PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2808, 2 May 1872, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

- WfibyESTJA*. MAY I, I 87& j The Speaker took the chair-* 5 pxa.pjbtition; ; t ■'■''■.'■'■■f ih , Mr Hiooi-ra presented a pe«*^SSS£g inhabitants of the east portion of the iuxwwu. district, setting forth the ihcbnvemenco taej were at present laboring under, M fl .F"*lLjt that they might be included in *he.W» district. . « The petition was read and received. : CHAPLAIN TO THE COUNCIL. . The Speaker announced that *° ceived a letter from the 7«T • B «f -of Christchurch, resigning tot-QQ&JPWfc as Chaplain to the Conned, owhagm many parish engagemente He (the b^W pointed out *o in question, and ineutioned that it patent for the Council to appoint a if they thought fit. _._-,_ .mrroS. ,: LETTERS FROM P™A I^,, The Speaker announced ■*-•*, "*'**, ceived. tho followmg the ProvineialAuditor, which was re»*

»•*^Pro^lscTaT_tn_it"TJffice, ; - - "May 1, 1872. 1 .. speaker of the ITovincial Council. ,< «ir —I have the honor to forward to you the copy of a letter I have felt it my duty to aa»£ to his Honor the Superintendent, and reply thereto, having reference to S£ navraent of money to members of the sLincial Council in opposition, as it seemed yZI to the provisions of the Limitation of ~Zr naE c Ordinance, session 1, No. 5. «Tt will be seen by bis Honor's reply that , been advised . that it is doubtful Lther the appointment of Mr Inglis to act T a commissioner comes within the proving of the Ordinance. «Tt is however, a subject of some important and as it is involved in doubt, I have it to be my duty to bring the corSndence under your notice. «I have tbe honor to be, sir, " your obedient servant, "J. Ollivieb, •'Provincial Auditor." " April 18, 1872. « To flia Honor the Superintendent,— "Sir—There was an imprest granted in To-nary last to pay fees to the Commisinners appointed by the Provincial Government to hold the recent police enquiry. The ™_«bers.; showing the appropriation of that have just been forwarded to mc. gg'teasfoUowst-T. W. Maude, Esq., Kos3 J..lng.is, Esq, £-6 n los ;O. Hart, Ks&Ws ;-# r D ' Craig.-110 10s; total, ••I desire to draw yodr attention to the Kcond clause of the Limitation of Patronage ntdi_an(Se, hy which it .appears that Mr Tnzhirbeing i member of the Provincial: S_nciLy« n °f entitled to receive this money ConnciL mAq' this jaibject, J_, would also draw Toulattention in. like manner to. moneys from. time to time paiite. Mr Havkes, .M.P;C„ for mods supplied. _Siij.ce.the Ist October there {L beem paid to that gentleman upwards of £70 It may, however, be a question: whether this case cornea within the meaning of the words "contract or agreement for goodi to be supplied," or " for any service to be performed," as set forth in the clause. The latter expressiopmay have been intended to apply to such ja case ag this._ . .-«* Ijhave the'honor, .&c., . * * "(Signed) J. OLUVIEB, [Ttb§ conyj ..? " Provincial Auditor." « (I 0 " Superintendent's Office, : »' _hristcbin;cb, Capterbwy, N.Z„ i.: - ~ ' ".;; " April 3Gy 1672. it g_. —I have the honor to acknowledge the: receipt of yourll_efcter;of the 18*. instant, in which you drajvmy. attention ~to . a certain payment made ; ta. Mr Inglis, jflS-jiOne of; the Cbn_£ispjpnerß who conducted the .police enQBiry.towhichViaabeiiig a, member, of the Provincial (Council, it appears to you, he was not entitled without, first, resigning his . seat in the Coun_3iL T In rjsply, I baye.the honor to inform ypu. that I.ns. advised .that it is doubtful -whether,; the .appointment of Mr Ipg¥s <to ."act as, Cqmmißsioner .comes witbratle prqvis. ons ; of ,"Limitation pf. Patronage Ordinance. ._. " ".Kiat it js not within the meaning of section 2 which rei'era. toj'aiay CQr_tract, or agree-. Benfcwiih any Jjerson. being ■,- at . the time a member of the provincial Council by which BB<&Berßoriishall become entit.edto:receive directiy.'or \ any /mm ofimoney of, thepublicrevenue,j: , .'r i r !;!:.•-.- ...'•; « That Mr inj_iu_' was pot a contract, nor reason thereof, or of Ms services thgrehVdqr, .entitled.: to., receive * "That the fees' were a quiddamhonorarium, . tfiem 'upon * the same basis ; ti_fcfe*l aS6 J paid to-a%irriater; and 'that igive Mr j&giis any fees, he .could, not- have claimed

