Provincial Coucil of Hawke's Bay.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 4, Issue 190, 11 May 1861, Page 2

Provincial Coucil of Hawke's Bay.

MONDAY, MAY 6, 1861,

The. Council met at 12 o'clock, pursuant to adjournment. Present, the Speaker and 6 members FitzGrerald, Bhodes and Curiing being absent. ' v JElections. ' The Speaker announced the return of Messrs. FitzGerald and Newton for the town of Napier ; Meßsrs. Carter and Alexander for Napier Country j and Mr. Ormond for Waipukurau. Auditing of Accounts. The Speaker laid on the Council table the following certificate, which, on the motion of Capt. Carter, was read : — Napier, March 28, 1861. We hereby certify that we have made a careful examination of the Accounts of the Provincial Government of Hawke's Bay for the quarter ending the 31st of December, 1800, and that we have fouud them to be correct with the exception of voucher No. 78, October payments where P. Sutton charges seven instead of six, rations for Harley and Foster, the overcharge being one shilling and three-pence. No fresh Accounts of the Receiver of Land Revenue have been laid before us, and the old ones are in the same state as when we handed in our report of September quarter. G. E. G. Richabdson, V. Jawisch. Surveys -under Native Land Purchase Department. Capt. Cabteb laid on the table the following letter from the Colonial Secretary. He said that he had forwarded a copy of this letter to the District Commissioner, who replied verbally that he had received no instructions. In consequence, he (Capt. Carter) had written the Colonial Secretary on the subject and enclosed a copy of the resolution passed by the Provincial Council whilst last sitting. The letter, on the motioo,of Dr. Hitchings, was read :— Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland 26th March, 1861. Sib,— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter of the 3rd November last, transmitting a copy of a- Report of a Select Committee of the Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay, relating to the conduct of Surveys under the Native Land Purchase Department, and I have to express my regret that, from the detention of these papers in the Native Department, a reply to your Honor has been so long delayed. In reply, I have to inform you that the system of Surveys by Surveyors belonging to the General Government will be discontinued in the Province of Hawke's Bay, and application will be made from time to time, as occasions may arise, to the Provincial Government for Surveyors. This arrangeinenc will however be contingent on the performance by the Provincial Surveyors of their work to the satisfaction of the officer conducting the purchase of land in the District, and before payment is made for such Survey a certificate of approval from that officer will be required. I have the honor to be, Sir, Tour very obedient servt., _. _ E. W. S'XAPPOBD. His Honor, the Superintendent, ' Hawke's Bay. ■Estimates. Capt. Cabtee laid on the table the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the nine months of 1861 commencing with the first of April, and gave notice that, on Tuesday, he would move the Council into committee for their consideration. Sheep and Scab Bill. Mr. Osmond obtained the suspension of standing rule 27 for the purpose, with the view of pushing forward the business, of moving the first reading of this bill. It having been accordingly read a first time, it was ordered to be printed, and its second reading made an order of the day for Tuesday. Petition. Mr. Osmond, pursuant to notice before the adjournment of Council, moved that the petition of Mr. H, E. Webb be read. He (Mr. Ormond) had ' taken charge of this petition upon the representation of the petitiouer that hi 3 claims had not received proper attention at the hands of the government. The Council, on hearing it read, would be able to judge for themselves. — Head accordingly j it was was rather a voluminous document, and referred generally to the claims of the memorialist for official promotion. A-fter several notices of motion and intimation from the Speaker that it would be necessary to appoint some one in Ms stead, the. Council adjourned till Tuesday at 3 o'clock. TUESDAY, MAY 7. The Council met pursuant to adojurnment. Present, the Speaker and all the members. Tlie Speakershvp. Mr. Tucker requested that the Council, before proceeding with the business of the day, would elect a Speaker. He felt that, suffering as he was from defective hearing, he could not adequately discharge the duties. Each member present having been applied to to act as Speaker and declined, — Capt. Cabtee said that as no member seemed inclined to acoept the office, he would move that " the Council proceed to ballot for a Speaker.— The motion was seconded by Mr. Curling and agreed to. ' The election devolved upon Mr. Rhodes, who accordingly took the chair. Sheep and Scab. BiU. Mr. Obmond moved the seeoud reading of. the Sheep" and Scab Bill. It had been complied from, the other Acts on the. same Bubject, with a few additional provisions which local circumstances " seemed to render necessary. In preparing this bill, he had found :-a. difficulty in framing it so as' Jot unduly to trenoh on private rights. The general principle of the measure would he thought, meet the approval of the Council, although it was very probable that some of the clauses would have to be amended in committee ; inoeed, he himself could point to clauses requiring - alteration. • - He was. not wedded to more than the. general prin-' ciple. ■•. „ Mr. Tuckee seconded the motion, Mr. FixzG-EEAia),' without any wish to oppose the bill, would ask whetker it was desirable to rush a bill of this kind through the Council. The printed copy had only that day been in the hands of members ; the subject was one that htid always given rise to discussion in. "Wellington and. elsewhere 5 and he doubted the propriety of going on with a bill which, the public— the flock-owners in particular-T-had not yet seen. , ; . v „;; . Mx..OEMOCTsaidtha,t.itwa9iiot his.intentipri.to .

%reW the bill: at oncethrough committee, but to '■> move i its oommitteron the day after to-morrow.'

'The analysis of the bill had been; seen by at least three- fourths of the runholders, and generally approved of. He prepared it two years ago, and it had been circulating ever since. This placed the matter in a different- light. He might add that he was anxious that the consideration of this

'measure should not- stand over too long, as he would have shortly to leave to attend the General -Assembly.

The motion was then agreed to and the bill read a second time.

Preparatory to the bill being committed pro Jbrmai some difficulty was experienced in securing the services of a Chairman of Committees. Ultimately, Mr. Cttelhtg accepted the office for the .-present session, and the Council went into committee upon the bill. The preamble having been read, the Chairman reported progress and obtained leave to sit on Thursday.

Estimates.

