EVENING SITTING.

Southland Times, Issue 885, 20 January 1868, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

Dr Hodglrinson and Mr Daniel gave notice of motions for next sitting. Mr Lumsden moved—" That it is the opinion of this Council that all tenders

J»ffi«t"!ijji:nii',ni irii;riiiiii^MwMi^i*Bii 'lir- i - i— i icr contract wbrks, or s^pplieg to ths pnblio service, should be opened in the presence of the. various tenderers, at n plaoe, and a day, and hour duly advertised in bath the newspapers published .in Invewargiill, and open tds the reporters 'o< the press. 11 . He said he need uiake but few remarks,: the motion he was bringing forward fcpokefor- itself. The idea was by no means a. nave) one and had the recdmmendatidn' thjit the puibKc liked it, and;.that the Oayernment* he Relieved, had no objection to it. , It/ had further, the merit that it would do -away with the imputation of partiality, whioh; should always be attending to prevent competition, and' thu3 occasion loss to the iGoverntaent... The idea had formerly obtained favour with the Government And had been practised, but had for some time' fallen'', into. .'liiau^r;\He.,oo^l<i;'npt' see. what ;real; objection jCpiUd' : be^. urged against the.. motion or what' advantage could be gained by secrecy; The' Council would, 'howeverj^ udge' brthe policy Of the resolution; i: , ! : , Mr Rosa seconded.; : ; " „ The,?BOViNGiAL 'rBEisTTBEB explained that the practice existing was ito open the ienders. at. a time appointed, -in thepresence ,Q.f v such, tenderers, .as. might happen "io n he "present. The messenger was sent out to see if any other tenderers were about. He did not see the object to be gained by . the presence of the reporters. He thought that at; present sufficient publicity was given, but the Government had no objection to advertising. . , ■_ < ;--:_ :-: ,-. ■■;;";..- >.•. . Dr HoDGEiNSOsr did • not see: the necessit7 or propriety of the course set out in the motion. He thought it would tend to. hamper the Government in their acceptance. Gases might occur in which it "was desirable to open the tenders earlier than the specified time, that enquiries- . might be^ttiiade^n which- to ] decide.. when such' time' arrived. Tliere were many things to-be taken into account- besides price, such as the reputation of tradesmen and the means they had : at. command^ The motiou implied a want of confidence, and he should oppose it. |- 'Mr Armstrong to. prevent bickering and .imputation . -.oZ ■ partiality, • would ■support the motion. , r .' Mr M'Clttre'' said the press" had hitherto had the option of being present. Mr Dalbtmple supported the motion; Dr : MoscKTOH enquired if it were intended by the motion that tenders should not : jbe opened unless . tenderers were presbnt. , r .. , ; ... .% , . Mr JPelesox said that if the morion were to be binding on the Government he should object to the presence of the press— for himself he had always insisted on tenderers being present. Mr Ltjmsben' said the press represented the pnblic. No slur was intended on the Government ) the Hon. Treasurer had said tenderers might be present. He (Mr L.^ ;: thought tenderers were not aware .of this. ... He could see no harm in the presence of the reporters. Mr Peaeson said 41, material point in the matter was whether the Government was bound' to decide ;on opening the tenders. "-.*■? •:■-■■-■• " ' ; - • ' ;i " :; ;;j v ; •• "•' ;Mr IiTJMSDE3!f said simply to open them. .. -, , „ .