THURSDAY, 19th JULY, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 524, 23 July 1866, Page 2

THURSDAY, 19th JULY, 1866.

EVENING- SITTING-. Present — Messrs "Wilson (Speaker) , Lumsden, Johnston, Blackloek, Crerar, Armstrong, Stuart, Howell, Cowan, Davies, T. M. Glerke, Hodgkmson, A. M. Clark, Pearson and Nurse. The Speakeb. took the chair at 7.15 p.m. • Notice of motions for future sittings Avere presented. Some discussion arose as to whether the debate on the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Eailway Sale Ordinance, 1866, had been stopped by the adjournment from -the forenoon's sitting. ■ It Avas finally agreed that the discussion (in committee) be resumed after the notices of motion on the order paper had been disposed of. NOTICES OF MOTION. THE HOME AGENCY. Mr LPMSDEN moved that this Council desires to express its entire disapproval of the action taken by the Government in having executed an agreement with Dr Eccles, appointing and empowering that gentleman to act as special emigration and land agent on behalf of this province, in Australia and Great Britain, without first consulting this Council, and obtaining its sanction tor the establishment of such an agency. The hon gentleman said he approached this question with a considerable amount of diffidence, and would very much have preferred that some hon member, with more parliamentary experience, had taken the initiative. He felt that he could not condone the political action of the Government in connection with this arrangement between the Government and Dr Eccles ; therefore seeing no member was prepared to bring forward a substantial expression of the opinion of the Council, he had ventured to do so. It would be seen that the motion he had submitted, at once charges directly the Government with unconstitutional action in opening and "executing the agreeement with Dr Eccles, which, in effect, established a new ofticial department, involving a large expenditure, and that without ever consulting this Council. He (Mr Lumsden) believed the Council would not be inclined to approTe of that way of administrating the affairs of the province. He had listened yesterday, with very great surprise, to the reading of the address of his Honor the Superintendent, and also of that sensational document, the agreement with Dr Eccles. He had felt as people feel when -surrounded with the illusions of a dream. It seemed to him so extraordinary that such an arrangement should have been so " quietly and deliberately gone into— an arrangement that confirmed various

rumors that had been flying about the town touching this agreement. He (the hon gentleman) was inclined to treat these rumors as chimerical. Ho was disposed to look upon Dr Eccles as a sort of traditional red herring drawn across the track to throw parlies off the scent. But now, since the full disclosures of the facts had come out, he was sure the members of Council would be disposed to look upon them as far more extraordinary than the mere shadowing of them in previous rumors. It could hardly be said that tha address of his Honor the Superintendent and the agreement had let puss out of the bag. It appeared to him that the animal which got out was much more formidable and furious. The appetite of the animal seemed to be frightful ; in fact quite voracious — one thousand pounds and nearly three square miles of land in two gulphs. No wonder that a well-known squatter became alarmed that he was going to by personally swallowed up. The action these ministerial gentlemen had taken in this matter seemed a remarkable inconsistency. To quietlyconcoct an arrangement of this sort and complete it to the point they had without consulting the Council was something very inconsistent, considering the way the acts of former administrators were denounced by the same gentlemen. The present motion bore upon the unconstitutional nature of the action taken. The merits of the appointment might be gone into to some extent, the two-fold character in which the agency was to be carried oa t — the character of the immigration agents and land agents. The hon member felt somewhat surprised at the government proposing to incur such an expense. Sometime ago a movement took place on the part of the public for the purpose of encouraging immigration to this Province. It was determined that the best mode was, by providing a pamphlet for circulation here, and in Great Britain; Also, that it might be desirable to send an agent. . He (the hon member for Invereargill) had never thought that part necessary. However the government were solicited to aid the movement. They said distinctly " no, we have no funds." The prize pamphlet that had now been got up, would prove, if extensively circulated, the means of causing an 'extensive immigration of persons of the right sort, with practical farmers and lesser capitalists. He had not the slightest doubt that that pamphlet would induce a large immigranere as fast as immigrants were wanted. It appeared to the hon. member that there vras no need to force immigration. The province was not in a position to absorb immigrants in a rapid manner. It was for such a country as Queensland or Victoria, with such extensive territories, to appoint an immigration agent. They could absorb them by the thousand. One shipload here would swamp the market. To induce more of them to land would only be to make them torn their backs upon us, and give the place a bad name. The great object was to move on cautiously, get the country opened up by more roads, and to husband