On the motion of Capt. Cabteb, the Council .then went, into Committee on the Estimates. He then addressed the Council to the following effect: — It is customary, I believe, before going into Committee on the Estimates, for soufe explanation to be given on the financial condition of the Province. In my address, when I had the honor to be elected Superintendent, I pointed out that we were in a critical position for want of available funds. However, until within the last few days, I have .been able to meet the current expenditure, owing to funds received for recent land purchases. Upon the resolution of the Council passed last sitting, when I was authorised to negociate an advance for the purpose of carrying on the ordinary routine business of the Government, and making the necessary repairs and improvements required to ensure communication with the inland districts during the winter ; I applied to the Manager of the Bank in town for an advance of £2000, which sum I stated to him would be repaid out of proceeds of land sales amounting to about £3000, available on 30th June next. The Manager referred and recommended my request to the Inspector,— the Manager being, as he stated, not authorised to advance without reference to him. No reply has as yet been received from the Inspector, as the vessel by which the communication was sent had not reached Auckland at last advices. I have, however, been this day permitted by the Manager to overdraw to the extent of £1000, which sum will meet the expenditure for a short time. 'Perhaps it will not be out of place if I explain the remark I made in my address, affecting the difficulty I had in obtaining information of our true financial position. I did not mean, as is imagined I believe, to imply that I could not obtain from the then Acting Provincial Treasurer the information I required. On the contrary, he gave me every possible assistance. What I did mean is simply this, that I found it difficult to ascertain our true financial position in consequence of the expenditure in the first quarter of this year for salaries, public works, &c, for last month of last year, having been paid out of the votes of the first quarter of 1861. To give you a better idea of what I mean I place on the table a statement of amounts expended under:/ each particular department on account of December, January, February, and March, and which expenditure exceeds the votes of some departments by £700, though no salaries or other general expenditure for March is included in it. These will appear in another statement of amounts paid in April, which I also lay on the table. Now, with reference to the estimated revenue for the year : the ordinary revenue, such as cuetoms, is calculated upon amounts received the fii'Bt quarter of this year ; and other items under this head, amounting to £4450, may be looked upon as nearly certain. The principal source of revenue will be under the head of territorial revenue. Land sales and rents of Crown lands up to 30th April have produced £11,495 19s. [Capt. C. here quoted from the estimate of revenue, which will be found in another column.] The amount set down as revenue to be derived from land reclaimed from the sea, depends entirely upon whether the Council will sanction the amount set down in the Estimates for Hai'bour Improvements. I may mention that the revenue estimated is much Jower than previously estimated by my predecessor, for the land to be reclaimed along Waghorne-street and Shakespeare Mat. The former, as well as the land to be reclaimed between Vautier's and Heydn's sections, would probably be ready for sale in the course of this year. I beg to point out to the Council that in making out estimates of expenditure I have found it difficult to judge in what particular departments or public works retrenchment should take place. The Estimates are made out pretty much the same as by the late government, except for maintenance and metalling of roads, and a few other items. I therefore thought it more advisable to leave it to the Council to determine in what departments, public works, or undertakings they desire retrenchment. I now beg leave to ask this Council for an appropriation for the remaining nine months of the year.

Dr. Hitohingb had heard with pleasure the financial statement made by the Superintendent. At the same time he regretted that— seeing the spirit of retrenchment which was abroad, the government should not have initiated that retrenohment, instead of sending down a mere copy of the old estimates and throwing the whole onus of curtailing the expenditure upon, individual members. .

- Mr. Axbxaijdbb was astonished at the remarks that had-fallen from the member for Napier. That member was|gerfectly aware that Capt. Carter could not, in pie recess, have inspected the various works, or made himself: acquainted with the requirements of the province. Curtailment, if deemed necessary, Had been very judiciously left in the hands of members, whose knowledge of the different localities where works were- going, on ' wouldibe brought to*earupon theproceedings. ' -Dr. Hitchin©s would like to ask, ia plain-lari-,guage,vif-the estimate ;of revenue set down (£41,000) .was real or apocryphal— whether the Council could proceed with safety to vote that sum.- He would ask the members of the Government, as honest men, if the revenue was likely .to come within three or four thousand pounds of the estjnaate P Wti&t was the use of passing estimates

for £40,000, when perhaps the revenue would not? .come within one- third of that amount ! ■'$ . Mr. Osmond said that, if the member for NaM pier would refer to the estimates of expenditure^ he would see that a margin of £9000 had beens left. He should also remember that no credit had been taken for probable sales of ss. land, which might possibly reach- £5000. Some of the items in the estimate of revenue might be rather high, but allowance for over-estimate could easily be made without interfering with the expenditure as set down. Mr. Rhodes concurred with the member for Napier that the estimates should have been reduced by the- Government itself, if it. thought reduction necessary. Ample time had been afforded the Superintendent or the members of the executive to inspect works in progress. The hack work of the Government should not be thrown on the Council, as was sought to be done. As the estimates on the table were precisely the same as those prepared by the late government, he, as a member of that government, took it as a compliment, and would suggest that they immediately proceed i;o the consideration of the items. . First item — Superintendent's Salary @ £500 per an. Postponed on the motion of Capt. Carter. 2 Members of Executive at £1 per diem when on duty £50 Dr. Hitchings thought the Council should be informed what was meant by this £1 per day — whether these members were to receive this amount for every day they came to town. Mr. Rhodes thought that to obviate objections, a lump sum should be named, instead of a sum per day. Capt. Carter said that certain days were set apart for the executive to meet, and on such days the members would receive this amount to cover their expenses. It was done in accordance with a resolution lately passed by the Council. The amount was limited to £25 each. Mr. Tucker pointed out that there was no cavil to a vote of more than £50 to each of the gentlemen who formed the last executive council. — Vote agreed to. Clerk at £200 per annum. Contingencies at £25 do. Treasurer and Accountant at £300 do. j Contingencies at £25 do. . Provincial Solicitor at £100 do. Contingencies at £25 do. . All these items were passed without discussion, except the last, which Dr. Hitchikgs strongly objected to. He thought that, when they voted I £100 per annum for doing next to nothing, they should not be called upon to pay ateo for parchment and paper. These items of contingencies perpetually stared one in the face; there was something rotten about it. He would move that this item be struck out ; he thoughtit a monstrous piece of jobbery... Capt. Carter said that the £100 simply paid the Provincial Solicitor for his expenses, and that, in engrossing Acts, he would very justly charge the parchment, and so with j other thiDgs Mr. Tucker reminded the member for Napier that the item of contingencies had been explained over and over again by the late Superintendent, and that it was impossible to avoid expenses of this nature ; the same item would be found attached to every department. Mr. Newton asked if the particulars of the sums expended ! as contingencies were not furnished Mr. Alexander said that no moneys were paid without duly authenticated vouchers, and that no sum on the estimates would be expended unless absolutely required. — The item was passed. Auditors, at £60 per annum. j Capt. Cabteb said that the gentlemen who had hitherto performed the duty of auditing the accounts, on being called upon to audit them for the fii'st quarter of the present year, expressed their readiness to do so on the understanding that the remuneration should be increased to more than the sum on the estimates. It would be for the Council to consider whether £60 per annum was sufficient for the service ; he would only remark that the accounts were now more easy to audit than they had been. These gentlemen also claimed a balance for last year of £20 each — their impression being that they should have received £50 each instead of £30, the rate at which they were paid. On referring to the debate on the audit department, reported in the Herald of 7th April, he found that the late Superintendent, in stating that it was necessary to place a sum on the estimates for these gentlemen, thought that £20 each would be sufficient for the work already done, and that £60 would be required for the remaining work of the year. This was agreed to by the Council, so that he (Capt. Carter) could not see how this claim could be entertained. Mr. Alexander, said that, seeing that the auditing of the accounts was a work of responsibility, and that it had been hitherto done efficiently, would move as an amendment that the sum of £65 instead of £45, be voted for the nine months. — Amendment agreed to. Native Interpreter at £100 per annum. — Agreed to. Provincial Council. Capt. Caeteb would move that under this head, the sum of £100 per annum be voted for the salary of Speaker. . .... Mr* Tucker would oppose the motion. Al» though, when acting as Chairman of Committees, he drew the salary attached to the office, he always, .held the payment to Speaker and Chair mah^B unnecessary, more, especially when those offices " were filled by country members who received their expenses. . He thought that, in the present financial position of the Province, each member should be prepared to take in turn the duties of these offices, which were by no means heavy. Mr. Newton agreed with Mr. Tuoker, and Would certainly oppose any vote for Speaker or Chairman of Committees. . Dr. Hitohings remembered a motion, passed very recently and almost unanimously, that these officers should be paid. That the Council might not stultify its own proceedings, he would vote for the motion. ■ ; Mr. Aeexandeb, seeing that the Speaker had to conduct a good deal of correspondence, and that the duties were really . considerable, would move that £50 be substituted for £100. If the Council did not allow something, they would find themselves in the position of having no Speaker at all. He had just been informed by the member for Olive (who sat next to him) that he would riot act as-Speitker unless the amount voted was £100 ;

