The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 258, 29 May 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1868.

The Nelson Provincial Council is getting fairly to work, and as the Estimates are now being considered we may look for the real excitement of the session. Many of the subjects are of such grave importance to this coast, as well as the Province, that we make no apologv for extracting largely from the reports published in the Nelson papers.

Thursday, Mat 21. Mr Donne moved, and Mr Parker seconded, " That the Goldfields Licensing Bill be recommitted, to enable him to move to insert in clause 9, line 1, the words, 'to a spinster or.' "—Motion rejected by 16 to 6. In reply to Mr Donne, the Provincial Secretary stated that the Goldfields Begulations were now being printed" and would be gazetted and come into operation on the Ist July next. Mr Burn moved, " That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place upon the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £7O, as remuneration, for the losses sustained by Mr Dreyer." After a discussion, the motion was adopted. REDUCTIONS IN THE EXPENDITURE. The Committee appointed to consider what reductions could be made in the Government expenditure brought up their report from which we extract the following—" That they have, in accordance with a resolution adopted by them during one of their early sittings examined, in addition to Mr Wrigg, C.E., the heads of the various departments, as follows—" The Provincial Secretary, Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, the Chief Surveyor, the Provincial Engineer, and the Inspector of Police in Nelson; each officer, with one exception, informed your Committee that no reduction can be made in the number of employed in these departments; the exception here referred to being that of Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, to the effect that the "Warden at Charleston could be dispensed with. The evidence given by Mr Wrigg, C.E., Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, and the Provincial Engineer, as to the way in which the public works on the West Coast have been carried out shows such a wide difference in the opinion of these gentlemen, that your Committee, without further comment, draw your attention to the written evidence attached to this report." The report concluded by saying that the Committee had intended to advise the reconsideration of the estimates, but feared to delay the session. They came to the conclusion that considerable reductions were requisite, and concluded by saying that the Committee considered the practice of including the allowance for travelling expenses with salary to some officials had not proved satisfactory.

Mr Gribbs, who brought up the report ia the course of his remarks, said " He regretted that the work of the Committee had been so unsuccessful. It was found" that the difficulty was very great in obtaining evidence, and especially in procuring witnesses to enable the Committee to go into matters connected with the West Coast. They had obtained the evidence of Mr Wrigg, the Civil Engineer, respecting the West Coast Roads, and the opinion of that gentleman was very decided as to there having' been a great waste of money there, and an entire want of engineering supervision, and what astonished the Committee was the great difference of opinion expressed in the ovidence of that gentleman on n that subject, and in that given by Mr Commissioner Kynnersley. Mr Kynnersley took an opposite view from that of Mr Wrigg, for he eulogised the works on the West Coast as being well done by properly qualified persons, while Mr Wrigg said the very reverse. Mr Blackett, the Provincial Engineer, also, when before the Committee, spoke well of these works, and very favorably of the men who had been employed in their supervision

although, afterwards, on reconsidering his evidence, in reply to other questions, he considerably modified these opinions, and admitted that there had been a want of proper supervision and management."

Referring to the Land and Survey Department, he said—" That the value of the land sold during the year was £5755 ; while the total cost of the Land and Survey Departments was £5210, leaving a balance of £54-5, as the full proceeds of the departments for the year. (Hear, hear). This sum did not include the rents of runs and land leases, which do not now cost anything; but if this state of things continue there would be very little chance of this department paying its expenses. Respecting the Engineer's Department, he said that a good deal of that work it was not in the power of Mr Blackett to oversee, and had to ' be entrusted to efficient clerks of works. He rode out to the Waimea the other day, and took the liberty of looking at the progress of the new bridge, and there he found that the timber in many instances was of a bad quality, containing a great deal of sap, and likely very soon to become rotten. When he arrived the officer appointed to watch the progress of this work was absent. We were told the other night by the Provincial Secretary, that the special duties of this official were to see the nature of the piles used, and that they were driven to their full length, and that the contractors did not cut anything off them. By a singular coincidence, while he was there, a pile was being driven which was smashed and five or six feet cut off it, and thus shortened it was driven home. (Hear, hear). This pile was a fender pile, and it was not replaced. (Hear, hear). He asked where this clerk of works, whose name he believed was Kuyvett, was to be found, and was told perhaps he had gone to dinner. He found him after some difficulty, and instead of knowing anything about the work, this clerk of works asked him (Mr Gribbs) what they were doing, and how they were getting on. He told him of this pile being cut. He (Mr Gribbs) referred to this as showing the nature of the management which such work received near to the seat of Government, and members might judge for themselves as to what was likely to be the practice on the West Coast, where so much money had been squandered. (Hear, hear). Tet this gentlemen the Provincial Engineer had described as efficient.

