Porvincial Council.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 255, 30 March 1860, Page 2

Porvincial Council.

TUESDAY, MARCH 27.

The seventh session of the Nelson Provincial Council was opened on Tuesday last afc the Freemasons' Hall, which hud been as.carefully prepared as on former occasions. The Superintendent's address was listened to by a large number of the public.

The Clerk read oyer the return of two now members, namely,-Mr. J. P. Horn for Waimea East, and Mr. Jf Kerr for Waimea West, who were present, besides the Provincial' Secretary, Provincial Solicitor, Drs.. Monro and Renwick, Messrs. Parker, Baigent, Dodson, Kelling, Curtis, Wells, Simmonds, M'Rae, Marsden, Gibbs, Hewetson, and Mr. M'Mahon. ';'"'■

The Speaker said he had received a note from the- Superintendent., which .he- proceeded to

read :—

Superintendent's Office, Nelson, 'March; 27,/1860. Sin—ln consequence of ill health, I am unable to open the Provincial Council ih person ; I have therefoie the honour to request that you will permit the Clerk of the Council to read to yourself and the Council the accompanying address, at one o'clock this day.

I have, &c, J. P. Robinson, Superintendent/ The Honorable the Speaker of the Provincial Council, Nelson. In pursuance of this the Clerk read the following address: —

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Cdur-'ciL—

1/The first subject to which it appears tome desirable to ca 1 yortr attention in opening the present session is that of the financial position of the province. In so doing it affords me satisfaction to be able to inform you that my estimate pf the probable revenue for the current year has been considerably exceeded by that actually raised. This is chiefly owing to the sales of land, which produced upwards of £48,000 during the three quarters ended the 31st December last, being an excess over the estimated amount ot about £15,000. The total revenue during the last three quarters amounted to £72,012 Bs. 10d., including the balance from the previous year, to which should be added the estimatei revenue for the present quarter—making ; a gross probable total of i.74,500. So far the financial position of the province cannot be viewed in any other light than as extremely satisfactory. 2. It would afford me much pleasure could I feel myself justified in assuring you that this satisfactory financial position is likely to continue. Two circumstances however appear to me calculated to prevent it. Heretofore it has been found that a balance in favour of the province has accrued from the fi*e-eighths of the customs revenue apportioned to the General Government. A _ despatch lately received by me from the Colonial Secretary (a copy of which will be laid before you, will acquaint you with the fact thatthatapportionmenthasdurmg the last year been found insufficient for the requirements of the General Government, and that the sum of £1118 os. 3d. has been claimed'by them, ahd paid by me in consequence.. As our province is the only one, excepting New Plymouth, which had not a surplus to receive, the cause of this deficit in our case demands some inquiry : it is owing apparently to the large expense (as compared with that of the other provinces) of our customs and post-office departments. An examination ofthe official returns will show that the cost of collecting the customs revenue in this province, in proportion to the amount collected, is nearly double the proportionate cost in Wellington and Canterbury, much greater than that in Auckland, and .one-third greater than (he cost of collection in Otago, wliere the amount of revenue last year was about the same as in Nelson. This seems to show that the customs establishment.in this province is unneces. sariiy large—a fact which will doubtless engage the attention of the General Assembly at its approaching session. Another cause ofthe deficit is the expenditure in the post-office, which has been swelled by the addition of the bonus to the Nelson Steam Association to the expenses of that department. . , 3., The other circumstance which I consider calculated injuriously to affect our future revenue, is the division of the province under the "New Provinces Act." Of the merits or demerits of that Act, ifc appears to me the time has arrived when an expression of your opinion thereon may be pro-: perly and beneficially made. My own opinion is entirely unfavorable to that measure. Could I believe it calculated to extend the blessings of local self-government, no person would be found to rejoice more in its full development thanT should. The only valid objection 1 have ever heard urged against provincial institutions, as established under the Constitution Act,, has been their expensiveness. I cannot, however, see that that expense can be diminished by the increase of provinces ;foi»every new province, if it is to be governed oh' true representative principles, will necessarily require a com-, plete staff of officers and suitable offices^ which will be so much additional expense in admiuisteririgthe affairs of the same aggregate number of people. The cost of administering theaffairs of athousand people, the number entitled ur_der certain circumstances to obtain separation, will be nearly as great as that of ten times that number; while no proportionate diminution can be made in the expenses of the old province. Moreover, the departure from the principle of the people's right to elect their Superintendent, and the taking from the Superintendents and Councils the right of making all laws on subjects not excepted by the Constitution Act,and obliging them to be reserved for the central ministry of the day, leads to the impression that the " New Provinces. Act" is not calculated to extend local self-government, but the reverse. Nor can 1 admit that that portion of the population inhabiting the Wairau district was not in the equal enjoyment of local self-government with other portions, of this province. Its representatives in thisCouncil were as great in number, in proportion to its population, as those of tlie districts of Golden Bay, Mbt'ueka, or the Waimea: and it would be just as true to say that those districts do not. participate in local seif-government, because they have not separate Government establishments, as to say that the Wairau did not. Neither can I admit that there existed any desire on the part either of the Government or, Council of this province to withhold from that or any other district of the province their, fair share of the public funds. On the contrary, the present Government and Council have evinced on all occasions the utmost willingness to give every district a share of the revenue, apportioned with the utmost impartiality to its population and prospective requirements. Further, 1 consider that this province has special reasons to complain ofthe New Provinces Act, jon account..of the departure, with respect to this province, from the principle laid down in,the Act itself with regard to the distance of the boundaries of any new province. That principle provides that no point ot the boundaiy of any new province to be established under the Act shall be less than sixty miles, measured in a straight line, from the capital town of the old province, (except with regard to this province, where, under an exceptional clause, the boundary is brought within, seven Mika of the boundaiy of our town.) I have

