PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 1121, 10 March 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

MONDAY, Bth MARCH. ■ * EVENING- SITTING. Pursuant to adjourn neat from Thursday evening last, the Council met thi^ evening at 8 o'clock. The Speaker took the chair punctually at the time named. Present— Messrs Wilson (Speaker), Pearson (Provincial Treasurer), Calder, Pratt, Ross, Clerke, Johnston, Steuart, Longuet, M'Clure, Daniel, Armstrong, Blacklock, Hodgkinson, Swale, Basstian, and Monckton. After prayers, the minutes of former sitting were read and confirmed. The Speaker reminded hon. members f that as neither the notices of motion or orders of the day, embraced in last Order Paper had been disposed of, it would be I necessary to take fresh action with regard I to them. ° I REPRESENTATION ORDINANCE. Mr B.g.\ck:lock: accordingly obtained ! leave of the Council to make the second reading of the Representation Ordinance, 1861, Amendment Ordinance, 1869, an 1 order of the day for next sitting, wi J h- I out going through the form of notice of motion, TRAFFIC TENDERS. A notice of motion was given by Mr I Pbatt to the effect that the tenders received for leasing the railway traffic be returned unopened, pending fresh arraagements being made by the new government. I ESTIMATED Mr Calder said it would now be competent for him to move for leave to bring in a Bill intituled the Appropriation Ordinance, No. 1, 1869. Mr Pratt seconded the motion. Leave granted, and the Bill read a first I time. Mr Caxdeb then rose and said :— Although, it is unusual at this stage to make any lengthy or elaborate remarks on the contents of the Bill, still, the Government feel it to be their duty at the earliest opportunity to lay before the House a clear statement of the financial position of the Province. The task as fallen upon me, not because it is my duty— (Hear, heir, from Mr Blacklock)— but because, ha -ing been in the Treasury previously making some examinations, I was probably iv the best position to do so. The Provincial Treasurer, who should have undertaken this duty, wsl-s alio Commissioner of Crown Lands, n( | bis time partly I

occupied in the duties of that department", j sn that the very short adjournment which had occurred fuuce the formation of the new Executive had scarcely afforded opportunity enough for his acquiring a sufficient acquaintance with details. Under these circumstances, it had been considered that he (Mr C) was the most able to make the statement. So far as the state of the Province, outside the Provincial Government is concerned, I believe there is nothing to fear. There has been a good season ; the best hopes are entertained that the harvest will be well got, and that the yield will be good. Another important branch of our industries had also, fortunately, at this particular time, received fresh encouragement. For a considerable while back, the fall in wool had exercised a depressing influence upon the whole community, but the prospects of that important interest had again , brightened, and prices were again springing up to something like the old rate. I " mention these things, because at the pres?nt period we need all encouragement from every source. Although I can speak thus encouragingly with reference to the general prospects of the Province apart from the Government, vet when we return to the financial state I of the Province, the same prospects of prosperity do not appear. It is there- | fore perfectly obvious that if we, as a Province, are in a good state, and the Government happens to be in debt and difficulty, mismanagement has existed somewhere. Had the resources of the Province not been wasted, but judiciously administered, we should now have been able to hold up our head with a good heart. "When the Government falls into i a position that is not satisfactory, it is ! impossible to help its having a disheartening effect upon the settlers ; in fact, this is so evidently the case that Tneed not notice it further. Twelve months ago, the position of the Province was very different. I had then great hopes that with care and good management we | should to-day have been in a flourishing state. The railway question Is the one first calling for notice. As the public are already aware, the contract was let to Messrs Abbott and Packham, and these gentlemen were now on the spot for the purpose of signing the contract deed finally. It is desirable that the work should go on as soon as possible, as the material ordered from the Old Country was almost at hand. I feel it but right, however, to inform the Council that a much heavier outlay has been involved in plant than this House had any right to expect. I speak, subject to correction, but I believe there is some 600 or 800 tons of material coming forward more than the Council anticipated. As the whole of it was, however, probably afloat by this time we would have to make the best of it. The Government had yet to ascertain who was to blan c for this excess ; whether the late Government, the head of a department, or the Railway Engineer ; but undoubtedly blame attached somewhere, for there was <-c iMiniy- cauia not possibly be used for a very long time. The 'Government have jiven notice to the contractors that they must sign the contract deed iv its integrity within three days from 12 o'clock yesterday, wishing to bring the matter to head at once. We intend to enter into no discussion with them on the subject. If they sign the deed, the matter is settled ; if they don't, at their door will lie the consequences; the Government wili be clear of blame. The present liabilities of the Province is, in round numbers, £20,000. made up of £302,435 vouchers unpaid Balance due on .Railway plant in England, !