tbut he •would nevertheless press his amendment. I/Amendment and motion were both put and gegatived. f Clerk to Council at ,650 per annum. $&■■'« Messenger at £100 " - |S^ .-'Council printing at £150 " JM|g^kCouncil Library at £60 " a^^HHpontingencies £30. , JIHP^e were all voted without remark, except the 'item for Council library, which, on tke motion of Mr. FifczGterald,. was increased from £30 to £50, as-it was intended to include certain law books which could be used for reference by the judge of the district court. Capt. Carter suggested the appointment of a library committee, by whom the arrangements could be superintended. The Chairman then reported progress, and the Council adjourned till next day. Engineer's Report on Road across the Plains. Capt. Carter, at the commencement of this day's proceedings, laid the following on the table :- Engineer's Office, ; Napier, 24th April, 1861. - • Sir,— l have the honor to inform you that in obedience to your letter of the 19th inst., I have gone over the lands from Pakowhai to Tareha's Creek, with the view of examining their fitness for. a line of road to this town Owing to the season, the greater portion of the way can be travelled over without difficulty, except about three-quarters or 1 mile near Tareha's Bridge, where some brackish swamps interfere ; but in my opinion the better way to take a line from Pakowhai would be towards the end of the Awatoto-road, nearly opposite Mr. Hallett s, as it would pass over the most suitable ground. However favorable the country.may appear at present, it would, be deceptive to judge of it by this. Persons acquainted with these Plains must be aware of how much of them are wet and swampy during winter and spring —shown clearly by the large patches of raupo which, though now dry, in winter are impassable. The mere formation will not be expensive, but the cost of metalling and drainage will be considerable, and without both I do not believe the line will be suitable for any but a summer road. , The approach from Havelock to Wakatu is tolerably good, but a punt will be required here similar to that at Olive, to cross the JNTgaruroro I have the honor to be, Sir, Your very obedient servt., (Signed) Thomas Gixjd, Provincial Engineer. His Honor, the Superintendent, Hawke's Bay. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 4 The Council met at 3 o'clock. Present, the Speaker and all the members. The SpeakersJiip. The Speaker said that he accepted office yesterday so as not to impede the business. He would now resign the office into the hands of the Council, with a request that some one else might be elected. It seemed to be thought that the duties attending the Speak ership were not onerous, but experience taught him that they were so. Mr. Tucker did not understand,- when the election took place, that it was for one day only, but for the session. He would have held the office during the remainder of the session but for incapacity to do so. He trusted the member for Ciive would re-consider his decision. . M^\. Rhodes thought that the last speaker was best fitted to act in the capacity of Speaker. His being rather hard of hearing was a benefit rather than an inconvenience. Capt. Carter said that perhaps the member for Clive would retain office if the item of Speaker's salary were to be re-committed and passed. He would be happy to place it again on the estimates. Mr. Rhodes' said that he did not care for the salary itself, but for the principle of the thing. He had always held that an officer, to attend to his duties and become responsible for their due performance, should be paid for so doing. Mr, Tucker thought it right to state that he would still vote against a salary. He did not think the difficulty was to be got over in this way. : Mr. Orjiond suggested that the member for Clive should hold the offi.ee for -the pi-esent day till some other arrangement could be thought of. He might remark that in all the other provinces the Speaker was paid and he should be paid here also. Mr. Rhodes had no objection, particularly as the principal business was the consideration of tbe estimates, when he would have the opportunity of speaking. Mr. Tucker said that through the able assistance of one of their number, his hearing had been that day much improved. - He would have no objection — if it were distinctly understood to be for this session only — to relieve the Council of its present difficulty by resuming the chair. Dr. Hitchings said that the thanks of the Council were due to the member for Waipukurau for the manner he had come forward. The stoppage of the business seemed to be held in terrorem over them if they did not vote an enormous salary for nothing, and he was glad to see the attempt thus defeated. It was wholly a question of money. It was then moved, seconded, and agreed to that Mr. Tucker should be elected Speaker ; the election was confirmed, by the Superintendent ; and Mr. Tucker took the Speaker's chair accordingly. Petition. Mr. Fitz Gerald presented a petition signed by 11 persons, praying that the' Council would guarantee a right of road through the educational reserve, from Shakespeare road to Brewster-street. t . — Read, received, and a motion given for its consideration on Friday. Harbour Reserves. Oapt. Carter obtained the suspension of standing rule 27, with a view of moving the first reading of a bill to enable the Superintendent of the Province of Hawke's Bay to manage and administer, by Sale or Lease, certain public reserves held in trust for the improvement of the harbour. [The bill 'ydll.be found in our supplement.] Bead a first time, ordered to be printed, and its Becond reading made an order of the day for .Friday. . „ J2nZargementqfI > rovincial a Coiincil. Capt. Carter also obtained leaye to bring in a bill to enlarge the Provincial Council, and to alter" the electoral districts of the province. [The bill will be found in our supplement of this morning.] Bead a first time, ordered to be printed, and its second reading made an order of the day for Friday. . Warn tickai and Tamwmu. . Mr. Curbin&, pursuant to notice, moved, — That the. Superintendent be requested to place, a sum of £300 on the estimates to make the road about Wautukai, and from thence to the Tamumu,

