PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 1888, 8 January 1867, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Monday, Jan. 7. The Speaker took the chair at seventeen minutes.past five o'clock. The following members were present : Messrs Barff, Beswick, Bright, H. Buchanan, Buckley, Cassius, Davis, Duncan, Garrick, Hargreaves, Hawkes, Hoos,Hornbrook, Jollie, Knight, Maskell, Montgomery, Moore, Ormsby, Potts, Rhodes, Sheath, Stericker, Stewart, Thomson, Waeckerle, Walker, Wylde, Whall, White, J. S. Williamß, Wynn Williams, Wilson, and Wylde. : WESTLAND MAPS. Mr Babtf asked the Secretary for Public Works "whether any steps have been taken to compile any maps of the western part of the province, with a view to their publication ? " It was unnecessary for him to offer any explanatory remarks, or to enforce by argument the importance of the subject dealt with in his question. In Westland the want of large as well as small maps was very much felt. He would suggest that such maps as could be made generally available for diggers and others should be published at a reasonable cost. The possession of these maps would greatly facilitate the exploration and opening up of the country. , Mr Beswick said that a map of the township of Hokitika and the neighbourhood, so far as surveyed, was now in the hands of the lithographer and would soon be ready.. A general map of Westland was also in course of preparation, and would be published without delay. Mr Barff suggested that the general map of Westland should be published in one or more parts. By adopting this plan the map could, he believed, be got ready much sooner, and purchasers would be enabled to get what part they wanted cheaper. WESTLAND PUBLIC HOUSE BILL* Mr Duncan moved the second reading of " The Westland Public House Bill, 1867." In doing so, Mr Duncan gave some explanation as to the historyofpublic house legislation in in the province. He showed also why it was necessary to have a separate Ordinance for Westland. The licences would be of two .sorts, and the power of granting or withdrawing them would be vested in the Superintendent.

The motion having been seconded, the House went into committee to consider the bill. The first clause was passed as printed.' The second clause having been read, Mr Gaurick moved that the Chairman report progress, with leave to sit again. He thought the bill wrong in principle. Mr Wham, seconded the amendment. Mr Duncan pointed out that no reason had been advanced why the consideration of the bill-should be postponed. Amendments might be made in comhiittee. - Mr Cassius and Mr Babef opposed the amendment. The amendment was put and lost on the voices. A division was called for, when the numbers were—For the amendment, 6; against the amendment, 21. The consideration of the bill was then gone on with. In clause i several amendments were made. The number of licences was inCreased to three, namely, wholesale, bottle, and retail. The sum to be paid for a bottle licence was fixed at £2O. The Superintendent was empowered, on the recommendation of the Resident Magistrate, Warden, or two Justices of the Peace, to grant to any holder of a retail licence, on payment of an additional sum of £lO per annum, the right to keep his licensed house opeu till midnight. Several other amendments, merely verbal, were made. Progress was with leave to sit again, and the bill, as amended, was reported to the House, which resumed. WESTLAND HOSPITALS BILL. Mr Hoos moved the second reading of the " Westland Hospitals Bill, 1867." The House went into committee on the bill. Several amendments were made, the principal being the substitution of the words " the Provincial," in the third clause, for "Westland," thus making it read " Government shall subsidise out of the provincial revenue with an equal sum all subscriptions," &c. The title of the bill was altered to " The Canterbury Goldfields Bill, 1867." The bill as amended was reported to the House, which resumed. At this stage the House adjourned for a quarter of an hour. ROAD BOARDS. The House having re-assembled, Mr Maskell moved, that in the opinion of this Council it is expedient to rescind the resolution passed during the last Session but one containing these words, " That no sums of money exceeding twice the amount actually collected as Road Rates in any District shall be paid to the Road Board of such District unless a rate of Is in the £ Bhallhave been collected," He remarked that the reason which had induced him to bring forward the motion was that it was inexpedient to lorco any Road Board to levy the highest rate allowed by the law, under the penalty of losing any assistance from the Government for the ensuing year. Mr Walker moved as an amendment that the whole resolution should be rescinded, as it had been acknowledged by the Government that it was wholly in operation ; besides, it weighed unjustly upon many of the outlying districts. The resolution as it at present stood forbade the payment of the salaries of any Road Board Officials out of the money derived from the Land Revenue of the province. Mr Wilson was opposed to an alteration in the Road Board Ordinance. A dosire was springing up to crcato Komi Board offices, and then come to tho House for tlio payment attached to them. Mr Montgomery briefly endorsed the views of Mr Wilson. Mr Ormsuy spoko in favour of the amendment.

