PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 1175, 3 December 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, 30th NOVEMBER. Evening Sitting. The Council resumed at 8 o'clock. The Hon. Dr Menzies brought up the report of the printing committee^ which suggested the appointment of some person to arrange the records of votes and proceedings, preparatory to their being printing. Mr M'Netll brought up the report of of the committee on the Messrs M'Kellar's memorial, which was that a compromise should be made. After some discussion, the report was adopted. Mr Daniel, in moving — " For copies of His Honor the Superintendent's letter, accompanying resolution of this Council relative to the erection of a line of telegraph between Invercargill and Riverton, also* copy of Colonial Secretary's reply thereto" — reminded the hon. members that a former Council had acceded to the General Government's terms, and hoped the Executive would move at once. ! Mr Caldeb laid the papers on the table, and promised that the preliminary steps should be taken. Mr Steuabt moved — " That the Council resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider the conduct of the Road Engineer in reference to the certificates for payment of work performed, given by him ia connection with certain public works." He read several letters from the squatters and Engineer who were interested in the work, making out gross derilection of duty on the part of the officer named. Considerable discussion ensued as to the mode of dealing with the matter. Ultimately it was decided to leave it in the hands of the Government, who promised to thoroughly sift the charge. The Chairman then reported progress. Mr Steuart wished to give notice of motion — " That a respectful address be presented to His Honor, that he would be pleased to place on the estimates the sum of £560 for surveying the land purchased by Messrs M'Kellar from Messrs Smyth, Hoyt and Co." The Speaker ruled the notice out of order. Mr Calder, in moving that the House go into committee on the second reading of the Appropriation Ordinance, said that, at the first reading, he thought sufficient explanation had been given. The sums asked were simply to pay current expenditure, and for the legal payment of old accounts. The net revenue to the ' 80th June, 1870, he estimated at £20,000. The land revenue was taken at £13,000. which he considered quite high enough, as the railway contractors' land was not likely to be out of the market till early in 1870. He saw no immediate prospect of relief for the probable deficiency on the year — exclusive of overdue accounts — from the land revenue ; but, should the Provincial Council of Otago accede to re- union, the General Government would, he felt sure, strain a point to assist in paying off the pressing liabilities. If not, the Colonial Government must take charge of the harbor, police, and gaol departments, as they had already done with the land and survey departments. The Government proposed to place the sum of £800 on the estimates to pay the rate of 8 per cent, interest on floating liabilities. He explained that the sum of .£SOOO for the road to Woodlands was that the works should be done for cash — the money to be found by the pastoral community in purchasing land ; but, in the meantime, the advance to be made by a bank, upon the security of a number. of guarantees, who, with the Government, would have the supervision of the works. The Hon. Dr Menzies considered the Government had striven to make out as bad a case as possible, contending, from Statistics of several preceeding years, that the estimated revenue, both from customs and land sales, to be absurdly low. Mr Johnston thought the estimated receipts of land revenue to be too high — the squatters having already purchased what they could. The estimated miscellaneous revenue was drawn up by the previous Executive, under the late Superintendent. Mr Lumsden felt sure if the Government had to carry on the business of the province, they would not draw so gloomy a picture. He went into the land sales for the various years since 1862, and contended that the sales for the past ten months were no criterion. If the Government had elected at ! the outset to pay in land for the Oreti railway, that land would have been, long ere this, out of the market. He (Mr Lumsden) contended that Mr Vogel's speech in the Assembly had had a most injurious effect upon the land sales. Messrs Toshack and Kinross approved of the Government estimate of land revenue. Mr Webster hoped purchases of land ' would continue to be made, and he believed, from his colonial experience, that plenty of the land considered of little value now, would eventually be eagerly purchased. He would like to know how the Government had omitted an estimated revenue from the Oreti railway, which would be shortly completed. Mr Macdoxald went over the statistics brought forward by the Hon. Dr Menzies, showing that striking an average was the easiest method, but the most fallacious. Mr M'Gillivbay queried where the land-buyers were to come from, as many places offered far greater attractions. In Nebraska, 200 acres were offered free to every immigrant on condition of settling upon it ; and the other colonies sold on deferred payments. Mr Calder, in his reply, stated that the estimates, so far from being a deeplaid scheme, as had been stated, were drawn up by the former Superintendent. The Executive had acted solely in the