our funds in place of spending them upon such an expensive novelty as a land agent. He therefore saw no necessity for the appointment at all. As regarded the encouragement of the sale of land, he could hardly discover how a special agent is to carry that out. The two questions were bound up together. If practical farmers were induced to come out, they would buy the land. What would induce immigration, would induce the sale of land. One part of the recommendation seemed to him a very questionable one, that namely which referred to one part of the field of operation — Victoria. It seemed hardly honest to send an agent there to endeavor to encourage Victorian immigrants to come here who probably had been imported into Victoria at the expense of that government — to endeavor to seduce them away from Victoria. The Victorian government would not sleep while this was o-oino- on. Canterbury had attempted S3 me such thing, and it was denounced as unworthy of a respectable government. There could be no barm in advertising our lauds in Victoria, but to endeavor to encourge a flow of immigration by a special agent lecturing there would* be very impolitic. Another view of the case was this — in no gold country is there any real necessity for a government to waste its money on immigrants. Immigrants arriving in a gold country are more than likely to shoulder their swag?, and unless the goldfields were in the province, that province could derive very little from their labor. The Victorian immigrants went off to the goldfields and the farmers on whose behalf the money was spent were no better of than before. However, there it was no loss to the government, because their immigrants were engaging in productive labor in the colony. Here we had no goldfield within our boundaries to absorb labor of that sort. Again the land had been selling astonishingly fast of late, and there was therefore no necessity for an agent. By the time summer came round he had no doubt the sales would be extensive. Land speculators in the Province would become better known, and the land would easily be sold without the assistance of an agent. The hon member stated that he made those remarks on the merits of the question, as to the propriety of aj pointing an agent. His motion chiefly referred to the action taken by the Government in executing the agreement with Dr Eccles, completing a3 it were the appointment, from which they could not well recede, and involving the country in consic'erable expenditure, any return* for which were very doubtiul, seeing we could gain all the land sales that might be expected from the circulation of the pamphlet to which he had already referred. It would have been far more constitutional to have submitted the matter to the/Provincial Council, and have had the matter discussed in the ÜBual matter. Mr JOHNSON, in seconding the motion, said the point to be discussed was the unconstitutional action taken by the

Superintendent, with tlie advice and conseat, it was presumed, of his Executive ; and this point should not be discussed in with that of the desirableness or otherwise of having an agent appointed The appointment would, he considered, involve the province in au outlay of seven or eight thousand pounds. That agreement was entered into oa, he believed, the 7th, and then the members were summoned in hot haste to attend the Council on the 18th, to ratify and confirm the agreement entered into unconstitutionally, while the Superintendent and Executive ought, in due consideration to the Council, to have presented the agreement before them, before it was signed and sealed by his Honor and the said Alfred Eecles. A good deal had been heard about Superintendents taking in hand to pass debenture bills and contracts in defiance and in opposition to the advice and consent of the Executive ; but he was not aware of any case at all resembling this. The Superintendent must look upon the members of this House as mere machines, which he can set in motion to any tune he pleases The whole tenor of his correspondence proves this. He (the hou member) said he fully endorsed the sentiments of the Times, in its leader of this morning — that even Governor Darling never attempted anything like this. Mr COWAN said, that to bring the matter to a point, he begged to move that the question be now put. Considerable discussion then took place as to whether the question was before the House. Dr HODG-KINSON said that the motion was equivalent to a vote of censure on the government, and which, if passed, would necessitate their resignation. He did not speak for the purpose of endorsing all that had been done, or say that it was such as he would have recommended ; at the same time, he could not see that it was at all so great a matter as to necessitate a vote of censure, and so put the province to the trouble and expense of a change of Executive. He could see no necessity for -it. He could not say exactly whether what had been done was in any degree against constitutional usage. As much as possible the Executive should carry on according to public opinion. As to the position taken that the Superintendent is not to make an appointment without the sanction of the Council, I think that is not sound law. If that is to be carried out strictly, the Executive could not appoint the most humble officer — assistant pilot, or assistant inspector, for instance. Should the question, however, be one involving the interest of the province, it should, if possible, be brought before the Council ; but in this case it was very