PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2247, 4 March 1868, Page 6

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

4> (Continued from the Third Page.) nearly allied to the existing one, has been a good deal discussed. By which the superintendent would have no responsibility whatever, except under the " Constitution Act" "The Provincial Audit Act," and tile "Limitation of Patronage Ordinance." That he should receive a merely nominal sa:ary, and that his only care should be, to ascertain' that he did not suffer himself to introduce or concur in legislation or administration, that was either beyond his powers or in breach of law. That he should leave the policy of the province to be settled, and the administration to be conducted, by a responsible Ministry supported by a majority of the Council. That, in effect, he should solely net as a guardian against any possible deviation from legal limits, himself being closely hemmed in by statutory restrictions and penalties. If the Council determine to continue the system of responsible Government; •and if the General Government continue the provinces iu their present form, the Superintendent would strongly recommend the Council to seriously consider the value of the last mentioned plan.

" It is in the highest degree interesting to the public to know the exact sp.it wherein political responsibility resides. Responsibility, by the foregoing plan, would restunmistakeably on the Superintendent's Ministers ; and tho Superintendent's cave would be to protect himself and the country by restraining breaches of the constitutional law. "The Superintendent conceives that a

simple vote of a small honorarium to the Superintendent, and a resolution that he is not responsible except as above-mentioned, would be all the action required to be taken by the Council as regards' the office and functions of Superintendent. But, as regards the responsible Executive, they should be paid in proportion to the labour and responsibility cast upon them. One great advantage of this arrangement would be, that political misunderstandings between the Superintendent and Provincial Council, and party leanings by the Superintendent, would be almost unknown, " The above remarks are addressed to the Council, as bearing upon the present Constitution of the provinces, and as treating of changes within their power. " But there are external powers, capable of dealing with the provinces to an almost unlimited extent; and it is the great hope of many very earnest, able, and conscientious politicians to completely extinguish Provincial Governments, by legislative action in the General Assembly. " The Superintendent would here state to the Council that his judgment will not permit of his being a party to the abolition of the provinces, neither is he inordinately anxious to make any great organic change; but he believes that the present extraordinary alteration in the internal condition of the Colony in many of its provinces will, during the next session of the General Assembly, forcibly lead to a determination to attempt a very sweeping and at the same time uniform modification of the provincial system, involving material reductions of provincial powers. "On the othar hand, a strong party will make an equally determined stand in favour of curtailing and expressly limiting the action of the General Government, and extending the powers of the provinces in a corresponding degree. Political leaders have gone to the extent of declaring, that the legislation of the Assembly should be limited expressly to those subjects which, by the 19th clause of the Constitution, are excepted from Provincial legislation, leaving the provinces absolute in all other matters. The acceptance of such a theory would necessitate an amount of retrogressive action, not only very difficult of accomplishment, but also irrational aid unprofitable. " it has always appeared to the Superintendent, that the provinces should only attempt legislation in those few cases where it is obviously apparent that exceptional legislation is required to suit exceptional conditions. Writing with considerable knowledge of the Colony, the Superintendent believes that, save in the matter of the waste lands of the Crown and public works, it is not necessary that the provinces should have any material legislative powers, nor that it is necessary that provincial institutions should retain their present form. At the same time, the Superintendent has no material objection to urge against either the retention of the present Superintendents and Councils, with greatly reduced legislative powers, or to the present mode of election. However, anticipating the abovementioned curtailment of provincial functions in one direction, and their material extension in another—i.e., in the matter of land and works-it has occurred to the Superintendent that a different mode of electing Superintendents and Councils might be adopted with great advantage and fitness. More proceeding to an explanation of that different mode of election, it would be well to state a great, patent principle, that may well govern the distribution of Colonial and Provincial Government labours, One first great principle, viz.:— "'that the General Government shall govern and protect all the people of the Colony, and that the Provincial Governments shall care for and colonise all the lands,

"The observance of this rule would make the General Assembly the sole legislators on all subjects, excepting the sale, letting, and disposal of the waste lands of the Crown the ordering and execution of public works' the raising of rates and local taxes in aid of local administration, and public works and immigration, the division of Road Boards and districts, and some minor cognate matters.

. "Ihe General Government taking upon itself all the consolidated debts of the Colony and without makingany provincial apportionment of liability in respect of any part of that debt, defraying both interest and principal out of the consolidated revenues of the colony. _ Thus in effect, making the debts of the entire Colony a charge not upon the territory but upon the people, and so initiating a system which would in its operation disclose the most extensive guarantee possible against undue increase of public indebtedness in favour of any quarter of the Colony whatever. Under such a plan no further debt could be sanctioned except under proof of a great public policy in its favour, as every elector throughout the Colony would be interested directly in reducing, or at any rate limiting the general public burthen. Concurrently with a distinct division of labours there would also naturally occur a distinct division of revenues.

" Ihe General Government would be compelled to confine its fiscal exactions to the supply of its own bare necessities, i.e., to the payment of the Civil Staff, the general legislative expenses, the maintenance of customs postal, puhce, judioial.telegraphic, and 01 her of ltsdepartments.Theprovincesrelievedentirely from the responsibility of debt, would have to mantain by their own system of finance all theirownproper.expenses, and the provincial establishments, being compelled to go directly to the people for the needful means to carry on their operations, would have every proposal for the expenditure of money canvas6ed by a deeply interested body of critics and so would follow a much more exact economy than would be likely to arise out of any, except very similar causes. " The result of the operation of this system would be that in eacli succeeding year, unless the increase of population were stayed, the customs and other taxes would admit of gradual reduction, the labouring power of the country would be thereby relieved, the necessaries of life cheapened, and then would be commenced a steady progression towards that great commercial desideratum— virtually free seaports.

"This is not the proper opportunity for discussing all the arguments that will be urged for and against the change that must come over the Government of the Colony. It may be noticed however that one line of argument is to be expected from the representations of certain provinces in the General Assembly, in opposition to any proposal to substitute a general colonial instead of a particular provincial liability, for those parts of the con-oiidated debt which were incurred by particular provinces.