" TheaS9 f t«efltConv of I am _dr__<Vagg-«a4>-ly~to~_a . or ama_onj"lbr which the Provincial Council I hasvoted'^fi^ I &&ibi__ie_ti' J o .•:, l .* "I have the honor to-be, Sir, 3 ~,, 'iYour.obedient servant, _._><,iUUl --< ! «W. , RO__]~STON, " Superintendent, -j "TheProvincial Auditor.'^ I SUPER VTSION. J Mr Macdonaxd asked the Provincial H _as ; the' ; clfarge,*or if there is 3 my superyisionj _of the.banks of : the. Uakaia S m the neighborhood 1 of thb' bridge? He M poi-ted-pajt that, a short time since a small m JtrelnT ___ brrjkerk ou£_rom c t_e main 1 stream, m which at the time. it., would have M costonly atew BhHUrrrfes'*, I'-l'fibw it would m est a large sum of __oney to check its <9 progresßG-ITA__ .j o<ii J -'- i"-- • "M The PBoymciAL ,SECBETAj_Y_aid that the M SakJna _a_«s were not underthe supervision M rf ti&& tßosssd iof uConserjeatorSi. TheattenII tion qtrthe Goveraiment.had.„.been.called,to m fee _mter,°atfd t! t_ey' sept * their surveyor to 11 {famine and repoTf»-bn-it. v "T_ey were actiiig m ?poii that report, and they were, now taking |j Jfcps, in Gove niH asnt,*_n<lhelß_bject. •-• W& d 0 0 FEVEB-WABD&.- ~'-.. W Mr J. T. t !Fp^f^- i^ked:<-aer .Rrovincial Si Secretary whether the Government intend to m sake aiff provision* at the' Ohristchurch Hf Hospital for the _eception : of(fever or small- || pax patients. 8 % .replied that t'z tsna of .money was placed on the.estimates l i to the Hospital. The h |«* made, pro vision lor distinct -wards - for ; 5 Ifiads of ■ . ; Jhe. Govern*Is tt&t proposed to construct wards for the li l-poss mentioned, and in the futxtre they >A la__!«_a_E_Tor^_-i«*-e-*w_rf If &~t cases. Thq, -lever, casej ..refused admis- %® fen into the hospital "were 'refused on the || -^i^of.p^.^u^eQttSuperintendent. p- -__bt_s. - r_r ir__ ; *£ -hosfi_al.'-' ; rr ■••••''■■-■-'-' *- Ebst - a#eathe Provincial ii Jh_> v had any objection to |: Table-ol the'dßbnse a Tetnrh • !_* the expexrditorß "jof; the; vilue of % .beer, :consnmed - ha the % ifleiieraL' -Hospital for i the I s - 1* 1871, andnthe average unmber of i I *-*-' [ ;in ' the hospital Pbov_jjc___.-. SBC__3_tAKY' said- he '- the surgeon eu*feiji.pifcal, and. get the information the. ••S-UJ-faaber wanted. T -*ff, , S "WBABJ*. : ! *^w-^eK_3bved : -that a select com- - «iS« to enqTrire into the disbetween the Provincial Governt of Peacock's wharf of Certain rail 3 and the J to. the wharf,, and to consider I *SfK**t otf the proposal for the settlement " of the trustees, with - S__^?aH lf -i6T : persons and papers. The 1 5W*. to-ebrisist of Messrs F. H. M. | *^7 3 Healey, Sawtell, and the I in a week. The-Bbh. mem,4. S^I 5 ont that in order to get at the '" 7J <l-bstion, it was almost Sr^^ 1 ; direct evidence from the T §S& It was very desirable h ®spatb : Blibiild be settled one way or it. ,2^§£ S;f .)■■■'■■■'■ • % ' fe^^^ disjected* to the committee - - In!---!* 16 a PPO in tcd. It was tight in eats^^*^' al * that as good a - . 15 as possible should be appointed, move that the name of Messrs Jollie should be added to the ruled that any addition of jrV- 1 ? 8 '- be dbne by notice. gS?J^S? I 'L :—I will give notice to that g ;- carried. I&TT PBES i-BBABY. ■ -M Ja moved that a respect- \ Presented to his Honor the 1 ae *?*r requesting him to place a 1 £2500 on the estimates of a onblic free Sew, with the Museum and He said the "library i^; £ tca *- a °o° n to the country -4*seßafLu *° - he res - dent s of the. city. several strangers, who all m iSffW that of a pnbM • c n -dno doubt many hon. M %same fault to complain of. colonies there'were free M to instance iix Melbourne,