considered it my duty to call the attention of his Excellency's Government to what.l conceive to be a fatal objection to the v§tliriity of the boundaries as defined in tlue Order, in Co»ncil relative to the formation of the' province of Marlborough. The correspondence on this subject will be laid before you ; and I trust, should you coincide with ihe in opinion, that the New Provinces Act, as at present constituted, is not calculated to extend the operations of local self-government, giving to the people an extension of represented institutions, that, his Excellency's Government may be iuduced'to modify that measure so as to obtain that desirable object. I may remark also that: the provisions of the Act appear tome to carry on the face of them strong evidence of crude- and hasty legislation, particularly as applied to the small number of electors required to claim to establish a new province ; the absence of all provision for the liquidation of a share of the provincial debt; and the extraordinary, provision made by the 16th clause, which hands over all .public reserves of an old province to the Superintendent of any newjnovince established under the Act. -

4. I now come to a more pleasing portion of my duty, to inform you briefly what has been effected - with the sums voted by you last session, for thepublic works of the province. The large sums _ placed at my disposal for these objects have been -■■ expended as rapidly as circumstances would permit. Some delay, however, arose in consequence of my desire to have the assistance of the gentleman now filling the office of Provincial Engineer, whose previous engagements prevented his undertaking the management of the works in question till a somewhat late period. Nevertheless, I did not think ifc advisable to have works requiring considerable skill, scientific knowledge, and practical experience, for their construction and supervision, to be carried forward without his presence and advice. Since their commencement under his direction, their progress has been veuy:satisfactory, and they cannot fail when completed j to contribute. greatly to the future progress ofthe province. The new pier, which is now carried out seawards to its frill length of. 380 feet, will, with the head or arm, 200 feet in length, to be added to it, in accordance with the terms of the existing contract, enable any vessel drawing 16 feet 8 inches of water to lie alongside and take in or discharge .cargo at low water spring tides; while the two sets of iron traways and the warehouses proposed to be erected, will afford the means of performing those.operations with.the greatest possible convenience, economy, and spatch. Moreover, the approaches- to the jetty have been improved by the removal, by blasting, of the rocks that impeded the navigation in. its neighborhood and about Green Point. On calculating the cost of lighthouses of differient materials, it was found that the cheapest and most durable would be one of cast iron- Accordingly, plans and specifications of a building of that material, fifty feet high, and-of a light; ofthe third order, with all its appurtenances, have been sent to England, with orders for their execution there. This, it is trusted, will prove a great addition to the other advantages of our port. The erection of a Council Chamber and Public Offices has been actively proceeded with during the recess. A vote will be required for their completion, which should take place before your next session, when theywill be found, 1 hope, as ornamental to the town as useful to yourselves,and the public. In order' to complete this improvement, and provide, while their is an opportunity, for the future wants pf the town, I should strongly recommend the purchase of the acre now for sale between the Government buildings and Hardy-street. ;'■■-■ 5. The various trunk lines of road, under the judicious and active management of the respective local boards, have been, by means principally furnished by the Council, placed in a condition surpassing that of these roads in any former period in the history of the province. This remark particularly applies to the road leading from the town to Wakefield, and the Suburban North road; while the road connecting Motueka with the town via the Moutere will, when a few more obstacles shall have been removed, be entitled to the character of a good cart road. The work of road making in the Gold Fields district has been actively carried on during the -past eleven months. Tlie Gold Fields Act, which came into operation on on the Ist day of November, 1859, besides necessitating a refund to the persons concerned of twothirds ofthe sums.which had been received by the. Provincial Treasurer for licenses granted within the boundaries of the Gold Fields, provides, as yoa are aware, that all the expenses of their adriiihis-f tration shall be defrayed, and all public works carried on, from the revenue derivable therefrom. The duty of providing for and managing the latter having thus devolved upon, the General Government, I addressed, his Excellency's Government in reference to the unexpended portion of the sums votedby you foi* the public works of that district. The result of my proposals was an assurance on their part that the sums so voted by the Provincial Government, if expended by me, should be repaid, to the province ont of the.Gold Fields revenues. . The receipt of this assurance induced me at onceto carry forward the estimated works with the utmost despatch. The amount of the vote has indeed been considerably.exceeded, and the existing contracts will require a supplementary grant, which,;with others required for the extension and. completion of those important works, will,'! doubt not, receive your appi'oval. ; 6. -Of the ibridle rokds connecting the outlying districts of the.provmce with Nelson, I will allude;: first to that over the ranges between Motueka andb Takaka, that is,'the road connecting Nelson with the Golden Bay Gold Fields. This road is how in course of formation: but, from the rugged and difficult character of the country it passes over, it will require a further outlay than that; already: appropriated to that object, td-make it generally useful. The advantages to be derived from a direct overland communication with the Aorere Gold Fields, enabling stock to be driven to that district and travellers to visit it at all times, will be sufficiently apparent to ensure for it the iattention it merits.'

