PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1568, 21 December 1865, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Dec. 20. The Speaker took the chair shortly after five o'clock. Members present: Messrs. Alington, Aynsley, Barff, Buckley, Cowlishaw, Dixon, Duncan, Fyfe, Hall, Hargreares, Hayhurst, Hornbrook, Jollie, Macpherson, Maude, Moorhouse, Peacock, Rowe, Stewart, Stoddart, Tancred, Westenra, White, Wilkin, Williams, C. Wilson ; W, Wilson. Extension of time was granted to the Grey River Coalfield Beserve Bill Committee to bring up its report. SOUTHERN ROAD BOARDS GRANTS. Mr. Gosling said he considered that the sum proposed to be given to the Southern Boad Boards was not sufficient. He was of opinion that they should hare a percentage of the whole territorial revenue, instead of the land funds only. It was unfortunate that there was not a goldfield south of Bangitata, for in that case the whole of its territorial revenue would be spent on it. That district had been unfairly treated by the Government in several ways, and, in consequence, a feeling in favour of separation had sprung up. In conclusion, he moved, " That, in the opinion of this House, 25 per cent, of the whole territorial revenue should be devoted to the Southern Boad Boards, in place of 25 per cent of land funds only. Mr. Wilkin, in seconding the resolution said he considered that the district south of Bangitata had not enough money spent on it, hut he was not prepared to say what the deficiency was. The Southern Boad Boards appeared to him to have been treated somewhat unfairly during the past year as compared with the Northern Boards in not having the money voted for them handed over to them. Unless the resolution was agreed to, he did not see how those Southern Boad Boards could carry on their works. Mr. Hall opposed the resolution, which was probably brought forward in view of the approaching elections. He had been much surprised to hear the statement that the Southern Board Boards had been treated unfairly as compared with those of the North, as an inspection of the returns on the table would show that nearly all had been treated in a similar manner. The only exceptions were three of. the Southern Boad Boards, which had received a larger proportion of the sums voted than any of the others. Many of the districts had imposed and collected rates, and the rest should do the same, and not make excuses for their inability to do so. The amount given to the Southern districts would be found, he thought, to be more than the mover anticipated, and there could not be that deficiency which was anticipated. On examination of the returns, it would be seen that out of a revenue of £137,000, the Southern district had received £109,000 in the shape of expenditure, while several of the Northern districts had received a remarkably small proportion of their revenue. He did not see on what principle it was asked that a per-centage of the pasturage rents, as well as the land funds, should be voted to the Boad Board districts. It would be most unfair to do so, and he hoped the Council would not agree to the resolution, for he could show incontestably that the expenses of Government south of Bangitata had far exceeded its ordinary revenue. He would ask those persons to consider that who got up a cry for separation from the province. Mr. Dixon supported Mr. Hall's views. He thought the district south of Bangitata had been very fairly treated ; and there were other districts which were much more in need of additional assistance than that one. Mr. Barit said that, as allusion had been made to the expenditure on the West Coast, in proportion to its revenue, he would say, in reply that 'the West Coast had not had the whole of its revenue spent on it, for a great portion of it had been spent on the overland route, and the gold escort, which had been projected to carry out the pet schemes of certain persons on this side of the province. Mr. Hayhuhst supported the resolution. He considered the Southern district had not sufficient voice in the management of its own affairs, and that much of the Government money was spent there iu a wasteful manner ; otherwise the cry of Separation would die away. Mr. Stoddart was of opinion that the outlying districts already were receiving a fair share of the revenue, and that it was absolutely necessary that they should contribute towards the general government of the.province. Mr. Mooiuiousb said it was most desirable that the province should not become split up from any cause ; luj had irnd occasion lately to travel through the province, and had become acquainted to a great extent with the state of public feoling. He did not think that the question before the Council would ever be satisfactorily settled until some distribution of the revenue was agreed to on some fixed principle. Ho would suggest that the mover should withdraw his resolution and give notice of one to the following effect— " That it is expedient that a Select Committee be appointed to consider the most equitable mode of distributing amongst the various Koad Boards of the province, on one uniform principle, the territorial revenue of the country." He knew that the Government had great difficulty in dealing with this matter, and he therefore made this proposition. He should not like to say that Timaru should necessarily have 25 per cent, of its revenue, nor should he like to affirm that such a distribution would be fair to other districts.

