PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, JANUARY 27.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4199, 28 January 1871, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, JANUARY 27.

The Speaker took the chair at three p.m. j PETITION BBOMVBD. Mr. Swahson presented a petition from I certain electors of Newmarket and else- ! where, in reference to the deprival from Edward Richards, slaughterman, of his license to kill, and asking for a general in- ! quiry into the management of slaughter - ! houses.

1 Captain JPsbkb. gave notice of hia intention •to move next sitting-d*j, " That a reward be offered for the detection and apprehension of incendiaries."

ALBERT BARRACKS. Mr. Mackeady brought up the report of the committee appointed to consider the best means of laying out the Albert Barracks reserve. The report recommended that designs be called for for laying out the reserve in •treet«, building allotments, and places of recreation ; that a design for a style of architecture be invited, and a premium of £100 offered for the best ; and that the plans be submited to a board. The report was read and adopted.

VOLUNTEER LAND SCRIP. Mr. Philips naked the Provincial Secretary, whether there is now any difficulty existing that will prevent the Government from issuing the land scrip recommended by this Council to be granted to all Volunteers duly elected under the Volunteer Land Act ? Could the Government give this Council any information as to when they will be prepared to issue the scrip »a aforesaid? The Protihoia.li Seckkt.a.«y replied that there did not appear to be any difficulty to pi event the Government issuing the land scrip recommended by the Council. The Government would shortly be prepared to take tht necessary steps to issue the scrip. IMMIGRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS. The Council went into committee to further consider his Honor's message in reference to immigration and public works. Mr. Lusk moved, "That this Council recommends that the following railway works should be undertaken by the Colonial Government in pursuance of clause 6 of the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870 : (1.) A continuation of the line from Auckland to Waikato, by the vaJJey of the Waikato to the frontier settlements of the Waikato delta. (2.) A branch line to connect Waiuku and the adjacent settlements with the line from Auckland ,to the Waikato. (3.) A railway from Mahurangi to Port Albert. And that when practicable they should be carried out under the guarantee by the colony of six per cent, upon the outlay," — Committee divided : Ayes, 13 ; noes, 7. The motion was therefore carried. Mr, CREIGHTCW moved, "That this Council is ivMtSass oS opvQ.\QQ.ta.af«tbb.a view to the pacification and settlement of the interior of the province it is desirable that, as soon as practicable, a survey should be made under the Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870, of a railway line starting from j Tararu, on the Thames goldfields, thence by ! Puriri, Ohinemure, Aroha, and the valley of the Thames to Cambridge, on the Upper Waikato. The Council suggests that no time should be lost in obtaining the consent of the natives, and securing, by concession or purchase, the land required for the construction of the line, stations, &c. "—Motion negatived on the voices. The resolutions that had been passed were reported io tk& OdUlieil On the motion that they be agreed to, Mr. May moved, " That the resolution just passed ia committee, on the motion of Mr. Lusk, be amended by striking out the following words :: — 4 A branch line to connect Waiuku and the adjacent settlements with the line from Auckland to the Waikato. A railway from Mahurangi to Porb Albert.' " On a division the amendment was carried. The resolution as amended, and the other resolutions passed by the committee, were then agreed to.

EDUCATION BILL. Mr. Sheehan moved the second reading of this bill. It had been fully discussed when the late Government brought down their Education Bill. He simply explained the difference in the two bills. Notwithstanding that it was anticipated that the General Government would pass an Educational measure next session, he thought they should pass the bill. He considered the Council was as competent to deal with the question as the Geoeral Government. Mr. Buckland moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months, Mr. Mubbay seconded the amendment. After some discussion the question that the bill be read thab day six months was carried.

EDUCATION BOATO. The Council proceeded to the election by ballot of three members of the Central Board of Education in room of those members who retiro on the Ist February. The result of the ballot was the election of Messrs. Nicholson, Philips, and J, McCosh Clark.

PROGRESS OF BUSINESS. The Standing Orders were suspended at this stage for the remainder of the sitting, in order to txpedite business. The following bills passed their remaining stages : — Education Reserve Management Billj Harbour Board Bill, Sheep Act Amendment Bill, Registration of Brands Bill, Grahamstown Fire Bate Bill. HOSPITAL TRUST AND MANAGEMENT BILL. Dr. Stratford consented to the withdrawal of thi« bill on the promise of the Government to bring in one of similar character next session.

KAWAKAWA COAL MINES. On the motion of Mr. Buokland, it was resolved that an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to reserve for mining purposes the block of land known as the Ruapekapeka block, containing 1,280 acres. The adjourned debate on the question, " That the Kuwakawa Coal Mine Lease Bill be now read a second time," was resumed, and the bill was committed, and leave obtained to sit again on Tuesday.

GRAHAMSTOWN WHARF. Dr. Sam presented a petition from 698 inhabitants of Shortland, praying that the £1,000 voted fey the Council for increased wharf accommodation at the Thames be expended in forming a wharf at Totara, to be connected wish Shortland by means of a tramway over Kauwaeranga stream. The petition was read and received, and will be considered on Tuesday. The Council adjourned at half-past 10 O'clock Until 2 O'clock 0« Tuesday, when it