"In addition to the great weight of policy

in favour of making the consolidated debt a Anal charge upon the consolidated revenues, reasons of justice may be urged (entirely unanswerable) why each of the several provinces may have exclusive property in its waste lands without being held responsible for the sppcific amount of dbfc it was permitted by

the General Government to contract. " Having glanced at the probable direction of expected changes in the Constitution, the Superintendent submits to the Council the expediency of their now considering what plan, having regard to the imperative wants of other parts of the Colony, would be most suitable to this province, and at the same time be reasonably adapted to the circumstances of others. With a view to the greatest possible reduction in all the expenses of the Colony, it would appear wise on the part of the Legislature to make (if possible) the services of the Superintendents available in the provincial administration of the departments of the General Government. Sudi administration should be assumed cx-officio, not by appointment of the Prime Minister. " But, under such conditions, it would be necessary to take tho utmost security for his fitness in point of capacity, as well as of respectability and.pnpularity, _ '• The question then arises, how these desiderata can be arrived at without an abandonment of the elective principle in the appointment of Superintendents. Among others, the following might be considered an acceptable expedient : "Let the General Assembly, upon the suggestion of the existing Provincial Councils, divide the several provinces into road districts; a ratepayers' roll for each having been prepared, let the ratepayers, first, elect their road board; secondly, the board its chairman; and thirdly, let a council, composed of road board, chairmen, mayors of boroughs, and chairmen of municipalities, elect the Superintendent of the province. By such a plan, the Superintendent would not only be an elected, but a thrice-elected officer; and, as a matter of course, would be most gladly accepted by any Government as ex officio administrator of General Govern-

meiit departments iu the province. By ad. ministration in this latter sense is meanl administration under instructions derived nol from a Minister, but from the law.

" The Superintendent has already adverted to the expediency of establishing complete independence of the General and Provincia Legislatures, by maintaining the broadest possible line of distinction between the subjects upon which they may respectively operate. It lias been suggested that the simplest division may be effected by leaving the territory within the respective provinces to besolely disposed of and improved by the Provincial Governments as their principal employment, with power to levy taxes and rates on private estates. All great public works, excepting military defences, might be made by the Provincial governments, and the Road Boards should care for the minor works. "The Superintendent elected as last described would be ex officio Chairman of the Council, and the business of the Council being of an entirely material character, might be disposed of in a manner similar to the practice of legislative meetings of public companies, the chairman conducting the business of the session himself. The present audit and treasury systems would be perfectly applicable. "An alternative course might be to leave the Constitution as it now stands. The Superintendent believes this to be impossible. Changes must occur in some of the provinces, and it is hardly probable (notwithstanding all the charm that is said to lie in variety) that any statesman would be contented to make a patchwork Constitution—although within Constitutional limits every province ought to be utterly free to ordain such rules us are its own free choice; still, uniformity in the Constitution of the provinces, if they are to exist at all, is a matter of great economical importance. The ordaining of a uniform system for the provinces all over these islands would involve material surrenders of some minor privileges, would call for a complete suppression of some much cherished prejudices, and would operate as a very severe test of patriotism.

"The Superintendent has endeavoured to make his memorandum brief and suggestive, his principal desire being to provoke debates' in the Council, for the instruction of the public and its Government." Mr Stewart, in the absence of the lion, member for Heathcote, moved that the memoranda be taken into consideration by the Council on Tuesday next. He might mention that the delay which occurred in bringing down the document was occasioned by his Honor shewing it to Mr Montgomery prior to the copying of it. He might state, on behalf of the hon. member for Heathcote, that that gentleman did not bind himself to any opinions that might be expressed by his Honor; neither did he himself nor his hon. colleague Mr Williams bind themselves to any opinions expressed by his Honor in the memoranda which had just been read. Mr J. S. Williams seconded the motion for the consideration of the memoranda on Tuesday next. The motion was put and carried. Mr Belfield inquired when the memoranda would be furnished to hon. members. Mr SiiwAitT replied that the document would be put in the printer's hands at once, and hon. members might probably be supplied with copies that evening. The House adjourned.

THE ELLESMERE DISTRICT. The following petition was presented by Mr Jollie on Tuesday week:— To the Honourable Provincial Council in Parliament assembled.

The humble petition of the undersigned humbly sheweth— That your petitioners are resident and nonresident landowners, leaseholders, and occupiers in the Ellesmere district.

That owing to the low-lying situation of the district a peculiar necessity exists for roads, bridges, and culverts, to render the purchased land available for profitable cultivation.

That up to the present time, from the small grants received from the Government for road-inaking purposes, this necessity has been only very partially met; that the traffic is annually increasing, and that probably in the next winter, unless something substantial be done, the district will be practically shut off from market.

Your petitioners considertheir position an exceptionally bard one throughout the Canterbury province, and beg to lay before your honourable Council the following statistics in proof of this assertion:—The total acreage of the Ellesmere district is about 100,000 acres, in round numbers. Out of this quantity, up to Ist August, 1867,69,200 acres, comprising nearly all the best of the land, have been sold, returning to the Treasury the sum of £138,400. The total amount received and expended by the Head Board, and previously by the Government, is, up to the present time. £11,012 10s. ' This has been received as follows : Expended by the Government previous to the constitution of the Eoad £ Board, about 200 Sum voted in 1864-65 ... 2750 Keceived .. 2750 „ „ 1865-f6 ... 5000 Ueceived ... 3750 „ „ 18S6-67 ... 3750 Received ... 2182 10s 1, for drain works... 800] Keceived ... 800 ( Paid for „ Selwyn bridge ... 700 jin land. Received ... 700} Your petitioners consider that according to the resolution of your hon. Council, session August, 18G+, the district is entitled to the sum of £34,600, being at the rate of 25 per cent, upon the land sold j and they further fully believe that a considerable quantity of the land has been purchased on the faith of that resolution. Your petitioners would point out, that to show the desire of the district to help itself under the circumstances in which the Government has been hitherto placed, a rate has been collected, although your petitioners do not recognise ihe justice of obtaining money from such a source, until roads are in existence to keep in repair.

I Under the circumstances above detailed, your petitioners humbly pray that your lion Council will forthwith adopt such measures' i as will onsure the long deferred justice to the Ellesmere district, and place it on a footing more nearly equal to those districts which have been longer occupied. And your petitioners will ever pray, (Here follow 157 signatures.) PROVINCIAL~EXPENDITUKE, The following statement, shewing the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Province from Feb. 24 to March 31, has been laid upon the table of the Provincial Council :

CANTERBURY RAILWAYS. Among the papers laid on the table of the House by the Provincial Secretary are two having reference to the Canterbury railways. The first is a report by the engineer, Mr E. Dobson, dated Feb. 18, with appendices; the second is a statement by the Provincial Auditor, shewing the amounts drawn from the Provincial Treasurer by Messrs G. Holmes and Uo. on account of works on the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway, under contract, and on account of plant, stations, and works not included in the contract. This statement is dated Feb. 14, and the return extends from July 1,1861, to Feb. 1,1868. Mr Dobson's report refers to both railways; the Auditor's return to the lyttelton and Christchurch railway only. The Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway was opened for goods traffic on Nov, 25, and for passengers on Dec. 9,1867. The contract, at the date of the report, was virtually completed, but there are still some works remaining to be done, both on the line and in the tunnel, before the contractors are entitled to their final certificate. The works at the