where the library was visited daily by a great number of people. "He believed that —in aTccent session a resolution was passed empowering the Executive to make arrangements for the purchase of the Literary Institute for the purpose of converting it into a l re ? lbrar - v * H e Wft s not aware that steps had been taken to do so. The matter was of such importance that it did not require that he should say much as to its great advantage. Mr Enys seconded tbe motion with great pleasure. It was a thing he often wished to see established in Canterbury. A stranger to Melbourne took interest in nothing so much as a visit to the Free Library there. Mr Parker opposed the motion. He said that no one would dispute for a moment the advantages to be gained from a public library, but he did not consider that the province was rich enough to afford such a luxury. Hon. J. Haxl said he must raise his voice in very earnest Bupport of the proposition advanced by the hon. member for Lyttelton. Anyone visiting the Australian colonies, and then coming to Canterbury—a province which had all along taken upon itself to hold up its head as being wiser and better than its neighbors— must feel that the absence of a public library was a reproach to tbe province. The amount asked for was

certainly a large one, and had they not been told that the province was in a much more flourishing condition than than the Executive could have anticipated, he would havebeen staggered at the proposition. Now, however, that the revenue Tas in such a nourishing condition, he knew of no better way of expending a part of that revenue than in the way proposed. Hon. Colonel BEETT thought that the proposition was a step in the right direction, and that the country must benefit largely by it. - itrwould conduce to the welfare of the people :at and must prove a powerful rival against the public houses, to which .he :was sorry to say that many of their citizens adjourned in the course of an evening,! and. more especially in the winter months, to spend .their time. He should vote- most cordially and cheerfully in its support. ....', The Provincial Secretary said that no one could have any donbt as to the desirableness of establishing a public.free library, but they must consider that there, were a great many other necessary works which required carrying out in the. province, and he had no doubt that" those who opposed the motion had their attention directed to such works. Perhaps, also an idea existed in their minds that the motion flavored of an attempt to favor the metropolis st the expense of the outlying districts. If the House agreed to the resolution, he hoped it would be cbnais-' tent enough to give grants to the outlying districts in support of libraries there as well. He remembered that a few sessions ago, along discussion arose as to the propriety of voting a small sum Of £200 to various libraries in the outlying districts, • which grant he believed had done a great deal of good, but when they compared that with the large sum now asked for, it seemed certainly as if they, were favoring the centre of population at the expehße of• : those outlying districts. The question was an open one with the

Government, but when they considered the large sum which must be expended in the construction of the various public works throughout the province, he thought that all must agree that they could not afford the amount asked for. j: ......:-. -. Mr BBOWN.was inplined.to think that the amount asked. : for was altogether, top mucb,_, besides, that t£e resolution did not state how the money was to be expended, whether in the erection of buildings or in the purchase of books. He should not object tq the amount being spent in books-if the library were conducted on the same princi pie ' asmany libraries were, by the rules of which no member-was allowed to take anybobk home. He should be compelled to vote against such.a large sum- of money. If the amount was -voted, hon. members must make up their minds that other-places would demand some support oh the principle of what was fair for Christchurch was fair for the whole of Canterbury;- ; •-■■■'••' { The PBbvxNbiAL Tb___3U_jeb agreed, with ? the remarks bfthe hon. member for Waitaki, that the time had not arrived when they couldaffbrdto;spend such a large sum,of money in the way proposed. ■-■■■•■■>■■■ Mr Ingles thought that the present being an extra session it was inadvisable to introduce matters , which wereV not absolutely necessary, and it would be better that the • motion ahould Deleft oyer till their regular meeting.. He should very much like to see a public .library established, but he must protest against the proposed position of it, Notwithstanding what had,been stated by some hon». members, he. considered the amount asked for was too small. Anyone who knew what the. expense. of establishing a library cost,.should agree that a very small library :CduL_ be started for the sunt mentioned, and. it was .very doubtful whether they could afrbrdtomakean annual grant for its sap-, port,.; jUßdjjr the mcttmstances he should.be compelled to vote against going into committee. .-,-■,,

