PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 878, 8 January 1868, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

MONDAY, 6th JANUARY, 1868. Th© second session of the third Provincial Council was opened in the Council Hall at 11 o'clock. The attendance was numerous, there being present fifteen members viz : — James Wilson (Speaker) J. Blacklock. J. M'Clure, H. Armstrong, W. H. Pearson, G. Hately, J. Howell, Gh Lumsden, T. M. Clerke, W. Johnston, T. Swale, P. Dalrymple. J. Boss, T. Daniels, and L. Longiiet. HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENTS ADDRESS. A few minutes after the Speaker had taken the Chair, and the usual .preliminary business of introducing new members &c, had been gone through, His Honor the Superintendent was announced. Ho was warmly received, and read the following address. Mb Speaker and GsNJXBHBff of thb Pbovinolaii Council. I have deferred as long as circumstances would permit calling you together for your advice and assistance, in the hope that I should have the final decision of the General Government relative to the prosecution of the Oreti Railway Work* to lay before you. The correspondence relating to this important subject, as well as to the projected Eastern line, will be placed on the Council Table. It has not before been my lob to meet the Council with congratulations on. the improved financial condition of the province. It affords me all the greater pleasure to be able to do so on the present occasion. My Government felt it to be a duty, bo soon as, through the Colonial Financial arrangements, it became apparent that our land revenue would be released, to call for tenders for roadmaking, seeing that the summer season was fast passing, and several very necessary works are now .in progress. . - You will be asked to appropriate the funds required to meet these, as well as other contemplated works of a similar character. Permanent roadmaking, more especially to the east of 'the Province, ought now to be pushed forward vigorously. . The roads in the valley of the Aparima also demand your attention, as well as soma of parts of our Main North Road. - It affords me pleasure to state that the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway, which was, when you were last in session, the cause of serious alarm on account of its having got into great disrepair, and not meeting working expenses, has now been very greatly improved, and is not only meeting working expenses, but is making up past deficiencies. Were the Oreti Railway finished, so as to act as a feeder to this line,- i am. convinced our railways would, even at the . present time, be to some extent, a source of revenue, as the line could be worked with but little additional expense. I should, .however, regard even a large direct revenue from this source as trifling, compared with the great indirect benefit to the Province which these works will insure. The correspondence referred toby me will explain to you why the project of Eastern Railway has for the present been allowed to remain in abeyance ; but the difficulties in the way of its construction, now existing, may possibly bo ere long removed. : A proposition will be made to you relative to the resumption of the Assisted Immigration Scheme. The want of a stream of Immigrants of 1 the farm laborer and domestic servant class, has for a length of time been greatly felt. ; ,•■ The Bills that will be laid before you wiU, I doubt not, receive your careful consideration. Since your last meeting the following Bills passed by you have received the Governor's assent viz, : — .-■■ - "The Appropriation Ordinance, No. 3, 1867," and "The Vagrant Amendment Ordinance, 1867." I now declare thiß Council open for the trans-; action of business. : JOHN P. TAYLOR, Superintendent. Superintendent's Office,' ■.-'■>., Southland, 6th January, 1868.

Mr M- CiiUEE moved — That the follow- ; ing gentlemen be appointed a committee, to draw up a reply to the Superintendent's - address viz:— Messrs Ross, Armstrong, Johnston, and the mover. Mr Danielsseconded, and carried. , ; „ \ CORRESPONDENCE. The Vroyixciaii Tbeasfber laid on tha table the correspondence that had taken ' place between the Provincial and the . General Governments with reference to the completion of the Oreti and Mataura Railways. He moved that it be read. The correspondence has already appeared in this journal. HARBOR REPORT. The PBOTTsrciALTBEASTrBEBIaidonthe table a report from Captain Thomson,-' Harbor Master, as to the state of the Harbor and Pilot Service, which was also, read. , : ; Several notices of motion were then given, after which the Council adjourned until 11 o'clock next day.