May 2. The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 223, 9 May 1872, Page 6

May 2. The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock.

OAMAKU HOSPITAL, The Provincial Secretary moved that 2000 acres of land specified, be set apart as an endowment for Oamaru Hospital. Mr M 'Lean moved an amendment, because the land was not sufficient for the purposes of the hospital, and that the committee had had another block at Doctor's Creek surveyed by direction of the Superintendent, which he proposed should be substituted for the land proposed by the Government in Kauroa district. Before the amendment was put, the Provincial Secretary said it had come to his knowledge that it was arranged by the committee to lease the block in question to the runholder. and that in consequence a number of settlers could not be expected to settle upon it ; and as for having been surveyed by direction of the Superintendent, if so. it was only another illustration of the very unsatisfactory method of the system of elective officers being placed in a position in which they were to some extent responsible, and to some extent irresponsible for the acts of the Executive. If it was so surveyed, it was done without knowledge of Government. Dt Webster supported the amendment. He was ignorant of the arrangement mentioned by the Provincial Secretary, and did not think the object of the resolution of the last Council would be carried out by endowing the hospital with 2000 acres, only worth 10s an acre. Mr Sumter defended the Committee in proposing to lease the land to the runholder, on the ground that the land asked by the Committee was forty miles from Oamaru, and that it was the best mode of diriving a revenue from it. Mr Hutcheson supported the amendment, as the Committee intended to put the land to such uses as to render further assistance unnecessary. OAMARU HOSPITAL. Mr Reynolds thought it would be better to put a sum on the estimates instead of en* dowing the hospital at Oamaru, as every hospital would ask similar endowment, especially as the whole question would coice up again when the general question of reserves for hospital purposes was considered. He would therefore move the previous question. Tue Provincial Secretary wished the question settled. He thought the Council might do worse than grant land not immediately available for settlement. Mr Tumbull agreed with the Provincial Secretary as to tbe character of the land reserved, and he was favorable to endowing hospitals with pastoral land. The amendment of Mr M'Lean was put. On a division, the amendment was lost-—l 5 voting for the motion and 18 against. Mr Tumbull then moved, as an amendment, that 2000 acres of pastoral land be added to that proposed by the Government. Mr M'Dermid opposed the amendment, as he thought it would be better to postpone the consideration of the endowment of the Oamaru Hospital until the discussion of the general question. He moved the adjournment of the debate. Messrs Reynolds and Mervyn supported the postponement. Mr Alien thought the Council bound to grant the land for endowing the hospital. The question of postponement was lost, and Mr TurnbulTs amendment carried. HOUR OF ADJOURNMENT. Mr M'Glaahan moved, "That this Council adjourned during its sitting this Session, not later than 11 p.m., the business before the House at the time of the adjournment to take precedence on the Order Paper next sitting day." Mr Henderson would support it on condition that the House met at 12 o'clock instead of two. Dr Webster would support the motion if the House met at 10 o'clock. The Speaker explained such a proposal would clash with the Standing Orders. The Provincial Secretary opposed the motion on the ground of probable inconvenience and extension of the session. The Council could determine by majority when they would adjourn. Mr Cutten considered it would interf re with the privileges af the House, and might be used by a combative member to obstruct business.

Mr Reynolds said if the motion was likely to be carried he was prepared with an amendment, recommending that no fresh business should be entered upon after eleven o'clock. The Speaking was mistaken as to the bearing of tbe Standing Orders. The House might meet at six o'clock in the morning if it chose. The motion was withdrawn. impounding Ordinance. Mr M'Kenzie moved, "That a select committee be appointed to inquire into the working of the Impounding Ordinance, the appoinment of ponndkeepers, and generally regarding all matters connected therewith, with power to call for persons and papers ; such committee to consist of Mr Speaker (with his consent), Mr Smith, Mr Allan. Mr Sumpter, hon Mr Holmes, hon. Mr Menzies and the Mover." The motion was carried. IDA VALLEY KTIN. Mr Mervyn moved, " That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that he will be pleased to cause a copy of all correspondence with Messrs Stafford and Bell, in reference to their offer to give a portion of Ida Valley Run, without compensation, for the purpose of settlement, to be laid on the table." Mr Shepherd, as an amendment, moved the insertion of the words " in connection with the Ida Valley and the Dunstan. " The amendment was carried. RETURNS. Mr M'Glashan moved— "That there be laid on the table a detailed return, showing to whom the agricultural holdings, or homesteads, numbering 647, according to hi 3 Honor's address, have been sold ; and the number of acres respectively, and also the districts where sold." The Provincial Secretary said such a return was impossible. He believed his Honor's statistics were taken from the Census returns. He doubted if the return were laid on the table, few hon. members would examine it. The moving of the returns was frequently moved to excess, aad gave a good deal of extra trouble. Mr M'Glashan wished for information, but would not regret the motion being rejected. On the motion being put, it was negatived. Mr M'Glashan moved— "That there be laid upon the table a return, showing the amount of laud opened for sale during the past year, and stating the districts where opened, and th* number of allotments sold, with the acreage of each." The motion was carried. On the motion of Mr Bradshaw, the name of Mr Barton was added to the House Committee ; and Andrew Thompson's petition was referred to the Private Petitions Committee. The Northern Reserves Management Ordinance was read a first time. On going to the Orders of the Day, the Provincial olicitor moved the second reading of the Riverton Reserves Management Bill, and the lavercargill Reserves Management BilL * Both motions were carried. The second reading of the Police Ordinance (Southland) Repeal Bill was moved by the Provincial Solicitor and carried, as was also the Licensed Carriage Bill. The Bills passed through Committee, and were report dto the House. Excepting the Invercargill Reserves Management Bill, which was postponed, the whole were read a third time and passed.