Marlborough Provincial Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 295, 3 June 1871, Page 5

Marlborough Provincial Council.

Tuesday, May 30, 1871. Present —The Speaker in the chair; His Honor the Superintendent, Messrs. Ward, Con oily, Carter, Chaytor, Turner, G. Dodson, Blick, Robinson, Hodson, Eyes, Sinclair. The Superintendent laid on the table returns of Special Orders given since last meeting of the Council. KAIKOURA AND KOHAI ROAD DIVERSION BILL. His Honor Mr Seymour in moving the second reading of the Bill, said that there were gentlemen owning land along the present line who were willing to exchange certain portions for others, which would form a more suitable road. The motion was carried, the Bill read a second time, and the Council went into Committee, with Mr Conolly in the chair. The Chairman reported the Bill passed through Committee without amendment. SURERINTENDENX’s LAND ALIENATION_BIJJi. -''His Honor Mr Seymour moved the second reading, saying that the object was to enable the Superintendent to sell or exchange the lands named in the schedule. The first piece was adjoining the Picton Cemetery, which would make a more square block, and enable the 'trustees to divide the ground into certain sections. The second was a piece on the Picton Hoad, which it was desirable to acquire for road purposes, as it contained a quarry which had been already opened up. Tilth t.hml was a piece of land in of Blenheim granted in lieu of apiece of road by the Nelson some y ars ago, which had not been found advantageous-. ' The Bill was read a second time, and the Council went into Committee, with Mr Connolly in the chaii. On the schedule Mr Robinson enquired if the piece in question was a portion of Redwood-street, and whether it was the intention of the Executive to convey such piece as a public road. His Honor said it was a strip of land on the banks of the Opawa, on which the Victoria Hotel, the old Bank, and other buildings were erected, but this was a road line, for which a street line had been given nearer inland, but the conveyance was never properly carried out. The street was given up, but the Superintendent of Nelson had not conveyed the other portion, as it transpired he had not the power to do so. The present arrangement was to complete the powers. Mr Robinson said he did not know that the street had ever been conveyed, but he hoped that the Executive would see that it was properly conveyed, and that it was included in the Borough of Blenheim, as its owner, Mr Sinclair had argued in Council that it was not in the town. It should properly have taken the place of part Sec. 3, Qmaka, and he could not tell how it "came to be called Sec. 174, Omaha. I he people had jealous how when they find the Government signing deeds of conveyance of streets and reserves in the town, under the designation of appurtenances. Mr Sinclair said the transaction was carried out under the Exchange of Roads Act in the most legal manner possible, but it was afterwards found that it was not strictly in accordance with more recent interpretations. The exchange was for certain portions of Grove Road, near James’ Hotel, and took place in about 1857. He convey ed

