PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Tuesday, February 8.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3890, 9 February 1870, Page 4

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Tuesday, February 8.

The Speaker took the chair at three o'clock. PETITIONS. Mr. Ball presented' a petition from Sarah Bury, stating her case statoa laud order. Mr. Grove presented a petition, from HamioraParatene, of Shortland, and his wife, referring to a petition presented by them la9t session, claiming to be the discoverers of the Thames goldfieldj stating that they understood the chief Taipari claimed the reward for the discovery of the goldfield, on the ground that the petitioners were bis servants at the time they made the discoveyy, which statement; they denied ; and praying for consideration. Mr. Shepherd presented a petition from John Taylor, as to a land claim. Mr. BUmlih presented a petition from Edward Jones, a discharged soldier, and now drill-sergeant of the Waittku Volunteers, as to a land claim. The petitions were severally received.

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Mr. Dignan (without notice) asked the Government, Whether it is intended to lay on the table the report of the Head Master | of the Grammar School, as made to the Com- ! missionera ? Also, Whether it is intended to take, during the present session, any steps for the extension of the school, as indicated in the Speech of his Honor in opening the session ? Dr. Nicholson was not aware that there was such a report in existence— nones had been furnished to the Government by the Commissioners. He was not prepared to answer the other question. Mr. Dignan : Will the honourable gentleman inquire as to the report ? Dr. Nicholson : Yes. PRIVATE GRIEVANCES COMMITTEE. Mr, Carleton brought up reports from the Petitions and Private Grievances Committee—No. 6, William Lumleyj No. 7, William Holland ; No. 8, Garrett and Ellen Barry. The reports were read.

PETITION REFERRED. On the motion of Mr. Bali, the petition of Mary Ann Frost was referred to the Petitions and Private Grievances Committee. MEMBERS REMUNERATION BILL. The House went into committee for the consideration of this bill ; Captain Freer in '■ the chair. The question was, That clause 2, as amended at a previous sitting, be agreed to. Mr. Dyer moved that the words, ' ' Ten shillings for every day on which he shall attend the appointed silting of the Council," be omitted, with a view to insert the words, "Three pounds ten shillings for every week during the sitting of the Council ; provided that any member shall forfeit the sum of ten shillings for each sitting-day on which he shall not attend." Mr, May thought the honourable member could hardly have considered the effect of the amendment. If a country member was to be entitled to £3 10s. a week, and to be fineable only 10s. a day for absence on each of four sitting-days, then a country member would get £1 10s. a week for not coming near the Council. The fine for absence should be at least £1 a day, if the allowance was to be £3 10s. a week. Mr. Dyer, by leave of the committee, substituted £1 for 10s. Mr. Philips thought country members desired only to be saved from actual expense. He would therefore oppose the amendment. Dr. Nicholson" said there would be several difficulties created by the amendment. < One of them was this — suppose the Council was at any time adjourned, for a fortnight or more, was the allowance to country members to go on ? Mr. Dion ax had an amendment to propose in a part of the clause prior to that now being dealt with. He thought the distance of 20 miles mas too great : a member residing seven miles from town might be quite as much inconvenienced and put to expense as one residing 20 miles away. He would move to omit the word "twenty," with a view of inserting the word " seven." On the question, "That the word proposed to be struck out stand part of the question," the committee divided ; and there voted — Ayes, 20 : Messrs. Ball, Boylan, Brookfield, Clark, Douglas, Dyer, Ellis, Hay, Hill, Hurst, Kerr, Maclean, May, M. McLeod, Murray, Nicholson, O'ftorke, Reyburn, Stiatford, Swanson. Noes, 7 : Messrs. Dignan, Grove, Hamlin, Lundon, J. McLeocl, Phillips, Shepherd. On the amendment as proposed by Mr. Dyer, Mr. O'Rorke suggested that there was a grave doubt whether the committee could increase the sum of 10s. a day for each &ittuig-day, as recommended by His Honor, to be appropriated. He agreed with the honourable member for the Northern Division (Mr. Dyer), that the sum was inadequate ; and he would suggest that the words as they now stood m the clause should be agreed to, with a view of hereafter agreeing to an Address to the Superintendent, with a view to increase the amount. Mr. Clark somewhat differed from the honourable member for Oiiehunga (Mr. O'Rorke). There was already a sum of £30 for each country member upon the Estimates ; and the clause provided that no member should in one year receive more than £30. The amount per day was only a mode of payment. Dr. Nicholson thought that the committee was at liberty to discuss an increase or