Mr Stkwaht should opposo thoamendmeot of Mr Walker, to which lie had a strong objection. lie did not entertain the same objection to Mr Maskell's resolution. Mr Wynn Williams thought that some machinery should bo instituted in order to ascertain if the views of the House were carried out with regard to the money voted by it. On the whole, it would be wisor to allow the money voted to the llpad Boards to pass into their hands, to be expended according to the best of their judgment. The resolution was admittedly ineffective. The amendment was put.and carried. The resolution having been put as amended, Mr Montgomery said that he was compelled to vote against the whole resolution as amended, as he thought it a dangerous system to pay salaries out of money voted by the House for any specific purpose. He should more that the question before the i

House should be put again as he thought that some hon, members had misunderstood it. :| : : ■ This was done, and the amendment was lost on a division. Ayes, 10; Noes, 16. The original motion was then put, and on a division the numbers were, Ayes, 20; Noes, 7. MEETINO OF THE COUNCIL AT HOKITIKA. Mr Bright moved, "That in the opinion of this House it is expedient that the next session of the Provincial Council shall be held in the town of Hokitika, and that a respectful address be presented to his Honor requesting him to place a sufficient sum on the estimates to defray tho necessary expenses." He remarked that he did not at first intend to offer any observations on the motion, as he thought that it was one which would recommend itself to the House. But he had heard that the Government intended to oppose the motion. He thought that this course was a very unwise and a very unjustifiable one, and hoped that the Government would give some reasons for their determination. For his own part he could see none. He disclaimed any intention of having brought forward the motion as a joke, On the contrary, he was perfectly in earnest, as lie was desirous of seeing a session held in the second city of the province, and one which was the capital of that portion of the province separated by the dividing range, He based his argument on the ignorance which prevailed in the House with regard to the affairs of Westland. That ignorance he did not impute to hon. members as a fault. It arose from the fact that the interests, the habits of society, and the mode of life on the other side of the dividing range, were so totally different from those on this side of it, that it was impossible for gentlemen on this side to form an accurate judgment on the subject. The enormous interests of Westland, its vast resources, the heavy taxation imposed upon it, and the vast revenue derived from it rendered it almost a scandal that no session should be held there. One objection urged against the idea was the expense, but this could easily be got over. The expenses of conveying the members would be trifling, nor would the expenses of their living be greater than on this side of the range. £2OOO would cover every item. The building in which the sittings of the Supreme Court were held would afford ample accommodation for holding a short session at Hokitika, for he did not intend to propose that the whole session be held there j it might be finished in Christchurch. If some of the hon. members would only pay a visit to Westland, they would return improved, mentally and physically, and would be better informed as to the requirements of that great part of the province, Iwhose interests the Provincial Secretary had well said were enormous. He brought forward the motionin all seriousness, as he was sure that the scheme would promote the unity of the province. If separation must come as had been predicted, it would surely be better to part in a spirit of harmony and friendliness, which would be greatly increased by an enlarged acquaintance with each other's characters and interests, Mr Cassius endorsed the views of Mr Bright. He thought that the scheme would be highly beneficial to both portions of the province. Mr Barff thought the idea was premature. He should be glad to see the Council meet at Hokitika, but there were many objections to the scheme. In the first place, there was no proper accommodation. The building alluded to by Mr Bright was constantly occupied, and if used as a Council Chamber the occupants would be greatly inconvenienced. He Bhould move as an amendment, that the word " Hokitika" should be Btrack out and the word