Lyttelton station are being pushed forward as far as means will permit; they are now sufficiently advanced to allow of traffic being carried on advantageously. The works ordered, but not completed, are the fencing and water supply at the station. It is also, says the engineer, very desirable that the roads through the station yard should be thoroughly metalled. The want of wharfage is stated to be severely felt. '1 he engineer recommends the extension of the screw pile jetty, and the erection of a jetty in the line of the tunnel, in order to meet this want. The sea-wall, we are told, appears to be unaffected by the heaviest weather, and answers thoroughly its purpose-protecting the new made ground. The settlement in the station yard, under the pressure of the engines, being no more than that of an ordinary embankment, the engineer recommends that the new face of the seawall should be completed. These works, he says, will afford additional standing room for trucks, whic.i is much wanted, as well as a Jonsiderable amount of wharfage, which can be taken udvantage of in calm weather. The engineer goes on to inform us that the break-

water at Officer's Point is already found to be of great advantage in protecting the jetties Erom the easterly swell, and that a shoal is forming in front of the town. This, he supposes, may be accounted for partly by the irection of the breakwater j dredging, he hinks, will be necessary at nn early dale. The branch line to Ferrymead has been dosed since the opening of the tunnel, and >he station buildings hive been removed and ■e-weetcd on other sites—the goods shed mnyerted into a large two-storey store at 3hristchurch station, the refreshment room

building re-erected as a residence for the head station-master atChristchurch terminus; and the booking office removed to Heathcote Valley. With the above exception-the station-master's residence—no improvements have been effected on the Chmtchurch station. The accommodation at this station is stated to be totally inadequate to the traffic, which is carried on with great difficulty and at great cost, for want of shed room and sidiugs, Nearly the whole of the goods shed

is required for Customs' purposes, and an additional goods shed and largo wool nnd grain store arc necessary for tl\o present truffle, Sidings and turntables are required for the coal traffic, nnd a considerable amount of drainage, fencing, nnd ballasting is required to bring the station into efficient working order, The station buildings also require to be painted, and some slight repairs executed.

A new carriage-shed is in course of erection, and the engineer thinks it desirable to erect a workshop for the general repair of the rolling stock, as well as an engine-room for four engineers, in addition to the present °'\e. Willi the exception of the Opawa bridge, which, the engineer says, should be rebuilt, the works of the line are said to be in fair order. The whole distance from Christchurch to Ferrymead junction, however, requires to be thoroughly ballasted, as it has been worked for four years with very little addition to that originally put in under contract. The rolling stock on the Lyttelton tind Christchureh railway consists of two engines, five carriages, and seventy trucks. As the whole of this has now been some years in use, extensive repairs and renewals will, it is said, bs necessary at an early date, in order to maintain the stock in an efficient condition. The engineer concludes his report upon the Lyttelton and Christcliurch railway by saying, that the necessity for an additional number of carriages and trucks is very great. He has learned, with great satisfaction, that the Government have taken steps for importing the rolling slock required. We come now to the Great Southern railway, The works of this line were handed over to the engineer's charge at the end of last June, were completed some months ago, and the line would have been opened for traffic in August last had not the flood on the night of August 2 injured the Selwyn bridge, and breached the embankment across the river bed. These damnges having been repaired, and 100 yards of timber viaduct built across the breaches in the embankment, the line was opened to the Selwyn on Oct. 7,1867. The girder bridge was again seriously injured by a flood in Nov. last.and on the night of Feb. i the severe flood which then occurred carried away a large portion of the embankment, and injured the bridge beyond the possibility of repair. Instructions having been given for replacing the damaged work, pile-driving was begun on Feb. 14, but some time must necessarily elapse before the communication will be restored. In the meantime, the engineer Ims arranged for laying a horse tramway through the river bed, which will enable the traffic to be carried on except during freshes.

The Selwyn station is completed, and will require but few additions for some time to come, nor will additional station works be required along the line, except at the Leeston road, where it is proposed to put up a small station for the accommodation of the Leeston andSouthbridgetraffic. With the exception of the Selwyn bridge, the works of the line are in fair repair. The engineer calls attention to the fact that the weakness of the permanent way on this line, causes great expense in maintenance, whilst the objectionable form of the rail causes a great wear upon the wheel tires. _ The rolling stock consists of 1 engine, 5 carriages, and 8 trucks. Three more engines have been ordered, and may be daily expected.

The Canterbury railways are being worked until March 31, by Messrs Holmes and Co., under a special arrangement, and it will be necessary, previously to that date, to make errangements for their future management. The short time that has elapsed since the opening of the tunnel prevents the engineer giving any reliable estimate of future traffic; but he has little doubt, from the readiness evinced by all classes of the community to use the railways to the utmost, that a very large trade may be expected, and that, therefore, it is the more desirable that such appliances should be supplied as will make the traffic remunerative. Appended to the report are plans of the principal stations to a uniform scale, shewing their extent and arrangement; statements of the cost and liabilities of the Canterbury railways up to Feb. 1,1868 ; returns of traffic from Dec. 1, 1863 to Dec. 31, 18G7; and an estimate of the probable income and expenses for the three months ending March 31, 1868. The plans it is impossible for us to give in our columns, and the traffic returns have already been published. Subjoined are the statements shewing the cost and liabilities of the railways : LYTTELTON AND CITRISTCHURCII RAILWAY,

In addition to this is required : —At Chriatchurcli, station accommodation to the extent of £20,000, without which the traffic cannot be properly conducted; and also additional sidings, and an extension of tho wharf accommodation in Lyttelton, the present wharfage being inefficient for the shipping. It is also desirable to metal thoroughly the approaches to tho Lyttelton station, and to erect refreshment moms, for neither of which works provision has been made above.

The following returns, prepared by the Provincial Auditor, shew the amounts drawn from the Provincial Treasurer by Messrs G. Holmes and Co., from July 1,1861, to Feb. 1, 1868, The accounts refer to the Lyttelton and Chnstclmrcli Hallway only ; and, as will be seen, are divided into two parts—under and not under the contract:—

The usual quarterly meeting of this chamber was held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27, in their rooms, High street, the following gentlemen being present: —W, Montgomery (chairman), H.Symington, W.D. Carruthers, H, Matson, Cobb, Palmer, Walton, G. Gould, Hill, Graham (hon. sec), Twentyman, Ingles, Dr Foster, Hassul, H. P. M. Ayusley, and H. 11. Hennah.

