PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 224, 16 May 1872, Page 6

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Mat 6. The Speaker took the chair at 2 o'clock. MOTIONS. On the motion of Mr Shepherd a return was ordered of sums paid into the treasury during the last financial year, the proceeds of licenses in the different municipalities in the Provinces : On the motion of Mr Hutcheson, Messrs Bathgate, Thomson, Reynolds, Hon Dr Menzie, Messrs Allen, Bastings, and the mover were appointed a committee to inquire into the position of reserves and endowments for schools and other purposes. On the motion of Dr Webster a return was ordered of the amount of money received for stock assessments with hundreds in 1871. On the motion of Mr Sumpter, a committee was appointed to prepare a congratulatory address to her Malesty on the recovery of h.s Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The members of the committee are the Speaker, the hon Mr M'Lean, Dr Webster, hon. Dr Menzies, Messrs Reynolds Thomson, and Sumpter. On the motion of Mr Shepherd, a Goldfields committee was appointed. Certain specific names were originally included in the motion, but on an amendment by Mr Mervyn, the committee was appointed by ballot. SHIRES BILL. The debate on the second reading of this Bill was resumed by the Hon. Mr Holmes, who stated that since the adjournment of the debate he had had an opportunity of looking more closely into the Bill, and the more he became acquainted with i*» revisions, the more he felfc 4ljat it required amending in many important respects. He thought measures should be taken to prevent the formation of shire councils in any districts where the main roads were not already made and metalled. Though objecting to some of its provisions, he would rather see it pass in its present form than that it should be thrown out altogether. The Provincial Solicitor would support the second reading of the Bill, notwithstanding he was prepared to admit that the system of local government, brought home to the inhabitants of the Province by this Bill, might even cost more than the present arrangement, still it would awaken more interest and concord. He admitted that many alterations might be required to be made in the Bill, and they would receive his attention when the Bill got into committee. Mr Mervyn supported the second reading of the Bill, and hoped that the measure might be rendered suitable. Several material alterations, however, would have to be made before it would be really workable, especially on the goldfields. As the Bill was a step in the right direction, he would support the motion. The Hon. Dr Menzies thought the Bill embodied the spirit and intentions of the resolutions of last session in every respect except one, and that was in respect to the provisions for the endowment of shire councils. This poition of the Bill would require considerable attention, and he trusted it would be materially modified when the Bill got into committee. The Provincial Secretary, in reply, remarked that it was very gratifying to the Government to find that, notwithstanding the opposition at first manifested to the Bill, when hon. members became more fully acquainted with its provisions, there seemed to be a general impression that the Bill might after all be rendered a very workable one. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed presently. LAWRENCE RESERVES MANAGEMENT BILL. The Bill was read a second time, and or* dered to be committed presently. MESSAGE NO. 3. The debate was resumed on the reply to Message No. 3, and the following resolution was affirmed : — "That this Council, having had under its consideration his Honor's message No. 3, concurs in the suggestions therein contained, and approves, in terms of section 28 of the • Otago Waste Lands Act, 1866,' of a sale to W. Leggatt, Esq., of one acre of land in the town of Moeraki " The House went into committee. In committee, the Lawrence Reserves Management Bill was considered, and ordered to be reported presently, without amendment. The Shires Bill was considered, and at clause 36 progress was reported, and leave obtained to sit again. The Lawrence Reserves Management Bill was read a third time, and passed. The Council adjourned till next day. May 7. The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock. PETITION. Mr Shepherd presented a petition from forty-six miners, praying that a certain block of land proclaimed open for sale at Moat Flat be withdrawn. EDUCATION RESERVES. Tee Southland Education Reserves Ordinance was read a first time, and ordered to be printed. ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY. The report of the committee appointed to draw up a congratulatory address to Her Majesty, reported that they had agreed upon a form of address which would be proposed for adoption to-morrow. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. In answer to Mr E. P. O. Browne, the Go« vernment stated that L4OOO had already been expended on the road through the township of Havelock, and L7OO was in course of expenditure. The votes bad lapsed for further outlay, and would have to be renewed. To Mr Browne's second question, it was stated that it was not intended to apply the resolution passed at the Education Board, to the education of orphan and destitute children free in Dunedin, In reply to Dr Webster, it was stated that contracts had been taken for the erected over the bridge over the Kakea Creek, and in any monies voted the district through which the great North road passed should be fairly considered. There is a good ford only liable to occasional through floods over the Island Stream. NEW BILL. The Hospital Ordinance Repeal Ordinance was read a first time. MOTIONS. On the motion of Mr Mervyn, it was agreed to ask his Honor the Superintendent to cause to be laid on the table all correspondence and telegrams in reference to the sale of 50,000 acres of land to Mr Clarke; and, on the motion of Mr J. C. Brown, a select committee was appointed to enquire into it. On the resolution of the Secretary for Lands, it was resolved to present an address to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to set apart certain sections of land in Invercargill for educational purposes. MOTIONS. In answer to his Honor's Message No. 4, it was resolved to recommend the General Assembly to sanction a Bill authorising the Otago Dock Board to borrow LIO,OOO, in addition to L 50.000 already authorised. On the motion of Mr Maeassey to appoint a select committee to confer with the Conncil of the Otago University upon the expediency of establishing Law and Medicine Classes in the University, he supported his motion by an eloquent speech, showing the advantages likely to accrue to the University from establishing those classes, and pointing

