AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. THURSDAY, 2nd February, 1854.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XI, Issue 690, 7 February 1854, Page 3

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. THURSDAY, 2nd February, 1854.

The Speaker took the chair at 4 o'clock. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. The Speaker intimated having received a minute, No. 61, from the Superintendent, respecting the land fund available for immigration purposes. Minute read. Also minute, No. 62, respecting the survey of lands for •which Crown Titles have been issued. The survey would not entitle the lands to be registered unless in pertain districts. Government would, if it were the wish of Council, have those lands surveyed at the Provincial expense. Theibllowing minute (No. 63) was then readSuperintendent's Office, Auckland, 2nd Febr., 1854. In reference to the Resolution of Council of the 1 3th November last, requesting to be furnished with a "Return showing the Financial state of the Province, with a detailed statement of debts and liabilities." The Superintendent begs to forward to the Council a copy of a letter received from the Colonial Secretary, dated 27th ult, relative to the above subject, and begs to state that the interest payable on Debentures therein mentioned being charged by the Land Claims Ordinance, No. 22, Sess. 7, upon the Customs Revenue, is now paid by the General Government. R,H. "WTNTAm), Superintendent.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Aucldand, 27th Jan. 1854. snt,— ln reference to your Honour's letter, dated 16th November last, "No. 212, enclosing a copy of a resolution of the Provincial

Council respecting the Debts and Liabilities of the Province of Auckland, I have been directed by his Excellency the Governor to inform you that the amount of Land Debentures chargeable against the Province in circulation is £911 Bs. 9d.; and that one Land Debenture for £27 was issued in the year 1849, but none has been isKiicd. sittco I have', &c. Andhew Sinclair, Col. Secretary. Ilis Honour the Superintendent, Auckland. On the motion of Mr. J. O'Neill, this minute was ordered to be printed.

Notices op Motion". Mr, Porter to move, on Friday, for leave to bring in a Sheep Wr. Porter to move, on Friday, the second reading of the Slaughter House Amendment Bill. . Mr Dcrrom to move, on Friday, that the House go into Committee on the City Building Bill, -ssith Mr. Porter in the chair. Mr. Pomlitch to move, on Friday, certain amendments to the Slaughter House Amendment Bill. Mr OBrien to move, on Friday, that the \vhplo of the City be made subject to the provisions of the City Building Bill. Mr. Williamson to move, on Friday, for a Committee on the immigration fund*

Orders of the Day. Forest Lands. Mr. A. O'Neill brought forward his motion on this question, which was seconded by Mr. Powditch. Mr. Porter considered the whole of the forests were ndw devoted to public colonial purposes Mrr J. O'Neill supported the motion. Mr. Gilfillan thought it would interfere with private enterprise. Mr. "Williamson suggested certain alterations, which were adopted. Mr. O'Neill's motion then read thus :— That the Superintendent be requested to represent to the General Government, that it is the t\ ish of this Council that one-half of all the forest lands at present at the disposal of the General Assembly, he reserved for Public purposes ; and also on-half of all forests that may hereafter be alienated from the Aborigines ; and that the Sur-vejor-Generalhe instructed to have such forests, properly xlefined by bearings, and, if possible, natural landmarks. ; Mr. Newman was of opinion that every generation should provide for its own wants. .- The question was ,put and carried. There being 7 aT e s — 5 noes. Messrs. Powditch and Donovan declining to vote. The Speaker wished distinctly to state that all members present must vote or withdraw. It was a rule which, for the future,_he would rigidly enforce. Messages from Superintendent. The Speaker read two messages, Nos. 10 and 11, from the Superintendent, returning the City and Harboxir Bills, and pointing out some necessary amendments. Mr. Boylan gave notice that he would move that the City Bill be recommitted on Friday. Mr. Porter gave notice that he would move the recommittal, on Fiiday, of the Harbour Bill, and that it be read a third time and passed.

Audit Bill. On the motion of Mr. Porter, the House went into Committee on the Superintendent's amendment of this Bill. Progress being reported, the Bill was read a third time and passed.

SuPEMXTEXDEXT S MESSAGES. Mr. Porter moved— That the follow ing Members l>e a Committee, tlz., Messrs. Busby, Dilflortli, GilftUan, Conncll, and the mover, to consider and leport on all the messages sent do-ftn by the Superintendent. Mr. Gilfillan seconded the motion. Mr. Boylan thought the motion was too indefinite. Some messages had been considered ; others had been referred to special Committees. Mr. Busby was of opinion that a Committee should be formed in 01 der that no message might be overlooked. Mr. Connell svipported the motion. Mr. Williamson took the same view of the question as Mr. Boylan ; but if the motion were to insure that nothing would be overlooked, he would not object. Mr. Powditch said that the motion should be made more definate. Mr. Gilfillan considered the motion was designed only for those messages which had not been referred to other Committees. Motion agreed to.

