LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 224, 16 May 1872, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Up to the time of our going to press the long overdue San Francisco Mail had not arrived at Auckland. The last fortnightly meeting of the Lawrence Town Council lapsed for want of a quorum. IN consequence of Professor Haselmaycr's performances, the Lawrence Athenreum Committee li.ive decided not to give the usual fortnightly readings to-morrow night. A petition with seven hundred signatures attached has been sent to the Provincial Council, praying for the erection of a bridge over tllQ Molyneux at the Beaumont. Two juveniles convicted at Tapanui on a charge of breaking into a house, were sent by the R.M. for seven yeat3 to the Industrial School, Dunedin. The sale by auction of the 1900 acres of kml on Moa Flat which the Waste Land Boar<{ declined to include in Clarke's 50,000-ncre block, . takes place at noon to-morrow at Roxburgh. The Librarian of the Blue Spur Public Library begs to acknowledge the receipt of Appendixes and Journals of the Legislative Council and House of Representative^. By a telegram which appears in the " Otaga Daily Times " we notice that the application of the iieiiumont and Tuapeka Water Race Co. for a subsidy of £2000 is likely to be granted. Ths Wcfcherstones Readings took place on Thursday evening last, in the schoolhouse. There was a very large attendance, and. the v«vriou3 readings, recitations, and songs gave general satisfaction. The proceedings closed as usual with a dance. The Committee of tho Lawrence Athenaeum announce a grand ball, in aid of the funds of fie institution, for the night of the 24th hist. , tho Queen's Birthday. The names- of the <^tebers of Committee into whose hands \, t rangements have been placed is a guarantee that everything to promote the comfort and enjoy- > inent of those who may be present will be provided. Besides the attraction of the dance, the opportunity of benefiting the Athenjeuni, the exchequer of which is in a very low state, ought to induce a large attendance of ladies and gentlemen. Refreshments will be provided in the reading-room. To-morrow tho screaming farce, "Sold Again; or, Settling the Country," so successfully performed some time since at the Island Block Theatre, will be produced at the Mon Flat Theatre. New scenery and appointments have been provided, and the management intend sparing no expense to make the performance surpass all previous efforts. The celebrated scene in which the yokels are amused with the exhibition of dissolving viewa of happy homes, while the exhibitor surreptitiously hands over to the comic steward, in a lump, the prizes for which they are striving, will without doubt fairly convulse the audience with laughter. The management and the leading performers are the same as at the previous representation, which ia a sufficient guarantee that the performance will fully equal all expectations. Last Thmsday, which' had been proclaimed a day of thanksgiving for the recovery of the Prince of Wales, was observed as a close holiday in Lawience. Services were held in the Pres byterian and Wesleyan churches, but were nob well attended. The" weather being exceedingly „ tine and sunshiny induced many to make their thanksgiving take the form of excursions to the various surrounding districts. A daughter of Scotia was united to a gentleman hailing frpin the Flowery Land by the Registrar last Tuesday. The happy biidegroom is Mr. Chew Lain, one of Jthe proprietoia of the Chinese Empire Hotel, Tuapeka, and the bride was a barmaid in that establishment^ The marriage was a very quiet affair. The bride and bridegroom, accompanied by tw.o Europeans, drove up to the Registrar's office, and on the ceremony being performed, drove. j back again to the Chinese Camp. In the evening Mr. Chew Lain entertained some of hjs friends at'his residence.