" Waimea" be substituted, as that place was was in the centre of the goldfields. Mr Beswick thought it might be desirable from time to time to hold sessions of the Council in different portions of the province. Timaru might put forth its claims, to be followed perhaps by Greymouth, Boss, Bruce, &c. He believed that Mr Bright had underestimated the expense of carrying out the scheme. Clerks must be conveyed, and there were enormous packages of papers and docu-' ments to be carried there. Besides, there was the possible damage which might occur to the valuable maps which must be taken to the West Coast. The expense would be, in his opinion, at least £IO,OOO or £15,000. A transient visit to Westland would not allow hon.members to glean much information as to Westland affairs. It would be better to wait until the railway was completed, when the journey could be done in one day. He could hold out do hope on the part of the Government that the idea would be carried out. Mr Wtlde had seconded the motion pro forma, but he was disappointed at the arguments adduced on both sides. Besides the possible damage to the maps alluded to by Mr Beswick th»re was the possible danger to the lives of the members. Mr Winn Williams hoped that Mr Bright would withdraw his motion, as it would be a pity that the idea should be absolutely lost, whilst it was obvious that it was premature to bring it forward at present. Hereafter there might be valid reasons for holding a session at Hokitika. He thought that no better arguments could be brought forward for separation than those used by Mr Bright. He could not see how so short a visit as that proposed by Mr Bright could afford that inform ition respecting Westland affairs which had been so much insisted upon. Mr Hawkes remarked that he had seen Mr Bright's motion put upon the paper with great regret. He (Mr Hawkes) should reluctantly oppose the motion, as he thought that the time had not yet arrived for the idea being carried out. He was sure that if hon. members went to Westland they would be received with princely hospitality. He should oppose the motion also on the ground of expense. Mr Stewart would not give a silent vote on this subject. He should oppose it on the ground of expense, and also because he thought that it would be a relinquishment of the pdignity of the capital of the province, if the 'sessions of the Council were not held in it. No doubt, the trip to Westland would be an agreeable one, but he could not see how hon. members could acquire a very extensive knowledge of the requirements and interests of Westland, if they were to legislate on important subjects when they were tied to time. The interests of Westland were important, and it would require a length of time and study to obtain a satisfactory acquaintance with them. Mr. Bright had, in his opinion, under-estimated the expenses of the scheme. He had stated it at £2OOO, but he (Mr Stewart) thought "that a much larger sum would be required. Besides, Mr Bright had showed no counterbalancing advantages for any.outlay which might be incurred. Possibly, however, at some more distant period, it might be possible to hold a session in Hokitika.

Mr Wiull considered that it was premature to bring forward the motion at present. The West Coast only de3ired justice. • The courtesy with which he and his hou. colleagues had been treated by the House had done much more to cement tho union between Eastland and Westland than any meeting of the Council at Hokitika could have done. Mr Thomson also opposed the motion. After a few words of explanation from Mr Bright, both the motion and the amendment were withdrawn. souew-pile jettt. Mr Wylde moved, "That the evidence taken by the Committee of the Screw-Pile Jetty be sealed up by the chairman of the committee and be delivered to the custody of the clerk of the House." Information had been received that an action at law had been commenced agalust the Government by the contractor, and it was unfair that the report should be made public at present. Mr Thomson could see no reason why the proposed course should be pursued. If the contractor had sustained a wrong, justice should be done to him; and if the Government were in the right, the production of the evidence could do no harm. Mr Maskell was at a loss to understand how the decision of a court of justice should be influenced by any vote of the House. He considered that the reasons given for withholding the. evidence' were altogether in favour of its being made public, Mr Haeoiieates stated that the committee