interest of the public by non-electing to pay in land, and if that course had been continued, the land purchased since from

the contractors would have been bought from the Government. The lease of the B.H. and I. Railway was expected to expire about the time the Oreti line would be completed, but the financial year would then have passed. IN COMMITTEE. Executive. — On the first item, "Superintendent, £500," a prolonged discussion took place, and two amendments were proposed of a reduction in the amount, but it was passed as printed. Provincial Treasurer, £350. This item was debated at length, but without alteration. Chief clerk and accountant, £300. Passed. Clerk and messenger, and messenger to Council, £180. Passed. Legal advice, £300. Passed as a contingency. Legislative. -Speaker, £75. On the moving of this item, considerable discussion ensued, and several motions were proposed, but it was passed as printed. Clerk to Council, £50. Passed. Expenses of members from a distance (including arrears), £200. Passed. Most of the members spoke on this item. Printing, £80. Passed. Electoral. — Expenses of elections (a contingent), £250 ; printing electoral rolls, £60. Both passed.

L&itd and Survey Department. — Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, £350. Several amounts were proposed in lieu, but it was passed as printed. A Commissioner of Waste Land Board, dfilOO. This item had not appeared on the previous Appropriation Ordinance ; but it was found necessary to replace it. Passed. The following items were passed as printed : — Clerk to Land Department, £300 ; Crown Grant Clerk, £250 ; wood rangers, £30 ; contingencies, £60. Preparation of Crown Grants by contract already incurred £40; Chief Surveyor, £350.; Clerk and Draughtsman, £300; horse allowance and travelling expenses for Chief Surveyor, .£100; repairs to trigonometrical stations, =£50 ; additional surveys, including reserves, £50 ; contingencies, £125 ; survey of native grant, £72 Is. Administration of Justice. — Gaol Department: Gaoler and chief warder, ,£200 ; matron, £25 ; two warders at 9s per diem each, £328 10s ; rations, clothing, fuel, <fee, «£836. Police Department: Commissioner, inclusive of house allowance to 31st October, £100; inspector, £220 ; sergeants, £191 12s 6d ; constables— two at 9s 6d, three at 9s per diem, £839 10s; conveyance of prisoners, forage, and contingencies, .£200 ; one police sergeant, Stewart's Island, £191 12s 6d: one police boatman, £120 ; contingencies, £20. Passed. Hospital and LunatiCvS. — Contribution to Hospital, £600 ; maintenance of lunatics, £300. Passed. Harbors. — Bluff Harbor : Harbor Master and Pilot, £300 ; assistant pilot — 7 months at £200 per annum, £116 13s 4d; carpenter and boatman, £120; signalman, £144 ; four boatmen, at £120 each per annum for seven months, £280 ; light on Stirling's Point, £10 ; contingencies, £100 ; harbor service for five months, at £500 per annum, £208 6s Bd. Passed.