— He pointed out the claims of the numerous^ settlers— agriculturists andothera—irithat locality, who were absolutely without a road. They had not benefibted by a shilling of public money. This road, it might also be remarked, was a continuation of the Middle road. Mr. Ormojstd seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Ferry over tlie Waihui River. Mr. Dolbel, pursuant to notice, rose to move, — T^* J* 1 * 3 Coiincil request the Superintendent to establish a ferry over the Waihui river, between the Monaka and the Wairoa, as travellers are daily put to a great inconvenience for want of it. . —He instanced the case of the mailman, whose horse was drowned about 6 weeks ago in crossing this river, aud said that similar cases were of frequent occurrence. A small allowance would be necessary to induce a ferryman to remain on the spot. Mr. Alexander seconded the motion. Within, the past few months he had crossed the same river, and experienced much ■ difficulty. He felt persuaded that if the government did not do something, they, would shortly hear of lives' being\ lost. \ After some further remarks, as to whether no \ difficulty would arise in consequence of the river \ being entirely on Maori land, the motion was * agreed to. The council then went into committee on the adjourned consideration of The Estimates. Police— lnspector at £140. Mr. TtrcKEß would ask for an adjournment of the consideration of this item. The Council had often felt a difficulty in voting the salary of the Paymaster of Roads ; and many were of opinion that this office and that of Inspector of police might be very suitably combined. There was no complaint against or objection to the present Inspector, but it was a question whether he had sufficient education to enable him to discharge its duties properly. The present Paymaster was probably, both from education and experience, the better fitted of the two to fulfil the duties of Inspector, and as he really had not work enough to do, the two offices might be held- by him with advantage, and with considerable saving to the public purse. Mr. Alexandek quite agreed with the last speaker; but there were two things they should ascertain before coming to a decision, first, whether the Superintendent was prepared to offer the Inspectorship to the Paymaster ; second, whether the Paymaster would accept the offer if ;made Mr. Tucker understood that both parties were prepared to act upon the wish of the Council ; which Capt. Carter confirmed Mr. Tucker suggested that the new officer, if appointed, should bejstyled" chief" of police Mr. Rhodes thought that the Resident Magistrate was chief of pO--1ice...... Capt. Carter believed that the Superintendent was the chief of police (a laugh) Mr. Rhodes said that, when the Inspectorship of police was vacant, he thought it should be filled by a man of education ; but, it "being now filled, he would ask, in common justice to the person who filled it and who had given up another occupation to take it, whether any fault had been found with him. There seemed a feeling to make room for one person at the expense of another, for no other reason than because that other hadnot enough to do Mr. Tucker said that, although it would not be putting the Resident; Magistrate in a pleasaiit position, he had no doubt that officer, if called upon, would at once express an opinion as to which of the two was the fitter for the office Mr. Ormond said that the present Inspector of police had recently applied to him to sign a recommendation for a bush license, so that he evidently looked forward to leaving the service. The light in which his colleague had put this matter was the true one, that one of the men could do the work of both offices, and the other . could not Mr. Rhodes understood that the government would have all works executed by contract ; if so, where was the necessity for any paymaster at all ? Capt. Carter said that contractors, especially small ones, had to be paid by instalments and on the spot Mr. Rhodes thought this a novel idea 5 if contractors wanted » money they would come for it Mr. Tucker asked Mr. 'Rhodes how contractors had been paid by the late government... ...Mr. Ktz Gerald said that the province could not do without a Paymaster of -Roads. Small contractors located at remote points could not he expected to'*come to town every month for payment j if required to do so^ work, in many cases, would not be contracted for at all. With regard to the question before the Council, he trusted the difficulty would be overcome by the Inspector turning his attention to something else. Otherwise, seeing that no fault could be found with him, they could -scarcely displace him without first giving him the option of taking the two offices. Mr. Tucker .could not see the justice of a man who had been employed, three months, being preferred to one who had. been employed two years Mr.' FitzGerald reminded the last speaker that, although in a different capacity, the Inspector of police was the older of the tw0...... Mr. Ormond thought that, if they referred to the Resident Magistrate, his report would. relieve the Council from further difficulty .Dr. Hitchings thought that, in discussing the merits *of men, they were infringing. on the rights of the Superintendent Mr. Tucker was anxious, in this case, to relieve the Superintendent from the onus of making this appointment, seeing that the present paymaster was his relative After some further talk, .the consideration of this item was postponed 7 till that of paymaster came on. ; » •'..• Corporal at £110 per annum - " 4 privates at £100 each, per annum • x " forClive'at£lOOper'aftnnm ' ' , 3 district constables at £25 each per annum* ' - Allowance for horse hire at £72 . ,-<;.?. Contingencies at £100 per annum . . . ... ;. t . " Captain Caeteb explained, with reference to tne item " 1 private for Olive," that in cdnsequen^eldfinumerous complaints: from residents, there of the ' peace being broken , without the district constable ■ . . interfering in any way, he had taken upon himself to appoint a private, and to take the salary of one . district constable off the estimates ,\ . ...Mi. Rhodes said that although the Wtv private Btetdoned^at Olive was not efficient, this arOTe, he_thoTJght,_^c|>g^. his being permanently stationed fchwe, insteaiiywr.

