PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 374, 24 May 1861, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thursday, May 16. The Council met at 5 o'clock. Present: The Speaker, the Provincial Secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Messrs. Gibjbs, W>lls, Kelling, Baigent, Horn, Kerr, Eihott^M'Mahon, Hewetson, Saunders, Mackay, M'Rae, Packer, Simmonds, Curtis, and Drs. Renwick and Mijnro. The minutes of the previous day wetturead and confirmed. ■ * ' Mr. Kelmng brought up the report of the Representation Committee. Two messages from the., Superintendent, containing Education Return's, and a Return of Crown Lands sold in the Amuri, with amount spent on the same. . MOUTERE ROAD. Mr. Parker presented two Memorials from the inhabitants of Motueka and Moutere, praying the Council would not grant any Bill for the making of a new road in that district.. .. ;: FERRY BOAT. Mr. Horn moved 'that as a resolution was passed in the last session of the Provincial Council that a Ferry Boat should be established across the Waimea River, that the Superintendent be requested to put a sufficient sum on the Estimates for the same. Mr. Simmonds seconded the motion. , Mr. Dodson thought it would be more commendable to erect a foot-bridge which would be more safe and convenient* and thought the Provincial Engineer should be consulted on the matter. Mr. Baigent supported the motion; he thought the ferry was very necessary, and would save,, perhaps, great loss of life, but it was useless to talk of a foot-bridge over a river like, the Waimea. Mr. Saunders disapproved of a foot bridge, it would be quite as expensive as a cart-bridge. Mr. Horn having replied, the motion was put and carried. GOLD-FIELDS. The Provincial Secretary moved * that Mr. Mackay be added to the Golds Fields' Act Committee.' Mr. Wells seconded the motion, which was i carried unanimously. ... THISTLE ACT. Mr. Horn moved that the Report on the Thistle Amendment Act be adopted. Mr. M'Mahon seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Horn moved ' that the Report be printed, which was agreed to. CATTLE-BRANDING. . Mr. M'Rae moved ' for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Cattle Branding Act/ Mr. Kelling seconded the motion, which was adopted. Bill read the first time. ODD-FELLOWS* HALL. The Provincial Solicitor moved* that the Superintendent be requested to place upon the Estimates the sum of £50, to be paid to the Trustees of the Odd-Fellows' Hall for the use of that building for the Taranaki refugees.' Mr. Mackay seconded the motion, which was carried. ; PUBLIC GROUND. Mr. Horn moved ' that the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of £300 for the purpose of purchasing in the vicinity of Richmond a piece of ground for public recreation and other uses.' He had brought forward the motion before, but it was then suggested by the Provincial Secretary to let it. stands over till the Estimates were on the table; he hardly liked to venture on the subject, the Government were very quiet about the revenue of salaries, but they were very cautious about voting money for public purposes. . Mr. M lßa c seconded the motion.

Mr. Dodson said it was gratifying to watch the proceedings of the Members of the Waimea; last night they grudged £100 to make a Public Cemetery (No) ! and now ask the enormous sum of £300 for a pleasure-ground at Richmond.1

My. obiected to the motion: the outlying districts had a greater claim ; he found in 1857, 1858, 1859,1860, and first four months of this year the sum of .£78,518 had been received by this Province from the Amuri district, and he found the expenditure for Public Works, Roads, and Bridges, the miserable sum of £1750 only. •Mr. Keeling then moved as an amendment, that i3OO be struck out, and .£2OO inserted in its stead/ •

Mr. Kerii seconded the amendment.