The minutes of last quarterly meeting were read and confirmed, after which the members proceeded to ballot for the election of Mr Melville Walker, who hud been proposed by Mr Day, and seconded by Mr Cobb. On its conclusion, the Chairman declared

Mr Walker duly elected. The Chairman next called upon the secretary to read the report of the committee

appointed to consider bills of sale, and in doing so referred to the valuable aid rendered by Dr Foster in compiling it, The committee would not have been able to put the report in so comprehensive a form without legal assistance, and, therefore, he considered the thanks of the Chamber were due to that gentleman for his gratuitous services.

The report was read, and is as follows : "The committee appointed ou the 21st November 'to inquire into the state of the

laws affecting bills of sale, with instructions to report on the same and to suggest such amendments as may appear desirable in order to protect the trading community from the

losses arising from the present practice; and further to consider whether any and what means can be adopted by the Chamber to

protect the mercantile community from the frauds practised upon it/ beg to report as follows :

" Apart from the Registration Acts (which are of modem enactment), there is nothing in the law of England which distinguishes bills of sale from other contracts, At common law all persons can pass their property in goods either by delivery or by deed without delivery, It is however obvious that for

traders to dispose by deed of the property in their stock-in-trade, while still retaining the ostensible control of them for trade purpuses, affords great facilities for fraud. This danger was recognised by the Statute 13 Elizabeth, cap. r> (an Act against fraudulent deeds, &c.), which rendered void as against creditors deeds executed with intent to defraud, and made the parties accepting them liable to penalty. This enactment was, however, defective in limiting the right to proceed to parties who in ti legal sense were directly aggrieve:!, and in requiring it to be decided in each case upon view of all the circumstances, whether the debtor when lie executed the deed really intended a fraud. The necessity of proving fraud was got rid of by the English Bankruptcy Act of li George IV, cap, 6, by the 72nd section of which was introduced what has since become well known as the law of 'reputed ownership.' The effect of Jhis enactment is to enable the assignee in bankruptcy to realise for the benefit of the creditors generally property, which in point of fact docs not at the lime belong to the debtor at all, nml which be has disposed of without miy imputation of fraud in respect of his so doing, the law proceeds on the piinciple that anyone who lias acquired the property in goods, and leaves them in the ostensible control of the person from whom he acquired the property, thereby enables the other to maintain a false credit, by which those who (leal with him ought not to be prejudiced. Whenever, therefore, (he debtor at the time of his bankruptcy Ims under his ostensible control, with the consent of the true owner, goods, which at the time belong to another

person, however innocent on both sides the transaction may be, it has been the law in England since the Act of George IV. that the assigneo in bankruptcy can sell the goods for the benefit of tho creditors generally. It is only now that this important principle forms part of the law of New Zealand, the 145t1i section of the recent Bankruptcy Act being taken from the section above referred to. " This however only availed in case of the debtor's bankruptcy. An execution creditor could not seize the goods, the actual ownership not being in the debtor. This was proposed to be remedied by the Bills of (sale hegistratinn Act of 1854 ; which since 1856 has also been adopted into New Zealand. The Acts here require a complete copy of every bill of sale, with all schedules, &c, to be filed in the Supreme Court for public inspection within ten (formerly twenty-one)

days of the execution by thejdebtor, together with an aflidavit by the attesting witness verifying the execution. Failing compliance with the Aels, the deed is still good as between the parties to it; but as against the trustee in bankruptcy, or under a creditor's deed, and also as against an execution creditor, the deed is void to all intents and purposes in respect of goods which, after ten days from its execution, are in the possession, or apparent possession of the debtor. The judicial decisions upon the Acts fully carry out the instructions of the Legislature. The most technical defect in the affidavits may invalidate the deed.

" It thus appears that the Legislature has been so alive to the danger of fraud in connection with bills of sale as toplaeithem under restrictions unknown in the case of any other security. But while this is so, their 111 effects have been enormously aggravated by a series of judicial decisions, enabling a debtor to dispose by means of a bill of sale not only of the effects which he had at the time of its execution, but of any property which he may happen to acquire so long as it is in operation. A tradesman may thus, if he pleases, buy stock on ordinary trade credit which next day shall be swept off by another creditor under power of a previous security. It is also to be observed that even the stringent provisions of the Registration Act are defective, All that they do is to furnish any member of the mercantile community with a source of information, by means of which, if his suspicions happen to be excited, he may ascertain at all events negatively the position of a person giving him an order, But, this by no meansanswers theordinary requirements of trade. A dealer must ordinarily accept or rpfu<e an order as it comes, upon the opinion which he can then form of the solvency of his proposed customer, The result is that it has necessary in all mercantile community's to supplement the official index by periodical trade circulars, the expense of which cannot be avoided, and falls wholly upon the creditor class. Now, if it be just to require the giver of a bill of sale to inform his possible creditors that he has done so, it is surely reasonable to insist that the information

reasonable to insist that the information should he effectual for its purpose, and that the whole expense should he borne by himself. Your committee think that in addition to the present registration of a complete copy, notice of a hill of sale ought also to be immediately gazetted. " With respect to the practical working of the English doctrine of 'reputed ownership,' your committee understand that it has been the subject of pretty constant litigation from the time of the passing of the Act of George IV to the present day. That is to say: bills of sale are in England constantly attacked by the assignees in bankruptcy. It appears also that in a considerable number of cases this litigation results favourably for the assignees. Your committee gather further that tlie question in these suits is not usually whether the bill of sale was fraudulent, but whether the property comprised in it, and which at the time of the bankruptcy was in the bankrupt's possession, was so with the mortgagee's consent. It thus appears that the case necessary to upset a bill of sale is reduced generally to a simple point, easy to be ascertained, and one, moreover, very likely to occur. The dangers thus attaching themselves to the security have already been felt in New Zealand, and it has been complained on the part of the runholders that they can no longer obtain advances on their property. Your committee admit that their case is not the same with that of the trader, and is so much more akin to that of an ordinary landowner mortgaging his land that it ought not to have been included in the same legislation. The English doctrine of reputed ownership should have been applied here to the cases to which in practice it apples there, and on any future amendment of the law this point ought to be reconsidered, "No doubt when a creditor takes a bill of sale fraudulently lie may be expected to provide beforehand against the danger of his debtor _ becoming bankrupt; but on the one hand it is not easy to guard against all the acts which are or may become acts of bankruptcy under the new Act, and on the other j s the measures necessary to meet the danger i n will go to convert bills of sale into merely i. temporary securities, and thus largely y mitigate their ill effects.

