PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 372, 17 May 1861, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thubsday, May 9. The Council met at 5 o'clock.

Present: The Speaker, the Provincial Secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Messrs. Gjbbs,: Wells, Kelling, Baigent, Hprn, Kerr, Elliott, M'Mahpnj Hewetson,'; Saundets, Curtis, Mackay, jM'R&e, Dodson, Dr; Monroy and Dr. Renwick. : j . i; The minutes of the previous day were read and confirmed. :^'

WAIROA BRIDGE.

Mr. Saundebs brought up the report of the Select Committee on the Wairoa Bridge, which recommended that £3000 of the public revenue be at once devoted to the erection of a suspension bridge over the Wairoa, and the balance of its cost should be raised by debentures; the estimated cost of the structure being £9000.

MOUTEftE-ROAD.

Mr. KELiiiNQ brought up the report of the Select Committee on the Moutere Road.

Mr. M'Rae moved 'that Standing Order No. 29 be suspended. Mr. Saundebs seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr. M'Rae moved ' that the Report of the Committee of the Moutere Road be taken into consideration at once.'

Mr. Saundebs seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr. Kelling said as Chairman of the Select Committee he should move that the report be rejected ; he did so as the conclusion come to was by gentlemen who knew nothing of the country, and he considered«it would be a great waste of the public money to form a new road; the old one is the best part of the road to Motueka, and all who have seen it are against making anew one (no>no) except members of the Moutere Road Board. The Provincial Engineer said if a new road is to be made, he should recommend the one proposed; but the present is a very good one. It would cost £200, besides fencing, and four or five bridges would be required; the expense would be great, and it was not at all necessary.

Mr. M'Mahon seconded the motion,

Mr. Curtis said he was one of the committee alluded to by Mr. Kelling; he knew nothing of the road, but confined himself to the petitions, &c, presented in its favor; he found the inhabitants were in its favor at the rate of three to two, and the Road Board at the rate of four out of five. The Provincial Engineer in his report had said it was the best line, but the only objection was on the ground of expense; he thought they could not do better than take the wish of thedistrict, and it was desirable to defer execution ot-the work till the new Road Board be elected; he should support the adoption of the report and oppose the motion. The Provincial Secretary said it was true the majority of the ratepayers had signed the petition for making the new road, and four out of five were in its favor, but the conclusion had been come to without reference to money. If the Council adopt the report it will be put on recovd, but he believed they signed on the faith that the money would be voted by the Council. If the opinion of the Provincial Engineer be read, which is unprejudiced, the conclusion is opposite to the Committee; he,doe3 not say the new is the best, but the shortest road, and unnecessary when they .have a good road which will cost very little o keep in good order ; he thought ali the reasons were against adopting the report. Another thing, the old road led to the church, the school, and the public house, iso that it was convenient to all parties'if the report was adopted they would have to go over all expenses to stop the road always used. ,

Mr. Hewetson said they, did not want to stop up any road, it would be no inconvenience to any parties; the.Board and District thought they should be advancing and not going back. The New Zealand Company, in laying out the road, wanted t> take it the way now proposed. As Chairman of the Moutere Road Board, he thought the best way was to invite tenders for the execution of the work, and it could be done for less than one-half what is stated.

Three Messages were then read from the Superintendent, referring to Surplus Revenue Accounts, Resolutions for amending Waste Land Bills, and memorial from Moutere Separation. The Provincial Solicitor said if the report was adopted they must introduce a Bill to carry it into effect, but before passing it the council should consider whether it would be of any benefit to the public. From conversation he had had with the Provincial Engineer, who did not think it right it should, it would certainly be nearer, but a deal of expense, he believed it was not as convenient—it would cost £200 or £300 to make, and a larger sum to keep it in repair ? and altogether he thought the^ouncil was not justified in adopting 'the-report. Mr. Kelling having replied, the house divided— Ayes. Noes. Provincial Solicitor Dr. Monro Provincial Secretary Remvick Mr. Saunders Mr. Wells ' M'Rae • Curtis ; Kelling - Elliott ■; M'Mahon | . Gibbs ; ; . i ] ■: "' ~*■'' JHejvet^on '■ ,!■ . Keir Messrs. Horn and Dodson declined tdvote. : Motion lost. - Mr. HEWErsoN then moved ' that the report be adopted. Mr, Elliott seconded the motion, when the house divided— .■ '. ■ Ayes. . ~.■■'. Noes... '..'■', . Dr A Monro Provincial-Solicitor ; llenwick Provincial Secretary Mr. Wells Mr. Saunders ••.i.j.:-; ./.Hewetson■■ ■■ '<>' ■••,.: -M'Mahon ; '• Gibbs .:..■•■- 1-' :i-f/ KeUing Elliott ' Meltae ~-,.- . Curtis ~ ,-• -....•.■■ ■.-. ', ;