desirable that speedy action should be taken. Although he was not prepared to endorse fully what has been done, he did not think it such a grave matter as to call for a change of Executive. Were the matter enquired into, many good reasons might be given for the action. It is very inconvenient for the Council to be called together at any time. Had they been called to sanction the emigration agent's appointment they might again have had to be called together to rote the money. He thought what had been done was not with any intention to insult the proper power, but done, perhaps, by taking too sanguine a view of a very good "scheme. A vote of censure should therefore not be carried. Mr STUAET said, before the question was put, he wished to point out to the Council one or two vie\vs in connection with this matter. He was glad that the lion, gentleman "who brought the motion forward, had kept it separate from the question of the appointment of an officer, and wished the motion tried on its own merits. The merits of the question will receive that consideration which they really demand without being prejudiced by the behaviour of the executive in the matter. He was "glad the questions had been put forward. He should be very sorry himself to plead guilty to helping to defeat the measure which might in itself be very good, merely because he felt that the way in which it had been brought forward was not right. What he pointed out to the Council was the difference between the functions of the Council and those of the executive. The Provincial •Councils and Provincial governments were two things — for legislation and administration. Legislation is peculiarly the function of the Council, administration - the peculiar function of the executive. To which of these two classes did this appointment of immigration officer belong V In reality it belonged to the class of legislation, and consequently a matter for the Council. What was the Council for, if not to legislate. What is it for, it the executive can do the legislation for it. (Hear, hear.) The hotf. member for Biverton had pointed out that this was as much considered a question for the executive only as the Question of the appointment of an officer. The appointment of an officer is strictly an administrative function, and as such perfectly falls within the duties of the Executive. But in this case the Executive ha^e overstepped that limit altogether ; having not only appointed an officer, they have settled for us the whole question of Immigration — settled the question that an Immigration Agent should be sent home, which is legislating for us, and departing entirely from their own sphere — their duties being as he must insist purely administrative ; or else what was the Council ? for if an executive could iv the Superintendent's office legislate for the Province outside on a very important question like this, and settle the whole matter without the Council doing any more than giving their formal sanction, which is supposed to be given in the House of .Representatives, and in France where the Emperor dicates to the representatives what he wants, and they bow to his decision: — if the Council would keep in view that fact they would find that they were perfectly entitled to ask for an explanation of the circumstances under which this matter has been

brought before them — namely, in "such a shape that he knew if the Council were disinclined to pass it, the argument of the Executive would be, it is done and you j must endorse it. Mr T. M. CLERKE said he should have great pleasure in supporting this motion. He could scarcely look on the action of the Executive otherwise than a.y piece of jobbery, and of a very disgraceful nature. An arrangement made with a special agent at such an enormous remuneration, four thousand pounds and considerably over. He thought it was a most serious matter. It was a most extraordinary notion emanating from sane men ; it looked more like as if it belonged to a Lunatic Asylum. He believed that could the Executive have carried this matter through without consulting the Council,' the latter would never have been aaked at all about it, but have been told the tiling was done (Hear hear.) The manner in which it had been brought forward was almost an insult to the Council. They were asked to assent to an agreement already drawu lip and signed ; not to consider whether it was desirable to send an agent,- but called together, as has already been said, for the purpose of setting machinery in motion to sanction the greatest piece -of monstrocity he (the hon member) ever heard of. Mr LUMSDENT, before the question wa3 put, rose to i e)ly, when Mr COWAN begged to move that the question be put before the House. The SPEAKER said the mover had a right to reply to what had been said. This was common sense and he would adhere to it in spite of any authority whatever. Mr CO WANT asked whether the business of the House waa to be conducted according to the practise that is carried on in the British House of Commons as laid down in " May." If he (the Speaker) would have the kindness to refer to a particular paragraph in that book he would find the purpose of the motion that he had put to the House. After considerable discussion, Mr COWAN moved, and Mr AEMSTEONGseconded, that the previous question be put. On a division there voted, Noes:— Messrs Howell, A. M. Clark, Blacklock, Cowan, Crerar, Hodgkinson, Davies, Nurse, Pearson aud Armstrong — 10. Ayes: — Messrs Stuart, Lumsden, T. M. Clerke, and Johnston — 5. LAND SURVEY. Mr STUART