AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 792, 16 November 1853, Page 2

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, November 15. The Speaker took the chair at three o’clock. Minutes of Thursday’s meeting read and confirmed. The Speaker laid on the table Communications from His Honour the Superintendent, with enclosures, on the fo'lowiog subjects 1. Reply to an Address on the reservation tf scoria lands for purposes of road-making, in which it was stated that steps had been taken to comply with the desire of the Council: — 2. Applications, from Messrs. Elliott, Sanderson and Ormsby respectively, for the office of Provincial Surveyor, together with a letter from His Honour bringing Mr. Roy under the notice of the Council for the same office 3. Stating that steps had been taken to institute in-* quiry into the causes of the detention of the Joseph Fletcher's Mat! at New Plymouth, before His Honour had received the Address of the Council on the subject: 4. An apnlication from Mr. Smithies for payment of a balance of 15, of the expense incurred by him and others in the repairs of a bridge at Onehuuga 5. Transmitting a letter from the Colonial Secretary in reply to an application from the Council for Returns of Public Works iu the Province completed, and commenced but not completed, within a period of fbu r years, which stated that the Returns will be furnished if the Council undertake to pay the cost of their ation:6. A letter from the Colonial Secretary relative to the application for a statement of the appropriation of the sums mentioned in the Schedule of the New Constitution Act, to the effect that when the General Assembly meet that Assembly should be informed of the application 7. A letter from the Colonial Secretary relating to the sums advanced for the purchase of additional blocks of land from the Native, stating that 25 per cent of the Land Fund would be retained by the Surveyor General to liquidate debts incurred in making im c jj purchases until the debt were paid off. 8. Letter from the Colonial Secretary respecting the m x’e of offerii g for sale blocks of laud newly purchased from the Natives. 9. A letter from the Civil Secretary relating to the introduction of any new Ordinance for the Regulation of the Registration of Deeds. 10. The following communication relating to the employment of the Military on the Roads:— In forwarding the accompanying copy of a letter from the Officer Commanding the Troops in this Colony, relative to the Resolution of the Provincial Council of the Bth instant, respecting the employment of military on the roads of the Provinces. The Superintendent would beg to observe with regard to the works generally, that the best means of securing the due performance of the works that m; ,y be decided on, would be, in his opinion, under existing circumstances, to resort to tenders, requiring and binding the contractors to the due performance of their agreement. And with regard to the assistance of the military, the Council can draw their conclusions from the reply on the subject from the Officer Commanding the Troops. The stone-breaking might be effected by contract also, or by the employment of native labour. The breaking and collecting metal at Mount Wellington might be carried on by the Pensioners, and so likewise the laying on the metal on the Onehunga road.

The cutting, forming, and facing the Kyber Pass Road to its junction with Symonds-street and Ponsonby Road might, it would appear, be undertaken by such of the Military as could be spared from the duties of the which it appears under any circumstances cannot exceed 100 men. The works in the streets required to connect Queen-street and Hobson-ttreet, must be done by contract, assisted perhaps by prison labour, as also the Scoria crossing and levelling on the Wahu Road. The clearing and facing the Queen-street Jetty with stone, might be materially assisted by the services of such of the Sappers and Miners as could from time to time be spared by the Commanding Royal Engineer, and other military mechanics. The clearing of the Great South Hoad beyond the Tamaki Bridge may also be regarded as another work for contract, assisted by the labour of the Pensioners from Otahuhu. It II- ffysTAUB, Superintendent. Sir,—Having perused the memorandum contained in your letter of the Bth inst. No. 183, I beg to state that the utmost assistance I can render from the Force at present unler my command in Auckland, would be a party of I*o men, with the understanding that their services do not extend beyond the cutting, forming, and facing the Kyber Pass road to its junction with Symonds-street, and Pouson by Road, that being a direct outlet from the Barracks, and one, beyond which, the duties of the Garrison would not admit of a working party being detrched. Hereafter some of the men of the Royal Sappers and Miners may be rendered available from