" There are other provisions in the new Act besides the' reputed ownership' clause, which have a bearing on bills of sale. Bv section 146 any assignment by a person in "insolvent circumstances, not being for valuable consideration or on a child's marriage, may be set aside if the insolvent is afterwards adjudged bankrupt. The section makes no limit as to time; and the transaction, it would seem could only be protected by showing that it was bona fide, without notice of any prior act of bankruptcy, and that it did not amount to a fraudulent preference. (See section 179) Another provision (section 29, subsection 1) makes any'transfer of all or any part of fa debtor)] property,'if done'with intent o defraud or delay his creditors,'an act of bankruptcy. This provision is adopted from the English law, according to which, while each case as it arises is dealt with upon its own circumstances, the 'intent' to delay creditors is inferred from the actual or probable results, and the books are accordingly ul of cases in which bills of sale over traders'stocks in trade have been set aside either as acts of bankruptcy, or at all events as giving a fraudulent preference; and this ton, when the transaction is admittedly bona fide on both sides. It will be obvious, without entering mto technical details unsuitedtoa report like the present, that bills of sale can no longer be regarded as the safe matter-of-course security which they have hitherto been in practice in this province

Prom all these considerations your comnnttee hope that a large amount of the fraud formerly prated by means of bills of sale may fairly be expected to be check i here as as undoubtedly been the case in Englandbv the improved lav now come into op K amongst us But it is sti H the Se ia England that a considerable re iduum of fraud is left without remedy, th Sum stances of which, however patent 11 ™ cantile mind, may not blproveabla ™ IT have cert inl, „ „ Bat . your c °mmittee nave certainly no expectation that the Leiri, 'tow wou d pass such a bill; and they tink that a much less stringent mensur would? arto a, lB the ,'J gage that which does not belong to hi»' is of itr" ! a,,d .r r MttWik el of tt r? C ° ns eration - "tete, in view of the serious evils wlijuh it has mainly ended o produce, the Legislature might not be urged to declare that tl/s novel eZnsfnn legn. Let the trader, li e everybod? „ mortgage all that he has at the time when he «ry, prosecut on. Your com J

-«--•. ail?- 1*

bill Of s,l e shall forthwith be gazetted

«2. Bills of sale within the meaning of the liegistration Act shall not be valid as to goods which, at the time of their execution, are not the property of the person giving them. "3 Bills of sale comprising station pronertv'only shall still require resistration, and to be «awital, but "ha" be e xi ' m P ted fr ° m the 2nd article and also from the operation of the 145 th clause in the new Bankrup cy Act, which enacts the law of 'reputed ownership.'" Mr Twentyman moved the adoption of the report, ami suggested that copies of it shot, d be forwarded to other chambers in the "Tnassal objected to bills of sale being gazetted. He considered registration quite sufficient, , . , . Mr Walton thought the document too voluminous to be discussed at a moment a notice, and as Hie matter was of such grave importance, it would be advisable to have a little time to consider its provisions. He might say, however, that he considered clause 2 altogether impracticable, and also agreed with Mr Hiissal as to bills not being gazetted. A longthenc'l discussion then ensued on this point, but the consideration of the report was finally adjourned for a fortnight in order to give members time to become acquainted with its details, the secretary being instructed to have it printed and distributed to the members. Mr Montgomery being called away, Mr Symington was moved to the chair. Mr Cobb, in accordance with previous notice, moved:-" That a committee be appointed to consider the present rates of bonded store charges, with a view to revising the same, such committee to consist of Messrs J. Inglis, VY. Montgomery, C. J. Curtis,!. M. llassal, and the mover." He did not bring the subject forward from any selfish motive, or because he was not the happy a bonded warehouse, but as a matter of_ principle and justice to importers. He considered the present high rate acted prejudicially both against importers and bonded warehouse proprietors, for it really prevented English houses in a great measure from sending out goods largely enough to make use of them. The receiving, and delivery, the rent, and several other charges were much too high,, whilst the cooperage might, he thought, be struck out altogether. He knew of instances where a discount of 50 and 75 per cent, on the present charges had been allowed, and that in itself was a sufficient proof that they were too high. Mr Aynsley seconded the motion.

Mr W<ilton, in a lengthy speech, contended that the Chamber had no right whatever to consider ilie subject, and then proceeded to justify the rate of charges. He said the allowance of the discount named by Mr Cobb could not be considered a proof of excessive charges. Discount was only allowed to merchants who stored largely, and it fluctuated according to the times. Surely the Chamher would not expect a man storing 1000 chests of tea to pay at the same rate as the man only storing one chest. The discount was merely the same as any differencemade in the ordinary way of trade between wholesale and retail dealers.

The Chairman considered it was quite within the province of the Chambe. - to carry out Mr Cobb's suggestion.

Several other members spoke in favour of the motion, which was carried.

Mr Walton introduced a motion respecting the railway charges for freight, and the appointment of a committee to wait on the Goverment to obtain a reduction, but it was ultimately withdrawn. The Chamber then adjourned to that day fortnight at 3 p.m.

RECEIPTS, £ s. d. Lund Fund 2,500 O O Ordinary Iteceipta 2,000 0 0 4,500 0 0 Balance due to the Bank on 3lBt March, 1868, say ... 96,860 13 3 101,300 13 3 EXPENDITURI , £ s. d. Departmental expenses, &c, to 31st March, say 13,500 0 0 Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway Works 4,426 13 3 Great Southern Railway Works 10,434 0 O Contingencies 3,000 0 0 31,360 13 3 Balance now due to the Bank, including drafts for £50,000 due in March ... 70,000 0 0 £101,360 13 3 PROCEEDS "oi~THE LOAN. The following statement regarding the receipts from and expenditure of the loan has been laid on the table of the Provincial Council :— RECEIPTS. £ s. d. Balance of the Canterbury loan in the hands of the Colonial; Treasurer for negotiation under the Public Debts Act, 1807 266,600 0 O Deduct amount apportioned to the Tiraaru Jand Gladstone Board of Works ... 30,000 O 0 £236,600 0 0 EXPENDITURE, £ s. d. Ltttelton and Christchurch Railway, Amount payable under contract 9,500 O 0 Christchurch StationCarriage shed, store, master's house, fencing, drainage, &c. ... 800 O O Lyttelton StationGoods shed, booking office, platform, fencing permanent way, sidings, traversers, water supply, &c. ... 1,000 0 0 Opawa bridge, remov-

