Proposed By Dr Knight.

Southland Times, Issue 677, 31 May 1867, Page 3

Proposed By Dr Knight.

; Crown Lands to be given by way of payment for proposed railway from Invercargill to the Mataura, at the rate of one acre of land for every £1 of cost of construction as contracted for. . .The Companies to give the land required for the purposes of the railway when it passes through the Company's Farms, and the land required for building at Any station within the boundaries of the farms, but the direction and future terminus of the iine to be left to the dis- \ cretion of the Government, provided the line be ■ finished as far as the Half Way Bush in the first instance. " " The" Companies also to give land necessary to connect main line with branches. *" ' 3. The width of land given to be the ordinary width allowed for a ; double line of rails. - 4. The proposed line to be surveyed as early as possible by a Government Engineer, and the cost of the work as estimated by the .Engineer to be the contract price to be paid the Companies in land for Ihe execution of the work. 6. The Company to pay mto the Treasury at ] once a deposit of £500— to be forfeited to the Crown if after the survey and levels are made they refuse to accept the contract. 6. The company to refund to the Government the salary paid to the Chief Engineer, and take country lands in lieu thereof at the rate, of one acre for every £1 paid by the Government. 7. On the deposit of £500, the company's agent to Belect blocks of Crown Land to the extent required to carry out the proposed undertaking. Each.block noti;o be . less iv' area than 20,000 acres of a rectangular shape, and the frontage of not more than twice the depth. -•'**' (Signed,) - CX Maroh 28th 1867. ,- - f Superintendents Office, : Southland, 13th May,] 867. Sib, — I have, the honor tp acknowledge the recieptpf your letters of dates and numbers, asf per margin. • .**"" *'. ' V f: . • '..-.., ■j Having heard* onlyithis momeofc that the time ofthe "Phcebe" sailing for the north has been altered to .this day" at 1.15, instead of to-morrow, I -can.reply only in a few lines to' your communications. s I begfto thank you for your cordial offer of asorop^ration with the Provincial, Government in the finishing ofthe Oreti. Eailway, and in the construction of that to the Mataura Plains. With regard to the latter, your views coincide so entirely .with the terms formerly agreed to by me in discussion of the subject with Dr Knight on his last visit, that they need no further comment as to general principles, though doubtless capable of modification in some minor details. . But with regard, to the former, I fear the plan you suggest will prove impracticable. The two schemes are based upon different interests. In the case of the eastern line, the the company being virtually the contractors and retaining the land acquired by the contract in its own hands, there can. be no difficulty. But in the other case, if the contractor is not to be paid in cash, and is not allowed the right of free selection, your plan would place him at such great disadvantage in the disposal of his certificate, f that if we got any tenders at all on such conditions, they would be so enormously high, virtually to reduce the price of land given in lieu of money to perhaps one-half its value. ,- On the receipt of your letter on this subject, I consulted' my. Executive Council on Saturday, and' they have passed a resolution to the following effect : — The 'prinpiple was agreed to, but the details .referring to the mode of selection of land considered somewhat objectionable, if not unworkable. It was. proposed in amendment that the selection should, be free in Hocks of not leea than 2000 acres within the pastoral districts as regards unsurveyed land, with the right of selecting elsewhere any sections already -jurvsyed.

