Provincial Council.

Wednesday, Oct. 5. The Speaker took the chair at 5 p.m. The following members were present: — Messrs Beswick, Brett, Brown. Buchanan, Cowlishaw, Cox. Dixon, Knys, Fisher, Hall, Hawkes, Healey, Hornbrook, Jollie, Kennaway, Knight, Lee, Mallock, Maskell, Matson, Ormsby, Parker, Peacock, Richardson, Sawtell, Studholme, Tancred, Tosswill, L. Walker, F. H. M. Walker, Webb, Westenra, J. S. Williams, and Wynn Williams. message. A message was received from his Honor the Superintendent assenting to the Imprest Supply Ordinance, 1870. the provincial balance. Mr Richardson asked the Provincial Secretary what was the balance at the credit of the province on the 30th September, on the various banking accounts operated on by the Provincial Treasurer. Mr Jollie laid the information required on the table in the form of a paper as follows: — Statement showing the balance at the bank to the credit of the province on the 30th September, 1870, on the various accounts operated upon by the Provincial Treasurer — Schedule A Ordinary Account, £32,540 lis lOd ; Schedule B Land and Works, £4944 19s Id; Schedule C Loan Account, £69,484 10s 8d; Railway Renewal Fund, £1838 10s Od; total, £108,808 lis 7d. Mr Jollie also stated that the sum actually in the bank at the credit of the Provincial Treasurer is less than the sum named in the return by £1019 3s 9d— interest charged by the Bank of New Zealand in 1868. The charge is disputed by the Government, and the amount has never baen brought to account in the Treasury books. CHAIRMAN OT COMMITTEE. Mr Jollie moved — " That the Hon. G. Leslie Lee be appointed Chairman of Committee." The motion was carried on the voices. CHRIBTCHORCH MUNICIPAL "RESERVES ORDINANCE. Mr Wynn Williams, by leave, brought in this Bill, which was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and read a second time on Thursday. I THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE 1870. Mr Wynn Williams moved for leave to introduce this bill. Leave was granted, and the bill ordered to be printed. The bill was read a first time. THE UNEMPLOYED. Mr J. S. Williams moved — "For a select committee to consider the petition of persons alleging themselves to be in want of employment, to consist of Messrs Hall, Hawkes, Cox, Tosswill, the Provincial Solicitor, and the mover." In moving his resolution he expressed great regret that the petition had not been printed for the information of hon. members. He moved, not solely in the interests of the petitioners, but in that of the province generally. There was no doubt that telegrams had before this reached all parts of the colony about the " meeting of unemployed " the day before The way to meet it was by an enquiry into the facts, if they existed, to remedy them, and if they did not exist, to have that made public also. Mr Tossvtill was happy to second the resolution. It was well known that there were a number of men not at work, who either could not get it or would not do it. He believed that there were a number of married men in town who could not get work, but he believed that any single man could get work if he liked. Mr Ha-vtkes, before the motion was put, moved for leave to call for persons and papers. Some years ago there was a great agitation on this very subject, and it was his opinion that the facts would turn out the same as they did on that occasion. A few weeks ago, when the agitation was first raised, he took the trouble to examine the list of names, and found that a very large proportion of them were voluntary immigrants from other colonies. He agreed that it was right that the Government should find employment for its own immigrants— (hear,, hear) — but he did not think that those who came of their own accord from other colonies should expect the Government to do so. (Hear, hear.) He hoped to hear from the Government the reasons why the men employed in the Domain were discharged. Mr Maskell seconded the addition to the resolution proposed by Mr Hawkes. He considered that some gentlemen connected with the flax aud other industries should have been on the committee; 'he also saw that at least two of the members named were on other committees. He moved " That the committee be chosen by ballot." Tlie Hon. G. L. Lee considered that the subject required a very full discussion, and therefore moved " That the committee be increased to nine." Mr Jollie said that the men had been employed out of a small amount remaining from " Contingencies," and kept to work as long as it lasted. Most of the men worked very well in the Domain at 3s and 4s per day. The Government then put them to work at stonebreaking near the new gaol at Addington, at a rate of pay at which he was assured they could have earned 4s a day, and that a good man might earn as much as 6<i. They were discharged when tbe vote was expended. Mr Sawtell supported the motion. Mr Dixon said he was a large employer of labour, and had spent the money he ought to havd had to expend through the year on

