THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 356, 16 May 1874, Page 3

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, 13th MAT. i Mr. Reid presented a petition from 49 inhabitants of Waitahuna, respecting Sunday traffic on the Port. Chalmers Railway; also, a petition on the same subject from 22 residents at Manuka Creek. A similar petition was presented by Mr. Green from Blueskin. A message was received from His Honor the Superintendent, recommending the police paddock Tokomairiro as a suitable 6ite in the meantime for a farm in connection with the Lunatic Asylum, also recommending that 500 acres- be reserved for sale adjacent to the line of railway between Clinton and Mataura .or Tokomairiro and Lawrence, with a view to the Asylum" being ultimately located there. also, that a separate establishment be provided~for, the cure of inebriates ; and the Colonial Legislature be applied to, with a I view to provision being made for the legal I committal to such establishment of confirmed drunkards. THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL In reply to Mr. JFish Mr Reid said the Government did . not intend to introduce resolutions having for their object the opening of the Hospital to the medical profession. THE MAERBWHENXTA POLLUTION QUESTION. Mr. Reid stated in reply to question asked by Mr. De Lautour that the G-overninent did not see their way to taking steps to , defend the miners, but they would use their best endeavours in order to get both' parties to agree to a case being stated by solicitors on each aide to be sent at once to the Court of Appeal without any litigation in Dunedin. The Government would be prepared to bear the expense that would be incurred in stating such a case for the Court of Appeal. buns no 199 and 369. Mr. Ireland moved—" That a copy of all correspondence with Messrs Carrgill and Anderson or their legal advisers, in reference to the opening of blocks of land for settlement on.their Runs No. 199 and 369, together with a copy .of any contract or agreement in existence bearing upon the subject, be laid upon the table of this Council." Mr. Reid said that the correspondence between Messrs Cargill and Anderson could not be produced. WATER RIGHTS. Mr. De Lautour moved — "That in the opinion of • this Council it is desirable that the Goldfields Committee take into consideration the advisablity of a recommendation being forwarded to the General Government to the effect — That it is' desirable that a Commission should be appointed to enquire into the whole question of water rights in New Zealand, more especially on the gold-, fields of the colony, and that they be requested to , report to the Council theron within ten days.. The motion was agreed to. Thursday, May 14th. After several, petitions were presented and questions ssked, Mr.vßeeves moved, " That, in the opinion of this pouncQ, it is desirable that the services of an experienced mining engineer be secured for the province." Mr. Fish seconded the motion, which was carried. WANT OF CONFIDENCE. Mr. Bastings then moved, " That the composition of the present Executive, and the land policy enunciated by it, do not command the confidence of the Council." He stated that he was not . actuated by any factious motive. ,He also wished to state emphatically that he had not been fairly treated by his colleagues, who now sat on the Government benches ; he 'said this because his introduction into official, life was through the gentleman who lately held the position of Provincial Secretary. His colleagues were in favor of selling' large blocks of land, and on that point he was in dead opposition to them, and would be to any body of politicians who endeavored to force such a policy upon the Council. He denied having favored the goldfields during his administration, as the report of public works carried out in the province would show. He disagreed with the proposal to sell interving blocks between deferred, payment blocks at £2 per acre. He thought it would be far wiser to borrow money for the , purpose of carrying on public works in the province, and retain the the lands,- and allow them to' increase in value.' • The Provincial Secretary and other membgr» addressed the Council ,at considerable .length. A full report of the' discussion will appear in. our next issue. The division on Mr. Basting's motion will be- found amongst our own oprrespoadont'B telegrams.