£5,800 ; freight and insurance, £8,500; commission on purchase, testing, and shipping, £1,000 ; landing, unpacking, &c, £750; outstanding accounts, £481; owing to General Government, £824 ; altogether, £20,300. [had been led to believe there was something to the credit of the Province, in thehands of the General Government, but find there is nothing, and that after beiug ' illowed our share of the Consolidated 5 Revenue for January and February, there is still this bal mcedueby us. Thus the total 1 tab! ties are, as I havo already stated £20,000. I need scarcely, 1 think, remind the House, that with these large payments facing us, and no immediate prospects of any large sales of land, the duties undertaken by the Government, are by no means light, yet with the assistance of the House, aud by carrying out unflinchingly a vigorous system j of retrenchment, we hope to be able to ' cope with the difficulty. The saving which can be effected during tho first six months will be comparativly trifling, in j consequence of two mouths of the time beinii; already past, and of the necessity of giving officials to be dispensed with reasonable notice. The principal saving would accrue in the latter half of the year. At all even , the Governj ment were determined to make a vigor- ! ous effort to guide the provincial ship j clear of the breakers n w surrounding I her, and if We fail, it will not be for want either of the will or of having made the attempt. I am sorry that time has not permitted our getting the estimates ! of revenue printed, and that consequently only one copy is on the table, but I may state that the gross sum we anticipate from all sources is £34,929. This amount, however, includes two merely nominal sums, viz., £5,000 for immigration | refund, and £8,500 ot a temporary j advance from our bankers, which, being i deducted, reduces the revenue actually available for appropriation to £21,429. This amount is computed thus: — Land Sales, £12,000; Pastoral Rents, £8,000; Consolidated lievenue, £6,000 ; other sources, £6,829, making a total of £31,829. From this amount there has, however, to be deducted £11,400 for ' payment of interest and sinking fund on i the provincial debt, which leaves the balance already stated, £21,429. Ab the i Appropriation Ordinance now tabled

amounts to £34,618 7s 6i, there is »P---pirent a considerable %% felS^|^l^^Rii^ must however, deduct from itfej^l^*!^'*! nance the £5,000 f.p^mmrgratioaTefttndy?^ as it has not bee a included in the state- tp ment of revenue just made-, this would then leave a balance of some £B,ooo .wid, which we can only make up by entering j it as a temporary advance from Jbne; .^ Bank, as I have already intimated. Trie Appropriation Bill now brought in is different from that previously on the table, aa it shows there is really nothing available for roads. I need scarcely say to hon members that there is not the least hone of one farthing being" got for that purpose, so that humble addresses presented asking sums to be placed on the estimates for particular roads will be fust so much time and trouble lost. The £500 put down under this head is the solitary sum the Government can _see their wav clear to place on the Estimates, and that will only be expended in the event of any pressing emergency occurring during the next four months. It will not be spent unless an absolute necessity arose, such as the carrying away of a bridge or the falling in of a culvert-something that would stop traffic if not immediately remedied. No new works of this nature will be undertaken, until the Government are in a better financial position. We^propose to save in the Executive about £370 per annum by the abolition of tbo "^s^ the Provincial Treasurer which office will be amalgamated with the Commissionership of Crown Lands. In the Land and Survey Departments the say. insr effected will amount to £450 ; It was proposed to transfer the lunatics to the gaol which will also be an economy. The expense of the Police Depaftaen* will be P reduced by £514. Whils re. ferring to this item, which i» chiefly made up from the Commissioner e > salary, I have to express the regret of the trovernment in beiiig compelled to dispense with the services of so valuable an officer As the head of his department he has ajven very general satisfaction in the discharge of his duties ever- since he arrived in the Province. It was _ purely a matter of stern necessity which induced the" Government to make reductions in this branch of the public service. I only hope that the discovery of a goldfield in the Province, before the expira. tion of his term of service, may warrant the Government in retaining him; it was proposed to abolish the service at Stewart's Island. The Harbor Department will be dealt with in a summary manner. It was proposed to offer the Harbor Master the sum of *BOU, which amount includes the harbor dues, estimated at £500. Ane present cost is something like £1,500, which, considering the state at Province I consider far too much ; *8W will be sufficient to carry on *^ a department efficiently ; m fact the tflutt will be put on the same footing with the New River. The plan adopted m the latter harbor works very well. There are no complaints under the new arrangement, and only £150 » given to the both harbors [should be as much self sustaining as possible. Tbe Riverfcon harbor will be dealt with in the same economical manner. £100 will be given to a pilot who will do all the work ; if the present