PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 228, 14 March 1866, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

* MONDAY, MARCH 12th, 1866. The Speaker took the chair at 8 o'clock. At that hour but few members were pre-pi-esent. The minutes of the last meeting having been read, "Dr. MENZIES moved that the reply to the address of His Honor the Superintendent be inserted in the minutes; this having been done, the minutes were confirmed. PETITIONS. Mr. SWALE presented a petition from the inhabitants of the Oteramika district and the Invercargill Hundreds, praying that a certain road leading through a portain of that district should be closed. The petition was received and read. Mr. WOOD presented a petition from the : nhabitants of Cainpbelltown, requesting the Government to make a contract for certain public works. The petition was informal, being addressed to Mr. Wood personally. It was ruled that it would not be received in its present form. Mr. HAY asked the Government what is the nalure of the claim made by Mr Marchant on account of the Oreti Railway. If it is true that an agreement has been made to refer the matter in dispute to arbitration, and, if such is the case, would they place a copy of the agreement on the table ? Has any award been made, and if so, what is the nature of it ? He said, in asking this question, he desired information ; he had understood that Mr* Marchant was employed as a Government official at a regular salary, and wished that an explanation should be made by the Government. Mr. PEARSON said that Mr. Marchant had claimed to be paid for tie construction of a work which, it would appear, that no provision had been made by the late Superintendent, at the time he was so employed, Mr. Marchant claims to be, not merely a servant, but employed at a salary for the execution of a specific work, consequently when another work, for which he was not engaged, and which at that time was not even thought of, was given to him and undertaken by him, he considers that he should be paid for it. Now when he resigns his situation as Engineer, he wishes to obtain information how he is to be paid, and consequently makes a claim. The hon. gentleman stated as there would be another debate on the question to-morrow (last evening) it would be unnecessary for him to say more on this subject at present. It was true that an agreement to refer the matter to arbitration had been entered into ; that agreement was now in the hands of the arbitrators, and until the awardjyas made, Government would not know* what the award was, or obtain the bond under which it was to be given. TRAMWAY ON THE EAST ROAD. Mr. HAT asked the Government whether any Estimates have been formed of the Cost of a Tramway on the East Road, and if the Government intends doing anything towards forming a road and tramway ? Mr. PEARSON stated in reply to this question that the government, in accordance with its promise had this line, surveyed by the Railway Engineer, who together with the Chief Surveyor, had been along both routes.. That by the One Tree Point road, which led through the two bushes on Mr. Stuart's late run and running to the Mataura, also the upper road by the Long Bush. The report upon the subject he now laid upon the table, and wuen he had, fully answered the question it might be as well to have it read. There w.is also the report of . a tramway by the Road Inspector, Mr. Dawson, which it might perhaps be as well to read. And further, a private letter from Mr. Thomson of Otaso in which he advocates strongly the adoption of a tramway and encloses estimates of cost. He considered his idea might be made extremely convenient by having carriages of a certain description sd that loaded drays could run on to them and then off again, on arrival at Invercargill. Whether such a method was practical, he (Mr. Pearson could not say. Connected with this subject there was a memorial from the settlers in Long Bush district prayin»- that there should be a road in preference to a Tramway or Railway. It lni^ht be well that this memorial were were read also. The honorable gentleinau then moved, and the PROVINCIAL TREASURER seconded that the Reports be read as well as all the papers. A vote having been taken, the motion was carried, and the reports on the ordinary railway, wooden tramway for loeornotivesr, the memorial and Mr. Thomson's letter were read in succession ; the reading occupied a considerable time. Mr. CLARKE — asked the Government for an account of the Receipts and Expenditure on the Oreti Eerry for the last Twelve Months. The Hon. member said in asking the Government for this account, his object was to ascertain whether the ferry was a source of revenue or expense. He believed the present lessee was making from one to three pounds a week, and he had a house free, and a license, and a reserve. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER, in laying the account asked for on the table, said he had to state that the receipts by the Government for this ferry were nil. The lessee gave the Government to understand that the receipts did do more than pay wages for the working and declined to pay reni up till this time 5 the Government; had

Dr. MENZIES asked the Government whether the papers relative to Mr. Davies' claims have been printed in accordance with a resolution of the Council in last, December, to that effect. Di\ MENZIES, in asking this question said a great deal of discussion occurred iv regard to this line on a previous session. In the course of that discussion some papers were laid upon the table, but in the very short period allowed then, the m.embers of Council could not give these the necessary attention ; only a single copy having been laid upon the table. He now asked the Government whether the papers in regard to Mr. Davis's claim had been printed as agreed upon. Mr. PEARSON said these papers had not been printed. The understanding was, that in the event of the Government not having sufficient funds at disposal to have these papers printed, they would not do so. The Government were not in a position to print these papers, nor did he (Mr. Peai'son) conceive there was any great necessity for it ; the cost of printing would not be less than £100. A copy costing four or five pounds was placed on the table. Every member was at liberty to have a reading, and satisfy himself of its contents. It was a CHse of qici loni. The Government did not see any great good in printing. Still if absolutely wanted, and there were sufficient funds, they could have no objection. Mr. Cv WAIST asked the Government for the Particulars of the Expenditure under the head of Printing, Advertising, and Stationery, for the Six Months ended 31st December, 1865. For the Tenders accepted, and the Vouchers and Acknowledgments showing the Prices Paid." He said he had been led to this question in regard to the returns of this particular Department on account of some doubt which had been expressed in regard to them. It was the duty of members of Council to sift the matter and let it be clearly shown, and he felt assured the Government would be glad to answer this enquiry". The PROVINCIAL TREASURER laid the statement asked for on the Table ; also the tender for Printing, and Stationery. The Vouchers however, could not be parted with or leave the office, but any honorable gentlemen could see them by applying. KOAD IMPROVEMENT ORDINANCE. Mr. PEARSON said, he had to askleave to postpone the reading of this Bill. The Bill having yefc to be printed. Motion temporary withdrawn. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER, in answer to a question by Dr. Menzies, stated that the Government expected that their estimates would be ready for to-morrow evening. Mr. PEARSON asked leave to lay before the House some letters, two of which had already been laid on the table about Mr. Marchant's engagement, the other from the Resident Engineer in Canterbury. Letter from Resident Engineer read. It was explained that Mr. Marchants salary from the date of his present agreement ending should be £400 per annum, the Governments to give him a month's notice when it was advised to dispence with his services.