PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2607, 13 May 1869, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Mat 12. The Speaker took the chair at five o’clock. The following members were present:— Messrs Montgomery, W. Williams, Jollie, Lee, Brown, Matson, Rhodes, Hargreaves, Buchanan, Macpherson, Orraaby, Maskell, Moore, Hall, Aynsley, A. Duncan, Buckley, Knight, Potts, Birch, J. S. Williams, Waeckerle, Mallock, Gray, Dixon, Hornbrook, Studholme, and Hawkes. paper. Mr Jollie laid the following paper on the table:— Supplementary return on the state of the tunnel by Mr Thornton. LYTTELTON RAILWAY STATION. Mr Mdrray-Aynslet asked the Secretary of Public Works if it is the intention of the Government to bring in a bill for leasing land at the Lyttelton railway station or to build Government stores for goods and produce. Mr Jollie replied that his Honor the Superintendent had already received a Crown grant for the reclaimed land, and if application were made, the Government would consider the advisability of granting leases of a certain portion of this land for public stores. So far as the Government were concerned, they wished in every way to promote public traffic, and to afford facilities for its promotion. At the same time, however, they had also to exercise great care and caution in respect to the expenditure of public money. THE MAORI RUN. The following notice lapsed in the absence of Mr Dixon:—“That a return be laid on the table of this House showing the number of cattle slaughtered on the Maori run, or that have died there from the effect of pleuropneumonia, and also of the number slaughtered for beef, and of the number still remaining on the Maori run. Mr Jollie said the return had been prepared, and he now begged to lay it on the table. RIVER HALSWELL, The following notice lapsed in the absence of Mr Knight ; —“ That a respectful address be presented to Ms Honor the Superintendent praying him to take immediate steps towards having that portion of the River Halswell which is in the Little River road district cleared of watercress and other obstructions,” SECOND READINGS. Mr Wynn Williams moved the second reading of “ The Sheep Ordinance, 1864, Amendment Bill, 1869.” The alterations had been suggested by several persons in the North, and were also strongly recommended by Mr Boulton, the Chief Sheep Inspector. The Amendment Bill gave greater facilities than existed hitherto for the introduction of sheep from other provinces and countries. The bill was read * second time, and ordered to be committed presently. Mr Williams moved the second reading of “ The Trespass of Cattle Bill, 1869.” The bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed presently. Mr Williams moved the second reading of “ The Fencing Bill, 1869.” The bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed presently. Mr Williams moved the second reading of “ The Hoads Bill, 1869.’ 1 Amongst the proposed alterations, there was one giving Road Boards power to divide their districts- into wards for electoral purposes only.. The most important alteration, however, was thatfciving power to the Superintendent to divide a Road Board into two or more Road Boards.

Mr Knight moved, as an amendment, that the bill be referred to a Select Committee, to report on Friday next. The hon. member considered that the bill should give power to the Road Boards to clear out water-courees at the cost of the parties through whose lauds they ran, and to infiiot a penalty for stopping up a water-course. The bill required grave consideration, and it was with a view to making it as effective as possible that be moved for the appointment of a Select Committee, consisting of Messrs Lee. Maskell, Keanaway, Waeckerle, J. S. Williams, and the mover.

Mr Dixon supported the amendment. Mr Maskell did not think that the present bill contained all tbe provisions that were necessary, or which were recommended by the committee of last session. He considered that power should be given to the Road Boards to make draina through private lands in cases where such a course was necessary fur tbe protection of public property. Mr Aynslbv also suggested several amendments.

Mr J, 8. Williams supported the amendment. He did not agree with the opinion expressed by the hon. member for Sefton, that Road Boards should have power to interfere with private lands under the pretext of protecting public property. If it were found necessary to do so, it could be done very easily by first of all getting justices to assess compensation. He noticed a very material alteration in the fifth line of the second clause. The words ,r every male person of an adult age,” &c., were used, thus shuttinK out female ratepayers from talcing part in the election of members of Road Boards. He considered that as no political question wonld be affected, the word “ male” should be struck out. Mr Williams said ho had no objection to the bill being referred to a Select Committee, but he thought that the committee should

noli consist entirely of bon. members who formed the committee last session. The Speaker ruled that the amendment proposed by Mr Knight was premature. It could not be put until the committal of the bill was moved. The bill was read a second time. Mr Williams moved that it be committed presently. , Mr Knight then moved his amendment. The Hon. G. L. Lee thought that some new blood should be imported into the committee. Mr Knight declined to amend his proposition. The Hon. G. L. Lee moved as an amendment, that the committee should consist of Messrs Buckley, Hall, Knight, Maskoll, Potts, J. S. Williams, and the mover. After some discussion, the Hon. G. L. Lee withdrew his proposition, and moved that the committee he appointed by ballot. The following committee was then appointed by ballot:—Messrs J. S. Williams, G. L. Lee, Maskell, Hall, Kennaway, Waeckerle, and Knight. On the suggestion of Mr J. S. Williams, the time for bringing up the report of the committee was extended to Tuesday next. LITTLE RIVER RESERVES SALE BILL, 1869. Mr Jollib moved the second reading of this Bill. He explained that its object was to allow the Superintendent, with the consent of his Executive, to sell these reserves at the upset price, the proceeds to be devoted to making a road to Akaroa. The Bill was read a second time, committed, reported with amendments, and ordered to be read a third time on Thursday. CATTLE TRESPASS BILL. On the motion being put for the committal of this Bill, Mr Hall moved that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee, to report on Friday next; the committee to consist of Messrs Wynn Williams.; A Duncan, Gray, Knight, Studholme, Wilson, and the mover. The amendment was agreed to. FENCING BILL. On the motion of Mr Wynn Williams, the Council went into committee on this Bill; Mr J. S. Williams in the chair. The Bill was advanced a stage. SHEEP ORDINANCE. This bill was read a second time, and its committal made an order of the day for Thursday. Notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned until 5 p.m., this day (Thursday.)