PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 181, 27 July 1871, Page 7

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Monday, 17th July.

A good part of the day was occupied in discussing Mr. Haughton's motion, " That the Estimates for Education be reconsidered, in order to make provision for a subsidy to Roman Catholic Schools, in accordance with the several petitions of the Roman Catholic inhabitants of this province." After discussion, the motion was put, and lost on a division by 23 against 4. A stormy debate on the Land Bill ensued, which was commenced by a speech from Mr. Henderson. Dr. Webster, followed by proposing the adjournment of the debate to enable him to concoct a series of resolutions, which he thought would be superior to any yet laid before the House. Mr. Barton's speech occupied two hours, and M'r.'Ha'ughton also wasted much time in criticising it. A scene ensued which is" discreditable to a legislative body of such pretensions. , Mr. Reid's speech was long and forcibly put. He concluded by saying that the resolutions of Mr.Cargill are namby-pamby, contemptible resolutions; they shrink from the difficulty, and do not at all meet the difficulties which we propose to deal with in our resolutions. He brings them down to this Council, and asks it to adopt them, that they may be sent to Wellington, which I think to be one of the most foolish acts that could be performed by this Council. I do not think they will be -carried by anything approaching a considerable majority. The motion for adjournment, and the amendment by Mr. Haughton, that the Bill be read that day six months, were negatived. Tuesday- 18th July. Mr. Cargill. moved that the charge of £50 per annum for Borders . at the

Dnnedin High School was excessive, ! and defeated the object contemplated by the Council in voting large sums of money for the erection of buildings, ko, and that it should not exceed £30 ; that the matter be remitted to the Education Board. Mr. Reynolds moved an amendment that the Government during the recess take the subject into consideration, with a view to reduce the charge, which, after discussions was carried on the voices. Mr. Hickey moved, "That in the opinion of this Council the introduction of Chinese is detrimental to the interests of this Province." Mr. Reid said the question was surrounded withinnumerable difficulties, and the motion as it stood might be looked upon elsewhere as a vague expression of opinion, and would, therefore, not do so much good even if carried. It would, perhaps, have greater eifect if it were made to read — " The introduction of Chinese is not desirable, and ought not to be encouraged." Mr. Shepherd moved, to the effect — "That the immigration of Chinese to this Province is undesirable, prejudicial to the interests of the Goldfields and the Province, and should be discouraged." This amendment was lost on the voices, and a division was taken with the following result: — Ayes, 15 ; noes, 15. The Speaker gave bis vote with the noes, and the amendment was lost, and Mr. Hickey's motion was negatived by one vote. Mr. G. F. C. Browne moved, " That an Address be presented to His Honour the Superintendent, requesting that the sum of £200 be placed on the Supplementary Estimates, for maintaining the road from the Camp Reserve, Waitahuna, to Duff's Store ; said road to be constructed (under tender) by agricultural leaseholders, who shall receive payment under clause 51 of the Otago Waste Lands Act, in the purchase of their lands." — Carried. Mr. Hickey moved, " That an Address be presented to His Honour the Superintendent, requesting him to place the sum of £450 on the Supplementary Estimates, for the erection of a Courthouse at Cromwell." — Carried. On the House going into Committee of Supply, to consider the Supplementary Estimates, a discussion took place regarding the honorarium, which was finally settled ut 19s lid for country members. Wednesday, 19th July. In answer to Mr. Hnughtou's question — whether it is with the sanction of the Education. Board that the Shorter Catechism is taught iv .everul of the district schools of the province? — the Provincial Secretary said flint the Education Board had not interfered in the matter to the slightest extent, and that the only complaint that had been made to the Board was that in one or two schools the Shorter Catechism had not been taught. The Supplementary estimates were then proceeded with. The Appropriation Bill, appropriating L 280,658 for the service of the year ending March 31, 1872, was duly passed Mr. G. F. C. Browne moved, " That the Report No. 4 of the Goldfields Administration Committee, with petition of certain miners in the Waitahuna district, be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration." — Carried. Mr. Hickey also moved, "That the Report No. 4 of the Goldfields Administration Committee, with the petition of certain residents of Cromwell, be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration." — Carried. A motion by Mr. Mervyn for additional facilities being offered for the introduction of female immigrants was carried ; and a motion by Air. Lumsden, asking that the attention of the Educational Board should be directed to the allegations of the Roman Catholic petitions, with the view of affording such redress as may be practicable under the existing Ordinance, was, after discussion, carried.