TUESDAY, 15th JANUARY, 1867. Morning Sitting.

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

TUESDAY, 15th JANUARY, 1867. Morning Sitting.

The ..Speaker took^ the chair shortly after 11 a.m. The minutes of the previous sitting were read. The Provincial Treasurer laid on the table a petition signed by numerous residents of Invercargill, praying that a sum of £30 might be .placed on the estimates to; defray the cost of a passage to England of one George Walker. The Speaker pointed out that it was against the standing orders of the House to receive any petition praying for a grant of public money. Mr Cuthbektson called attention to the minutes noting the sitting as having taken place in the Masonic Hall — it should, have been in the Provincial Council Chamber. Alteration agreed to. Mr Lumsden called attention^ to an omission from the order paper of a motion of which he had given notice at the previous sitting. The Clerk explained to the Council that it was an accidental omission of the printer. The minutes were then confirmed. BEPLY TO HIS HONOR'S OPENING ADDRESS. Mr Cowan, as Chairman of the Select Committee, Drought up the following Eeply: — EEBLT TO HIS HONOB'S OPENING- ADDRESS. The. Council regrets your 1 Honor's inability to be present at the opening of this session, and desires to give expression, to its heartfelt sympathy in-:your present great affliction. It trusts that a speedy recovery may enable your Honor to resume a personal supervision of your official duties. - The Appropriation Ordinance, 1867, will receive our grave consideration. The Council learns with satisfaction that the lien on contract N0.. 2, on the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Eailway has been removed, and considers that its final opening to public traffic will be an era in the history of the Province. The KaiLway Leasing Ordinance to be submitted to the Council will receive its earnest attention. The Council regrets that from, want of the requisito funds your Honor has been unable tb do anything towards permanent road-making. The Council regrets with your Honor that His Excellency the Grorernor has been advised to refuse for the present to place the Pastoral rents due in May next at the disposal of the Provincial Council for appropriation, and has to deplore that the means at its disposal are thus limited by the unexpected withholding of the pastoral rents for its appropriation ; but the Council trusts that your Honor will not lose sight of the very urgent necessity for the construction of main roads as far as means will permit. The report of the Education Committee will receive our best attention. .-: Ihe Council entirely, agrees with your Honor in the views expressed as to the prejudicial' effect of Clause XV., Southland Debt Act, 1865, upon the land saleß of the Province, and will endeavor to support your Honor in haying the obnoxious clause repealed or amended. The Council accepts as a matter of congratulation the prospect of a visit from His Excellency the Governor. ..:■..■• The Council assures your Honor that all bills and, resolutions with regard to matters of public interest which may be brought before it will receive its most grave consideration. : Ctjthbeet Cowan, Chairman of Select Committee. Jan. 15, 1867. ; ; :The only alteration made by the Council in the original draft consisted in the insertion: of the- words "by withholding the said Pastoral rents from appropriation by the Council." Dr Menzies remarked, that it. had been clearly understood in the Assembly that . the ; rent of ; the runs was ■to accrue to the Province although, an option had been left to His- Excellency. He thought there should be a clear expression of opinion by the Council as it would be wrong to take it for granted that nothing could- be done in the matter. However, the doubtful nature of. the reply might be counteracted by a resolution of the Council. /He could not quite agree with the views expressed respecting theoperation of the XV clause of the Southland Debt AcE. . : I ; .