jjpW)ein£ -removed; every ; three months to' another :*sptece^V... Mr.' Tucker it quite necessary y, ...that 5a private should be regularly . stationed in a i. ; : plice. where the population. was so large, but lie ;'! doubted if the Government would get good men if it kept constantly moving them about Mr. I , FitzGerald called attention to the fact of one of the force at Kapler being constantly employed Las messenger; he thought this interfered with proper . discipline.;.... Captain Carter said that the post- . master had applied to him for the services of a person to carry up the mail bag occasionally, as ■-"' the General Government had made no provision for this. He had instructed one of the policemen to perform such duty, but he was not employed •'. aB a common messenger Mr. Ormond opposed the .vote for 3 district constables. These men were never to be found when wanted ; and the £25 was just a convenient little sum for a government to give to its supporters Mr. Tucker said that one could not be dispensed with at Waipawa ; and Mr. FitzGerald said that one was absolutely required at Mohaka Mr. Bhodes moved that the salaries of two district constables only be voted, ""'-as, according to Mr. Ormond's views, a third was not wanted Mr, Orrnond, in suoh case, claimed a third one for Porangahau Mr. Bhodes divided the Council, but the majority affirmed the vote for three On the items of contingencies and horse hire a long discussion (as has been the case every session) ensued. Mr. Newton moved as an amendment that they be struck out, but the amendment was ultimately negatived The other items under this head were passed. Gaol. : Gaoler at £120 per annum, Rations for prisoners at £100 do. Contingencies at £50 do. Dr. Hitchengs said that the gaoler had now been appointed some 3 or 4 months, but there was no appearance yet of a gaol. That person, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy his otium cum dignitate at the foot of his (the Dr's) garden Capt. Carter said that he was in charge of the prisoners A conversation took place as to the propriety of employing prisoners sentenced to hard %abour in repairing public thorough fares...... Dr. Hitchings wanted an explanation of the item of " contingencies" and asked if the vouchers for the payments under this head were accessible to meinberß Mr. FitzGerald hoped that the Doctor would be equally particular when the item of contingencies for^his own department came under consideration. • Sheriff's Department— Expenses for prisoners, witnesses, &c, £120. —Agreed to. Harbour Department. : Harbour Master and Pilot,- at £200 per annum, S boatmen at £60 per annum, Contingencies at £50 " Mr. Bhodes called the attention of the Council to a statement made to him by the pilot, to the effect that the ferry should now be separated from , ' the department, as at present it was often thexneans of taking some- of the men away, at a time ■when they were wanted for the pilot-boat After some discussion, on the motion of Mr. Alexander the number of boatmen was reduced to two, at 4s. <6d. each per diem, with the understanding that a distinct arrangement should be made for the management of the ferry. Registrar of Deeds, at £250 per annum, Returning officer's Dept. at £50 " —Agreed to. The items under the head of Registrar of Brands and Inspectors of sheep -were postponed on the motion of Mr. Ormond, who also moved that two Eegistrars of Dogs at £25 each be struck out, Mr. Alexander moved as an amendment that one be retained at £15, "but the amendment was negatived, and the item struck out. ' * Pound-keeper, Napier, at £25 per annum, Mail irom Waipawa to Ruataniwha £35" Mail to Peka-peka, MangaonefromPuketapu£2o ■ Printing Gazette, at £150 per annum, " Forms at £60 " Advertising at £40 " - . These were all passed with little or no discussion. Miscellaneous at £150 per annum. This item, on the motion of Capt. Carter, was increased from £125 for the 9 months to £225, in consequence of interest on bank advances having ; ._. to ? be paid out of this appropriation. .; : Native Expenses at £100 per annum, ;;£' "Waipureku Ferry at £50 " > : legal Expenses ... £60 . N,li. P. O. Appeal, £60 Hospital Surgeon £120 " " Attendants £100 " Hjpspital Eations at £100 " Contingencies at £100 " , ; Charitable aid at £50 " y These were all passed— the only alteration being that the sum -for hospital rations was, on the motion of Capt. Carter, increased from £75 for the 9 months to £125. The chairman then reported progress, and the Council adjourned. THURSDAY, MAY 9. The Council met at 3 o'clock. Present, the Speaker and all the members. ' . . Education. ;.. .Capt.: Cabtee, pursuant to notice, rose to HloVe,r— - -- • ' c . . \ That as the amount of Government aid at present payable under the Education Act of Hawke's Bay is ;-.: found in some cases ,to be insufficient to meet the wants ;;. of Country Schools, 'the rate to be paid, until other ar- ; rangements are made,- should be 10s, 6d. per quarter t instead of 7s. • . . . -r-A resolution to" the same effect had been passed. \ r l^st year— its operation ending 31st Dec. He < ; ■wpuld.move that. the. same payment be made for \\ thjisyear, as it was very, much wanted. ; - Mr. Ai/exahdeb seconded the motion, which tfaß agreed to. . Treasurer's Accounts. r;-vv,Oap'fc. CaeTeb, pursuant to notice, rose .to !_: ' moyfyy— , Y -V " ■.'■ i . '-.. o ■'.- .Tor. the appointment of a select committee to examine., ?* ;. , • and: report upon, the Treasurer's accounts of receipts Ts;:"M4^l^ursements of the public revenue, and also the %*'£ irepttrt'of theTatiiiitdrs on the same, for the year ended #;^r; «tetrpeoils6o. vi Such Committee to consist of Messrs. |% ;; Alex^der,.Tucket, Newton and the mover, : ii©\}eßßaiJy''-ia-''order to coniply §•£ ,: s :-.'yriiai ; the Act of theProyince of Wellington. if^C^^i^^^^ *■'" : ' V '•. ••'■. : fifvil^f/J^v^opisj,-- the 9u-;

