WEDNESDAY, 7th OCTOBER. EVENING SITTING.

Southland Times, Issue 1037, 12 October 1868, Page 3

WEDNESDAY, 7th OCTOBER. EVENING SITTING.

The Speaker took the chair at 7.30. The minutes were read and confirmed. , BEPORTING. Mr Johnston called attention to errors in a report of a local journal in a speech of his on Mr Pearson's Immigration resolutions. He was made to ■ay, ." he thought £40 or £50 a year was too much for farm -servants.". What he did say, was "that the high rates caused by the Companies competition in the labor market, who gave from £70 to £80, bad been injurious. He believed that if £40 or .£5O per annum had been the currant rate, many who now employed., none would probably have had two farm servants." Mr Aemstbong said he had also to complain. In the report of the said debate he had been represented to say, " that extensive immigration would be dangerous," and he did not say anything of the kind. BBTURNS AND PETITION. The Pbovmtciali Tbeasttbeb laid on the table a return of the pilotage dues, Bluff Harbor. Mr Boss presented a petition from certain residents in Esk-street, praying that it be gravelled from Kelvin-street as far as possible eastward. The PEOVDrciAi Treasubeb laid on the table a report from the Chief Surveyor relative to reserves for public purposes, and moved that it be read. Carried. BESEEVES. The Peoyhtciaii Tbeasttbeb moved . the suspension of the standing orders to enable .him to move certain resolutions confirmatory of several provisional ressrves. ' '._ _ Leave having been granted he moved that the appropriation of the reserves adopted at a previous sitting be confirmed. Mr Peabson 1 objected. He was opposed to the Tay-street reserve being given to the Hospital. Education was first in importance, and had a prior claim. The Hospital was one of those institutions which would command the sympathy of- the public at all times, but it was essential that education should be provided for at once. After considerable discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr M'Clure, that a reserve of about 2,600 acres should be set apart for the Hospital. Messrs • Blacklpck, Armstrong, and M'Clure strongly supporting the claims of the Hospital. EDUCATION. Mr Johnston asked the Government why they had not brought in an " Amended Education Bill." Mr Abmstbong stated that the only reason that a provincial bill had not been introduced this session was, that it was understood that the General Government intended to bring before the General Assembly a Colonial Education Bill. If it did not do so, a bill would be introduced next session. BEPOBTING SPEECHES. Dr Monceeon moved — " That in the opinion of this House, it wiH be productive of "benefit in its deliberations, and more satisfectory to the Province at large, that the paid services of a competentreporter be engaged at all future sittings -of. the Provincial Council, and that? SBch reports^ -shall be placed at the

