CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1069, 7 December 1868, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

Letter read from Mr "Wilson, contractor, praying that an inquiry should be instituted as to the truth of certain charges brought against him by the Eoad Engineer. Letter read from the Eoad Engineer, complaining of the manner in which Mr Wilson's contract was being proceeded with, pointing out that this contractor had no plant wherewith to carry on works he might be entrusted with. A very long discussion ensued, which ultimately ended in the postponement of the subject until next sitting. TASMANIAN TIMBER. Dr Monckton asked the Government ! , what steps, if any, have been taken to I obtain proper timber for culverts, and | other public works, for completion of which lenders have been advertised. The hon member said that the reason he put this question, was to ascertain why the brig, Jane, brought timber from Tasmania for railway purposes. Wo bad artisans, skilled mechanics, and plenty of timber here. What was the reason of the Government sending to Tasmania for material that conld be supplied here. The Protincial Treasurer said that the timber Was ordered for beams for bridges, &c, in consequence of the Government having received a report from the manager of permanent way, in which that gentlemen stated that native timber was not adapted for such purposes. AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. Mr Johnston moved — " That in the opinion of this Council the five acres of the town belt set apart for the purpose of a. Show Yard, be leased to the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association for the term of twenty-one years, and that the Government be requested to bring in a Bill, at the next session of Council, embodying the above resolution, or take such steps as they may deem necessary to effect the same. That a copy of the aforesaid resolution be presented to His Honor the Superintendent." The hon member said that the association had obtained the land, but required a title. This body, which everyone would admit, deserved encouragement, had gone to considerable expense in erecting fencing, pens, &c, but the committee were under the impression that if the Town Board should, at any future time be resuscitated, it was not improbable that the land would be taken out of their hands. The hon member said that the agricultural interest was a most important one, and one that the Province had mainly to depend upon for its future prosperity. Mr Clerke seconded the motion. Dr Monckton would like to see the term altered to seven years. On sanitary grounds alone, he thought twenty-one years too long. It might so occur that at the end of that time the town;>and especially the part where the society's grounds were situate, might be densely populated, and it would then be found a perfect nuisance to drive cattle through the town. Mr C alder thought twenty-one years to long. Let the society obtain a lease for seven years, with the understanding that it. would be renewed for another seven years. He agreed with the hon. member for Longwood (Dr Monckton) that that part of the town might become the most populous, and then it would be undesirable to have bullocks and cattle driven through the streets. Dr Hodgkinson also objected to 21 years. He would support seven years being the limit. The. Speaker said that if any one looked at the substantial nature of the fence the reasonableness of the society's request would be admitted. Mr Pratt said that it appeared to him that the principal matter had been overlooked by previous speakers. The Society's yards were situate on the Town Belt, a reserve specially set apart for the use ot the citizens of Invercargill. Now it would be at once acknowledged that, such being the case, the people who bought land adjoining this reserve, which wa3 plainly indicated on the rocord map of the town, would have good grounds of action against the Government. He had the greatest regard for the Agricultural Society, he believed that it was an excellent body, which had and would continue to do great good for the Province, but he could not help thinking that the citizens of Invercargill were clearly entitled to the use of the Town Belt. Let the Society have the land, but do not give any lease. Mr Dalrymple said that the citizens would be benefitted. Money would be spent whenever shows were held. He saw no grounds brought forward for refusing the lease. The people of Invercargill were not so prosperous that they could refuse money being spent amongst them. The* Provincial Treasurer saw no reasons adduced why a lease should not be granted except the length of time. The hon. member for Invercargill (Mr Pratt) had made a mistake. The Town Belt was for public purposes. The Agricultural Society had a similar object in view. The Speaker said that a great deal had been said about the rights of the citizens of Invercargill. How would they like the Society holding its exhibitions at Wallacetovvn. "Mr Pearson thought that the- subject should be postponed until next session. He agreed with hjs friend, Mr Pratt, that the ground should only be given on sufferance. The fence interfered with the sun shining upon the gardens of the people in the neighborhood. Besides, there was ho doiibt that this reserve was for the use of the citizens solely, and the Provincial Treasurer had made a mistake when he said that it was for public purposes. It was originally laid off by Mr Thomson, the Chief Surveyor of < Otago. It might now appear on the record