The selection of the entire quantity of hind to be made previous to signing the contract when ! ifc shall be reserved for that special purpose. . Unsurveyed land to be taken as regaids shape, and frontage, in accordance with the survey regulations. ' -• r 'Time does not admit of my discussing this subject at present in greater detail, which I will do, however, in a subsequent letter, and in the meantime ask your favorable consideration of the amendments I have herein suggested, and a reply to the sanie at your, earliest, convenience, as the Provincial Council will meet this day fortnight. — I have, kc, kc. (Signed),-** Johbt P. Tatlob, • ' M ' v Superintendent Mr Cuthbertson confessed that, after hearing the correspondence read, he was not so much the wiser as ho would like to be. The Government would confer a favor on members if they would make a selection of the most important partsfand get them printed. There was no settled conviction arrived at by many hon. members. The magnitude of the proposed works exceeded what he (Mr CJ) had supposed; making in all 210,000 acres. He was under the impression, that the Mataura Eailway was to cost £100,000. He expressed no opinion on the merits of the question. A hasty or a rash' decision might be looked back upon in future days with great regret, f He would move as an amendment to the resolution, "That the debate be now adjourned for the purpose of circulating printed copies of the most important portions/of the correspondence just read amongst the members of the Council;" '••■ -A- a -...-, ;-...;• Dr Menzies thought the motion made by the hon. member for Longwood was a reasonable One. He (Dr M.) could see that there would-be a great benefit derived by agreeing to the proposal, which he desired to second. YDr Hodgkinson would ask this' Governmen- to inform them whether any! fresh earthworks would be required, or whether it was their intention to extend the line. He (Dr Hv) could not" understand how; the mere laying of iron rails should; cost £60,000. They ought to have more information on'the subject. He would jlike to know what the cost of a tramway iwould be, as he considered that it would a|nswer ; every purpose. Ali these, things ought to be put before them. ■■"•■'.■ • .-, ; Mr Wood thought that if there would be any object gained by having the,whole of the correspondence printed, it would be better to do so. Mr Lumsden did not intend to oppose the amendment. The resolution simply asked them to affirm a principle. A bill would have to be submitted to that House before railway works could be commenced. They could not consider the' whole ques : tion without considering both resolutions. The gist of the propositions was simply this. The General Government held our lands for Southland's debts. It proposes to enhance this estate by opening lip two main, trunk lines of road, giving Southland such a chance as sho never would have again. It would be a great pity if the Council did not support the resolutions. ' Mr Armstrong reminded the mover of the amendment that the government were getting cautious as regarded printing. They had no desire to press this matter. It was their wish that the question should be dispassionately discussed by a full House. After some further discussion the amendment was put and declared carried. The Provincial Secretary asked for, and obtained leave to withdraw the following motion :— "That - this Council being convinced of the vast benefits that would be conferred directly and indirectly on the Province by rthe formation of a railway from the" capital to the eastern boundary, thereof,^recommends to His Excellency the. Governor that, a grant of land of say 150,000 acres. Abe made in terms of clause 36 of sub-section 2 of the ; Southland Waste Lands Act, 1865, for the payment thereof": - r " THE TOWN BOARD LIABttITIES. Mr Cuthbertson movejd' " for the appointment of a committee to consider the propriety^ of including . the unpaid liabilities .of the Towii Board in the general liabilities of the Province, in accordance with the .provisions of the Southland Dbbt Aot. Committee to consist of Messrs Menzies, Lumsden and the Mover, and to have power to call for persons and papers." On the suggestion, of Mr Wood, the name of Mr " Clerke was added to the committee, and tho. motion seconded and agreed to. correspondence. Mr Clerke moved "that the correspondence, between the Government and the Colonial Secretary be laid pn the table, relative to the salaries of those officials of the Waste Land Board of whose salaries the Council during its last sitting deemed it advisable to recommend a reduction." He understood that certain communications has passed between the Provincial Government and the Colonial Secretary* advising that gentleman nQ$ r to agree to the reduction recommended by the council. He (Mr C.) could hardly believe that such was the case, but he should like to see if it was. Mr Wood g-aeonded tht motion.

