PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MONDAY, 14th JANUARY,1867.

Southland Times, Issue 620, 18 January 1867, Page 9 (Supplement)

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MONDAY, 14th JANUARY, IB67.

The Eighth Session of the Provincial Council of Southland was commenced on -Mommy, in the Masonic Hall, KelTinstreet. • . The Speaker took the Chair at 2.5 p.m. - Present — the Provincial Treasurer, (John Placklock, Esq.,) Messrs Armstroro-. Wood, Nurse, Johnston, Swale, Limieclen, Clerke, Cowan, Pearsoii, Ciiihlierfpon, and Dr Menzies. "Mr Toshack, ihe new member for Waikivi, was intoduced "by Mr Lumsden. MESSAGE PROM THE SUPERINTENDENT. ■ : The -Speaker on receiving the Address, expressed the regret — -he believed was shared by every member of the Council — he felt at the serious affliction which prevented His Honor's appearance in person. Ma Speaker aitc> Gentlemen of the Peovincial Coxrxcii, — I deeply regret that a severe and trying affliction prevents me from opening the present ■session of the Council in person. I have called yon together at the period which I learned wouM be most convenient to the majority of you who reside at some distance. The financial year having expired, you would he aware lhat a meeting was essential ahout this time for Ihe passing of an Appropriation Ordinance. Furh on Ordinance for the year 3 867 will he laid before you, prepared under the exercise of a judicious economy, while keeping in view the efficiency of the public service. It affords me pleasure in being able to. state that a lien claimed by the contractors on that part of 'he Bluff Harbor and Tnvercargul Bailway, fcnown as contract No. 2, which for a considerable period obstructed the free use of that portion of the line of railway has been removed, and that by an arrangement with th 9 contractors for the finishing of the railway the line has been partially opened to public traffic, which event you will ngree with me in estimating as an era in the history of this Province. His "Excellency the Governor was advised to withho'd his assent to-. . the Eailway Leas-ncr Ordinance passed by you ■at your last session, yhich would have given me power to lease the railways for a period not exceeding 25 years; but as I have now reason to believe that such assent will he given to an Ordinance empowering 'me to lease the lines of railwnv on terms to be set forth, a Bill prepared with this view will be submitted to you. The importnnt subject of roads has received my earnest att<-nHr>n, but beyond certain worts for the teepins of some of the worst parts viable, and the draining and forming of other parts, I have been unable from want of the requisite funds, to do anything towards permanent roadmaking. '-': I re2ret to state that his Excellency the Governor has been advised to. refuse for the present to place the Pastoral Kents due in May next at the disposal of the Provincial Council for appropriation. You are aware that the making of district roads is already provided for by. a Local Improvement Ordinance and a Road Ordinance vhich authorise assessment on land for the purpose ; but hitherto we have depended on funds n rising from land sales for the construction of main roads, and as we are deprived of this resource entirely, it wi'l be for you to consider by what other means these most essential works are to he accomplished. A report carefully prepared by the Educational Committee will be placed on the table, and I have to commend the subject to your consideration. Although there is matter for congratulation in the fact oflar^e purchases of, land having been made during the past year, which have tended materially to reduce the amount of the liabilities of the Province, still T cannot hdo expressing my belief anrl regret that clause XV, of the Debt Act, 1565, has operated as a check in a very great measure to still more extensive sales. On this point I feel strongly, and deem it advisable that the hands of the Representatives of the Province in the General Assembly should be strengthened by a resolution of the Provincial Council, wirh the view of having this obnoxious clause repealed or amended. It hnvins baen intimated to me that his Excellency the Governor intends during next month to visit this Province, I have considered it proper to cause a sum to be placed on the estimates to defray the expenses that will necessarily be incurred by the Provincial Government on such an .auspicious occasion. Other matters of public interest will have to he consirlerec 1 by you, and several resolutions and Bills will be brought forward to which I have to • ask your grave consideration. Mr Armstrong moved that Messrs lumsden, Cowan and the mover be appointed a committee to prepare the reply to His Honor's address. .Mr Cleiuce objected to a member of the Governtneri bemg on the Committee. ■ Mr Armstrong submitted' that the course for the hon. member for Waibopai to adopt was to propose as an amendment other names. He had moved a committee to save time a thing often needed, and even at the present time. Mr W(~od agreed with the hon. member for "Waihopai as the member of the Government had taken a part in preparing 'the address. He thought it would be ; better to adhere to the usual practice in other assemblies for the new member to '- bring in such a motion. As to losing time "he thought they had better start properly 'and they would find it the best ia the end. " - ' •"'.'"■- Mr Cowan thought the way was to propose another committee if the one submitted was objected to. • Mr Wood proposed that Dr Menzies' name be substituted for Mr Armstrong's, which was seconded by Mr Clerke. Dr Menzies did not object to the original motion, and thought.it only right there should be a member of the Govern- .. ment on the committee. Outsiders did not know the same as the Government, and one of its members being on" the committee, would be able to render good service. He knew it was customary for a new member to bring forward, the motion, but did not know that there was any rule or breach of etiquette in haying • a member of the Executive on a committee to prepare the reply, and suggested that one or more names should be added. . Mr Wood disclaimed any personal ■ objection, and by L»ave of the seconder, -.. withdrew his amendment. NOTICES OF MOTION POR TTTESDA.Y. •Mr Cowan to ask, what the Govern- - ment had done in reference to theresolu- : tion passed in the Council in July last -„ respecting the survey of Waste Lands? Mr lumsdex — That the whole of the '..■■ papers in connection with the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Eailway^ including ; ; the contract for its completion, .and the .correspondence in. reference to: JVlessra, ->.Dalgety., Kattray.& Cq.'b )&&,]bel&dL~QiL. the table. . - : . . ■ ■. ,"i v

Mr Wood to ask* what step the Governmejit were taking to complete the repairs to the East-,road ? Mr IiT7MSi>EN to move, that a resolution be passed requesting the General government. to set apart land for the repairs of the main trunk roads, Mr Cleeke to move, that an address be presented to His Honor praying him to submit to His Excellency a proposal for the dissolution of the Council. Mr Abmstbong to move, * na * * ne General Government be requested to allocate 10,000 acres of land for roads, specifying the number for each district. The Provincial . Teeasttbee laid on the table a letter from the Colonial Secretary on the disallowance of the Eailway j Licence Ordinance. Mr Abmstbong laid on the table the correspondence between the Provincial GovernmentandMrEccl.es. The Peovincial Tbeastjbeb laid on the table the correspondence between the Provincial Government arid the General Government, relative to the General Government handing over 1 the rents from the pastoral runs. /The letters woro read by the Clerk to the Council. .. ' Mr Abmstbong gave notice of his intention tfr to Cattle Trespass Ordinance Amendment Bill. . ' The PEOYtN-ciAL Tbeasijbeb to bring in an Amended Eailway Leasing Bill. Mr AiMSTEpNG laid on the table an application from Mr C. E. Marten for the Government to purchase the Meteorological Instruments, and to pay him a salary as Meteorologist. ; . : The Provincial TbeAsurer laid on the table the correspondence between Mr Pope and the Government in reference to, his situation in the railway department. Mr Armstrong laid on the table the report on Stewart's Island, by the Commissioner of Police. On the motion of the Provincial Treasurer the Council adjourned at 3.45 to 11 a.m. this day.