The House adjourned at 2 a.m. to 11 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER Ist. The Council met at 11.30. The minutes of previous sitting were read and confirmed. A message was received from His Honor stating that, in compliance with a resolution of the Council, he had placed .£SO on the estimates for a postal service between Biverton and Orepuki. Mr LtrMSDEN presented a petition from residents of New River district, complaining of the loss they suffered from the rabbit nuisance, and requesting assistance in their destruction. After a humorous and somewhat lengthy discussion, it was moved that the memorial be disposed of by the Government. Mr Lumsden moved — " That this Council considers that the reserve commonly known as the * Esplanade,' at the west end of Tay-street, should be withdrawn from its original destination as a town reserve, and converted into town land, opeu for selection and purchase as freehold property, and that the Government is hereby advised to take the necessary steps to effect this purpose." He said he was aware that, at a former session, an effort had been made to get the ground in question devoted to an endowment for educational and charitable purposes. He thought education was already amply endowed in the town, and thafc the Hospital was better left to the spontaneous liberality of the public. He did not like to see an institution whose maintenance was so well calculated to evoke the best virtues of the people provided for with too much mercantile precision and regularity ; besides, they had many instances of the mismanagement in the case of establishments richly endowed. 80 far as the piece of land itself was concerned, it was not suitable for its original purpose — an esplanade— and. formed an unsightly gap in the centre of the town. Its sale would help to replenish the public purse, and its being built upon improve greatly the appearance and comfort of the town, which was particularly exposed at that point. He would, however, in consequence of what he had learned, prefer now to withdraw the motion until next session, when the Government might be in a position to produce the correspondence with the General Government, which had ensued on the former action of the Council. The motion having been seconded, Mr Caxdeb said he quite agreed with the remarks of the hon. member about the ugliness of the blank in Tay-street. It was made the receptacle of the town rubbish, and the sooner it was built upon the better. He had not seen any correspondence on the subject, and would prefer its standing over until next session, by which time the Government would probably have perfected preliminaries, and would then bring in a bill to carry out the object desired.

Mr Webster thought it; would to »v%i good thing if the Government would frame the proposed bill so as to* !> ina£p^ municipal institutions for the town coinVp pulsory, with the proviso thatj i|*^ |co^^ , poration were not formed within a^giyep^,' time the Superintendent should^jftyet power to appoint a commissioner to asses* the city for purposes of improvement. Strangers visiting Invercargill invariable remarked upon its dilapidated features. A little taxation would soon remove that stigma, and would more than repay the ratepayers in the increased value of their property, not to meution considerations of a sanitary nature. Mr Kinross did not like compulsory taxes. He thought tenants were What was required more than taxes. ,If the reserve was sold, he thought it should be only the frontage, and that the balance should be spent in improving the remainder.