If -there are any sound reasons why the township of Clive (WaipurekuJ should not he forthwith put in thfe ; market, as the best portions are being rapidly fenced mk which must result in loss to the Government, as eaoHK individual who occupies as at present acquires a sort oW; pre-emptive right/ —He was aware that: the township had noty^l been handed over from the General to th?Jjbmjjjjj|i4 Government'; but he brought the maSQHBf 1 minently forward ' in order to impress upoiFfne? Provincial Government the necessity of urging iiite General Government to do so. In a private point of view, persons settled on the township felt aggrieved that they could, not exercise the rights of freeholders j while in a public point of view, the fact of so many acquiring' a virtual pre-emptive right over portions of the township, would result in the loss to the Government of a large sum of money, which might be more usefully employed in making the road from Napier to Clive. The only reason he had ever heard for withholding this township from the market was that the natives, seeing the high price it would fetch, would be disinclined to treat with the government for the rest of the plains ; bufc the council would think with him. that, at this time, such a fact would have no effect whatever either in retarding or facilitating the sale of the plains. Capt. Caetee said that the late Superintendent bad applied to the General Government for this township to be handed over, and had received a reply which, as it contained the information required, he would lay on the table. The following is the letter referred to : — Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, January 12, 1861. Sib,— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's, letter of the 18th September last (a reply to which I regret has been so long delayed,) in which you req^uest that the "Waipureku block/containing about 150 acres, and purchased from the natives in 1855, may be handed over to the Provincial G overnment of Hawke's Bay, in order that a guarantee may be given to certain persons who have been permitted to occupy land within that block that their rights will be saved when the sections are put up to auction at some future time. In reply, I have to state that neither the General nor the Provincial Government, can give any guarantee for the disposal of Crown land, otherwise than' in accordance with the land regulations of the Province in which it is situated ; and that it is considered that so small a block, surrounded as it is by native lands, should remain, in the hands of the General Government. I have, &c, Heket John Tancbei), ! In the absence of Mr. Stafford. His Honor the Superintendent, Hawke's Eay. The Council then went into committee upon tho Estimates. Education — Inspector of Schools at £50. De. Hitchings said that a gentleman had been appointed to perform the so-called onerous duties of Inspector of Schools who already filled a .highly responsible position. It was in fact a little bit of patronage, which should be abolished at once. He move that it be struck, off the estimates Captain Carter said that an Inspector was absolutely required by the terms of the Act Dr. Hitchings. Then let there be one without salary, , or act as Inspector yourself Mr. FitzGerald was surprised at seeing "subjects re-opened, which had been discussed over and over again. It was necessary that some responsible person should act in this capacity, otherwise the Act would be a farce. The duty of making up and checking the various school accounts was not small, besides which there was the necessity of visiting such schools from time to time. The office was no sinecure .... Mr. Bhodes said that the principle of requiring the services of men for nothing would neyer answer. He hoped the member for Napier would reduce his theory to practice, and attend the hospital out of pure charity Dr. Hitchings said there could be no doubt, at all events, that an injudicious appointment had been, made: The Inspector held another and most important office, and that he would be able to absent himself for two or three weeks at a time was preposterous. But the whole thing was not required ; the fact was,, it was a little piece of j0bbery..,.....'. Mr. FitzGerald protested against the constant use by that member of the words "job" and "jobbery." The present Inspector had taken the office when no one else could be found 'to take it, and he had done so on the condition that he would not be required to visit the "Wairoa school; the others he could visit after office hours on Saturday. He (Mr. F.) was really astonished at the manner in which this subject was treated. The amendment was then negatived, and the amount upon the estimates agreed to ; also, Grants in aid of Building at £100. Grants under Education Act at £250 The next items on the estimates were those under the head of crown lands, but on the motion of Mr. Alexander, the Council reverted to the consideration of the Salary to Superintendent at £500. Mr. Tucker moved that an additional sum o^ £50 be placed on the estimates for travelling ex" penses for the Superintendent, whose duties would very frequently call him into the interior Mr, Bhodes objected on principle to travelling, expenses ; he would move as a second amendment that the salary, of the Superintendent be at the rate of £600 per annum. The province could afford it this year as well as it could the 1a5t...;.. Mr. FitzGerald said that £500 waa not enough ; money was of much less value than it was in former years j and if they did not pay their chief officer, well, they could not expect him to devote his whole time and energies to the province Dr. Hitchings would vote for the second amendment, even although in so doing, they stultified their own vote. But it would be remembered-that they had commenced the estimates in a spirit of re-, trenchment, and that they had begun with the salary of the head of the government j yet, strange to say, his waa the only salary that had. been reduced. He (Dr. H.) did not think that that one. item should be singled out for reduction, and he would therefore vote for its being, restored toiis original amount. .. . . . The amendment of Mr. Rhodes was then put and agreed to^ Chief 'of "Waste Xands Board and Chief Surveyor, at £400 per annum. Capt. Caetee said that he had.no objection to the land board*if itwas to be differently constituted, such as with, an increase of members, representing fairly town ■ and^ country, : and the executive to be members etpjoffidvo. He had no ..doubt whatever thatmuch land which had. been sold at ss. was worth lOfl., and the board would be a judioious

check upon the indiscriminate sale of 5&, land. ;It would also be useful in cases of' dispute. He Regretted to say that no instructions had yet been from the General G-overnment in reference to the question of the legality of the appointments tliati had been made. Meanwhile, the Commissioner declined to act on the instructions received | .by him from the late Superintendent; first, be- - cause he held his patent as Commissioner from the General Government, and second, because, from the fact of the Superintendent's resignation having been accepted at a date prior to the formation of the land board, he questioned the legality of the appointments that had been made. Among the instructions given to the Commissioner, was one not to issue certificates of 53.1 and. Now, although . the Commissioner questioned whether the Superintendent could issue such instructions, he was doubtful how to proceed, pending a communication from the general government. The consequence was that although lands were ready for sale, they could not be sold ; and if such a state of things continued much longer, the province would find itself unable to meet its current expenditure after July next. Mr. TtrOKEE apprehended that these vexed questions would shortly be settled on the approaching visit to Auckland of a member of the Government Mr. Alexander believed that the late Superintendent considered the powers under the Waste Lands Act 1 858 to have been delegated to him as- an individual ; if so, perhaps he would feel himself justified in withdrawing the instructions referred to. Suvely, however, the matter would be settled before July Capt. Carter reminded the Council that to provide for July, it was necessary that the land should be proclaimed immediately Mr. FitzGerald could not see how this difficulty could be, as large quantities of ss. land were certified to before his letter of instructions was written. But ha believed that there was no obstacle to ss. land being certified to as before. His letter did not go to deprive the Commissioner of this power, but simply to hold it in abeyance till the land board came into operation, which he then expected in a day or two. Mr. Tiffen was still Commissioner with the same power as ever he had. The Commissioner's assertion that he held his office under a patent from the General Government was worth nothing. If he had a hundred patents, they were superseded by the Act of 1858 ; and had he (Mr= FitzGerald) remained in power, that officer would never have ventured to write him the letter he did, as he, under his delegated powers, would immediately have removed him. The present Superintendent did not yet hold those powers, but doubtless would receive them by an early arrival. He would suggest that, meantime, the money for the board should be voted in one sum, so as to leave the Superintendent full discretionary power. The amount was ultimately, on an amendment by Mr. Ttxoker, voted as salary to Chief Commissioner and Chief Surveyor — making no mention of the Board. Instead of salary to Secretary and two Commissioners, £150, on the motion of Mr. Newton, was, after some little discussion, voted in one sum as expenses of the Land Board. Chief Clerk at £250 per annum. Travelling Expenses and Contingencies for . Department, at £150' — Both agreed to, Dr. Hitchings protesting against the last item. Survey Department. 3 Surveyors at £300 per annum to 30th June. 2 " " " for remaining nine months of year Travelling allowance to 5 Surveyors at £60 per annum each Assistant Surveyor at £250 per annum Travelling expenses at £50 " 1 Draughtsman at £200 per annum Laborers at £1200 " Contracts at £500 " Contingencies at £150 " Captain Caster explained, with reference to the first item, that the Chief Surveyor considered two Surveyors and an' Assistant Surveyor to be sufficient for the work after the 30th Jane To the item of travelling allowance at £60, Mr Newton strongly objected, as being much more than was necessary, and moved that it be reduced to £36? Mr. FitzGerald supported the amount; it included travelling expenses as well as horse hire and forage ; and surveyors, from the privations they had to submit to, were a class that should be liberally treated Amendment ultimately withdrawn An amendment by Mr. Rhodes, that the Assistant Surveyor should have £300 per annum and rio allowances, was negatived A long and fruitless discussion ensued upon the question of the services of the junior draughtsman having been retained, while those of the senior had been dispensed with On the item, laborers £1200, MY, Rhodes thought that a reduction should be made, corresponding with the reduction of the survey staff. Captain Carter said that the mere passing of this item did not necessitate its expenditure, and it was agreed to On the subject of contract surveys, Captain Carter said they were more expensive than those done by the official staff, and that, in future, it was not proposed to have surveys executed by contract to any extent >.The' Chairman then reported progress. ' Sheep .and Scab BiU. . The Council then went into Committee on this Billj and made several amendments in its details, -Jiiiper which the Council adjourned till next FBIDAY, MAT 10. The Council met pursuant to adjournment • Present, the Speaker and all the members. - Road tlvrough Government 'Reserve. Mr. FitzGe:bai£>, pursuant to notice, moved — That the petition of J. B. Brathwaite and other persons, praying for the grant of a right of way through the Educational reserve on Shakespeare road, be taken into consideration* and the prayer of the petitioners granted. The prayer of the petitioners was sanctioned by the Council,-on condition that a righfrof way of equal width should be continued through their private properties. Postal Communication between Wellington and Napier. • Mr. Obmond, pursuant to notice, moved; — That the Superintendent be requested to address the General Government in reference to the establishment of an overland' postal communication between the Pro- ' vinces of Hawke's Bay and . Wellington. . — A mail now carried by the Province of