map differently* as lie understood that map was altered Beveral times by the Government, without his knowledge. The Provincial Treasurer — "Was not | the honorable member in the Executive ' at the time. Has he never made mistakes, eh ? Mr Pearson — TSTo, Sir, I never do anything wrong. You don't catch me making mistakes. Oh no, Sir. Mr Basstian — Seeing the expose between the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Government, he would be ' inclined to keep all the town reserves ' intact for public recreation. He was lately in Melbourne, and that city was the admiration of all who visited it, in consequence of the number of its public gardens and places of resort for the citizens. Mr Armstrong pointed out that the Society already had the ground for a term of three years. He thought the matter should stand over until next session. The present Council had met for a special purpose. Mr Calder thought it would require a a bill to be introduced. They ought to be very cautious, in what they were about. He would be in favor of postponement. Mr Johnston replied, when the House divided, with the following result : — !F6f postponement 14 Against it . 3 The amendment for postponement was carried, and the original motion was therefore lost. TENDERING. Mr Clerke moved, " That this Council deems it advisable that the Government should declare the amount of each tender at the time of opening the same." The hon. member thought that the Government ought to act in a straightforward manner in dealing with tenders for public works. They should state at the time of opening the tenders what were the amounts. Mr Johnston thought that the difficulty would be obviated by deposits being taken in every instance. The Provincial Treasures stated that the Government had great difficulty in dealing with tenderers generally. They wished to obtain as many tenders as possible, in order to induce competition, but if deposits were taken he thought this end would not be accomplished. Eor instance, the other day there was only two tenders for a piece of work* because a deposit was required. Tenders differed materially, and the Government found that by making public the amounts of the various tenders it tended to encourage collusion on the part of the contractors. For instance, the lowest tenderer might not be able to take up the the contract, but as soon as the tenders were published in the press he went to the next tenderer and sold his interest. Many instances of this nature had come under the notice of the Government. It was not proposed to publish tenders in the same manner again. They would adopt the Victorian system in future. After some further discussion of an unimportant nature) Mr Clerke withdrew his motion. NEW BITER PILOT SERVICE. Mr Eoss moved — "That it is the opinion of this Council the discontinuance of the Pilot itostablishment at the New River's entrance, as notified in the Gazette of June, 1868, should not be effected, and the Local Government is requested to take the necessary measures for keeping the navigation of the river open." The hon member at considerable length reviewed the action taken in this case, and designated the Provincial Treasurer a " gay deceiver," inasmuch as he promised last session that the New Kiver should not be closed, and the next thing occurred was the insertion in the ' Provincial Government Gazette,' of a notice from Mr Balfour7 the Marine Engineer, closing the port altogether. He thought the Government did not pay proper attention to this matter, or that notice would never had appeared. The hon member was of opinion that £150, in addition to the jetty dues, &c, would be sufficient to keep up the pilot service of the New Eiver. A very large export trade was done by vessels leaving this river, and if the service was abolished, it •vould inflict serious injury on the cool mercial interest of Invereargill. Mr Pratt seconded the motion. If it could be kept up by the outlay of £150, he said decidedly maintain the pilot service. The Provincial Treasurer said that he would be sorry to deceive Mr Boss on this or any other subject. The Government always experienced great courtesy from the hon member. He saw the pilot some time since, who said that it would take £450 per annum to keep the service up. When he (the Provincial Treasurer) was in the North, he saw Mr Balfour, who said that the harbor, to be kept open, must be maintained efficiently, and that otherwise it would not be allowed to be kept open. Mr Basstian thought one harbour quite sufficient for the wants of this Province for a long time to come. Mr Longuet eaid he that he would oppose the motion of the hon. member for Invercargill, because he contended that not one more package of merchandise came into the Province by the New River being kept opsn. He attributed most of the debt of Southland to the fact of this river being kept open instead of having the Bluff the only part of call. Let hon. members look at the Mokomoko jetty folly, and the diversion of the railway there, besides numerous other expenses incurred, and they would agree with, him. Besides there was another w y to look at this case. Printed notice.* had been supplied to the masters of vessels for some time past and als > posted up in the custom houses throughout the colony, notifiying that this river was to be closed. It- stood to reason, therefore, that the shipping interest would look upon the closiag as an accomplished fact, and any faction that this Council could take vvouldi not alter it. What was the use of having a railway if it was not encouraged and made to pay expenses, which it at present does not.

Mr Pbatu deprecated going to the General Government for every little thing. The harbor since was as efficient now as it was twelve months ago. The mercantile community entertained a strong feeling in favor of keeping the New Biver open. Personally his interest was not effected by its closing. Mr Ross replied, and after some further discussion, the hon member amended his resolution to the effect that the service should not exceed £150 per annum, in addition to the jetty dues, tolls, &c. , The House then divided, and the motion as amended was carried, there being ayes, 10 ; noes, 6. The remainder of the Order Paper was then postponed till the evening's sitting. The House then adjourned.