Messrs. Horn and ICerr declined to. vote; Motion carried.

UOAD BOARDS,

..Mi 1., Kelljkg asked' the Provincial Solicitor 'whether members of the Road Boards are personally responsible for any monies spent by them through their illegal acts, and also if this Council votes money for specified works, and any, Road Board expends such money in other works; what remedy there is to prevent any Road Board to bid defiance to the vote ofthis Council.'

.... The Provincial Solicitor said it was a question heshould have asked his owa solicitor, but he would reply -.certainly if members of Road-Boards spend the money illegally, they are answerable :— if he meant whether it is expedient in th*m to ex-i pend money on certain works, then they are the best judges, but they are not allowed to'spend it improperly. If money is paid them for any particular object and not applied to that object,- then they are answerable.

GOLD FIELDS ACT.

Mr. Wells moved that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the practical working of tne Gold Fields Act, also to consider the expediency of the Provincial Gold Fields being under the control arid management of''the-General Government, and to report on the same; such committee to consist of the Speaker, the Provincial Secretary, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Elliott, Mr. Baigent, Mr. Gibbs, and the. mover..; He had bee.n induced to bring forward this motion through ijreat dissatisfaction being now felt a*, the. Gold Fields not being under local management: he thought the General Government went too- far when they take any provincial branch of industry in their'hands; it should be under local control. It is now ascertained that a great portion of the country at Wangapeka is auriferous, and a very large portion of it fit for settlement. The Gold Fields Act only admits of leasing small portions of ten acres, which is all that,can.be granted, and that not for long; he thought it was" very necessary to appoint a committee, to enquire into the matter. :

Mr. Hoiin seconded the motion, which was carried.

WAIMEA EAST, Mr. Kellinq moved *that the report of the

Waimea East Road Committee be taken into consideration.' Mr. M'Rae seconded the motion, which was adopted.

RIWAKA.

Mr. M'Mahokmoved 'that the Superintendent be requested to place the sum of £50 on the Estimates for the purpose of repairing the Flour Mill road, Riwaka district.' He said he was not asking fotf the 'benefit of Riwaka alone, the road was much more frequently used by the inhabitants of Motueka andJMoutere; several suras had been expended by private parties, but they'were not in a position to keep the road in good repair, and it was for a very useful purpose. Mr. Gibbs seconded the motion,* which was carried.

AMURI.

Mr. Elliott moved *that the Superintendent be requested to furnish this Council with a return of all the Crown Lands sold in the district of Amuri, stating the number of acres and the price per acre, also a return of all monies expendea by the Government in Public Works in the district of Amuvi.' He said he was induced to bring;this motion in consequence of the disappointment he felt at the treatment this portion of the province was about to receive at the hands of the Government ; he said three-fourths of the revenue jwas contributed by that district, and when he observed out of a sura of £1950 only £150 had been : expended there, he must protest against the treatment ; he thought the Government must have overlooked the claims of the Amuri, and the motion this Council passed 5 years ago for the out-lying districts, he would not now enter into detail, but when he was in possession of facts he would again open the subject. . : ,; . ; Mr. M'Rae seconded the motion. . :

. Dr. Monko said it should be the duty of the Commissioner of Crown Lands to take the course, which is now shamefully neglected, of visiting this district once annually : if his friend could be persuaded to take] this view of his duty, it would be a very fortunate thing. Only once had he done so; then he found the country bad, he was overtaken by a snow storm, and many other things which ever prevented a repetition of his visit. He said the Executive had been very shortcoming, and a great deal more might be done than has been. It is a very important district, and derives a considerable amount of revenue to this Province, and unless something was done in the shape of road making and erection of accommodation houses, it would be dangerous both to health and life: he quite agreed with the mover, as to the treatment of the district.