7. While alluding to objects affected by the Gold Fields Act, I wish to express my opinion that the boundaries pf the Gold Pields, as at present defined, are larger than necessary, and include .large portions of rich agricultural and timbered land, which being unavailable for the purposes of Inining are thereby rendered equally unavailable for settlement, either, by miners or agriculturists. The residents in the Takaka district -have, ih a memorial to his Excellency the Governor, called his attention to this subject; and I cannot refrain from expressing my regret that this Council did not, when it had the opportunity and power to.do so, accede to the'proposal made to it of permitting small quantities Of land to be sold'to"bona fide settlers, at a price to be assessed by the Government, believing, as I do, that nothing will more effectually tend to the full development of the auriferous lands than affording facilities and encouragement to the diggers to become permanent settlers, in those districts where gofd is known to abound. The necessity for this course will, I believe, become daily more apparent, and will ultimately lead to the adoption of some plan containing the principle referred to. :■"■'■

8. To return to the subject of public works. In my address to you at the opening of your last session, I briefly drew your attention to the necessity that existed for connecting this province with that of Canterbury by means of two lines of road ; the one proceeding along the eastern coast ofthe island by way of the Pelorus, Wairau, Awatere, and Kaikoras; .the other ? the-central line to the South, passing through the Wairau Gorge and Hanmer plain. The first of these important undertakings was in a forward state and progressing rapidly towards completion as far as the Wairau, when its further progress was stayed, except so far as carrying out contracts already entered into^in consequence of the division ofthe province under the New Provinces Act,

9. The middle line of roadv to Canterbury, that through the Wairau gorge, has been very greatly improved j and when the works now going on shall have been completed, at the end of ihe present season, will afford a safe and easy bridle track from Nelson to Jollies Pass. To this point 4-1. river crossings at all dangerous or difficult

have been rendered unnecessary by side cuttings, while the road through the Big Bush ha 3 been made as easy as any other part ofthe route. Some further improvements about Jollies Pass should be , made next season; and I trust that this, and future Councils will always take care to maintain this direct line^ of communication with our southern neighbors jn' a state of thorough repair, so as to afford at all times a safe and easy route for horse travellers, at all events. Large reserves have been made at some ofthe most necessary halting places, which it is intended to offer as an inducement to the establishment of accommodation houses to properly qualified persons. 10. Nothing has yet been done towards improving the road to the 'Grey district, the exploration previously necessary not having been far enough advanced. Of these explorations, which feeling the importance of the Grey district to the province, the Government has done all in its power to institute and encourage, I proceed now to give a brief account.