£150

Hawke's Bay as far as Porangahau, and by the Province of Wellington as far as Castle Point; The intervening distance was only 60 miles, and .the service could be continued right through atan , extra expense of £80 0r. £90. He thought the . importance of this only wanted to be pointed out to the General Government. Mr. FitzGebald seconded the motion. The subject -was before the General Assembly, in its last session, and a sum, he believed, voted for the purpose. He could only suppose that, in the multiplicity of matters requiring attention, the subject had since been overlooked. Motion agreed to. Educational Reserves. Capt. Cabteb, pursuant to j notice, rose to move, — 3?or leave to bring in a Bill for the management and administration of Educational Reserves, in conformity with Public Reserves Act, 1854, and a grant from His Excellency the Governor. • Mr. Osmond had much pleasure in seconding the motion. He hoped when those reserves wereproperly vested, to see a large revenue available for purposes of education throughout the Province. Bead a first time, ordered 'to be printed, and its second reading made an order of the day for Tuesday next. " Township of Clive. Mr. Rhodes, pursuant to notice, rose to moveThat in the opinion of this Council the Superintendent be requested to urge upon the General Government the advisability of handing over the block of land at Clive to the Provincial Government, for the purpose of putting up the lots at that place to auction as soon as may be. — Ifc was clear that if the township continued to be built upon, the Province would only get the' upset price j for although the General Government said that no guarantee could be given to persons so occupying, such guarantees had always been given, and would continue to be recognised. The great objection seemed to be to having a township in the vicinity of a pah, but this could not be helped, as a town was there already. ' "The idea of withholding it at all was an absurdity. ' ' Mr. FitzGerald seconded the motion, and ridiculed the idea of the sale of Ciive having any effect on the natives, who knew the value of land as well as the Europeans. Dr. Hitohing-s said that, in the occupation of sections in this township a fraud was being committed — that of building on the dividing line between two sections. He hoped the Government would defeat this by putting a high upset price on the lots. Mr. Osmond said that the legality of giving a pre-emptive right to persons so occupying was denied by the General Government, and indeed had been long doubted. Mr. Alexander said that if persons had built on the dividing line they would defeat their own object, as only one section would be put up at a time, and no value could well be put upon half a house, Mr. FitzGebald had never, except in one instance when a mistake occurred in building, given permission to occupy more than one section. The pegs had been nearly all knocked out, and such an error was not unlikely to occur. ' The motion was then agreed to. Harhour Reserves Bill. Capt. Cabteb, in moving the second reading of this bill, said that a grant, uuder the Public Reserves Act 1854, having been given of the harbour reserves to the Superintendent and his successors, for the purpose of improving the harbour of Napier, and for the maintenance of such works as might be deemed advisable for facilitating the trade and commerce of the town, he had introduced this bill, the object of which -was to provide for the management and administration of these reserves. He need scarcely urge upon the members the necessity that the* Superintendent should be empowered to dispose of the land now being reclaimed from the sea- — which was the main object of this bill — in order to make some provision for meeting the heavy expenditure on harbour improvements which had been going on for some time past. Mr. Cttbletg- seconded the motion, which was agreed to ; the bill read a second time and committed. In committee, on clause two being read^ Mr. Fitzgerald moved that its further consideration be postponed till Tuesday, which waa agreed to. Enlargement of Council. Capt. Cabteb, in moving the second reading of the Bill for the enlargement of the Council, thought they were all agreed as to the necessity of the number of members being increased, so that the Province should be more fairly represented than it was, and so that the prevalent objection to paid officers of the Government sitting in the Council might be obviated. It was . proposed to increase the number of members by five — three for country and two for town. The country districts contaiu, including Dew claimants, nearly 360 electors ; they will have 10 members, or 1 for every 36. The town of Napier, with new claimants, has 220 electors ; 5 members for which will give one for every 4*. It would be seen from the sth clause that the Act was not intended to come into force until October next, so that new claimants might have a voice in the- next elections. He thought at first of proposing that the Waipukurau district should be divided — returning one member for Waipukurau and one for Ruataniwha ; and also that the Napier Country district should be divided into North and South ; but he had been obliged to give up the idea from seeing thafc such an arrangement would invalidate the seats of present members. Mr. Rhodes did not see the necessity for redividing the districts; he thought that additional members might have* been allotted to the more populous districts.* This would have saved money and expense Mr. Ormond said that new interests had arisen which it was necessary to provide for, instancing the Aorangi district ; Mr. FitzGerald would like to see an estimate of the residents in each district, and thought more time should be afforded members to consult, the maps Capt. Carter explained that the bill was drawn lip from the., list of voters, including new claimants. Mohaka numbered 21 ; . Napier Country, 91 ; Te Aute, 80; Clive, 68; South Clive, 31 ; Waipukuruu, 46; Porangahau, 22 : j Napier, 217..., ..Mr. J?itzGera.ld, after this expla-v nation, saw no reason to dissent from the main. lea? tures of the bill. . - . .: . . - :