The Provincial Secretary said his friend had made a.great speech out of small material; he had an idea the Executive should always be cjoing something startling. 'He had not ceased to take an interest in the district; he fully intended to go again, and he looked to the journey with a deal of pleasure. One reason why more had not been expended was the Taranaki refugees kept the money in abeyance so long; he would be very glad to have four times as much on the Estimates; If the Council will give up certain roads, &c. in the populous districts and expend it on the outlying districts, they could do so, as the expending belonged to them.

Motion carried

LIBRARY AT UPPER WAKEFIBLD.

Mr. Saunders asked the Provincial Secretary ' why the sum of twenty pounds had been refused to the new Library formed at Upper Wakefield, the conductors of that library having shown that all the conditions necessary to entitle them to that sum in accordance with a resolution of this Council passed on the 3rd May, 1860, have been complied with.'

The Provincial Secretary said if the hon. member would look at the votes during last session, he would see that the sum of £20 was for any new libraries; if he required, he should have moved for a particular sum for that purpose. ;

READING ROOMS AND INSTITUTIONS,

Mr. Saunders moved 'that no public monfy should be paid to any Library, Reading-room, or Institution, which is held in any house appropriated to the sale of intoxicating liquors.' Mr. Kelling seconded the motion, which was adopted. •

RED DEER.

Dr. Monro called the attention of the Council to the correspondence between the Provincial Secretary and Mr. Elliott on the subject of red deer recently introduced into this Province. He said no time should be lost in looking after this very valuable addition to the live stock of this Province. He said the expense of bringing them here was by private subscription, and they weio also indebted to the liberality of the Captain of the Dona Auita for a free passage; the province was also under a great obligation to Mr. Elliott for all expenses since their landing; He suggested they should fence in between 15 and 100 acres of land where they could obtain any suitable, and thought the Council should not grudge or ,£3OO for the purpose. ' Mr. Horn seconded the motion, and suggested that a select committee be. appointed and report to the Council.

After a few remarks, it was agreed to. NEW CUSTOM HOUSE.

The Provincial Solicitor moved ' the third reading of the Bill to authorise the Superintendent to convey to her Majesty certain land granted for public purposes in the city of Nelson.' Mr. Wells seconded the motion, which was adopted. ; 3 The Bill was then read the third time, and passed. . . ; Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Marsden, in consequence of ill-health. . v "'/■■'• The Council then adjourned till 11 o'clock on Friday.

Friday, May 10.

The Council met at 11 o'clock.

Present: The Speaker, the Provincial Secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Messrs. Gibbs, Wells, Dodson, Saunders, M'Mahon, Kerr, , Kejling, M'Rae, Mackay, Hewetson, Horn, Dis. Henwick and Monro. -

THE NEW WHARF.

Mr. Kelling moved.'that "the Superintendent be requested to furnish the Council with a ment of' the amount received for wharfage and otherwise at the Government Wharf since its completion, and the expense incurred in collecting the same.' He said he considered it very natural the Council should wish for a statement of this khid> A;large amount, of money had been expended, and he wished to know what return? there were for the outky. ■ / / ■ ; Mr. Horn seconded the. motion, which was agreed to.' •* ■■' ' ■ . :

CATTLE BRANDING ORDINANCE.

£ Me;.M'Rae<moved 'that the Government be requested to bring in a Bill to amend the. Cattle Branding Ordinance.1 in asking the Government to bring in this Bill, he was induced to do so, on account, of the great imperfections of the present Ordinance: as, for instance, the ear-mairkiiig of sheep, the diminishing the length of this ear was allowed, and, as must be perceived, as long as this was so, the private marks of sheep-owners may be defaced, and other marks substituted ;—he should like to see this done away with. Another reason was, parties were allowed to drive sheep through runs without giving notice; and, as a matter ot course, the sheep often got mixed, and some were driven away. In Canterbury twenty-four hours' notice must be given, and the brand registered, before sheep could be driven through another persons' run: he should like to see the system carried out here, and he was sure it would benefit ftU parties. Mr. M'Mahon seconded the motion, which was passed. •■•'•' '

WAIMEA EAST ROAD.