mg Selwyn bridge ... 2,000 0 0 Rolling stock, with duplicate parts, &c, ordered from England 20,000 O 0 33,300 0 0 Further station accommodation, &e., &c... 5,000 O O 38,300 0 0 GREAT SOUTHERN RAILWAY, £ 8. d. £ s. d. Balance due on Selwyn viaduct ... 3000 0 0 {oiling stock, &e, &c, ordered from England ... 10,000 0 0 13,000 0 0 HARBOUR WORKS Sea-wall, piles, decking, &c, &c ... 5000 0 0 Screw - pile jetty, coppering piles 150 0 0 . « 5150 0 0 ROADS AND BRIDGES. I u mnui bridge ... 2600 O 0 forth bridges injured by floods ... 2400 0 0 5000 O O lVAIMAKABIRI 'rotection works against overflow 8000 0 0 69,450 0 0 lalance due to the bank, say 96,860 13 3 166,310 13 3 Lpproximate balance available, say 70,289 6 9 £236,600 0 0

o THE LYTTELTON TIMES, WEDNESD4 •n-nnTrT-iTriT A T nATTHTriTT 1 in favnnr nf mnlrini* tlm n ,.,.,,,, l TTnrlop f )nS0lluflt6U U80t ft olidated revenues, uuuer t your potitio le circ ners In umsiances above detaile imbly prav that vnnr im d| is required for Customs' purposes, and a n. additional goods shed and largo wool an 23 grain store arc necessary for tho preset ie traffic, Sidings and turntables are require ig for the coal traffic, and a considerable amoun 3b. of drainage, fencing, and ballasting required to bring the station into efliciei working order, Tho station buildings als require to be painted, and some slight repair -£> reasons of justice may be u Council will forthwith "adopt such measur , _,,.,„ answerable) why each of the bsverui proYiu-j»« {Continued from the Hard Page.) C es may have exclusive property in its waste E nearly allied to the existing one, lias been a Iands witl >out being held responsible for the m will lesme ore n n8ure tlie long deferred justice to t re district, and place it on a footi early equal to those distrinfa w i,: good deal discussed. By which the super- s P Pcin c amount of d lit it was permitted by have been longer occupied, intendent would have no responsibility what- tlle General Government to contract. And your petitioners will ever pray ever, except under the " Constitution Act" " Havin S & l(,nce:1 nt tl,e probable direction (Here follow 157 signatures )' " The Provincial Audit Act" and tile of exf,ectei1 clllll| g es in tl,e Constitution, the "Limitation of Patronage Ordinance." That Superintendent submits to the Council the PROVINCIAL EXPENDITURE ™T',T' i i • ■ he should receive a merelv nomim J v expediency of their now considering what Tiu»f n ii n ..j». . ♦ . , ., k . A new carriage-shod is m course of erec £Mstsr=£ rSS£rr rF--r r i ~- £r=5«ssa~5 :&m,k= aammis 1 r,tionlotec»i*«W,by« re »l». l . '""."J', !'""'»»«• on 111. p„l WM ,*,, J* fJ ' V™'%" „'"" 1"?'? ' -..-*,.ssEfffi&f ™«'as-s-s*ct „, , <,»». as;wsrssss.' from legal hunts, himself being closely ' e J" ™™ wneral Government. Such Balance due to the Bank on "We addition to that originally put In undo hemmed in by statutory restrictions and 31stMarch, 1868,say ... 96,860 13 3 contract. CrdllngatSkSfflJ ttek n penalties. If the Council determine town- ', i? appointment at the 1 rime Minister. . „ n ,i ni„„Vf„i > „. 1 i, .„ii, r „„ „„„„; 0 u n( t ,„ finue the system of responsible Government, " But, under snch conditions, it would be lfj^7 3 ~l ene^fivSjL Ztv? „,t •and if the General Government continue the necessary to take the utmost security for his expenditure ' As 5? ! 1 th ' has now hi om provincesiu their present.form the Super- «gJJ. « «« « * ™ WmE ' £ , d . intendent would strongly recommend the ™pen«»"«yan(L-pnpulanty. Departmental expenses, &c„ will, it«said b-> necewarv at an earlv data Council to seriously consider the va.ue of '- "SS? » t *»'**«*.■* - ",500 0 0 in order** S Sll £aSSS the as mentuned plan J ti tu .bo rrf jt w „ lytte ton and Christchurch condition. The engineer concludes his re -It ism the lushest degree interesting to a ppoE o Son rSntendents P orkB „ „ "' 4 > 426 13 3 P ort U F°» tlie W**" and Christchurel the public to know the exact sp,>t wherein X ~ o| °, JJJ* 3 7„ onsidSl , S ° Utliern Rnllwa y rallTO y b y «V">B. that t,ie «* »r political responsibility resides. Responsibi- a n W ? rk8 • 10 ' 434 ° ° additional number of earri iie es and trucks i lity, by the foregoing plan, would restunmis- TC i? P r»! « Contingencies 3,000 0 takeably on the Superintendent's Ministers • H th ° f m 6 '"™. 1 .. AMe » VR™ the and the Superintendent's cave would be, to' S W"* °f, the eX1St ! ng [t . mn ™\ Coun : 31,360 13 protect himself and the country by restrain- ?'M" d ° > SCTera 'Ti"" 8 '!"? r ? ad Ba,nnce n0ff due to the ' tag breaches of the constitutional law. f lstncts ' a f,T y , ers r f o11 for ea f' llll ?S Bank, including drafts for Superintendent conceives t!,at a ... 70,000 0 b> the Council as regards Uie office and By sucll a ,,,', the s U pe r i n te U dent would T1 . ie . f ° llowi,lg J statement th 0 very great. He has learned, with grea - satisfaction, that the Government have takei 3 steps for importing the rolling slock required We come now to the Great Southern railway The works of this line were handed over tc 0 the engineer's charge at the end of last June - were completed some months ago, and the 3 line would have been opened for traffic ii August last had not the flood on the night of August 2 injured the Selwyn bridge, ant e breached the embankment across the rivet functionsofbupenntende.it. But, as regards notonlvbe an elected, but a thrice-elected f eCe,p s . f , romand expenditure of the loan has m - Ihese damages having been repaired the responsible Executive, they should be paid officer I an a, matt r ofcou won n f d on the table of the 1 and 100 yards of timber viaduct built across the breaches in the embankment, the line was opened to the Selwyn on Oct. 7,1867. The ssMiffjsis ' s - - girder bridge was again seriously injured by a flood in Nov. last.and on the night of Feb. i the many very earnest, able, and conscientious ti,p L„w J*,' ;■ .„ »• y ■ g £ s d polilicianstocomplelelycxtinguiahrrovincia. L ™% C — Governments by legislative action m the p rov ta<M 6oLme.,ts a. ffprinciH 0U ' K0H B " w «- , Gneral Assembly. employment, with power to levy taxes and A « under «Ihe Supermen ent would here state to rates } m „,„ A „ contract ... 9 l500 0 C the Council that las judgment wilnot permit works, excepting military defences.might h! Christchurch Stationof Ins being a party to the abolition of the made bv th F e provincial Oovernmente and Carri!lge shed ' store ' severe flood which then occurred carried away a large portion of the embankment and injured the bridge beyond the possibility } of repair. Instructions having been given for replacing the damaged work, pile-driving was begun on Feb. 14, but some time musl 5 necessarily elapse before the communication . will be restored. In the meantime, the ) engineer has arranged for laying a horse tramway through the river bed, which will enable the traffic to be carried on except during freshes. The Selwyn station is completed, and will require but few additions for some time to come, nor will additional station works be required along the line, except at the Leeston road, where it is proposed to put up a small provinces, neither is he inordinately anxious the Koad Boards gh u care f ft master's house, fencto make any great organic change; but he wor ]{ S ing, drainage, &c. ... 800 0 C station for the accommodation of the Leeston andSouthbridgetraffic. With the exception of believes that the present extraordinary alter- « Tll ' e Superintendent elected as hot Station— at.on in the. interna conditionof .the Colony f1> b ° okin « m many of its provinces will, during the next the CounciI and tllB bu3in f ss of u , c ounc ° ? fflce ' P latfo ™. f ™cthe Selwyn bridge, the works of the line are in fair repair. The engineer calls attention to the fact that the weakness of the permanent to a determination to attempt a very sweeping be £ d { j ' , .. r ' ™«' c sidings, traversers, and at the same time uniform modification of practic P e 0 f leVshtL of 1 water <"&*> &c " - 0 0 the provincial system, involving material re- c P om „ ie r t J? Xman cofdurtinJ t °P awa brid g e - reniov - d^tta I S51im t ■., les ingSelwynbridge 2)00 0 0 0 On the oJiar hand, a strong party will audit and treasu t Jd ' es ;" Rolling stock, with make an equally determined stand in favour fectlv P duplicate parts, &c, of curtailing and expressly limiting the «./„ alternative course mtehf b P M i M ,. ordered from Engnction of the General Government, and exten- the ,?H „?L T laild ••• 20000 0 0 sssra-t „.