Parliamentary Reports Sec. Mr. Busby rose to moveThat the .Speaker be requested in the name of this Council to ■write to the Speaker of the Ilouse of Commons, and to request for the Library of this Council a copy of all Parliamentary Heports and Documents which it may he m his power to iurnibh. i Agreed to. ! Enlargement op Provincial Council's Powers. Mr. Hill having requested and obtained permission to give precedence to the motion on this subject, Mr. Connell rose to moye — That it is the opinion of this Council, -with a view to the harmonious working of the New Constitution, it is very desirable tliat the powers of the Provincial Councils be enlarged, so as to enable them to legislate finally upon all subjects affecting- the local interests of the respective Provinces ; and that the action of the General Assembly be confined to such matters as affect the interests of these Islands taken as a -whole. Mr. Gilfillan seconded the motion. Mr. Busby had been under the impression that the •subject matter of this motion had not been thought a boon to be solicited by this Council. lie was glad that hon. members began to perceive the difficulties that might arise. If the General Assembly could enlarge their powers, they could also diminish them. If the lion, member had joined in the petition relating to the Constitution, the questions now before the House would be more likely to be settled. He hoped the Council would consider before they voted in favour of this motion. Mr. Porter could not but think the hon. member was infatuated in supposing that a petition from a minority would be attended to. The General Assembly could grant all that was required. Mr. "Williamson would support the motion. Mr. Newman had voted for the separation of the provinces, and could also cordially support this motion : not that he would wish to recal his previous vote, but because he would be sorry to see such a motion as this before the Council and not support it. Mr. Gilfillan considered these resolutions would be in favour of the petition for separation ; and they embodied the wishes of the people of this province. Allusion had been made to Mr. Gibbon Wakefield ; but when that gentleman came here he would no doubt find his level. Mr. J. O'X^ill was convinced the Constitution could not work without being remodelled. Although he was in favour of Provincial Separation, he could see no objection, to the resolutions. If they were embodied in a Bill it would be better. Mr. Boylan remarked, that when he considered the rapid communication that took place between his Honour the Superintendent and his Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, he was of opinion the resolutions might do some good. He would, therefore, support the motion. The first paragraph was then carried ; and the remaining clauses brought under discussion. Mr. Williamson having suggested a few alterations and additions which Mr. Connell willingly adopted, the motion was assented to. Mr. Hill rose and said, that as the spirit of his motion had been embodied in that which had just been carried, he would ask leave to withdraw it. Leave granted.

The Tahiti?. Mr. Gilfillan moved— That in the opinion of this Council, a revision of the Sew Zealand Taiiff— especially as it affects this Province— is necessary, ■« ith a view to its being assimilated (so far as practicable) to the Tariffs of Nev\ South Wales, Victoria, and Van Dieraen's Land ; and that His Ilonour the Superintendent be requested to move the officer ad* ministering the Government to bring this resolution under the consideration of the General Assembly, at such time, and in such mode, as shall to him appear most desirable. The hon. member said he would have brought the present motion before the Council at an earlier period, if he had known, at what time the General Assemblywould meet. Now that it was known, he had brought forward this — to the commercial part of the community — most important motion. He would not detain the House by going through the present tariff, but would only point out a few of its faults and absurdities. There were artificial floweis with a fixed duty. Now, there might be £25 worth used in this Province in a year, and, if a merchant had an invoice of haberdashery with a box of artificial flowers in it, he must make a separate line, in each of his three entries, for them. Then came blankets, and, though every one who was in the trade knew they were of various sizes — 8-4, 9-1, 10-4, 11-4, 12-4, &c, and of various qualities, the framers of the present tariff were above all such considerations, and fixed the duty at 2s. per pair. Those which were invoiced at 65., and those at 265., paid the same rate of duty. The taxation was most unequal. Then salt beef and pork, which all knew were only used by the shipping visiting the port, were taxed. He considered it absurd for a maritime port to tax ships' stores, unless it was desired to send vessels where these supplies could be had duty free. Then there are counterpanes, 2s. each ; bed quiits, 6d. each ; and rugs or coverets, 4d. each. Now, I will inform the Council how the tariff works in these articles. A merchant sends home for some coverlets for beds, for native trade. There were 100 sent, invoiced at £5 some odd shillings ; but, by some mistake in London, they had been described as counterpanes on the cocket, and, when they arrived and the importer wished to pay duty, 2s. each was demanded, being £10 ior the whole, or about 200 per cent on the invoice. The merchant represented the case, first privately, then officially, to the Collector of Customs and the Government, offering to pay duty on them, at 6d. each, as bed quilts (which they really were), or to pay duty, as coverlets, at 4d. each, but was told that no alteration could be made ; he must either pay duty at 25., or put them in bond for exportation. I need not inform you of the result ; the coverlets were sent to Sydney and sold, the merchant losing the opportunity of selling them here. This, he must inform the Council, wa3 only one of many instances of the way in