moved that the present system of land survey pursued by the Government, in respect of purchases of waste land is not good, but prejudicial to the interests of purchasers, and calculated to retard land sales. That this system ought to be abolished, and purchasers allowed to employ any authorized surveyor they may choose. He said as far as lie could understand the present system, the country was divided into districts, and the exclusive monopoly of surveying given to certain surveyor?.. He did not think it at all necessary to make- any remarks ; it was quite sufficient to point out to the Council that the present system was against all the doctrines of free trade, and against the interests of purchasers, and consequently against the interests of the province. The hon member then proceeded to explain the defective working of the present system, which retarded sales, as no valid titles to land coiild be properly purchased till Crown Grants were received, and this depended on the survey being completed, consequently purchasers had to lose the interest of their money for months, besides being put to great inconvenience. Mr COWAN said the matter before the House deserved great consideration, both with regard to the disposal of the waste lands, and with regard to the obstacles that there might be in carrying the system out. One obstacle was, that in a country in which the surveyor had not been, and where roads were not laid off, two different men entering their own surveying blocks at a distance from each other might lay off main roads through the particular blocks, and when these roads came to be connected in course of time, they would possibly not be in the same line. If that difficulty could be got over, the improvement proposed would be very good. The hon member then spoke of the inconvenience of the present system, from the great delay purchasers had to submit to, and also* the great expense. He had very great pleasure in seconding the motion. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER desired, before the motion was put, to lay on the table 2 report by the Chief Surveyor on the subject, and moved that it be read. Mr ARMSTRONG- seconded, and the report was read. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER and Mr PEARSON spoke in favor of the system now in operation. Mr STUART replied to the report by the Chief Surveyor. On a division there voted for the motion — Messrs T. M. Clerke, A. M. Clark, Crerar, Johnston, Swale, Lumsden, Cowan, Stuart — 8. Against — Messrs Howell, Pearson, Blacklock, Armstrong, Hodgkinson, Davies, and Nurse — 7. RAILWAY COMMISSION. Mr STUART asked the Government— — Ist. — Who prepared the report appended to the letter from his Honor the Superintendent to the Colonial Secretary laid on the table yesterday. 2nd — That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, to lay before the Council copies of all correspondence, if any, during the months of March, April and May, 18G6, between the Government and Dr Eccles relative to the late proposed Railway Commission inquiry. Ho said the report was rather puzzling to him, and he aaked the question for information. He also suggested that the date of the letter should be given. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER thought the omission of the date must be a clerical error ; however, it would be

appended to it when the hon gentleman , had called attention to the matter. The : report had been prepared by the Executive, wibh the assistance of the Engineer. Mr STUART said he had not had an answer to the whole question. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER considered that the second clause was not a question, but a motion. Mr STUART asked whether there was i any correspondence, and if so, whether, to save time, the correspondence would be given. i The PROVINCIAL TREASURER believed there was a correspondence. Mr STUART thought that the correspondence should have been laid on the ; table without being asked for, aud moved : that the address be presented. Mr JOHNSTON seconded. Carried. SHEFJP RESERVE. Mr BLACLKLOCK moved that this t Council reserve permanently the Sheep , and other reserves referred to in the Chief Surveyor's letter of date 18th July current. . Mr ARMSTRONG- seconded, and the motion was carried. BLUFF HARBOR, AND INVERCAJRGTLL RAILWAY SALE ORDINANCE, 1866. , The PROVINCIAL TREASURER : moved, and Mr ARM3TRoNGseconded, " that the House go into committee on this ordinance." The House then went, into committee, Mr Davies, chairman. A discussion arose, and was joined in by most of the committee, as to the lien held ever a portion of the line by Dalgety, Rattray and Co., but which assumed such a conversational form that our reporter found it impossible to follow the different speakers, and the report given below may be subject to correction. During this discussion, the Provincial Treasurer said every , method had been tried to induce those gentlemen to give up possession. The executive as a body were of opinion that the firm mentioned ought not to hold the railway, and the government • were quite entitled to go and take possession, but their legal advisers thought differently. "Were that portion of the railways in possesion of the opposing contractors to be forced an injunction might stop the whole works. The executive had had the use of it to complete other portions of the line. An injunction once put on would debar all traffic whatever. If a question comes before the supreme court, it is well known that that court could grant an injunction. It