a decrease ; and that an adoption of words as part of the clause would not be an appi opriation of money. Mr, BRooKMELDagieed with the honourable member for Onehunga. He would suggest that several members misunderstood the object of the bill; and that its title, as printed, was a mistake. It was not intended to remunerate any member for his attendance, but simply to reimburse certain members the expenses they were necessarily put to. An objection to the amendment was that it would, put all country members on an equality, which ought not to be. Some could ride home on Friday nights ; others could not possibly go home and return between Friday night and Tuesday. Mr. O'llorke pointed out that an amendment alieady made in the clause struck out the woids "out of any moneys to be voted," with the view of adding a clause making a permanent appropiiation. Mr. Hay said that members who had been spoken of as able to ride home on Friday night could not get home until near two o'clock on Saturday mornings, and, as a rule, they had to leave home at 7 o'clock on Mon- , day morning, in order to attend meetings of committees. Mr. Kerr supported the amendment. After further discussion, Mr. Dyer moved to report progress, with a view of an Address to the Superintendent. On a division, there voted — Ayes, 1G : Messrs. Boylan, Clark, Dignan, Douglas, Dyer, Hill, Hursu, Kerr, Lundon, Mackay, J. McLeod, M. McLeod, Murray, O'Rorke, Reyburn, Stratford. Noes, 10 : Messrs. Elli3, Grove, Hamlin, Hay, May, Nicholson, Philips, Shepherd, Swanson, Taylor. The House resumed, progress was reported, and leave was obtained to sit again on Thursday. SUPPtX". Committee of Supply was resumed; Mr. Hurst in the chair. Miscellaneous. — Ferries, including new boats at Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, and Cambridge, 1,200?.; printing and advertising, &c, 800 Z. ; rent and insurance, 500 Z. Dr. Nicholson explained that the Superintendent, being compelled, on taking office, to look for premises in which to carry on the work of the Government, had taken the building now occupied, at £300 for one year. It would be a question for the committee to say what had better been done for the f utnre — whether there should be a lease, or a building erected. Message No. 5 was read. Captain Freer hoped that the item would be postponed, for its discussion -would occupy a very long time. ' Dr. Nicholson had no objection to withdraw th» consideration of the MMMge, lint

he' hopefctin item v/mld be agreed to. The rent vi the offices for this year Bad to be paid, and tKttfc' **«» heary, insurances. He wmM when the Measage was before the Oou^lSduce the Question of the Goveient becoming its <"™jfg™s< *£ being now many buildings, and the lafe w*s a heavy one. The item was agreed to, Dispensary, 150*. , , „• Captain Freer would oppose the item until some similar provision was made fordispensing medicines in the country districts. Mr. Brookfield recommended the honourable member to subscribe a guinea a year to the Dispensary, and that would entitle aim to tickets, which he could distribute in Howtek; Panmure, or elsewhere. MrtoAN thought that the item should be voted at o^ce. He understood that the 1507 was riven to be added to public subJSptioS.SLaniSßg to 1381 lasi ; yea* Mr. Clark, as a subscriber to the Dispensary, knew that subscribes' tickets were to a greit extent given to people from the country-bushnten and ott^f-^n who ww not ill enough to go into u 1"u 1 " gggj* but were very thankful for such me,«« mea aa the Dispensary afforded. Mr. SwansoN considered the Di3pen>««y the very best charity in Auckland ; andW also considered that it was a disgrace that such a city should not subscribe more in aid of such an institution. Seeing that the Council gave 15(X., the Government should have enough control tosecure that there should be sjme shelterhowever humble or rough— for those patients who had to wait for their medicines. J-he public money given should be in some proportion to the subscriptions. Mr. Dignan was sure that a better-spent 150? would not be voted this session. He knew that the Dispensary had saved veiy many persons from going to the Hospital, aiid 30 becoming wholly a charge upon the pußlic. Many poor people now depended upon the aid of friends, with the medical aid they received from the Dispensary. There was a long discussion. Mr. Swanson again urged that a suitable place for the Dispensary should be obtained, and a resident suvgeon appointed. The Dispensary ought to be a branch of the Hospital as fit was certainly a great relief to that institution— public funds being aided by subscriptions from the public. Mr. Maokay thought the item should be voted as— Any sum not exceeding £150, provided that the amount to be paid shall not exceed the amount of public subscriptions. Dr. Nicholson (in reply to Mr. Swanson) said that his professional opinion could not be binding on the Government. As a private citizen, he thought that to take a large building for a dispensary.would be not at all advisable. Mr. Swanson : A large building is not necessary ; a small one would do. The item was agreed to. Purchase