- B.rvice of the press." In moving the i resolntion the speaker stated that in ; bri*i_rin_j it forward it was not that he ' hi I .■.u!t to find with the reports, but it was apparent that the press was not accountable to the Council as to what ' sort of reports they would give, and he thought it would be satisfactory to the public if full reports of the Council procee lings were given. Mr Steuart seconded .he motion. Mr Dalrymple could not see where the money for such a purpose was to come from, even if such a work was re- : quired, but he thought it was not wanted. Hon. members might complain that they were nofc reported, he thought they would complain much more if they were fully reported. • Mr Clerke and Mr Johnston op- : posed the motion on the ground of the expense. With the leave of the House the mo- , tion was withdrawn. J PUBLIC SCHOOL. I Mr Peaeson asked the G-overnment ! what provision it is prepared to make for the establishment and endowment of a National School for the town of Invercargill. In asking this question he took the opportunity of alluding to the claims ofthe Hospital as compared with those of schools. He maintained that a National School was urgently required. He considered education of primary importance, and as there was land that could be appropriated for this purpose it should be at once given. It might be said that there were good schools in the town. He would not question that, but men of education from the force of circumstances, might be unable to send their chidren to such establishments, nor yet send them to the Ragged School. To such men it was mental agony to see their children grow up in a state of " ignorance. He felt strongly on this subject, and he hoped the G-overnment would yet be induced to give half the block in Tay-street for the purpose. The Pbovincial Tbeasttber in reply, stated that the Government had not been neglectful in this matter. It had long since recognised the importance of establishing a Central School of a high class, and had purchased a first-rate site for a school, viz : — two sections in Speystreet. On one of the sections there was a building, that would answer for a Master's house. This purchase had been made out of the £500 granted on the motion of Mr Gk Lumsden, last session. They were very desirous of establishing a National School, and would give every attention to the matter. He might state that the school at present conducted by Mr J. G- Smith, was in Government buildings, ifc was well managed and numerously attended. There was, however, this objection, the boys and girls were not sufficiently separated. With reference to the question of Education Reserves, there were already nine by -four sections, comprising twenty-three acres, in Invercargill, which he thought was a pretty good endowment, from which a good revenue might be raised. Mr Peaeson did not think the Treasurers reply sufficiently distinct; he was determined, if possible, to get part of the Tay-street Reserve for Educational purposes. The Pbovincial Teeasueeb considered that the Reserve named had been made in favor of the Hospital, and his government would not disturb the arrangement. RAILWAYS. Mr Peaeson moved — " That this Council resolve itself into a Commifcte of the whole House, to consider the advisability of taking immediate steps for the completion of the Oreti Railway." He stated that so much had been said upon this railway question, that he was disinclined to say much about it. The plant had been sent for, and no doubt was on the way out. It was therefore necessary that authority should be given for the completion ot the work. He had been, and was still in favor of the work being completed under a; leasing arrangement, bnt as considerable uncertainty was attached to this question, he wished definite information as to what the Government proposed doing, and the public did also. Mr Johnstone was elected Chairman of Committees for the session. The House having gone into Committee, Mr Longuet, and Mr Wilson, urged the necessity of completing the line, so much having been already done. The Pbovincial Teeasueeb stated that the House was in full possession of the position in which the Government were placed. He did not know how soon it might be in funds, by the sale of land, pr otherwise. There was a grave objection to adopting the leasing system. The proposed line would have to be worked in conjunction with the Bluff line, therefore if the one was leased, the other must go with it. The Government proposed to bring in a resolution asking the General Governmentto appropriate 20,00() acres for railway purposes. If this was granted, it would finish the Orefci Railway, and leave a surplus for other works. .After considerable discussion the resolution was amended as follows : — " That the Government be requested to construct a scheme fpr. completing the Northern Railway by leasing, to be laid before the Council next, session, provided that the Government is not in fund's to complete the work during the recess. This was seconded and carried. THE EXECUTIVE. Mr Johnston asked the hon. member for Longwood (Dr Monckton,) what line of policy the Government had indicated 1 that induced him to resign his seat in the Executive. ? Dr Monckton did not consider that it was right to put any such question, but as the hon. member had referred to some remarks be had made on a previous oc- > casion, he would state that he did not recollect the precise words used, but he beleived that it. was to the effect that he » did not agree with his colleagues, there- ■ fore he retired. , BHIS. I. I The " Cattle Trespass Orclinance, 1866, i i^jajkomemt' "Ordinance, 1868;" and the