Sinclair-street or not, but he was quite willing to da so at any time. The towfiS consisted of seven allotments, but this slip? formed no part Of them, and therefore not ofj the town. He never said it was outside( the town, but it had been decided that he| should pay his rates in the town, and not' in the County of Wairau, and that was all he wanted. His Honor said the Government would-i take all the necessary steps to secure that tire one piece should be conveyed in exchange for the other, and the member for Blenheim might rest assured that it should he done properly. The Bill was then reported without amendment. ROAD ACT AMENDMENT EII.L. His Honor Mr Seymour moved the second reading of this Bill. He said it contained some necessary corrections and improvements. It was not very Clear that provision was made for fresh elections of members and chairmen, for the time during which appeals could be made, ahd the appointment, of auditors, which read somewhat doubtfully in the old Act. Then, as be bad stated in bis address the other day, the Government proposed to take over the repairs of existing budges, and to repair an error in the schedule relative to the number of members fo • the Flaxbourne district. The Bill was read a second time. The Council then went info committee, Mr Turner in the chair. On clause 6, His Honor Mr Seymour proposed to till in the blank with “ fifty feet,” which was carried. In reply to Mr Waid, the Superintendent said it was not intended to apply to any bridges to be built hereafter; also, at the request of Mr Robinson, the words “in the Province” were added. Also, on the suggestion of Mr Eyes, the words “ to be a charge on the revenues of the Province” were inserted, and the clause passed as amended. The Pill was reported to the Council with amendments. SCAB BILL. His Honor asked leave to postpone the second reading of the Scab Hill till after the other notices had been disposed of. Mr Eyes said he was in hopes that the Government would have withdrawn the Bill, and not retrograded by attempting to pass permissive bills, as this was ; they were quite useless, as had been shown again and again. Some deluded individuals might form themselves into Boards in some parts of the Province, with a view of doing something with the Act, but he thought that to save time and expense it would be a better plan to drop the Bill altogether. His Honor Mr Seymour said the Government did not at present intend to drop it, but a better opportunity might occur for discussing it. BLENHEIM AND RENWICK ROAD DIVERSION BILL. His Honor Mr Seymour moved the second reading of this Bill, which was to exchange certain road lines on Crown grants of very little service for others more suitable. He did not propose to go into committee with it to-day. The Bill wao read a second time, and the Council adjourned till 2‘30 p.ra. On reassembling, there was present the Speaker, the Superintendent, and Messrs. Conolly, Carter, Chaytor, Western, Ward, Baillie, Turner, Dodson, Blick, Robinson, Hodson and Sinclair. Mr Robinson presented a petition from the Blenheim Brass Band praying for the use of the Hall once a week for practice, which was received. THE SCAB BILL. His Honor Mr Seymour said that it was the intention of the Government to go on with this Bill, and as a member of the Upper House he should get them to allow this Province to try the effect of their own local legislation for at least a few years before adopting a measure which, however suitable to other parts of the Colony, was quite inapplicable here. Mr Ward said the object was to get rid of the scab, or, at least, to reduce its dimensions. Would it do so ? He thought it would not have that effect, and that ono of the main points had been overlooked that of dividing into suitable districts according to the sort of country. One run dipped, while another did not, their flocks mixed together, and were consequently as haul as ever. He once told them, in the southern part of the Province, that he would undertake to cure all the sheep if they would only get them into their yards; but that was impossible. He would like a system of giving notice of dipping, and so secure all parts of a district dipping together; but, believing that the present Bill, even if carried out in its integrity, would not have the effect of eradicating scab, ho should vote against it. Mr Hodson had come to the conclusion that, having arrived at this stage, they

should go into committee and discuss the Hill clause by clause. The proposed general measure was quite unsuitcd to have the desired effect in this Province, as also was the one before them, but they might succeed in committee in making a good measure.

Captain Bailite bearing in mind what took place in the Assembly last session, wished the Council to try and legislate on the subject to prevent the Assembly from doing so. The great difficulty was that they could not get in their sheep. It was not like the Canterbury plains, where a man could galop over the whole of his run. Such an Act as the Assembly would pass would ruin the sheep farmers of this Province, and he feared they would find that they proposed to make one to over-ride any Provincial one. He urged them to try to pass a measure to meet the evil. Mr Carter said they had a veiy stringent Act in Canterbury, and he feared they wquld not pass anything less so, for they seemed to have a set against this Province, and therefore they had better try and make an Act which would meet the case of this Province. There was no sheep farmer here who had any surplus cash to spare orlikely to have any. Some said it was impossible to muster the country, but he hardly thought so if proper means were taken ; if they subdivided the country he thought they might manage it. He suggested that local Boards should be appointed in the several districts to see that the Act was complied with. By dipping the sheep thoroughly the scab could be conquered. While one set of hands mustered one run, another set might be doing the adjoining run, bnt people did not muster at the same time as their neighbors, therefore he would make simultaneous mustering compulsory. It was an utter impossibility to cure scab under the present system, and he had come to the conclusion that they must compel them to muster at set times by heavy penalties.