11. Mr. Rochfort was sent with a party as long ago as February, 1859, to make a traverse of the rivers Grey and Buller and their principal tributaries, and of the coast between the mouths of the former; and to furnish a description of the lands available for pasture or agriculture lying around or adjacent to them. He had performed^ part of his task, when the accidental loss of his instruments in the Buller river, and other circumstances, compelled him to return to Nelson. The Government chartered a vessel to take provisions to the Grey for Mr. Haast's exploring party, which afforded Mr. Rochfort an opportunity to return, and some other gentlemen to visit the district, whose reports have added to the information of the public respecting it. Mr. Rochfort expects to finish his work in less than three months from the present time. 12. In the same month of February, 1859, the Government entered into an engagement with Mr. James Mackay, junior, to employ*him in the endeavor to discover a more direct route.than that previously described by Mr. Brunner, from the neighborhood of the Lake country to the Grey district. His other public avocations prevented him undertaking this exploration at the time; but he has since completed it, and his well-known activity and enterprise have been rewarded with considerable success. Mr. Mackay proceeded by a new route from the Grey to a point inland in the required direction, but was compelled by want of provisions to return to the coast. From the cause justistated, he could not complete his engagement ■till January, when he started from the Nelson end ofthe route, and, according to a report recently received, succeeded in reaching the point where he had commenced his return on his former journey, by a new route up a tributary of the Buller. He reports that a bridle-road can be made by this track without any considerable difficulty. 13. Dr. Hochstetter having been invited by the Government to undertake a scientific exploration of part of this province, performed that task, as you are aware with an energy and ability that merited and received the warmest acknowledgements of the Government and the public. The very satisfactory results ; of his labors were made known in an admirable lecture by himself. His engagement was followed by that of his friend and companion Mr. Haast,' and of Mr. Burnett, to whose qualifications for examining and reporting upon the coal fields known to exist in this province, the most satisfactory testimony was: borne by Dr. Hochstetter. The object proposed by them was to extend as far as lay in their power the geological investigation com- | mencedby Dr. Hochstetter, and by topographical observations tofillupand^complete the blanks in the map of the country that would necessarily be left by Mr. Rochfort. Some months must elapse before their investigations will be accomplished. 14. Mr. Travers having lately made a journey, accompanied, on the part of the Government, by Mr. Maliug, ofthe Survey Office, to endeavor to find a pass from Lake Tennyson to the Grey country, and having succeeded in finding one into what in all probability is a valley down which a tributary ol the Grey river flows, the Government immediately despatched Mr. Lewis and Mr. Maling to endeavor to place beyond all doubt the interesting point left undecided by Mr. Travels. If, as is to be hoped and expected, this route be found to lead into the Grey country, and to continue as open and easy as Mr. Travers describes that part he visited, ifc will be most desirable to improve it into a complete bridle-track as soon as possible. A sum will be placed on the estimates for your approval to effect this object, in case of a favorable result to Mr. Lewis's exploration.

15. To complete, then, the bridle-road connecting A the Nelson districts proper with Golden Bay and the gold-fields; and the middle road connecting Nelson with Canterbury*; to open a similar line of road by Mr. Mackay's route on tlie west or some possible improvement of it, to the Buller andsthe Grey districts, and by Mr. Travers's route oh the East to the Grey districts; these are the great works for extending and improving our means of communication with the outlying portions of the. province, which I would earnestly recommend to your attention. And another work which I my class in importance with these, will be the formation of a drayrroad reported practicable by the Provincial Secretary and the Provincial Engineer, connecting the Amuri district with a shipping place at Gore Bay, through which, it is hoped, the exports and imports of that valuable district will flow in future, instead of the distant coast town of Kaipoi. Instructions have been given for the laying out of a township at Gore Bay, and a vote for the road and for moorings to be laid down in the Bay will be placed on the Estimates.,

16. A very small amount of legislation will be proposed to you by Government during this session. I have always been, averse to the practice, of unnecessary legislation, andof loading our statute, hooks with enactments that run* any chance of being found superfluous. The most important* subjects on which some legislation may be requisite have been taken out of your hands and entrusted to the General Assembly. *On some of these you legislated last session, but as they affected the Crown Lands, your enactments, having been reserved by me for his Excellency's opinion thereon were disallowed. These Acts were, The land for Compensation Act, 1859, The Naval and Military Settlers Act, 1859, and the Compensation for Roads Act, 1859. All "these are still required. But the subject of the first has been so frequently brought under your notice and occupied so much of your time, and the justice of the claims it refers to has been so generally recognised, that I regret the necessity should still exist of my bringing it again before you. It would be useless for you again to legislate upon it;;but I would recommend the preparation by the Council of a memorial to his Excellency, praying that this Act, and the Nay. 1 and Military Settlere Act, or others embodying the. same provisions, may be laid before the General Assembly for their adoption.

