PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4164, 17 December 1870, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16.

I The Speaker took the chair at 3 o'clock.

TEirmON RECEIVED. Mr. May presented a petition from Mary Rourke, praying for a grant of land.

• REPORTS BROUGHT UP. Mr. May brought up Interim Report No. 31 from the Petitions and Private Grievance Committee, in answer to the petition of James McCabe, Howick. The committee were unable to recommend the relief prayed for being granted. Mr. May also brought up the report from the Petitions and Private Grievance Committee upon the petition of Simon Sills. Mr. May also brought up the report from the Petitions and Private Grievance Committee upon the petition of William George Grey. Mr. May also laid on the table the report of the Petitions and Private Grievance Committee upon the petition of settlers respecting the tolls at the Panmure Bridge. The committee could not recommend any such alteration in the tolls as prayed for. THE ELECTIONS AND PROVINCIAL OFFICERS. Mr. Bbookfield asked the Provincial Secretary, "Whether the Government intends to allow officers receiving pay from the Provincial Government to become candidates and contest elections for the General Assembly, and to retain their offices while doing so V The Provincial Secretary replied that he understood there was a resolution passed by the Provincial Council in 1868 on this subject, and that it was the intention of the Government to enforce that resolution.

CONNECTING THE WAIKATO AND THE JMANUKAT7. Mr. Hamlin asked the Provincial Secretary, " Whether the report made by Captain Drury, E.N., on the advisability of connecting the Waikato river with the Manukau, is in existence ?" The Provincial Secretary said that the question as put to him was a very vague one. He was unable to answer it in the affirmative ; and could only say such a report was not in the possession of the Provincial Government. Whether it was in existence or not he could not tell.

THE SUPREME COURT-HOUSE. Mr. Brooefield asked the Provincial Secretary, " Whether the Government intend to take any measures to repair and ventilate the Supreme Court-house in Auckland ?" *The Provincial Secretary replied that at present the General Government was making arrangements for taking charge of the upper part of this building. If these arrangements were carried out, the General Government would make the repairs needed ; and, if not, the Provincial Government must make the repairs needed in this respect.

[HOME FOR INDIGENT FEMALES. Dr. Nicholson asked the Provincial Secretary, "If the Executive are prepared to take steps to provide a refuge for aged and destitute females on. a similar plan to that of the refuge for males in connection with the Provincial Hospital ?" The Provincial Secretary said the subject had been under the consideration of the Executive. Steps would be taken forthwith in this matter.

MABKET-HOUSE FOR AUCKLAND. Dr. Nicholson, without notice, asked the member for City East, Mr. Philips, if he was aware when and on what terms the City Board agreed to erect a market-house, as stated by the Provincial Secretary a few nights ago ? Mr. Philips replied : The Provincial Secretary must have misrepresented tha remarks I made in reference to this question. What I did say was that, if the City Board Loan Act were repealed, the city would be in a better position to assist in building a market -house for the city of Auckland.

THE REPORT ON FISHERIES. Mr. Creighton, in the absence of Mr. M. McLeod, moved, "That the report and minutes of evidence of the Fisheries Committee be pnnted." — The motion was agreed to.

THE MAHURANGI RAILWAY. Mr. Dyer moved, "That the reports and minutes of evidence of the Kaipara Bailway Committee be printed." — The motion was agreed to.