The; bill was then. ' read a second time and committed. In committee, on clause one, Mr. Ormond moved that its. further consideration be postponed to next sitting day but one, which was agreed to. The Council then went into committee on the adjourned consideration of * • * The Estimates. Capt. Caeteb moved the re-consideration of the salary of draughtsman, which, on the recommendation of the Chief Surveyor, he moved should be increased from £200 to £250. Agreed to. Director of "Works, at £200 per annum. Travelling expenses, at £30 " Contingencies, at £50 " . —Agreed to, after some explanation as to the necessity of the item of travelling expenses* Harbour Improvements, £5000 for remaining 9 months Captain Caeteb, in reply to enquiries made by Mr. Newton, gave the following explanations . — Having already estimated the probable revenue ■derivable from land to be reclaimed from the sea at £6330, he had placed the sum of £5000 on the estimates in order to elicit an expression of opinion from the Council as regards the prosecution of harbour improvements to the end of the year. Up to-the end of April, the expenditure for this year has been about £2200, which includes £600 for new working gear for the dredge. To carry out the plan of improvements, £5000 at least •would be necessary — of which sum £1600 would he required to reclaim the remaining sections in Wagbome-street j £700 for reclaiming the land east of. Government reserve ; £150 balance of existing contracts ; £400 for close piling in deep ■water, Eastern Heads j and £1300 for reclaiming 5 acres in Shakespeare flat by excavation from hills adjacent. The close piling before dredging had been recommended by all witnesses examined by the. select committee. He wished it, however, to be understood by the Council, that he did not advocate harbour improvements as a whole ; for no doubt they had already absorbed a great deal more money than the Province could afford. Still, having gone so far, and expended so much money in purchasing the dredge, as well as in partially reclaiming land, it became a serious question whether they should recede until at least. the works in progress should be completed, and money realised from the land which had already cost so much in reclaiming. Mr. FxtzGeeahd supported the vote, which, he said, had been already thoroughly discussedThose improvements would be found to pey ultimately, although at first they made little show. That the Iron Pot was already improved there could be no doubt, although it was impossible to satisfy all adjoining proprietors Mr. Newton would not oppose the vote, although lie naturally felt anxious for information, and saw the necessity for retrenchment Mr. Rhodes always said the Harbour was good enough., and he thought so still. At the same time he would not oppose the vote for this year, so as to give the thing a fair trial Dr. Hitchiugs said that, although the progress hitherto Lad been most unsatisfactory, and the works of a very pasteboard character, he ■would nevertheless support the vote; and he hoped the Director of Works, though a young hand, would improve Mr. Tucker thought it a question whether the first loss should not be submitted to, and further expenditure stopped. He' was no judge himself, but he heard many expressions of dissatisfaction from others who were competent to express an opiuion Mr. Alexander agreed with what had been said as to the fliuisy nature of some portions of the works ; whatever was now done should be done well and permanently... ...Mr. Ormond had always opposed the vote for Harbour improvements, and would do so now. £9000 had been already sunk in them, and not a shilling returned. It was now said that £6000 would be returned for land that was being reclaimed, but- what faith could they put in the calculations of the Director of Works ? The disbelief in those improvements was gaining ground, and he fully concurred in it Mr. FitzGerald explained that of the sum expended, the greater pai't had been spent in purchasing the dredge, &c. ; only £3000 had been actually sunk ; the next £3000 would shew something for tlie money. Mr. Tucker, since hearing his colleague, had changed his view of the question. He would ask if one-half of the £5000 could be got for the - dredge and appurtenances Mr. FitzGerald thought it not unlikely that she might be sold at a profit ; the Superintendent of Marlborough had been desirous of hiring her Mr. Tucker would vote by all means for the dredge being sold After some further discussion, Mr. Tucker moved as an amendment that £3000 - be substituted for £5000 Mr. Alexander hoped the Council would not agree to this "; it would not be giving the works afairchanoe The amendment was ultimately lost— Messrs. Tucker and Ormond being the only two who supported it. The item, as on the estimates, was then passed. 'Police Court, Waipawa, £60.This was explained to be a sum necessary to complete the building, and was agreed to. Meanee Bridge and Ferry. ' Capt. Caetee, with reference to former votes ' for these works took occasion to explain that the contractor, had not been able to go on with Meanee Bridge in consequence of scarcity of timber. But, even if he could, the natives had thrown obatructiqns in the way — refusing to allow the bridge to be t>uilt unless their contract (a very high .one) ■ - was taken for the road j and to allow the ferry to be moved unless arrears of " grass money" were paid up Mr. Rhodes thought it strange that the natives should be in a position thus to dictate ; the facts should be at once reported to the General Government- „: Hastings-street to Ferry, £400. ' Mr. Rhodes said that, according to last estimates, this sum should be £700 ; he would move an amendment to that effect Capt. Carter said that he had begun to retrench with this item, although he had afterwards given up the attempt in •. despair , Mr. Newton would oppose any change, conceiving the £400 to be sufficient, seeing the necessity for economy...:.. Mr. Alexander also thought it sufficient ; he had always thought this one of the best roads in the province. Mr. Jjit^Gerald thought £400 far too small a Bum: the .road was. the most important in the province...... Mr. Dolbel said the Olive road. was the heaviest for traffic in the whole province,;,,,, Mr. Rhodes

< was certainly astonished to bear the" moinbar for Napier oppose the amendment ; he was sure that 6 out of 10 of his constituents would vote for it ' After considerable discussion, in which the \ Hyderabad road was strangely enough mixed up, ; j the amendment was agreed to. , ; Hyderabad Road, £300. This sum, after considerable discussion, was agreed,' to, with the understanding that it would not be expended, unless, through the co-operation of the proprietors, the road could be completed to One-' poto for the money. Metalling Waghom-street, £280. — Agreed to without discussion ; also £33 for the purpose of lining pilot's house, and £4<5 for a boat-shed for surf boat. The Chairman then reported progress, and the Council, after deciding to sit on Saturday (this day) at 11 o'clock, adjourned till that time.