Tuesday, July 15.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 286, 24 July 1873, Page 8

Tuesday, July 15.

QUESTIONS. In answer to questions, the Government said : — Instructions had been given to the Home Agent to engage a vessel or vessels, to land immigrants at the Bluff. — Government were not yet in possession of what business was transacted by the Southland Waste Land Board on the 9th and 10th inst., but when they received a report would communicate it to the House. The applications put in on July 8 were refused, but it might be a matter to be decided hereafter; by a Judge of the Supreme Cwwt

whether the applications then made could be refused.— No report as to the state of the road between the Mataura Bridge and Switzers had been received, but the necessary provision for the road had been made on the Estimates. — The Government were prepared to recommend the extension of the telegraph to Mosgiel and Outram. NIGHTCAPS COAL RESERVE. Mr Lumsden's motion affirming that it was inexpedient to grant any lease of the Nightcaps Coal Reserve until the projected tramway or railway has been earned out, and thereafter that the land should only be leased in small areas and by auction, was negatived by 14 against 12. GHOLOOICAL SURVEY. Mr Oliver moved — " That in the opinion of this Council, it is very desirable that the Geological Survey of the Province, which was begun by Dr Hector, should be completed, and that the Government be requested to obtain as soon as possible the services of a competent Geologist for that purpose. It was seen that in many cases mining enterprises were undertaken without any means of estimating success, and such scientific examinations would tend to render investment more certain. Similar work was done in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Province ofCanterbury. The necessity was seen early in the Colony, and Dr Hector was engaged, but through his appointment by the General Government it had been interrupted. Had that survey been completed, it would have led to more accurate observations by miners, and have led to discoveries being estimated at their true value. He considered the work would pay if undertaken ; but if not, it would be a valuable contribution to science. Mr R. Clarke opposed it on account of the expense, which he thought should not be incurred until roads were made. The motion was carried. BIVERTON PERRT. Mr Daniel moved— "That whereas it is found that the leasing of the ferry at Riverton is an impediment to the traffic on the river, and otherwise detrimental to the public interest, it • is expedient that the lease to the Corporation be cancelled. That an address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, to initiate the legislation necessary, or to take such steps as he may think fit, to obtain a surrender of the lease in question." He urged it because the Government had leased land belonging to the Maoris; secondly, that it interrupted traffic, and would throw a number of men out of work ; and thirdly, the ferry was not needed, as a bridge was to be erected. Dr Webster^ said the Government agreed with the resolution, and would take steps to get the agreement cancelled. The motion was carried. A SHEEP TAX. Mr M'Lean moved — " That to prevent contagious diseases being introduced amongst the flocks in this Province, now happily all clean, by sheep imported by sea or introduced by land into the Province, this Council is of opinion the Sheep Ordinances now in force in this Province should be amended, »so as to provide for an efficient system of inspection, and levy such tax upon sheep so imported or introduced as will be sufficient to defray the cost of such inspection, and that the Government be requested to introduce such amended Ordinance this session." He considered much was owing to the ability of the inspector that that there so favorable a state of the flocks, and that arrangements should be made to provide against infection in imported sheep, whether by sea or from Canterbury. 48,685 sheep were purchased from Canterbury 'last year. So careful were they in Canterbury, where inspection was very imperfect, that to pass one sheep from Otago cost 40s for inspection. He thought it time the various Acts were consolidated. Mr TOLSIIE seconded the motion. The late Government took particular care to provide dips for imported sheep, and trusted provision for that purpose would be continued. He thought there was time to consolidate and amend the existing Acts, and trusted it would be done. Dr. Webster said the Government agreed with the resolution, and would be glad of the assistance of competent men in framing an Ordinance. The motion was adopted. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Lumsden moved— "That the Government be requested to give directions for the survey of the extension of Tay street, Invercargill, westward from its intersection by Dee street, so that the same shall run in the form of a crescent towards the railway station. That the width of said extended street be one and a half chains. Th it the land abutting on the south and south-western side of the said crescent be surveyed in sections of one-half chain each in frontage, and two chains in depth. That a roadway be laid off at the rear of said seotions one chain wide, and the upset price of said sections be LSO each," Carried. Mr Daniels moved— "That in the opinion of this Council it is expedient that certain disputes between the Maoris and Europeans, touching the claim of the former to a certain portion^ of the foreshore at Riverton be inquired into, with a view to a definite settlement thereof. And that his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to solicit the General Government to institute such inquiry without delay." Carried. Mr Kinross moved—" That there be laid upon the table a statement of all revenue derived from all sources within the late Province of Southland from the date of re-union of Provinces up till 31st March, and the sources from which they have been derived, and also how money expended had been laid out." Agreed to. The Secretary for Goldfields and Works moved—" That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, recommending that sections 1 and 2, block 1, Ophir, be set apart as a site for an Athenaeum and Public Building*." Agreed to. The Secretary for Goldfields and Works moved—" That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, recommending that section 1, block 24, Arrowtown, be »et apart as a reserve for a Miners' Institute." Agreed to. Mr H. Clark moved—" That the petition of John Richardson and that of the Committee of the Otago Museum, both bearing on the one subject, that of the management of the Museum, be referred to the Private Petitions Committee, with power to call for persons and papers, and to report within six days." Carried. ACREAGE BATING. Mr Kinross moved — " That in the opinion of this Council the ' Otago Roads Ordinance, 1871/ should be so amended as to allow Road Boards the option of adopting the acreage system of rating, and respectfully requests the Government to bring in a Bill to give effect to .this resolution at its earliest convenience." Mr Wilson seconded the motion. Mr Allan opposed the motion, on the ground that the system had been tried and found not to answer. Mr Reid thought it would be better for Government to state that it was a waste of time to discuss the question, as there was an Act of the Assembly prescribing the mode of levying assessments. The Secbetaby fob Lands agreed with Mr Reid. Mr Stout suggested that Boards should have the power to add an acreage to a valuation rate, as it would enable them to tax large holders of land fairly. He moved the adjournment of the debate to the evening. The Goldfields Secretary hoped the amendment would not be passed, as the dis- , cussion was merely a waste of time. Mr Stout moved that the motion be altered, so as not to ask the Government to bring in a BilL , Mr Stout's amendment was carried so far as ' the alteration in form of the motion. , Mr M'Dermid supported the motion, as the ! present system operated unfairly in assessing I property. > The Secbetaby fob Lands opposed the motion. Mr Lumsden supported the motion, because it was a way of sliding in a land tax. Road works improved all the lands in the neighborhood, which should be made to pay a fair share ,of the cost. This would be best secured by an acreage rate. Mr Wilson considered that it would only be fair to levy an acreage rate. Mr Cumming supported the motion. Mr Kinross replied. The House divided : — . Ayes, 11— Messrs Gumming, Daniel, Fish, Green, Hazlett, Ireland, Kinross, Lumsden. M 'Deimd (teller), Stout (teller), Wilson,

Noes, 17— Messrs Allan, Bastings (teller), H. Clark, R. Clarke, Davie, De Lautour, Hallenstein, Menzies (teller), Mills, Reid, Roberts, Rogers, Shand, Teschemaker, Tolmie, Webster. POUT CHALMERS AND BLUESKIN ROAD. Mr Stout, for Mr M'Glashan, moved- "That the petition of 180 owners of land and settlers in Port Chalmers and orthern part of the District be referred to the Government, with the view to give_ effect to the prayer of that petition by placing a sufficient sum on the Estimates to complete the road line between Port Chalmers and Main North Road, Blueskin." Mr Green seconded the motion. Mr M'Dermid supported the motion. It would toe a saving of money to put LI, 000 on the Estimates. Mr Reid would support the vote. The Goldfields Secretary said the Government had placed as large a sum on the Estimates for the completion of the road as they were justified in expending in justice to other districts. The motion was carried.