Marlborough Provincial Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 235, 11 June 1870, Page 4

Marlborough Provincial Council.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1870. [Continued from page G.] All the Council present except Messrs. Baillie, Turner, and Levicu. Mr Seymour rnovedfirst readings of the following Bills :—Marlborough Act Amendment Bill ; Public Cemeteries Bill ; and Picton Wharf Leasing Bill. Mr Davidson moved, “ That a Bill be brought into the Council to enable the Superintendent to dispose, by way of sale, of the Education Reserves situated within the County of Kaikoura; and to empower him to devote the proceeds towards the purchase of land more suitable as an endowment to the Board of Education of the said county. ” He afterwards withdrew it at the request of Mr Seymour, who said legal doubts existed as to the exact position of these reserves, but attention would bo given to the subject during the recess. Mr Robinson moved, “ That tho Superintendent be respectfully requested to place a sufficient sum on the Estimates to repair the Omaka, Lock-up, and Taylor bridges, previous to putting them under the control of the Borough of Blenheim.” He did so in consequence of the resolution come to the other day, to compel the towns to keep these bridges. Mr Bltck seconded, and Mr Sinclair supported the motion. Mr Conolly opposed it as unfair. Mr Robinson replied, showing that the Opawa Bridge could not be placed on the town, and therefore, while every other town had some measure of relief, Blenheim had none ; and the plea of unfairness came badly from Picton, which had a large amount of aid in prison labor. On a division the motion was lost. Ayes, 4 Messrs. Blick, Hodson, Robinson, and Sinclair. Noes, 10—Messrs. Beaumont, Conolly, Carter, Dodson, Davidson, Paul, Rutland, Seymour, Western, aud Ward. Messrs. Eyes and Ingles paired. On the motion of Mr Seymour, the Wairau West Compulsory Land Taking Act was read a third time aud passed, education bill. Mr Conolly moved the second reading of the Education Bill. He briefly touched on the present unsatisfactory Act, and the hateful household rate, and showed how it was proposed to raise an income in the future—(l) by handing over the proceeds of the Education Reserves to the different Boards ; (2) school fees ; (3) publican’s licenses to be appropriated where raised, as it was evident there was the greatest necessity ; (4) a property rate not exceeding 2d. in the pound. In order to avoid numerous elections, it was proposed to make the Road Boards Education Boards also, giving them the power of appointing sub-committees for the management of the schools. Mr Sinclair seconded, agreeing with the principles, but holding different views in detail, should oppose the Bill in Committee. Mr Ward did not agree with the principles, believing we had taxation enough already. He accused the Express with twitting him as being opposed to taxation, since which he had showed that he was prepared to take upon the land the roads and bridges. He objected to the committees acting jointly for Roads and Education, and believed they should be elected by the people. What he objected to was undue taxation ; and he reminded them that the General Government taxation amounted to £4 12s. per head. The coming session would, he thought, be a favorable time for gaining its rights for this Province, and he trusted our member would avail himself of it. Mr Eyes agreed with the principles of the Bill, but objected to the proposed union of duties for Roads and Education, and the nomination of School Committees, Mr Rutland was opposed on like grounds. Mr G. Dodson would have preferred a general system of Education for the Colony. He did not think the present Act unpopular, or the household rate offensive, and would oppose the Bill. Mr Conolly replied, strongly condemning the injusticeofthepresent Act and householdrate, and referred to the difficulty of getting a local committee together for work. The Council then went into Committee on the Estimates, with Mr Coulter in the chair. The items were all set down on the same scale as in the last estimates, except the provision for an extra constable, and were all passed as printed except the Chief Surveyor, which was increased

from £2BO to £3OO. The chief items that were opposed were Superintendent’s Clerk, Treasurer, and Provincial Secretary. Mr Sinclair moved an amendment that the salary of the latter should he reduced to £IOO, on consideration of his holding the office of Crown Lands Commissioner. A division took place, when it was lost by 7 to 6, the last voter coming in from the ante-room after the question was put. Mr Rutland got the words “ Pilot, Havelock,” struck out, and “Beacon-keeper” substituted, remarking that if the present holder did not like it there were plenty to take it at the rate. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8. All the members were present except Messrs. ■ Baillie, Blick, Dodson, Levieu, Paul, and Turner. The Council recommitted the Roads Bill on the motion of Mr. Ward, with the view of amending the boundaries of Awatere; of Mr Hodson to amend the representation of the same county ; and of Mr Conolly to make some technical amendments. The first two were agreed upon, but upon the latter a considerable debate was held, the question involved being the appointment of auditors. It was proposed by the Government that, as there was no provision for a general meeting, they should he appointed by the Superintendent. Mr Sinclair was in favor of the Boards appointing them. Messrs. Ward, Eyes, and Robinson considered the election should be by the people, while Messrs. Coulter and Western were in favor of the Government plan. It was ultimately settled that the Board should call a meeting of ratepayers with a month’s notice, the majority of whom being present should elect. In the absence of Mr Davidson, Mr Ingles moved that a harbor-master be appointed for Kaikoura, and that a sum of £SO be placed on the Estimates for that purpose. The Government agreed to the motion after a discussion, reserving the right to say what amount should be paid. Mr Rutland moved for the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire into the state of the harbor at Havelock. Mr Conolly thought it was not a fit subject for the Council, but for the Superintendent and Executive to deal with. If the practices were permitted as alleged, the harbor-master ought to be dismissed for grave neglect of duty. The motion was withdrawn at the request of Mr Seymour. Mr Ward moved for a return, in detail, of all expenditure, during the last 15 months, of the sums voted under the head of “General Contingencies,” showing also the names of the persons to whom any such sums have been paid, which was afterwards laid on the table. At the afternoon sitting Mr Seymour moved the suspension of Standing Orders for the rest of the session in respect of Bills before the Council. Carried. The Council then considered the supplementary estimates, which were passed as under : Purchase of land from Capt. Bail-