Mr. Dodson objected; the sum would be thrown j away (No, no) ; the land would not be wanted for a hundred years to come, the WainJea Members would not take a hint to be put down. 1 he Amendment was carried. Mr. Parker then moved as a further amendment, 'if the Provincial Revenue will admit of it' to be added, which was put and carried. i The original motion was then put as amended, : when the house divided— ! Ayes. Noes. Provincial Solicitor . Dr. Monro ...., \ Provincial Secretary ' Dr." Renwick : Mr.'Veils " Mr. Saunders Mackay Curtis M'Rae Elliott Kelling . Gibba Ken- Hewetson M'Mahon Dodson . j Parker " ': : Horn .■■"'" Baigent ' ' ' ' I RED DEER. .; ■"... . / Dr. Monro moved 'the adoption of the report of the Select Committee on the red.deer.*- -Theso animals would add in many Ways to the attraetioi i of the country ;• it was not a local or provincial question, but the introduction was one that affected the whole of the Middle Island. • ;• ' Mr. M'Rae seconded the motion. The Provincial Solicitor moved ' the reportt be read.' ..,.:.; \ ■ ■■ ■■ I Mr. Saunders objected to the report; he appreciated the desirability of establishing these j animals in this country, but thought they should J not be entrusted to Government; had the first j sheep been put into their hands there would not be one) now; for his part, he would not ,'trust the Executive with a sheep, much more deer ; it would be wise and economical to secure them ■ properly, but he thought it a better-plan to ;placje ; them mlsome gentleman's hands, who tdok,an,;in- i terestand understood them,,conditionally, that they, should not be sold out of the Province, which would be much wiser than putting, them; in the hands of Government. .

Mr. M'Rab would not object to the amount for fencing, and offered 200 or 300 acres of land for the purpose of the best suitable country; - Mr. Simmonos had great doubt as to their being a commercial speculation; he did not think it right the Executive should be turned \nto dealers of game; the better course would be tr> place them into hands who would take care of ttiem, so that the offspring did not leave the place*

Tlio Provincial Secretary said he was sorry there was any opposition,, for it w» s a subject of great importance; but lie did not ■ intend to have much to do with them, and should object io pay a large sum yearly ; a small sum thr j Council *vodld do well to vote; he would vote for the report. Mr. Dodson thought 10 acres fenced would be sufficient for five years to ccme, ti nd thereby save a deal of expense ; he thought it would be an insult to the nobleman who sent t) iem to tuin them out. . .

Mr. Kelling would support the report; he had made a rough-calculation, and a good and.putatantiaj fence could, in his opinii )n, be erected for £200.

Mr. Horn said it was cod >plimentary to the Province for the deer to be sen! c out, but thought they were not justified in exj unding the money to fence in 50 acres of land < He thought Mr. Dodaon's 10 acres would be su fficierit,. Mr. Parker.was prepared to vote a sum fot the purpose, ifit was not necessary to have the piece recommended io the ty jort: ho thought the

Botanical Gardens would do, and would lie a Ve+y eligible spot. v; •": "\ \ Dr. Mowkq couldl see a desire; tojhavt ' these beautiful and noble animals among us/but the only difference was as to the best means to go to work; he was glad to have an opportunity to hear 'the different opinions. "If the Provincial Government can make arrangements with Mr. 'Mackay, lie would enter into the thing and look after them; no private parties can afford it. He thought the Botanical Gardens; were too near the towp, not secluded enough, and there was no running stream there, which tended so much to the health of the animals. " •••■■■ The houae then divided :— ~ • > 'Ayes. ■ Noes. ; . ... Provincial Secretary! - Mr. Saunders •:, ~ Provincial Solicitor Simtnond* Dr. Renwick Monro . :" Mr. D,odson Wells Baigent Horn Parker M'Mahon _, Kerr Kelling McKae Hewetson Gibbs Curtis Messrs. Elliott and Mackay declined to vote. INSOLVENT DEBTOP.S. Mr. Simmonds moved • that this Council feels called upon to express its regret that no measure has been passed by the General Assembly to effect a change in the position of insolvent debtors; that whiht by the law at present in force relating to insolvent debtors many unfortunate though honest tradesmen are incarcerated for an indefinite, and in some cases to a very protracted period, ami likely painfully to affect their health, and in-' volving their families in Mill further pecuniary distress, without in any way benefitting the creditors at whose suit they afeMttnprisoned; at the same time, the expenses incurred, by the Province in supplying the necessary ratipns, &c, for the debtors—and in many cases their,? families—is felt to be a most unjust and undesirablerjexpenditure of public money.' >:•'(. Mr. Horn seconded the motion, which was carried.