might be temporary, but would debar the government of the line for the time. The government feeling that this was inexpedent, thought it more advisable to obtain use of the line without prejudice to the Km The government have been somewhat anxious in the matter. In the opinion of the solicitor it would be inexpedient to force the line. The hon. gentlemen also said that when in Dunedin lately he had had a very long conversation with Mr Rattray, and tried every method to show him the arguments used by the G-overnment as to his claim, which were that he had received documents for the demand, and by his having ne gotiated the best part of them was taking up a wrong position. Finding that he was immovable, he, (the Pro- , vineial Treasurer) had got Mr Dillon Bell to go with him to the gentleman holding the lien, and they were several hours with him, and Mr Dillon Bell put the matter in another light, namely that had the general government been aware when passing the Southlaed Debt Act that any creditors intended to hold collateral security as well as their guarantee, they would not have sanctioned the passing of any such enactment. It would be infra dig for a government to do this. "When the Imperial Parliament aaked ,- the general government to give the lands of the colony in security they demurred 1 to it. If the Imperial Parliament did not think the colonial guarantee ' sufficient, they would not have it at all. They said rather than do such a thing as ' mortgage the whole lands of the colony, they would sell the loan at 50 per cent discount, though they lost some ' two hundred thousand pounds. Mr Bell remarked if the colonial government would not do it no any one else would. He ' tried to enforce on the holder of the loan of not encouraging or allowing public opinion to get abroad here as to force the G-eneral Assembly to stop the [ vouchers. Another argument was that ' he had negotiated part of the voucher. ' Now in giving the acknowledgements for this particular voucher they were divided into separate sums. The opinion ' was he was only responsible for these diherent sums. The voucher as certified bytheauditor,andlodgedwith the Receiver ofLandßevenue is differentfrom other vouchers; in sums of two, three and five thousand pounds are negotiated from time to time as required — he was not aware he was passing part of the original voucher certi- , fied ; but immediately on finding this out, he stops the voucher altogether for the purpose, so as he might have an agreement that he passed the former in ignorance. Now the government is in a position to take some steps in the matter. It is a matter that requires very cautious negotiation, and would have been brought up at last session of the Council, but the members of Council will see it is not always politic to disclose one's hand to the public, seeing the debates are published, only now it has come to the pitch, it does not matter much. The SPEAKBRthen submitted^hether it were not a waste of time to go on with the bill, seeing that no price could be fixed by the government, and therefore they could make no terms ; and whether the sale of a most valuable asset should have been entertained at all in the absence of a member or members whose prei sence and opinions might have been of great importance ; and that the govern- ■ mtmt should not have called the Council . together at present, knowing that these ; members could not possibly be present. Aleagthy discussion ensued, and thecon- ; sideration of the bill was finally gone on ; with, and passed with amendments, and \ «• the third reading made an order of the

day for next sitting. OEDBRS OF THE DAY. The Oreti Railway Sale Ordinance 1866. — Second reading. On the motion of the PROVINCIAL TREASURER, seconded by Mr. ARMSTRONG-, the House went into committee on this bill, and after a, discussion it was passed with slight amendments. The Special Provincial Agent Ordinance, 1866. — Second Reading, was postponed till Friday morning's sitting, as was also the second reading of the Oreti Railway Leasing Ordinance, 1866, Amendment Ordinance, 1866, the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway Leasing Ordinance, 1866, Amendment Ordinance, 1868.— Second Reading. FRIDAY, JULY 20th. MORNING- SITTING. The Speakee took the chair, at 10.40. Present — The Provincial Treasurer and Mr Armstrong ; Messrs Hodgkinson. T. M. Clarke, 'Davies, Orerar, Cowan, Pearson, Johnston, Swale, Clark. Nurse, Stuart, and HowelL EDUCATION.. ' Mr CRERAR moved that a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place the sum of three .hundred pounds on the estimates for the purpose of supplementing the District Schools now in operation. He stated that the suspension of the Educational Ordinance had been most inj ur'ous to the youths of the uj:-3ountry. districts, and that it was urgently necessary that some action on the part of the government was taken in this matter. The amount asked for was small, and he hoped it would be granted. Dr HODG-KINSON seconded the motion. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER would not oppose the motion, but he would point out to the mover, that as there were no estimates before the House, the diction of the motion was at fault, and would suggest that instead of requesting his Honor to place the amount named*" on the estimates," it should be to " expend." The suggestion was adopted, and the motion carried. Mr. HODG-KINSON moved that three gentlemen, being members of the Provincial Council, be elected members of the Central School Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Southland Education Ordinance. He said that in moving this resolution he felt no hesitation, believing that the Council, after passing the previous resolution would see the necessity for passing this. He had a Committee to name, one of whom he had not his consent, owing to his absence from the Province, but who he was sure would readily and earnestly act — he alluded to Dr Menzies. He thought it was not ill-timed in him, who had been so frequently in opposition to that gentleman, to express in untnistakeble terms the debt the Province owed to Dr. Menzies for the part he had taken — the time and labour he had given to the cause of Education. The gentlemen he could name were — Dr. Menzies, and Messrs Lumsden and Johnson. Carried. THE AGENCY QUESTION. Mr ARMSTRONG- moved the second reading of the Special Provincial Agent Ordinance, 1866. He said he did not regret that it had fallen to his lot to propose the second reading of this bill. He felt that the resources of the province must be made known to ensure its prosperity ; the most deplorable ignorance existed outside its bounds as to its agricultural and pastoral capabilities. Ever since he had arrived in this province, in which he had in-vested his little all, he had felt that a home agent was urgently required. Before he left the home country he was told that he was mad to think of going to such a place as Southland. However he came and did not regret having done so. All who had given the question impartial consideration would acknowledge that the appointment of a home agent was desirable, and the opportunity of securing the services of a gentleman possessing these qualities — a gentleman who would carry weight whereever he 1 went — must he thought all weigh in favor of the appointment. Dr Eccles, was eminently qualified for the work required, to carry out the objects desired. We wanted population — population of a superior class, and if they wouldnotcome to us, we must go to them — if the Mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the Mountain. He believed the decision in the appoinment of an agent was a wise one, and that the gentleman selected was in every way qualified for the work he had undertaken. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER seconded ,the motion. He remarked that it might naturally be thought that the government, in entering into the agreement with Dr Eccles, had gone a little too far. But if they considered the position of the province — insolvent, though not bankr*pt — that the necessity that exists to get from home a superior" class of small capitalists, they would acknowledge the necessity for prompt action. The gentleman who had been appointed had great influence and experience. Prom his former standing in England he would be able to reach the ear of those parties best able to advance the progress of the province. His acquaintance with London was large, and he had great influence in Bradford, and could induce the wealthy to invest* in this province from the truthful and reliable information he would be able to give them. Dr Eccles had visited the interior of the Province and collected information of a most valuable character —he had collected samples of wool and other produce, and was in a position to prow to parties at home and in Australia the advantages Southland presented as a field for capital and industry. Many matters required an attention which few commission agents would give. l)r Eccles was fully qualified to transact anybusiness, financial or otherwise, and if the Council refused to sanction the agreement, he believed they would be making a great and fatal mistake.

Dr HODGKINSON, while uofc able to give his sanction to the manner in which the arrangements had been made, he should support the Bill. He considered the appointment unexceptional, and believed that it would be highly beneficial if carried out to the province. The General Government, who might be called the owners of our landed \ estate, approved of the step, and he considered it wouldhave a pernicious influence outside if this agreement was repudiated and rejected. The hon member concluded a long and able speech by supporting the motion. Mr COWAN opposed the motion. He objected to it on many grounds. The entering into the agreement without first, consulting the Council was unconstitutional. He knew nothing of the gentleman who had been appointed, but he would take it for granted that he was a worthy and able man. But was his services required ? He thought not on the conditions stated. He concluded a lengthy speech by strongly opposing the motion. Messrs Lumsden, T. M. Clerke, Johnson.and others having spoken in opposition to the motion, Mr Armstrong replied, and a division was,called for, wkich was — Ayes, 4: — Blacklock, Armstrong, Nurse, and Hodgkinson. Noes, 10: — T. M. Clerke, Davies, Cowan, Lumsden, Swale, Johnson, A. M. Clark, Howell, Stuart, Crerer. Majority against the motion, 6. TSE RAILWAYS. The PEOVINOIAL TREASURER moved, and Mr ARMSTRONG seconded, . the third reading of " The Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway Sale Ordinance, 1866 — which was unanimeusly carried, ! and the bill passed ; also, the " Oreti Railway, and the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway Leasing Ordinances, 1866, Amendment Ordinances, 1866," and both were read a' third time and passed. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER moved, and Mr ARMSTRONG secouded, that the Council do now adjourn until Friday, 2nd August.— Carried.