time to time, together with a few of the Military mechanics, in clearing and facing the Queen-streef Jetty with stone, for which purpose carpenters, mast ns, Ac. would be selected. But I beg to add that lam by no means anxious for the employment of Her Majesty’s Troops on Provincial Works in any way calculated to clash with the labour market of the Colony, unless it be the general wish of the Council that their services should be made available for the public good, in which case 1 shall be prepared to render any and every assistance in my power. At present, however, no Sappers can be spared, they being employed on Ordnance Works of an urgent nature. For the ordinary working parties the compensation would be according to the rate set forth in the margin,* care being taken that all directions and instructions be conveyed to the Troops through their owu immediate Military superiors. 1 have, &c., (Signel) R. H. Wtnvabp, Lieut.-Colonel Commanding the Troops in New Zealand. * Captains ... 10s. per diem. Subalterns . , ss. do. Sergeants . . . *s. 6d. do. Privates . . Is. Gd. do. 11. A Letter from the Colonial Secretary, relative to an application for the opinion of the Attorney-General on a point of law connected with the New Zealand Company’s Claim, stating that the Governor has so power to require the Attorney General to give Bis' opinion to the Provincial Council on such a subject. 12. Letter from the Governor of the Auckland Gaol applying for au increase of salary. 13. Letter trom the Colonial Secretary relative to the application for an account of distribution of the Parliamentary Grant to the several Provinces, stating that as soon as the Returns were received from the Provinces by the Colonial Treasurer, the information should be supplied. 14. Forwarding twenty six plans and sections of the streets of Auckland as furnished some time'sinceby Mr. 8. Elliott. 15. Letter irom His Honor stating that maps of the lines of road &c., as applied for by the Council would be forwarded as soon aa they were prepared by the Surveyor General. Petitions. Onehunga Road. Mr. Boylan presented the following Petition:— To the Honorable the Provincial Council of Auckland in Session Assembled. The Petition of the Undersigned Carters residing in Auckland and Onehunga, humbly sheweth That Your Petitioners are much engaged in carting timber and other goods, to and from Onehunga, and are therefore much interested respecting the best line of road, that it should be completed first. That Your Petitioners have carefully examined the two lines of road,, now proposed to be made, and Your Petitioners can only come to the conclusion, (which they arrive at without doubt or hesitation) that the line by Mr. Norman’s is nearly one mile the shortest, and in all respects equally rood, being decidedly more advantageous in regard to the piblic ■in general as well as to your Petitioners. Your Petitioners therefore pray, that the Road leading past Mr. Norman’s, may be the first made. North Shore Ferry. Mr. A. O’Neill presented the following Petition on this subject from 110 persons To the Honourable the members of the Provincial Council o Auckland in Council assembled. The humble Petition of the undersigned landowners, residents, and others, residing on the North of the riv Waitemata, and. the suirounding district. Sheweth,—That the means of communication with the City of Auckland has for a long time been difficult and unce owiug to there being no regular passage boat from the o Shore by which the passage could be made, or carriage ha and from Auckland for their produce and goods at s periods. That numbers of your Petitioners reside at some from the waters of the Waitemata, aud consequently keep their own boats, and have hitherto been obhg advantage of such chance opportunities as might offer. . That it is the opinion of your Petitioners that are* Ferry should he established between the North on Auckland, that it should be secured and enforced by * to make the passages at stated times under ordinary and that the Ferry Boat, or Boats, should be of a sumcien to carry both produce and cattle to the market. .. Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your able Council may be pleased to cause such a Ferry to Wished, to start fooro somewhere about the road n " ‘ j Patrick Heath’s house, to touch on the opposite point o Bay at Allotments 10 and 11, and if fine and a signal be 0 • at No. 34, Village of Takapuna. __ And your Memorialists as in duty bound, will ever pr* v . Notices of Motion. Mr. Hill, to move on to-morrow — 4U That His Honor the Superintendent be presented w> address from this Council, requesting that he will t _ immediate steps for Buoying off the Manukau Har arc in his power and circumstances will admit of. , ' Mr. Pow ditch, to move at the next sitting Council—