Mr Lumsden explained that, the great bugbear to the erection of a municipality being now removed, by the Government placing Campbell and Robertson's claim on the estimates, a town corporation would probably be in existence by the next session, As Government expressed willingness to deal with the matter he begged leave to withdraw the motiou. Leave granted. Mr Lumsden moved — " That in the. opinion of this Council the continuance of the provincial system of government in New Zealand is inimical to the progress and well-being of the colony at large, and ought to be superseded by one undivided central authority and legislature for the whole colony, with district municipal institutions providing for the management of purely local affairs;" and— " That the above resolution be transmitted to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, in Wellington." He said he bad been a strong supporter of provincial institutions, but had at the same time always looked to the time when a strong central Government should advantageously supersede that system. That time, in his opinion, had now come, and he thought that the Council, before its extinguishment, should express itself to that effect, or Otago would assume, and assert, that we were not only in favor of re-union, but in favor of Provincialism. His opinion was that our interests would be much safer as part of a great colony than as au outlying district of a province. The defects of the provincial system were becoming daily more apparent ; it was seen to militate against colonial works by creating diverse interests within a small area. Had there been no provinces, the great waste of money in the hurried construction of works in Otago and Southland which ensued on the gold discovery would never have taken place. The General Government, looking from a national point of view, would, no doubt, have made the road from the Bluff to the Lakes, as being the nearest point, and most suitable route. The hon. member went at great length into the probable closer relationship of the Australasian colonies, the re-opening of the Panama route, and the flow of an extensive traffic in that direction at no distant date. Mr M'Neil seconded the resolutions. He agreed with the mover as to the desirability of the Council expressing its opinion before it ceased to exist, but as a recent trial of strength had probably left feelings pti the minds of some which disqualified them from giving it fair and calm consideration, he thought it had better be postponed till next session. / • After some further discussion both the resolution and an amendment subsequently proposed, were withdrawn. ; . Mr Daniel moved —"That, in consequence of the general depression that has prevailed for some time past in this Province, the balance of passage money still due to the Government by assisted immigrants, with families, who had resided three years within the Province, should be cancelled, either wholly or in part." He said the amount received on account of immigrants' bills during the last four years did not equal the cost of its collection, and, as the parties ablest to pay avoided their responsibility by having mostly left the province, he thought those families remaining, on whom it was a burden, had better be relieved of it at once. The taxes paid by them during. three years residence were a fair consideration for the money. Mr Dalrymple seconded the motion in an able speech of considerable length. Mr Kin boss supported the motion. Mr Basstian thought those able should be made to pay. It would be a bad precedent, and there was no evidence to show that anyone was being made to suffer through pressure of the claim. Mr Steuabt concurred in the former speaker's remarks. He thought to remit the debt to immigrants who had been long enough in the province to improve their circumstances unfair to new comers, who had more need of relief. . Mr Lumsden opposed the motion. Had it been introduced by the Governmerit, or supported by petition from the immigrants, the Council would, no doubt, have acceded to it. As it was, he thought those who " could afford it should be made to pay. -~ — Dr Menzies held the same views.; It was sufficient that the Government' had; power to deal leniently with^ those who were unable to discharge the obligation. Mr Caldeb explained that although some £6000 or .£7OOO stood tothe debit of the account, it was looked upon as so bad a debt that it had not been included in the revenue in the last two Appropriation Ordinances. He had no particular views on the question, and would not vote. Mr Daniel having replied, the motion was carried on the voices. ; ; .The Council adjourned at 1.30 p.m. for an hour. < The Council resumed at 2.30. Mr Macdoitald moved, (1) "That this Council is of opinion that Stewart's Island, on account of its natural features,

