PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 371, 14 May 1861, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 7. The Council met at 5 o'clock.

Present: The Speaker, theTrovincial Secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Messrs. Gibbs, Wells, Kelling, Baigent, Horn, Kerr, Elliott, M'Mahon, Hewetson, Saunders, Curtis, Mackay, M'Rae, Dodson, Dr. Monro, and Dr. Ren wick. The minutes of the previous day were read and confirmed.

Three messages from, the Superintendent were then received, enclosing correspondence as to Red Deer—Engineer's Report as to Wairoa Bridge, and Estimates in detail, and comparative statements. : ;

WEST COAST.

Mr. Cunris presented a petition from Mr< " Rochfort, asking the Council'to, compensate him }' for losses sustained while exploring the- West Coast. '~..' - .'.- .■''-.'•:'..

WAIRAU MASSACRE*

Mr. Elliott moved ' that the Superintendent be requested to.lay before the Council any cor-' respondence he may have had respecting the •erection of a.monument to the sufferers in the j iWairau Massacre.' His reason for asking was f <•, that two sessions since the sum of £3oo was voted for the purpose; it was then determined, that a monument should he erected by the graves $. our fellow-settlers. He had since heard that owing to separation it was not the intention of the Govern* ment to carry it out* he wished that any Correspondence between the Government and that of MarlbowugU sb»ui4 >* wi Wim thft Council,

Dr. Monuo seconded the motion, which was carried.

ROAD OVER MOKATAPU

Mr. Elliott asked the Provincial Secretary whether any correspondence had taken place between the Government of this Province sind that of Marlborough respecting the road which connects the two provinces by the Mokatapu, with a view to the improvement of the same. Many members of the Council were aware the division of the provinces runs along the summit of a range, and the road on both sidts is very bad and greatly in want of improvement; the present line is altogether a mistake, as a much better road could be made on the north bank of the Maitai. In fact, it was very dangerous at this season, and extremely difficult to get horses over. He thought facility should be given to travellers between the two provinces. Should there be no correspondence on the subject, he should bring forward the question in another way. The Provincial Secretauy said he was not aware any correspondence had taken place between this Province and Marlborough respecting the road, except about a bridge which had been carried away. The Provincial Engineer thought a better road could be formed to save some 500 or 600 feet in height, and it was the intention of Government to make the change. At the time of making it, the Government had the reports of several surveyors; Mr. Ogg was also employed to get the best possible road; but now it was ascertained a better road could be found.

MOUTERE ELECTORS,

Mr. Hewetson moved ' that the petition from the Moutere Electors for separate representation be taken into consideration, and that the Superintendent be respectfully requested to give effect to the prayer thereof.' He said four years ago a similar petition was "presented, but the prayer of it was not then agreed to, as there were not enough electors on the roll; that objection does not now exist, and in his opinion the place required separate representation. If any member had any amendment to make, he should be very glad to hear it. Mr. Gibbs proposed, as an amendment, ' that a select committee be appointed upon the subject.' Mr. Kel/Linq seconded the amendment. Mr. Baigent said, with regard to the amendment and alterations, no doubt the committee were the best to do it; he could not see why the Moutere wanted another member. If the Moutere was not well represented, it was Mr. Hewetson'e own fault, who lived in the very heart of the district, and he must surely bo in some dread to want another member; he would not support the amendment.

Mr. Kelling did not agree with Mr. Baigent; the Moutere district was quite as much entitled to a member as any other; there were seventy or eighty electors on the roll: he would support the amendment. The Speaker first put the question as to the appointment of Committee, when ths house divided—

Ayes. Noes. Dr. Monro Provincial Solicitor BJr. Wells Provincial Secretary Curtis Mr. Horn Gibbs Dodson Hewetson Saunders Mackay Baigent M'Mahon Kerr jKelling aicßae

HJommittee appointed, viz :—The Speaker, the Provincial .{secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Dr. Monro, Mr. Cuitis, Mr. Mackay, Mr. Hewetson, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Kelling, and Mr. Gibbs.

SUPPLY OF PURE WATER. Mr. Curtis moved * that a Select Committee, with power to call for persons and papers, be appointed to inquire as to the practicability of (providing the city of Nelson with a constant supply of pure water, and to report upon the best means of carrying that object into effect; such committee to consist of the Speaker, Mr. Elliott, Mr. Kelling, Dr. Renwick, Mr. Wells, the Provincial Solicitor, and the mover.' It was not necessary to point out the necessity of getting a good supply of pure water; as to the means to accomplish it, he could lay papers before the Select Committee —a very small amount would be required to carry it out. Mr. Wells seconded the motion, which was adopted.