Mi Peacock^opposedthemotion. . Mr,' IJoynt supported the motion for going into committee. He thought there was no doubt that they could afford this grant, and ho one - would dispute its laudable' objeot. It would prove a most necessary adjunct to the educational institutians for which it was wanted,, and he thought they could well afford the expenditure of the small sum asked for, and which he considered would be welt spent. , ; , . Mr Williams would oppose themotion, jjn the ground that it would be applied to:» purpos. which only in name could be called a free library. If the bbhV riieraber would bring down a motion for the establishment of a library which -would beof use "to the : people.at large h_ should be prepared to sup.port it. A Bbrary as proposed wouldbea mere farce M lar; as regarded a public lihrary. as.the books would be of-sucha nature as'would only be suitable to scientific men.

Mr KkiGHT said he could not see how the ; country people conld.be benefited by thej : proposed grant. There was no public library, in Canterbury, but he understood that ; the inhabitants of Wellington enjoyed free access So the Assembly library, when the House was ; not .in session. He did not see why their provincial library should not be utilised in the same way, instead of its being shut up in the manner in which it was. It would be an injustice to the outlying districts were the Council to grant the sum of money asked for. for the exclusive benefit of the residents of the city. Mr Sawtell opposed the motion, on the [ ground that the expenditure of money in the way proposed would not meet the wanta of a public library. Mr Higgiks hoped the hon. membeT would withdraw the motion, as he thought that a great deal more good could be done with the money by supporting existing institutions. Mr RiCHABDsOK opposed the motion and hoped his hon. colleague would withdraw it, ♦and bring forward a well considered measure

next session, with the object of utilising the library attached to the Council. Mr'WEBB said as the opinion of most hon. members seemed to be adverse to his motion, he would ask leave to withdraw it and bring it forward next session. The motion was, by the leave of the House, withdrawn. sittings of the council. The Pbovincial Secbetaby moved that the Council shall sit duriug the present session on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in each week, at five o'clock p.m. Considerable discussion arose on this motion. Several amendments were moved to the effect that the Council should sit only on the ordinary sitting days, that it should meet at four o'clock and adjourn for an hour at six o'clock, and others to alike effect, but the resolution as amended was negatived, and the usual sitting days will, therefore, be as before. BA.tTKA.PUKA BOAD BOABD DISTRICT. Mr Macdonald move—That the Baukapuka Road Board. district shall be designated as and known by the name of the Geraldine Road Board district, and that the district at present so named shall in future be described as the Temuka Board Board district.

The Pbovtncial Secbeta__ seconded the motion, and said' that the Government had already taken steps in an Ordinance now be fore the Council to have the desired alteration effected. The motion was carried. REPLY TO THE ADDRESS. Mr Macdonald moved the following reply to the address of his Honor tbe Superintendent :—l. The Council desire to thank your Honor for your address on the occasion of the opening of the special session. 2. The Council will give their careful consideration to the several Bills which your Honor intimates will be brought before them. 3. The Council are gratified to learn that under '• The Education Ordinance, 1871," applications for the establishment of new schools have largely increased, and will give careful consideration to any recommendations that your Honor may make for further appropriations on that account. 4. The Couucil, in considering the specific reserves which have been laid before them in accordance with their resolution of last session, will give due consideration to the points mentioned by your Honor as affecting the general question of making pastoral reserves. 5. The Council are gratified to learn that the sales of Waste Lands are considerably in excess of what was anticipated, and will their best attention to your Honor's recommendations for various appropriations in addition to those made by " The Appropriation Ordinance "of last session. 6. The Council accept with gratification your Honor's congratulations on the completion of the Northern Railway as- far as Kaiapoi, and would join your Honor in recording the high sense they entertain of the services of those who have co-operated with your Honor in carrying out its construction. He said he thought the House must agree with all that was contained in the reply. The only marked feature was the absence of any mention as to the relations of the Provincial and General Governments, regarding which mention was made in his Honor's speech. He must say there was a profound conviction throughout.the country that a change in the constitution of the colony, so far as provincialism was concerned, was absolutely necessary. Regarding the specific reserves all uded to, he thought that the Council should take great care lest in the making of those reserves faith should be broken with the Crown, and he hoped that no injury would follow the action of the Council regarding them, :-..,-■ The Pbovxnciax. Solicttob seconded the motion. Mr Higgins said he thought that the Council should riot pass in silence a considerable portiob of the address of His Honor and make no allusion in the reply thereto. '< He hoped that the House, would not allow

