Provincial Council.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 268, 26 May 1855, Page 3

Provincial Council.

Tuesday, May 22nd. Present—The Speaker, Messrs. Fooks, Brittan, Donald, Dampier, Bray, Barker, Cookson, Hall, Ollivier, Sewell, Packer, Thomson, and Westenra. Mr. Brittan - gave notice that he would on. Friday bring up the financial statement, and also that he would move the second reading of the Census hill. Dr. Donald presented a petition from 120 members of the Church of England resident at Lyttehon, praying for the repeal of the Church Property Trustees Ordinance, and moved that the petition be read by the clerk. Messages were then read f:om his Honor the Superintendent, in reply to a report from the chairman of the House Committee. Dr. Donald asked if it was the intention of the hon. gentleman (Mr. Brittan) to take notice of the message. Mr. Brittan said he did not, but it was open to the hon. member to deal with it as he saw fit. Mr. Sewell moved and Mr. Ollivier seconded the appointment of a Committee to consist of Messrs. Brittan, Hall, Thomson, Ollivier, and himself, to consider and report upon the petition which had been presented by Capt. Harvey. The house then went into Committee on the Waste Lands' Bill. Mr. Fooks in the chair. Considerable, discussion arose upon a resolution proposed by Mr, Thomson, which reserved right over all lands for the purpose of public defence, safety, utility, convenience, and enjoyment. Mr. Hall objected to the resolution on the ground that the reservation was already made in the 2nd clause of the regulations. Mi]Sewell pioposed to a<id the words, " and for the settlement or improvement of the colony." After a lengthened discussion Mr. Sewell consented to withdraw the words, wl«en the resolution as originally proposed w:is passed. Capt. Wksteska proposed the insertion of a clause, the eft'ect of which pave the run holder who was refused a renewal of his license compensation, and in the case of purchase, that he should Teceive the value of his improvements from the purchaser, subject to arbitration. Mr. Hall seconded the resolution. Mr. Olliviek objected to the compensation at the expiration of a 14 years' j^ Ultimately the amendment wasCcarried/the r original motion having been withdrawn.. -*

Mr. Oixivier moved the addition of a clause reciting the penal enactments under the regulations, in accordance with the regulations existing in South Australia and New South Wales. This was rejected. Clauses 38 to 44 were then severally put and agreed to. Clause 45 was then put by the chairman. Dr. Donald proposed that'the land scrip should only issue after twelve months residence in the settlement.

Mr. Hall explained that there was an amendment proposed by the late government to that effect. He proceeded to state the reasons for this clause, that it was only following the exampie of other settlements, especially mentioning Auckland, and which had been found productive of benefit in the iatroductiou of capital and labour. Mr. Ollivier objected to the clause as altogether uncalled for ; the position of the settlement was not such as to justify such a waste of their land. He moved the omission of the clause. Mr. Cookson* seconded the amendment. After a few words from Mr. Hall and Mr. Dampier, the latter objecting to it, the clause was negatived ; as were also the two following clauses. The chairman then reported progress, and the Speaker having resumed the chair. Mr. Hai-i, asked Mr. Brittan if it was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill to correct an error which had crept into the Provincial Council Extension Ordinance, by which the Lyttelton Town electors were also made electors for the Lyttelton Country district. Mr. Brittan said he was much obliged to the hon- gentleman for calling his attention to the error. He would prepare a bill to remedy the defect. Several notices of motion were then given, and the house adjourned. Tuesday, 22nd May.

Present —Messrs. Hamilton, Barker, Ollivier, Bvittan, Thompson, Ward, Sewell, Hall, Dampier, Bray, and the Speaker. The House went into committee on the Empowering Ordinauce, and the several clauses were passed through. The chairman reported progress. Afterwards the house went into committee on the Waste Land Regulations.

Mr. Dampier brought forward his motion with reference to the pre-emptive rights of the Canterbury Association. This motion was to the effect that no lauds held under the Crowii by virtue of any terms of purchase entered into with the Canterbury Association shall be open for sale until the expiration of one month after the licensee shall have received notice of an intended purchase thereof. After some discussion this motion was, with the consent of the committee, withdrawn. Mr. Thomson proposed the following compensation clause, which, after a brief discussion was passed. " That in the event of improvements having been effected by the licensee of a run, or any laud, the possession of which shall be resumed by the General Government, or by the Provincial Government, under clause *, he shall receive payment of the same ; such value to be decided by arbitration under direction of the Waste Lands Board Cimimittee." Mr. Hall then moved the adoption of a clause for a free errant of land to the wounded soldiers and widGws of those engaged in the Russian war, which was adopted. Mr. 8;-trrrA.N also moved the adoption of a clause for giving compensation to persons through, whose lands roads might- be made, which was also agreed to. Ail these clauses were adopted with the understanding that they should be subject to amendment on re-committal. Thy Simcakuh, then resumed the chair, when Mr. Bray introduced the following resolutions on the subject of the poll-tax. 1. That as the recent decision of the General G>)verni:je:it respecting the distribution of the Lain! I;':i-,<■), Ints seriously embarrassed the Provincial Treasury, it is necessary to devise some ni'.'a;:> f> r raising finds for Provincial purposes. 2. Tnat an assessment upon all sheep and cattle within the Province is the readiest mode of ra'iK'.!ig such funds without burthening the labourer and small freeholder. 3. 'fhat in the opinion of this Council the exigencies of the Provincial Treasury would be in part relieved by apidl-tax of Id. per bead on sheen, am; 'id. on cattle, payable in the month

of April, to be increased 50 per cent, if paid in May, or to be doubled in June. Dr. Babker secouded the resolutions. They were opposed by Messrs. Brittan, Hall, Packer, Hamilton, and Dampier, and supported by Mr. Sewell. Upon a division the Committee negatived them.

Afterwards Mr. Hamilton moved that it be an instruction to the committee to re-consider the terms of rent in clauses 27 and 28.—Agn c 1 to. The house then adjourned.