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Southland Times, Issue 1289, 5 August 1870, Page 2

We take the following from oar Northern contemporaries :— . "WELLDTOTOir, July 29th. At a meeting of the supporters of Mr Stafford, the modifications agreed to by the Government upon their original proposals were taken into consideration, and the following amendments '-] decided upon:— <<- 1. " That the railways should ■ noli be enumerated in the schedule^ but that provision should be made to the effect that the Colonial Government should place itself in communication with the various Superintendents and Provincial Councils, ascertain their wishes, and 1 lay them before the Assembly, together with such recommendations as the Government may think fit. The Assembly from time to time to decide on the railways/ Besolved, in addition — "That before the Assembly is called upon to decide, a professional report, based upon preliminary surveys, and accompanied by approximate estimates .of the cost of construction, should be laid before it as data for its decision, and that it be an instruction to the surveying engineers to execute their flyiug survey with a view' to arterial communication throughout both islands; that where, from the natural features of the country, the surveying engineers may think proper to submit alternate lines, a special report showing the relative advantages and distances, should be submitted ; and that the sum of -pounds be placed at the disposal of the Government for purposes of this preliminary work.'* Y.:.y 2. " Reduce money to be borrowed in aid to Pour Millions, viz., for Railway Purpose, £2,000,000; Miscellaneous, £1,000,000; Immigration, £1,000,000." Agreed to, with the following additions V —"The Assembly to derade this session' I what lines of roads may be undertaken \in the North Island to the . extent of £100,000, and what lines of railways and tramroads to the extent of £100,000 may be undertaken in -(the Middle .: Island during the current financial year jthat no land shall be purchased from the Natives, except with the consent of the Superintendent of the province whereini the lands are situated being first signified, both as to area and price, and so soon as any such lands are so purchased, the cost shall be debited to the province." - - 3. "In Miscenaneo~uSr^*^^rGoTF fields to be £800,000. Accepted, subject to proper securities for works" being beneficially executed." 4. "Provisions to secure exclusively separate custody and expenditure of money." Accepted. > ; * t :■ ? r 5. "A central authority at home to have control ' over all Immigration agencies, or sub-agencies." Accepted. 6. "Section 22 of Immigration 'and Public "Works Bill to be excised." Accepted. .' ■'■- ' ' - : •■"-■■* '■•■-• -••-^^:-.- 7. " Interest not to exceed 6 per cenk If they bear 6 per cent interest, deben. tures not to be sold under par; if they bear less than 6 per cent interest, debentures not to be sold at price which will yield to purchasers more than 6 per cent interest." Accepted, with the addition of a redemption fund of one per cent. 8. *, Money borrowed for defence purposes to be subject to appropriation by the Assembly from time to time." Accepted, it being understood that the Assembly in each session shall fix the amount of the expenditure, and the number of. the force to be maintained during the then ensuing financial year. 9. " Reciprocity Bill to be altered, so that instead of a bonus being authorised,' power be given to reduce or abolish duties on Intercolonial products and manufdCtures." Agreed to. - - 10. "Changes in duties to be open question." Agreed to. ?■; 11. "Clause to be added to Consolidated Loan Application Bill, authorising,* if necessary, addition to Consolidated Loan." Not agreed to ; and instead, it was resolved that any money borrowed for Defence purposes, as well as the existing Treasury Bills, should be provided for by a separate Loan Bill. The following new stipulation was) agreed to :— " That the magnitude of the undertakings proposed, and the necessity of providing (or a due responsibility- -an'd control by the Legislature, for the manner in which they are to be executed, require that a Minister for Public Works and Immigration should be appointed, and that he should be assisted by a Board of "Works as a council of advice." The Otago and Southland Re-union Bill has passed through the House. The Waste Lands Committee have reported on the position of the Mayor and Town Council of Cromwell, adang for a commonage. The report say* tuat there would have been no ground of complaint had- the Otago Executive put the land laws of the province into effect. The Univerrity Committee has reported recommending the introduction of a Bill forming the University of Otago into a Colonial University, with the consent of the province* •/ A motion for the resumption of the shipping telegrams was negatived. V v Mr Driver has given notice of the fidlowing resolution :— v That it is essential to the carrying out of the financial policy of the Government, that the land laws' of the Middle Island be assimilated on tb*

principle of free selection, due regard being had to existing rights ; and that the Government take steps in that direction daring the recess." Mr Reynolds has gi^en notice that he will move, on going into Committee of Snpply, " That the financial proposals of the Government this s >ssion be so framed as not to interfere wit'i the colony declaring itself in favor of financial separation at the next elections, or with the carrying out of «uch a decision." In the debate on the Gold. Duty Bill last night, Mr Yogel introduced clauses allowing the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Superintendent and Provincial Council of any province, to reduce or abolish the gold duty and miner's rights in such province. The proposal waa warmly supported by the majority of the Otago members, and was carried by 26 to 24. On the resolution being reported to-day, Mr Kynnersley moved the recommittal of the Bill to excise these clauses. Mr Stafford declared them to be impolitic and unconstitutional, as really giving the provinces the control of the Customs duty, and the motion of the recommittal of the Bill was carried by 34 to 31. In Committee, Mr Yogel offered to abandon the clause relating to the gold duty, if one were adopted allowing the Governor in Council to reduce the miners' rights in any province to 10s each. Mr Kynnersley refused to accept the compromise. The miners, he said, never felt the fee charged of £1 per annum, but they wanted the one right to extend over the whole colony. The discussion on the Bill is still going on. The Financial Bills have been read a first time, and their second reading appointed for Tuesday. Mr Wilson strongly opposed the proposal to deprive the Volunteers of their exemption from jury service. The remuneration of common jurors has been fixed at a sum not exceeding 8s per diem. The discussion in the Legislative Council on Colonel Whitmore's resolutions has 4»een adjourned. In the Court of Appeal to-day judgment was given in the following cases : — .Daoedin .Waterworks Company v. Drummond — judgment to |be. entered in Court L below for the defendant. Begins v. James Bennet — conviction quashed. Vivian v. Quick -7- appeal dismissed,, with costs.

. Napieb, July 29th. — Th« mail-carrier left Wairoa on Tuesday accompanied bj a man named Cooper. A report has just reached Napier that the mail carrier's body had been seen rolling about in the surf. No particulars are to -hand: regarding the accident, but the deceased A 9 reported to have been the ; worse of liquor when he started. This is [the second case of the kind within the last three' weeks.