that part which referred to the relations of the ftovincial and General Governments to - be passed: over in utter silence; and "he hoped before the House rose they would 1 speak with no uncertain sound regarding that point. He would move the House into committee to consider'the reply to the ad-< dress. The motion was pnt and carried, and the House went into committee. ; The several clauses of the addressj as read, having been passed, Mr Higgins moved the following as an additional clause — " The Council thanks your Honor for directing its. attention to the changes which have been brought about by the legislation of the last session of the General Assembly, and consider the attempt to administer the public'"works and to conduct the immigration by a department which Is virtually irresponsible to the taxpayers of the province, in the highest degree unsatisfactory." He hoped the committee'would adopt the clause, and that nothing would prevent the committee .; from expressing a very strong , .opinion .on this general question. They would no doubt be told that this matter! was now-too far gone to be remedied, but they must not be deluded by that, and be content to sit down gently to endure any treatment which the Central Government might think fit to impose upon them. There was no doubt that the relations of the two' Governments i were in the highest degree unsatisfactory, and i he spoke knowing well the feelings of ,the-j people at large. J

'"'■ Mr Brown said it seemed to him that the motion was pointed. against the. Resident Minister of the Middle Island. TBut it must be borne in mind that that officer was as much responsible as the Bjr_)vincial Government was. He considerecl-that the Vogel policy was brought fairly, before the whole country, and almost nniversally. endorsed. He did not think that the opinion of the Council, as expressed, . would have much effect and he would suggest that the amendment.shonld be so modified as to embrace the question iv a general way. It was very trawise and injudicious, he thought, on the partpf his hon, rfriend to bring forward the matter now, and he thought hia Honor must pray to be relieved from his friends. ■■. Mr Tosswiiii. thought, that while it was; very desirable that an expression of opinion should be given by the Council before, its rising, still the House was not in a position on 6uch short notice to discuss the question in all.its bearings. He should like to see the, latter part of the. amendment left out and such words as the following introduced :—- After word Assembly, "and will take, an early opportunity of considering the whole question.'.' He would move that after the word Assembly the above words be added, and the.remainder of the clause struck out.

The PBOvrNCLAL Tbeasubeb thought that an expression of opinion on the part of the Couttcil was premature.; The policy of the Government had mot yet received such a trial as that any opinion as to its-success could be delivered upon ifc He! hoped the Couricil would always be considered a .body, worth consulting on any radical changes sought to be introduced in.the. constitution of the country. , ■..-. Mr Maskell objected to being oalled upon to discuss such an important question without notice, and moreover the hon. member who moved the amendment seemed to mix up the future changes of Provincial Government with the past action of the legislature. He hoped the hon. member would accept the suggestion of the hon. member for Riccarton, but would bring forward the question at a later period of the session.

* The Pbov_nclal Secbetaby said he thought it a waste of time on the part of the Council to discuss matters which were beyond its power. It could not express an opinion, and he understood that opinions of Provincial Councils were not held, as a rule, in great reverence by central legislature. He considered also that any opinion on the matter would be premature, and that they ought to give the Government a chance of showing whether their policy would succeed. The General Government found the money for the conducting of public works and immigration ; and he did not see how they could hand over the conducting of such works to those who did not find the money. The appointment of Resident Minister was a step in the right direction, and was felt so by all; and he thoughtthey should hot step in and condemn the whole system, when the step he mentioned was certainly a proper one. Local government was, no doubt, most suitable as a rule; but in the present case, it was inapplicable, inasmuch as the General Government found the money, and therefore they must spend it. Hon. J. Hall agreed that it was proper that they should bo called upon to express an opinion, but disagreed with the manner in which the motion was brought forward. They had heard on several occasions that changes in the constitution of the colony were imminent, but he had heard them so often that he was beginning to get sceptical about their taking place. In fact, the hon. gentleman who spoke most strongly to that effect, when he thought of the difficulties in the way, would no doubt Jthink twice before he imposed upon his Government the task of framing a new constitution. No doubJ thechanges in the colony which had occurred and which were occurring, required certain constitutional changes, but he (Mr Hall) thought they would be made as gradually ai possible, and as circumstances showed thej were required. The hon. member, the mover of the amendment (Mr Higgins) need not be afraid of any fresh Constitutional Act being passed at the present time.

