Fkiday, May 28th. Jetties and harboubs.

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

Fkiday, May 28th. Jetties and harboubs.

Dunedin (4), LlOOO ; Port Chalmers, L3O; Moeraki, L 250 0; Port Molynoux, L 10 0; Shag Harbour, LBOO ; Dock, Oam am, L 10 0; Dredging Harbour, L3OOO. The following item was also agreed to : Kakanui Harbour, L7OOO. The CHAIRMAN then reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again. LAWRENCE ATHENE UM -RESERVE BILL. Mr. HAGGITT moved the second reading of the Lawrence Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute Reserve Leasing Bill. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed presently. MESSAGE NO. 8 From the Superintendent was reported as having been sent down. It had reference to those volunteers who had served five years, and were therefore entitled to remission of purchase money on land in terms of the Volunteer Land Act, 1865. There was a list of thirty-eight volunteers entitled to the benefit confered by the Act. PUBLIC WORKS. Mr. FRASER moved, "That this Council is of opinion that the Government should take immediate steps to secure the services of a thoroughly competent engineer, of known standing and repute, to supervise the construction of all public works, such as roads, bridges, &c." This motion gave rise to great discussion, as it seemed to throw discredit upon the present engineer as incapable of the duties entrusted him. Mr. lIAUGIITON said if such resolutions were carried, the Government would have no alternative other than to resign their seats. He had heard a rnmour that day to the effect that there was a move on the part of the Opposition to unseat the Government. He had been told that they had had a meeting that morning, and that, with an accession to their numbers of three hon. members who had previously voted with him, they were prepared to unseat the Government. — (Laughter.) He referred to the hon. member for the Clutha, Mr. Thomson, the hon. member for Matau, Mr. Mosley, and the hon. member for Wakatipu, Mr. Hay. With these three members the Opposition, so he understood, were prepared to come down with a triumphant resolution* He presumed that this was the motion. — (Capt. M'Kenzie : No.) It being half- past 5 o'clock the House adjourned. DONEDIN AND PORT CHALMERS RAILWAY AGREEMENT VALIDATION BILL. Mr. HAGGITT moved the second reading of this bill. Mr. MILLAR made along speech, and attempted to prove that the railway, according to the specifications, would be a failure. He found fault with the plans. They might have been drawn up by a carpenter, but he held they could not have been by an engineer. He believed the railway, according to the plans and specifications, could be made for L 24,000, a little over one-third of the contracted price. Mr. Millar quoted largely from letters he had addressed to the Superintendent, warning him and his Executive against the proposed railway being carried out as specified. Mr. REID, in reply, said he had reason to believe that the hon. member would have undertaken the management of the line, even with the specifications to which he had referred. After a prolonged discussion, the bill was read a second time. In committee, the clauses were read and passed ; and latterly, the bill was read a third time and passed.