The New-Zealander.
AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7, 1853.
Be just and fear not: Let all trie ends thou aim'st at, be thy Country's, Thy God's, and Truth's.
The sitting of the Provincial Council yesterday was chiefly occupied in the consideration of the Estimates, which at length have been taken ap in a business-like manner, and, we have pleasure in adding, with a predominant disposition to lose no lime in unnecessary disputations. It was not to be expected, of course, that there would not be differences of opinion on several votes, or that those opinions would not find distinct expression. Grants of public money for particu lar services, or to particular officers, are amongst the subjects on which varieties of judgment most commonly exist, and respecting which preconceived views are most likely to be operative. Moreover, there may perhaps be some systematic economist looked for in almost every assembly like our Provincial Council, —one who to make or maintain a characlerasavigilantguardian of the people's purse, and who here may be likely to exhibit himself as a Joseph Hume colonialized. But on the whole, the discussions were conducted with as little interfusion of objectionable matter, and as little manifestation of a fault-finding or obstinate spirit, as could reasonably have been calculatedon ; and we only trust that the beginninglhus made may be followed up by a rapid and satisfactory progress through the remaining items. No doubt the facility with which many of the conclusions were arrived at was mainly owing to the labours of the Committee or Provincial Officers, and the consideration which the Council devoted to the details of their Report before it was finally agreed to. Thus, if there appeared in one aspect to be some delay arising out of the adoption of that arrangement before the formal Estimates were laid on the Table, there was, on the other hand, a saving of time there probably will be to-day—from the previous settlement of numerous points connected with the Estimates to which it conducted. We are obliged to postpone our regular report of yesterday's proceedings until Saturday; but in the meantime, we subjoin an epitome of the principal matters discussed or decided. A, draft of a Bill designed to amend some defects ascertained to exist in (he working of the Conveyancing Ordinance was sent down by the Superintendent. Two Petitions from the North Shore were presented by Mr. Boylan, one relating to the Ferry, the other respecting the formation of Bridges, , in the Northern District. A Petition from the Rev. John Morgan respecting the establishment of postal communication with Rangiawhia ana Kawhia was presented by Mr. Newman. A Petition from inhabitants of Oiahuhu respecting the connection of that village with the main line of road leading to Auckland was presented by Mr. Williamson. A Petition from residents near Mount Albert respecting the formation of a road in that locality, was presented by Mr. HillMr. Powditch gave notice of a motion for the
I imposition of pilotage fees at the harbour of Manakao. Mr. Dilworth laid on the Table a Bill respecting Diseased Sheep. Two Reports were presented,—one from the Slaughter House Committee by Mr. Porter, the olherfrom the Koads Committee by Mr. Williamson, in which it was recommended that the North Shore Ferry should run between Auckland and Stokes' Point daily, and twice a-week to the most convenient lauding places in Shoal On the motion of Mr. Gilfillan the Dog Nuisance Bill was considered in Committee, audits clauses, as far as clause 4, were agreed to. Mr. Busby's motion for making grants for public Works of a local character contingent on the contribution of a like sum by the inhabi- . tanls of the district, was withdrawn after some discussion. All this, however, was but preliminary work, speedily transacted, in order to gel to the main business of the day—the Estimates. After an explanatory statement by Mr. Giltillan, the Appropriation Bill was read a second time, and the Council went into Committee, —Mr. Clarke in the Chair. The first item was the Superintendent's salary. Mr. Gilfillan (who conducted {he measure by appointment of the Speaker) "proposed that the amount should be 800/. per annum. It was moved as an amendment by Mr. J. O'Neill that the sum should be only oOOi., and that it be granted by an annual vote ; —but, in submission to the evident opinion of the Committee, be withdrew the latter part of the amendment, and a division was taken on the simple question of the amount. The vote of 800/. as proposed by Mr. Gilfillan was carried by a majority of eleven to nine. The sums proposed for the Provincial Council were agreed to without alteration ; viz.: Speaker, 200/.; Clerk of Council, 302.; Contingencies 500/.
The next votes were for the Clerks, etc. in the Superintendent's Office. The proposed vote for a fourth Clerk was expunged; and the Messenger's salary was raised from 72/. to 78/. With these exceptions, the sums were voted as they stood on the Estimates, viz. :—Chief Clerk, 300/; Treasury Clerk, 300/.; Audit Clerk 230/.; Second Clerk, 250/.; and Third Clerk iBOZ.
The salary of the Provincial Engineer (4007 .j was agreed to. In the "Public Works' Department," the voles for a Carpenter, the Panmure Ferry, and for Contingencies, were agreed to. That for a Labourer was struck out. In the " Road Department," the grant for Carter's Wages was raised from 4s. to ss. per day, and that for Labourer's wages from 2s. 6d. to 4s. each per day. It heing now past seven o'clock, the Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow (this day). The other Orders of the Day were postponed, and the Council adjourned.
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New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 798, 7 December 1853, Page 2
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944The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7, 1853. New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 798, 7 December 1853, Page 2
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