WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18th.

Southland Times, Issue 1116, 20 August 1869, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18th.

MORNING SITTING. Pursuant to adjournment, the Council met at 11 o'clock. Present. —Messrs Wilson (Speaker), Blacklock (Provincial Treasurer), Monckton, Dalrymple, Steuart, Eoss, Basstian, TToclg'kinson, Clerke, Kinross, Calder, Hately, Pearson, M'Clure, Pratt, Johnson, and Daniel. J. P. Taylor, Esq., the new member for Campbelltown, was introduced to the house by Mr Blacklock during the sitting, and took his seat beside the other members of the Government. The minutes of former sitting were read and confirmed. Several notices of motion were then given. PETITIONS. Mr Hately presented a petition from certain settlers on the North Boad, living north of the Wallacetown Junction, praying that something might be done in. the way of repairing the road through the Makerewa Bush, and moved that it should be received and read. The petition, signed by twenty settlers, was received and read accordingly. POSITION OF. PROVINCE. Dr Hodgkutson moved the suspension of rule 27, to bring forward a motion for the purpose of ascertaining the intentions of the General Government regarding this province. He contended that unless assistance were obtainable from that quarter there was no prospect of the Government being able to provide for even departmental expenditure for the next three, or six months, unless some extraordinary and unexoected stroke of luck came in the way, and thought it requisite the Council should be fully informed on that point before it proceeded to busiuess. Mr Johnstoite thought the intentions of the General Government were explicitly enough stated in the Colonial Treasurer's Financial Statement, and was of opinion no hope could be entertained of relief from that quarter. He would therefore oppose the motion as unnecessary, Mr Steitaet thought 1 it would be well to allow the motion to be brought forward. The Colonial Treasurer's statement might not be imperative. At all events it would bring our case directly and prominently before the Government, and it was necessary that some action should be taken before the close of the present session of the Assembly. Mr Caxder opposed the suspension, on the ground that the motion to be brought in would open up prematurely a lengthy debate. Several other members having expressed their opinions, the motion for the suspension was lost on the voices. REPLY TO OPENING ADDEESS. Dr Hodgkinson brought up the reply to His Honor's Address, as prepared by the select committee appointed for that purpose at the previous sitting, and moved its adoption. Mr Caldee said it was a most unusual thing to propose an amendment to a reply, but he could not acquiesce in a statement contained in the first clause, viz., an admission that " circumstances had arisen which had delayed the calling of the Council together." He asserted that nothing had occurred to prevent the meeting of Council, which could not have been perceived months ago. All the facts at present known regarding the financial affairs of the province, were equally as well understood at the time of the change in the Executive, and called then for an immediate meeting. He would propose to make it read —" That so far as at present informed the Council saw no reason for the delay." Mr Basstian seconded the amendment. Mr Daleymple was sorry to see the time of the House wasted in splitting hairs, and thought the amendment savoured something of lynch law. His Honor had said in his address that circumstances had occurred delaying the calling together of the Council, and he might have statements yet to make explaining whac those circumstances were. He could not see that the House was committing itselt to anything in accepting that statement in the address in simple faith, and replying that it regretted they had occurred. He would give Hia Honor a fair trial. Dr Monckton characterised the point raised as one of pure casuistry and as intended as a, personal slight to the Superintendent. (Cries of no, no !) Dr Hodgkinsow explained that the Commit' cc had been particularly careful i in wording the reply so as not in any way to commit uou. members. Mr $teuart proposed a modification of the amendment, which he thought would meet the views of all parties. Mr Caldee accepted Mr S^euart's proposal, and the reply was then adopted as follows: — " To His Honor the Superintendent. " The Council regrets the long delay in calling the Council together, and reciprocates His Honor's hopes that no evil consequences will ensue theiefrom. " The Council observes that your Honor anticipates the more vigorous prosecution of the Oreti Railway works "It is also gratified to be informed that true bituminous coal and other valuable minerals have been discovered in proximity to the Winton terminus, and trusts that the results which will follow from the investigation now proceeding in Stewart's Island may be sufficiently encouraging to justify the hoptjful anticipations of your Honor regarding its value as a future goldfield. " The Council will read with interest, and carefully consider, the letter of His Honor the Superintendent of Otago on the subject of re-annexation to that province. " The voluminous correspondence relative to the late Executive changes, and other important matters, will receive the careful attention of the Council. 1 " The Bills referred to in^your Honor's

Address will also receive our consideration. "It regrets, to be informed that the financial position of the province is still a source of much anxiety ; and notices the views held by your Honor's Government regarding the future mode of dealing with the provincial railways. " Samuel Hodgkinsox, " Chairman." ANNEXATION TO OTAGO. The Provincial Treasures laid p^ the table a letter from the Superintendent of Otago on the subject of re-annexation, and moved that it be read. Read accordingly, as follows : — " Province of Otago, N.Z., " Superintendent's Office, " Dunedin, May 19, 18G9. " His Honor the Superintendent -of Southland. " Sir — I have the honor to inform you that on tbe llth instant tha following resolution was transmitted to me by the Provincial Council: — ' That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to offer, on behalf of the Provincial Council of Otago, to re-unite tbe two provinces ; the I basis of union to be determined upon by three members of each Provincial Council, with power to choose an umpiresuch basis to be ratified by each Council.' "I need scarcely say that I heartily concur in the spirit and intent of this resolution, convinced as I am that it would be for the mutual interest of the respective provinces, as well as for the benefit of the colony as a whole, were Otago and Southland to become one again. ' " May I request that you will be good enough to submit this proposition to the Provincial Council of Southland at its ; first session. j (Signed) " James Macafdrew, " Superintendent." BILLS. The following bills were then brought j in, and passed their first reading. By the Government — The " Education and Collegiate Reserves, (Rural) Leasing Ordinance," the " Ferry aud AccommodationHouse Reserves Leasing Ordinance," the " Invercargill Town Reserves Leasing Ordinance," and the " Invercargill Park Reserve Hanagement and Leasing Ordin% ice 5 By Mr M'Clu:e-Tje" Executive Oouncil Ordin nee, 18(59." By Mr cteuart — An " Ordinance to amend the Sheep Ordinance, 1866." ORETI RAILWAY. Mr Pratt asked the Government " if they bad elected to pay the contractors for the Oreti Railway in land." Dr Monckton replied by reading the clause in the contract deed relating to that mode of payment, and a letter from the Government to the contractors' solicitor, agreeing to the selection of land i in terms of the contract. Mr Steuart asked the Government to lay on the table a " return of land sold j within the various road districts of the I province, together with the sums of money or land in lieu thereof expended i upon each of the main roads therein." j The Provincial Treasurer promised to supply the information as soon as the documents could be prepared. j Amongst several other notices of motion j which were now given, Mr Clerke gave notice that he would, at next sitting, ask the Government the result obtained from the quartz crushed under its direction. Mr Taylor said he would save the time of the Council, and relieve the ! anxiety of the hon. member, by informing j him that no quartz had been crushed under the authority of the Government. The House then adjourned at 12.45 i till 8 o'clock the same evening.