Mr Sinclair said the measure concerned all in the country, and therefore it would be well to go into committee in the hope that something would crop up out of the discussion which would enable them to pass a useful measure. His Honor Mr Seymour gathered that it would be advisable to go into committee, as the objections were mainly on matters of detail, and not as to whether they should have a Eill or not.

On the question of going into Committee Mr Ward was the only dissentient. The Council then went into committee, Mr Con oily in the chair-

On clause 2, Mr Ward thought the districts should be divided by natural boundaries—for instance, he would cut off the Valley by the Waihopai, and Kaikoura by the Clarence. The Valley might be easily cleared, and so could the Northern and Eastern districts, but all the Acts they could pass would not make them clear the country between the Awatere and Kaikoura. Mr Sinclair thought it would be well to assimilate similar countries by placing them under the same Board. Mr Seymour thought a better division could not be made than was the first, bounded by the Wairau river, because it could be cleared sooner than any other ; the next district was between the Wairau and the Awatere rivers, which was as good a division as could be made. If they made more districts than as stated, it would take more Inspectors and more expense.

Mr Ward did not take the Northern district into account, and agreed with the last speaker as to the Wairau for a boundary. He thought they ought to adopt natural divisions as boundaries.

Mr Carter knew that the country between the Wairau and the Clarence was difficult, and if it could be done, the best way of dealing with the question would be to fence in the runs. There was a line near Avondale which might be considered a fence, and guarded by a few boundary shepherds for the time being while mustering, and all that flock might be mustered at one time. He thought, by dividing into five districts instead of three, the Act might be worked, and saw no difficult} 7 in mustering simultaneously. He moved that the clause be postponed. Motion carried. Clause 3 was amended by Captain Baillie, to avoid the necessity of meeting on Sundays. On clause 4, Mr Carter thought the Act defective, as all sheep ought to be included whether shorn or not.

Mr Chaytor said it was considered by a committee that all sheep shorn only should pay the rate, as their owner could best afford to do so.

Mr Seymour said they could not tally lambs, as all were not brought up for shearing, but they could ascertain the number of the sheep by the shearing tally. Mr Carter knew of runs where they did not shear their lambs at all, and these would escape the payment of a heavy tax. Mr Hodson supported the clause as it stood. Captain Baillie had read it with clause 6, and could not see the meaning of it. Did they mean to give a vote to each sheep ? Mr Seymour : Yes.

Mr Carter said there was a difficulty in getting people to make exact x-eturns, shearing tallies were all very well as far as they went, but the unshorn lambs escaped a heavy charge. Clause 10 was postponed. Clause 11 was amended by Mr Hodson, so as to exclude members who absented themselves for three consecutive meetings, not being ordinary meetings. On clause 16, Mr Seymour said it would be best to take the discussion as to the number of districts now as at the end, as it was one of the principles of the Bill.

Mr Carter preferred to postpone it for consideration.

Mr Ward thought the principle of the Bill was to cure scab, and not to fix the number of members at five.

Mr Hodson had been under the impression until now that they were to have a number of local Boards.