is not adapted for settlement upon the conditions of the Land Law now in force, and that special settlements should be formed there." (2) " That snch special settlements should not exceed 100,000 acres each, and should comprise three classes of land, and be disposed of, and the proceeds therefrom applied in like manner to that provided by the ' Otago Settlements Act, 1869 ;' except that in matters unprovided for in that Act, the provisions of the * Southland Waste Lands Act' should be followed." (3) " That copies of these resolutions be transmitted to his Honor the Superinten. dent, with a request that he will take the necessary steps for the introduction of a Bill into" the General Assembly to carry them into effect." Mr Daniel seconded the motion. Dr Menzies, Messrs M'GWivray, Kinross, and Dalrymple spoke in favor of the motion, which was carried on the voices. In reply to Mr Toshack's question asking what sum of money (in the opinion of the Road Inspector) will be sufficient to complete the formation and gravelling of North Road to Wallacetown, Junction Hotel, Mr Calder laid on the table the report, which was read by the clerk, the estimated cost being £600. Mr Basstian having obtained suspension of standing orJer No. 27, moved that £400 be placed on the estimates for the road between Kiverton and Wr^y's Bush. The motion was seconded by Mr W. A Lypn, and carried. Mr Lumsden desired to have £100 placed on the estimates for killing rabbits, but most of the members spoke against the proposition. Mr Caldeb obtained suspension of standing order No. 27 to move that the sum of £515 14a Id, being unauthorised expenditure, be placed on the estimates. The money had been paid, and only one item in reality was unauthorised. Mr Dalrtmple, in a long speech, uttered his protest against the adoption of this course, and compared the action of the late Superintendent to that of Charles I. The motion was carried. Mr Kinboss moved — " That, this Council haviag affirmed the desirability of reunion, is of opinion that in the event of the Provincial Council of Otago accepting the terms of re-union, his Honor the Superintendent should enter into negotiations with the Superintendent of Otago, with the object of extending the East road to the Mataura district as quickly as possible." He argued in favor of roads, and stated thpre was abundance of good gravel in the vicinity of the line. Mr DaIjRYMPIe seconded. Mr Daniel thought the claima of the Western district were too much slighted. Mr Ltjmsden's opinion was that any main road of the province being made viable was a benefit to the whole province. Dr Menzies spoke at gome length in favor of a light railway or tramway as more suitable to the requirements, and of more permanent benefit. The road was now in good condition, and the gravel suggested by the mover would not be at all suitable for heavy traffic, such as used to be on the road, nor would it be of much service with constant light traffic in the winter. The fear expressed of the lands being sold by the General Government at 10s per acre, was perfectly groundless ; no such step could be taken without an act of the General Assembly. Mr Bell moved an amendmeut embracing the alternative of the formation of a tramway. He spoke in favor of tramways over roads a3 cheaper and quicker iv construction, and the cost of carriage being at least a third less — if not half — than on roads. The necessity of the work being done in one shape or the other at once was of vital importance to the .province, and he hoped the members for the Western district would not oppose the motion or amendment simply on jealous grounds. Mr Caldeb supported the amendment as a concession to the Council of Otago ; at any rate it was ol' a less dictatorial style. Mr Websteb would approve of both motions being withdrawn for the present. Personally he preferred roads to tramways. Mr Kinboss having replied, the amendment was put and carried, with one dissentient. Mr Bell in moving " that a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, asking that a sum of one thousand pounds (£1000) be placed upon the estimates for putting the road between Woodlands and the Mataura in a state of repair," explained that the vote was peculiar, in so far as the providing of the funds to meet it depended on its being passed, and expatiated at some length on the necessity of something being done to repair the road in question. Mr Caldeb explained that the motion was of the same nature as that for £5000 for the road to Woodlands, land was to be purchased to that amount on condition of the money being expended in that manner. Dr Menzieß presumed the road alluded to was that towards the Mataura Bridge, but he might remind the hon. member the other Mataura road diverging to the south-east was the one leading to the most populous district on the river, and stood most in need of repair. He would suggest the amount Bhould be increased to £2,000, to permit of both being rendered viable. Mr Bell had no objection if the hon. member (Dr M.) would intimate from whence the funda were to come. The motion was then carried on the voices. Mr M'Nejxi. withdrew his motion, — " That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent request ing that a sum of £560 may be placed on the estimates to defray the cost of survey of land purchased from the railway contractors by Peter M'Kellar and others." He did so to allow the Government to ascertain the quantity of land to be surveyed.

Mr Caldeb said the Government would follow the recommendation of the committee, and meet the claimants by way of compronrse in the matter. MESSAGES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT. Messages were received from his Honor, intimating that the following su ns had been placed on the estimates in compliance with the wishes of the Council, viz.:— £loo for country members of Executive ; £400 for road from Riverton to Wrey's Bush ; £553 14a Id unauthorised expenditure to 30th June, 1869 ; and £1000 for road to Mataura. Mr M'Gillivbax proposed, by leave without notice, that £100 should be placed on the estimates for completing the main street in Mverton.

Messrs Webster, Basstian, and Lumsden opposed the motion, which was ultimately carried. The Council adjourned at 5.30 unti 7 o'clock.

