LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 121, 21 May 1873, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The Council met at 5 o'clock. Petitions were presented by the Provincial Secretary from residents of Cobden and Coal Creek, asking for the construction of a road and the erection of a wharf : by Mr Reid from 200 residents of the West Coast, asking for consideration of certain claims made by Mr Reuben Waite ; by Mr Pinkerton, from Messrs James O'Malley and James Anderson, asking for a reward for the discovery of the shortest track between the Grey and Inangahua Valleys. Mr Gibbs, on .behalf of the Select Committee appointed to consider the Estimates, asked for further time for the Committee to report/ which request was granted, and he also brought tip a report of the Petitions Committee on the petition of James Arthur Maguire, formerly gaoler at Wesfcport, — a report favorable to the petitioner, and recommending that he should again be employed by the Government. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Provincial Treasurer said: before going into Committee on the Estimates, he would endeavour to explain the opinions of the Government with regard to the estimated revenue, and in general terms remark on the proposed expenditure. The returns laid upon the table show, that the receipts of the last year amounted to £63,000 only; being £22,000 less than the estimate for that year, and £7,000 less than the actual receipts of the previous year. That the revenue fell so far short of the anticipations of the Government, may be attributed to the very unfavorable season for mining, owing to the great scarcity of water, the unavoidable delay that has taken place" in producing gold from the reefing districts, the reduction of the gold duty, nnd the land sales proving less extensive tban was anticipated. In the Estimates submitted for the current year, the revenue is estimated at £73,000, being a little more tban the actual receipts of the year ending March, 1872. This amount may be fairly calculated upon, as there is reason to hope for a much better season for mining pursuits, when there can be no doubt that a much larger quantity of gold will be produced from the reefing districts and the mining districts generally, and as the yield of gold increases, other sources of revenue improve. Although the revenue fell off very considerably last year, and the Government estimate for this year is not so high as in former years, the future financial prospects of the province may fairly bo said to be promising. The Goldfields are now undergoing a change, the alluvial idiggers are giving way to the more permanent miners, and the district is becoming raore settled. This is a time when the revenues are never flourishing : Auckland and other provinces have seen similar times and felt the depression and reduction of revenue, but as permanentmining progresses, expensive machinery erected, and water races constructed, and . the reefing districts become more developed and yield their gold, the country assumes an importance, and progresses at a rate not hitherto known* ; The Nelson Goldfields are fast assuming that permanent character, and the time is not far distant when they will contain and support a very much larger population, produce larger revenues, and, become important and prosperous. To- secure this state of things, Government assistance is neccessary for the \ construction of water races to give more r regular employment to the miner, and thei formation of railroads to afford better means of getting machinery about the country, and to connect the centres of population with a good port to lessen the cost of provisions. The explanations of the items of revenue are as follows : — Capitation Allowance, £12,500. — This is based upon the actual receipts of last year, and needs no further comment. Land Mind, £9,000. — The receipts of last year were £5,759, and there is no reason to think they will be less this year from ordinary sales, rents, &c. ; and the sales of Westport sections, and the townships of Ahaura, Charleston, and Reefton, will, it is estimated, raise the amount to at least £9,000. Gold Duty, £13,000.— The actual receipts last year amounted to £10,845, and taking into consideration the unfavourable season last year for mining, and the certainty of a larger yield of gold from the reefs this year, the estimate cannot be considered excessive. Goldfields Revenue. £21,000.— The receipts last year amounted to over £18;000, and as it includes miners' rights, business licenses, publicans* licenses, rents of leases, Wardens' Court fees, &c, the falling off last year may be accounted for in the same manner as the falling off of gold, duty, and the small addition to the actual receipts of last year fairly calculated upon. Publicans' and other Licenses, £2,000.— -This is for licenses issued outside the Goldfields, and receipts of last year were £2,036. Harbour and Wharves, £I,6so.— These items brought a revenue last year of £1,666. Scab Act, £1,000.' —The receipts under this Act last year were £953, and a small increase may be expected. Education Rate, £2,200. — The actual receipts last year were £2,004, but it is believed this amount is a good deal short of what should be collected, and steps are being taken to insure a better collection. Brunner Coal-mine, £9,000. — The receipts last year were £7*074, and gave a profit of over £800. The estimated expenditure for this year is £8,000, and the profits 1,000. This may fairly be expected, as the demand for coal was not nearly supplied last yeay owing to the very low state of the river by which it id brought to market. In the Departmental expenditure, the Executive have, during the past year been able to effect some saving in both Salaries and Contingencies. The proposed expenditure for this year for Departmental purposes,'/ leaving " out the Provincial Councili amounts to £21,620, against £24,810\

