EVENING SITTING.

Southland Times, Issue 1117, 3 March 1869, Page 2

EVENING SITTING.

Tho Mouse resumed at 7.-iis p.m. Present : — The Speaker, Messrs Blacklock ( Provincial Treasurer) Armstrong, Johnston, D.uiiel, Longue-t, M'Clure, 11 aieiy, Ross, Basstiau, Pratt, Monultton, Pearson, Clerke, Steuart, and Calder. Mr Hat el y, as Chairman of the Commit too appointed for the purpose, brought up the following : — R-IPi.Y TO II H UOXOR'S SPEECH. IL-ply to the A hlress of His Honor the Superintendent;, on opeuiugthe sixth Session of the third Provincial Council. Your Honor, — The Council takes note of your reason for not calling it together in December for the transaction of business. The Railway matters referred to as requiring attention, will receive its due consideration. Tae Council is glad to know that the diversion of the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railwiy has been accomplished, and agreed with your Honor in considering that it is a matter for great regret that t ; ie works oil the Northern Line aiv not in progress. ft trusts that immediate steps will be taken to remove the cause of delay. The Council observes thab you have called for tenders for a twelve months lease ot the traific ou the ,Bluft* Harbor and Invercargill Railway, and will be pleased to ft id that by such an arrangement ucoujuiy may be effected, and the public interests not suffer. 1 1, is important to know that your Honor has taken steps to prevent the introduction (is far as possible) of smallp./x into the Province. The letter of tne Superintendent of Otago, relative to the establishment for the reception of destitute and criminal children, will receive its earnest attent.on. The re;)ly_haviug_been rwd, Mr TTately moved, and Mr Daniel seconded, its adoption. Mr Fea.hsc» t , referring to clause four, said he could not see the grounds for congratulation to the Government on the project of leasing the traffic on the BiuiF kiiiway. He believed the idea origiua:ed with Mr Pratt, aud he (Mr Pearson) had himself, while a member of the iixeeutive, suggested and urged the same thing. He presumed, however, that no decided action would be taken iv i he matter until the motion standing in his; name had been disposed of, and if assured to that effect, would not oppose the adoption of the reply. On the oihor hand, if sunh an assurance were not given, the Government might in the meantime entpr into arrangements seriously compromising the Province. Mr AinisTROXG- would call the hon. member's attention to the fact that the reply did not commit the Council to cougrat ul atious on anything. It simply sa^l — " It was pleased to learn." Mr I? ears ox said this was no answer tn his question. He wished the Grovernnieiit to slate whether or not they would defer taking steps in any important in uter such as that, until after the consideration ot his motion. i'iie PitorixctAr, Treasurer said the tenders were to be opened the following day at two o'clock, aud the intention of the Government had been to have the next sitting of Council at three o'clock, so that the whole of the tenders might be laid before it. Mr Pearson — " Am I to understand that no tender will be accepted until they have been submitted to this House." Tiie Provincial Treasurer — "Decidedly." STA.L'EMENT OF REVENUE. Mr PL'ALisoy asked the Gfovernment Id lav on the table a detailed statement of all ihe Revenue received lrom the Ist October, 1867, to the 23th February, LSb'S). Tue PROvrxcrAL Treasurer said the information asked «for could be obtained lrom the financial ' Gazettes' already published — from which the statement to be i able 1 would be compiled. He had left the accountant busy making up the totals when he came a»vay, and expected the document iv a few minutes. TARVELLINO- EXPENSES. Mr Clerke asked the Government to lay on the table a copy of all vouchers of monies paid since the Ist January, 1868, under the heading of travelling and Wxecutive expenses, also a copy of vouchers under the above heading now lying at tiie Treasury unpaid. He aaked for these documents because he had heard that the Government bad spent a great deal of money under these headings — such as that the Superintendent had drawn Ha full salary while attending the Legislative Council at Wellington, for which he was paid by General Government, besides drawing for expt>nses of his sou, and that the Provincial Secretary had drawn considerable sums on i

account of a trip to Victoria. .- Hejcon-g^ sidered that if it was necessary Bucn|w^|^ ments should be made, pley should > be made openly, and the money voted fdr them in the usual way. If monies could be paid away under these headings^ who was to know where it was-; to slop, or for< what Service the expenditure had been incurred.It was quite impossible to tell from the Provincial Gazette what the money had gone for. He understood that Mr Armstrong had drawn at the -rate of £300 a year, while acting as Deputy Superintendent. (Mr Armstrong, and|well he deserved it). He thought the Council ought to look into the matter and see whether the expenses were reasonable and necessary. The Provincial Treasures said the vouchers would be up from the Treasury presently, and would belaid on the table. He might explain that all the items alluded to, had passed under the authority the Auditor. If members wanted details, of course they could have them, but to print details would incur a great deal of additional expense, and was therefore not done.