He continued : —We could not get people to agree to give evidence, they feared that Mr Kynnersley would be offended, and they did not care to speak. On the subject of gaols and police, Mr Gibbs said the gaoler had £275 a year and every thing found him. As to the Superintendent and Police on the G-oldfields, he thought the pay there too was excessive, but did not speak as to numbers, as he did not know the wants of the district. But it must be a very glorious life that of a constable on the West Coast, well paid, well fed, and well clothed, and not very much to do. [Hear, hear,] The item " rations to prisoners" occurred very frequently on the Estimates and for large amounts, and he thought it necessary that enquiry should be made into the way in which these prisoners were supplied. He understood that they were contracted for by the gaolers themselves, and if so this was most pernicious. The only information received from any of the officers at the head of departments as to recommending reductions was Mr Kynnersley, who said that one warden at Charleston could be dispensed with. There was an excuse made last year of the want of clerks on the South-west G-oldfields, as the reason for not producing the accounts in time. Certainly such an excuse could not be offered now, for they were provided with clerks with a vengeance, there being no fewer than five at Westport. [A Membeb, six.] That made the matter worse, and surely some of these could be dispensed with. Mr Kynnersley further stated, although he did not recommend its being dispensed with, that the boat's crew, costing £350, was not necessary, as the harbor-master generally used the watermen's boats, and that the men were generally employed in clearing snags, which was rather a singular statement, as he was informed that steamers usually hauled out these snags. Mr Home complained of the report being resultless, and that it proposed nothing after keeping the Council waiting three weeks for it. Mr Pitt agreed with the previous speaker. The Provincial Secretary said he had watched the proceedings of the Committee with some interest and considerable amusement. Then they examined Mr Wrigg, although he did not see what he had to do with the matter, who said that some parts of the roads were

)ad, and their situation not well chosen; mt it was a well-known fact that in the lew goldfields, roads must be made Tory quickly or it would be too late, 'or if delay were made till explorations ;ook place, the population would have *one elsewhere. After examining Mr Wrigg, the Committee examined himself (the Provincial Secretary), and isked him whether he thought his salary should be reduced. He replied lie thought it ought to be increased. (Laughter). And on being asked to give a serious reply, he said that he believed no reduction could be made in any of the departments. He also objected to the words entered on the report, to the effect "That, from enquiries that had been made, the Committee were of opinion that considerable reductions in the departmental expenditure were possible." He then moved that the heads of departments should be examined, and this was done, and all the heads of departments reported that no reductions could be made in their departments. (Laughter). In pursuing the subject of the bridge, the Provincial Secretary asked, " Did the Clerk of the Works co me while you were there ?" Mr Gribbs replied that he did not. The Provincial Secretary —Did you

go and seek him ? Mr Gibbs—Yes I did ; and found him at the public-house where he lives, and in his slippers at mid-day. (Laughter.) The Provincial Secretary said as for the clerk employed, the Provincial Engineer said he was a competent person ; he had been employed under the Government formerly in connection with Wai-au Bridge and "YVestport wharf. (" Hear, hear," and a laugh from Mr Dreyer.) Mr Blackett was responsible for his appointment. Mr Gibbs had complained that he could not bring forward evidence because persons were afraid to come forward lest they should offend the Provincial Secretary or Mr Commissioner Kynnersley. Suchastatement was unfair. (Mr Gibbs—lt is the fact for all that.) Mr Gibbs was in favor of high salaries last year, when he himself was an applicant for office. As for the including of travelling expenses to some of the officers, that had been found to work well and economically. He should oppose the motion." Mr Parker complained of the inefficient manner in which Government inspections were conducted, and gave a glaring instance in the case of a store house, at Motueka. As to the cost of the departments, Mr Parker added three or four years ago the Government had as much to do, and was as efficiently carried on, at a cost of about twenty-five per cent, less than the present cost. After some further discussion a division was taken, when the adoption of the report was lost by a majority of two.

Ayes, 10—Messrs Gibbs, Sparrow, Kingdon, Donne, Beitt, White, Thompson, Macmahon, Baigent, and Parker.

Noes, 12 —The Provincial Solicitor, the Provincial Secretary, Messrs Redwood, Pitt, C. Kelling, Dreyer, Wigley, Home, P. Kelling, Bentley, Burn, and Simmonds.