That it be a standing rule, that ell Committees make a report or report progress once'in every three sittings. And that standing Commitees also report if there be any special BVitter before them, or if thee be not any imposed day of reporting bp the last day of sitting in each week, unless ii> cue f f reports specially provided for at the time of appointn < And, that at the same time, I shall also ask the Harbour Committee, if they have closed their labours—if they have taken the Harbour Regulations -into consideration. If they hai-e taken the Governor’s reply to their request for certain endowments into consideration. If the Board of Works committee have taken any proceedings. And if they intend to connect the Board for general internal works, with the Trust Boards of the Tidal Dock and Harbour,—also, if the Committee of Executive Officers have anything before them, or if their labours are closed, —Also if the road Committee have anything on consideration. Reports. Provincial Officers. Mr. Connell brought up the Report of the Committee on salaried officers, which on the motion of Mr. Giltillau seconded by Mr. Taylor, was read as follows, — The terms of the vote by which this Committee has been constituted, opens to them a wide range of enquiry, including, in fact, every official duty and appointment in the Province } and it is obvious that, for the complete and satisfactory conduct of an enquiry of such extent, much time would be required. But having arrived at conclusion upon those points which, in their judgment, demanded their more immediate attention the Committee have deemed it proper to report thereon for the Information of the Council. These are the number, nature, and adequate remuneration of those offices, the holders of which will be more immediately in contact with the head of the Executive; and will form the ataff of his Government; tn these, and to such other branches of lervice as the Committee are enabled to include, without farther delay, the present report is confirmed. During their inquiry, the Committee have received evidence from heads of departments, and other officers, in the departments of the Colonial Secretary, The Colonial Treasurer, and the Auditor-General, as well as in those of the Resident Magistrate, and Commissioner of Police, the Registrar of Deeds, the Registrar of Deaths, Births, and Marriages, the Harbour Master* and from the Manager of the Union Bank of Australia. lb their enquiries and deliberations the Committee kept prominently before them the following important object*:— First, the limitation of expense—so far as might be consistent with full efficiency in the different branches of the Public Service. Second, the most prompt and immediate despatch of the public business. After most careful consideration, it appears that both these objects may be attained—not by creating offices under the Provincial G ivernment, precisely analogous to those of Colonial Secretary and Colonial Treasurer of New Zealand—but by concentrating the duties of these heads of departments in the office of His Honor the Superintendent, the details to be conducted by a Chief Clerk or Secretary, by a Financial Clerk, and by two or more Junior Clerks. By such an arrangement, it will be consistent with a wise economy, to grant to these officers liberal salaries according to their respective grades, at the same time that the action of the head of the Executive will be more immediate and direct, being divested of those delays and hindrances of official routine, which seem inseparable from the establishment of other responsible heads of departments, within the more immediate circle'of the Superintendent’s duties. The safe custody of the public monies of the Province would, in the opinion of the Committee, be sufficiently secured, and the business of the receipt and disbursement thereof be facilitated, by udng the Auckland Branch of the Union Bank of Australia as a Bank of deposit. All collectors of revenue being required at stated periods to pay their collections into the Bank; and all disbursements being effected by cheques of the Finance Clerk, under warrant of His Honor the Superintendent. The Committee therefore beg respectfully to report that the following officers are required for carrying on the Provincial

