PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 229, 16 March 1866, Page 4 (Supplement)

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

On Thursday at two o'clock, the fifth session of a: the second Provincial Council was commenced' n The sitting was held in the Masonic Hall. With few exceptions all the members were present. His Honor the Superintendent opened it in person. and notwithstanding his recent serious illness, 1j looked remarkably well. The attendance of the c public was very small, and but little interest r appeared to be manifested in the proceedings. At about ten minutes past two, His Honor the , Superintendent entered- the Council Chamber, and ( delivered the usual opening address, which will r be found in another column. ( His Honor the Superintendent having retired, ; a committee was appointed, consisting of the " following members, viz : — Messrs 5 Cuthbertson, "Wood, Menzies and Pearson, to draw up a reply t to the address. 1 Mr. PEARSON asked leave of the Council to suspend standing order No. 27, in order that the first reading of several ordinances might be proceeded with without delay. The hon. gentleman explained that the ordinances named had been passed by the Provincial Council last session, but that owing to some mistake in the Attorney-G-eneral's office, these ordinances were not submitted to the Assembly hi time, and consequently they did not receive the sancrion of His Excel lency the Governor. Every member of the Council he believed were aware of the contents of them, and it was a mere formality which he now would wish to be gone through. A discussion ensued on the propriety of permitting the standing orders to be suspended at tin's early part of the session ; but on a satisfactory explanation being made by the hon. gentfeman (Mr Pearson) leave was granted, and the following Bills were then read a first time and their second reading made an Order of the Day for the next sitting (this evening) viz : — the Executive Council Ordinance 5 the' Dog Ordinance, and the Tolls Ordinance. Several Notices of Motion were then made and the House adjourned. FRIDAY, 9th MARCH, 1866. The SPEAKER took the chair a few minutes after two. The minutes were read and confirmed. CATTLE TSESSPASS ORDINANCE. Mr. PEARSON brought in the Cattle Trespass Ordinance, and moved that it be read a first time, and the second reading made an order of the day at the next meeting. (This day.) Agreed, j THE FENCING ORDINANCE. ' Mr. MACDONALD brought in a bill entitled the Fencing Ordinance, 1866, and it was read a first time, and its second reading made an order for the next sitting. RAILWAYS. On the motion of Dr. MENZIES, the correspondence on the subject of the appointment of an Engineer to inquire into the expenditure on the Bluff Harbor and Invercergill Railway was P;ad. RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE. In reply to Dr. Menzies, the Provincial Solicitor, stated that private reasons had caused the resignation of two members of the Executive Council. — BLUFF RAILWAY. The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the contracts for the completion of the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway. SHEEP ORDINANCE, 1866. Mr. COWAN brought in the Sheep Ordinance 1866, which was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time next sitting. , REPLY TO HIS HONOR THE SUPER- I INTENDENT'S SPEECH. Mr. CUTHBERTSON brought up the following reply to his Honor the Superintendent's address : — - This Council desires to express its satisfaction to find that your Honor's health has so fur improved as to enable you to resume your official, duties. It regrets that circumstances should hare occurred to cause the lapse of several Ordinances passed in former sessions. The Council will take the necessary steps in regard to these Ordi' nances. The other Bills laid before the Council will receive its careful consideration. The Council is gratified to learn that measures have been taken to complete the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway, and that a prospect exists of its being speedily completed and opened for traffic. It is gratifiying to learn that the ordinary revenue is estimated to exceed the expenditure for actual administration, and that some surplus will be available for the repair of roads and other public works. The resolutions communicated by the Superintendent of Otago to which your Honor refers, ■will receive the attention of the Council. BILLS— SECOND READING. The Executive Council Ordinance, 1865 ; The Dog Ordinance, 1865 : and The Tolls Ordinance, were read a second time, passed through committee without amendment, and were ordered to be brought up again at the next sitting of the Council. Several notices of motion having been given the Council adjourned. MONDAY, MARCH 12th, 1866. The Speaeee tookthe chair at S o'clock. At that hour but few members were prepresent. The minutes of the last meeting having been read, Dr. MENZIES moved that the reply to the address of His Honor the Superintendentbe 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 inhabitants of Campbelltown, 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 nature of the claim made by Mr Marchant on account of the Oretißailway. 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

;hat Mr 1 Marchant was employed as a 3-overnment official at a regular salary, md wished that an explanation should be nade by the Government. Mr. PEARSON said that Mr. Marchant aad claimed to be paid for the construction of a work which, it would appear, bhat no provision had been* made by the Late Superintendent, at the time he was so employed; s ' 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, vsras 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 award was 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. HAY asked the Government whether any Estimates have been formed of the Cost of a Tramway on the East Eoad, 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 when he had fully answered the question it might be as well to have it read. There was also the report of a tramway by the Eoad Inspector, Mr. Dawson, which it might perhaps be as well to read. And further, a private letter from Mr. Thomson of Otago 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 so 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 might be well that this memorial were were read also. The honorable gentleman 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 locomotivesr, 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 Perry 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 rent up till this time ; the Government had been unsuccessful in obtaining rent. 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". Dr. MENZIES, in asking this question said a great deal of discussion occurred in 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 members 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]} osition to print these papers, nor did he (Mr. Pearson) 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 case of qwi honi. 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. COWAN asked the Government for the Particulars of the Expenditure .under the head of Printing, Advertising, and Stationery, for the Six Months ended 31st December, 1565. 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 w tte duty of members of Council

co sift the matter and lefc it be clearh shown, and he felt assured the Grovernment would be glad to answer this en-

qiury. Tne PROVINCIAL TREASURES laid the statement asked for on the Table : also the tender for Printing, and Stationery. The Touch ers however, could not be parted with or leave the office, but any honorable gentlemen could see them by applying.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT ORDINANCE,

Mr. PEARSON said, he had to ask leave to postpone the reading of this Bill, fhe Bill having jet to be printed. Motion temporary withdrawn. The PEO VINCIAL TEE ASUEER, in answer to a question Jby Dr. Menzies, stated that the Government expected that their estimates would be ready tor 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. Marchaut'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.