out the advantages possessed by Dunedin for giving practical 1 instruction in both branches. Mr Shepherd, gave notice he would move to-morrow the addition of three members to the committee, which at present consisted of the Hon. Mr M'Lean, Dr Webster, Mr Barton, and Mr Macassey (mover). Mr Thomson considered the opinion of the proposed members, of the Government and committee held on the subject should be ascertained before adopting the resolution, as their action might commit the Council to a course that might not be found oonvenient. He agreed with the desirability of establishing the classes. The Provincial Secretary said the Government considered if it could be carried out the establishment of such classes was exoeedingly desirable. The resolutieu could not commit the Council to any extent : it "was merely for a conference. He trusted a report would be obtained such as would lead ■ the Council to give it effect. The motion was supported by Mr HutcheBon, Mr M'Glashan, and Dr Webster ; and carried. THE OLD CEMETERY. Mr Macassey asked the the Provincial Secretary to give attention to the condition of the old cemetery. The Provincial Secretary said, although the wall was not a good one, it would be necessary to place a sum on the estimates for the purpose, and he doubted whether it would be agreed to. He agreed with the mover it should be placed under trustees who might devise a remedy without expense to the Province. Mr Reynolds thought it was not for the Government; ■bat for the Corperation to take charge of the cemetery. At present it was a disgrace to the City. VALLEYS OF ORETI AND MARARUA. On the motion of Dr Menzies, it was agreed that any reports and plans showing the elevations of the passes leading from these valleys should be laid on the table. The hon Mr Holmes supported the motion, as from information in the North it seemed probable the main line of railroad from the North would be by the West Coast. DISTRICT JUDGE. On the motion of Mr Macassey it was resolved to address His Honor the Superintendent asking him to transmit any correspondence or memoranda in his possession respecting the -appointment of tJ. D. R. Ward, Esq., as district judge. Mr Macassey based his motion on the ground that the appointmentment was undesirable and unnecessary. The work was not sufficient to justify the appointment, as was proved by the fact that Mr Wilson Gray had more than once tendered his resignation to the Government, because the work did not justify the salary paid him. He considered the Council had a right to express its opinion on the subject, as without doubt the Province would be saddled with his salary. The motion was earned. CEMETERIES ORDINANCES REPEAL BILL, SOUTHLAND, The Provincial Solicitor laid a Bill with the above title, which was read a first time. Mr Tolmie gave notice that he would move certain amendments. Mr Thomson moved that the debate be adjourned, to give further opportunity of having the amendments printed. WASTE LANDS BILL. The Provincial Secretary moved the adoption of the Waste Lands Bill of last session, with the following addition. Before the expiration of any license or lease for depasturing purposes the Board shall, with the approval of the Superintendent, determine whether it is expedient to lease again for depasturing purposes the whole or any part of the lands held under such license or lease : and if it be resolved that a lease of the whole or any part of such lands be not granted, it shall be lawful for the Board, at any time not later than six months before the expiration of the license or lease to cause a notice of such resolution to be served on the licensee or lessee, or to be left at his last or last known place of abode, or with, some person resident upon the lands comprised in such license or lease. In the event of it boing resolved that a lease of the whole or any part of such lands be granted, such lease shallbe subject to the provisions relating to leases of pastoral lands contained herein, be sold at least six months before the expiration of the then existing license or lease.

May 8.

The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock. OTAGO WASTE LANDS RESOLUTIONS. Mr Thomson resumed the debate. He approved of the additional resolution proposed by the Government. If Mr Tolmie's resolutions were carried it would upset the whole of the principle of the Land Bill already passed. It was difficult to decide "between what was agricultural and what pastoral land. He was not sure as to the intention of setting apart blocks of agricultural land of ten orfifteenthousandacres. He did not think it would meet the approbation of the Council. The proposal for fencing runs would operate against the introduction of capitalists. Mr Tolmie said the amendments he proposes were not intended to be opposed to the Government, but he did not approve of the resolutions of last year. If they became law the land revenue would be small, and in a short time the land would pass from Proviucial control. He would prefer agricultural land being given away to the present system of frittering it away. He would prefer agricultural settlers in localities where schools and churches might be established, instead of the present mole of settlement. The blocks might form portions of three or four runs, and the Crown tenants would receive compensation. The fclocks should be reserved from sale except -when wanted for settlement. The penal clause he would advocate was, that every settler should be limited to purchasing 350 acres per aiinum, and after paying eight halfcrowns in eight years, the land should be his. Outside the blocks, if a person paid 20s an acre, he should be allowed to do so. Such a plan was necessary to replenish the Treasury. He defended the fencing clause, as necessary to the protection of different holders, and defended the clauses providing . that selectors should pay expense of survey. The Provincial Secretary said the system of survey before sale was expensive, as it rendered costly reads necessary. Roads shopldfirst be made, and then blocks surveyed. At first sight, some of the propositions were acceptable, as proving the present Land Act was not suited to present requirements. Classification of lands was almost impossible, and in the Act a better rule was introduced. By the 69th section of the Act power was given to set aside land on deferred payments. He thought that a better arrangement than that proposed by Mr Tolmie. The Bill also provided for opening np blocks on better terms. He could ' mot go with him in his views on free selections. Ten thousand acres could not be found without its being spotted with isolated settlements. Looking at the revenue point, he would rather forego it than adopt a system which would enable persons to take up the best lands without conditions to cultivate or improve them* One condition of the colo-