JETTY CRANE.

Mr. Parker moved ' that the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of thirty pounds for erecting a Crane at the end of the Motueka Jetty.' " .'.:.- Mr. Horn seconded the motion, whtch was carried.

The house then adjourned till Friday morning, at 11 o'clock.

Friday, May 17.

The Council met at 11 o'clock;

Present: The Speaker, Provincial Secretary, Provincial Solicitor, Messrs. Kerr, Horn, Simmonds, ;Wells, Hewetson, Gibbs, Curtis, Baigent, Elliott, Dodson, Parker, M*Malion; Saunders, M'Rae, Kelling, Mackay, Drs. Mohro and Renwick. The minutes of the previous day were read and confirmed. ■

WASTE LANDS.

The Provincial Secretary moved (that the Council resolve itself into committee to take into consideration Message No. 10 of his Honor the Superintendent, relating to certain resolutions for the amendment of the Waste Land Regulations of this province.' Mr. Kelling in the chair. He said no doubt the Council was aware that they had not power to alter the land regulations ; they could only offer suggestions and submit them for the approval ot the General Government ;i he hoped the alterations which he should propose would meet with the support of a majority of'the Council; he expected some opposition, but ■he thought it would not be so much in principle as in detail; he had divided them into three classep— the first two provided for making roads in the uneettlfd districts and for the further settlement of those districts. The first empowered the Superintendent to reserve tracts of lanu from sale until roads hkd been made through themj and so prevtent' speculators from coining and buying up land at low prices ; this will be a great advantage, as when . roads are.made a better price will be got for land, and there will be a greater desire to settle upon it. The second of this class provided for the supplying the funds for the making of roads. The second class provided for giving land in payment for roads or labor on public works, and he thought this a good principle when exercised with moderation and care, and it was obvious that settlers w uld gladly contribute work and take a little more land when perhaps the Government had not the power to pay in money; this would facilitate the sale of land, and would be the most direct way of returning the price of the land back to it. Me might say- that these resolutions were a copy from the Canterbury ones in force at the present time.' The third class was respecting the leasing of Mineral Lands, and in these he expected the most opposition, though, as he said before, more in detail than in principle. Any person at the present time can come and ask for two square miles of land, and he is entitled to have it, and pay nothing for the holding it, and after working it three years he can buy it far£l per .acre; this he considered' a mischevous power, and might operate badly for the public interest; suppose for instance that a vein of coal were discovered 12 feet thick; why it would be utterly absurd that such land should be bought for £l per acre; this was perhaps an extreme case, but in his opinion not an improbable one : he wished it < to be understood that lie did not in any way wish "to discourage mining operations, for he looked to the development of our mineral resources for, the future prosperity of the province, and he ,would always deprecate any attempt to throw impediments in the way: what he wished to prevent was any person coming and putting his claws on mineral lands and not working it; he considered it proper that applicants should pay Government a certain rent for holding such'lands in the hope, as Micawber says, of' something turning up,' and for this he had put down a sum which some think too small. The power to purchase he wished to prevent altogether, and proposed that a royalty of one-fifteenth of all minerals raised should be able to Government,', .this, would yield a good and permanent income to the Province. He considered that a great mistake had been made in not adopting some principle of this kind with the pastoral lauds, and if so, by this time we should have had «a good .'income; Now what he proposed was to take one-fifteenth of the minerals, and give the lessee an indefeasable lease, renewable as long, as the conditions were fulfilled; and while this was done the Government should not have power to sell the land, tie would say no more as to the general principle, as it must be obvious to every one. He wouldfmove the resolution of which he had given notice. Mr. Parker seconded |the motion, which was put and passed. ' ■■/>■' The Council then we&t into Committee, Mr. Kelling in the chair. ......,; > ■' ;. The two clauses of the first class were passed without discussion. < ' On the adoption of the clauses in the Second class being proposed, .::.:•:: Dr. Monro said he concurred in the spirit of these resolutions generally, as if adopted it carried out the principle of returning the money back to the land that produced it, but he.objected to the principle of having to go to auction. He did hot think any man could be found green enough to put a spade in the ground if he had to gor to auction for the price of the land which was to be given him for his labor. The proper way was-'fo have the value of the land, and the value of, the. work j done, assessed; and let the man have the land without going to auction, where he may ibe bid against in a nonlonafide manner, from spiteful or other motive?;'" He would suggest 16 his honorable friend, the Provincial Secretary, the ' withdi a wal of these clauses, that he may redraft them* and present them in such a shape as would meet the approval of the Council. The Whole of the clauses of the second class were then withdrawn.