of native lands, 2,000?. Dr. Nicholson explained that the money was the annual payment on account of the Otea block. There was no intention of incurring fuither liabilities of the kind. Mr. Swan.son urged the making of an. arrangement to pay off these natives at once. Mr. Sheehan agreed that such a course would effect great saving. All the principal natives interested in the Otea block were now in Auckland really agitating for what the honourable member for City West recommended. The item was agreed to. Inspector of slaughter-houses, 100/. Dr. Stratford complained that the slaughter-house at Newmarket had been a great nuisance, and that, though it might be said to be now clean, there was a nuisance spread over the country, by the carts canying refuse, &c, to various farms for manure. It ought to be deodorised. Dr. Nicholson said that the lessee of the slaughter-house was under bond to deodorise the offal, &c, before sending it out ; and one principal duty of the inspector would be to see that the lessee perfoimed his bond. The Government could not, therefore, take up the matter at present. Mr. Maclean said that there Might to be a new slaughterhouse, A great deal of flesh not fit for human food was now sent out. Dead cattle had been taken into the slaughterhouse, and " dressed" for sale as food. The item was agreed to. Vaccination, 15QL Dr. SfRAiTGRD moved that the item be struck crat. He argued that vaccination as carried on here was not only not of value, but was positively dangerous to the individual and the community. Dr. Nicholson, without exxjressing any opinion as to vaccination, supported the item. A law requiring vaccination was in force, and so long as it existed it must be obeyed. The supply of lymph from a central establishment was in itself a good plan : and there was a gentleman now appointed as vaccinator, who must be^paid for what he had done this year. It was by no means certain that, if the item was struck out, the General Government might not appoint a vaccinator, and pay him out of the Provincial revenue. Captain .Freer hoped, after the statement of the honourable member for Parnell (Dr. Stratford) — that the late vaccinator stated that the office waa essentially a sinecure — there would be au end put to a waste of public money. Mr. Ball moved to reduce the item by 100?. Mr. Murray moved to reduce it by 130?. Mr. Bo\i,an remembered that information was some time since put before the Council, allowing that vaccination was positively injurious, as carried on with the lymph used here. Mr. Carleton could see some reason in striking out the item, but none in reducing it ; because he was sure that, if the present system was to be efficiently carried ovit, 150?. was an altogether iusufneient sum. Mr. Buckxand would support the reduction of 100 Z. He believed that 50?. waa sufficient to procure pure lymph and distribute it amongst the medical men, who might be pleased to use it ; but he believed that the system as hitherto carried on here waa absolutely sinful, as calculated to sow disease and death broadcast. Mr. Brookfield felt sure that, if the item was not passed, the Superintendent would not be able to obey the law as to the ap2)ohrlment of public vaccinators. If the office had been a sinecure, it was the fault of the gentleman who had held it, for the Act provided for a penalty being inflicted on any parents neglecting to bring a child to be vaccinated, and that penalty was recoverable on information by the Public Vaccinator. Mr. Ellis suggested that a vote of the Council ought not to settle the quebtion of vaccination or no vaccination — that, it might be hoped, would be settled else'w here by a competent body. The item ought to be voted ; but the Government ought to undertake that only proper lymph should be secured. Mr. Ltjsk. and several other members addressed the committee. Mr. Brooilfield said that some members seemed to suppose that the 150f. was asked for as the salary of some one officer ; but, in fact, it was for the general expen&ea of the system in the various districts that might be created by the Superintendent throughout the province. After further discussion, • Dr. Nicholson said he would undertake that the Government would, if the item waa voted, seek the best advice possible as to the mode'which should hereafter be followed aa to lymph ; but he would not undertake that the Government wonld bind itself by a direction of the committee to obtain lymph from the heifer. Mr. Swanson hoped the item would be voted. When a child was registered, the Registrar served on the parent a notice that there was liability to a penalty unless the child was vaccinated within a stated time. There were many parents who believed that vaccination was necessary, and those parents ought, whatever their position, to be enabled to obey the law on the subject. The motion to reduce the item by 130/. waa negatived on the voices. ■ On the motion to reduce the item by 10QI. » divuioa vu ooUed lor, and thers Voted—

