[FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.]

West Coast Times, Issue 355, 12 November 1866, Page 2

[F ROM OUR SPEC IAL REPORTER.]

GIBSON S QUAY ORDINANCE. Mr Blight asked whether it is the intention of the Government, during the present session, to introduce a bill to amend the Gibson's Quay Ordinance, 1866 ? The hon. member said that the Ordinance was passed for the purpose of enabling the Government to cull fur tenders for leasing Gibson's Quay, Hokitika, and to derive a revenue from tolls. The Ordinance had been found to be unwoikable, and as he believed it was the intention of the Government to hand over this quay to the Municipal Council of Hokitika, he put the question in order to ascertain whether they intended to bring in a measure on the subject. The Prorincial Secretary — It being the intention of the Government to hand over the quay to the Hokitika Municipality, a measure to effect that object will shortly be brought before the Council which will contain the necessary amendments in the present Ordinance. Mr Bright — Will such a measure be brought in during the present session ? The Provincial Secretary — Yes. WEST COAST TRAMWAYS. Mr Bright asked "whether it was the intention of the Government to promote the construction of tramways and other road's on which tolls may be levied on the West Coast, by a guarantee under certain conditions of interest upon capital invested in these works?" He said that several of these useful works had been commenced on the West Coast by companies, and others were in contemplation ; and for the informa tion of the shareholders and others likely to become shareholders, he put the question in order to elicit from the Government some statement as to their willingness to encourage such undertakings by a guarantee of interest upon capital invested. The hon. member referred at some leugth to what had taken place at Hokitika, when his Honor expressed his views on this subject to a deputation that had waited on him. The Provincial Secretary stated in reply, that it was the intention of the Government to ask the Council to affirm upon certain conditions the principle alluded to by the hon. member in his question. It would, however, be necessary for the Government to keep a watchful eye upon the conditions, and only grant a guarantee where they were satisfied of the utility of the work, of the respectability of the proprietor}', und of the prospect of its being remunerative. He trusted, on an early day, to bring down a resolution which would give effect to the wishes of the hon. memtavr.