r The first thertliird blaito^Sfter Borne discussion, was passed as amended. It now stands | £S follows :-<-* There shall be paid by the lessee of any mineral lands a dead rent of sixpence per acre per annum for every acre comprised-ih^he lease; and the lease'shall contain clauses for securing the due and punctual payment thereof; but any sums paid by the said lessee as a royalty of one-fifteenth of the minerals raised shall be deducted from the amount of the dead rent herein^ provided, and whenever the amount of such royalty shall equal or exceed the amount, of such dead; rent no such dead rent shall be required.' ,'- ■ ii I Mr. Curtis proposed the following additional clause :—'Thatno minerallease'sjißlTinipose upon the lessee any condition? as to the nature or quantity of minerals to be raised.' Tliis wris agreed to. Mr. Parker moved ' that the house:do now resume and the committee ask leave to sit again,' which was carried. .-::/■:* :;£ * The other business was then postponed, and the house adjourned till Tuesday, at 5 o'clock. Tuesday, May 21. The Council met at 6 o'clock. j- : Present: The Speaker, the Provincial Secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Messrs, fifibbs;' Wells, Dodson, Saunders, M'MahonJ Kerr, Kelling, M'Rae, Mackay, Hewetsbn, Born, Parker, Baigent, Elliott, Curtis, and Dr. Renttfick. The minutes of the preceding day were read and confirmed. , r ;l. : ; * Dr. Ren wick presented a petition from Major Thomas Cooker of the retired Ifst of the Madras Army, praying for a grant of scrip under the provisions of the Land Regulations of this Province of 1856, and moved it be received! . The petition was then read. -; :. ~-"■ AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. J Mr, Kelling moved 'that the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of .one hundred pounds for the benefit of the; Agricultural Association.' X-. .. .. .^,^ ~ r Mr. Kerr seconded the motion. Mr. Elliott would be glad to support the motion, if the Province couldafFord it; but before voting he would like to see the Estimates KO ne through. ■'. '-;'• ' .... The Provincial Solicitor' said' if the lion, member would not withdraw his motion, he would propose ps an amendment * that consideration be postponed till a return be furnished to the Council of the amount received by the Association, and how the .sum was expended.' He'thought by knowing the amount of subscriptions received they would at once see what interest1 ifte public take in the matter ; he thought on a preyious occasion when the Council itoted the surn'of i&00 it was for buildings, which may have been done, but yet he would like to see a return. : : Mr. Wells seconded the amendment. Mr. Saunders said the vote .could be' given conditionally, that the returns be furnished. The (£2OO voted-by the Council had been spent in prizes, with other amounts received. The Association had not funds to carry on with, £ large sum had. been. :spent in advertisements, • which should have been given gratuitously; there had been no want of zeal on the part of the Committee. -: After a little discussion, Mr. Kelling replied, when the house dividedAyes. Noes. " ~ Provincial Solicitor Dr. Renwick ■'■" Provincial Secretary Mr. Curtis * Mr. Elliott Hewetson ' Wells . M'Rae Gibbs . . Kelling M'Mahon Keif ", Parker Baigenfc Horn Saunders Dodson . Mr. Mackay declined to vote. ■ Amendment lost. ; ;> The original motion was then put and carried. ALPACAS. ~..