THE FOSTER INQUIRY COMMITTEE S REPORT. Mr. Creighton" moved that the reports, together with the minutes of evidence taken before the Foster Inquiry Committee be printed." — The motion was agreed to.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The Council went into Committee of the whole upon the Estimates ; Dr. Sam in the chair. Provincial Surveyor, also deputy Crown Lancia Commissioner, 300?. Agreed to. —Clerk of records, 200£. Item postponed. — Draughtsman, 200?. Agreed to. — Preparation of Crowngrants, 3002. Item postponed, — Surveys necessary in determining boundaries of selected allotments, 400?. .\greed to. —Provincial Engineer, 500?. Dr. NicholfaON moved as an amendment, " That the item be reduced by 200?." The amendment was lost, and the original item carried. — Inspector of works, 300?. Agreed to. — Turncock, wages, and repairs, 160?. Item postponed- — Draughtsman, 250?. Agreed to. — Clerk, 150?. Agreed to. —Carpenter and storekeeper, 100?. Postponed. — Inspector of Mines, 350?. Mr. Lundon moved an amendment that the item be reduced by 100?. The Council divided, with the following result : — Ayes, 14 ; noes, 11. The amendment was carried. — Inspector of works, Thames district, 300?. Mr. Lundon moved^ as an amendment, that the item be reduced by 100?. The Council diyided with the following result : — Ayes, 13 ; noes, 9. The amendment was carried. — Clerk and draughtsman, 200?. Mr. Lundon moved, as an amendment, that the item be reduced by 25?. The amendment was lost, and the original item carried. — ■ Office-keeper andmessenger, 100?. Agreed to. — Light- keepers, 400?. Agreed to. — Inspector of works, Coromandel district, 250?. Mr. Lundon moved that this item be expunged. Mr. Macready moved that the item be reduced by 50?. The amendment was carried, and Mr. Lundon's amendment was lost. The amended item was cairied. — Contingencies, Public Works Department, 250?. Agreed to. — Mr. Dyer moved that progress be reported, and leave given to sit again. He did so, so that the other bills might be advanced a stage. Motion negatived. — All the items under the head of Police were postponed. — Relief of sick and destitute, total 2,480/. Eelieving officer, 1501. Captain Freer moved that this item be stru,o^_ out, and expressed in rather strong * lan * guage his dissatisfaction with tb'. gentleman who is at present holding the office • but after a few remarks f-; om Mr< London and Mr. Buckland* hhe; c withdrew his amendment, and the itesi was agreed to.— Relief in Auckland, 600 Z. Agreed to.— Relief in outdistriots, 300?. Agreed to.— Aged and infirm in Refuge, 300?. Agreed to.— Capitation allowance orphan children, 750?. Agreed to. —Care and nursing of infants, 50?. Agreed to. — Allowance to Industrial School for neglected children, 250 Z. Agreed to.— Rent, firewood, and contingencies, 80?. Agreed to. —Hospitals, total, 4,122?.— The following items were agreed to :— Provincial Surgeon, 400?.; dispenser and clerk, 120?.; head nurse, 100?.; two assistant nurses, 120/.; matron, 60?.; cook, 60?.; messenger, 12J.; superintendent and matron of Refuge, 50?.; rations and medical comforts, 1,300?. ; medicines 'and appliances, 250?. ; fuel and light, 200?. ; bedding and clothing, 200?. ; contingencies, 250?. ; grant in aid of hospital at Thames, 1,000?. j Lunatic Asylum, total, 3,389?. ; inspector of asylums, 50?. ; resident surgeon, 250?. ; matron, 60?. ; head-keeper, 120?. j two female attendants, at 42?. per annum, 84J. ; four male attendants, at 60?. per annum, 240?-.; cook, ' 60Z. ;/ musical instructor, 25?. Mr. Swaksoit wanted to know if the lunatioa received music lessons. Mr. ,Buckland explained to tae hon. member that music was coft&idered one of the best means of restoring the insane to their senses. Captain Freer said then it was a pity they had nofc'a little of it in that ' t Councal. (Laughter.) Item agreed to.— ' iUhons, Ac, I,VWI. j ipel anrl light, ldO?. bedding and olotbins, 230?. Agree I to.— > Expense* under Ljinacy Act, 1 50?. Postponed, -O<wvttagia)toiM,ns<& J)v, I^qboisok sug13$m, to '%» Osvsw&^fyo^jgmt^ of

increasing the item of contingencies for tht purpose of obtaining cows for the Asylum, and thus enabling the institution to provide the milk required for its use. Item agreed to. Progress was reported, and leave given to sit again next sitting-day.

MCENSINa BILL. , This bill was further considered in com* mittee. Considerable discussion took place on clause 31, especially on that part which provided that eveiy licensed house should hare stable accommodation and provide the necessary provender for four horses, except in the city of Auckland and subWbs, ; Where licensed houses would be exempted on a certificate from a Justice of the Peace that the accommodation is not necessary. Mr. Mitchell pointed oat that if the clause were carried a great injustice would be dona to the hotel-keepers at the Thames, who were unable to erect stables, and where the accommodation would not be required. He moved an amendment to alter the clause, so as to remedy the evil, which' was negatived, and ultimately an amendment of Mr. Buck* land was carried, which included all places in the Thames district in the exemption. — Mr. Swanson and Mr. Boylan objected strongly to the power given to the Justices of the Peace by the clause. — Dr. Nicholson opposed any alteration of the clause. — Clause 36, relating to the locking of public-house doors on Sundays, was, on the 'motion of Mr. Swanson, expunged. Mr. May moved, "That the chairman do report progress, and ask leave to sit again." — Question put, Council divided :— Ayes, 7 ; noes, 9. — The motion was consequently negatived, and the committee resumed. Attention being drawn to the state of the House, the Chairman reported the fact to the Speaker, who counted the House, and declared it adjourned for want of a quorum. The Council adjourned at 11.15 p.m., until Tuesday next at 3 p.m.