IN COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 67, 22 May 1869, Page 3

IN COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.

Mr. MACLEAN moved the first item, £925 for Superintendent's salary, a reduction of £108.

Mr. M'INDOE, to te3t the feeling of the House, moved the postponement of the item.

Messrs. FRANCE and TURNBULL objected to the reduction.

Mr. MOSLEY advocated retrenchment. The Superintendent of Canterbury only received £000 per annum.

Messrs. GILLIES, SHEPHERD, and ASHCiiOFT supported the item; Messrs. SIBBALD, FRASER, and Capt. MACKENZIE the amendment.

On a division, tho following members voted for thet posponement : — Messrs. Brown, France, Fraser, Hay, Hughes, Mackenzie, M'Denmd, M'Tudne, Millar, Mollison, Murray, Reynolds, Seaton, G. Shand, Sibbald, Taylor, and Turnbull. (17). Against it : — Messrs. Asheroft, Barr, Burns, Clark, Duncan, Gillies, Green, Henderson, Hutcheson, M'Lean, Mosely, Mouat, Reid, J. Shaud, Shepherd, and Thomson. (1C). Consideration of the item was accordingly postponed. Secretary to Superintendent, £351, was passed without comment. Provincial Secretary and Treasurer, £525, a reduction of £75-

Mr. FRANCE strongly opposed the reduction, £600 a year being in his opinion little enough for the work required. He moved the postponement of the item.

Mr. REYNOLDS suported the postponement. Mr. REID hoped members would not obstruct the Government in their endea-

yours to reduce the expenditure. Mr. SIBBALD understood the Provincial Secretary and Treasurer had intimated his readiness to accept office without remuneration. He, therefore, moved that the item should /be struck out altogether.

After the subject had been further discussed, a division was called, and there voted for the postponement : -Messrs. France, Eraser, Hay, Mackenzie, M'lndoe, Millar, -Mollison, Murray^ Reynolds, Seaton, .atfd Turnbull. (11). ' For the original motion : — Messrs. Asheroft, Barr, Brown, Burns, Clark, Duncan,- Gillies, Green, HeudersoiuJHutcheson,' M'Lean, Mosley, Moii'at, TCeid, G. 'Shaud, J. Shand, Shepherd, Sibbald, Tayler, and Thomson. (20). THe item accordingly stood as printed. Provincial Solicitor, £52 o. Mr. FRANCE considered the salary too small.

Mr. -ASHCROFT moved its reduction io £400,

Mr. REID pointed out a reduction from £1,080 to £525 had been made, and hoped that would satisfy members. The item was passed as printed. Unofficial Members, £325. This item caused a good deal of discussion, during which it was explained by Government that it was proposed only to defray the expenses of country members when they required to attend meetings of tlie Executive. Messrs. REYNOLDS, HAY, and SHEPHERD advocated a fixed salary of £200.

The item was, however, ao^epd to. Secretary Laud and Works, £525 ; Clerks, £500, £2SO, £243, and £50 ; and Sundries. £300— were agreed to. On " Head No. 111., Provincial Council," being called,

The SPEAKER called attention to tho following memoranda laid on the tabio by him — Ist. That according to parliamentary usage and the decisions of this Council, Mr. Speaker has hitherto regarded himself as directly responsible for the efficient working of his department to the Council alone. 2nd. That in compliance with tho usual request from the Government to that effect, Mr. Spaaker caused to be prepared and forwarded to the Government such a statement of proposed expenditure for tlie current year us he considered the efficient working of his department required. 3rd. That Mr. Speaker regrets to observe that in the Estimates placed in the hands of members last evening, his recommendations have been in almost every case unceremoniously ignored by the Government, a proceeding which he ventures to submit is wholly unprecedented. 4th. Mr. Speaker would suggest that steps be taken by the Council to have the estimates of their own department placed before them us recommended by Mr. Speaker, to be dealt

with as the Council it3elf may see fit. He moved that consideration of the item be postponed, to enable Government to bring down the Estimates as recommended by himself.

Mr. GILLIES contended that as the Government were responsible for t!io Estimates laid before the Council, it was their province to control them. They ha;! no wish to interfere with the Speaker's prerogative.

After further discussion, a division was taken, when there voted for the postponement : — Meosrs. Driver, France, H:iy, Hughes, Mackenzie, M'Dermid, M'lndoe, Millar, Mollison, Murray, Reynolds, Seaton, G. Shand, Sibbald, and Tayler. (15). Against it: — Messrs. Aslicroft', Barr, JJrownj Burns, Duncan, Fra&er, Gillies, Green, Henderson, Hutchesnn, M'Lean, AlosJey, Mouat, Reid, J. Shand, Shopherd, Thomson, and Turubull. (IS).

The item was accordingly passed hs printed.

The items for Police and Escort were postponed. L 4,550 10a. was voted for the Harbour Department, and LlO, L 72 15s. for Gaols. ♦

The CHAIRMAN then reported progress, and asked leave to sit again next day.