Ayes, 11: Messrs. Ball,Buckland, Douglas, Freer, Hill, Kerr, Lmidon, Maclean, J. McLeod, Murray, Shepherd. Noes, 23 : Messrs. Boylan, Brookfield, Carleton, Clark, Dignan, Dyer, Ellis, Gordon, Grove, Hamlin, Hay, Lusk, Mackay, May, M. McLeod, Nicholson, O'Rorkp, Philips, Reyburn, Sheehan, Smith, Stratford, Swan»on. The item was put and adopted. Schoolteachers, £481 13s. Dr. Nicholson explained the circumstances [which have been very often reported] under which the schoolteachers under the old Act believed themselves entitled to be paid stipend for the quarter ending March 31, 1868. A deputation from the teachers waited upon the Superintendent recently ; and, after stating their case, the deputatiou asked that a sum should be put upoa the Estimates, in order to test the feeling of the Council, that sum being the same as was declared, by the Petitions Committee of last session, to be the one to which the teachers were entitled. His Honor, without expressing any opinion on the subject, consented ; and the item now before the committee was the result. Mr. Cakx/eton gave some explanations as to past complications between the Education Board and the Superintendent. Mr. O'Korkk protested against the item being Voted. He thought it a most ridicu- ' lous claim. These gentlemen ieceived three , months' notice certainly — if not six months' j — that no more money could be paid to them after a stated time ; but the Council, in a fit of generosity, voted another three months' salary, and now the teachers simply claimed another three months' salary. Captain Freer explained that, as a member of the Petitions Committee last session, he dissented, though not in writing, from the report of the committee. One main reason for his doing so was, that the teachers, as educated men, ought, before coming out here, to have acquainted themselves sufficiently with the law of the colony to know that the Estimates were voted yearly, and that their salaries for two successive years in succession could not be seemed to them. Dr. Nicholson (in reply to Mr. Gordon) said that the Government took the repoit of the Petitions Committee as to those who were to share in the 481?. 13s. being entitled to payment, as having continued to teach until March 31st, 1868. Mr. Gordon* contended that the Government had neglected a duty, in not satisfying itself on the subject. Dr. Nicholson said that the committee of last session was enabled to examine into the whole matter ; and the Council adopted, without a division, the rcpoit of that committee. It would be almost impossible for the present Government to inquire into the matter now. The Government was not to be taken as advocating the claim of the teachers, by putting th.c item cm tho Estimates. The teaohers knew that no such thing was implied. He had not wished to go further ; but after what had been said, he would add that, personally, he was not satisfied as to the justice of the present claim by the teachers. (Hear, hear.) He supported the payment of the teachers up to December 31st, 1867 ; he supported their receiving land-certificates, though they had not served five years ; but he could not give ijis support now. Mr, Carleton regretted that the el am;, as now before the committee, way based upon the report of the Petitions Committee of the last session, and not iipon an 1m estimation by the Superintendent or Government. A report of the Petitions Committee was of no effoot, unless tho Supei intendent, as another branch of the Legislature, was pleased to endorse it. The lafce Superintendent, it seemed, not only did not endorse the report now 111 question, but he refused to endorse it. There were land claims to a considerable extent, based upon reports of previous "Petitions. Cqmmit^ees, which 'were now fcyerghadqwing \]xq Gouncii , "and, according to the doctrine of the Provincial Secietaiy Jn the present oase, those claims wore to bo accepted 'as having weight, because based upon such reports. Dr. Nicholson : The item is based on an Address of the late Council to tho Superintendent, not upon the report of the Petitions Committee. Mr. Carleton : The same thing, essentially. Mr, S|. Hague Smith strongly supported thd'jlerii. l 7 1 Mr. J. ?>^cLeod strongjy opposed i%. The }ate Government was entitled to the highest praise, for Unflinchingly opposing these claims of the teach eis. Mi-. Ellis thought there had been a breach qf engagement with the teaohers, and that gqmeti}ing npre than had tjeen dqne. should" ji)9 done in simple ' jWtiqe, as compensation. J D,r! NiCHOLsqN : 1' must xemqve one misapprehension. There is nothing whatever in £he Act us to an engagement to pay the. teaohora salary for five years, All th&t ia said as to five years is, that a teacher must teach in a school under the Act, for that period, before being entitled to receive a land -*•*« -.