COAL FROM THE GREY DISTRICT.

Mr. Mackay asked the Provincial Secretary why the cargo of coal had not been procured from the Grey District, for which purpose a sum of three hundred pounds was voted by the Council last session. He said it would be still in the recollection of the Council that last session he took the liberty of asking; for the amount to be put on, which was passed by the Council. He understood a vessel could be got cheap for ,£BO, and he regretted one was not sent, as, according to Mr. Haast's account, a vessel could be easily got there. Mr. Haast and party were at the Grey from March to June, which would have been a good time to have gone, as they would then have had plenty of assistance to get a good stock. If the sum had not been put on, then he would not have been surprised.

The Provincial Secretary said there were several reasons why the Government had not sent. One was, as the Council was aware, that £3000 or were voted last year more than was estimated would be received; consequently, the Government had to put off the least urgent: another reason was, that" the Government had expended large sums for the Taranaki refugees. It Wa3 Very doubtful if the sum voted was sufficient: a vessel may be got for £80, but then it would with men have to be kept there some time to get the quantity, as the persons who accompanied Mr. Haast had said there would be great difficulty in getting the coals from the mines. If they had been brought it would have been merely a curiosity; no one would think of using them, as the cost would be five or ten times as much as the Newcastle or any other. A sample had been sent to the chief school of Minea in England to be tested, which he thought was a much better course than having them tested here. Altogether the Government did not see it necessary to expend the sura.

LAND FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES.

The Provincial Solicitor moved ' for leave to bring in a Bill to authorise the Superintendent to convey to her Majesty certain land granted for public purposes in the city of Nelson.' He said the land mentioned was for a Custom-house. The Collector of Customs had selected this site, which was adjoining land leased to Mr. Stock. The Superintendent h»s only power to grant for 21 years, which would not do ; the object of the Bill was to enable the Superintendent to convey the piece of land in question to her Majesty, so that the General Government could erect the New Custom-house thereon.

Mr. Horn seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Bill was then read the first time.

SELECT COMMITTEE.

Mr. Hewetson moved 'that the name of Mr. Baigent be added to the Select Committee upon MV. Kelling's motion, No. 13, May 1, respecting a certain road in the Koutere district.'

Mr. Kelling seconded the motion, which was adopted

ALTERATIONS IN THISTLE ACT.

Mr.) Horn moved ' that a Select Committee be appointed to consider what alterations it is desirable to make in the existing Thistle Act : such committee to consist of Dr. Monro, Mr. Kelling, Mr. Simmonds, the Speaker, the Provincial Solicitor, and the mover.' Mr. Kerb seconded the motion, which was carried.

WEST COAST,

Mr. Saunders moved ' that the Superintendent be requested to furnish this Council with a report of the entire expense incurred by the employment Of Mr. Haast to explore the West Coast, also of printing a book published by that gentleman, and <$ied ty him a *enwt,> He $u4 that very largQ

expenses had been incurred on the West Coast, and the Council should be anxious to know what they were; he thought the Executive had not exercised good judgment in the matter, or they should not have published the descriptive portion ot Mr. Ilaast's narrative. The work itself would riot pay a person' for reading, unless they were fond of reading a collection of hard names and geological terms. He had no doubt the Council would like to know the expenses.

Mr. Baigent seconded the motion,

Dr. Monuo said before the motion was put he would say he agreed with the first part of it, for it was necessary the Council should inquire into the expenses; he thought it would not be good taste in the Council to adopt the latter part of the motion, as it was an expression of satire directed against the person. Probably Mr. Saunders was one of the parties against employing Mr. Haast, but the Council made up their mincta to employ that gentleman ; some people had said his services were badly performed, that he was very negligent, and had wilfully made false statements; but he (Dr. M.) considered he had pointed ouc several important facts as to the longitude and latitude ot the place; if they proved correct, he had done great service, not only in Geology, but in Navigation. For himself he had read his work with a great deal of pleasure; he considered any person would find in it much to interest them. He understood the hardships Mr. Haast went through were very great. If the gentleman, the mover, would put his pen through the latter part of his motion he would support it; if not, he should certainly vote against it. The Provincial Secretary said he quite agreed with the member, the last speaker. He did not profess to know geology, but bethought every one in the Council would see that so far there was nothing tangible against Mr. Haast or his knowledge. He thought the Council should not pass a slur on the work ; he agreed with the last speaker to strike out the last words, or otherwise withdraw the motion.

Mr. Horn moved, as an amendment, that all the words after ' West Coast' be struck out.