„„„/'—' way on this line, causes great expense in maintenance, whilst the objectionable form of the rail causes a great wear upon the wheel tires. _ The rolling stock consists of 1 engine, 5 carriages, and 8 trucks. Three more engines have been ordered, and may be daily expected. The Canterbury railways are being worked until March 31, by Messrs Holmes and Co., under a special arrangement, and it will be necessary, previously to that date, to make errangeiuents for their future management. The short time that has elapsed since the opening of the tunnel prevents the engineer giving any reliable estimate of future traffic; but he has little doubt, from the readiness evinced by all classes of the community to use the railways to the utmost, that a very large trade may be expected, and that, therefore, it is the more desirable that such appliances should be supplied as will make the traffic remunerative. Appended to the report are plans of the principal stations to a uniform scale, shewing their extent and arrangement; statements of the cost and liabilities of the Canterbury railways up to Feb. 1,1868 j returns of traffic from Dec. 1, 1863 to Dec. 31, 18G7; and an estimate of the probable income and expenses for the three months ending March 31, 1868. The plans it is impossible for us to give in our columns, and the traffic returns have already been published. Subjoined are the statements legislative powers, or to the present mode of ,i » ?i ". i y ? , He m , lglt iniured bv tension in m'itS'i Sectionworhl IKS! - «»•• ing Superintendents and Council ig t be Sr™! " a \-TfV B by '" 8 fiT^nV; an y 0 P lni ° n s expressed by hU Honor the ._ vincialGovernmentlabours. One first great inemoranda on able ' sa y 70,289 6 9 principle viz • mesuay next. '"that* the' General Government shall S^f 1 T- PU '• an , d T k \ £236 ' 600 ° ° care for and coloSe alto M n l SibWA1 5 t S*" 61 ? that the document TT 5" k . id , ° n the table of the lands e wouldbe PUtm the printer's hands at once, House b y th e Provincial Secretary are two shewing the cost and liabilities of the railways :— LYTTELTON AND CrrRISTCHURCII RAILWAY. £ S. d. Salaries ... ... 6,928 18 9 Office expenses and surveys... 1,211 5 7 Works previous to June 1, 1861 ... ... 9,994 4 6 Contract for main line on account, including additional contract of £5000 for Lyttelton end ... 235,173 e 9 Ferrymead Hue... ... 6,188 18 6 Ferrymead terminus, viz., wharf, permanent way, sidings, crossways, traverses, cranes, platforms, goods shed, booking office, refreshment rooms, fencing, and signals ... 14,587 16 3 Christchurch station, viz., permanent way, sidings, crossings, traverses, turn- " The observance of this rule would mike B "« hon -. me ™ bers m, f»' Probably be supplied Jjjwng reference to the Canterbury railways. tables, cranes, weighthe General Assembly the sole legSaton S *'?. ? 3 tllttt J evenin g- l h t flr8 ? ( " l e P ort b y. tlie engineer, Mr E. all subjects, excepting he ate I S.nd he H ° USe ad]UUrned ' Dobson dated Feb. 18, with appendices; the disposal of'the waste and 7f the K m aT? 19 , & by the Pi;ovinci81 the ordering and execution of pub icworb THE ELLESMERE DISTRICT. the amounts drawn from theraisingof ratesand local taL L of The foll owlng pedtion was d b gjjjjfjl T "« f ?" local administration, and public works and Mr Jollie on Tuesday week:- S? n^.„^ , ,« n - a ?T n l of ? rksonthe immigra tion| the division' of Road Board To the Honourable Provincial Council in 2S ?JT Suntt S^ t ?" and districts, and some minor cognate Parliament assembled. oont act, and on account of plant, stations, g The humble petition of the undersiened wm^? ot the contract This "The General Government taking upon humblyahewethi ™ gned tateu l eD 1S d T at f ? B f:«, 4 ' & return itself all the consohdated debts of That your petitioners are resident and non- 2SoU?n»ffi ref X\I t t \ 1868> and without makingany provincial apportion residen t landowners, leaseholders, and occu- ill ?„1 , V ° re ! er V° both raUways; ment of liability in respect of any pa? of hat P iers hl *» Kllesmere district. ' S .^ udltor ' 3 r f urn t0 , tbe and debt, defraying both interest andprincipa That owing to th, low-lying situation of °S?S,! 3°S' • t h out of the consolidated revenues of the «>e district a peculiar necessity exists fo f Christchurch Railway colony. Thus in effect, making the debts roads, bridges, and culverts, to render th J P d f ° r g °°n traffl c oa Nov. 25, and theentire Colony a charge Lt uponthe purchased land available for protiable cu U «« f Df- V867. The conterritory but upon the people and so ini V8tion - tract at the date of the report, was virtually bridge, platform, goods shed, booking office, engine shed, carriage shed, water supply, signals, &c. 35,108 0 5 Lyttelton station, on account of permanent way, sidings, turntables, and buildings ... ... 8,811 18 8 Roadside stations, buildings, and platforms ... 118 0 0 Rolling stock, viz., 2 engines, 5 carriages, and 70 trucks, with extra wheels, &c... 26,618 9 9 Plant not included in station accounts ... ... 17 19 6 Works on main line, in addition to contract .. 2,997 18 6 Repairs ... ... 642 17 8 tiating a system which would in its operation That up to the present time, from the SIX K'l'f IT ,t J I S ?. me W0 /! 5S T disclose the mflst extensive guarantee possible m^[ grants received from the Government Sfl f 1 ' ho " tbelm8 an . d , m tbe against undue increase of public indebtedness f <"" road-making purposes, this necessity has J 1V£ °|1,'l7 tra l ors are , entlt ed , to in favour of any quarter of the Colony what- been onl 7 ™y partially met; that the traffic r v Llfl L f- \ • e *f?, at the ever. Under such a plan no further debt is annually increasing, and that probably in If U ' onstatlotl are bein ,f pushed forward could be sanctioned except under proof of a the next winter, unless something substantial ! rn " m * p ?™' ! #"* Total ... ...£348,399 14 10 GREAT SOUTHERN RAILWAY. Paid on contract, including 1 £ s. d, engine, 5 carriages, and 8 trucks ... ... 134,909 0 O great public policy in its favour, as every be done, the district will be practically shu „MraZ £ ,n ° "'T elector throughout the Colony Vould be off from market. ' ° £ trafflc being carried on advantageously. Extra works on contract, viz., fencing, gates, and addiinterested directly in reducing, or at any rate Your petitioners considertheir position an .h-* !°f ° j ' no J com P letBd > are limitingthegeneialpublicbunhen. Concu optionally hard one throughou the M^ 2 B .° P^ '* ,^ tio , n - rently with a distinct division of labours Canterbury province, and beg to lay before Lt ti P S » en f neer, very desirable tional work at Selwyn bridge to date ... 5,796 5 0 Station buildings to date ... 2,774 13 0 there would also naturally occur a distinct your honourable Council the following sta- hould be tWouSmiiS tl0Q yard division of revenues. tistics in proof of this assertion--The ti *™&V metalled. Sidings in addition to contract ... ... 3,115 0 0 "IheGeneralGovernmentwouldbecom- total acreage of the Ellesmere district is about JSlvTr ni,!SS,. U 8 ' ? , be Statl ™ »PP™chf (beUeen pelled to confine its fiscal exactions to the 100,000 acres, in round numbers. Out of e !W U engineer recommends the Selwyn and ltakaia) ... 203 10 6 supply of its own bare necessities, i.e.. to the thi » quantity, up to 1st August, 1867,69,200 S ' VI £?, TI R 3 f f' "? d "•■' V1 ?" cranes, tarpaU ' payment of the Civil Staff, the general legis- comprising nearly all the best of the T n lT t J?V ie } m ™ the tu " ne1 ' lative expenses, the maint nance of custom land, have been sold, returning to he Tre Villi " T*" P0stal,p, ) liee,judi. ! ial ) telegra P hic,andoihero Bury the sum of £138400. ZlJ3 apP T t0 be UDaiIec ' ed *he The total amount eeeived »„,! beaTlest weiUher > .?nd. answers thoroughly Jins, &o. ... ... 1,485 11 0 Office expenses (draftsman) 71 18 4 Total 148,355 17 10 <