" Hospital Ordinance, Amendment Ordinance, 1868," were read a firsfc time, and the second reading made an order of the day for next sitting. The House then adjourned. THURSDAY, Bth OCTOBER. . The Speaker took the chair at 7.30 p.m. The minutes were read and confirmed. "CHE EXECUTIVE. Mr M'Clure laid on the table a return of public works undertaken for which no tenders had been called. He would take thafc opportunity of stating that to his mind the tone of the Council had indicated a want of confidence in the Government; he had therefore resigned his seat in the Executive. Mr Armstrong did not take the same view as that of his late colleague. He did nofc see that the Council had shown a want of confidence in the Government. It might have been expected that he and Mr Blcaklock would have at once 1 followed the. course adopted by Mr j j M'Clure, but on consideration he did nofc j i tank such should be done. The Council j \ had not expressed a want of confidence in the Government: The Executive had, as a .matter of course, come in for some abuse, but not more than the average amount received every session. He would like to see .the Government strengthened ; Mr J. Ross had been communicated with, but as yet nothing definite had been done. The Provincial Teeasueeb failed to see that any display of a want of confidence had been made. He had been so long accustomed to listen to uncalled for remarks that really he had become quite thick skinned. He believed in a vigorous opposition ; it was a sign of a healthy condition of politics. . ... MR PERRY'S CLAIM. Mr Ross brought up the report of the Select Committee on Mr G. Perry's claim for compensation of land which, had deteriorated in value from the construction of the Bluff Railway. The report stated that the Committee could not recognise the claim, as presented, but would recommend that a line of road through his land that had been surveyed should be purchased at a sum not exceeding £125. AMENDMENT TO WASTE LANDS ACT. Mr Johnston moved—*" That- in the opinion of this Council the words ' small cattle' shall mean sheep, goats, swine,' and their increase, should be added to the interpretation clause of the ' Southland Waste Lands Act.'" In moving this resolution the hon. member had been influenced . by a desire . to stop the confusion and. bickerings that were cour sfcanitly arising from the various interpretations put on the wording of the particular clause of the Land Act, to which he alluded to the Wardens of the different Hundreds put various meanings on the words " small cattle," and sheep had in some instances been excluded from depasturing on the Government reserves. Ifc was fco settle this doubt that he now brought forward this resolution. The Warden who had passed ' bye-laws, argued that those bye-laws having once passed Waste Land Board they became law. Affcer some discussion, the motion was carried. RAILWAYS. The Pbovincial Tbeasubeb moved — " That this Council recommends for confirmation by his Excellency the Governor, in terms of sub- section 2, clause 36, of the Waste Land Regulations, 1865, thafc a grant of land be made, not exceeding 20,000 acres, out of- the waste lands of the province, by way of payment for public works in connection with the Southland railways." In moving this resolution it was with , the view of enabling the Government to carry out the railway works if the funds were not obtained. Ifc would enable them to carry out the works in land payments. Mr Abmstbong seconded the motion. It was an important one. If carried it would strengthen the hands of the Provincial Government in their negofcia-. tions with the General Government, for' the appropriation of the- balance of the loan due Southland. This amount ought to be given over for this work, as the General Government had led the Provincial Government to believe thafc the funds for the completion* of the railway would be supplied. Dr Monckton was opposed to the system of land payments, and' it appeared to him inconsistant on tha part of the Government to bring forward this motion when it had been decided that if the railway was completed it should be for cash. He should certainly say pay cash, ! or get it done on a leasing system. A. long discussion ensued, during which Messrs Basstain, Steuart, Dalrymple, Daniel, Clerke, and Pratt opposed the motion, condemning the land payment system. The latter (Mj Pratt) remarking, that at, the last session ofthe Council it had been decided that the land payments should be abandoned in favor of cash payments. . . ; .: . Pbovincial Tbeasubeb, said that having looked up the minutes of the last session, he found cash payments for the work was decided upon. He would beg therefore to withdraw it. Leave was granted, and the motion withdrawn. ORDKRS OF THE DAY. The following Bills were read a third time and passed, viz: — The Sales of Reserves Ordinance," 1868 ; the " Oreti Ferry Reserve Ordinance," 1868; the " Roads Diversion Ordinance," 1868 ; and the " Alteration of Reserve Ordinance," 1868. , THE FENCING ORDINANOE Mr s M'Clube proposed that the " Amendment Eencing Ordinance" be read a second time. Mr Abmstbong seconded the motion. The Bill was read a second time, committed and the third reading, made an order ofthe day fo~ next sitting. NEW RIVER HEADS. Mr Ross moved — " Thafc in the opinion of this Council, fche disestablishment of the Pilot staff at New River Heads will injuriously affect the commercial and other interests of the Province, and should" n^^ ■ ;-*,., ...:.,.*...yx;~_rgsr.-y~-:A- "'--^

