Marlborough Provincial Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 294, 27 May 1871, Page 6

Marlborough Provincial Council.

f _ The Council met for the Session on Tuesday at Three p.m., when were present the Speaker in the chair, His Honor the Superintendent, Messrs. Connolly, Ward, Rutland, Paul, Hodson, Eyes, Sinclair, and Douslin. His Honor delivered the following speech— ; “Air Speaker, and gentlemen of the Provincial Council, — During the past year the Roads Act has come into force, Boards have been elected, and, although it may be somewhat premature to judge of their operations, yet I think they will prove generally advantageous. It is, however, quite clear that the revenue raised under this Act is insufficient of itself to maintain the Roads ; and feeling convinced of this, I have in several Counties, where opportunity was afforded, given land tor work done under our Waste Lands Act. In addition to this assistance, in a Bill which will be submitted to you to amend the Roads Act, it is proposed to take over as a Provincial charge all bridges beyond a certain span to be determined by you. Under the two Compulsory Road Taking Acts of last year, steps have been taken to acquire the lines of road from Opawa Bridge to the Wairau Ferry, and from Blenheim to the,. Boulder Bank and Dashwoo d‘Pass, but the cost has been very great, and the Government do not therefore feel justified in proposing this Session to take others in a similar manner. A Bill will, however, be submitted to you with the object of acquiring some roads by exchange under the Highways and Watercourse Diversion Act. The powers given under the Wharf Leasing Act have not been used. An offer has been made to take the wharf in Picton under a slightly different scale of charges, for 14 years, free of rent, and with other conditions ; and it was deemed desirable, having in view the probability of a railway being constructed from the port to this town, to lease it upon those terms. It is, however, in a very dangerous state, requiring considerable outlay, and that without loss of time. It is found that the largest piles are now completely eaten through—many of them are hanging on the capsills—and it is probable that the most satisfactory way of repairing it may be found to be by substituting the coppered sides of the hulk now lying in Port Underwood for the perishable brick piles hitherto used. It is extremely doubtful whether the provision made by you last year for Education will suffice to maintain the schools now open, and it certainly falls short of what we should wish to see done in so important a matter. Our great difficulty lies in the spareuess of our population, and that the assistance wffiich can be given from the Provincial funds is so limited. A promise was made by Ministers last session of the General Assembly that the subject of Education should be considered during the recess, and that a measure would be submitted to the next Parliament. The question is of colonial importance, and I trust the scheme to be proposed will be both comprehensive and satisfactory. On the subject of the Railway I have from time to time communicated with the General Government, bringing under their notice its advantages, and I am happy to say that the project has been very favorably entertained by them. Sir Charles Clifford also, who of lately left for England, has interested himself in it, and has kindly promised me to use his best endeavors in England to forward its construction, and the marked success which has attended the first financial operations of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, leads to the hope that this most desirable undent taking will ere long be commenced, It has been said that the sum of .£3500 per mile set apart for it is not sufficient; but narrow gage inexpensive lines are what are wanted here, and looking forward as I do to the extension of such lines in various directions supporting each other, and opening up outlying portions of the Province for profitable settlement, Ido not wislf to see this sum exceeded.

On the question of Immigration the Colonial Government has been asked to co-operate with us in introducing immigrants upon the system of assisted passages which has hitherto been adopted in the Province.

1 have to congratulate you that during the past year there have been unusually few prisoners in the Gaol, but the number of patients in the Hospital has increased, and so also has the expense incurred under the head of Charitable Aid.

The Census has been recently taken, and by it it appears that our population has increased, but as the Capitation Grant for the ensuing year amounts to 38s per head, the sum allotted to this Province will only slightly exceed that of the present year. A copy of the returns of the General Government expenditure furnished to my office will be laid upon the table, and I wish to call to j our attention especially the cost of the maintenance of Telegraphic communication which is provincially charged, and amounts to nearly 10a per head of population. Other

General Government departments absorb about 30s per head, leaving a very small sum at your disposal. I have already communicated with the Colonial Government on this subject, and I think it would be wise if the Council would also adress Ministers thereon. our Government have thought it desirable fto take steps to open the Eai Valley for sale. The many enquiries which have been made by persons desirous of purchasing lands there ; and the Nelson Government having expressed a willingness to co-operate with us in obtaining a more level line of road between the Provinces, induced us to commence the survey with as little delay as possible. 1 have been myself at some pains to acquire some personal knowledge of the probable line of road, and of the Valley itself, and am satisfied that the steps taken will prove advantageous. At the last session of the General Assembly, the question of the election of Superintendent by the Electors was raised in a Bill which passed the House of Representatives : —ln case this question should again be brought forward, I think it would be desirable that this Council whose privilege it is, to elect to that office should express its wishes thereon. There will be submitted to your consideration.

A Scab Bill. A Roads Act Amendment Bill. Two Roads Diversions Bills. A Superintendent’s Lands Alienation Bill. And the Estimates for the ensuing year. Returns will be laid upon the table. Of lands given or to be given for work. Of the liabilities incurred under the “ Compulsory Roads Taking Acts ” of last year. Of the number of patients treated at the Hospital. Of the General Government’s expenditure, out of the Capitation grant. Of the Provincial expenditure under General Contingencies, and Roads and Bridges. And an abstract of the receipts and disbursements of the Provincial Treasurer.”

—He then declared the Council open for the despatch of business. His Honor laid on the table the following Bills : The Scab Bill, Roads Act Amendment Bill, Kaikoura to Kohai Road Diversion Bill, Blenheim to Renwick Road Diversion Bill, and the Superintendent’s Lands Alienation Bill ; moved their first readings, and they were read accordingly. His Honor also laid on the table certain returns named in his speech, and the Estimates. The Speaker read a return from the Auditor, conveying special orders from the Superintendent for the sum of Notices of motion for the second reading of the several Bills were given. His Honor then moved that the Council adjourn till Tuesday next, at 11 a.m., which was carried.

The proceedings were of a very brief and formal character.