PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 252, 4 May 1866, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHLAND

_ .*. WEDNESDAY, 2nd MAY; The sixth session of the TProvincial Council of Southland was opened thi3 day, by his Honor the Superintendent, in person. There was a fair muster of members-*-Messrs Wilson (Speaker), Cuthbertson, Blacklock, Wood, Pearson, Dr Menzies, Armstrong, Howell, Crera.r,. Swale, Clark ; Lumsden and T. M. Clerk (new members.) Shortly after 12 o'clock the Council was opened, and his Honor the Superintendent was announced when the following speech was delivered : — Me.. Speaker akd Gentlemen of the Provincial Council — I have called you together somewhat earlier than was my intention, in consequence of the meeting of the Colonial Parliament having been notified to take place in the latter part of this month. Since you met last, the award in the ease between the Government aad Mr. Marchant, Railway Engineer, has beeu given ; and I have caused the amount of the award and expenses to be included in a Bill, entituled the " Provincial Liabilities Confirmation Ordinance, No. 2, 1866," ' which will be laid before you. The works on the Bluif Harbour and Invercargill .Railway are progressing, but the inclement weather we have had since the works have been resumed has tended to retard operations. lam nevertheless hopeful that the line will be opened for traffic about the end of June. A Bill to enable me to lease this railway on completion for. a term of years wiii be laid before you, as also one to empower me to give a lease oi the Oreti Live to a responsible person.' of "company, in consideration of their' completing it. With the view of making!, the Police, more effective in the protection of -liie and property, I have given instructions for the preparation of a Bill for your consideration, giving "them extended powers in certain cases. At last Session, the Estimates laid before you were "prepared for the current year, 1866, but you saw fit only to appropriate the expenditure for the first six ■ months. You will now be asked to pass an Appropriation Ordinance for the remainder of the year. A number of men ( have, for some months past, been engaged in gold-mining ■operations at the Longwood Ranges ana the beach at Pahi, with varied success • I but, from what I can gather from several official reports made to me, I cannot believe that the tinie has arrived when it would be a prudent step to declare that district a With the view, however, of avoiding actual discouragement to persons desirous of prospecting the country thoroughly and systematically, I have by Proclamation notified to ali whom it may concern, that on registering their claims with the. Resident Magistrate at Riverton, who has consented to act in the matter temporarily, the diggers will receive protection according to priority, should the Grovernment deem it expedient eventually to declare the district a Goldfield. ' The district has meanwhile been - reserved irony sale by ihe, and I have to ask you to confirm the reservation in , accordance with " The Waste Lands \ Act, 1865." : I have received advice from the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, that His Excellency the Governor would be aidvised to assent to the following Bills** passed at the'liUit Session ofthe Provincial Council, viz.'-:--- " : """' ::, ' ! ." "'"7" '■'" "*"" "• Provincial Liabilities Confirmation Ordinance,- 1866." "Sheep Ordinance, 1866." ' = "Railway Commission Ordinance, 1866." "Fencing Ordinance, 1866." "" Dog Ordiuauce, j a 66." " Lxecutive Council Ordinance, 1866." I have now to declare this Council open for the transaction of business. J. P. TAYLOR, Superintendent. Invercargill, 2nd May, 1866. On the motion of Mr. T. M. Cleek, a committee was appointed to prepare a reply,, to consist of Messrs Wood, Lumsden, Armstrong, and the mover. Several notices of motion having reference to railway muUers, finance, land reserves. &c, were tabled. It was announced that Mr W. . H. Aylmer, late Clerk to the Council, had resigned, and Mr MacArfchui* appointed to fill the office. A vote of acknowledgment of the eiUcient tarvices rendered to the Council by Mr Aylmer* haviug been unanimously carried, the Council adjourned ; until 11 o'clock tbis

TAGfeHSDAT,>^ks©i MMI "^^r** A few -^ni^tesjvaft^ o'clock, thev-Y Speaker took thie chairi. There was present ; avery fair" number of mepabers: XyX The of rfche- last; meeting were- Y read, and, with, <%e7in3erti6h of a few Y^ words omitted in^Mr" Xuinsden's "notice"" of motion," were confirmed.