nising scheme was to enable settlements to be formed on easy terms, and by the hon. member's plans it would interfere with setlement under that scheme. Although compensation was proposed, no provision was made to determine the amount. The provisions of the Bill passed last session provided for the arrangements in clauses 7 and 8. He should recommend that attention should be rather given to amending any fault in the Bill, than introducing new principles. On the question being put, the amendments were negatived on the voices. The Hon. Dr Menzies, in stating he should move certain amendments in reference to the constitution of the Waste Land Board, said that hitherto it had been framed for political purposes, and its decisions were unsatisfactory. They were not always judicially correct. It would be a great mistake to place the chief magistrate on the Board, and he moved his name be omitted ; and he would also move, as an amendment, that the Board should not consist of more than five members. In regard to the 69th clause, he would propose an amendment that would not so revolutionize the principles of the Bill as Mr i Tolmie's, It would obviate the objection of the committee of the House of Representatives last year. He would omit section 114 providing for limiting the number of cattle assessedin the Hundred. The Act of 1869 provided all cattle should be assessed. It was a premium given to an idle settler to obtain a living without doing anything but look after, his cattle ; while it placed the industrious settler at an advantage over him. The preference, if any, should be given to the latter. If that were agreed to, it would be necessary to alter clauses dependent upon it. He would lastly omit the clauses giving assessments to road districts or wardens of Hundreds to be expended on the roads of the districts. The Government had unfairly endeavored to saddle the cost of collection of assessments on the Hundreds. He would propose that the Road Boards or Hundreds should not be saddled with the cost.

Mr Reynolds objected to the course pro posed by the Government. The usual course was to resolve the House into committee, to consider the Bill clause by clause. The Hon. Mr Holmes supported the course adopted by the Government. It would be a waste of time to discuss the Bill in committee.

Mr Macassey said that there was political danger in the proposition of Dr. Menzies to empower the Superintendent to appoint members of the Waste Land Board. It was not desirable that he should be a member of the Board. He considered the Council should indicate the officers who should be appointed. Mr Cutten said many experiments had besn tried in the appointment of members of the Waste Land Board, and all had failed. Once twenty-five members were appointed, selected from squatters and small settlers, when their decisions depended upon the interest each side took. Other plans had been tried. One of a mixture of Provincial and General Government officers. That worked well. Consisting mainly of the Executive, no doubt the policy of the Government of the day influenced their their decisious, but he did not altogether disapprove of that. A non-political Board must be paid. It was a mistake to propose the Superintendent and Speaker. He considered the clause as it stood unworkable.

The amendment was negatived. Mr Macassey proposed the Board should consist of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Collector of Customs, the Receiver of Land Revenue, the Sheriff, and the principal Resident Magistrate of the City. iTheProvincial Secretary disagreed both with the clause and the amendment. All our institutions were political. The officers named in the clause as it stood, being responsible, were more likely to be guilty of favoritism than those named in the Bill. He would be better satisfied if some member would move that the Act be restored to the form in which it passed the Provincial Council. Mr Reynolds could not advocate the amendment. His wish was to make the Waste Land Board a non-political body.When such a Board was paid, there were no complaints, but when the salaries were refused, complaints were abundant. The Provincial Secretary said he could not agree to the appointment of the persons named by Mr Macassey, for some men, after being locked up in their offices .for some time, became so to say fossilised. Mr Barton objected to both the clause and the amendment. He would not consent to remove the control of the lands from the the Council. He criticised the names proposed, and argued that they were all interested on the squatting interest, or appointed by the General Government. Mr Shepherd concurred on the remarks made by Mr Barton. The question being put, all] the words after the word "lands," in line 3 of the clause were struck out.

