PrOVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 11 December 1869, Page 3

PrOVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The special session of the Provincial Council was opened on Wednesday, when all the members, with the exception of Messrs. Bell, Haughton, France, Fraser, Main, and Shepherd, were present. His Honour the SUPERINTENDENT was introduced, and he delivered the following address :—: — Mb. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council. I have felt constrained, very reluctantly, to call you together at the present time, knowing, as I do, that the attendance of many of you involves considerable per sonal inconvenience. I felt, however, that to defer the session until the usual period of meeting would be to postpone the commencement of a work which ought I ere now to have been completed— l allude to the construction of the Southern Trunk Railway. With regard to this, and the question of Hundreds, as there are differences of opinion between myself and my responsible advisers, I propose to address you by message presently, fully explaining the nature and extent of those differences. His Honour then referred to the Port Chalmers Railway, which he stated would be commenced in a month or two. The re-union of Otago and Southland was next touched upon. He believed that although Southland might reap the benefit of re-union first, that ultimately it would be to the advantage of both provinces. He hailed the re-union as the first step towards reducing the machinery of Government. He then referred to the opening up of the West Coast for settlement, and stated that a resolution defining the proposed boundaries of the country to be opened would be laid before the Council. Immigration was the next subject spoken of, and he thought it necessary to send one or more agents to Europe to promote that object, With reference to the supply of water for the goldtields, his Honour said : — Another very important matter to which I would bespeak your attention, chiefly with a view of bringing public opinion to bear upon it in the General Assembly, is the question of some comprehensive scheme of water supply on the goldtields. Although, in all probability, we are on the eve of a new phase in the development of our goldfields, one which, as likely as not, may throw all that has hitherto been done into the shade — I allude to the discovery of numerous goldbearing quartz reefs— at the same time there is an amount of uncertainty about this description of mining which does not apply to alluvial diggings. With respect to the latter, it is well known that the auriferous resources of the Province have been scarcely touched — there are literally mountains of alluvial gold. This is no matter of mere conjecture, the ground having been fully tested. VVhat is wanted to increase our production of gold to an enormous extent is an abundant supply of cheap water, which supply cannot be procured unless by loan, which, unfortu- [ nately, we have no power to do without the sanction of the Colonial Legislature. His Honour continued by recommending a loan for the purpose of providing water reservoirs on the goldtields, but thought there should be an unmistakeable manifestation of public opinion. He believed the development of the goldfields was the sure source of financial prosperity. Having finished the address, his Honor keclared the Council open for the despatch of business. The address was received, and ordered to be printed. Message No. I,_ from the SuperintenJ dent, was read, forwarding papers in reference to the construction of the Southern Trunk Railway, and expressing an anxious hope that the works should be proceeded with. The Message further announced the startling discovery that by the passage of the Hundreds Regulation Act, the system of free selection was virtually introduced into Otago. Enclosure No. 1 was a memorandum of the offer made by Messrs. Driver, R. 13. Martin, J. L. Butterworth, George Turnbull, John Davie. W. H. Reynolds, and Wm. Hepburn, to organize a company for the formation of the line in return for a guarantee of eight, per cent, dividend at least, for a period of fifteen years. The line to be completed in five years. No. 2 was a letter from Messrs. Douglas and Alderson, inquiring the terms and conditions required from tenderers for the construction. No. 3 reply from Capt. Fraser, Deputy Superintendent, stating the willingness of Government to consider any proposals. No. 5, letter from Capt. Fraser to Mr. Turnbull, announcing the intention of Government to call for tenders. No. 6 memorandum by Superintendent, expressing regret that, the negotiations with Messrs. Drier, &c, had fallen through. No. 7 minute passed by Executive, the ' Superintendent, dissenting. Ist, — " That Mr. Paterson reduce his plans to meet his estimate of £375,000." 2nd, " That tenders be advertised for." , • No. 8, report by Mr. Brunton, Civil Engineer, stating his belief that the line could not be completed at a less cost ;than ,£400,000. The remainder of the correspondence developed the difference of opinion between His Honour and the Executive . Message No. 2 forwarded report of commission on proposed reunion with Southland.

BESEBENT MAGISTRATE'S COUET, - LAWRENCE. Tbtorsday, December 2. (Before W. L. Simpson, Eeq., it.M., and Dr. btewart, J..F.J Tuckey v. Hay,— Qlaim of £6 4s 6d for carting and other work done. Mr. Keen (from Mr. Ward's office) appeared for plaintiff. The evidence was very conflicting, and ultimately their Worships gave judgment for half the amount claimed with costs. Tuckey v. Brown. — In this case a verdict having been given for plaintiff, defendant had applied for a re-hearing, which had been granted, and it now came on. Mr. lieen (from Mr. Ward's office) for plaintiff, and Mr. Mouat (from Mr. M'Keay's office) for defendant. It .was a claim of £21 4s for beer and for casks, and the plaintiff had some months since taken an order from defendant on John M'Coll for £19. At the first hearing his Worship was not satisfied that M k Coll had accepted this order, or undertaken to pay it, and it was in order, if possible, to arrive at that fact that the re-hearing was granted. After carefully going through the evidence afresh, his Worship said that he was now satisfied that M'Coll had accepted the order, and that Tuckey had, on the strength of the order, taken M'Coll in lieu of Brown as his debtor. So far as the £19 order was concerned, therefore the decision would be reversed, and the Judgment would stand for plaintiff, £2 4s only and costs. Mears v. Rankin. — Information for assault. The defendant, through Mr. Mouat, pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s and costs, or 7 days imprisonment with hard labour. Monday, December 6. (Before W. JL. Simpson, Es<j., 8.M.) Birrs v. W. H. Miller— Claim of £20 damages for assault. Mr. Mouat for the plaintiff. The evidence in this case was most conflicting — the one witness who appeared on each side swearing directly opposite to each other. The case was dismissed. Same v. Same— Claim of £31 wages. Settled out of Court. Hales and Heintz v. Gibb (carpenter). —Claim of £6 2s 4d, goods sold. As defendant had left, a 14 day summons was ordered to issue, to be served on his last known place of residence.