Several miners have left the Waipori district for the Tainbaroora Golddeld, N.S.W. Fierce opposition in the butchering business, :md consequent reduction in the price of meat are the order of the day at Wuipori— a new butcher having established himself there. The public rejoice at and benefit by the cutting of the meat purveyors. Mr. Matthew Hay was the victim of an unfortunate contretemps on Tuesday last. Ho had mounted a horse, and was riding it without saddle pr bridle down Peel-street, when the animal plunged and bucked viciously, throwing his rider to the ground so violently that it dislocated his shoulder. Dr. Halley, who was close at hand, was immediately in attendance, and put the joint back into its place. The last cleaning up of the O.P.Q. Quartz Mining Company, Waipori, gave a yield for the oitnight of 80 ozs. of the precious metal. ., The provisional directors of the Devils Creek Quartz Mining Co. have received applications for 8200 shares— 2oo more than they offeied to the public. A general meeting of shareholders, for the purpose of electing annual directors and framing rules for the management of the company, is convened for the evening of Monday, the 3rd June, to be held at the Commercial Hotel, Waipori. „ Lawrence narrowly escaped being the scene of a destructive conflagration' last week. On Fiiday afternoon, Mr. Hay was selling by auction the balance of Messsrs. Bastings and Arbuckle's stock in their store. About 3 o'clock smoke was observed by some of those attending the sale, coming from the direction of the counting house at the back of the store. Immediately afterwards a body of flame burst oat. Several gentlemen rushed into the _„ counting house and discovered that the lining ■ above the fireplace was on fire. The chimney piece was immediately torn away, and the flames, were without much difficulty extinguished by a few bucketfuls of water— a plentiful supply of which was fortunately at hand. 16 is exceedingly fortunate that the fire was detected so soon, aud that assistance was at hand, as had it remained undiscovered for a few minutes longer, it would have obtained a firm hold, and the block of buildings at the corner of Peel-street and the Beaumont road would have been destroyed, Nothing but a miracle could have saved them, as a very high wind was Blowing in their direction at the» time, The cause of tho fire is supposed to have been a spark having ignifed the scrim alongside the fireplace. It had evidently been smouldering for some time, and when discovered was jusfc on the point of .setting fire to the woodwork. The hearts of the Waikaka miners have bre i gladdened by heavy rains, and sluicing is now proceeding vigorously. The Chinese population has been Largely increased by new arrivals, all of whom have succeeded in obtaining claims. Mr. W. N. Good vt. Barrister aud Solicitor, announces in our adveitising columns thiit his .office is now at the house occupied By Mr. Keen, two doors from Mr. Harris's sfcoie. By some inexplicable accident, an important jiaiagraph was omitted from the letter of " Pouiidkeeper," which appeared in our* last issue. The letter it will be recollected, was in miswer to an inquiry made in our columns as to the reason cattle. impounde)l were noi adver- * tised. The paragraph omitted was to the effect that shojald an advertisement be posted on a Monday, it would be too late for that week's "Gazette." This read with the paragraphs of ihe letter which appeared, will render " Poundkeeper's" explanation more lucid. ??r,qfbssob Haselmayer. the renowned •magician, will give his first performance in Lawrence to-night, at Bastings' Assembly Room. the Professor has appeared, he has attracted crowded houses, and excited the wonder and admiration of all who have witnessed the exhibitions of his skill. In addition to being a clever conjuror, Hasehnayer is an accomplished musician, and his performances on the pianoforte are described as magnificent. He also plays on an instrument of his own invention, which he designates the Stylocarfe. He has also succeeded in educating birds and mice to a pitch of perf.ecti.ou hitherto never attained, «nd the various performances of these animals form a veiy interesting portion of his entertainments. From the enconiuinns passed or. the Professor's skill l«y the Press of the places he has visited, we have no hesitation, in saying a treat of a high order is in store for the people of • Tuapeka. Professor Haselmayer repeats h's i erformances to-iuorrow afternoon, (for the convenience of families) to-morrow evening, and Satu .- day evening. By our advertisingcolumnsitwillbe seen that a special meeting of the subscribers to the Tuapeka Hospital is convened for Monday evening next. The business to be transacted is the reception of the quarterly balance sheet, and the election of a treasurer and members of committee. It is to be hoped that this meeting will not be allowed to lapse like the two meetings recently called. The supineness of the subscribes place the committee in a difficult position. It is only with considerable difficulty that a sufficient number of members to form a quorum can be brought together, and consequently many meetings lapse. This unfortunate state of affairs is attributable partly to the number of members residing in the outlying districts, and partly to several residents of Lawrence who were elected, having declined to act. We trust that on Monday night there will be a good attendance. The "Wakatip Mail" says :— The ins and outs, or the nps and downs of the Grace-Eagai case have afforded much food for speculation. There has been chasing and racing o'er the hills to Skippers and back, but with no evident result to the public. The bailiff (Mr. W. Donne) is in possession of the claim, and won't be put sut. The telegraph wiies are busily employed, and now we hear five or six Dunedin lawyers are engaged by Grace and pirty, and rumour asserts the terms — £200 for the trip, and a refresher of £10 10s. each for every day over two. The " heathen " is beginning to assert himself. On Friday last, a petition from 827 Chinese residents of the Lake Wakatip district., praying for the removal of Mr Warden Beetham, was presented to the. Provincial Council by Mr. Macassey. *