" vr '■"■ ' "~ "" " u "" *' v<\* appropriated to the maiQ departments last year. The apparent fj*mxxg, therek fore, is £3.190;; but as : fche' itiift,:" .Survey labor," which partakes irmre of the ; cha« j racter of a public work titan ft departraental contingency, is estimated at £1,000 j less this year, the proposed reductions in j departmental expenditure may be said to^S be £2,190, viz.—Salfu- ies, £975 ; ; Con>| tingencies, £1,115 ; the details of winch i will be explained as each deportment- j comes under discussion in cpmraiUee;^ The item Charitable, which includes tall , : 'j the Hospitals in- tha ' prbvibce^ tho/ Lunatic Asylum, and .'the JVliunlenance of Destitute Poor, it is estimated' wiU require the sura of £3.100, /being £340 "jess than the approprifttiouaof last yesr : the reductions being, West Coftpt Hosp'itala.-' £250 ; Nelson Hospital, £200 ; and the i addition beiug £11 6 to (he Lunatic Asylum, Contingences. Education, £7,200. — The Executive have placed the same / amount on the Estimates this year as last.. The Central Board have applied for an additional £600, but the present state of the revenue did not appear to justify any addition being made to what ia a very large grant from so small a revenue. The' Libraries, and other items under the heading '• Education," ore put down' [ the same as last year. Miscellaneous. — ; I The Bum required to cover the various items under this heading is £7297, being £930 more than last year's vote. This is made necessary by having to ronke a considerable addition to the item, " Purchase of Westport sections." Public Works. — . Settled districts, £5045; Road Boards, £2325; Public Works, South-west Goldfields, £20,700. The total amount appropriated to Public Works is £88,070. The necessity for the works to which this sum is applied can be ascertained by .reference to the Engineer's report; and although there are undoubtedly other very necessary and important public works unprovided for, the E^cecutive have endeavored, with the assistance of the Provincial Engineer, to select thoso works most, urgently necessary for the development of the resources of the proviuce, and the amount has been fairly apportioned be-/ tween the ssttled districts and the gold' fields. In conclusion, he trusted the Council would not attempt to embarrass the Government by any serious reduction in the depnrtmental expenditure. That expenditure is now reduced to very moderate proportions; the officers are fairly paid, but not overpaid, and the contingen- . cies are estimated at a rate that cannot- be reduced without interfering with the efficient working of the departments. He now would move that the Speaker leave | the chair, and the Council resolve into* committee for the consideration of the Estimates, when he wouid be prepared to give more detailed information on th.9 various items of expenditure. .'.'..■■ It was agreed to adjourn the motion for going into Committee of Supply until the report' of the Select Committee on the Estimates should be brought up.— On the motion of Mr O'Conor, it was agreedthat the Superintendent should ba asked to place £100 on the supplementary estimates for a road at the Ly.ell, and on. the motion of Mr Shephakd, memorials from inhabitants of the Upper Bullerand Upper Motueka were referred to the Petitions Committee.— Mr Burn - moved—" That in view of the general dissatisfaction which exists on the South-west goldfields as regards the disparity of representation in this Council, a Select Committee be appointed' to inquire and report upon the best means to remedy the same; such committee to consist of' the Speaker, Provincial Secretary, Messrs Donne, Guinnese, Shephard, Reid, and the mover;" Mr. Macmahon proposed an amendment, according to which the motion read ; — " That in view, of the general dissatisfaction which is said to exist on the South-west goldfields as regards the alleged disparity of representation in this Council, a Select Committee be appointed, torinquiro .and report upon the means to remedy the same." After a discussion, in which the majority of the members joined, a division was taken, and the amendment and it were negatived by the casting ; vote of the Speaker, the votes being — for the amend-^ ment, The Provincial Secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Messrs C. Kelling, F. Kelling, Wastuey, Macmahon, Baigeut, Tarrant, Gibbs; against it, Messrs Pinkerton, Shephard, Burn, Reid, O'Conor, Donne, Ivees, Guinnees, and Adams. — On the motion of Mr Burn, the petition of the Nelson Artizans' Association was referred to the Petitions Committee, and the Council was adjourned. i