••: Mr. Elliott moved * that the Superintendent be requested to address the Governor 6ft New South- Wales to ascertain whether the Government of that Colony will be. willing- to spari? this Province a male and two females of the Aipaca flock, lately introduced there from South America", for the purpose of propagating the breed of.that valuable animal in this Colony.' He said,' by introducing this animal in the Province, the exports - would ultimately be greatly increased. The Gov.ernment of New South Wales had them brought from South America at a great risk; they" had been sent to a distant part of the fouhtiy^and were breeding rapidly, for they would do'well where sheep would not. There was little chance % a private individual to apply, but an application from the Government would be favorably received. .....'• Mr. Curtis seconded the motion. Mr. Saunders moved, as an amendment, that *.the Superintendent' be struck out, and 'Secretary of the Agricultural Association' be irilisfted in its stead. .'. S Mr. Hornsecondedl flip amendment. \ :, V^ After somediscussion, inwhich Messrs. ;M.'JEta#; Horn,. Baigent, and Mackay took part, the ojrigT%|' motion was put and caniea. • : ;£/ ■',-,.,,:. KEPRESBNTATIONi %C Mr. Kbllino moved ' the adoption of the^rinort oftheCoinmitteeon Representation.' He3Y»ould move the report be read. . - W~ "Mr. Hewetson seconded the adoption o»it, a report. , vH, ; Mr. Gibbs moved, as an amendment, tha^H aS . sacre Bay should be divided into two di^KSg Takaka and Collingwood, to return a membet^Hj.'. he would remind the Council that very few f gaining population were on the roll, and the dl^^; c t 4ejßerved another voice in the Council. >^X Mr. Saunders said he objected to the adbptjH^ of the report, as it came 'from aone-sided cal9nmittee; they did not want any additional nientjtfers in the Council; they would serve the prdj^Hice better by diminishing than by increasing its rn^vnbers; it would be better to let matters stay as tßey were. Waimea South was not sufficiently represented, and it would be unwise and unjust tof interfere unless they adopted a rule and-actedlo up After some discussion, , M:The Provincial Solicitor said, with rezMrd,.fo what the hon. member bad said about a ohSsided committee, during the sittings,there was:noS>arty feeling existed, and all showed a disposition tlo go into the thing fairly; they agreed to record i»\a'tera:ion in members.- They thought MotFjeka and the Moutere should;be divided,' and^thaft^the Massacre Bay was entitled to an additional ,ieknbef, but did not think it desirable to do it at present. ' ■ ~ The amendment was then put and lost* Mr. Elliott would support the report as it stood. ;.. ' ■■ - The house then divided on the motion. Ayes. ' ■ • . Noe^" ' Provincial Solicitor Provincial SecretirtV Dr. Renwick Mr. Dodson Mr. Horn .Saunders . ! • Kerr . . Baigent: ' Kelling Curtis . v M'Rae Parksr .. \ Mackay M'Mahon, Hewetßon ' :. >, ? \ " ! Gibos '.;, ' . _ ! Elliott ••-■-• Wells :' ji Messages 19^ 20, and 21, were received from tho Superintendent, enclosing copies of correspondency .respecting' erection of a monument at Massacre HjU; expense of exploring the West Coast; "and tl^fepbrt of the Provincial Engineer, as to a ferry boat on the -Wairau River,' and referring to an* other site respecting the bridge over the Waicoa. ■ '~'r ::V ' \.: ; ,WANGAPEKA. . ■-..■-' .; Mr. Baigent asked the Provincial Secretary I whether it was the intention of the Provincial Government to pay the bonus of one hundred pounda.sanctiohed by this Council to be given-as a reward to the first parties discovering a^workable gold-field in the district of the Wangapeka, wh«n the terms of that resolution have been. complied, with. •'■""■■ ''" .