The ProvmcialSecretary r laid the correspondence referred to on the table, and it was read as follows :— " Superintendent's Office, V ' " Southland, Feb. 16, 1867. " Sir, ? — I have the honor to forward enclosed copy of resolutions of the Provincial Council recommending the reduction of the salaries of the Chief Commis-^ sioner of Waste -Lands from £350. to j £300 ; Chief Clerk, .£3OO to £250 ; Chief Surveyor, £350 to £300 V Chief Draughtsman, £300 to £250. In- forwarding this resolution I must express my strong disapproval of it. I believe the present Yrates are as low as it is politic to place them withy a hope of- retaining good and trustworthy officers. "At present thoseYsvhose salaries it is proposed to reduce "are most efficient, and have all along held their appointments with credit to themselves and satisfaction to the Government and public, and their resignation, which I believe would follow on the Governor's sanction to further reduction of their salaries (for this~is not the first) would be a very serious loss and hindrance to the publife service. "Bather than be obliged to confirni. this resolution of the Council I should request His' Excellency the Governor to resumo the powers delegated to me under, the Waste -Lands Act. "I trust, however; that the General Government will agree with me in maintaining the salaries of the officers named at least at the present amount. "I have the honor to be, Sir, "Your most obdt. servant, " Jno. JP. Taylor, *' Superintendent. "The Hon. the Colonial, ■•■;;■ ' Secretary, Wellington." ? - y"y

" Colonial Secretary's Office, " Wellington, March 2^1867. " Srk,-yl have'. the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 16th ult. f enclosing; a copy, of a resolution of l the Provincial Council of Southland, .in which a reduction in the salaries 1 o£ 'Certain officers of the Waste Lands Board and Survey Department is recommendedbv that body. In reply- 1 have to state that in consequence of •' the - strong object tions raised by your Honor to the course proposed to be adopted, the salaries^ question will not be reduced. r * •-.■** I have the honor to be, Sir, V "Your most obdt. servant, A. . - A" B. W. Stapfobd. " His Honor the Superintendent of Southland." SHEEP AMENDMENT ORDINANCE. Mr Nurse asked for and obtained leave to postpone the first reading of the Sheep Ordinance, 1866, Amendment Ordinance,- 1867, till next sitting. THE GOVERNOR'S RECEPTION. Mr Clerke asked the G-overnriient if they have been refunded by the (general G-overnment the amount expended on the occasion of the Governor's reception here, and what steps, if any * the Grovernment have taken to recover the same. . The Provincial Secretary, in replying, to the question, stated that the matters connected with the Governor's reception had not all been settled. The General Government had paid up to date the sum of .£228 10s. The Eiverton accounts that had been sent in were exhorbitant, and were returned. They are not yet settled, as well as other matters. PREMIUM fFOR MALT. "V Dr Menzies moved "that a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the Estimates, the sum of £100, as a premium to be paid to the person who 'shall first produce five .hundred bushel-s of malt, made in,„tbe. : Province" from barley grown therein." - He thought that the growth o£ this cereal would' be a decided - advantage to . farmers. Iri one of the Northern provinces this had been satisfactorily settled ; but in the South it had never yet been, cried. The market for barley was likely to bea veiy extensive one. In the Australian Colonies, malting could not be tarried on for nine months in the year ; here it could be carried on for nine months in the year. It seemed that some stimulus was necessary to encourage parties to cultivate that cereal, arid some capitalists might be induced to erect the necessary malting appliances. He (Dr M.) had been informed that there was one establishment of the kind in the province j but the amount of barley grown was very small. ■ The granting of the premium might induce a better kind of agriculture. .*"■■"'■' Mr Swale seconded the motion.- --! Dr Hodgkinson concurred in the resolution, as he considered the climate and soil of this province were remarkably well adapted for growirig barley and malting. Mr Toshack thought it would be better for the farmer to take the premium rather than the maister, as the barley might be Otago and not Southland grown. Mr Cuthbertson believed there was an establishment near Eiverton which would claim the reward in lew thaa ft ifcrkujjhi ■'?