-J f, . v . .... . : The motion was carried. ■ METEOROLOaiOAL. " Mr ABitSTabka, ia bringing forward tlie motion: standing- in his name, that a respectful ' address be presented to His Honor* the Superin-. tehdent requesting that the sum of twenty-five pounds (£2s)~may be placed on the estiihateajjis : the ! six months salary for the Directocffof Meteorological Stations, said a conespondence had taken place between Mr Marten, "director of meteorological stations ,-"•= and the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, relative to payment .for the work performed by him in this vser rice.' Mr Marten ; had been nino years employed and had hitherto received .no pay. The statistical, information' which we obtained from this source was really valuable, and of great benefit to tlie colony generally. He (Mr A.) thought it would be a great pity to lose Mr M.'s services and, a3 from the, tenor of the Colonial Secretary's reply to Mr, Marten, we must either pay him {for hi 3 work or have the instminents taken fvoni 'us and sent to Dog Island. He hoped ttiere; would be no objections to voting the small sum whicliwas asked in the motion. He should hope to mike the salary larger after a short time. Dr Mokcktok seconded the motion. - : „-- . Mr Da.lißT3iple inquired who first employed Mr Marten, and was answered "Dr Men^Ljs," on which Mr Dalrymple remarked that if the Council wished, to create pensioners, let them vote for *he motion ;'if otherwise, let them reject itl ' ■"•■■■' " '■' "• ; - : '■ " ' V; : '.'. • ' ' , Mr JoHifS^OK. did . not take the ; Bame; views as Mr Armstrong, who had told the Council that, the instruments would bs removed if the Council did not vote Mr Marten's salary. It might be that the obsecv.vtions would-be as well- taken on Dog" Island as they were now. If it were neceasaijy to hive. such a'sfcatiba iri operatioii £25 was -certainly., a -}. very small sum to vote" the o^eratof. Last year he (ML?- J.) had .objected to the -site iof one of the stations. ' MrXrrsrsD.KK' thought' £53 a year a paltry sum forsacli work. Wby^diil n.ot "Mr Armstrong blush when pioposm? ; ' it. The,. qnes<;ipn. had been before "the T Cdancil ' before' and he would oppose j the • motion. did ndt" need . "a. meteorological station* r _ ..... . L,Mp &BMSTiiQTii& referring to t^e 6ppositioi; to the motion, said very little import xnee could be to it. It was c videfnfr those ' who • had ' spoken against the* appciutment were ignorant of the natiire of,,tJie. work, *th.ey, did i^pi eye n know hovi? to.uge the word cor^ rectCy. •-, ; \ ;>V Ok !. "division the motion was passed, there'b sing- Ayes^ lS;;Noes 3; ' * The ] 'fiOViirclA.il ' Tbeasureb- moved "TBat ■«-. itespectfiil ; : address jje presented to' His Honor- *he SuperiiYteiidelnt _■ t p raying „t hat -the^ -sum of ISl4]. 14s id, be placed on the Estimates, bo meet the accounts of MessrsMacdonald and' Russell, "for eonVeyj.nces for land takfen for the OretT EaOwaj-, v £135 ,13s ; 4d: and .for • Bluff Hatbbrjand Invercargill Eailway, £6, ls.^Thia wa3 an account not ;sent in. be.fgr.e the - Apjprbpriation Ordinance was preIparedr jit had 'been examined -by tHe PrQvincaal Solicitor; ■ dnd : fotind ; tortect •'- --the charges too were moderate; the- conveyances required by the Government were not included in the Provincial Solicitor's salary. The motion was seconded by Pr Monckton was carried. ,

The P«omroui» T««ifiWß movja "That a respectfiii Rddrew J* presented to His Honor the Super-, intendent .., p*aying that; the *"» of £I*ooo be placed on the Bitw "mates for preparation of plant anct spec* fications for completion of Oreti KaiU way. y He said possibly; the whole ot the sum moved {fcg-migfft not be required, M> Pattersonjbadt however estimated t&e . •work at asking ftfrVieiQOO he thought it wo&£:co*eV contuigeneg* Mr seconded the motion which was passed. . / " : The adjourned debate on the motion Pearson was then< resnmed, an<|- ; continued uhtillate in the night, As we before stated the debate will be given, in full at a fiituiie;time. The Sauae. then adjourned." ■ . - ; SATURDAY, UtH JANUARY. \-:'i ' AFTERNOON BITTEN*, APPROPRIATION OF ROAD TOTES. Tfie Speaker "took the chair at 1 p;m, Present .—Messrs Blacklbck, M'Clure, Armstrong, Calder, Pearson, Howell, Basstian, , Dalrymple,} Hately, J?a.nwl> . iLonguet, Boss, Lumaden, Clerke, Swale, and Johnson/ ;..;.- Mr Ahmstbono, in the absence of Dr ; Hodgkinson, would have the resolution ' standing in ; his name, viz :— <r That it is desirable that any money voted for the repair or construction of roads be equitably apportioned by per-centage, according to the respective requiretnents of eich road.