.17. Bills will be submitted to you for the protection of bridle roads and the licensing pi" drivers of vehicles plying for hire. There is another subject on which you may usefully legislate. In order to give every assistance and encouragement to the praiseworthy efforts of a portion of the public to foster in the community a knowledge of the use ofthe rifle, as a means of defence in case of need ; I should advise that a sum of .£IOOO, to begin with, should be placed on the estimates, to be expended in the purchase of rifles of the most approved kind, which should be lent to the volunteer corps, on certain security being given for their return, or payment of the prime cost to the Government. I would propose that an annual public competition should take place for prizes for the best rifle-shoot-ing ; such prizes-to consist either of these rifles, or others of a superior make and finish,*but' in all cases to be given only for the exhibition of a certain defined degree of proficiency in the use of the implement. It would be as well if these arrangements and the principle of the distribution of the prizes were embodied in a short Act, which would ensure consistency in the proceedings, and give greater confidence to the public in the proper' management of them. Ja In conclusion gentlemanj you will allow me

to allude to the encouraging prospects for the future of the province, evan should its dismemberment, by the creation of Marlborough, be maintained. The quantity of chrome ore in the Dun Mountain, its having been found at the Croixelles, and the. confidence of the persons most directly interested in their power of exporting it at a remunerative profit, hhd us to hope that a considerable addition to our prosperity may be afforded thereby.

19. Another mineral of the very greatest value with respect to which every succeeding exploration confirms our anticipation that it will forrnoneof the staple productions of our province in peculiar, is coal. The coal at Pakawau was pronounced by Dr. Hochstetter the only true black coal he had seen in the colony; and that from the River Grey, of which samples have been lately forwarded, is said to be superior to the Pakawau coal. Its position near the mouth of the Grey, from the description received of it, appears to afford every facility for working and exporting it. If Mr. Burnett's report upon these points be favorable, I shall ask you to enable me, by voting a sum of money for the purpose, to send a vessel with a party of miners to the Grey, to procure a sufficient quantity of the coal to make its merits thoroughly kuown aud appreciated. With the steam vessels constantly plying round the coasts of tlie colony, and the readygmarket obviously existing for this mineral, it will be somewhat surprising if capitalists be not speedily found to turn to account the promising indications above alluded to. 20. Lastly, the additional experience gained since your last session, strongly corroborates the opinion that gold will be found more extensively distributed through the province than was at first anticipated. Its recent discovery in the Buller district, ancl also in the Wangapeka district, in the neighborhood of that discovered some time since in the Baton river,: appears to afford conclusive evidence of the auriferous character ofthe country intervening between the northern and southern portions of the province; and without in any de-gree-wishing to excite any unwarrantable enthusiasm in reference to the paying quality of the country referred to, it is quite within the bounds, of probability, that no great time will elapse ere the improved methods now in operation amongst some of the most successful diggers at the Aorere gold-fields will be brought to bear upon the districts alluded to, and result in proving their value as a labor field and means of subsistence for a large population. I now declare this Council open for the despatch of business.

J. P. ROBINSON, Superintendent

It was then moved aud agreed that "the ad dress be printed.

The Speaker said lie had received a reply to the memorial to the Geueral Government, praying for the dissolution of this Council, which should be read if required.

. After notices of motion, the couucil adjourned until the next evening.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

MESSAGE,

Message No 1, from His Honor the Superintendent, was then received and read," transmitting for the information of the Provincial Council, copies of letters received from the General Government, having reference to the surplus revenues ofthe colony, and enclosing statements of the accounts with this Province.

RIWAKA ROAD BOARD,

Mr. Kelling rose to ask the Provincial Secretary whether the Road' Board for the Riwaka District has received the money placed ou the Estimates for roads in that district, and, if so, whether that Board ever levied any rate. He did so because he had heard that the Board had never levied a rate. As'this was.the only ifistauce of a provincial Board having omitted to do so, he wished to be informed ou the point. Auother reason was, that no one was able to vote in members of a board until they had paid th*.*ir rate, so that the legality of the B >ai\l would he affected if no rate had been levied: it was, besides unfair to other "districts if one of them was exempt from paying a rate that ali the others had to meet.