«+« ThAir engagement was only as the Government could afford it— from day to day, in fact. T i- 1 ■ *-■> Mr, S. Hague Smith : 1 mu urn Bevy u»bi» was any provision as to five years in the Aot, ' I say, and I repeat, that the teachers were induced to come out by representations made by the agents of the Provincial Government in England, to the effect that the engagement was to be for five years. Mr. Clakk would support the motion if the Government would undertake, before paying the money, to make inquiry as to whether each claimant was entitled, as having continued to teach until March 31st, 1868. Dr. Nicholson : Certainly ; the Government will do so. Mr. Swanson opposed the motion. The teachers could not expect to hold the Government bound while they themselves were free. He believed that the teachers Wire at liberty to have left the schools without a moment's notice, and that the Government could not have forced them to go back ; but when the Government fell short of funds, the teachers got three months' notice that they oould not Be paid after that period. He had supported the giving of land to the teachers, because they were not enabled to aorva out the five years to entitle them to it ; and, altogether, he believed that the teachers had been fairly and liberally treated. Several members re-addressed the committee. Mr. Brookfield thought the great diversity of opinion expressed that evening showed the wisdom of the Superintendent in sending down the question for discussion by the Council. The late Council and the late Superintendent were in direct antagonism as to what should be done in the ease ; and, that being so, the teachers had a right to go to the present Superintendent, and he was fully justified in putting th_o matter before the newly-elected Council to ascertain what its opinion was, He (Mr. Brookfield) believed that, the teachers having received three months' notice, and then three months' farther pay, and they having afterwards persisted in going on teaching, they had no legal or moral claim to be remunerated for so doing. Mr. Mackay supported the item ; on the ground, mainly, that the teachers received from the agents of the Government a belief, at least, that they were to be employed for five yeara. If no more, the teachers were entitled to a fair and liberal compromise. Mr. Lttsk appealed to the committee not to be influenced by what had been Baid about maintaining the position of teachers, but to deal with the bare justice of the case. If that course was adopted, the item, he thought, Trould be negatived j for whatever argument there was in favour of paying •alary for the March quarter, was an argument equally in favour of paying for each succeeding quarter to the end of the five years. It was a mistake to suppose that the majority of the teachers came out to this province under any promises or any belief ; for most of them were in the province when the Act waa passed. It certainly could not do much to maintain the social station of the tMchers to pay them a quarter's salary which Wai now about two years due, if due at all j •ad h« could not believe ,th«,t any real olaim to that uttey * M ••t*blW»td l .; ;

Mr. Maclean opposed tlie item. Mr. Lundon also opposed it. He knew that during the late contest the Superintendent promised that he would submit the item to the Council. His Honor had done his duty in that respect ; and it waa to be hoped the Council would do its duty, by negativing the item. Mr. Siieehan wa3 glad to have the opportunity of voting for the item, and so doing what he could to wipe away a stain upon Provincial institutions. The pi'ovince was I liable for the promises of its accredited , agents. If discreditable agenta were [ appointed by the Government, the province must bear the consequences. There could be no doubt that the teachers did come out under the belief, obtained fiom the agents of the Government, that they were to be employed for five years. To talk of the liberality of the Council m giving the land was frivolous, and — though, perhaps, some members could not understand it — absolutely insulting. There was a statutory obligation to give to the teachers land, after live years spent in tuition ; the Government was pleased to prevent the possibility of five years' service ; yet now members could talk of liberality m giving what the teachers were legally as well as morally entitled to receive. The late Government — of which he was known to have been a. warm supporter — had in this instance made a grievance for the teachers, by dismissing them without even suggesting a compromise. If payment to December, and the grant of land, had been yielded, very probably the teachers would have readily accepted such a compromise. It was only alter ar/tion by the teacheis that the grant of the land was yielded. The late Government, an I the present one, seemed to regard teachers as the lowest class of employe's. He believed that even iv small communities there was such a thing as retribution. He believed, further, that the mode in which the late Government had treated the teachers had much to do in J bringing about that change of public feeling, which led to — if the phrase might be allowed — the condign punishment of that Government. If the present Government, induced by some members, caused the item now before the committee to be negatived, it was to be hoped that a like punishment would follow. Mr. Lusk replied to points in the speech of Mr. Sheehan. Dr. Nicholson suggested to the honourable and learned membcis that something was needed as a preliminary to any discussion