pilot refused to accept the terms there are are plenty of others who' will be found quite willing and able to undertake it. I think it will be unnecessary that I should take up the time of the House in going through the miscellaneous items in detail, but I may say generally that about £1,300 saving will be effected under this head. The sheep department will be reduced by £270. We propose to deal very cautiously with the Railway department. By leasing the traffic we anticipate effect! in? a saving of £2,000 yearly. The reason we do not touch the locomotive branch is, that if the contract for the completion of the Oreti Railway is proceeded with, it will be advisable to keep the control of this intact. The G-oldfields department will be abolished, which will save £500 per annum. I think I have now indicated to the House the manner in which we intend to effect retrenchment, and it will rest with the Council whether these reductions will be absolute — on them will rest the responsibility of giving effect to the intentions of the Government. Altogether, speaking in round numbers, about £7,000 will be saved to the Province. If the Government could see their way to propose still further reductions they would be glad to do so, and we trust that if any honorable member can point out wherein a saving may be effected, he w?U give us the benefit of his suggestion, as it Is just possible that, owing to want of time, some department which it is possible to reduce mny have been overlooked. I would also state that we hope hon members will not seek to increase the items as they come on in Committee, if they do the responsibility of thus stultifying" the action of the Government will rest with them. I may also mention that in order to avoid even the suspicion of anything like partiality or favoritism in disbursing public monies, the order of payment will not, in future, be left to the Provincial Treasurer, but all vouchers will be placed before the Executive, and they will be placed foi payment according to priority. Referring again to the position of the Oreti Railway. In the event of the con^ tractors complying with the request of the Government, and signing the deed in its integrity, of course there would be nothing to say, the works would then go on. If they don't comply, it is obvious that the course the Government intend afterwards to pursue must in the meantime remain with themselves. The Council must see how injudicious it would be to explain at the present moment tb^e intentions of the Government with regard to a contingency whicti might" no^* arise, and how such an explanation would necessarily defeat it own object. I may state this much, however, that it is oun opinion that if the Railway works

Tiave^^o^o© agam Jeir at an, they shouhi be let-by -public -competition, and not by reveiting to the next lowest, or any of the tenders formerly sent in. In concluding, Sir, I can assure you that' it has been a most painful, duty to extinguish offices and discharge officers, many of whom are highly efficient, and who have rendered good service to the province, but the Government have seen retrenchment to be absolutely imperative and that no other course than that they have adopted was open to them. We hope to receive this :msideration a£ the hands ot the Council, 1 that we have been actuated by no desire to hurt or pres.s upon any particular gentleman, but have tried to deal with even-handed justice as far as we can for the interests of the province.. The question of education is the last to which I will allude. It is » matter for regret and shame that so small a sum has hitherto been given for thi* cause. Only £130 had beeu spent las? year for this purpose, while objects of much less importance had received much larger amount. The present Go vernment was, however, determined that <this -branch- should not-suffer, however much other departments might be neglected. .. If it was found that parents and guardians neglected their duty in this iespect, it was not enough for the G-o vernment to grieve over that fact, but it should step in and fulfil the obligations which the residents of any particular district did not seem willing to comply with, and provide the means of education. I feel strongly on this subject. I feel the education of the young to be as essential as the maintenance of the pence, and that if a government neglects this, it incurs the responsibility of future consequences. It is i cheaper to educate and train properly the young, than to restrain and punish them when, through ignorance, they have developed into a turbulent and criminal population., Of nothing is it more true than of this, that " prevention m better- than .cure." The small - sum placed on the Estimates for this purpose by the? former Government has been allowed to remain, as we did not see the means at present of increasing it, or %ye should have been only to happy to have done so. Having thus indicated the course we intend to pursue, a policy in accordance with the exigencies of the Province, the Government looks for the support and encouragement of the Council, and we are in great hopes that with proper management we will not only get over our difficulties, but shortly see the commencement of a new era of prosperity. (The hon member sat down amidst applause.) Mr Pbatt, after reiterating what Mr j Calder had said regarding roads, said he hoped the sum put down for Education would at least be all spent, and more if they could get it. There could be no doubt but that this important matter had been much neglected, while others of less moment had received full attention. He had been