COAL FIELDS.

Southland Times, Issue 1033, 5 October 1868, Page 3

COAL FIELDS.

Mr Peabson asked if the Government had placed on the estimates any sum for testing the coal *» fields of the Province? The Pbovutoiaij Tbeasubeb intimated that Dr Hector would be here in February, and on his report action would be taken. " Dr Monckton and Mr Daniel then withdrew their motions for sums of money for certain road works from the Orepuki road and Dallas' Point. This was done on the understanding that before next session Government would have a report from the Road Engineer, and place sumß on the estimates. Mr Daniels' motion that a sum be placed on the estimates for the construction of Paddock-etreet, Eiverton, was also, after some discussion* withdrawn, on . the understanding that a motion for making Napier-street, i&verton, be also • ■ withdrawn — agreed to. Mr Peabsos" moved — "That a respectful address ~be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting the sum of £1000 to be placed on the Estimates as a reward for the discovery of a payable goldfield within the Province of Southland, which shall within six months after discovery yield not less than 8000 ozs of gold, with power to the Government to apply the whole or part of the £1000 as a reward for the discovery of a goldfield outside, but adjacent to, the boundaries of the Province, from which it will derive a direct and exclusire commercial benefit." Dr Mohcktok seconded the motion. The Pbovetciaii Tbeastjbeb moved as an amendment, that the Government be requested to offer a reward &c., not that the snm be placed on the Estimates. Mr Peabbon had no objections and the motion as amended was put and passed. The hon. member then asked and obtained leave to withdraw a motion that a certain quantity of land be reserved as an endowment ror educational puposes. Mr Basstian's motion for a return of all iheep having crossed the border from Otago into this Province during the last three pears, was also withdrawn after some explanations were given by Govern- . ment. Mr Basbtian moved for a return •hewing the value of all goods having arrived into this Province during the last three years, on which duty has been paid in Otago. TVfr Abmstboitg uaid he had written to the Collector of Customs to supply the information, and he was told that to be satisfactory, it would take a considerable time. A tabular statement was now being drawn up for the Government, and m it would be foiindall the information | whichthe hon member wanted. Mr Basstia.it merely asked for it in order to checkmate the Otago Government—meet them with their own weapons. He had no objection to withdraw the motion. Mr Dalrymple's motions on the ' Cattle Trespass Ordinance,' and manner of electing the Superintendent were, with the leave of the House, postponed till Monday. Mr Amstbowg .moved for leave to bring in a Bill intituled "The Eoads Diversion Ordinance, 1868." Leave granted, the Bill was read a first time, and second reading appointed for Tuesday morning's sitting. Mr Abmstbojtg moved — " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of Messrs Boss, Pratt, Johnstone, and the mover, to enquire into and report upon a claim made by Mr Alfred Eccles upon the Provincial Government." The motion was agreed to. Mr Abmbtboxto asked leave to bring in a Bill intituled " Alteration of Eoads Ordinance, 1868." Leave was granted, the Bill read a first time, and the second reading appointed for Tuesday morning's sitting. Mr M-Cltjbe asked leave to bring in a Bill entituled " The Amendment Fencing Ordinance, 1868." Leave was granted, the Bill read a first time, and the second reading appointed (^BJ^Toesdajr morning's sitting. TDhe Pbovhtcial Tbeasubeb asked leave to bring in Bills intituled respectively^" Sale of Eeserve Ordinance, 1868£* "Oreti Ferry Reserve Leasing Ordinance, 1868," " Appropriation Ordinance, 23T0, 3, 1868." Leave was granted, and the Bills read seriatM.; The second reading appointed for Moiiday evening's sitting, „..-. . jdR^IffVER PILOT SERVICE. "Mr B^ss asked the Government to lay on the table any correspondence they , may have had with the General Government, (during the last six months), relato the 'withdrawalof the New Eivei tin PflbTibrvice. 'He said he wag induced to ask for thii in^consequence of a ourWttfeT^ortftfasfr ftwM in contemplation

% to withdraw the New Eiver Pilot service. 3 He hoped the Provincial Government would try to deter the General Governe menfc from withdrawing this service. The Pkovinoial Tbeastjbeb asked > leave to bring in a Bill entitled the " Tolls ■ Ordinance, 1868," " Amendment Ordinance 1865." Leave granted ; the Bill 3 w;is read a first time, and second reading r appointed for Monday evening sitting. ' Mr Clebke asked the Government how much money they have received as > fees under the Bth clause of the " Sheep : Ordinance, 1866 and 1867," since the same camd into operation. He was induced to do so, because he had heard that I no such sums had been paid into the Treasury. He had managed after some trouble to find out that something like i 31,000 sheep had passed over. the boundary, and he could not see that any of the j fees consequent had reached the Treasury. To his knowledge, a certain gentleman had tendered his fees at the proper ; office, and the clerks! there were quite j > astonished at it — sdid not know what to make of it. It seemed to the" him that these fees were retained as a perquisite by some one. Of course he did not say so as a fact, but that was what appearances would justify him in believing. The Pbovxjtciali Tbeasubeb in answer said that it appeared from the books, that £35 193 4d had been paid into the Treasury, but he reminded the hon. I member that such sums went to the Sheep Board. PROVINCIAL OFFICERS SALARIES. j At the request of Mr Johnston, areturn shewing the amonnt of salary paid to Provincial Government officers there 1 duties &c. was laid on the table. The hon. member stated that till it was read it was a private document, which it would be a breach of privilege for the representatives of the press to report, he asked, therefore, if it would be competent for him to move that it be considered read, and allow the press to take such portions as were suitable for publication ? The Speakeb said the proper course would be to move that as a Bill it be read a first time. Mr Johnston moved accordingly, and Mr Clebke seconding the motion, it was put and carried. Several notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned at half-past eleven p.m., till Monday at noon.