LUNATICS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 371, 14 May 1861, Page 3

LUNATICS.

Mr. Horn asked the Provincial Secretary what was the intention of the Provincial Government respecting the further provision of accommodation for lunatics, in the absence of that provision being made by the General Government in this Province. He thought that it was a shame and disgrace to this Province the way in which tliesunfortunate creatures were treated ; but, at the same time, he was aware that there were mitigating circumstances as far as the Provincial Government was concerned. A 9 the members were aware, it was the intention of the General Government to erect a Central Lunatic Asylum in this Province, and they had brought in a Bill for that purpose in the last session of the General Assembly, which Bill was however thrown out. On these grounds he thought it proper to ask the Provincial Secretary the intention of the Government, in this matter.

Tho Provincial Secretary said the member had anticipated what his reply would be. The General Government had felt strongly upon the matter; they had introduced a Bill on the question, which had been thrown out. It was obvious that there must be a Central Asylum, and he considered it would be absurd for the Provincial Government to erect a local institution —it would cost five or six thousand pounds, to say nothing of the annual expenses. He thought it would be wiser for the Province to go on as it was until the next session of the General Assembly ; he believed a similar motion would be introduced to that of last session, and he hoped with better success : he considered it would be unwise for this Council to vote large sums for this purpose. With regard to the shame and disgrace of which the member had spoken, lie believed there were some ground for it; but his remarks did not apply solely to this Province; — Canterbury, for instance, was far worse in this respect, to say nothing of the other provinces. He was not aware of any lamentable instances of neglect lately; and he would of course allow that the present provision for these unfortunate persons was imperfect, and might materially be improved.

WAI-ITI ROAD

Mr. Kerr moved ' that the Superintendent be requested to furnish this Council wjth the sum that has been expended on the road between the Wai-Hi and the Top House.' i!e had made a similar motion last year, and was informed that there would be money expended on this road ; he was not aware that anything had been done since that time. £800 had been voted last session, and he had been promised that some of it should come that way ; all he could say was, it was very long in doing so. Mr. Baigent seconded the motion, which was put and agreed to.

PUBLIC ROADS.

Mr. Kklling moved ' that this Council is of opinion that the Provincial Government should, as a general rule, lay out public roads through lands which have been sold, and through which the right of a road has been reserved, so soon as this possibly can be done, as otherwise the owner of such lands may sustain serious injuries.' He supposed it was well known that the practice of the Provincial Government in selling rural lands was to reserve the right to make a road through them at any time. In some cases it came very hard on settlers, after having cultivated their ground, for the Government to come and say, 4We want a road through it.' He did not think it necessary to say more on the subject, as it must be clear to every member; but he thought the Government may, in many instances, say where the road would go. Dr. Renwick seconded the motion.

The Provincial Secretary said the member had perhaps forgotten the course of legislation in regard to this matter several years back. It was in Sir George Grey's time this clause was inserted ■^he (Sir George Grey) considered it a very essential one, and he (the Provincial Secretary) entirely agreed with him. It was only last session that the Council was called to vote the sum of £123 for a bit of road in Waimea West, simply on account of this right being given up-^-he should be sorry to see the Act altered.

Mr. Baigent agreed fully with the spirit of the motion ; but he did not think it practicable in the out-lying districts. He knew that the Waimea Road Board had been put to some inconvenience and considerable expense through the right not having been reserved. There was a public road in Waimea West, which had been sold for some ten or twenty pounds, and the owner now claimed £107 for compensation. As he said before he agreed with the motion, but did not think it could be carried out in the unsettled districts.

Mr. Kerr said ho knew something about buying the road to Roadie's Island, and would inform the Council that instead of it costing .£2O it cost some hundreds.

Mr. Kelling in reply said it was quite evident the Provincial Secretary had misunderstood him. He did not wish to do away with the right to make roads through rural lands, but would like to see that right exercised as soon a3 possible after the sale of the land. He agreed with the member for Waimea South, that in some instances it was not practicable, but where it was he contended it ought to be done.

The motion was agreed to,

custom-house

The Provincial Solicitor moved the second reading of a k bill to authorise the Superintendent to convey to her Majesty certain land granted for public purposes in the city of Nelson.'

Mr. Horn seconded the motion. The Council went into committee on the bill, which was passed without discussion.

LAND SALE RETURN

Dr. Monro moved for ' a return of all land sold within the Province of Nelson from the date of the last return to the present time, showing the district within which the land was sold, and the consideration received whether cash or scrip.' Mr. M'Rae seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Mr. Baigent moved ' that a select committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon a disputed block of land, purchased by Jacob Watson, in the year 1855, in the Wai-iti Valley, No. 1, Block 1; such committee to consist of Dr. Monro, the Provincial Secretary, Messrs. Curtis, Horn, Elliott, the Speaker, and the mover, with power to call for evidence, and to report upon the same to this Council.' In asking for the committee he would state that six years since Watsou had a piece of land surveyed in the Wai-iti Valley ; he was the first purchaser there, but owing to some mistake the land allotted to him was on a lull, and not the piece he had had surveyed ; how it occurred he (Mr. Baigent) did not know, but he thought it nothing but fair that the matter should be looked into; he felt sure that when the committee heard the evidence of Watson they would consider that some compensation was due to him.

The Provincial Secretary seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

The Council adjourned till 5 o'clock Thursday.