of a dock. Mr White supported the motion, and expressed his belief that much of the opposition which the project had encountered, was owing to its having originated with the Government. The fact that the Wellington people were talking (which with them meant doing) of making a dock there, was an additional argument in favor of such a construction here. Mr Wastney reviewed the previous propositions for the construction of a dock or slip which had been brought before the Council, and could not divest himself of the impression that the present disposition of this £12,000 was devised to meet a party purpose. He repudiated the charge of having leagued himself against the scheme, and if it could be proved to be remunerative, he would support it, though

he feared it would continue for some time to be au incubus on the annual expenditure of the province. Mr H. Redwood insisted on the dock beiug essentially a provincial work, and one which would be the means of starting many other industries connected with it. It must be remembered that the roads and bridges, on the want of which in the country districts so much stress had been laid, were not remunerative, whilst this work would be so. It had been offered to capitalists to carry out the project at 10 per cent., but now the province had it in its power to employ its own money at 4 per cent. Besides, wharve3 must be built in connection with the dock, which would save some £4,000 or £5,000 to the province. He believed that the difference between a slip and a dock was much the same as between putting up rails, and building a good substauiial stall in a stable, and he was confident that no more important or beneficial work could be carried out by the province. The Provincial Secretary said that the Consolidated Loan Act prevented the feasibility of raising a loan for this purpose, as had been proposed. It was quite possible that the dock might not pay capitalists 10 per cent, for its construction but it would pay the province 6 per cent, besides other direct and indirect benefits. He should have wished to see the amount carried which had been set down in the Estimates for the purpose, as the revenue was large this year. la reply to the remark of the hou. member for Motueka that £26,000 had been voted to be exoended in the city, he denied that a larger sum than £3479 had been granted, and comparing the popuhition of the city and its suburbs, which was 5062, with that of the country districts, which amounted to 6945, this could not be considered excessive. Deducting £7000 from the Estimate for the Dry Dock, and adding the Supplementary Estimates, less the item for the Brunner Coal-mine, which would be repaid, the whole- proposed expenditure would only exceed the estimated revenue for the-year, by about £1500. Mr Wigley having stated his intention to oppose the motion, Mr Pitt replied, and a division took place, the motion being carried by a majority of 14 to 8, Messrs Dreyer and Wastney declining to vote. The result was received with marks of approbation by the House. The Provincial Secretary laid on the table the report of the Provincial Engineer upon the improvements on the road between Nelson and the Waimeas. Mr Wigley brought up the Eeport of the Select Committee on Sir David Monro's Memorial, which stated that the committee ' consider it unadvisable to give an opinion on the legal bearings of the question referred to them, and are of opinion that Sir David Monro has not sustained any losses, but has been a gainer in not obtaining the land applied for. Looking, therefore, at the question in dispute from an equitable point of view, it appears to the committee that Sir David Monro is not entitled to the interest claimed in the memorial.' Some notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned at 2 until 5 o'clock on Tuesday next.