—^hat so far as, is practicable, the work shall Tie doae on all the roads simultaneously, and the money spent upon be in accordance with the percentage agreed upon." He did riot think it necessary to^ make any remarks on this ; resolution, as it had been sufficiently long on the notice paper for all the members to have given it; fuM consideration. ■12 Mr ' Lumsdes" agreed with the motion, 4>ut would Buggest,thatthe words "and claims " -should - be inserted after the word " requirements •" with this alteration he would second it. The motion so amended was passed. CLERK* OF 'THE BIVEB-TOH COURT. Mr Daniels moved — " That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, praying that the sum of £12 10s— six months' salary— be put on the Estimates for the Clerk of Court at. -Riverton." In bringing forward this motion he diet so on. the principle that the laborer was worthy of. his. hire. The work was now being done by a Sergeant -of Police, and he did not see that any provision had teen made to pay him for his services.- He considered that officer was entitled' to some remuneration. Mr Hatelt seconded tho motion. . Mr Johnston must oppose the motion. It was a G-eneral G-overnment appointment, and the Council had nothing to do with it; It: would be; a: bad; precedent for the Council to Supplement Q-eriex al .Go'- J vernment - officers -in - this way. The - Greneral Assembly was the right body to .apply to in this matter. After some discussion, during, -which . the Treasurer stated that .the Government would riot oppose the vote, inasmuch r as although a jGreneral Government officer, the province had Ultimately to pay, the salaries, with the. consent of the House,the motion was withdrawn. ' TJffE ORETI BRIDGE AND RESERVE. The Tbeasubeb moved the Suspension of the Standing Order 27, in order to enable him td bring in a Bill to more clearly define the ,Oreti Bridge and Beserye Lease. Leave having been granted, he moved— " That the Orett Ferry Leasing Ordinance," be read a first time, and made an order: of the day for the next sitting. The 'Bill was read accordingly. . WAIHOPAI ROAD. Mr CiiEEKE moved— " That the sum of £100 be placed on the Estimates as a subsidy to this road," it was one that was much used, not only by the settlers themselves, but- by travellers. "The settlers, he understood, were willing to give in labor or money, their share of the^ostof the work which was a most important one. Mr Johnston seconded the motion? He thougbt if "district roads were recognised by the Government,' this one merited special consideration. It was the only way to the district mill, and was also much used for general traffic. Mr Peabson -believed in subsiding district roads, -and would be glad to see £2,500 appropriated for that purpose, . upon a fair arid equitable system— -a system that gave to none but those that contributed themselves. It would be a stimulant to all to act promply, in order to a -share before the vote was ex^ haustejd: ■z. -.-. •"; - -" Somje took, place, during ■■ ' :: ." whichlthV Tbeastjbeb explained; that the :, , Gdverhmeiit would riot optiose theviote. •"=• Tt^deslred to to subsidise district roads:- W to thei full eitent :of its means, wher& - the^settlers showed a disposition to contributd. . . . : /..,. . ." .... Mj* OJ.EBKE said,..that after what had been advanced by the .Treasurer with the - ;'- --wc6nsehjb'o£the seconder ;of his mdtion he, ' he, wquld ' trithdraw !^^ it, ; that| the -WQuld c the subsidy, arid.orilyv give grants to districts -that wor&prepared- : tQ-beai: a fair share^f - the exp enses -of the-worKihey desired^ -^o " • bß^donk'^^— .v -.?:-■ -^ --./■;■- ..: _C-v.; J •' -^T]fE tTOENSf^J ORptVANpE.' ■'.;. V . . The {KpisjißEß movea^'-MrMiCiußE.; second(idt-rrf'<-Tliat the Licensing Ordinance ] 860 a third lime. '•■•" Mr Ci^nEß iribved -as ari amendment, ."that; far- be", again. tha¥ day, six months|".p He could, not agree that the ,biU J ..waJ3, calculated -to - be an : improve-i merit oritne existing -otfe, aad it was uuwise*iri altering a&d amending' ordinances [ session att^ -se^iori. / Sinc.e. 1865 there had beepStrJessiHap three changes." He did not this system *of - "tinkering" 1 , withr -legislation*. It would- - r be far bietter Hto wait and Bee whatfTthe ' % 't Genurat^siß^bly^ wbiild "^o in ther excise *'. question before any further changes were • ; attempted. Mr Peaesojt seconded the amendment. He opposed the bill on the ground that it was not likely to be an improvement on the existing one, and again, that