There were several thing* which the suggested committee would kave to consider; among others, the possibility of reducing the expenses of Government ; this principle ought, at any rate, to be affirmed, that public works should be constructed out of land revenue and loans, and that money should, to a great extent, be spent where it was raised. Mr. Gosling said he would agree to the suggestion of the last speaker, and withdraw the resolution. The resolution was withdrawn. OHBISTCHORCH MECHANICS IX6TITDTI. Mr. Maopiibbson called attention to the disadvantages which this institute was at present labouring under from want of funds. He commented at somelength on theusef ulness of the institute, and concluded by moving " That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, asking him to place on the estimates the sum of fifty pounds, for the purpose of enabling the Mechanics' Institute of Christchurch to make an addition to their library. Mr. Hawkes seconded the resolution Mr. Jollik said that although a very'small sum had been asked for, the Government felt it necessary to make a stand against these kind pf applications. The institute did not stand in the same position as a school, and had moreover received a great deal of assistance from the Government, and should now depend on itself. Mr. Macphebs«n replied in a few words. On the question being being put the Council divided. Ayes (16.)— Aynsley, Barfij Buckley, Duncan, Fyfe, Gosling, Hargreaves, Hawkes, Hayhurst, Hornbrook, Macpherson (teller), Moorhouse, Peacock, Stewart, Westenra, Williams. Noes (12.)-— Alington, Cowlishaw, Dixon, Hall, Jollie, Maude, Bowe, Shand, Stoddardt, Tancred(teller), White, Wilson, W. The resolution was therefore passed. I/TTTELTON TOWN HALL. Mr. Hargreaves called attention to the want of public buildings in Lyttelton, of a suitable nature for carrying on meetings, and other public business. £3000 had already been raised for the purpose of building a Town Hall, including public offices, and he appealed for a grant in aid with some hope of success. He hoped, therefore, the Government would agree to the following resolution " That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place on the Estimates the sum of one thousand pounds (£1000) as a grant in aid to the Lyttelton Municipal Council, towards the erection of a suitable building for a Town Hall and public purposes on the Lyttalton Municipal Reserve." Mr. Peacock seconded the resolution, and said that it was most desirable that the seaport of the province should have a suitable building as a Town Hall. Mr. Joixii said that the Government could not consent to place the amount asked for on the Estimates. An inspection of the returns of expenditure would show that a very large sum had already been spent on Lyttelton, while a very small amount of land had been sold there. A large expenditure was now going on there, on the harbour and other works, and he considered, therefore, that the Government was acting in a most liberal spirit to that place. Mr. Aynslby supported the resolution. Mr. Dixon said he thought the carrying of this resolution would be a robbery of the outlying districts. Mr. W. Wilson said that the Government had spent £800 on the Town Hall of Christchurch, and had realized already the sum of £2,000 from it. It was reasonable, therefore, to suppose that the Government would reap some return from any grant it might make to Lyttelton for the purposes of building a Town Hall, provided it was granted on such terms. He would oppose the resolution, as he considered there were no funds at the disposal of the Government for the purpose. Mr. Hall said the exchequer of the Government was in quite as impoverished a state as that of the Municipal Council at Lyttelton. He did not think the time had come yet when it was absolutely necessary that there should be a Town Hall at Lyttelton, and the Government, for these reasons, could not consent to the resolution. It would be a robbery of the outlying districts to consent to this resolution, and the members of the Council should take that into consideration before giving their votes. Mr. Hargreaves, in reply, said that Lyttelton was the town of the province, aud as the first established port its appearance should be well looked after. More land had been sold than had been stated by one member, so that that could not be made as an objection against the expenditure of money there. The town was not so rich now as it was three years ago, and [although it might be benefited hereafter by the harbour works, it was being damaged by the manner in which they were being carried on. Lyttelton was at present taxing itself to keep up its roads and streets; and, as they were very much and generally used, he did not think it at all unjustifiable to ask the Government to agree to the resolution. He was quite aware that the Government were short of money; nevertheless, if a public building was wanted in Christchurch, the sum was at once placed on the estimates. He hoped the Council would take the resolution into its consideration. On the question being put, the Council divided, when the numbers were— Ayes (13)—Aynsley, Buckley, Duncan, Fyfe, Hargreaves (teller), Hawkes, Macpherson, Maude, Moorhouse, Peacock, Stoddart, Westenra, Williams, W. Noes (16)— Alington, Barff, Cowlishaw, Dixon, Gosling, Hall (teller), Hayhurst, Hornbrook, Jollie, Kowe, Shand, Stewart, Tancred, White, Wilson, J. C.; Wilson, W. The motion was consequently lost. The remaining notices were postponed, and the Council adjourned at twenty minutes to nine till five o'clock to-day.