labour at harvest time, and all the small farmers were in the same condition. They cannot employ labour. He supported the resolution, and considered that some of tbe large employers of labour should be on the committee. Mr J. S. Williams explained that he intentionally left the names of large employers of labour off the committee. He thought it best to have members who were not largely interested in labour, and therefore more dis interested in the matter. The motion, with the amendments proposed by Messrs Hawkes, Maskell, and Lee, was agreed to, the result of the ballot being that Messrs Dixon, Tosswill, Cox, F. M. Walker, Kennaway, Fisher, Hawke 9, Knight, and the mover were appointed a committee. CONSIDERATION OF PETITION. I Mr Maskell moved, " That the petition of the residents on the bank of the River Ashley be considered in committee of the whole House, and, in committee, to move certain resolutions on the subject." He explained that the prayer of the petition was for the Government to place a sum on the estimates to purchase a new road in lieu of one washed away by the Ashley. He laid tracings on the table. Mr Walker seconded the motion. Mr J. S. Williams objected to the motion for going into committee, as by doing so they would in some sort assent to it. He objected to the principle. The hon. member was asking for compensation for an act of Providence. Mr Wynn Williams agreed with the last speaker, saying tbat the principle involved was serious. If the Council recognised it, it was impossible to say where it would end. If tbey agreed to it, they would be holding out that wherever floods do damage the Council is responsible for the loss. The Government did not oppose the motion for going into Committee, but they considered it unwise to do so. The Hon. G. L. Lee endorsed Mr Wynn Williams' remarks. Of his own knowledge he knew hundreds of similar cases, which would immediately come under consideration if this one were granted. He instanced Coutts' Mill Race which had carried away sections, roads, &c., and left the inhabitants totally without means of communication with the outside world, except by fording the river Waimakariri. If the motion were acceded to he was satisfied that next session the table would be inundated with papers and petitions on the same subject. Mr F. M. Walker contended that the case before the Council was an exceptional one. Mr Cowlishaw said tbat if the owners liked to agree among themselves to give the land, a small sum might be voted to form the road. Mr Maskell having replied, the motion was negatived on the voices. UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE. Mr Jollie moved " That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent praying that he will send down to the Council a recommendation to grant a sum of £2808 7s 3d, being the amount of the unauthorised expenditure incurred under the Special Orders directed by his Honor to the Provincial Auditor during the year ending 30th Sept. 1870." The amounts of the special orders making up the sum are as follows : — Orphan Asylum clothing, £683 7s 3d ; orphanage buildings, £700 ; do. maintenance, £675 ; Lunatic Asylum additions, £200 ; Police contingencies, £350; charitable aid, £200. Total, £2808. He moved that the House go into committee to consider the question, and after some discussion, the resolution was agreed to, and after passing through committee, it was reported to the House and carried. TIME BALL AT LTTTELTON. Mr Peacock moved " That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent requesting him to place upon the estimates a sufficient sum to defray the cost of the erection of a time ball at the port of Lyttelton." It was very important that shipmasters should be able to correct their time, had they this means, he believed that very often accidents at sea might bo prevented. He had asked the same question in his place in the House of Representatives unsuccessfully. He might mention that the Superintendent of Otago had offered, if the line were connected with the time ball apparatus at Dunedin, to work the Lyttelton ball inexpensively. Mr Webb had much pleasure in seconding the resolution ; he believed that all the other ports have them. They did not ask the Government to establish an Observatory with a staff, but merely to place a ball which the Superintendent of Otago had kindly agreed should be worked from Otago each day at the proper hour, one o'clock. He hoped the motion would be agreed to, and that the Government would, if this motion were carried, take immediate steps in the matter. Mr Hall would be very glad to see a time ball, but he wanted to know how it could be worked. The General Government once a day transmitted a uniform time to all parts of the colony. He understood that the ball was to be worked by Dunedin time. It was now necessary to have all the business of the line stopped once a day at 9 a.m. He hoped