Friday, May 22. strangers. On the motion of Mr Home, the Standing Order respecting strangers was suspended for the day, and on the motion of the Provincial Secretary that order was rescinded, and the following was substituted in lieu thereof, "That the Speaker shall order strangers to withdraw at the request of three members present." This motion was agreed to by a majority of 21 to 1, the unit being Mr Donne. HOUSE FOR DESTITUTE CHILDREN. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, the resolutions of the Select Committee embodied in their report were adopted on this subject. They were as follows : 1. " That on the building now used as a Hospital being vacated, it is desirable that it should be devoted to the reception of those children who from any cause have become a charge to the Provincial Government. 2. '• That a Master and Matron should be appointed to take charge of the Institution, under the control and supervision of a committee of such of the humane and charitable residents in Nelson as may interest themselves in its management, acting in concert with the Grovernment. 3. "That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place a sufficient sum on the estimates to give effect to these resolutions." CATTLE SLAUGHTERING ACT. Mr Gibbs' motion on this subject was passed, as follows : —" That in the opinion of this Council, for the purpose of facilitating the action of the ' Cattle Slaughtering Act,' passed this session, the district, or chief constable in each

district, should be supplied with copies of the cattle brands, as registered by owners of cattle within their respective districts." The Goldfields Licensing Bill was read a third time and passed. Other business having reference solely to districts on the Nelson side of the Province was done, after whish the Council went into

COMMITTEE ON THE ESTIMATES. The Provincial Secretary, in moving hat the Council resolve itself into a Committee for the consideration of the proposed expenditure for the current financial year said —I will give some explanation of the estimated revenue. It must be as satisfactory to the Council ■is it is to the Government, to find that, although nearly all the other Provinces in New Zealand are suffering more or less from financial difficulties, and their revenues have fallen off, the revenue of this Province has been steadily increasing, and this year it is estimated that the revenue will exceed that of the last or any previous year by at least £17,000 (without taking into consideration the sum of £12,000, deposited in the bank at interest). The receipts for the six months ended September last, were £52,407 19s 9d., and for the six months ended March last, £83,887 16s 10d., showing an increase of £31,479 17s Id. in six months, and giving a total, revenue for the year of £136,295 16s 7d. With the exception of the Goldfield revenue, which shows a decrease of .£l,OlB 14s 6d., all the principal items of revenue show a considerable increase for the past six months The receipts were as follows:—• £ s. d.

Customs for six months, ending 30th Sept. 12,136 14 11 Customs and Consolidated revenue for six months, ended 31st March 33,615 18 0 45,755 12 11 Land revenue (including £ s. d. Gold Duty) Six months, ending September, 1867 ... 16,924 12 6 Six months, ended 31st March, 1868 22,184 210 39,108 15 4 Groldfields revenue— £ s. d. Six months, ended 30th September, 1867 ... 18,599 19 0 Six months,ended3lst March, 1868 ... 17,581 4 6 36,181 3 6 Miscellaneous— £ s. d. Six months, ended September, 1867 ... 927 11 8 Six months, ended March, 1868 ... 6,207 13 8

7,135 5 4 Taking into consideration the receipts of the last six months, together with the fact that there is no reason to believe that any material alteration in the state of the Province will take place, the Government estimate of £132,450 may be fairly calculated on, and appropriated by the Council for the financial year. After entering into some explanations of the various items he said:— As regards the estimates of expenditure these had been prepared with a due regard to economy. The Executive considered that no reductions could be made in the present staff of officials without impairing the efficiency of the service ; and as to making any reduction in the salaries of the officers, it was considered that no cause existed for such a course. The revenue had not been falling off, but was actually increasing ; and the salaries, all things considered, are not too great. They would bear comparison in point of economy with the salaries of men conducting ordinary commercial business. The salary of the Superintendent was very little more than that of Bank Managers in Nelson, who get £6OO a year, and a respectable residence. An accountant's salary in the Bank is higher than the Chief Clerk's salary in the Government office, tbe work of the latter is as arduous as that of the former, if not more so. One mercantile establishment in town pays its principal clerk as high a salary as that received by the heads of departments, except the Provincial Engineer and Mr Commissioner Kynnersley; and the salaries of the junior clerks in the same establishment, are higher than the surveyors. Under the head Goldfields, sundry alterations have been found to be necessary, by the addition during the year of a warden, Dr. Giles, and an increase in the number of clerka the work for whom has greatly increased. He proceeded to defend the Government in relation to the Dry Dock. Mr Donne, in a long speech full of tedious repetitions, objected to the estimates because they were not framed with a due regard to the interests of the West Coast, a sentiment