Mr Higgixs said he was much pleased with the. manner in which his amendment had been treated. When he brought it forward he mentioned he would not adhere to the exact form of the resolution, but simply asked for an opinion from the House on the question. The reply as presented to the Council waa not even an echo of the address, and he' brought the amendment forward simply to supply the defect. It was np unusual thing for the House to have a discussion oq the reply to his Honor's address. He should like to see the province revert to the state of things ten years ago, which, it must be admitted, <vorked well. At present they could do nothing not even construct a road 01 cut a drain, without the consent of the Central Government. That was very unsatisfactory, and to meet the difficulty he had brought forward the amendment.

Mr Knight said he would vote against any addition to the reply as read. He considered it unnecessary, as he thought his Honor was travelling beyond his position in making any mention whatever of the relations of the General and Provincial Governments. The Council having taken up the matter as they did last session, and nothing new having turned up. he considered it unnecessary to allude to it now.

Mr Williams said that his Honor was perfectly at liberty to give his indiridual opinion on this or any other matter, but at the same time the Council could do no less than ackowledge it. It was right that the Council should take.an early.opportunity of giving their expression upon the changes proposed to be introduced. They had often discussed the question as to whether Provincial institutions should not be modified to meet the wants of the country, and he thought that as representatives of this part of the colony—who were quite as capable of forming an opinion as those gentlemen who went to the Assembly—they ought to give an opinion upon such mattera. They could, not pass over the statements' made in his Honor's address without a proper recognition. They were bound to do that whether they agreed with his Honor or not. Mr Inglis thought the simplest way to solve the lifficulty would be to. leave out those words after the word "Assembly," and then the clause would simply amount to thanking his Honor for drawing their attention to the subject. Mr Higoins said he could hardly accept the suggestion proposed. He wanted to get rid of the notion that the provinces were incapable of dealing with their own affairs, and that was one of the reasons which induced him to bring forward his amendment. He considered that tho provinces had the elements of progress within themselves; but yet, bit by bit, the ground was cut from under their feet, and nothing was done to prevent it. He hoped the clause would not be mutilated as was proposed. c Mr Ikglis thought it extremely inexpedient to bring up a question when they could not discuss it properly at the present momen:. Mr Jdynt said he was glad that the hon. member for Oxford had brought forward the amendment, inasmuch as it * evoked discussion. He agreed that the reply to the address was not at all a fitting reply, and it certainly shirked a very important part of the address. If his Honor made a mistake, they at any rate should acknowledge the contents in some way. The point his Honor alluced to particularly, and wished to bring under.their notice, was in a later paragraph, in yfhichhe I last met you.l indxiatedwhat lconsidered to be the points in the colonial legislation of last session w_ich~most nearly concerned" ns as a provitce,r especially the power of interference with the administration of the waste lands aid-/the conduct of immigration, indes-r psndently of any expression of opinion on the part of the local legislatures." Though they could not alter the policy now, still they could, give an opinion uponit, and a distinct one too, is. to whether thefr waste lands should be absorbed in the way proposed. They ought to take time to express their opinion in a i proper way, having especial reference to the recommendations of His Honor the Superintendent, and to pledge themselves to consider thewhble subject before the end of the session. He would ask the hon. member for .Oxford" to accept the suggestion of the hon. member for Riccarton.

