PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 523, 20 July 1866, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Wednesday, 18th Jttl*, 1886. The seventh session of the Provincial Council of Southland waa commenced yesterday, "Wednesday, 18th July. The speaker took the chair, and opened the Council at a quarter past 12 o'clock. The members present were: the Speaker (Wilson), Messrs Blacklock, Armstrong, Hodgkinson, Stuart, T. M. Clerk, Crerar, Clark, Pearson, Howell, Lumsden, Swale, and Johnson. The Speaker stated that owing to the indisposition of his Honor the Superintendent, he had been deputed by him to read the opening speech ; he would proceed to comply with the request : — Mb Speaker and Gentlemen op the Provincial Council, — I deeply regret that on account of severe indisposition I am prevented from opening this session of the Provincial Council in person. I have called you together at this time, somewhat unexpectedly, with the view of asking you to consider a question of grave import to this Province, viz., the selling of the railways under certain restrictions, instead of leasing them as now contemplated. A Bill will be laid before you, having for its object the giving power to me to do so, should I be advised to that effect, after receiving tenders that may be favorable, under the circumstances, to the Province. In case, however, no favorable offer shall be received for the purchase of the railways, you will be asked to consider the propriety of giving me power to lease them for longer periods than those mentioned in the two Railway Leasing Ordinances ; passed by me at last session of the Council ; and a Bill, or Bills for these purposes will be laid before you. Another matter of importance is the sending of an Immigration and Land Agent to Australia and Great Britain without delay, and in this, I doubt not, you will concur with me. Feeling in a measure assured of this, I have made certain arrangements with a gentleman who is eminently qualified for such a mission, and who, I am convinced, will do good service for the Province, in assisting materially in adding to our population the most desirable description of immigrants, and in effecting sales of land amongst the capitalists of Australia and Great Britain. This gentleman has entered on his duties so far as to have gathered all the information from the Government departments respecting the Province, and has made a tour into the interior for the purpose of being able to speak more authoritatively of our soil and resources. A copy of my agreement with him will be laid before you, and you will be asked to give the necessary legal confirmation to my action in this matter. These and any other matters that may be. brought before your notice, will receive your earnest attention. I have to mention for your information that the Ordinances as under, passed by you, have received the assent of his Excellency the Governor . — " Appropriation Ordinance, 1866." " Local Improvement Ordinance, 1866." " Cattle Trespass Ordinance, 186-6." " Tolls Ordinance, 1866." " Provincial Liabilities Confirmation Ordinance, No. 2, 1866." " Appropriation Ordinance, No 2, 1866." The PROVINCIAL TREASURER moved " That a committee, consisting of Messrs Stuart, Hodgkin&on, Lumsden and the mover, be appointed tp draw up a reply to his Honor's address," After a desultory discussion, the committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs Blacklock, Hodgkinson and Crerar. A number of memorials,, correspondents and official papers were read, having reference to the agreement entered into by his Honor the Superintendent with Alfred Eccles, Esq., in respect to the Home agency ; the leasing or sale of the railways and other matters. Numerous Notices of Motion were given, and the Council was adjourned until seven o'clock in the evening. The Council met again at seven o'clock, but all the business done was of little importance ; the discussion of the subject matter of his Honor's address being reserved for debate until this day. A reply to the address, with this understanding, was adopted. .. - :