FOURTH SESSION.

Southland Times, Issue 1030, 30 September 1868, Page 2

FOURTH SESSION .

MONDAY, 28ia SEPTEMBER, 186&1? ( The Fourth Session of the TlurdPro- 1 vincial Council of Southland, wss~ ppjened in the Council Hall,. Kelm-^eetjfihis day, at noon. - » . "-^ "\ , * The following members were |Bsjien£, . via. :— Messrs JWilsdn ,' ; (Speaker)^ 'Pratt, ftoss, Johnston, t/ldrfee, Dimple, Pearson, M'Clure, Arm^4^is^Bmmock, ; Hateljv ..Swale, „ Xojiguet, ; Daniels and Basstian. . . ■ The Speaker having opened the Session ; with the customary prayers, uThe Clerk read the Proclamation con- ! Vening the Council. \ ; ; NEW MEMBER. Mr Clerke introduced Mr Pratt, the ' recently elected member for Invercargill. • HIS HONOR'S OPENING ADDRESS. .. d i " Mr Abmstbong apprehended that those present were aware thafrHis Honor the Superintendent was absent, at Wellington, where he had gone to attend to' affairs of the Province. ; It was hoped that the business of the Q-eneral Assembly would have been ad far advanced as to have enabled His Honor to be back in time to open the Council, but in consequence of the very long debates there, the actual business had not yet commenced, and it was deemed advisable that he should remain. Immediately on it being known that he would not be present, the Council was called together, an address .prepared by .the Exeeutiye, and sent up for' his signature. ' It was expected by the Lord Ashley, which was now due, but not having arrived he considered that the only course was to adjourn the House till to-morrow evening. . . NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Pearson enquired if notices of motion could be given in the meantime. The Pbovtnciai. Tbeasttbeb would explain. With regard to the Estimates, on this occasion of His Honor, being absent the usual address could not be presented to him. It was therefore proposed that after this nieeting\ hon* niem.bers should acquaint the Government with what sums they wished put upon the Appropriation Bill, the Government being free to vote for such sumsjor no;fc when they came before the House. He had a draft of the Bill with him, : and by looking over it hon. members would see whether the sums they wished for were on it or not. . . ; Mr PEAEsdlr thought that the simplest way would be to give notice of motion for Tuesday .evening's .sitting, which would give the Government time to put them in if it thought fit. The Pbovtnciai. Treasures could not see what form such notices might take.. The Speakeb was of opinion that there could be no objection for proceeding-" with any business, o;f that kind. The Council had been formerly opened tjy "proclairiation. . , Mr Peabsoit then gave notice of motion having reference to cutting tracks in the Longwood Eanges; also, that he would move a . series • of resolutions with . reference, to Immigrar tion; also, that reserves should be made for educational purposes. For ; the' inspection of the House, the hon member laid on the table a map shewing the reserves he meant. :,!;-/. r > REPORT ON THE HOSPITAL. Mr Abmstbong laid on the ttable.-- the report of the Committee appointed to enquire into thepresent arrangements of the Hospital. .He moved that it be read. The Pbovincial Tbeasttbeb seconded the motion; and it < was read by Mr M* Arthur, clerk to: the Council. ' MR PERRY'S CLAIM.' \ The Pbotincial Tbeasttbeb intimated -that he held in his hand a mass of correspondence relative ta an old claim on the Government, made by Mr Geo. Perry, for land ' r wbieli that gentleman asserts had been taken, for railway purposes. In order that the whole subject might be thoroughly understood, he (the Provincial Treasurer) thought it advisable that a select ' committee should take it into consideration, f The > correspondence was great, and, besides, judging from it, he considered that the^Committee should have power to examine witnesses, and so be enabled to arrive atr a decision. As yet nothing had been done in.the.-matter, and Mr Perry was now urging his claim. He (the Provincial Treasurer) gave; notice that at next sitting he would move that a selest committee, consisting of Messrs Boss, Basstian, Dairy mple, and the mover, be appointed to enquire into the claim. - ■' _ Mr Abmstbosto laid on the fable the' report of the Director of "Meteorological Stations. .. , — . . ;i..:v CORRESPONDENCE. . ' ! Mr M'Clfre laid on. thie table , the; correspondence relative to the supply on plant,: «fee., for completing the Oreti' Railway, and moved, that ifc be read. :; / MriAßßfsTßOire seconded the motion., This report was very long. /There ware" numerous letters and; , instructions rre-j lating entirely to the inspection and; def livery of the plant, involving details of-no public interest. ' ''"'"'"V The PBoViNCiAi TEEAsnßEßlintimatea for the- information of the House, that afurther sum, viz., £3000, in addition to' the mentioned in Jbhe:correspondence,hadl>een paid to the; bank. It was an omission of the Clerks this not ap^ pearing.in. the correspondence wMchJiad been read. The total sum J pV4 w^^ ow^ £13,900.- -.-;' --"'■:-■. ;.:..;;:. On the motion; of Mr : . Armstrong^ the House then adJQurned . at ha^-past .one till tQ T niorrpw evening at seyjen o/elocfc^ ,, '.- '