The Provincial Secretary said whea a auax > of money is pat ontUe Estimate^ and Mi »j?J^M

during t&»e year, the Superintendent has ho power over it after wards ; the sum in question was voted two years Blinco,8 linco, and was not put on last year, so if the hon. Wmber wanted it put on^he should move in the ;usual way.

WAIROA BKIDGE

Mr. Saundk'Rs moved ' that the report of Wairoa Bridge 'Committee be taken into consideration with a vievv'.tojts adoption.' He ha(l_ no new light to throw on~tl'i3~-§ul>j(>c:t; he had just seen a new report brought by ~t he Provincial Engineer, recommending another site lower down the river, and it would be better to take these sites into consideration at once. From his lcapwledge oi the river, the higher up they go the-Jess shiftable is the ground. The member for.the Amuri had not considered properly when he ■tated the report should go back to the Committee; most of them were acquainted with the ground, and recommended the site they thought best.; if they want to erect a cheap bridge they could have a span in the line of road, leavuig alone the second stream. Tin Provincial Engineer, in his report, only recommends the suspension bridge to keep clear of the stream and the large trees, which often come down in floods.

Mr. M'Rae seconded the motion

Mr. Elliott thought it would be better for the hon. member to withdraw the report, and ascertain the cost of the cheaner. bridge, and then they •would stand a better chance of getting one. The Provincial Solicitor had pointed out their inability to borrow the money the report asked for; it looked as if the hon. member wanted to cram the report down their throats b^ still crying for its adoption. Mr. Horn moved the report be read. The Provincial Secretary was afraid the hon. member would have to withdraw the report, as since it had been on, the Provincial Solicitor had reminded the Council they had no power to pass a Debenture bill. The hon. member seemed to say while tlu-expensive bridge was the best, he would rather have Been a wooden one in its place; so he himself opposes the report. In the last report of the Provincial Engineer, brought in to-day, he recommends a bridge, which would cost J3OOO, lower down the river, which woulJ extend from a high bank to a high bank, and would be more available to persons travelling to Wangapeka, and also to Motueka. It was pretty clear they could not adopt this report. Mr. Parker could not vote for the report, as they could not afford £9000 for one district. He thought the inhabitants in the immediate neighborhood should subscribe towards it; he believed a much smaller sum would do for a wooden bridge, as recommended by the Provincial Engineer in his last report. Mr. Horn said it was not a distinct affair; the Nelson people would really benefit more than any others; it would be better to have a durable structure, and recommended a further postponement of the subject to the next Tuesday, as the public had not had an opportunity of expressing their opinionsMr. M'Rae seconded the motion for a postponement.

Mr. Saunders was against the adjournment; he thought some of the members had a very comfortable seat in the Council to want to postpone subject after subject; it was just the course he would take if he wanted to throw the thing down altogether. After some discussion, the amendment was put and lost.

Mr. Baigent proposed, as an amendment,' that the report of the Wairoa Bridge Committee be Again referred to that committee for the consideration of the second report of the Provincial Engineer this day laid upon the table of the .Council.