the suggestions of a deputation of the Licensed Tietuallers had nofcbeea aoceptod. A»ain, this 'Was a question that would be best dealt with, by the General Governmentl; There Bhould be a Colonml licensed Act.. Victoria had but one law and it worked well. . .. A discussion followed, when Messrs Johtison, Luxnsdsnr Armstrong and Clerke, supported the motion, and Dr Hodgkinson and Mr Dalrymple 'opposed . ih ' ~* . '-• • ■.•-- ■- TJnon a division it was oamect by 10 to 4. THE APPBOPRIATIO2T OplfcANpE. . The Tbeasureb moved, * that the reports of the^hief Surveyor and the Goldfields"Warden be again read." He did this in order, that the House should; understand w.hy certain sums were asked .for. Seconded by Mr M'Cltjee, and carried. . BLUffEV RAILWAY. Mr Ltjmsden thoaffht^ there were Berious discrepancies in the atatement of receipts and expenditure of the Bluff and Invercargill Railway. The Teeastjbeii ex plained that all that had been asked for, had been supplied. Undoubtedly money bad been spent on what was really a work of construction, a sea wall'at a part ofrtbe line that was defective. This work it was thought by Mr Paterson would cost about £ 10,000. Mr Conyers, however, had adopted the plan of facing the embarkinent with loose stone. Mr Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer, had approved the plan believing it better adapted to the nature of the .foundation, than masonry proper, and much less expensive. After a few remarks from Mr Lumsden, the question dropped. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. • The PfiotiirciAi, TnEA.si7BEB in rising to make his financial statement, said :— Sir, —lt has not been my good fortune since I have had the honor of being Treasurer of the Province, to come down to the Council with a. more cheering statement of the.finances of Southland or a more hopeful presage of good fortune for the future than at present. To come'to thedry details of fact, I may mention that by the passing. 'of the "Public Bevenuea Act, 1867," the "Southland Debt. Act "has been repealed, and the revenue 'produced by thesale of Crown Lands which was for several, years impounded by the General Government, has been released. The provinces' share of the custom^ revenue (and this remark', holds equally as regards the other provinces) is retained by the Colonial Treasurer towards meeting the interest on our proportion of the consolidated debt of the Colony. Prom the retrospective operation of the "^Public Revenues Act" there is owing to the Provincial Government the sum of £8445 6s 4d, the produce of the sale of Crown Lauds, from July to October, less the sum £2322 13s 6d, three-eighths of customs revenue paid to provincial account for that period, and also the sum of £1700 remitted to us by the Colonial Treasurer in; anticipation of; the final adjustment, which, will leave a. balance dv- to this Government of £4422 12s lOd. Prom the sale of Crown Lands during the months of November and December, the provincial account has been credited with £15,400, which has enabled me to pay off the liabilities in the Treasury, whiCh, by statement of 18th September, laid before this Council, amounted to the sum of £2354 5s 7cl. Thelong standing overdraught at the B.mk of New Zealand of £2495, lias also been wipe 4 off. It affords me pleasure in consequence, to state to this Committee, with the exception of oneor two.claims of small amount, not yet