PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 178, 6 July 1871, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(Condensed from the Dunedin papers. )

Monday, July 3. pee-emptive eight. Mr. Shepherd asked the Govern ment — " Ist. If they had undertaken to grant the pre-emptive right of 610 acres, applied for by Messrs. Cargill and Anderson on Run No. 369, and if so, whether they were aware that a protest, numerously signed by residents in the district where such land was situated, had been presented to the Government against the granting of such pre-emptive right, on the ground that it was known to be an extensive coal measure or bed ? 2nd. Was the granting of such pre-emptive right recommended by Mr. Warden Borton ?"

Mr. Eeid replied that the lease had been granted. The Warden did not oppose it. MELKOSE TOWNSHIP. Mr. Shepherd asked the Government—" Ist. Why the township of Melrose (or Benger Burn) had not been submitted for sale ? 2nd. When it was likely to be offered for sale ?" Mr. Reid replied that it had been recently surveyed, and that it would probably be open for sale at the next yearly sales. THE ESTIMATES. Mr. Reid, in moving " that the House do now go into Committee of Supply," drew the attention of honourable members to the amended Estimates sent down in His Honour's Message. The Grovernment had gone carefully into the matter of retrenchment in the departmental expenditure, and the result had fully confirmed the Government in the opinion they previously held that there could be no material reduction by amalgamation of offices — that, in fact, the present staff of officials was fully employed in carrying on the business of the province- - and that any reductions which might be made in the departmental expenditure must of necessity be effected by a reduction of salaries. The duty of retrenching departmental expenditure by reducing salaries was a very disagreeable duty for any Government to have to perform ; and it was with a very great degree of reluctance that he felt compelled to take , such, a course ; believing that in many cases the salaries at present enjoyed were not at all too great for the responsible duties performed. The whole, of the reductions as now laid before honourable members would effect a saving equal to seven thousand pounds per annum ; that was to say, if the items passed through Committee as they appeared on the amended Estimates. It was not proposed that the reduction should take immediate effect- They proposed to give three months' notice to the officials, leaving it optional with those gentlemen whether or not they would remain in the service of the province at the expiry of that time. — (Hear, hear.) It would be provided that the Government should be informed within one month of the notice which course the officials were to take, so that the offices might be filled up. Thus the saving would only amount to L3BOO during the current year. He did not disguise from himself tl c fact that many of those members who

were most anxious for saving by retluctrbris in the departmental expenditure w hen. the : Estimates --were under consideration, .would jiow.-he loudeßt in their disapprobation of>she manner kr winch it was -.cjtrriedr <sut ; but he was convinced that-.if members were in earnest about retrench incut, they would not effect reductions in any other way than by reductions of salaries. There was one other point to which he would direct attention. At the present time any officer who was discharged was entitled to receive a retiring allowance equal to one month's pay for every year 'he was. employed by the Government. He thought the fairest principal to adopt in the future would be to pay a retiring allowance to any officer leaving: the service of the Government according to the average salary received by him during the whole of the time he was employed by the Government.

Several members having expressed their views on the subject of retrenchment, the House then went into Committee of Supply. On theitem, "Superintendent, L 900,"

Mr. Duncan said he thought the Superintendent's salary should be fixed at LBOO per annum.

The Treasurer explained "that the salary was really fixed at L 80 0; but the reduction would only apply for six months of the current financial year.

The item was passed as printed. The item " Secretary to Superintendent and (Storekeeper, - L 325," was passed.

The item "Provincial Secretary, Treasurer, and Secretary for Lands, two months at LSOO, ten months at L400— L416, 135. 4d.," after some discussion was passed.

The following items were passed : — Groldfields Secretary, and Secretary for Works, L 416 13s. 4d. ; Provincial Solicitor, L 416 13s. 4d. ; one non-official member, 10 months, at L125— L104 3s. 4d. ; ditto arrears, L 35 16s. Bd. ; Clerk to Executive Council, Undersecretary, and Clerk to General Road Board, L 450; Chief Clerk, Li 7s; Clerk, L 237 10s. ; Speaker, at Llso— L 127 l(ss. 5d. ; Chairman of Committees, at L 75, L 63 14s. 2d. ; Clerk of Council and Librarian, 3 months at L 350, 9 months at L 225, L 256 ss. ; Assistant Clerk, 3 months, L 43 155. ; Sergeaut-at-Arms, 3 months, L 25;2 5; Keeper of Chambers and Messenger, 3 months at L 125, 9 months at L 2 2s. per week — LI 13 35. ; Expenses of conntry members, L 150 0; Expenses of Select Committees, L 30 0; Library, L3O; Printing and Stationery, L 50 0; Incidental Expenses, LIOO.

Under the head " Provincial Secretary and Treasurer, and Secretary of Lands," the following items were passed : — Sub-Treasurer, L 412 10s. ; Cleric to Treasurer and Auctioneer, L 377 10s. ; Cashier, L 28 0; Youth, L 47 10s. ; Printing and Stationery, LSO ; Incidental Expenses, LlO.

The item " Commissioner, L 450," under the head "Police," was also passed.

The following items were also passed: — Clerk and Accountant, L22l 55. ; Inspectors, L 32 5; Sub-Inspectors, at L 250, L 462 10s. Sergeants— lst class, at Us. tid. ; do., 2nd do., 10s. 6d. ; Constables — Ist. do., 9s. 6d. ; do., 2nd do., 95. ; Detectives— L 13,368 2s. 6d. Special Constables, L 36 10s. Female cooks and searchers, at L 25, L 75. Southland — Sergeant at (from sth October) 11s. 6d. ; do., do., 10s, 6d. ; Constables do., 9s. 6d. ; do., do., 9s, L 14,948 7s. Gd. ; Travelling Expenses, L 337 10s. ; Transport of Prisoners, L 15 0; Saddlery and Repairs, L 80; Stores and Furniture, L 80; Printing and Stationery, L 160; Transport of Stores, L2O ; Compensation for loss of clothing and medical expenses, L 25 ; Fuel and Light, L 502 10s. ; Special Detective Service, L2O; Kewards, L3O ; Police Paddocks, LSO ; Temporary Accommodation, L2O ; Prisoners' Eations, L4O; Incidental Expenses, L 80;8 0; Forage, L 90 0; Shoeing and Farriery, L 22 5; Arms, Accoutrements, and Repairs, L 25;2 5; Telegraphic Messages, L 15 0; Tehicles and Repairs, L3O ; Chaplin and Co., Contract, L 600; Groldfields Allowance, L 100; Rate Assessment and Rules, L 250; Purchase of Horses, Ll5O. The House adjourned at half-past twelve a.m. on Tuesday. •