: '}- ; V-3^- : W<).oD:' suggest^' that 1500 or J 2000 bushels should be substituted for 1 500. - ; ;:: . i Mr< Ltimsden arid Mr Boss did not , approve «f the- principle of [giving bonuses. ' :i Mr Abmstbong thought that "virtue should be its own reward ;" and that the money would be better expended oa education. ' r "* . / * Dr Menzies having replied, the motion, with the substitution of 1500 for 500 bushels;- was declared carried; .; BETTTBN.. : Dr Menzies's motion "for a "return of the particulars of all sums paid .to Mr B> Marchant, as Besident , > Bailway Engineer to the Province, .in the 1 years 1863 and 1864," was .seconded by Mr Johnston and agreed to. . ; THE, TAY-STBEET PETITION*Mr Lumsden mov6jd "that a Select Committee, to consist of the -following members, T. M. Clerke; Johnston, and Wood, be appointed to jjonsider and report upon the petition of the inhabitant* of > Invercargill,. having references £o the disposal of part of the: reserve at the west end of Tay Street.". c\ :jDr^RlENziEs ;seconded the motion. Mr Wood asked the mover whether lie >■ intended to be on the committee. :'-."' Mr Lumsden replied; that according to the Standing Orders, ( the mover was a member of committee .without being named. . ; '"-'' \; v - ; ' TTNAT7THOBISED EXPENDITUBB. The Pbovincial Secbitaby— Li bringing forward the motion, without notice at the morning sitting, I find. that the notice as first moved by .ine .was correct, and with the alteration it is incorrect. I now move that the motion aj. made by me be riow.passed by the Council, as I find that the Auditor^ ; recom« mendation is up. to date. The: motion is as follows :— -That the Superintendent be respecttully requested, to send,^to the Council a, fecommendatipn tpj;grant the sum; oC .£335 9s 2d, ; to'meet: the unauthorised e^eriditufe" "for the period from, lst January to 2ftli( May^?.B67." Seconded by Mr Nubse and carried. r ' .SELECT .COJOaTTEB.-.;,:, ' 'a Mr Ottthbebtson^ having moved the suspension of standing order 27 to enable him to "make a motion without notice, moved— "That a select: committee to consider the correspondence and action of the General Government in reference to the appointment arid salaries of .officers in the Waste' Larid Department; the committee to consist of Messrs! Menzies, Holmes, r Lumsden, .' Cowan, " and the mover. . '■■■.•■';- ; .- " " '' Seconded by Dr Menzies, and agreed to. ".'.-■ :/ Several notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned till 7 o'clock next evening. •.■'.:.• »—■——■•);' Wednesday, 29th may, 1867. The Speaker took the chair at 7 p.m. Present— Messrs Wilson, Lumsden, Johnston^ Boss, Swale, Clark* Boyd, Cuthbertson, Howell, Cowan, Hodgkinson, Armstrong, "Wood, Gierke, Crerar, Blacklock andDr Menzies; ; # i • The minutes of; preceding - ; meeting were read and confinried. Mr CiEBKi! brought up the report of a Select Committee appointed to.inquire into the petition of certain residents of Invercargiir praying for the withdrawal of;Ptiblic Beserye at the west end of Tay street from the purpose for which, it was destined, arid suggesting its 'sale for building sites, and moved; "that, the report be read." ; Carried.^ The report spoke in-favor of _the petitioners,- but .recommended that only the; frontage, to Tay street ibj; a depth : of two chains of the jeservejb(e w^drawn..^^>r re*> r \ The- Provincial Secretary^^timated that, /the Government was ; disposed to _ ; favor, leasing the groundijsather-jthan selling it, the more especially, as the proceeds if sold would be taken by the ., General Government.,? : - i ; >; I^.Lijmsd^ Government could npt-lease the; ground for purposes consonant with; the:, original design of the, reserye^Publie gardens. It ought not. either be regarded as a question of getting cash, but as a public benefit to be conferred. There was really only a small portion of the reserve asked for — not one third of the block. > Mr Lumsden outlined; the procedure that would have to be followed, and spoke of the shelter to -the other portion of the stieet which would be gained by the erection of a block of buildings on the vacant . Space. . ,-;'.,/:. '. V •: : .;;-'. :-.l': Mr Cowan was in favor of leasing, and said that any^difficulties in the way of leasing could be got oyer by General Legislation. Mr "Wood spoke in favor, of selling the land, and in reply to the Provincial Secretary urged that the money obtained from lessees would go to the, General Government. . -,;,- Mr Cttthbeetsoit affirmed that no-; sufficient argument had yet been brought forward to induce him to support an alteration calculated to destroy the symetry of the plan of the town si designed- by a profeisionsl man. He oh-