Government; and, having regard to the extent and nature of the duties, that the undermentioned sums would be appropriate salaries to attach to the respective offices, viz.:— In the Office of His Honor the Superintendent. One Chief Clerk £3OO per annum. One Finance Clerk- —3OO •• “ One Second Class Clerk-.———— 250 “ *< One Third ** “ ■— 120 “ *' The Finance Clerk to And Security in a sum of one thousand pounds. Provincial Council. Speaker-—— .—££oo per annum. Clerk of CouncilThe Committee recommend that the office of Clerk of Council be united to that of Chief Clerk in the office of the Superintendent. Audit Department. A Board of Audit to consist of three members to be elected by and from the Provincial Council. No salary to attach to this office— One Audit Clerk—————£2oo per annum. Public Works. Civil Engineer and Surveyor of Roads. Under this head the Committee recommend a probationary appointment, with only a moderate salary. But they think it should be clearly Understood that in the event of the duties of the office being fulfilled with the efficiency which their importance demands, the appointment would be confirmed and a liberal salary awarded. The Committee strongly recommend that all Works be done by tender and contract. Police. On this subject, the Committee having given every consideration to the minute of His Honour the Superintendent, as to the appointment of an Assistant Commissioner of Police, are not prepared to recommend any change in the present system except that the gentleman who has for five years gratuitously discharged the duties of Commissioner with so much efficiency, should now receive a salary of £IOO per annum, in virtue of that office, and being thus placed on the Provincial Establishment come under the more immediate control of the Provincial Government. The Committee recommend that the increase of pay lately granted to the police force should be continued. The Committee further recommend that while the present number of privates should not be decreased, the police force should consist exclusively of Europeans, when such can be obtained. and suggest that the Commissioner should be empowered from time to time to recommend an increase of pay to such men as shall from good conduct and length of service, in his opinion entitle them thereto. Harbour Department. The Committee recommend that the salary attached to the combined duties of Harbour Master and Pilot, be raised from £l6O to £2OO per annum, and that the signal man be placed under bis superintendence. Medical Department. The Committee recommend that the salary of the Colonial Surgeon be raised to £2OO per annum, and that of the Dispenser at the Public Hospital be raised to £l5O, also that the recent increase of wages to subordinates be continued. Dbpabtmknt of Sheriff and Gaols, The Committee recommend that the recent increase of pay to the turnkeys and other subordinates of the Gaol be confirmed, and that a moderate increase be made to the salary of the Gaoler. Department of Dissident Magistrates. The Committee are of opinion that the office of Resident Magistrate at the Pensioner Settlemen s of Howick and Onehunga may be dispensed with. Panmube Ferry. The Committee recommended that the recent increase of wages to the mtn be confirmed for the present. Amongst the documents laid before the Committee in the course of this inquiry are suggestions by the Registrar of Deeds as to desirable alterations in the practice of his office, but as this report does not embrace that department, the Committee defer entering upon the question. But, taking into consideration the value and importance of the records and documents kept in the office of the Registrar of Deeds, frequently including, besides the numerous books of Registry, from two to three hundred original title deeds, the Committee are strongly of opinion that no time should be lost in providing a safe and more commodious Registry Office, furnished with a suitable fire-proof safe for their protection. Mr. Connell moved that the report be printed, and that it be taken into consideration on Thursday next Mr, Derrom suggested that a longer time should be afforded for an examination of its contents. Mr. Gilfdlan observed that as the Estimates could not be proceeded with until this report had been taken into consideration, it should not be deferred longer than Tuesday next. Mr. Boylun thought that the interval until Thursday Would be sufficient. The delay would retard the progress of public works. Mr. Derrom said that the interval might he long enough for Mr. Boylan, who was a member of the committee, hut would not be long enough for him or others to whom the Report was new. It was then agreed to fix Tuesday next for the consideration of the Report. New Zealand Claim. Mr. J. O’Neill brought up the Report of the Com, mittee appointed to prepare a Petition to the Queen and Parliament against the imposition on this Province of any portion of the New Zealand Company’s claim. The Petition was read, ordered to be and considered on Thursday. Orders of the Day. Foreign Seamen s Bill. On the motion of Mr. Bain, the Council went in’o Committee on this Bill, Mr. Connell in the Chair. Clauses I to 6 were considered and agreed to with amendments. Mr. Bain then wished to introduce a new clause and other alterations? Which it was judged desirable to have printed. The Chairman then reported progress, and the Com°Rttee ob ained leave to sit again to-morrow (this day.) Financial State of the Pbovince. Mr. J. O’Neill’s motion for Returns shewing in financial state of the Province was then »-Sid to, and the Council adjourned.