I proposing this resolution he said that ifc would be a great hardship if the New River was closed, both to the mercantile community, and the owners of coasting vessels. The cost of keeping it open would not require more than about £150 by way of a subsidy. The pilotage, and other dues would make up the balance. He believed it was the general wish of the community that this port should not be closed. Mr Daniels seconded the motion. He thought that for the sake of so small an amount as mentioned it would be unwise to close up so important a harbor. A discussion in which Messrs Pratt, Longuet, Dalrymple, and others took part, ensued. The Pbovincial Tbeasttr-hb. 3aid the Government had no desire to close the New River. in opposition to the wishes of the commercial community, and if the mover would add the word " entire " j before the word " disestablishment," and j strike out the words " should not be i carried into effect," he should not oppose the motion. Mr Ross replied, and the motion as amended was carried. THE ESTIMATES. The Pbovincial Teeasueeb said that as it was the wish of the House that he should make his financial statement before going into Committee he would do so. He said that no Treasurer ever yet pleased everybody. If he was in possession of a large amount of money of available funds, he was sure to meet with the smiles and approbation ofthe Council, but on the other hand, if things did not go prosperous all sorts of complaints were made. At the present time, the Government wero not in so satisfactory a position as could be desired, but it had sufficient money for its present wants. He would briefly read the estimated revenue. It must be kept in miud that in considering any statement it should be recollected that a large portion of the sis. months for which the Estimates were asked had expired. He would commence by taking the estimated revenue up to the 31st December, 1868, premising that the explanation would be retrospective. To quote from the statement at the end of June last, the balance then at the bank was £5,389 ls 9d, a portion of which had since been appropriated. The consolidated revenue fpr the six months amounted to £9000. This sum was placed on the Estimates, as the Council had to vote a poition of it on account ofthe railway plant coming out. It was not properly provincial rerenue at all. Then there was £20,000 set down as expected land revenue ; and this would be under the mark if the railways were proceeded wifch ; pilotage, £300; dog tax, £330; cattle sales and branding fees, £50 ; cemetry fees, £40; jetty dues, £60; jetty tonnage dues, £50 ; rent of jetty, £125 ; rent of ferries and reserves, £100 ; publicans' licenses, £300 ; accommodation house licenses, £150; special licenses, £10; wholesale licenses, £150 ; grocers' licenses, £180 ; hawkers' licenses, £5; poundage fees, £50 ; sheep assessment, £525 ; sheep importation tax, £50; sheep fines, £100; miscellaneous, £200; railway, £1860; making a total of £39,024 for the halfyear. He did not deem it necessary to comment upon the Bill itself. The departmental changes had been but slight as a large portion of the financial period had expired. He might mention that the allowance to the Hospital had been somewhat increased at the request ofthe Committee, this had been done for the reason that the Council could reduce, but nofc increase amounts in committee. The New River Pilot Service was provided for fco the end of the year. There was an item for immigration ; this the Government would not force forward. II would be probably wanted next session. It would not be actual cash paid but a land payment, cross entries being made to keep the accounts right. It would be in the recollection of the Council that a certain arrangement had beeu made with Mr Morrison relative to assisted immigration, and it was the intention of the Government to see that it was carried oufc. The miscellaneous items would be better explained in committee, but he might state that some items had been, left blank, the money having been expended in road works the particulars of which would be placed before the Committee, and others, such as grants to the Acclimitisation Assocaition. Clause 2, of the Bill explained, the liabilities enumerated in schedule B. as some ofthe debts which were not included in previous enumeration amounting to the sum of £5722 9s 2d. This sum he might state had been passed by the Council, but the repeal of the Southland Debt Act took place before the Governor's assent had been given. The Council were therefore bound to pass the amounts again.^ The Government had been in communication with most of the claimants under this head, and they for fche most part expressed a willingness to purchase land therefore this payment like that of the Immigration liability, would be simply a cross entry. The amount of £900 for interest was a round sum, and it would probably not be so much. He would, however, state that it had been determined not to pay more than 6 percent interest. Campbell and Robertson award mentions 10 per cent., but the Government refuse to give it, and had an agreement to that effect, and also, that the payment would be made in land. By adopting this course the Province would not be in a worse position than under the Southland Debts Act. In committee, he would go more minutely into the different items. Mr Abmstbong seconded the motion. He thought that in the December session important changes would take place. He hailed with satisfaction fche proposal j thafc Superintendents should become Chairmen of Provincial Councils. I The motion was carried. On the motion of Mr Pratt, the House I vent into, Committee, pro forma. Progress

was reported, and leave to sit again was granted The House then adjourned. FRIDAY, 9th OCTOBER. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 3 o'clock. Prayers were said. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. M7r Johnston moved — "That His Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of £100; by way of a grant in aid to the Agricultural and Pastoral Association." In bringing forward this motion, the hon. member stated that there could be no two questions as to the value of such institutions, as the one for which he now sought aid. This association had done much during its short existence, but now its funds were low, compared with the work before it. He did not think any opposition could be offered to the modest request he had made. The Pbovincial Teeasueeb would not

offer any opposition to the motion in the abstract, but as. the estimates had been already tabled, it was too late for anything being done this session. It could be brought forward at a future time. The Government did not object to the proposal. Mr Johnston said that after the stateof the Treasurer he would leave the question over until next session. EDUCATION. Mr Amstbong moved — " That pending the introduction of an * Amended Education Ordinance,' the Education Board may increase the grant to be given in aid of any School, from £50 tb £75." Mr M'Clube s sconded the motion. Mr Johnston thought there should be £100, instead of £75. The motion was put and carried. 1 TAY STREET RESERVE. Mr Peaeson moved— " That the Government bo requested nofc to take any steps to obtain the Crown Grant for the reserve in Tay-street, as an endowment, before the next session of the Council." He would not detain the House with remarks, having stated his views on this subject before. He felt certain that had other members of the Council been present, the vote of a previous night would not have been carried. It was a disgrace that there was no endowment for a national school. Capt. Howell seconded the motion, which was carried. RIVERTON TELEGRAPH. Mr Daniel asked the Government whether they are prepared to extend the telegraph line, to Riverton. He said the hon. colleague, Dr Hodgkinson had ashed thesame question ata previous seasion, but no satisfactory reply had been • obtained. He believed the growing importance of Riverton and the Winton district, both as regards it mercantile agricultural and mining interests, was such as warranted the line being extended in that direction. 7 Tne Pbovincial Tbeasubeb replied that the Telegraph department was under the control of the General Government and he believed it would be extended to Riverton provided the inhabitants agreed to pay the loss, if any, which might be incurred in working. The Cattle Trespass Ordinance, and the Hospital Ordinance were read a third time and passed. The Appropriation Ordinance was postponed till the evening's sitting. The House then adjourned.