pected to leasing the land on the same grounds. If building sites and shelter for , Tay-atreet were wanted, there was the Union Bank vacant block to be had ? On the land referred to in the petition they had better plant blue • gums, at some future time the timber • might be useful. He should oppose the recommendation "of the Committee. ■ Mr Armstrong said there was another question- to consider. If an Eastern Eailway were to be made it would be advisable not to sell the land in that locality in the meantime. Mr Clerke having replied, the House divided on the question "that the Government be requested to take steps, &c." V The result gave-^Ayes 6, Noes 10. The Provincial Secretary laid on the table a petition received by the Government from— settlers in the Eastern Districts,' praying for an extension of road formation^ .■ . • Mr Eoss presented a petition from Mr Pope, late Station Master and traffic manager of Southland Eailways, and moved that it be read. Agreed to. The Provtrcial Secretary laid on the table a return (asked for by Dr .Menzies) of sums paid as salary to My a SH.- M. Marchant, during the. years 1863-4 ; also a letter from the Colonial Secretary, respecting the price of land. . Pursuant to notice Mr Clerke moved "that the .Council request the Government to ask Mr .Harvey, the, Provincial .Solicitor, to furnish this Council with a report .as to the state in which V he- found the deeds and papers ' connected, "with the • Government' '- ; %hen comirig into office. The re.port to be laid on the table to-morrow : j'.OTenirig/;if convenient^" ; He explained A f 'his object iri bringing forward the motion, was that the papers, &c.,* of the.GpvernV ment were said to be. in a mess— a down-. ; right .higgfedy-piggledy condition, and fit^wotdd be a satisfaction to the Council itd know their real state. V f9ffie Provincial Treasurer said . the • " (Government had no objection, but from VYihereanarks of the mover, it would apY. pear that documents of the Government "were in a' mess. "He iinagiried that., the documents referred to were simply; those received by -Mr Harvey,: iri his capacity; .of Provincial Solicitor. 'Dr -Menzies suggested an alteration describing the specific nature of the report asked for. It was that the words "connected with his office," &c, be subY.stituted for "connected with the Go- • vernment,' &c." The motion was amen- = ded in accordance; and carried. . - -Mr Crerar-. asked the Gbverriinerit "why the arrears of salary dve 7 to-the - teacher of the Eiverton School has riot yet been paid." ■'.■ : Mr Armstrong— "Eor the reason that . the "Provincial liiabiHties Confiririatipn Ordinance" has not been assented to." - The-PEOviNCiAir Treasurer stated in -. furrier explanation; that the books ofthe Eiverton School Committee were in such r a stater of that the Government > could not tell what was due— nor could • they do so. until the hon. member (Mr Crerar) gave his assistance. > Mir Clerke inoved— "^That a committee be appointed, consisting of Messrs ■•* Lumsdeni Cuthbertson, Wood, and the Mover, to investigate the cost of the [management of the Bluff Harbor and Inf VercaTgill Eailway, and matters generally connected with its present working, with power to call for persons and papers." Mr Cuthbertson desired to be exa cused from serving on the committee, on A j^e ? ground of having too much -work. of -the kind on hand. The name 'of Mr '■'- -Co:wan was substituted, and with this alteration, the motion was carried without remark. i'j- YDr - Hodgkinson moved — "That, in consequence df -the appointment of ment•a i hers of the Executive; Council being re^f *** stricted tp the : twerity members of -*-' Provincial Countiy difficulty has .at - Various times been: experienced^! fprmr md ari Executive, and should-iricioriveri-ience occur in future from §uch restriction, it may be desirable to- take into ddrisideratiOri the expediency of making provision fdr the election by the Provincial Couricii of a Committee of Advice (ari Executive Council) for a stated term,. ; ' ; froin-amorigst the registered voters ofthe Province generally, one member at least to have a seat in the Provincial Council. Such committee or any member of it; being subject to removal by a vote of th£ whole Council." After expressirig his bvm perfect confidence iri ! the present ' Executive, arid disclaiming a ' desire to raise discussion, Dr Hodgkinsdri spoke of ihe feeling which had got abroad relative to the difficulty of carrying out responsible Government. It had seemed to hina, when four years ago he took a "share in it, that it was a repetition of the fable of the Erog and the Ox. They had suffered a collapse. The hori member, after citing several precedents from the practice in American States,-, said his object would be gained by bringing the matter -ririder corisideration. Dr Mjbnzies seconded the motion pro jfrm/z, and said he had listened with - astonishment to the proposal^ which was . quite incompatibleYVitli' respp^si^ GdV Temnienfe^^hichj *h£ reriririded'the hon