that the Government would ascertain how it was to be worked. The General Government already allowed the line to be stopped once a day, and he did not think they would allow the business to be interrupted at the busiest time of the day for the transmission of Dunedin time. Mr Wynn Williams, on behalf of the Government, asked the mover to withdraw his motion. The Government would immediately confer with the General Government, and ascertain what could be done in the matter, and if their reply was favourable, would put a sum on t':e Estimates for the purpose. Mr Pb -.cock would make a remark. One reason why the General Assembly went to the great cose of an observatory at Wellington was for the purpose of working time balls. He would, suggest that the General

Government should transmit the time at one p.m. With these remarks he would agree to the wishes of the Government. i The motion was accordingly withdrawn. the waimakariri. Mr Dixon moved— That a Select Committee of seven be appointed to consider the boundaries of the South Waimakariri district, and to make any alterations they may deem necessary, to consist of the following members :— Messrs Beswick, Delamain, Richardson, Jollie, Knight, Ormsby, Peacock, and the mover. In moving his resolution, Mr Dixon, in a speech of some length, stated that the works done by the Board of Conservators were calculated to do injury to the districts on the north bank of the Waimakariri. Mr Beswick seconded the motion. Mr Tosswill would not object to the motion unless its object was to prevent the Conservators from dealing with the river further tban the south bank. Mr Peacock opposed the appointment of a committee. The boundary had been carefully considered and fixed by the General Assembly, and evidence taken as to it* best limits. He saw no reason why the committee shouli be formed, aB he could see no good end to be gained by its formation. Mr Brown drew attention to the clause in. the Act providing that the Provincial Council shall define fresh limits to the South Waimakariri District. He supported the motion. Mr Beswick supported the motion. He considered that the hon. member had made out a fair case for enquiry. Mr J. S. Williams hoped that the committee would not only go into the question of the northern boundary but also that of the boundaries generally. He considered that as the ratepayers of Christchurch were large contributors to the funds of the Board, some Christchurch members should be on the com- • mittee. The motion was carried. Mr Dixon stated that he would give notice to discharge two members of the committee and substitute two other names. THE UNEMPLOYED. Mr Ormsby said he would not move the resolution standing in his name. SALTWATER CREEK. Mr Maskell moved — That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, praying him to place on the estimates a sum not exceeding £400 for works necessary to open the navigation of Saltwater Creek. It was very well known that this port was of the greatest importance to all the country north of the Ashley. In that part there were 15,000 acres of land in cultivation, the produce of which, comprising large quantities of wool, flax, &c , would all go by the Creek if it were opened out. The Provincial Engineer had reported favourably on the work, and he thought his resolution would be readily agreed to by the House. The sum of £400 left a margin, but he thought that the amount should be placed on the estimates, so that there should be no necessity for any expenditure beyond the vote. He moved that the House go into committee on the resolution. Mr Walker seconded the motion. In answer to Mr Dixon, Mr Maskell said the vote was not proposed to be expended on the bar, but on the river. Mr Jollie said that from Mr Thornton's report he had no doubt that a great improvement might be effected in the navigation. The wool produce of the district north of the Creek, amounted to 7000 bales, and he considered they would be justified in spending the sum asked for in making the Creek navigable. Mr Maskell asked, if the amount were voted, whether the Government would take immediate action in the matter ? Mr Jollie replied in the affirmative. The House then went into Committee. On resuming, the resolution was reported without amendment, and agreed to. Notices of motion were given, and the Houße.adjourned at 9.25. papers. The following papers were laid upon the table : — Statement showing the balance to the credit of the province on the 30th September, 1870, in the various accounts operated upon by the Provincial Treasurer. Lunatic Asylum. — Return of patients admitted, died, and remaining, for the 12 months ending 30th Sept. 1870, together with reports by the inspector and steward. Returns of fees and fines received at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, for the 12 months ending SOth Sept. 1870. Report on the state of the Saltwater Creek channel, by Capt. Gibson and Mr G. Thornton, C.E.