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innde r "Vouchers. — TTude a. C Ax OSIEAO nounts j r. ended to same dates Date. Not XT KD SB CONTE Drawi Railway Contrac Plant. Plan tors' Rolling t. Stoctl Ferrymea Xine. d Christchur Station. ch Iivttelton I—, . — „ . Station. (Extra Works. g Dal Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dee. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Feb. 1, Tot Making 1861 1862 1863 18611865 1866 1867 1868 il the t3 Amount. 10.910 2 34,0fl0 8 97.917 5 80,687 3 45,109 19 29,400 O 23.404 O 3,949 14 325.468 73 tal drawn ut 0 4 O 6 O O 7\ de Tunnel \ygt rk Earth-work Bridp £ 700 1,150 530 2,380 s. 0 0 0 0 Perm ant. w d. £ s. O 0 13,170 0 820 0 0 2,500 0 01 16,490 0 d. 0 0 0 0 Culverts .« s. 139 0 1,725 14 2,821 0 2,333 0 219 0 7,237 14 d. 0 0 0 0 0 o Crossir £ 1,550 1.550 igs. B. d. 0 0 0 0 1863 ... 1861 ... 1865 ... 1867 ... 1868 ... Totals... £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. 2,000 0 0 3,000 0 0 13,540 O 3,242 14 10 7,292 O 5,236 7 0 10,479 1 10 3,000 0 0 20,832 5 a. £ b. 0 8,180 0 0 8,100 0 1,230 12 389 19 9 17,900 11 d. £ s. 0 5,000 0 0 14,531 0 6 1,206 8 0 3,346 15 2,835 12 6 26,919 17 a. £ 0 946 7 3 8 7,140 10 1,114 4 9,201 s. d. £ a. d. C 19 6 J C C 118 16 O S C 0 11 a E 1 4 1.573 16 8 £ 1 9 1,692 12 8 s £ 9.433 28,649 42,7-18 43.321 32.721 29.400 1,200 198,274 r "Vouch e I 8. 2 13 19 15 15 O O 16 r, £ he d. 0 4 0 9 9 O O 9 £ 8. 1,338 O 3,015 1 4,757 lO 400 O 9,510 11 d. O 0 0 0 0 5 :> 3 a. Win moi is ant expended n £240,500. mder "Voucher, dE23£ ,443 Is 9d. Making Alto e contract of £90,025 lOs lOd. -£325,468 17s 7d.