PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 728, 25 September 1867, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

♦- i Saturday, Sept. 21, 1867. The Speaker took the chair at 11.20 this morning. Present —All the members. After prayers, the minutes of the previous day's proceedings were read and confirmed. PETITION. The Provincial Treasurer laid on the table a communication which had been received by His Honor the Superintendent from Mr C. R. Marten, soliciting that a salary should be given to him as Director of Meteorological Stations. meie's marsh. Mr Johnston moved — " That there be laid on the table a return of the expenditure on the North-road, at M'Eae's Marsh during the past season, for ditching, re-forming, and gravelling ; and tbe cost per mile." The Provincial Treasurer laid the report on the table. The cost of the whole work had been £850 11s, or .£BOO per mile. NIGHT SIGNAL AT SOUTH RITERTON. Mr Basstian moved — " That a respectful address be pi'esented to His Honor the Superintendent requesting that the sum of ,£25 be placed on the Estimates for supplying and maintaining a night signal to be placed on the yardarm of flagstaff in South River ton for the ensuing three months." In asking for the money he had no estimate of what it would cost to provide the necessary light. There was a ship's lantern which could be used, and kerosene alone would have to be supplied. It was absolutely necessary that a signal should be provided, as a large number of boats were trading to the Orepuki Diggings, and on dark nights they were apt to be misled by the lights on shore. The motion being supported by Messrs Monckton, Cuthbertson, and Daniels, was agreed to. CLAIM OF THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES. A long discussion took place on Mr Armstrong's motion that the Council take into consideration the claim of the Bank of New South Wales against the Government for commission on sale of debentures, amounting to .£1738 5s Bd. Mr Lumsden proposed, as an amendment, as the question was very intricate — "That a select committee, consisting of Messrs Armstrong, Cuthbertson, Eoss, and the mover, be appointed to consider the claim of the Bank of New South Wales." The question was ultimately settled by Mr C alder moving—" That the claim of the Bank of New South Wales be treated in the same manner as the claim of the Bank of Otago, and, that the Government b§ authorise! tQ &cs aQCQi'di^gl^." ......

BILL TO REPEAL VAGRANT ORDINANCE? The" House went into committee on the second reading of this Bill which was passed, and ordered to be read a third time at next sitting. LIABILITIES CONFIRMATION ORDINANCE. This Bill, providing for the following claims, was read a second time in com--mittee: — For forming Esk-street £410 11-0 Award to Campbell and Eobertson 2205 3 2 Expenses thereon 144 10 10 Overdraft— Bank of New Zealand... 323 19 0 Commission claimed by the Bank of New South Wales ... .„ 1738 5 8 SALARIES— WASTE LAND AND STHSYEY ; • DEPARTMENTS. The House adjourned at 1.10 till 2 p.m On resuming the Provincial Treasurer "brought forward a resolution providing for the salaries of the officials in the "Waste Land and Survey Departments, which, on being read was adopted without discussion. EDUCATION. Mr Ltjmsden moved — "That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place a sum of .£125 on the Estimates for grants in aid to schools under the provisions of the ' Education Ordinance, 1867.' " There were five or six schools that had put in an application for Government aid, and their claim had been acknowledged by the Education Board. It would be a great mistake if they failed to provide for some measure of popular education in the province. Dr Hodgkinson in seconding the resolution, regretted that under present circumstances they were not able to do more for so good a cause. Mr Armstrong recognised the necessity of agreeing to the motion, and heartily endorsed the remarks which had fallen from the mover. He always held that legislation on that subject by the General Assembly would be more beneficial than provincial management. Mr Johnston complained that while liberal salaries were being voted to officials, the claims of the schoolmaster were totally ignored. If there was any surplus he thought it should be devoted to educational purposes. The Provincial Treasurer said the Government were not aware that the Education Committee had incurred any liabilities. It was questionable if the government would be able to meet it. He would suggest, as a member of the government, that the Education Committee should keep the expenditure as small as possible. Mr Cttthbeetson would like to know what sum would be at the disposal of the Government ? The Treasurer replied, in round numbers, about £5000. Mr Lumsden in replying stated that the teachers were very poorly paid, some £40 or £50 a year, and contrasted that miserable pittance with the large salaries received by the Government servants. The motion was then put and carried. MR J. T. POPE. Mr Ltjmsden moved is " That a respectful address be presented to hit* Honor the Superintendent requesting that a sum of £50 should be placed on the Estimates as compensation to Mr John Taylor Pope, late Chief Railway Clerk," in accordance with the recommendation of the Select Committee who considered that gentleman's petition. Seconded by Mr Ross and passed nem. con. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE. Before going into^ committee, Mr C alder said that according to the Treasurer's statement, the estimated revenue was £5000, and he found that the proposed expenditure very considerably exceeded that amount, leaving over £2500 totally unprovided for. That liability was not in the shape of a bank overdraft, but in a floating and pernicious shape, namely, unpaid salaries and scattered accounts throughout the province. If the Government failed to make the arrangements contemplated, they would again be reduced to the humiliating position of hay ing the Government Buildings occupied by a Court bailiff. The Government had not stated how they intended to meet the deficiencies, or what they had been able to with the authority the Council gave them to pledge the Pastoral rents. He (Mr Calder) had , been asked in former times to put his name to a bill to assist the Government out of a difficulty. He would now state that in future lie would do no such thing. The Government had now the opportunity of helping themselves by bringing in the Estimates in accordance with the estimated revenue. ! His statement reduced shortly was this — they should not vote beyond what they had got the means of meeting! If that was not done, they were dealing dishonestly with the public revenue, and he would be no party to sucL a proceeding. If that course was not adopted, he should feel in duty bound to strike off several items which . might be considered to imI pair the efficiency of the public service, | It vras far better that some of the services should be swept away altogether than that they slioula perpsttt&te. 6\£s. * gtfs|

1L 1 Johnston quite concurred in the ] remarks of the hon. member. It was a j stern necessity if they wished to save j their credit. • Mr Clerke was astonished that the hon. member, Mr Calder, did not vote for the report of the Retrenchment Committee on the previous evening. Mr Outhbertson said the state of affairs would appal him if he had to face it. As the salary to the Provincial Secretaxy had not been passed at the previous evening's sitting, he would like to know who was to occupy the position of Treasurer during the recess ? He (Mr C.) acknowledged that Mr Blacklock was a good financier, although he differed from him occasionally ; but the gentleman at the head of the Government, although during the session he had given them an idea of his political capacity, had not given them the opportunity of ascertaining his financial ability. The Provincial Secretary thought as Mr Blacklock was mere acquainted with the business of the Treasury, he had a prior claim, and he would therefore give way to him. He had no desire for the honor, and consequently little for the pay. The Provincial Treasurer said that up to that moment he understood that his colleague should take the joint offices. The Secretary had stated that he (Mr Blacklock) had a prior claim. He considered that no one had a prior claim. If, however, the Council desired to repose confidence in him he had no desire to shirk the responsibility, and he would do what he could for the interests of the province. Dr Monckton stated that on accepting office, several members of the Government had notified their intention to resign at the end of the session. He had no idea then of the true state of the province. Tt would be cowardly now to shirk their duty. He would be happy as an unpaid member of the Government to assist Mr Blacklock in administering the affairs of the province. The Provincial Secretary also stated that as an uupaid member of the Executive he would be happy to assist Mr Blacklock. The Provincial Treasurer here laid upon the table a letter which had just been received from the Colonial Secretary, which was read to the effect thac a sum of £600, expenses incurred for the goldfields, had been placed to the credit of the province. Mr Calder moved—" That the expenditure for the period ending 31st December next, should not exceed the ! amount of the estimated revenue, after providing for at least a considerable portion of the present liability." He felt bound to