The question being put for inserting the words as proposed by Mr Macassey. Mr Barton moved as an amendment the insertion of the following words in lieu thereof, viz — " And of no less than two nor more than five other Commissioners, all of whom shall be appointed and be removable by warrant under the hand of the Superintendent ; and the Chief Commissioner of the said Board shall be the Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Province of Otago under the Crown Lands Act, 1862." So restoring the clause to the form in which it was agreed to by the Council last session. Mr Macassey's amendment was then put and negatived ; and Mr Barton's being put from the chair, Mr Reynolds proposed an amendment upon it by insisting on adding the word "'not being members of the Executive Council of the Province." This question was lost on the voices, and Mr Reynolds called for a division, but upon the voices being called for after the doors were locked, neither gave his voice nor called, for a division. A division however was called for by Mr Shepherd, and the tellers being appointed, several hon. menobers* wln> wisKecl "to avoid a clivzsion, crossed over to the other side, and eventually voted with the "noes," as did the mover of the amendment (Mr Reynolds) himself, thus leaving the tellers for the "ayes" alone— or, as put by Mr Barton, " commanders without soldiers." This caused considerable discussion, involving " points of order," but at length it was resolved to enter the division as — ayes, 3 ; noes, 27.

The debate was then resumed on Mr Barton's amendment as moved.

Mr Macasgey would just call the attention of the House to the fact that the clause, as brought down by the Government, was exactly as amended by the House of Representatives last session. He would like to know, therefore, what good could possibly come of flying in the face of that body by undoing what they had taken upon themselves to do. He thought such a course would go far towards prejudicing the prospect of the Bill passing at all when again sent up for the sanction of the Assembly. Moreover, as the Government in their own resolution had expressed themselves as pleased with the Bill as it passed, and had even asked the Council to join them in that expression of approval, he was at a loss to understand how they could now depart from their own resolution, and vote for an amendment upon it. The Provincial Secretary, in reply to Mr Macassey, stated that the clause as it was now proposed (by Mr Barton) to be restored, was actually passed by the House of Representatirei on the second reading of the Bill,

and only altered in the Waste Lands Cummittee by a majority of one to the form in which it was now brought down by the Government. As to the seeming inconsistency of the Government in appearing to favor the amendment, they had and would exercise it— an individual right to exercise their own judgment, and to vote accordingly, upon any amendment proposed by any hon. member, even if it should be upon their own measures. Mr Barton's amendment was then put and carried on the voices, and the clause as amended, put and agreed to. On resuming the Bitting, after adjournment for refreshment, the Waste Lands resolutions were proceeded with, and most of the clauses were passed. SHIBES BILL. Rapid progress was made with the Shires Bill in committee, which may be considered to have virtually passed. THE WINTON RAILWAY. On the motion of the Hon. Dr Menzies, it was resolved — " That the consideration of the papers, contracts, &c. , of the Winton Railway be referred to a Select Cemmittee ; such committee to consist of nine members, namely, Mr Barton, Mr Bastings, Mr Bathgate, Hon Mr Holmes, Mr Hutchison, Mr Lumsden, Hon. iVirM'Lean, Mr Macassey, and the Mover ; to have power to call for persons and papers, and to report in fourteen

May 10.

The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock. PAPERS. The Speaker laid on the table the Provincial Auditor's report of unauthorised expenditure, from April 1, 1871, to March 31, 1872.

REPORTS ON PETITIONS.