Mr. Kelling moved the second reading of the Waimea East Road. .

Mr. Keur secoaded the motion, which was carried. . .

Mr. Kellinq moved * that the Speaker do now leave the chair, and, that the house resolve itself into Committee to consider the BUI.'

" Mr. Saunbehs in the" chair,

Mr. Kerb seconded the motion, which was agreed to. , The house then went ; into Committee, and the Bill was reported without amendment.

NEW LIGHTHOUSE

Mr. Mackay moved 'that the Superintendent be requested to put such a sum on the Estimates as the Provincial Engineer may consider sufficient to meet the expense of ercctfng the new lighthouse, daily expected from England, and also such sum or sums as may be required to meet the current expenses of the same.' He said he was glad to learn from the speech of his Honor that the Lighthouse may shortly be expected from England, and he had no doubt that it would b& a credit to the Port and a great convenience to the Shipping. On looking over the Estimates however he could see no provision for the cost of erecting it, -or for the current expenses, so he begged to make this motion. • Mr. M'Rae seconded the motion.

The Provincial Secretary, said the hon. member had not looked over the estimates with his accustomed sharpnets: there was the sum of .£BOO upon them, which, it was expected, would cover all the expenses of erecting. With regard to the current expenses, he would say that if the Glenshee, the vessel in which the Lighthouse was shipped, arrived to her time, 'which very few English vessels did, she would not be here until July ; so that it would probably be the end of the year before the Lighthouse could be erected. Another thing was, that, the General Government were likely to pass some Act for the management of Lighthouses, and if they did so the expenses would come on the the-General Estimates, For these reasons the;. Government did not think it necessary to make any provision for the payment of them; but should that necessity arrise, they would take upon themselves to see that arrangements! were made ,-for the management of it. Mr. Mackay having replied, the motion was agreed to. .

COASTER SIGNALS.

Mr. Mackay moved 'that the Superintendent be requested to procure from the Harbor Master a report as to the practicability of signalising the coasters at the station on Britannia Heights, and also the the co?t of erecting a separate staff, &c, if another one is recommended for that purpose.' He said he was afraid the Council would begetting tired of his motions for harbor improvements; he, however, had been requested by the owners of several of the coasting vessels to bring this motion forward, and he thought that as the signalman, was there1 it would be very little additional labor for him, and a benefit to the community. Dr. Renwtck seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Mr. Horn moved ' the suspension of the standing order, No. 29, to enable him to bring in a motion, thanking the Captain of the Dona: Anita for his care and'attention to the red deer recently imported into this Province.' . ;; Mr. M'Mahon seconded the motion, which was passed. . . ;';'"'. Mr. Horn moved 'that a vote of thanks be given to the Captain of the Dona Anita for the care and attention taken of the red deer while on board that vessel.'. He said he understood the Dona Anita was going to leave on Saturday, and he thought the Captain should not be allowed to leave without an expression of thanks from this Council.

Mi*. M'Mahon seconded the motion.

Dr. Monro said if the member would look over the correspondence he would see that the deer were the private property of : Mr. C. Elliott, and until some arrangements were made with the Government for taking charge of them he thought it would be premature in this Council to take any steps in this matter. - , . Mr. Mackay said as there vras a committee appointed to consider the matter, he thought the subject of this motion might be introduced in their report. . ; Mr. Saunders said lie thought some member wished to make the thanks of this Council very cheap, and he should not .be surprised at some* gentleman proposing a vote of thanks for the importation of a tortoiseshell tom-cat ; he thought this question should be left to the committee" already appointed, and for his part he would rather see a vote of thanks given for the importation of a lot of goldfinches or donkeys to eat up our thistles

Mr. Horn replied, and the motion was ultimately withdrawn. Mr. Hewetson moved ' the suspension of standing order No. 29, to enable him to move the first reading of the'"Mo'ulere Road Bill.'.•':■■;■; No one seconded.the motion, and it was therefore lost.

rJ'h'_- Council adjourned till Tuesday at 5 o'clock.