struck with the disproportion of items in observing in the same Gazette a aum of £114 spent during six months for Education, and £116 for furnishing the Treasury. It appeared aa if the officials had been bent on making themselves comfortable, whilst the children were neglected. The late Government appeared to have been able to get funds for strong-rooms, safes, and other pet items, although unable to raise funds for more legitimate purposes. With regard to the Bluff Harbor and Invercafgill Railway, he thought it would soon be seen that by the plan they now intended to adopt, it would b ome a paying instead of a loosing concern. The plan now proposed — to allow of which to be carried out, was the object of the motion of which he had given notice -r-was to lease the traffic at a rate per ton, the Government fixing the price of carriage, and the lessee keeping up everything except the locomotive departments. He thought this system would work well, and would give infinitely more satisfaction to the public. Mr Caj/deii begged to explain an apparent discrepancy between hia remarks, and the items of the Appropriation Ordinance. He had said there was nothing. available for roads, while in the Bill there were several considerable sums down for that purpose, but these sums were for roads now in progress, and had, in great part, been already expended. Mr BiiACKiocK — As the hon member who had brought in the Bill was new to office, he would explain that most of the Bums down in the Bill for roads had already been paid during January and February under the clause of the Ordinance which permits the Government to carry on for two months after the expiry of a financial period at a scale of expenditure proportionate to that of the lapsed Ordinance. The sums had accordingly to be included tin this Bill to indemnify the Superintendent for its expenditure. Relative to the remarks <>f Mr Pratt about the office furniture, hb had to remind that hon member that the expenditure Was one long contemplated. The money had twice been voted — Mr Pratt himself supporting the motion— but not spent, the Government being anxious to have' as much money as possible for more pressing necessities, but it had long been felt to be a great hindrance to the amalgamation of offices and the reduction of departmental "expenditure to have the Treasury and the Superintendent's offices so far separated 'as they formerly were, arid the expense of the alterations was really, nothing l vol. .comparison with the saying;. : now being effected through having; the two departments together. The 1 strong room in connection with the Treasury watfafsiS necessary. TJp till 'the building of ihis room, all the vouchers of monies paid since the beginning* of? theit Province were lying abttuV' M Jo Wßo'd^ii~ 4 b(J.xesr, ;: Which were, of c6jMMsi§efl£wst?£fi?seir safe keeningl* 'Smpoftant parchment doe.umenta were^awp^ccumulating on the Jiands of

! not protect parchment from destruction by fire, inasmuch as although they might not be consumed they curled up with the heat, ami became unfit for future reference. He did not think Mr Calder intended to misKul when he stated that only £113 had hevu expanded for Education during the p-ist six months, but he was possibly not .uvaro that although only that amount h-\\ been actually paid a much lar_-> i r csii'n had been incurred, p u'fc of w'a'u -ii iuvcl been paid since. With regard Lo the Kaihv.iy being made a payiug concern, he only hoped it would. Mr Armstrong was prepared to give the Government his support, if lie thought it for the public benefit. He "also could remind 'Mr Pratt of hav-itU-twice voted without remark, for the expenditure on Government Offices furnishings which he now complained of. .egarding the small sura for Education, t'le Government had fouud this a dilfii-ult department to deal with. Tie settlers themselves, for whose benefit the expenditure was principally incurred, had no great unanimity generally among themselves ; there was always some difficulty about theextent of accommodation wanted, &c, and if people did not seem disposed to help themselves, he thought it was not imperatively necessary that the Government should step in and do everything for them. Mr M'Clure could not allow the statement of the hon member for Invercargill (Mr Calder) to pass without remark. Blame appeared to be attached to the late Government, because they spent too much money on odds and end-?. But the fact appeared to be lost sight of that the Government bad spent a Urge amount on roads. The late Executive had done everything in their power in this direction, and lie considered that they were entitled to great credit. Tie cry of the Council was at oue time tli.it roads above all other undertakings should be first gone into. The ho^i member (Mr Calder) had spoken in the first part of his address in a manner thai was calculated to make them weep, bui in the latter part he complimented them ou the future of the Province. As v member of the late government he considered that they were entitled to sojie. consideration. • Mr Clerke rose to a point of order. Mp-M'Cltjre said that he was only explaining why The Speaker said that any member of the late Government had a perfect rii^n to rise in explanation, of aiiy act that had been called in question by a member 01 the present Executive. He might say also that if it was uot for the habit of some hon members interfering on sub jects of trivial interest, the busiuess of the House would proceed much more smoothly. Mr Clerke said that his only desire in rising to a point of order was to assist the Speaker to keep order. Mr