Monday, 13th May.

Southland Times, Issue 1579, 17 May 1872, Page 3

Monday, 13th May.

Mr Shepherd asked the Provincial Treasurer: —" (l). The original contract price for the construction of the Oreti Railway ? (2). The amount paid in land or cash on account of such contract? (3). The amount awarded by tbe arbitrators, Messrs Street, Robertson, and Davidson, in excess of such original contract price ? (4). The cost of such arbitration ?" Mr Reid explained that the Government could not give the desired information, all the documents being in tbe possession of the Committee then sitting. Mr Daniel moved, " That, in the opinion of this Council, the construction of a tramway or light railway from Riverton to Orepuki Goldfield, would open up a large area of good agricultural land, and render the same available for settlement ; also, enable tbe extensive coal deposits in that neighborhood to be worked; develope large tracts of the finest timber for railway purposes, and obviate tbe expenditure of some hundreds of pounds, which must be spent upon the present road to make it viable: and that the proceeds of a portion of the Crown Lands, which would be rendered available by said works, would sufiice for its construction. Resolved, therefore, that the Superintendent be requested to take the necessary steps for the construction of same, by payment in land, as provided by the Southland Waste [Lands Act, 1865." Mr Basstian and Mr Bathgate warmly supported the motion. Mr Hutcheson also supportedjthe motion. Mr Thomson

and Dr Webster thought that there should be an expression of opinion as to the construction of tramways generally — as to whether, iv fact, such works in other parts of the Province should be carried out. Mr Reid said that if the Government could be assured that there was a probability that there would be a sufficient population to pay the working expenses of the line, they would not hesitate to accede to the motion. The Government approved of the scheme, the only question was, whether the circumstances would justify their adopting it. Mr Daniel expressed his belief that the work would be reproductive. Tbe motion was carried. Mr Lumsden moved— " That the attention of tbe Government be directed to the following clauses inthe Report ofthe Commissioners appointed to arrange a basis of union between the Provinces of Southland and Otago, viz. :-— " Ist. The Commissioners are agreed that in any postal scheme entertained by the General Government, in which the mail service is conducted by TFoveaux Strait, the united Provincial Government should use their best endeavors to secure that the Bluff should be the first and last port of call ; and in entertaining any contract for a I coastal service, the Provincial Council should insert the provision that the Biuff should be one of the ports of call. 2nd. The Commissioners are of opinion that a stipulation should be entered into that immigrants for the Bluff should be landed there free of additional cost of passage ; and that at least every third vessel should make the Bluff an advertised port of call, or oftener if found necessary." The motion was agreed to. Mr Daniel moved, " That there be laid on the table a return of the amount of revenue from the Orepuki Goldfield of this Province since the re-union with Otago, up to 31st March, 1P72 ; such return to show, in detail, the amount collected under the following heads : — Miners' rights, business licenses, rents or tees from water races, sluices, &c, gold mining registration, and depasturage fees on stock, miscellaneous receipts, fees and fines io Wardens' Courts, &c. ; also the amount of revenue expended during the above period." — The motion was carried. Mr Daniel moved — " That an Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, recommending that all that area in the Province of Otago, in the District of Southland, containing by admeasurement one acre and one rood, more or less, situated in the town of Riverton, being sections numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, block XVI., on the map of the said town : bounded toward the north-west by Pitt street, toward the north-east by Albany street, toward the south-east by sections numbered respectively six and fifteen, and toward the south-west by Priory Place, be set apart as a Reserve for the purposes of the Western District Farmers' Club and Agricultural Association, Jacob's River, Southland." After some discussion, Mr Thomson moved as an amendment — " That all the words after the word 'that,' in the second line, be omitted, and that the following i words be inserted •. — ' That an area of land not exceeding two acres be set apart for each Agricultural Society in the Province.' " After some remarks from Mr M'Lean and Dr Webster, the amendment was altered so as to admit the words — " That an area not exceeding four acres be set apart for each Agricultural, or Agricultural and Pastoral Society in the Province." The motion having been amended to that extent, it was put and carried. Mr G. F. C. Browne moved—" That the following clauses be added to tbe Waste Land Resolutions : — " (1.) Every holder of a miner's right having a claim within a Hundred or block and every holder of a business license occupying land by virtue of license within a Hundred or block shall be entitled to run two head of great cattle free of charge. (2.) Every holder or occupier of any land within a Hundred or block under or by virtue of a mineral lease or license shall be entitled to run three head of great cattle by paying the assessment provided by the Otago Waste Lands Resolutions." The motion was carried. Mr Reid moved — " That this Council, having had under its consideration the Otago Waste Lands Bill, passed by the House of Representatives during the last Session of the General Assembly, and having made certain amendments therein and added resolutions thereto — Resolved : That a Bill be prepared embodying the resolutions as now passed, with a view to the Land Laws of the Province being simplified and consolidated in one Act, in accordance with the desire of the inhabitants of the Province, as expressed by its representatives in this Council. That a copy of the Bill (as soon as it is printed) be forwarded to each member of the Colonial Legislature, and that they be respectfully requested to give it their support in the Assembly, and to endeavor to get it passed into law. That Mr Speaker be requested to forward a copy of the above resolutions to each member of the General Assembly." Motion carried. Mr Basstian moved — " That, in the opinion of this Council, the construction of a tramway or light railway from Riverton up the valley of the Aparima to the Otautau would be the means of opening up a large area of good agricultural land, and give facility to the settlers in that highly-productive farming district of getting their produce to market ; and that it would be the saving of many thousands of pounds that would be necessary to make the present road suitable to the requirements of that important district : Resolved, therefore, that the Superintendent be respectfully requested to take the necessary steps for the construction of the same by payment in land, as provided under ' The Southland "Waste Lands Act, 1865.* " After some discussion, Mr M'Arthur said he felt some difficulty, in the absence of sufiicient information, as to what course he Bhould take.

Some further discussion took place. Mr M'Arthur moved — " That an Address be presented to Hie Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to cause the necessary inquiry to be made as to the most desirable lines of tramway or railway, for the purpose of opening up the fertile lands in the Western District, and of developing the valuable coalfields, iron stone, and pottery clay, known to exist in abundance at Wrey's Bush and neighborhood, and within a few miles of the Wiuton Eailway terminus." This motion was carried. The Council then adjourned until 2 p.m. next day.