Thursday, May 26.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 121, 2 June 1870, Page 6

Thursday, May 26.

KBTRENCHMBNT. On the motion of Mr. ASHCROFT, the House went into Committee to consider the following resolutions :—: — 1. " That future retrenchment in the departmental expenditure has become imperative, in order that a fair share of the revenue may be applied to the carrying out of important public works. 2. " That the item of L 78.068 lls Bd, in the present Estimates for salaries, is out of reasonable proportion to the whole sum at the disposal of the province, representing nearly one-third of the entire revenne, after deducting permanent charges of interest on loans. 3. " That any reductions ought to be recommended to the Council by the Executive, and should be carried out on general principles, and with a due regard to the efficiency of the departments. 4. " That the expenditure under the heads of Waste Lands and Survey, Education and Police, requires special attention. 5. " That a gradual reduction in the pay of the police force should be made, and the uniform of the force be made less expensive. 6. " That the Government be requested during the recess to take steps to carry out such reductions as may be found practicable, so that the next Estimates may be framed on a lower scale. 7. " That the public accounts should be stated in a clearer form, showing on one side charges under each head, and on the other receipts under the same head j and that the value of prison labour should be stated as a receipt, and its disposal shown in the expenditure." Mr. ASHCROFT supported his resolutions by making a comparative statement between the expenditure of certain departments in the Governments of Canterbury and Otago. He found that the departmental expenses, (Otago) for salaries, &c, in 1867, were L 75.75 6; in 1868, L 71,29 1; in 1869, L 63,658 ; and in 1870, L 78,068. There had, however, been a saving in the departmental contingencies. The cost of the Legislature and Executive for the last four years amounted to L 31,000. That of Crown Lands for the same period amounted to L 70,074, and that of Police to over L 75,000. Now he had no wish to argue for the reduction of the police force, but he thought it might be put into a state of efficiency at a less cost. In Canterbury the cost> of the police force was only L 7400 for the previous year, while Otago was asked to give L 18,338 for her police force. Canterbury had 34 officers at a rate of L2ll per man, whilst Otago had 75 officers at L 241 per man. The gaols in Canterbury had 17 officers who cost L 4500, and Otago 31 officers costing L 9780. He concluded by moving the first of his resolutions. Mr. REID replied in a speech of considerable length. Several members also spoke, some in favour, and some against the resolutions. The CHAIRAIAN then reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again next day. The Council resumed at 7 o'clock. On the motion of Mr. REID, the House resolved itself into Committee of Supply. ROADS.—CENTRAL INTERIOR. The following items were passed :—: — Saddle Hill to West Taieri Bridge, L 300 0; West Taieri Bridge to Rock and Pillar, L6OO ; Tokomairiro to Tuapeka, LSOQO ; Tnapeka to Teviot, L 90 0; Rock and Pillar to Dunstan, L3OO ; Dunstan to Cromwell, LIOOO ; Cromwell to Queenstown, L 140 0; Teviot to Alexandra, LISOO. NORTHERN INTERIOR. Oamaru to Lindis, L 40 0; Lindis to Wanaka, L3OO ; Palmerston to Eweburn, L 260 0; Eweburn to Dunstan, L 65 0; Cromwell to Wanaka, Ll5O. MISCELLANEOUS. Northern Trunk to Port Chalmers, L 15 0; Northern Trunk to Moeraki, Ll5O ; Northern Trunk to Oamaru Port, LIOO ; Dunedin to Portobello, L 750 ; from Southern Trunk to Mouth of Molyneux, LIOOO ; Dunedin to North Taieri, L6OO ; Lawrence to Wetherstones, L 100; main road through Dunedin, L6OO ; Lees Stream to Waipori, L2OO ; Albert Town to Cardrona, LSO ; Qneenstown to Maori Point and Skippers, L 20 0; Dunstan to Nevis, LSO ; Cromwell to Nevis, LSO; from Southern Trunk to Hogg's bridge, L4OO ; Port Chalmers to Blueskin, L 15 0; Cromwell to Bendigo Gully, L 250 ; Newcastle to head of Wanaka Lake, LSO; Tuapeka to Switzers, L3OO ; Waihemo to Macraes, LSO ; Macraes to Hyde, L 56 ; Naseby to Eden Creek, L6OO ; Peninsula Beach Road, Ll5O ; Queenstown to head of Lake Wakatip, L2OO ; Queenstown to Moke Creek, L 40 0; Arrow to Twelve Mile Creek, L 10 0; Hill's Creek to Dunstan Creek, L7O; Arrow to Hayes Lake and Morven Ferry, L 80;8 0; Roads and Bridges on Goldfields, L 150 0; Waipahi to Tapanui, L7O; Southern Trunk to Kaitangata, L9OO ; Glenomaru to Catlin's River, L 40 0; Waipahi to Pyramids, LIOO ; Hyde to Kyeburn, LSO ; Roads and Bridges, Lower Mataura District, L 170 0; Main Road through Port Chalmers, LSO ; Clinton to Waipahi, L3OO ; Tapanui to Moa Flat, LIOO ; Do. to Waikaka, L6O ; Pine Hill Road, LIOO ; Dunedin to Blueskin via Water of Leith, .L 150; Round Hill to Waitahuna Township, LSO ; Lauder Creei to Drybread, L4O; Becks to Dunstan Creek, LSO; Queenstown to Arrow via Arthur's Point, L 200; Gladstone to Head of Hawea Lake, Ll5O ; Arrow to Cardrona, LSO. The item of LISOO, for road from Lake Wakatip to Lake M'Kerrow, was passed after being discussed. WORKS AND BUILDINGS. Lunatic Asylum, L6OO, passed ; Hospital, L2OO, passed.

Residence for Rector of High School, L3OOO. Mr. MURRAY moved an amendment that the item be reduced bj T Ll5OO. The amendment was put and lost, and the item passed. Tbo following items were passed : — District Police Stations, L5OO ; Immigration Barracks, L5O; Gaol, Dunedin, L 100; Repairs to Building's, L2OO ; tools and material for prison labour, Ll4OO ; flood gates, Anderson's Bay Road, LlOO ; District Gaols, L 550; Goldficlds Buildings, L3OO ; Courthouse, Dunedin, L5O ; School Buildings, L 2,50 0; works not provided for, £500; unforseen contingencies, L 2000; District Court Houses, L 100; Girls' Seminary, High School, L 120 0; Provincial Buildings, L4OO j Waitaki Ferry, L 12 5; snow poles and shelter sheds, L 15 0; fencing cemeteries, L3OO. " bridges. The following items were passed :—: — Tokomairiro Gorge, Ll3O ; Shotover, L 347 4s. 4d. ; West Taieri, £200 ; Gentle Annie, L 10; Roaring Meg, L2O; Kawarau, L 200; Puerua, L 400; Shotover above Maori Point, L5O ; Kihiku (2), L 250 ; Waitaki, £20 ; East Taieri. L 450 ; Tokomairiro, North Branch, L 200; Woolshed, L5O; Waipahi, L7O; Waikoikoi, L5O; lialclutha, L3O ; Shag River, Main North Road, L 10 0; Waitahuna, L 378 13s. 6d. ; Paiwata, L 500; Mataura, L2O ; Pleasant River, L2Ol 16s. 7d. ; Salmond's Creek, L 45 ; Waitati. LlO5 6s. 6d. ; Hampden (2), L9O 18s. 9d. ; Ross Place and Whitehaven street, Lll2 17s. sd. LAWRENCE ATHEN^ITM. ORDINANCE. The Bill was passed through Committee. The House then adjourned till Friday.