The Provincial Secretary thought it was not tbe business of the Government to interfere in such cases as the one referred to by the honorable member only so far as the moneys on the Estimates were concerned.; in most eases the boards were responsible to their* constituents rather than subject to the control of any other body. The Waimeas, for instance, had been contributed largely to by the Government; but it was not for them to say whether tlie rates had been collected or not.

The Provincial Solicitor moved "for leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the protection of Bridle Roads." Her said that large suras of money had been expended for making bridle roads in various districts of the province, which had been almost rendered useless. He thought it necessary that this. Bill should be passed for protecting the roads from the damage sustained by the driving of stook upon them. Seconded by Mr. Wells. Agreed to and read a first time.

BRIDLE ROADS,

superintendent's address.

Mr. Wells moved " That a select committee be appointed.to take into consideration -his Honor the Superintendent's address, and prepare an answer to the same: such committee to consist of the Speaker, Dr. Monro,. Mr. Parker Mr. Baigsnt, and the mover." Seconded by Mr. Kelling. Agreed to. .

TASMANIAN MAID,

Mr. Kelling moved "That is Honor the Superintendent be requested to apply to the Nelson Cjast Steam Association for a report respecting the steamer Tasmanian Maid,with re. gardto her progress in her present trade, and on what conditions the Company obtained the money for this vessel from the Trustees, and to lay this report before the Council." Some years ago -the Trustees of the Nelson Trust Funds had advanced £7000 for a -steamer, for the accommodation of the province, the. Council had also vdted'money (,£1,000) for the purpose. These sums were advanced without interest being paid. Two years ago it was said that unless.the General Government granted a subsidy, she would be taken away, this subsidy was given ; but he had heard.lately that it had beeu refused to be paid. It was possible tbat her removal might again be contemplated, therefore under the circumstances which the money was obtained he thought it right that the public, should know of her progress. The local press. gave notice of other companies, but nothing was said of the Nelson Coast Steam Association. If asked to furnish these particulars lie had nodoubt the company would do so. It was possible that,a suggestion might be made for getting the bonus again for her.

. Mr. Parker seconded the motion, ile thought there should be an understanding, as.to what- the- steamer should do f< r the bonus, if granted. Previous to the. coming of the Tasmanian Maid there was an.overland mail twice a week to Motueka and Upper and Lower Moutere, and throughout the whole of the service fie believed there was only one occasion where it failed in time. The arrangements for the last twelve months had subjected those districts fre*

queritly to a lapse of .nine days ;,last,.week it was ten days; ir. /act, ono of the members of that Council' could"not take his seat in consequence of there being no mail from Motueka. Ho thought an inquiry.l won Id show that there were certain requirements which she shou!|l perform when that money whs granted. v "--' Mr. Curtis did not rise to oppose the motion, because the company would no doubt willingly provide any required information, but he thought the present form unusual. .'Had the Council who voted the money, or the Trustees of the Trust Fuuds thought "proper to ask the question, he should have considered that all very well; but the second part of the iuformatiou with respect: to the profits of a private company was scarcely what he should think them en titled to ask for. The Inter-Colonial company received a boons from, the General Government; but, whether a profit accrued was not a question that had been asked by that body* At the same time he felt sure the company wdlild be quite ro,idy to give information on the subject. Mr. KELLINGhad never referred to the profits ofthe company, or called them in question ; ou the other hand the larger they were the greater would bo the satisfaction; her loss would be severely felt if taken away altogether; but the public having paid £7000 for the advantage of steam communication, besides what had been advanced by the Provincial Council, he thought they should know something of her arrangements.

The motion was then put ami carried. Mr. Parker.had given notice of motion for a return of sheep and cattle runs. Ho now applied for liberty to amend the motion which would Bland as follow* :—" That the Superintendent be requested to 'furnish this Council with a return of the number of sheep and cattle runs now licensed iv this province, ancl the number of acres each run is supposed to contain, tho name of each person claiming the said runs, with the number of sheep and caffcle on each run, the amouut cf license fees and bean moneys paid for each run, for the years 1857, 1858, and 1859; and the dates and conditions under which such runs were taken ; also the number of sheep and cuttle each run should bo stocked with according to the provisions ofthe Land Eegulations; and the number of applications and supposed acreage of ruus applied for up to the present date.

Seconded by Mr. Horn, and granted. Dr. Monro moved that the Council adjourn until Tuesday next.

Seconded by Mr. Curtis. , Ayes 5. Noes 9. Messrs. Gibbs and Hewetson declined to vote. The motion was lost aud the Council then adjourned until next day.