EXTRACTS FROM HANSARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 227, 6 October 1879, Page 4

EXTRACTS FROM HANSARD.

[October I.] nblson habbob. Mr Acton Adams asked the Minister for Pablic Works, Whether he wil! canse a report to be made upon tbe cost and best means of improving the entrance to Nelson Harbor, by the removal of the sunken roeks ? The honorable gentleman was probably aware that the entrance to Nelaon Harbor was very narrow, and was rendered still more narrow by the existence of these sunken rocks, which were dry at low water and teu feet below the surface at high water. For the information of the honorable gentleman he would refer him to a report upon tbe harbor prepared by the late Mr Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer, and seat to the Superintendent of Nelson in 1868. That gentleman said with reference to these rockß, — - Two small but awkwardly situated rocks exist in the fairway of the entrance, and these— the Fairway and Buoy Rocks— should be removed as a preliminary to any otber work." J And in the concluding paragraph he said, — " I shall not attempt to estimate the cost of removing the Channel and Buoy Rocks, as it depends very greatly oc the method adopted ; but I would very strongly recom mend tbat their removal be at once authorised ; and have no doubt tbat the Provincial Engineer will do tbe work most successfully, and at a very moderate cost." Though he had no Bpecial knowledge of the subject himself, he felt sure that the cost of thia work would be very small iodeed. Mr Macandrew said that a survey of the rocks had already been ordered to be made. nelson poblic wobks. Mr Acton Adams asked the Minister for Public Works, whether the Public Works Department have reported upon the resolution carried last session, on the 17th July last, aod spoken to again on the 9th August last, to the effect that tbe administration of the public works iu Nelson and tbe West Coast should be placed under the direction of the department in Wellington, instead of in Dunedin; and, if so, whether the Minister for Pablic Works has taken, or will ■hortly take, any steps to carry out that resolution ? He had intimated to the honor ble gentleman last session that this was a matter of some importance to the people of Kelson, and he trusted to hear that some steps had Seen taken, because on the date indicated in the question — the Oth August last — the honorable gentleman said he would consult the officers of his department, and request them to report upon the desirability of tbe suggested alternation. _ Mr Macandrew said there had been very little time since the prorogation to consider this or any other matter Still, he bad had Beveral conversations with the head of the Pablic Works Department upon this question, and the result was that, all things considered, it was not deemed desirable at present to make any change in the existing arrangement, wbich was altogether tentative, and had better not be disturbed just now. It would not be in the interests of the public to do so. especially as the House would probably be asked to consider the suggestion he had frequently thrown out— namely, that there shoald be two Public Works Ministers, one for each island. That was the direction in which he considered administrative reform in tbis department should be effected. In the meantime, it would be as well to let matters remain as they were. LICENSE FEES. Mr Acton Adams asked the Government, If they will introduce a Bill this session to amend the existing Licensing Acts, so as to equalise the license fees throughout the colony ? For the information of the Government he would read a short abstract of the license feeß paid in the different provincial districts. Commencing in Auckland, the publicans paid £40. In Hawke's Bay, they paid £40 for a twelve-o'clock license, and £25 for a ten-o'clock license. In WeUiogton they paid £40 for a twelve-o'clock license, and £30 for a ten-o'clock license. In Nelson they paid £50 for a twelve o'clock license, and £40 for an eleven-o'clock. In Canterbury they paid £30 for a twelve-o'clock license ; and in Otago, £25 for a twelve-o'clock license and £20 for a ten-o'clock license. The Government wouid see that tha fees paid in tbe Provincial District of Nelson were exactly double those paid for similar ' privileges in Dunedin ; and he a-ked the question because if the Government were not prepared to introduce a Bill to amend the Licensing Act, and to equalize these fees, he would do so himself ; but, before taking upon toitiself the responsibility of introducing a Bill affecting the general business of the country, he wished to know whether the Government would undertake it. ■— — -■■ — ■ - ■- - -