member for Eiverton, was the war cry on which he came into office four years ago. Dr Hodgkinson having replied the motion was by leave withdrawn. adjourned debate op the railway I question. Mr Armstrong reserved his right to speak on the motion — " That this Council deeming it expedient that the unfinished works known as the Oreti Eailway, on j which a veiy large sum of ithe public money has beeri already expended, should be completed to Winton, the rails to be of iron throughout, and the guage that of the B. H: and I. EailwaJ , recommend His Excellency the Governor, in terms of sub-section two, clause thirty-six, of the Southland Waste Lands Act* .1865, # tp, make a grant of land not exceeding^ 60,000 apres." v Mr Lumsden thought the. subject should have been introduced in, the regular way by an Ordinance, and not by a motion which left the Government uncontrolled — which gave no guarrantee that the public interest would* be consulted. No plans of the Mataura line, proposed guage, site of terminus^ or Engineers report had been, furnished. Yet the Council ought tp be satisfied that the work would not be carried out for the exclusive interest of a great firm; He thought the object of the work was to form the first step in perfecting the chain intercommunication between the centre ofthe colony and outlying districts. There -could be no doubt that .ere long a change in ,the form of Government would take place, (Hear hear,) by which the provinces would be swept away, but he thought before that happened there should be complete facilities for communication with the. central Government, and for one r he (Mr Lumsden) thought the Province should not be swept away till then. He would have been glad to support the .Eailway proposal if satisfied that it ,would be carried oufwith due regard to the public interest.: (Hear hear.) ] But he must frankly tell the present Govern- j ment that he could not trust it with the J expenditure •, of large sums. (Hear hear.> ' He had. thought on the previous day that they were only to be asked- to ; affirm the principle to form the basis of an Ordinance.. (Mi Armstrong — " what alteration, has been made" — the resolution itself would explain. (Eesplution read, and also clause of Land Act therein refered to). By the latter, the Superintendent had power to dispose of 1000 acres annually, for works not subject to appropriation by the Council — Mr Lumsden — Veil, by the resolution, this power was to be extended to 210,000 acres— that was to say, if the Council would ask thei General Government to allocate larid as proposed. There would then be no necessity for the Government to a3k j further powers from the Council, (no, ■no, from Mj Armstrong) — they could enter into contracts as soon as they pleased, and of such a nature as. they liked. Such a possible waste of resources required the exercise of caution. He would therefore move as an' amendment, the adjournment of the debate to the next evening sitting, in order that there might be laid on the table, plans j and map of the proposed line, description of railway proposed, and Engineers j report, &c. j The Provincial Secretary rose to explain. The hon member had asked for a guarantee that money should not be expended without reference to the Council. The Couucil had on previous occasions bound the Government by resolution to refer matters to it before closing arrangements, as in the case of the " Eailway. Leasing Ordinance." .Moreover, in this case the Government must come to the Council with an Ordinance. r A IbijSx Cuthbertson rose to order, the. ..amendment was not seconded. v .D»r Menzies seconded the amendment. ; Mr Cowan" called the attention of the the ; hori /member for Invercargill, to the '■feet, of ..the, motion before the House referring to the Oreti Eailway only, arid suggested aa, alteration of theamednriient to make it comprise both works.. The Provincial Secretary rose to explain that the Northern Line plans were laid on -the table last session, and that with respect to the Eastern one, the guage was described in the motion. As to the plan of the latter, it could only be indicated, seeing that the General Government had to be consulted. It must be remembered that a thorough survey and plans would cost a large sum of money. That the Governmenl had not got, and considering that it would yet have to come to the Council with a bill, it.was r deemed unnecessary.. He ■ might further explain that the Executive had that, day agreed to introduce a Eailway. Commission Bill providing fenf the appointment of a Board— the Government disclaiming any desire to hold the exclu- [ sive privilege of patronage &c. This YBoardto comprise one member elected by the Council, one by the Superintendent and one by the Governor. His Honor tp occupy the position of chairman. He closed his remarks by stating he had no intention to oppose the amendment. Mr ; Cuthbeets'on. . said .. they were asked, (Mr Armstrong, "ydii were not

