PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 12, 21 December 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

0 (From the Weekly News.) EDUCATION BILL. Mr. Ellis moved that the bill be recommitted for the purpose of altering clause 37, and of considering a new clause instead of clause 38. The object of the amendment which he proposed was to do away with uniform rating, and substitute a rate applicable to the various conditions of the people who wouid he affected by it. He proposed to insert in clause 37, “ Every occupier of a dwelling-house the annual rental value of which shall exceed £2O and shall not exceed £5O, an education rate of 15s. ; and every occupier of a dwell-ing-house the annual rental value of which shall exceed £5O, an education rate of 255.” The new clause he intended to propose provided that, not later than three months after the passing of the Act, every Highway Board should make a valuation of all the dwelling-houses within their respective districts. The question that the bill be recommitted was put and negatived, and it was read a third time and passed. POLICE FORCE. His Honor’s message, which has been already published, was read. It requested the Council to make an additional appropriation of 2,000 to enable him to carry out their wishes and organise an efficient local force. Mr. Lusk explained the position in which the matter stood. The question when brought down was one upon which the Superintendent and his Executive did not agree. He did not agree with the Superintendent that any such large amount as that indicated by him was necessary in order to establish a local force. His Honor did not as usual consult his Executive before sending the message down, and they were not aware of the basis upon which he made the application for an increased vote. His Honor had expressed his own individual opinion, and it was not the intention of the G-overnmentto propose an additional sum, believing that the amount already on the estimates was sufficient. He would prefer having the opinion of the the Council before making any motion in the matter. Mr. Brookfield said unless the hon. member or some of his colleagues were prepared to come down with a motion in reference to his Honor’s message, he would move that the Chairman do leave the chair.

Mr. Lusk said he need not repeat what he had already stated. Mr. Swanson moved, “ That this Council having considered his Honor’s message relative to the police, are of opinion that no increase of expenditure is wanted for that purpose, and that this Council adheres to its expressed •opinion that the province should resume the control of the force.”

The motion was agreed to, and, on the motion of Mr. Lusk, it was ordered to be forwarded in an address to the Superintendent. REPRESENTATION BILL. Mr. H. 11. Lusk, in moving the second reading of this bill, regretted that the delay to which he had put the House had not accomplished the purpose for which he had intended it. Mr. Sheehan had not returned, and he now fulfilled his promise in moving the second reading of this measure. Mr. Hurst seconded the motion. Mr. Creighton considered the speech which had just been delivered was a substantial proof of the first part of his amendment which he was to move. This amendment was as follows : —“ 1. That this Council is of opinion that the present form of Provincial Government is cumbrous, and unsuited to the existing circumstances of the province. (2.) That, with a view to promote economy and simplify the legislative and administrative machinery of the province, resolved, (a) That an address be presented to the Superintendent, requesting his Honor to prepare and send down to the Council a Representation Bill adopting the electoral districts constituted under the Representation Act, 1870, for the election of members to the House of Representatives, and limiting the number of members of this Council to 17. (b) That the Superintendent be elected under sections 3 and 4of New Zealand constitution Act: and

that he should have a seat in the 1 Provincial Council, with the right of 1 taking part in the debates and of voting. : Mr. Dignan seconded the amendment, i

The Bill was ultimately read a second time, and referred to a select committee.