which the present tariff works. Why, the hon. member opposite (Mr. Boylan), who, from the state of the slaughter-house, had been induced to become a vegetarian, could not even indulge in the luxury of salted .mutton -without paying duty and customs' charges. And even " Tongues were not exempt." The tariff was framed before the Council were called together, and some members might think it wise to put a duty on them. There was a most formidable list of fixed duties, which every one knew who had an entry to make. He had had the head-ache many times through puzzling to find out under what particular class to enter some trifling articles; and, after going through the "fixed," then came the " ad valorem," which was another puzzle. He would recommend a duty of 5 per cent, ad valorem, on British goods, 12s. or 20s. a gallon on spirits, and 2s. or 2s. 6d. per lb, on tobacco. Spirits and tobacco could be done without, and, if persons wished to use them, they taxed themselves by doing so. It is true such a tariff might not suit all the Provinces, but it would lead to our having our own Customs, and the regulating of them ; and, with them and the management of our lands, we need care nothing for even so great a man as Mr. E. G. Wakeneld, who, however he might be able to star it in the Provinces, would, whenever he came to the capital, soon find his level. This Auckland is a wonderful place. Persons, however large they may be elsewhere, soon meet their match here, and I have not the least doubt he will meet his. Speaker interrupted the lion, member ; he considered it out of order to allude to any member of the other assembly in that House. He considered it improper to do so.] The hon. member differed from the Speaker. If he spoke, he must be allowed to speak plainly. He had only to say that wo should be independent of Mr. E. G. ■Wakefield, or any other theorist. Mr. Connell seconded the motion. , ■ Mr. Porter concurred in opinion that the tariff required simplifying, but he was entirely opposed to ad valorem duties. Mr. J. O'Neill wished to know how the General Assembly were to legislate on the tariff without having returns before them. He had moved for returns, some time since, which, if furnished, would have shewn what articles yielded a revenue, and what might, with advantage, have been struck out of the duty list ; but tho hon. member who brought forward the present motion opposed information being given at that time. If the Governor would lay a bill before the General Assembly containing the principles of the motion, it would be better than simply forwarding the resolution. If the Council wished, he would move again for those returns. Mr. Busby was very glad" the hon. members' eyes were beginning to open a little to the impracticability of the " Constitution." He was sorry the hon. member did not advocate the same views when another question having for its obeject the giving us local independence, was before the House. He was glad, however, to find his opinions of the working of the Constitution Act so different now, to what they were at that time ; he did not hbject to a revision of the tariff, but would object to strangers having to intermeddle with our affairs. He did not consider the Council was in a position to do away with duties, and should therefore vote against the motion. Question put and carried.

Public Trusts. Mr. Williamson, seconded by Mr. Boylan, moved — That, it being understood that the General Government are disposed to make o\ cr to such Trustees as may be proposed by this Council, certain lands, already set apart, and proposed to be set apart, for the follow ing purposes, viz. —the Hospital, Grammar School, Washing Grounds, Native Hostelry, Public Cemetery, &c, &c. : a Committee be appointed to enquire and report as to whom, and especially upon what trusts these lands should be severally and respectively granted. Committee, Messrs. Connell, Dignan, J. O'Neill, Boylan, Powditch, Deirom, and the mover, "Mntirvn nornntT to.

City Building Bill. Mr. Derrom moved, that this bill be read a second time. Mr. Gilfillan said, if the mover would assent to fix the Ist of January, 1855, as the date at which the Bill •should come into operation he would not oppose it, otherwise, he would move that it be read this day six months. Mr. J. O'Neill would oppose the Bill, as it was a hard matter at present to get up a weather boarded house, much less a brick one. In consequence of the exorbitant rate of wages it was necessary to postpone or throw out the bill altogether. Mr. Boylan was of opinion that by giving notice early it would meet the objections. The tenants ought to be protected. The Bill would only come into operation within a limited space. Mr. Powditch would be disposed to try the Bill if its operations were restricted to a small part of the town. Mr. OBrien considered it should be extended to every part of the City or none. Mr. Williamson had seconded the reading of the Bill as he approved of its principle. The sooner such a Bill for the protection of property was passed the better. M. Donovan must oppose the Bill. Persons were arriving daily; and the Council ought to throw no difficulty in the way of their finding houses. Mr. Derrom spoke in favour of the Bill. A petition had been presented to Council praying for such a Bill. Mr. Busby considered such a Bill desirable, but was not qualified to fix a period for its coming into operation. Mr. Hill thought the Council ought to weigh well at > what period such a Bill should come into operation. The Bill was read a second time. Council -adjourned.