appropriated, air the debts of the Province, incurred since tW " Southland Debt Act" came into operation, have been extinguished,-and that there is to the credit of the Provincial account, upwards of £10,000. Since the beginning of this year, the land sales have amounted to £3800, but by a new arrangement, this revenue has to go through the Colonial Treasury, and consequently has not yet, been paid to the Provincial account. This Province so. long jeered at by the other provinces, and I may say the adjoining colonies, on account of its difficulties, is now able to. hold up its head proudly on account of its .position, and to challenge the other provinces, aye, the largest of them, to produce- as -much revenue fromjaiidsajes, as'it WuTiio' ifi the next "twelv^ . After our affairs have been eafefujly- exaimned-intoj it has ireen and time,, our,eslate.will."realise.._at least' sevencffmes the--amount- of{s\iv'liabilities, so.that we *neyer";were/biinkr'upt, although/; temporarily-- " eihb^rrctssed:; The consolidafed^cyenug,"^HcHf cpnisfsTjf •of tlie«ustoms,fe"es rfines, arid all/other,, revenues^ collected;. by. ;fche Gener-aU'Go-vernraenfcp'w;ffrlr-:the-exception bf-terri-torial revenues, is estimated to amount to £4C|000; |Thef|ross|;i|3to|naJtrnoun^d| in 1867, to £33,492 0s Bd,' for the year, which I consider the maximum amount; one half of this is Detained by the General Government for General Government purposes, the other half is appropriated! to-gay\tihe>interastq on-~eur ■ share ottte c;d"rtsolMatec^ebt,f Siul^aftso: the General Government Provincial charges. The interest on our debt, including sinking fund, safin all. 7 per cent on £385,000 will amount to £26,600 per annum, the provincial charges are eatimajfeedr^y Cfejoiijal.,Tre^surery-at*: £7481 17s lid ; there is^als^ the interest and sinking fund on the provinces share of the .old New ZealftHd-CJompaoyk debt, amounting to £1080 per annum, making in all, £35,164 17s lid per annum to be paid before any territorial revenue can be available for provincial.puippses. If the loanguaranteedby the colony is negotiated at 5 pec cent-interest, and one per cent sinking'fund, the saving would be £3800 per annum: to meet this amount we have half the consolidated revenue, estipated at £40,000, which \fcill amount to L 20,000: pastoral rents sayL7ooo, leaving to be paid from month to month, out of one

land revenue, the sum of .£BIB4 17s lid. T flatimate our land revenue will amount nav La the above deficiency, will, leave f y inLce of flfc least, over £40,000. Then Sis owing by the General Government W lOd 8 v Wane* at Bank, £10,080, and all other revenue which I have clawed; aT municipal revenues, amounting to £10,750. It will' thus be seen,: sir, that the future pijospeots of Southland may be favorably compared with any other province.; in New Zealand, and I trust a new era of steady progress has been commenced Thehon gentlemen then sat down ; he was listened fto throughout with the greatest attention, • ' A great portion of the Estimates were then passed without disoussibn, and , the House shortly afterwards adjourned; EVBNIffG'3 SITTING. MONDAY, JANUABYI3m . MODE OF ELECTING/ SUPERINTENDENT. Mr Daxeympliß, in introducing the motion standing in his name, that the manner" of electing a Superintendent in accordance with the " New Provinces Act," interferes most injuriously with the free and independent election of members of Council in this province, and doeß prevent eligible men from having a seat in this Council, simply because they happen to differ in opinion with the majority of the electors of a constituency as to who should be Superintendent; that there are instances whereby it would be impossible to elect a Superintendent by an absolute majority of the Provincial Council, without a compromise of principle, and departure from that political rectitude and independence which should guide the public action of every member of this Council ; that it is the opinion of this Council that the Superintendent of this