PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, JANUARY 20.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 885, 25 January 1854, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. FRIDAY , JANUARY 20.

The Prov. Secretary after entering into a short statement of the business to be brought forward by Government said, with reference to the two resolutions "passed by the House for increasing the number of members, and for giving to the Superintendent the power to dissolve the House, that the question of the increase of the members of the House had received much serious consideration from the Government; at one time it had been intended to bring in a bill increasing the number of members, and leaving to the Executive Council to assign the members to the different districts, but on more mature consideration this appeared not to be the proper course, and from the press of business and the'transition state of Government, it was found impossible to introduce a bill this session. The question of the dissolution of the 'ouncil by the Superintendent was also regarded in a favorable light, but it was impossible for Government to be blind to the many difficulties connected with the subject. Their idea had been to embrace both these subjects in one bill, but it was impossible to bring in such a bill this session. There was one other question of great importance, the systerh of Audit to be established by Government, and with reference to this he would, not later than this day week, state expressly to the Council the way the public accounts would be audited. He hoped this explanation would satisfy the hon. member who had brought this question forward, and he would

further add that the Appropriation Bill would not be pressed forward by the Government until the explanations with respect to the Audit had been given. In answer to an observation from Mr. Brown The Pitov. StiCRETAfty said the lion, member could introduce a Bill on the subject. In consequence of the way in which the subject had been brought forward, he was desirous of entering into it in a serious manner, with a view to make a definite statement of the views of Government as to the appointment of an Auditor or Board of Audit. Mr. Wallace brought up the report of the Committee on the Sanitary Bill. Mr. Wallace brought forward a long series of resolutions relating to the Constitution Act. After a pause they were seconded pro forma by Mr. Wakefield,'but were negatived without any discussion.

CUSTOM HOUSE. Mr. Bell presented a petition from certain inhabitants of Wellington on the subject of the present Custom House, the arrangements of Government connected with which would, he believed, shortly come to an end. It would have been more appropriate if the petition had been entrusted to one of the members of Wellington, but it had been given to him and he could not refuse to present it. He believed this was a matter more for the General than | for the Provincial Government. No regular Custom House had been established in Wellington, and it would perhaps be found desirable to take the opinion of the importers as to the most convenient site for such a building. He believed some position more centrical than the present would be more conducive to the welfare of this place. In calling the attention of the House to the subject, he would ask the Government to consider first the best site, and secondly whether there was any thing in the law to prevent the Provincial Government from taking this matter into their own hands. It could not be denied that a Custom House was one of the first buildings required to be erected. He hoped the Provincial Secretary would inform the House what arrangements would be made, or if it was necessary to obtain the sanction of the General Government. The Peov. Secretary thought this a question to be decided rather by the merchants than by the Executive Government. The original reserve for a Custom House had, he believed, been chosen in Te Aro pa, but this not being procurable, the Custom House had been established near its present site. He thought this House and the Executive Government should require a full and clear demon stration of opinion from those whose business was most intimately connected with shipping before interfering with such arrangements, and should be careful that they did not interfere with interests that had grown up. If the Provincial Council should determine to move the Custom House from one part of the town to another, no doubt it was competent for them to do so. He could not but think it desirable that by the initiation of the subject .the doubts of the importers should be set at rest as speedily as possible. Mr. Brandon said a reference_to the plan for improvements on Lambton Quay would shew that the General Government had taken this question into its own hands, a reserve having been set apart for the Custom House. Mr. Bethune in reference to the petition said it was signed by very few Importers, or persons connected with shipping. Mr. Moore considered that the petition ought to be taken as expressing a certain amount of public opinion as to the present sit 3 of the Custom House, without reference to the subscribers being importers or not, and so far as it went he was disposed to agree with it, as it merely pointed to any future permanent arrangement. How far the pro- 1 vincial government could really take any active step in the matter without the concurrence of the general government he was not at all prepared to say — but there could be no doubt that any recommendation from the Provincial Council would have its due weight — and he hoped the day was not distant when the vested interests which had as it were grown up round the present site of the Custom House would form a much smaller section of our importance than at present, and so lessen the impediments to a more central position for the Customs and other Government offices which he thought highly desirable. After a little further discussion the subject dropped. A petition was presented from Mr. Latham, the Scab Inspector, praying for an increase of salary.

SAVINGS BANK BILL. ]&r. Brandon moved the second reading of the Savings Bank Bill. The Pjrov. Secretary made a few observations in support of the bill. He said the 1 public, and especially the depositors, who were for the most part persons unacquainted with business, had a right to every protection from the Government. A great amount of labour and responsibility were imposed on the Trustees, and the regulations in respect to them were so stringent, as in his opinion, almost to deter persons from undertaking the office. The hon. member made several objections to the Savings Bank Ordinance now in force, and said he thought the deposits should be invested in Government securities only. The Bill was then read a second time,

THISTLE BILL. The House went into Committee on this Bill. Some discussion arose on its clauses. The Prov. Secretary said he believed the bill to be perfectly right in principle, but saw considerable difficulty in the attempt to carry it out. It was proposed to fix the fine for allowing thistles to run to seed at any sum not exceeding £5. The Chairman having reported progress the House resumed.

FENCING BILL. The postponed clauses of this bill were considered and agreed to. The report of the Committee was brought up and agreed to, and the House adjourned to Tuesday, January 24.