Mr Bbown pointed out that the adoption of this course would pledge the House to bring the matter forward, and he should like ito; know "who was to do it. [Cries off "Question." .-..-; -./-. „.;,■•:■ The motion' was" then put that the words proposed to be omitted stand, part of the question, which was carried- The motion for the insertion of the words "and will take an early opportunity of considering the question "was: afterwards put and negatived. The part of the clause which remained —the first; part-r-iwas also putsahd negatived, and th£ whole clause was consequently thrown out. Mr Higgins then moved that the following stand as Clause 7—" The Council fully concur with your Honor that • the power of interference which the General Government appears to possess in tbe administration of the Waste Lands is highly prejudicial to the interests of the province." Mr Inglis objected to amendments being brought forward when no explanation was given as to what the changes were which the clause aimed at. Mr Higgins said that a proposal was on a former session sent down by the General Government' recommending large reserves of land being made for the purposes of special "settlement.... Was not. that he asked ; interference on the" part of the General Government with our Waste Lands. Did not a General Government, officer also. attend the land Sales to receive |he proceeds thereof? In fact it was unnecessary to point, put any further instances. The clause as proposed was then put and negatived, and the reply as printed was I passed, reported to the House, and adopted. BAILWAY MANAGEMENT, &C. On ihe order of the day being called for, I Mr FISBEB said he wished to make a state- | ment. He found that there were only two papers relating to the subject of the railway management laid , oni the table,' and he thought that before the House was called upon to give an opinion on the matter they should have the whole correspondence, from first to last, before them. The Pbovincial Secbetaby—Sir: The papers to which the hon. member 1 refers are in process of being. copied, but I must explain to the House that we do not intend that the Council shall go very fully into the matter to-morrow evening when the motion for the appointment of a select committee is brought up. I merely ask for a select committee to be appointed to inquire into the matter, and I do not apprehend that the House will come to any decision on the m atter by appointing a select committee, as if appointed, they will bring up the report on which the House will decide. I understand the hon. member to ask why only a portion of the papers were placed on the table yesterday. The papers were in the process of being copied, and his Honor the Superintendent selected those two papers from those copied in the Secretary for Pubiic Works office, and requested mc to place them on the table. I submitted to him that they were only a portion and a very small portion of the papers in connection with the railway management, and therefore I thought it was hardly expedient to lay on the table only a small portion of the papers, more particularly as they were nearly the last two that were written on the subject. I asked hio Honor the Superintendent to postpone what was merely a fragment of the correspondence that ensued on the subject, until the whole of the papers were ready. Notwithstanding, his Honor requested still that they should be placed on the table yesterday evening.' After a second expression of opinion to the same effect on the part of his Honor the Superintendent I gave way, and placed them on the table of the house, I think it is, and I will repeat now what I' said then, that it is highly inconvenient that papers should be placed on the table, on important subjects, in a fragmentary manner. [Hear, hear.] I think also even more inconvenient when put in print

in the papers. Ido not know whether they were printed under the r.-.thoritv <-<f the Speaker, but when imp.ii.mt m.uL.r is brought before the Couiu-il, I tiiiak the whole of the papers shouldjbe placed on the table, as we know from experience how very inexpedient and inconvenient it is to have only a portion of the correspondence before us. Tbe papers are being copied as fast as they can be, and I thought, as you would probably appoint a select comruitee, it was inexpedient that papers should be laid before the Douse, before being laid b.-fore tho select committee. They will have all the papers laid before them. :>.nd the report will come up with all the papers, aud all the evidence laid before them. I may state as my hon. colleague reminds mc, that his Honor requested mc to place further instalments of the correspondence on the table, and I considered it my duty to decline doing so until they could be brought forward as a whole. WAIMAKARIRI BRIDGE. In reply to a question by Mr Peacock, regarding the condition of the Waimakariri bridge, The Provincial Secretary said the Government had arranged with the contractors to put the work of repairing the bridge in hand at once as soon as the necessary timber could be obtained. SELWYX BRIDGE. Hon. John Hall called the attention of the Government to the dangerous condition of the Selwyn bridge, a portion of-which at the present moment was suspended in mid air and passengers taken across in trolleys, which he considered exceedingly perilous. He must point out to the Government that they were undertaking a great responsibility, if they allowed the traffic to continue one moment, unless they had professional opinion, that it waa safe. He -wished to ask what steps the Government were taking.to remedy. the pfeseblfsFafe of things, and under whose directionsjtlre stepß now taken to repair the defects were initiated, and by what authority they were carried on. The Provincial Secretary explained how matters stood, and that on receiving a memorandum from the Manager of Railways, he gave written instructions at once to the Provincial Engineer to report as to the damage which had taken place. The Railway Manager took steps to preserve the communication over the bridge, and the engineer had received instructions to carry out what he cousidered - necessary for the safety of the bridge. In reply to a further question from Mr Hall, The Provincial Secretary said the General Manager did not report it was unsafe to cross passengers over the part of the bridge in suspension,, but now that their attention was called to it they would see to the matter. ASHLEY BRIDGE. In reply to a question from Mr Walker, The Provincial Secretaby said that he looked upon the Ashley bridge as a special case, and he had no doubt the Government would afford every reasonable assistance to; the Road Board to put the bridge in repair. ORDER OF THE DAY. The order of the; day was then proceeded with, and the Municipal Council Ordinances Repeal Ordinance, 1872, was read a second time. After notices of motion had been given, the House adjourned till next day at the usual hour. .:•■.-