province- should T)e elected in the manner' prescribed by the Constition Act — for the election of Superintendents in the old provinces — which provides that " the persons duly qualified to elect members for the Provincial Council shall elect a : Superintendent of such province; I that the representatives of Southland in the General Assembly be requested to give effect to these resolutions by having a bill passed for that purpose in the Colonial Legislature; that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Honorable the Colonial Secretary," said the subject was one which already had not received justice* vHe proposed to have the Superintendent elected, as in other provinces, by the body of electors. There were many advantages connected with this plan. Its adoption would put ;an end to the intrigues at present con uected with the election of a Superintendent, as well ad the squabbling, such •is that afc the last session. The plan had further the merit of being one which the people generally approved of. Mr Clehee seconded the motion. Mr Peabson said Mr Dalrymples arguments were not based On facts, and read a quotatiou from Edmund Burke to the effect "that the deliberation of the calm dispassionate few was better to be relied on than the decision of a great body." Reference to a neighboring province showed strongly the impolicy "of the plan. He could see no difference in result whe'.hor-the present 'plan were carried out, or the proposed plan introduced. Candidates were generally asked for whom they would vote as Superintendent, and were elected accordingly. If on the other hand the electors choose; the Superintendent, they must also elect';representatives to carry out his policy.' Mr Armstrong would /support the motion. -■■•■■•■- : Mr M'Clttbe would also support it. Dr HoDGKrsrsoN was not prepared either absolutely to support or to oppose the motion. He thought there was no necessity for its consideration now. The bickering referred to Would not be prevented by it, and looking at the case of Otagoatthe present, we found no strong argument in its favor. However he was not opposed to deliberation on the subject^ but considered its introduction during the present session inexpedient. He would propose as an amendment, " That the consideration of the Subject be deferred until next session." Mr Di:n?el seconded the amendment. He thought that at the late period of the session the subject would not receive, the attention which it ought -to obtain* /A matter of grave importance demanded the deliberate judgment of. a full house... Mr Johnston would .oppose the amendment. „ Mi* Cleeke referred to the objectionably way "in. ..whichr -the; preeeM ISupemn"-" teftdent was elected, as 'the. strongest argument wHicH^He'coulcT "urge "in faA^ot joft^hjß resolution. . .. _ - ' ' : ■ K*M.t Daltiymple said the facts of the "jcase were all in favor of his motion. . ... . - ,i M 'JPeabson suppdrted the' amendiueiit, whic i was put with th'o_ following result. Ayes— Messrs- Daniel, 3wale,r -Eoss, Hately, Blacklock, "Pearson^ 'Basstainy iHidgkinson, and-Longuet^ - : N( les -r~How^K'2 -r^l'irM ."Jo^lte&j;" MC ure,'l)alrymple, and Armstrong. The original .motion lapsed." *r -s M * Johnston asked leave to postpone ftjie cjonßM'eratiM^bi^thr nit)tfon ClstSnlliffgin hin name until next d_ay,-to which Mr Pearjon objppted^japd Mr .tlphnsLoa^proT., ceeded to move "That whereas the grants in aid to schtfols'e^tablished" under^the provisions of the ' Education Ordinance, [I^7,* arß.limited.to the sumM£sQ-per-arinu m,7a sumsujEcient to secure and^r. etain eow\ etent teachers ; that it is the opinion of th is council, tiiatthe minfmum graiits in aid s honkh Hbe' irrcreased-to ijhc-^uin': t>f-seventy-five pounds, and iv alli-ases.to be' at the discretion of tfre~ Education Board ; that the Sclioorn6mmitteel)e elected by the r esrdent'setfelers-in uhe district ; that the School Committee JiaVe-pe'.ver to regulate and fix the rate of school fees, appoint teachers, enter into agreements with them, and remove them whenever requsite — subject to the approval of the Board — and that the Government be requested to bring in an Amendment