This was explained to be due to Mr Adams, of Nelson, as Crown-Prosecutor in respect of cases from this Province, and extended over 4 years. Gold Fields £SOO 0 0 This was explained to provide for possible contingencies. Mr Eyes took occasion to urge upon the Government the necessity of paying extra expenses to the Constabulary when on goldfields duty. Mr Seymour quite agreed with the request. Harbor-master, Kaikoura, ... £SO 0 0 An amusing passage of arms took place on this item. Mr Ingles sought to get it increased, and accused Mr Ward of never getting a sixpence for the district when he was member for Kaikoura, and now preventing a small vote for it; to which Mr Ward replied that he had got thousands of pounds voted, and of what was left to persons in that district to spend they had actually returned £4OO, because they did not know what to do with it. He was above such two-penny-half-penny jobs as the present. A return, moved for by Mr Sinclair, was laid on the table, from which it appeared that from separation to the present time 490,774 a. 3r. 4p. of land had been sold for the sum of £168,200 4s. Bd., which sum included 9s. taken in scrip. Also a schedule of the Education Reserves in the Province. EDUCATION BILL —IN COMMITTEE. \ Mr Seymour in the chair. Mr Ward raised the 1 question as to whether Road Boards were the best for Education Boards, considering that they might be good road makers, but it did not neces-' sarily follow that they would make a good Board for educational purposes. Mr Sinclair followed on the same side, preferring a Central Board. Mr. Conolly thought the objection more imaginary than otherwise, as their duty would be simply to raise funds and appropriate them. Mr Eyes objected to the clause, as leading to a difficnlty in the election of persons better fitted for one branch than another; he also considered that where persons were rated for a particular object the should elect. Mr Robinson spoke in favor of the clause, and referred to the little interest taken by the public in elections of local committees, which led to abuse. The clause was carried as printed. The Csuncil rose at 10 - 30 p.m. THURSDAY, JUNE 9. : All the members present except Messrs. Baillie, Blick, Dodson, Levien, Paul, Turner. The Blenheim, and Dashwood’s Pass Compulsory Bill was read a second time, and passed through committee without amendment. It was opposed by Mr. Eyes, on the ground that the Province would be called on to pay a large amount of money to make a road where one already exists, instead of the county, for the benefit of a few individuals. Mr. Sinclair followed on same side. Mr. Coulter defended the measure. On a division, the Ayes were 7 Messrs Seymour, Carter, Western, Rutland, Hodson, Coulter, Robinson, Ward ; Noes, 1— Mr. Sinclair. Mr. Eyes declined to vote. The Bill was then read a third’ time and passed. The Roads Bill was read a third time, and passed, under protest from Mr. Ward who said that in

his judgment it was very imperfect, and not as good as it might have been made, had it been in accordance with the opinions expressed at the various public meetings. He would have preferred that the main trunk lines should have been placed on the whole Province, and properties at a distance rated at a less proportion than those reaping greater advantages, leaving districts to make their own roads. There had also been a want of good management in combining the Roads and Education Bills, which had spoiled both. He would not detain them longer than to place on record his protest. The Picton Wharf Leasing Bill, and the Public Cemeteries Bill passed the second reading, went through Committee without amendment, were read a third time, and passed. The Marlborough Acts Amendment Bill was read a second time and committed. In the schedules, at the instance of Mr Ward, the Cattle Brauding Act remains law, and of Mr Robinson, a clause preventing cattle from being impounded within the Borough of Blenheim was struck out. It was then read a third time and passed. The Committee resumed on the Education bill, when on the motion of Mr. Ward, Awatere and Wairau were made one district; as werePelorus and Havelock, on the motion of Mr Rutland.. FRIDAY, JUNE 10. On the motion of Mr. Eyes it was resolved, that is desirable to set aside blocks of land in any part of the province where possible, as Education Reserves. The report of the select committee on B. Bomford’s petition, recommending that no compensation be given, was adopted. The Education Bill was re-committed, the original districts restored, and the bill ultimately passed as printed. There was a great fight again on the leading principles, Messrs. Ward, Coulter and Carter leading the real Opposition, while those members commonly understood as forming the Opposition, supported the Govetnment on this, as they did all their other measures, and generally throughout the session. In nearly every division it was painfully evident that the Executive were divided, Messrs. Coulter and Carter generally speaking and voting against the Government measures. The Appropriation Bill passed through its various stages, and His Honor the Superintendent prorogued the Council last evening.

lie in exchange for roads Three mouths’ salary to W. H. £17 0 0 Eyes 50 0 0 Lucknow-street bridge, Havelock SO 0 0 Refund, S. MaoalHster ... 5 0 0 Arrears Supreme Court expenses 69 8 4