The House resumed at 7.15 p.m. The minutes were read and confirmed. On the mot-'on of Mr Stefabt, the " Sheep Ordinance, 18S6, Amendment Ordinance, 1869," was read a third time and passed. Mr Macdonald received leave to withdraw the " Diversion of Roads Ordinance, No. 2, 1869." The House then went into committee on the " Appropriation Ordinance, No. 2, 1869," which had been re-committed. The various items were taken up seriatim, and the following alterations made on the portion previously considered : — Executive. — The Superinten dent's I salary reduced to £100, and that of the Provincial Treasurer to £303. Legislative. — To this list £100 was added for payment of members of Executive. Police. — The Commissioner's salary was voted to the 30fch November, m iking the amount £125. The item for constables was altered to £1168. The following items were then considered, and passed without much discus sion : — New Bivee Habbob. — Subsidy to pilot in addition to harbor and jetty dues, £150 ; harbor and jetty duas — say £200 ; pilot and jetty keeper, Kirerfcon, £100; contingencies, Riverton harbor, £15 ; night signal, Riverton harbor, £7 ; replacing moorings, Howell's roads, £50. Education and school buildings. £LIOO ; inspection of schools, £50 ; immigration, £850 125. MiscELLAiraoTTS. — Interest on local liabilities, J6800; medical attendant on gaol, police, and lunatic asylum, and health officer, £75 ; printing, £250 ; advertising, £200 ; stationery, £20 ; fuel, £35 ; office cleaning, £40 ; donation to fire brigade, £50 ; donation to ragged school, Inverc.trgill, £50 ; unforeseen contingencies, £300 ; inspection ofwekhts and measures, £20 ; sanitary, £100 ; relief to destitute, £250 ; destruction of thistles, £25 ; poundkeepers — say £200 ; mail service subsidy, Lake Wakatip and Switzers, £90 ; insurance Government buildings, £70 ; printing of votes and i proceedings of Provincial Council, £300. G-old Fields. — Warden. £300 ; tracks in bush, Lougwood Range and Stewart's Island, £150; printing and stationery, £10; postal service, £50. Siieep Inspector's Department. — Sheep Inspector, £350; acting sheep inspector during absence of chief inspector, for three months, £60 ; horse allowance, £100 ; provisional inspectors (contingent) £30; collector of sheep assessment and registrar of brands, £70 ; contingencies, £20. B. H. and I. Railway. — Manager, £300 ; B. H. and I. Kailway (compensation for land taken for diversion) £60 ; erection of workshops, £90 ; goods waggon and wharf crane, £30. Oeeti Railway.— Civil engineer, £500; assistant engineer, £300; inspector, £200 ; lamps and kerosene £10 ; stationery, drawing paper, &c, £20 ; incidental, £250. Koads and Public Works. — "Road engineer, £300 ; road engineer (horse allowance and travelling expenses) £60 ; Invercargill cemetery, £150; public works, contingencies, £50 ; Riverton jetty, £100. Roads.— Great North road, £173 19s; Mataura road, £1201 15s ; Mataura road to Woodlands, £5000 ; Wallacetown to Riverton, £17 16s ; Riverton to Otautau, £53 Is; Invercargill to Riverton, via New River Ferry, £43 5s ; Invercargill streets, £2 15s 9d ; roadd unenumerated, £119 Is ; Flint's Bush road, £17 6s ; construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, £1000 ; Eiverton to Wrey's Bush, £400 ; Siverton main streets, £100. Contingent. — formation of Esk street (Town Board) £140; Campbell and Robertson's claim against the Town Board, £2,205 3s 2d ; commission, Bank of New South Wales, £1,738 5s Bd. Expenditure in excess of votes, £11,393 12s 3d ; do without authority of law, £750 18. Progress was then reported, and a short adjournment took place.

On resuming, the standing orders were suspended, and the Appropriation Ordinance, No. 2, 1869, was read a third time and passed. ' Mr Macdoxald moved tbe second reading of a Bill anthorising Government to close up a road in the New Eiyer Hundred, and declare another, with power to purchase the land necessary from the Rev. W. F. Oldham. The Bill then went through Committee, and progress being reported, passed the House. Mr Calder obtained leave to withdraw a Bill authorising Government to lease certain reserves. On the motion of Mr Caldeb, seconded by Mr Basstian, the House adjourned at 11.20 p.m., to that day fortnight, it being understood that in the interim the Council would be prorogued by proclamation.