PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 2875, 7 May 1872, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Yesterday. The Speaker took the chair at 2 o’clock. motions. On the motion of Mr Shepherd a return was ordered of sums paid into the treasury during the last financial year, the proceeds of licenses in the different municipalities in the Provinces: On the motion of Mr Hutcheson, Messrs Bathgate, Thomson, Reynolds, Hou Dr Menzie, Messrs Allen, Bastings, and the mover were appointed a committee to inquire into the position of reserves and endowments for schools and other purposes. On the motion of Dr Webster a return was ordered of the amount of money received for stock assessments with hundreds in 1871. On the motion of Mr Sumpter, a committee was appointed to prepare a congratulatory address to her Malesty on the recovery of hj s Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The members of the committee are the Speaker, the hon Mr M‘ ! ean, Dr Webster, hon. Dr Menzies, Messrs Reynolds Thomson, and Sumpter. On the motion of Mr Shepherd, a Goldfields committee was appointed. Certain specific names were originally included in the motion, but on an amendment by Mr Mervyu, the committee was appointed by ballot SHIRES BILL. The debate on the second reading of this Bill was resumed by the Hon. Mr Holmes, who slated that since the adjournment of the debate he had h'd an opportunity of looking more closely into the Bill, and the more he became acquainted with its provisions, the more he felt that it required amending in many important respects. He thought measures should be taken to prevent the formation of shire councils in any districts where the main roads were not already made and Though ohjecting to some of its provisions, he would rather see it pass in its present form than that it should be thrown out altogether. The Provincial Solicitor would support the second reading of the Bill, notwithstanding he was prepared to admit that the system of local government, brought homo to the inhabitants of the Province by this Bill, might even cost more than the present arrangement still it would awaken more interest and concord. He admitted that many alterations might be required to be made in the Bill, and they would receive his attention when the Bill got into committee. Mr Mervyn supported the second reading of the Bill, and hoped that the measure might be rendered suitable. Several material alterations, however, would have to be made before it would be really workable, especially on the goldfield?. As the Bill was a step in the right direction, he would support the motion. The Hon. Dr Menzies thought the Bill embodied the spirit and intentions of the resolutions of last session in every respect except one, and that was in respect to the provisions for the endowment of shire councils. This portion of the Bill would require considerable attention, and he trusted it would be materially modified when the Bill got into committee. The Provincial Secretary, in reply, remarked that it was very gratifying to the Government to find that, notwithstanding the opposition at first manifested to the Bill, when lion, members became more fully ac quainted with its provisions, there seemed to be a general impression that the Bill might after all be rendered a very workable one. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed presently. LAWRENCE RESERVES MANAGEMENT BILL. The Bill w-is read a second time, and ordered to be committed presently. MESSAGE NO. 3. The debate was resumed on the reply to Message No. 3, and the following resolution was affirmed : “That this Council, having had under its consideration his Honor’s message No. 3, concurs iu the suggestions therein contained,

and approves, in terms of section 28 of the ‘Otago Waste Lands Act, 1866,’ of a sale to W. Leggatt, Esq., of one aero of land in the town of Moeraki ” The House went into committee. In committee, the Lawrence Reserves Management Bill was considered, and ordered to be reported presently, without amendment. The Shires Bill was considered, and at clause 36 pro ress was reported, and leave obtained to sit again. The Lawrence Reserves Management Bill was read a third time, and passed. ■ The Council adjourned till next day. This Day. The Speaker took the chair at two o’clock. PETITION’. Mr Shepherd presented a petition from forty-six miners, praying that a certain block of laud proclaimed open for sale at Moat Flat be withdrawn. EDUCATION RESERVES. Tee Southland Education Reserves Ordinance was road a first time, and ordered to be printed. ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY. The report of the committee appoin'ed to draw up a congratulatory address to Her Majesty, reported that they had agreed upon a form of address which would be proposed for adoption to-morrow. ANSWERS TO QUEST ONS. In answer to Mr E. F. C. Browne, the Government stated that L4OOO had already been expended on the road through the township of Havelock, and L7OO was in course of expenditure. The votes had lapsed for further outlay, and would have to he renewed. To Mr Browne’s second question, it was stated that it was not intended to apply the resolution passed at the Education Board, to the education of orphan and destitute children free in Dunedin, In reply to Dr Webster, it was stated that contracts had been taken for the erected over the bridge over the Kakea Greek, and in any monies voted the district through which the great North road passed sho Id be fairly considered. There is a good ford only liable to occasional through floods over the Island Stream. NEW BILL. The Hospital Ordinance Repeal Ordinance was read a first time. MOTIONS. On the motion of Mr Mervyn, it was agreed to ask his Honor the Superintendent to cause to be laid on the table all correspondence and telegrams in reference to the sale of 50,000 acres of land to Mr Clarke ; and, on the motion of M r J. C. Brown, a select committee was appointed to enquire into it. On the resolution of the Secretary for Lands, it was resolved to present an address to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to set apart certain sections of land in Invercargill for educational purposes. [Left sitting.]