! Education Ordinance, embodying the foregoing resolutions at the nest session [of the Provincial Council j that a copy of I the above resolution be presented to his Honor the Superintendent," . The ' hon. member reviewed the legis* j lation whioh had already taken place on. '[ this subjeot, and set forth the causes of ■', its failure. £30 per annum was not \ enough to grant a teacher. HeTprbpdße.d ' ; that the .'Scbp.pl Committee should regulate and appoint the teachers. He argued that our material-prosperity, depended on education,.aud. hoped the, measure would receive thesupport of the Council. Mr Longuet seconded^- - - . Dr HoD^KiifsoN could not voteibr the motion. A good Ordinance had been repealed and a bad one brought in which had led to the present attempt at tinkering, i The motion should have been entitled a proposal to exonerate land owners, as under, it those, who ought to pay escaped, JE[e had rather defer the consideration of the subjects ,-n-. Mr AirtTSTROSG agreed with Mr Johnson that .£.so ' was far too little, but : held that.lt was the duty of the G-overn-ment not to endow, but to foster local effort. Mr LuMSDEN said it was necessary the teacher should have a larger grant -than £50, and suggested the way in which appointments should be made, and school fees collected. On the whole, he had rather the motion were withdrawn. The Provincial Treasurer urged the withdrawal of the three last clauses of the resolution. At a further period the G-overnment would be prepared on the subject. Mr Johnson amended tha motion by withdrawing the clauses referred to, and it was passed. .._■■■•■ Mr, Pea-usou, in moving—" Thit a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the Estimates the sum of £30, for the purpose of paying to the three district police constables the sum of £10- each to act as Eangers for the preservation of Bush Eeservesf said he did so because it was necessary the Bush Eeserves Bhould be looked after. lie cited an 'instance of one settler purchasing part of the Heddon Bush Keserve (a small /bush to a"laf^eopen country), and because the Eangers salary had been struck off, the bush was now nearly gone, tothelossofthat purchaser, and also to the Government; of at least £500. This : motion was to prevent the illegal cutting and destroying of timber in the Heddon Bush, by which the revenue had suffered, and an injustice had been committed to the purchaser of the portion of the bush which had been sold in five-acre allotments at £5. per acre. The Government bad already lost £500 by the practice, which an outlay of £50 would have prevented. The case was the same at Cowan's Bush, and other places. Dr HoDGKiN'sdtf seconded, and the motion was passed. The Pboyinciax Treasurer moved "that the Oreti Ferry reserve Bill be. read a second time," arid said it was necessary to bring in this Bill, as his Honor* could not legally lease the Eerry without, which was' seconded by Mr M'Clure, aud the Bill Tead. • •.-'•: The House 1 went, into Committee, . and the chairman reported progress. The Bill was then read a second time, and the third reading made an order of the day for nest sitting. Message No.. 8 from His Honor the Superintendent, reported that His ' Honor had placed on the Estimates £300 for a bridge o#r the Waimatuku via Wallacetown, together with- £30 as a grant, to three district constables to act as Eangers in the Bush Eeserves. ■ On the consideration of the Estimates the sum of £17,000 was voted Tor. roads on a per-eentage scale agreed on. Moved by Dr Hodgeikson, seconded by Mr Basstiajt -" That standing or^der No. 27 be suspended for the introduction of a motion for the granting of £100 for the repair of a bridge over the Apari ma"; passed." The premium of £100 for malt made in the province, granted by a former Council was confirmed, and the House adjourned until half- past seven o'clock next evening. :