Pearson would wish -to explain that what he had said on a former occa. sion, with reference to a letter written by His Honor on the subject of_ the. Oreti B.ilway, was spoken on the spur of the moment, when he had lost his temper, a thing he seldom did. He would not for a moment be considered as wishing to impute anything like deceit to Mr Taylor. Anyone who knew that gentleman would agree with him in stating that he was incapable of acting so. Leaving this personal matter, be would st.ite that the Government were prepared to initiate a system of retrenchment. Possibly they would brfoomu; popular in consequence, but that they were prepared for. It was a maxim in life that Smith had no objection to tread on Brown's toes, but yet had great objection 1 to anybody treading on his owni.'he hon member then weut on to sty that tbe expense of Government in Southland was less than in any other part of New Zealand. He had taken the trouble of collecting a tew items which he would read. It was .a return showing the cost of government of the various Provinces based upon the revenue : — Auckland, 81| per cent; Wellington, 52| do ; Otago, 34£ do ; Nelson, 40 do ; Canterbury, 37 do ; Hawke's Bay, 97f do ; Westland, 32| do ; Southland, 18£- do. Tiius it would be seen that this Province was the cheapest governed of any in New Zealand. It was the intention of the Executive in the first place to clear off all old liabilities, and then make a fair start. He very much regretted, in consequence of the retrenchment policy o2 the Government, that no public works could just now go on, but it would be only holding out false hopes at present to suppose that it could be otherwise. He, however, hoped it see a different state of things shortly. He believed before six months we would have a good goldtield in the Province. He might allude to oue matter before concluding. The people of ! the Western district had stated that great injustice had been done them, because the . revenue was not fairly divided, that Invercargill took the lion's share in the railways, lie woud, however, tell the House that if anything, in comparison with Other districts, the Western district had obtained a very large share of the revenue, indeed. The Eastern district did not fare so well, although a large proportion of land had been sold. If there had been good roads made in this district, the Province would have received a good many settlers from the east of the Mataura. It was intended that this should be a short session, and that another one should be held in July. The Government therefore did not at present intend to bring forward any important measures. If time permitted", he might possibly introduce a measure on immigration, but thought it most likely he would defer it till next session, getting the Bill circulated in the interim, so that hon members could come to n the Ho.use eall§d. together with their, ideas,*,, on the subject fully „ maturedi > He could .not help drawing the attention ■•> of the- Council to the very different "'' position' the Province : iims fioW J \° 1»T©1/ witk^ regard to

set apart as : a fun I for the purpose so alienated that no Govern raent could touch it. Although his bill might not now be brought in, it was nc great: matter as it would leave the resolutions formerly passed time to operate, and possibly induce a willingness to a^ree to a change in the land laws. There was one thiug he wished particularly to mention at this early period of the Government's existence, and that was the very bad habit of people with grievances, button-holing members of the Government, or of the Council, in the street and Making th^m to do thehi justice in the Council. He wms sorry that a great many people persisted in this practice, evidently coo ) ! >tn.s:e to see that they were grossly nsulting the p >rson to who.n they proDosed such a thing. If members of the Government were not ca'\.bU; of doin_r justice to every ca*e, as came before them without asking, they would not be likely to do it for being reminded of it in that objectionable manner. For th. future lie would have the public know that everything must be done m writing, and lail before the Executive. In conclusion he trusted the Council frould support the Government in its endeavors to float the provincial ship through the breakers, lie thought it possible they might manage it, but was prepared in the effort to meet with nuch of unpopularity ; retrenchment governments always were unpopular. In the meantime the people must not cry out for expenditure, while fchere w.-is nothing, to spend. Such was the programme they intended to carry out, aud if supported and successful he had no doubt the Pro vi nee would be in a much better position six months hence than it was now. The Bill was then made an ord -r of the d.iy for second reading at next evening's sittiug. CORRKSPOVDEJfCE. Th' 1 Provincial Treasurer laid on the taijio the following papers : — Curres ponndence b ween the Superintendent and Dr Rcci .<, relative to furraer appointment of that gentlemm as Immigration Agent. Memorandum from settlers near Flint's Bush, relative to part, of the road in that local ty, with the Engineer's report thereon. The Engineer's report on the pro 'osed now road to Orepuu vi;i Dlla.s' Point and Colac's Bay. Keturn of lunatics now in confinement.' A letter fro 'ii Mr T " •'s of Riverton, on the subject of s aTY '' Clerk to the Bench there, i eßeport 'i« Chief Surveyor, and vouch. . cf lams p id as relief to destitute. Thes'.- cum uts having been read, several nwu L => of motion were given, after which the House adjourned till 7.30 next evening.