Mr. Wells seconded the amendment. The amendment was then put, and the house divided — Ayes. Noes. ; Provincial Solicitor Mr. Mackay Provincial Secretary M'Eae Dr. Eenwick Keliing Jlr. Wells Mf Marion , ■ Curtis Parker ; Elliott Horn : Gibbs Sauiideri Hewetson Kerr Baigent Dodson • SUBURBAN NORTH ROADS. Mr. Wells moved ' that the Superintendent bo requested to furnish this Council with a Report on the present state of the road commencing at Section No. 1, Suburban North, to the approach of the Public Cemetery, and to state what sum would be necessary to make the same safe and eligible for public interment.' Mr. Dodson seconded the motion and said the road was in a very inefficient state; the Road Board had always studied the interest of the district, as well or better, perhaps, than any other Board had done in the Province; ihey had received •nothing from Government till three years ago, he 'I'd seen £100 on the Estimates, but that was inefficient. He had heard of a contractor in the •ujvimea district boasting he and anotiier man had ''ed in one day for a contract £j, and drank "2^ gallons of beer, but in Suburban North they •afore? 3 &ot a goo<* (*a^'s wor'c or a *air 8 aj~j?y Curtis said there was a great doubt as to .* .gfrtof road to the Cemetery—he thought it ™?Vprivateknd. *Th \-PROVINCIAL Secretarysaid it ..was a pubwJ?a( motion was then carried. SHIP INSURANCE. ■v- • ?<}RN asked the Provincial Secretary whether f* *e*B lorn Sv<*aev t0 tn' 9 port still continue to d v* >ne-hatf P ercent more Insurance than to *w£.uDg ton and other ports.' The I 'rovincial Secretary said he was always being ai ked ; .'questions he knew nothing about, which w as the case in this instance; he would refer Mi .Horn to the Chamber of Commerce, or some pa rty likely to know; he would be happy to state ifhelpew. ARBITRATION. Mr.' lewetson moved ' that in the opinion of this Co uncil the Superintendent, before withholding mot icy (as per Resolution No. 1, of May 15), voted f< it' Road Boards to satisfy claims made for Compe sation under Arbitration, should have writtem legal opinion that such arbitration is fairly condm :ted, and in accordance with the Act.'. ; Mr./ M'Rak seconded the motion, which, on being put, was lust. . - : i CATTLE BRANDING. Mr. >M'Rae moved ' the second reading of the •Cattle Branding Amendment Act.' Mr. Celling seconded the motion, which was (Carried. Mr. M'Rah then moved 'that the house go into 'Committee on the Bill with Mr. Mackay in the .chair.'

The house went into Committee accordingly, •when the Bill passed with a few alterations. The house then resumed. CENTRAL BOARD. \ ■Mr. Horn moved % that a Select Committee of ten ba appointed to take into consideration the Report of the Central Board of Education, with power to call for such evidence as may be required.'

Mr. Saunders seconded the motion, and said the Central Board of Education was going on as all similar Boards in Nelson had gone jit appeared that education was getting of secondary importance. He objected to the salary of the Inspector, and thought it was very extravagant to pay £250 a year, when his time was well known to be occupied at something else. He" seldom visited the schools, and then only hastily; there were two schools in the Waimea that had dwindled down from 50 and 40 scholars to about a sixth of that number, through the indolence and incompetency of the schoolmasters; but nothing of the kind had «verbeen mentioned in the Inspector's Report; the money was worse than wasted. The Local Committee and parents have not done what they would had the thing been carried on properly. ft was wrong to pay a person who, though, com*

petent, was known not to do his duty. It was getting a Government job. The PttovrNdAL Secretary was surprised at the sadden burst from Mr. S-iunders, and also that these charges were not brought before the Central Board. With respect to the inability and incompetency of the school masters, if they do neglect their1 duties, the Local Committee should report the same to the Central Board, who would tako it into consideration. He di 1 not think the Inspector's duties should lead1 him to be always at school. The most absurd thing to him which fell from the hon. member was with respect to its being a Government job ; he could not conceive the drift of ify as he was the only one in the Board who represented the Government, and he must confess he "had neglected its duties himself; he would like the thing to be gone into, but would rather not be on the Committee..

Mr. Sacnoers said with respect to a Government job, he meant that it appeared to be taking money for what*- was not done.

Mr. Kelh.vg said he would correct a statement which had fallen from the member for Waimea South ; he recently, as a member of the committee, examined all. the schools in the Waimea, and found one had lost a good many scholars; forty-two names were on the book, and there were on.'y sixteen or seventeen scholars remaining, ' which wns not to be accounted for by the inattention of the schoolmaster, but quite the opposite.'

After a general discussion, Mr. Horn replied, when the following members were chosen by ballot -to form the committee :— Messrs. Wells, Kelling, Pai-ker, Baigent, Dodson, Saunders, M'Alahon, the Provincial Secretary, Dr Ren wick, and the mover.

Mr. Elliott brought up the report of the select committee on the Impounding Bill, which was read and ordered to lie on the table.

The Council adjourned1 until Wednesday, at 5 o'clock.