PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 47, 30 November 1871, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, November 28.

Mr. Ellis presented a petition from the Auckland Total Abstinence Society in favour of the Licensing Bill now before the Council, which was read and received. The Speaker said he had received a letter from Dr. Sam, apologising for not having been in attendance at the Provincial Council during the present sitting. It was a domestic affliction which had prevented him. Mr Ellis asked, “Whetherit is the intention of the Government to propose the establishment of a reformatory for the province, more especially for the reclamation of young females?” The Provincial Secretary stated that the Goverment had considered the question. He thought it was a matter which the Government could not very well deal with. Ho understood there wero private parties engaged in that work at present, and the Government would aid those parties as much as lay in their power. Mr Ellis also asked, “ What steps have been taken by the Government during the recess to give effect to a resolution adopted by this Council in its last session, offering a bonus of 4s per cwt. on the exportation of cured fish, the produce of the province? x)lso, what steps have been taken to give effect to a resolution of the Council adopted in its last session on the subject of giving encouragement to local industries ?” The Provincial Secretary replied that, with reference to this matter, a sum of £4OO was voted by the last Council to meet the recommendation of the Committee. Mr.; Lusk moved, “ That a respectful address he presented to the Superintendent recommending his Honor to reserve for the purpose of a fishing station all that piece or parcel of land in the Wliananakc block, county of Bedford, province of Auckland, and containing 500 acres, more or less.” Mr. Eryburn seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Creighton moved, “ That this Council will, on Wednesday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider an address to the Superintendent, requesting his Honor to place a sufficient sum on the Estimates as an acknowledgement of the important services rendered to the province by Messrs. Charles and Frederick Ring, by the discovery of gold in the Coromandel, Ilauraki, and Upper Thames dislricts, and of their subsequent enterprise in developing the goldfield.” Mr. Mackay seconded the motion, which was put and agreed to. Mr. Mitchell moved that the following morion standing in his name be postponed until December 8 : “ That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will place upon the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the year 1872 a sum of ten thousand pounds (£10.000), to be applied as compensation to such, native owners of land in the Waitekauri, Tc Arolia, and Ohinemuri districts, as shall consent to open their lands for goldfields and general settlement purposes.” The motion was postponed accordingly. Mr. PniLirs motion, That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that certain portions of the city revenue should be allotted to the Corporation of Auckland,to enable it to undertake the management and control of the city police, was withdrawn. A motion, tabled by Mr. Brookfield,asking for a return showing the travelling expenses of the present Executive, was altered so far as to show the same items of expense incurred by the predecessors of the present Government. A means of comparison will thus be afforded. APURKOrRIATION bill. Mr. Lusk, the Provincial Secretary, iuformed the House that in consequence of the Provincial Treasurer not having been in office the whole of the year, he (Mr. Lusk) had undertaken to submit the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the forthcoming financial year to the Council. He then proceeded to make the financial statement. He was glad to say that lie might congratulate the council on the favorable state of their financial position. They had received in six months within £IO,OOO. the whole of the capitation grant of £31,000 from the General Government. With respect to the provincial revenue, although the estimated sum had not been realised, and there had been ail apparent falling off. yet in point of fact it was not so, as the amount was in excess of the estimate. Any increase , of revenue had arisen from having handed

over the Port of Auckand to local authorities. The goldfields revenue was estimated at the low figure of £22,000. The actual returns for gold duties, for 10 months has been £32,433 8s 4d, while £4,000 has been received from other sources. In the public Works Department considerable changes were propessd, and additional offices appointed, one of which was an appointment of Inspector of Mines at the Thames, at a salary of £350. The total amounted to £3,1%. On the police estimate there was little alteration from last year’s estimate, and this consisted of the appointment of one constable at the Thames to be Inspector of Weights and Measures. These sums were estimated at £6,272 2s. The estimate for relief of sick and destitute was increased. The gold duties, which he had stated to have amounted last year at between £36,000 to £37,000, he had this year estimated at the small amount of £22,000, not because he was desponding of the further development of the Caledonian mine, but it was through prudence on his part,—he would rather rely on the fuller development of other mines, with smaller returns, than to the extraordinary yield of this mine. He had reduced the estimated revenue derived from gold duties of £26,000 by £4,000, which lie believed would be required by the Native Laud Courts for their charge. The goldfields revenue was set down at £5,000, including reimbursements. The water supply at the Thames would exceed the amount voted by the Council, £1,200, and would have to be considered. The Goldfields Court requires some consideration. It was proposed to award a salary to the Warden of £SOO at the Thames, and an additional sum of £450 for the Warden at Coromandel, these estimates came to £2,280. With regard to registration estimates, for the appointment of a registrar at the Thames and Coromandel, with other contingencies, an amount of £I,OBO was required. For harbor requirements, various sums were set down for the harbors of Manukau, Kaipara, Ilokianga, Mongonui, Russell, and Shorthand, with supplies for lighthouses, and light-keepers, amounting to £3,372. The miscellaneous items amounted in all to £83,700, making a grand total of £121,252 14s for estimated expenditure. All these various items the lion, member explained elaborately to the Council, and their requirements, and said that it would appear the sum proposed to be appropriated for the goldfields was a very large one, but considering the revenue derived from the goldfields, it was only fair that it should be so, especially when looking at the sums they expect to receive from them next year. Looking to all the facts, they ought to deal most liberally with the goldfields towards the further development of those industries. After a few other remarks, the lion, member moved the second reading of the Appropriation Act. Dr. Nicholson moved as an amendment that they adjourn the debate until this day week, giving as his reasons that the audit committee had not yet examined the accounts for the past year, nor were certain reports on the table that were necessary for lion, members examination. The Provincial Secretary thought the adjournment for one week longer than necessary, as it would be a pity to put off the second reading of these estimates for so long. He would suggest the adjournment take place for Friday next. Mr. Ei.lis spoke in favor of an adjournment. Mr. Creighton also would support the motion for an adjournment, and would ask the Provincial Secretary in the meantime to lay on the table correspondence witli the General Government in reference to the revenue. The motion was carried on the voices, and the debate adjourned until next Tuesday.