Mr. Mackay seconded the amendment, which was carried.

The motion, as altered, was put and adopted CEMETERY IN SUBURBAN NORTH.

Mr. Dodson moved "that the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates a sufficient sum to securely fence in the District Cemetery in Suburban North." He said it was a small cemetery of two acres, set aside for Suburban North. There were several persons buried there, as it now is. Cows, pigs, &c, walk over it, and it was disgusting to see the graves of our fellow-settlers roo'ed up by pigs, and nothing to stop them. The Bishop and Clergy had said it was indispensably necessary the cemetery should be kept open. Mr. (irißßs seconded the motion.

Some discussion took place, when Mr. Saunders moved as an amendment " that that portion of the cemetery used for interment should be inclosed.1' The Provincial Secretary seconded the amendment.

Mr. Wells thought that the sum required for fencing two acres of ground was so small that it would be better to have it all fenced, not part, as was suggested by a member, and that the Council should grant the sum. The House then divided-

Ayes. Noes. Provincial Solicitor Dr. Monro Provincial Secretary Ronwick Mr. Saunders Mr. Dodson Baigenfc Kelling Horn Hewetson M'Mahon Gibbs Kerr Veils M'Rae Curtis Jlack&y

Amendment lost. Mr. Horn moved " that standing order, No. 29, be suspended in order to allow him to move." Mr. Keur saconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr. Horn moved " that the name of Mr. M'Mahon be added to the Impounding Ordnance Committee."

Mr. Kelling seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Wednesday, May 8

Present: The Speaker, the Provincial Secretary, the Piovincial Solicitor, Drs. Remvick and Monro, Messrs. Gibbs, Hewetson, Wells, Kerr, M'Mahon, Horn. M'Rae, Baigent, Kelling,- Elliott, Dodson, Curtis, Saunders, and Mackay.

ROAD BOARDS,

. Mr. Kelling brought up the report of the Committee appointed to consider the propriety of making a new road in Waimea East. Report read.

Mr. Horn moved " that the Superintendent be requested to procure from the various District Road Boards of this province, the amount of all monies expended by them, and how expended, from Ist July, 1809. Also the amount of rate levied in each district and the amount of money received.'1

Mr. Baigent seconded the motion

Mr. Hewetson thought the member's object could be attained by referring to the proceedings of the various boards, which, in accordance with the Act, were kept by them. He believed the mover of fhi's resolution meant it particularly for the Moutere Board ; he would inform that gentleman th it they had complied with all the conditions of the Act, and submitted their accounts to the ratepayers; no person had any right to ask for such returns at this time. The boards were compelled to furnish them only at the end of the year. He had no objection to the motion ; but as to getting what he wanted it was morally impossible.

Mr. Kelling considered the motion a very useful and desirable one, and should be glad to see it adopted an<J carried out; he did not think Mr. Hewetson should be afraid of supplying these returns ; he should gladly support the motion. Mr. M'Rae thought the motion, if carried into effect, was calculated to do a deal of good. The various Road Boards were entrusted with largo sums of money, and were invested with a good deal of power, and he considered that they ought to furnish the Council with an account of their proceedings. He knew that there was great dissatisfaction in the district he represented; and hoped the Government would look into the matter.

The Provincial Secretary said no doubt the object of the motion was very proper and useful, but whether it would succeed in effecting its object or not, was another question. The Council must be aware that the Superintendent had not the power to procure these returns; all he could do would be to ask for them, and then some of the districts are so remote that the chances are they could not be got during this session. There was no doubt the Boards ought to furnish thesa returns, and the Government had always felt that; but then, as most members are aware, the Boards always kick at any restraint being put upon them. What lie would recommend was that when money was paid to the chairman of any Board, he should give a written guarantee that it should be spent in accordance with the vote of the Council. Mr. Horn, in reply, said he wished to deny the statement of Mr. Hewetson, that he intended this motion to apply to the Moutere Road Board in oarticukr: he asked for these returns on an equality of principle; he had previously asked for similar returns from the Central Board of Education, and the Road Boards, being a similar body, he thought they should also furnish accounts of their proceedings. The Provincial Secretary had informed them that the Superintendent had no power to furnish these returns ; now he thought it was a very undignified position for this Council, who he believed passed the act creating these Boards, not to be able to demand an account of their proceedings. There was no doubt thut when the Estimates were under consideration, they would be called upon to vote turns of money for these Boards ; for bis part he should oppose these votes, as he was determined to see the dignity of this Council maintained aa loug as he was a .member of it.

Motion put and a^ie^d to.