which elicited expressions of dissent from all parts of the Council. Mr White censured Mr Donne for repeating false statements like those he had indulged in last year; and contradicted his assertion that West Coast interests had been neglected, the fact being that Mr Kynnersley stated that the Estimates dealt most liberally with these interests. Mr Pitt said he thought the proposed expenditure for general charges ■was tolerably satisfactory, but there "was a very large expenditure on the West Coast. The Provincial Solicitor said the expenditure on the West Coast was much larger than it seemed, and those %vho said West Coast interests were not properly provided for were in error, for there were many matters of import{ince which Tequired expenditure, not :set down against the West Coast, of •which it should bear its share in computing. These were the Executive, the Harbor, the Police, Prison, Hospital, Provincial Council, Education, Interest on Debentures, and Miscellaneous, for which last £SOOO was down, the greater part of which would ne found expended on West Coast account. (Hear, hear.) Mr Kelling pointed out the great amount of money expended on the West Coast, before it was settled as it was now, and which expenditure was tfche means of its being found attractive to its present inhabitants. He contended that the West Coast was very liberally dealt with. The first item was THE STTPEBJNTENDENt's SALABT. Mr Simmonds moved that the blank he filled up with £6OO. He hoped the members who had expressed themselves desirous of effecting retrenchment would show that their intentions were real, and the proper course was to begin with the head of the Province. £6OO was a very handsome salary for the Superintendent. Mr Gibbs was happy to support the motion of the hon. member, and hoped it would be carried, and prove the hon. gentleman to be wrong in his expressions of want of faith in the Council's principles of economy. The Provincial Secretary moved as an amendment, " That the blank "be filled up with £800." The salary was really not higher than that of a bank •agent. A warm debate ensued?

The Council divided, when Mr "Simmonds' motion was carried by thirteen to twelve. The following is the division:- - Ayes, 13. Noes, 12. Mr Wastney Mr Akersten „ Baigent „ Bentley „ Macmahon „ "White „ Simmonds „ Donne „ Burn „ "Wigley ■,, Smith „ C. Kelling „ Beitt „ Sparrow „ F. Kelling „ Pitt ~, Home „ Redwood „ Thompson Prov. Secretary „ Dreyer Prov. Solicitor „ Kingdon Speaker „ GHbbs The Council then, adjourned till Tuesday last.

"We are desired by Dr. Cotterell to gratefully acknowledge the receipt of a bundle of linen from Mrs Labatt for hospital uses. We shall always, on the part of the hospital authorities be glad to acknowledge such welcome, and charitable donations. As has been the case frequently of late, the Resident Magistrate's Court of yesterday was a blank. We are sorry to announce the death of constable Rhodes at Charleston on Wednesday night. Deceased had been only a few days ailing and had gone to the hospital for treatment, though no serious danger was apprehended. He died quite suddenly about half-past 10 o'clock, though what the cause of death was we are not aware, or whether there is anything to render an inquest necessary. Deceased was a vigilant and zealous member of the force, and was poundkeeper at Carisbrook in Victoria many years ago. Two canoes went up the river yesterday loaded with provisions, and a large Maori canoe came down. Though we have had no fresh news from that part, it is certain that a good many now at work there are doing well. We remind our Caledonian readers that Messrs Brennan and Byrne give a grand ball this evening, at the Australasian Hotel. A first-class band has been provided, and every preparation made for the comfort and enjoyment of visitors. We have received a letter from '• Eques," who asks us again to agitate the question of getting up a race meeting, if even on a small scale at Westport. We are perfectly certain that if some of our leading licensed victuallers chose to call a meeting they

could easily gather funds, especially as in these cases the sale of booths, &c, supplies the needful hi a great degree. The Hokitika course and booths realised £233 at the meeting just over, and if a fifth part of that was got here a good day or two's sport might be provided. Our correspondent sends us full particulars, showing how the entrance and qualification money, booths, &c, with very little subscribed money can be eked out into a number of stakes. If a meeting takes place we shall be happy to place the letter in the Chairman's hands. It is intended, we hear, to call a meeting to discuss the advisability of petitioning for the establishment of a municipality in Westport. We hope the rumor will prove correct, for there will surely be no dissentient voice to our procuring local self-government, and to secure this we have only to ask for it.

Yesterday a number of bullocks were brought over the river about midday. One of them was so wild that it broke away from the and bolted into the bush." On its road it ran amuck at everything in its way, amongst <other things charging a horse and dray, and causing a runaway in consequence. Fortunately the horse was stopped without doing any harm, and the bullock having had things his own way turned into the bush. We have constantly warned the authorities as to the consequences [of permitting wild cattle to be driven through the town at all hours. When some fatal accident occurs probably some notice will be taken, but till that does occur the public must look after their own lives and those of their children as best they can. We are glad to say, and we only echo the feelings of a large number of persons, that the tramway crossing Gladstone street has been taken up, and that that dangerous and unsightly impediment is now removed. We think the public owe a material debt of gratitude to Mr Turner, who suffered vicariously on other people's behalf through the tramway, for no doubt to his accident do we owe the happy release.