Mr Daniel brought up the reports "of the private petitions oommittee on two reports submitted for their consideration They reported in referenc > to the petition of Andrew Thomson of Waikouaiti that the petitioner had no claim upon the Government ; and as to the petition of Mrs Carson, that the evidence brought before the committee shewed that the husband of the deceased had, in his capacity of overseer in H.M. Gaol, Dunedin, zealously performed work for the Government outside of his regular duties and without remuneration ; wherefore they recommended that a sum should be placed on the estimates equivalent to the sum the deceased would have been entitled to as retiring al- 1 lowance (having been in the service seven years) together with LSO as a recognition of the faithful discharge of his duties. PETITIONS, &C. The Provincial Secretary laid on the table (in answer to Mr Macassey's motion) correspondence relating to the original appointment of Mr Branigan, together with Dr. Hulme's report as to his condition and prospects of recovery (which report was to the effect that Mr Branigan was suffering from incurable and increasing disease of the brain. ) Mr Shepherd presented a petition from the Municipal Council of Alexandra, praying that steps be taken to secure the attendance of a warden once a week, and that of the receiver thrice a week at Alexandra, and from the directors of the Royal Standard Quartz Mining Company praying that their efforts in prospecting the Carrick Range for payable quartz reefs might receive favorable consideration. Mr Brown presented the petition of Thomas Murray, who prayed that justice might be done on him in the matter of his application for an agricultural lease, Waitahuna ; and the petition of J. H. Cook, miner, praying for employment compatible with his abilities in the Government service, the petitioner being incapable, in consequence of having met with an accident, of following his usual calling ; Mr Turnbull, the petition of John Campbell, praying for enquiry into matters relating to the settlement of the claim of Campbell and Robertson ; Mr Macassey, the petition of 827 Chinese residents in the Wakatip district, praying for the removal of Warden Beetham, and the placing of another in his stead ; Mr Mervyn, the petition of 205 residents of Naseby, praying that certain land at Naseby be reserved for recreation purposes.

QUESTIONS. The Provincial Secretary stated, in reply to Dr Webster, that the Government could offer no information as to position of the survey of the Waitaki-Moeraki railway beyond what could be obtained from the Parliamentary papers attached to the Assembly journals of last session. There had been no correspondence between the General and Provincial Governments excepting what had a general reference to the railways in the Province, in which the Government had urged the Colonial Government to construct the different lines mentioned. And in answer to Mr Mackenzie, that the Government had forwarded to the Colonial Government the Council's resolution with regard to a survey of a railway line between Dunedin and Waikouaiti; and seeing that other Provinces were getting surveys of their lines undertaken by the Colony out of the loan, the Government saw no reason for putting the Province to the expense of making a survey of that portion of the northern line between Waikouaiti, Palmerston, and Moeraki, especially as there was little chance of its being constructed fer many years. THE UNIVERSITY. The Hon. Mr M'Lean moved— "That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to reserve and set apart 100,000 acres of pastoral land as a further endowment for the Otago University." The hon, member pointed out the extreme unlikelihood of anything ever being obtained out of the general vote of L3OOO, so Jong as the so-called "New Zealand University" remained in existence.

The Hon. Mr Holmes agreed with the mover of the motion, and referred to the prospective increase of the working expenses of the Otago University, on account of the establishment of additional classes, &c.

Mr Browne moved — " That the debate be adjourned till after the Endowment Committee have brought up their report" — which was supported by Mr Thomson and Mr Hutchison.

Mr Bathgate could see no object to be gained from delay, and thought that one moment's delay should not be allowed longer than would be absolutely necessary. While we had the land to dispose of, we should see that a fair proportion of it was set apart for the purpose contemplated by the resolution.

Mr Macassey referred to the various prejudices and difficulties with which the Otago University had had to contend. These amongst other reasons were urged why the Council should at once proceed to do its very uttermost to properly endow its own institution, and also why the proposition for adjourning the debate should be withdrawn. The hon Dr Menzies and several other hon. members spoke strongly in favor of the motion.

The question for the adjournment of the debate was then put and lost on a division. The numbers being, ayes, 11, noes, 20. Mr Shepherd proposed, as an amendment, to reduce the quantity to 50,000 acres, which was opposed by Mr M'Glashan, and lost.

Mr M'Dermid proposed to add to the motion a request to set aside 5,060 acres as a further endowment for common schools ; but subsequently withdrew it. The original motion was then agreed to as moved.