had acted as they had done from a sense of duty and justice. Mr Hawkes would like to know what position the House would be placed in when called upon to pass the estimates for the engineering department. Mr Sheath thought that the House ought to have fuller information en the subject before they agreed to the motion, Mr Whall could not see what would be the advantages of passing the resolution. Mr Rhodes wished to know the views of the Government «n the subject; Mr Stewart said that the Government assumed that the Select Committee had valid reasons for acting as they had done, and that therefore, they had no intention of interfering in the matter. Mr W. Wilson could not Bee any reason for withholding the information from the public. He should move as an amendment that the evidence be laid upon the table. Mr OitusßY said that as a member of the committee he wonld like to say a few words. The committee were in the hands of the House j if hon. members wished the evidence to be published the committee were perfectly willing that it should be so. The "evidence was of a very ordinary,' common-place character. Mr J. s. Williams said the mover of the motion had advanced a very good reason why the evidence should be dealt with as proposed. The evidence was incomplete, and he, for one, would be glad to see the Committee discharged, and the evidence destroyed. Mr Walker said that he gathered from the report laid upon the table that the Committee had completed their labours. For that reason he should vote for the amendment. Mr Wylde thought that almost all the arguments which had been adduced against his motion had been based upon curiosity. If the House wished it, the Committee were willing to go on with the evidence, and to furnish a report. He could not see why the production or otherwise could influence the votes of hon. members on the estimates for the Engineering Department. The sums were voted for offices, and not for men. He would repeat that the Committee were-willing to produce the evidence, but they must throw the responsibility upon the House. The amendment was put and carried on a division, the words" when completed" being added. OVBR-EXPENDITUKB. The House went into committee to consider the items of over-expenditure for the year ending June 30,1866. The items were considered seriatim and agreed to. The Chairman reported the items, as passed, to the House, which resumed. GREY BIVEB COAL FIELD. This bill was read a second time, the consideration in committee being postponed. SALTWATER CHEEK NAVIGATION. Mr Maskell moved " That, in the opinion of this Council, it is expedient that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the estimates a fdrther sum of £IOO for improvements to the navigation at Saltwater Creek." Mr Whall seconded the motion. Mr. Beswick said the Government were prepared to place the sum asked for on the estimates, but on the distinct understanding that if the money was not absolutely required it would not be spent. Under the circumstances he would request the hon. gentleman to withdraw his resolution, The motion was withdrawn, INSPECTOR OP WEIGHTS AND MEASURES FOR WESTLAND. Mr Barff moved," That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the supplementary estimates a sufficient sum for the salary of an Inspector of Weights and Measures in Westland, and for the expenses of the office." Mr. Hoos seconded the motion. Mr Stewart said the Government had no objection to place the sum on the estimates. The motion was agreed to. greymouth hospital. Mr Whall moved the re-committal of the Canterbury Goldfields Estimates, for the purpose of amending the title of the vote for the maintenance of Greymouth Hospital. Mr Cassics seconded the motion. The motion was put and agreed to, when the House went into committee. The necessary, alteration was made and reported to the House, which resumed. HOKITIKA CORPORATION BILL. • The further consideration in committee of this bill was made an order of the day for next sitting.

GREAT SOCTHJRN RAILWAT. Major Hoexbrook obtained leave to postpone, till next sitting, the motion standing in his name, as to the manner in which the contractors for the Great Southern Railway are carrying out the contract. LTTTELTON RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Mr Hargreaves moved " That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place a sufficient sum on the estimates for the erection of a Resident Magistrate's Court at Lyttelton." In support of his motion he moved that a copy of correspondence which had passed between the Clerk of the Bench at Lyttelton and , the Lyttelton Municipal Council on the subject be read. The correspondence haying been read, Mr Hargrbates pointed out that the building was unfit for the purposes to which it was devoted, and calculated to hinder the due discharge of the public service. Mr Davis seconded the motion. Colonel White supported the motion. He was aware, from personal experience, that the building was utterly unfit for the purposes to which it was devoted. The correspondence which had just been read did not say one word too much, or represent the caie too strongly. Mr Beswick reminded the House that the Government was anxious to retrench as much as possible. The Government would not oppose the motion if the sum asked for was not excessive. The motion was agreed to. LTTTELTON' HARBOUR WORKS. Mr Hargreaves asked leave to amend the motion standing in his name, with regard to the Lyttelton Harbour Works. The terms of the motion were amended, and the consideration of the report by the select committee made an order of the day for next sitting.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE. [ Leave of absence was granted to Colonel White, Chairman of Committees, till 8 p.m. on Tuesday (this evening). CIIM6TCUURCU CUT COUNCIL ORDINANCE. Mr Wilson asked when the Amended Cliristchurcli City Council Ordinance would be laid on the table. Mr Stewart said he hoped to see it on the table at the ueit sitting of the House. He would remark, however, that the Government printer had so much work on hand, that it was impossible to get everything done at once., Notices of motion were given, and the House adjourned at 12 p.m. till 5 p.m. this day. ;