of the legal effect of misrepresentations by the agents of the Government— that preliminary being, proof that there had, in the present case, been anything approaching misrepresentation. Mr. Dicjnan declared that not one of the present claimants was engaged in England: therefore none of them could have come to the province under any misapprehension. He was satisfied that there was no legal or moral claim to the money ; but he would not vote for or against the item. If lie voted for it, he would bo voting against his conscience; if he voted agamst it, it would be sujjposed that he was prejudiced by his pas>t action and speeches on the subject. Mr Shfeh vx &aid that the teachers' claim was just as good whether they engaged in England ox in the province. Mi- SwAy-oy iccjyjitulatcl l.is previous arguments, because, as he contended, the honoumblc member for the Northern Division (Mr. .Sheehan) had put the question upon an entirely wrong footing. Mr. S. Hacije Shi m quoted from the Watfe Lands Act and tho Education Act ; and he contended that there wcie no "its" or doabts as to the legal position of the teachers with reference to this present claim. The woik claimed for was done before the Education Act was repealed ; and the doera of the work were entitled to payment. Mr. Ellis had been told by twp or three of the teachers tha_t ihej? lefj; England on vhe iuhh at the provisions of the Education Act. Mr. Dio^ T vn : 1 adhere to what I said — that I do not know of one of the teachers who was engaged in England Mr. Gordon would vote for the item, on the faith that the Government would religiously peifoim the xjromise made to the the lionouiable member for Newton. Mr. O'Rokke urged that the Council should inquire into the matter for itself I^q for onf, w<*"3 roady to &eivo on h committee ; ana he desired that eveiy tench l ev who could shoW tliafhe \\ r a 3 brought out from England under a promise of alive years' engagement should receive the allowance now proposed. He believed it to be about the fact, as stated by the honourable member for City Yvest (Mr. SwansGn), {.h^t th.c allowance to teachers ws» s a hobby c'f a member of the late Council (Major C'oopor) ; and that the report was allowed to pass, because it was known that the late Superintendent and Government so regarded tho matte;- thftw the report WQuld not he agied upon. Mr. May agreed that it would be well now for the Council to inquire for itself. A great deal had been said about the duty of the Government ; but it would be well if the Petitions Committee would, for the future, do its duty. Mr. SWA>W '— Q serj «, p^-ftuQ item, with a view tq mqiwy. ' Dr. NionoL'iQtf h.ope4 the cqmmiltee would stuke out tho item vatber than post* pone it. The Estimates ought to bo got through speedily, for many perßona now waiting for money, which could not be paid until the Estimates had been got through. About a dozen speeches were made, nearly every speaker being called to order, and most properly, by the Chairman,, iac going beyond, the question of postponement, and nearly every one replying that the relevancy of his remarks to the motion would be made to appear. Captain Freer moved to report progress, and ask leave to sit again. The motion was negatived, on the voices. The motion for postponing tho item was put ; and on a division there voted — Ayes, 10 : Messrs. Douglas, Freer, Kerr, Lundon, Lusk, Maclean, May, J. McLeod, Q'Rorko, Swanson. Noes, 17 ; Messrs, Ball, Boylan, Brookfield, Carleton, Clark, Dyer, Ellis, Gordon, Hamlin, Hay, Hill, Mackay, Murray, Nicholson, Philips, Sheohan, Smith, The item waa put ; and upon a division there voted — Ayes, 17 : Messrs. Ball, Boylan, Carleton, Clark, Dyer, Ellis, Gordon, Hamhn, Hay, Hill, Kerr, Mackay, May, Murray, Sheehan, Shepherd, Smith. Noes, 10 : Messrs. Brookfield, Douglas, Freer, Lundon, Lusk, Maclean, J. McLeod, Nicholson, O'Rorke, Swanson.

HIGHWAYS BILL COMMITTEE, Mr. May brought up the report of the Highways Bill Committee. The report, and the minutea of evidence, ■vyere ordered tq be printed. Mr. May gave notice that he "vpould on Thursday moye that the report be considered.

PETITION'S AND PRIVATE GRIEVANCES COMMITTEE. Mr. Capj-ETON brought up, from this committee, Interim Reports Nos. 9 and 10, and it -was ordered that they be laid on the table. MESSAGES. The following Messages were brought down and read :—: — No. 27, forwarding a return relative to goldminiiig leases j which was ordered to be printed. No. 28, forwarding Additional Estimates ; j which it was ordered should be printed and referred to the Committee of Supply. No. 29, returning to the Council the Representation Amendment Act, and recommending an amendment in the sth. section, by substituting " April" for " March," as the Superintendent feared that the clause as it | stood could not be earned into effect, so that bringing the bill into operation might be prevented. [The clause refers to the preparation of the new rolls.] The amendment was agreed to ; and the bill w»s read a third time and passed. Tfte Council was, at twenty minutes jifter eleven o'clock, adjourned until three o'clock to-d*y { Wednud»y),