asked ")— to allocate 66,000 acres of land after explanations comprised in two short speeches of five minutes each, giving no particulars beyond " the obvious advantages." He for one was not yet in- ! formed on the scheme, and the Government itself appeared to have no distinct idea ofthe probable cost, or indeed anything like a business knowledge of the matter, at all. When he saw them come down to the House and advocate the measure in such a perfunctory way— | although he gave thefri credit for being in earnest — he felt bound to ask " why did they not bring in a. bill." Was that House to take the mere word ofthe hon member at the head of the G-overnment— in private transactions he (Mr Ci) . had perfect confidence in it — that a bill would be brought in. (Mr. Armstrong, "It must.") He (Mr C) said No :— it need not, and they required Only to look at the Ordinance to prove it. Under it,< so soon as they passed the resolutions the matter was out of the hands of the Council, and the only checkpnthe Government would be something that might be said about it in Wellington, whence it was quite possible their old friend, Mr Marchant—^(laughter) — might be sent. The Provincial Secretary—" The hon meiriber forgets that the Government is pledged tp bring in a Commission Bill. Mr Cuthbertson protested against the interruption, and repeated -that in private matters he could accept the Provincial Secretary's word for any ainourit, yet that he must 1 -consider himself as something less than a fool to trust to his (political) pledge to bring in a Bill. A hundred things might interfere to prevent him — to-day he was ; Secretary,—^p-morrow he might not be, and his successor might say " what do I care about pledges given. The Government ought to have been prepared with a bill— they had time enough^ and it was what they were paid for. • (Laughter:) He called it not less than insulting to the Council (Mr Armstrong, " Oh ! nonsense,") to ; ask it ftp give the powers implied by the resolution. - After some further remarks on the vague and misty nature of the resolutions. Mr Cuthbertson said the only inference "that 'could be drawn, if the Government opposed the amendment and refused ;to bring in a bill, would be — thatY it wished to avoid the control of the Council in the expenditure ;of an enormous sum. Dr Hodgkinson proposed that the words '-* in accordance with the provisions of a bill to be introduced " be added to the resolutions. Mr Cowan — "A work begun under Ithe provisions of an Ordiriance passed by this Couricii, may be completed without a fresh bill. All the Council cari do, is to require that the tenders for the work shall be submitted to it. Eor the work described in the second resolution, there must be a bill, because it is required to enable the Government to alienate private lands."" He made these explanations to save further complication. Some further skirmishing followed, resulting in Lumsdens amendment being carried without a division. The Provincial Secretary then, proforma, moved—" That this Council being convinced of the vast benefits that would be conferred directly and indirectly on the Province by the formation of a raillway from the capital to the eastern boundary thereof, recommends to His Excellency the Governor that a grant pf land of say 150,000 acres be made in terms of clause 36 of 'sub-section 2, of the Southland Waste Larids Act, 1865, for the payment thereof." He said the Government had no objection to give plans &c, ori which Mr Dundas was then engaged. The pla*n referred to in the correspondence with the Company, wasimerely a red line drawn on the map -when thetgrdund -tfas once gone dyer by Mr "Marchant and the Chief Surveyor., It was now intended tb run 'the line further ; south than- was,- then intended. He 'hoped to, be able to produce it next: „ . .. , -Mr.. Wood t " and the Eailway Cpmmissidri Ordinance." . a . A . Mr Armstrong protested against the irregular course , of speaking to a motion not before the House. Notices of motion having been given. The Council adjourned at 9.45.. .....