THE SOUTHERN MARKET RESERVE. Mr Reynolds moved "That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Supertendent, requesting him not to sanction the leasing of any portion of the Southern Market Reserve for other purposes than that of a public market." The motion was opposed by Messrs Bathgate, Allan, Reid, and M'Glashan, and negatived on the voices. DUNEDIN HOSPITAL. Dr- Webster's resolutions respecting the Dunedin Hospital were brought under dißcussion last evening ; and upon the first of them being put and lost, the remainder were withdrawn. BLUFF HARBOR WHARF. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Holmes, it was resolved — " That in the opinion of this Council, additional wharf accommodation is required at Bluff Harbor ; and that the Government be requested to take the steps necessary to secure the early completion of the work." FREE SCHOOLS. Mr G. F. C. Browne moved— "That there be laid on the table a return, showing the number of children attending the free schools in Dunedin, and the cost of maintaining the same ; also, the number of destitute children attending the different district schools, and what fees are paid by the Government.' The motion was put and affirmed. The Provincial Solicitor laid on the table several new Bills, and the House adjourned till Monday at 2 p m.

May 13.

The Speaker took the chair at 2 o'clock. REPORTS ON C. W. ADAM'S PETITIONS. The report of the Committee on Private Petitions stated that they had examined into the circumstances complained of by the district surveyors in the matter of the survey of land purchased by Mr Clarke. The regulations required that except in peculiar urgency, the Surveyor, Mr Clarke, should be entitled, to all surveys in the district, but as one of the conditions of purchase was that he should employ his own surveyors, it must be considered a peculiar urgency. The Committee recognised the necessity for some regulation to protect district surveyors. PETITIONS. Several petitions were presented, which were referred to the Private Petitions Committee. RETURNS. The Provincial Secretary laid reports of the Dunedin and Invercargill Gaols on the table, as well as the correspondence and telegrams referring to the sale of land at Moa Flat. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr Shepherd, the Provincial Secretary said the papers and documents in regard to the Oreti Railway were not in possession of the Government, but were at present in the hands of the committee iaquiring into the subject. He therefore could not answer the question. In answer to Mr Henderson, the dredge was still under the control of the Roads and Works Department, but that some members of the Government were of opinion it was cheaper to do the work by contract than by day labor. No tenders had been received, and of course the dredging would have to be done as formerly. In answer to Mr G. F. C. Browne, it was stated that Mr Smith, of Glenfield Station, had no permission from the Government to fence in block 7, Waitahuna. Correspondence was going on with Mr Smith on the subject, who intended purchasing the land necessary for fencing. In reply to Mr Sumpter, the Provincial Secretary said in consequence of there being three departments connected with the Crown grants, the return moved for would not only be a long one, but very probably incorrect. It was therefore not thought desirable to proceed with it. REPRESENTATIVE VOLUNTEERS. On Mr Cutten's motion, a resolution was adopted, requesting Mr Speaker to convey the Council's thanks to the Otago representatives for the able and successful manner in which they represented the Province at the recent Colonial prize firing. MOTION. Mr Daniel moved " That in the opinion of this Council the construction of a tramway, or light railway, from Riverton to Orepuki gold field, would open up a large area of good agricultural land, and render the same available for settlement ; also enable the extensive coal deposits in that neighbourhood to be worked ; develop large tracts of the finest timber for railway purposes, and obviate the expenditure of some hundreds of pounds, which must be spent upon the present road to make it available ; and that the proceeds of a portion of the Crown lands, which would be rendered available by said works, would snffice for its construction. Resolved therefore, that the Superintendent be requested to toke the necessary steps for the construction of same, by payment, in land, as provided by the ' Southland Waste Lands Act,' 1865. He showed that very little money had been expended in the district, that such a tramroad would open up fine agricultmal and mineral districts. There were coal, wood, and gold. The cost of freight of necessaries for two hours' sail was L 5 to L 6 a ton, and occasionally provisions were scarce and deai. Were land opened up for sale, it would be bought by the miners. A memorandum was read from Professors Black and Sale, pointing out the value of the district, and that a tramway to Riverton would be a great advantage.