state that, in his opinion, no banker in Invercargill would advance sixpence unless the expenditure were confined within the limits of the revenue. Mr Daniels seconded the motion. Mr Lumsden opposed the motion on the ground that it would be confessing a proneness "to outrun the constable." The proper plan would be to vote all the sums on the Estimates, see what amount they would rench, and then recommit them. After some further discussion the motion was passed, and the House went into committee. Under the head " Administration of Justice," the services of the chief warder and one of the warders in the Gaol Department were dispensed with, and the salary of the matron was reduced to £25 per annum. In the Police Department thd salary of the Commissioner was reduced, on a division, — ayes, 14 j noes, 7 — £50, and the numerical strength of the force reduced by two men. Capt. Thomson, Harbor Master, having given evidence before the bar of the House, the Bluff Harbor Department was passed without reduction. The New River Harbor Service, after one month, is to be reduced to pilot, boatman, and signalman ; the reduction being three boatmen at £120 each per annum. On the item, Law Expenses, £120, Mr Lttmsden asked the Provincial Treasurer what that sum was intended to meet. The Provincial Treasurer replied that it was to meet Mr M'lvor's claim against the Government. Mr Lumsden explained that when the late Government took office the Treasurer had informed them that Mr M'lvor's claim was about «£6Q. Since then it had been growing, and growing, and it appeared still to be growing in amount. The Provincial Treasurer said the amount voted would more than cover the claim. The Government would not pay anything above what was justly due. A long discussion then took place on the item engineer (for one month) £29 3s 4d. It was agreed to postpone its consideration till the item Road Engineer had been disposed of. The committee having reported progress, the House adjourned at 6.10 p.m. till 8 p.m. PETITION. On, resuming Mr Pearson obtained leave to withdraw his motion, for the consideration of the petition of the settlers

] of the roads in the district, and thereafter 1 moved — " That the subject of the petition i of James Lang and others having referi ence to a divergence of a road through section 19 and 20, block 6, New River Hundreds, be referred to the Chief Surveyor for his report thereon." Seconded by Mr Monckton and agreed to. ORDINANCES. The Vagrant Ordinance, 1812, Repeal Ordinance, 1867, and the Liabilities Confirmation Ordinance, No. 3, 1867, were read a third time and passed. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE. The item Road Engineer was altered from three months to one month, and passed. On the item Railway Engineer, one month, an amendment was proposed that ( it should read three months. On a division the amendment was lost — Ayes, 7 ; Noes, 12. The services of both these gentlemen are therefore to be dispensed with. The item Railway Foreman and laborers was altered on a division — Ayes, 12 ; Noes, B— from £150 6s to £225 3s. The item Traffic Manager, £75, was reduced on a division — Ayes, 11 ; Noes, 7— to £62 10s. The item Station Agent was altered from £50 to £25. Under the head of Roads the sum of .£372 was placed opposite the Great North Road, and .£63 opposite Invercargill to Riverton via "Wallacetown. This was explained to be on account of contracts completed or now in progress. A sum of £250 was placed opposite the item Roads un enumerated contingent upon the government having money at its disposal to devote to that purpose. The item Contribution to Hospital, £75, was increased to £100, that being the amount agreed upon when that institution was taken over by the public. The clause having been filled up, with the total appropriation for the three month, namely, £6095 3s 9d. The Provincial- Treasurer explained that it would be necessary to include the liabilities incurred during the present , month, amounting to £2328 15s 3d, in the event of the government being unable to arrange with the banks during the month. Messages were received from his Honor the Superintendent to the effect that he had agreed to place on the Estimates a ' sum of £25 for a night signal at South Riverton ; a sum of £125 for Educational purpose ; and a sum of .£IOO for cutting ; prospecting tracks on the Longwood . Ranges. The Appropriation Ordinance having been recommitted, a division took place ; on the item Manager of Permanent way ' and locomotives ; that it be reduced from , £75 to £62 'lOs. For the motion, 4 ; against it, 14. The House then adjourned for ten minutes. On resuming, the Appropriation Ordinance was read a third time and passed, and the Council was then ad- , journed for a fortnight.