Mr Seymour thought one hoard sufficient to superintend three inspectors, one of whom to be chief, and report. They had enough of Boards as it was without any more. Mr Ward said he was about the only one who had made up his mind, and preferred to leave it to a select committee, since they were not waiting to see what the Assembly would do. As to saying they should only have one board, they might as well say they should only have one pump all over the Province instead of one in each back yard. He saw great difficulty in working the machinery as laid down at present. The Council then adjourned. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31st. Present; The Speaker, His Honor the Superintendent, Messrs Conolly, Carter, Chaytor, Ward, Baillio, Hodson Robinson, Sinclair, and Turner. THE OPAWA RIVER. Mr Robinson moved that the Superintendent be asked to place £IOO on the Estimates for dredging, buoying and staking the channel in the Opawa river. His object was to improve the navigation of the channel at the lower part, The junction of the Opawa and Wairau rivers required to be staked or buoyed, and marked, as it was difficult for vessels trading here regularly. He did not set up for an engineer, but he thought a small sum spent judiciously in wattling and dredging at the junction of the Omaka and Opawa would prevent the silting up of the channel at that place, and he would leave the Government to expend any small sum in such way as they saw fit. The Council no doubt knew as well as he did how many vessels used the river, but he might toll them that no less than 148 entered inwards, and 150 outwards during the last year, while there had been fifty each way up to thebeginning of the last mouth, consequently the matter was one of great importance to all trading here. He hoped therefore that the Council would agree with him to ask his Honor to place the sum on the estimates. Mr Hodson seconded the motion, and named a recent instance where a number of sheep on shipboard were detained in transit several days by reason of the fiat being in such a state as to prevent the vessel getting down the river. Similar cases were not unfrequeut, and a small sum might he very judiciously expended. Mr Seymour said that he had no objection to the motion, but thought so large a sum would not be necessary, hut whatever was necessary should be done. It had been reported recently to the Government that the Lyttelton and Falcon could not get past the Junction, and steps were taken to dredge the channel in that place ; he was not aware whether the silitinghad again taken place or not. Whether that could be prevented or not he could not say, hut the Government would do what they could to remedy the difficulty. With respect to the lower part he understood the mover to say it only required buoying, but the seconder seemed to intimate that dredging was required there also. He had already acting on the advice of the pilot ordered a number of chains and buoys for the purpose of marking the channel, but could not promise any dredging, as he feared that great expense would bo incurred. But ho would assure them that the Government would do all it could to keep the navigation open .Mr Sinclair explained that it was not the channel was so bad, but that the Lyttelton steered widely in shallow water. But the wisest plan would be to put a few stakes down as about Morgan’s Creek. Dredging would not be useful, bnt anything to prevent scouring would be.

The motion was carried. THE BLENHEIM CRASS BAND., Mr Robinson moved that the prayer of the petition of the Blenheim Brass Band be granted. He presumed that no obstacle would be thrown in the way, as in accordance with what fell from the Superintendent last session, the Band had made an application to the Council. The required leave would be no in convenience to anyone.

Air Sinclair seconded the motion with reluctance, as he considered private bodies as this was ought to find places elsewhere. It was a great risk to the premises, and seemed like a. man smoking over a powder magazine. Considering the large amount of valuable property in the building, ho would rather they had not asked the Government, and hoped they would not press it. It would be a different thing if there were no other places to be got, and if granted to them, he did not see why it should not be given to the Fire Brigade, whom he considered the cream of the working men of the town. If granted, he hoped it would be under the care of the messenger, who would see to the safety of the premises, if the Government would consent.

Mr Conolly would not vote for the motion, as the seconder had so ably demolished the arguments in its favor. He feared if leave was given it would form a precedent, but he was especially opposed on account of the risk to the public documents. He said nothing against the respectability of the petitioners, of whom he knew nothing. Mr Turner said the last speaker reminded him of the barber in Nicholas Nickleby, who said he must draw the line somewhere, and would say at bakers. He saw no reason why one body should not use the Hall as well as another. They had already created a precedent wnich was bad, but he considered that since they gave it to one Society they ought to allow it to all.

Mr Seymour said the stand taken by the Government, prior to the motion brought before the Council last session, was a proper one. The seconder had justly pointed out the danger to the public documents, which no insurance could possibly replace. The insurance bore a very small proportion to their cost, which would be £20,000 to £30,000. The action of the Council in granting its use to another body Inst session did affect the insurance—one company was obliged to reduce its risk in consequence; and the company was influenced by the notice of tho Government issued previous to the Council

meeting, but when the Council passed the resolution granting it to the Philharmonic Society, the amount of the policy was reduced. Captain Baillie, having read certain correspondence in the papers lately, felt interested in the matter, and asked the terms of the insurance policies, and whether they would be vitiated in case of fire by using the hall for any other purpose than public meetings. Mr Seymour, said that a note was written upon one of the policies allowing its use for concerts and balls, but it was a question for the lawyers to decide in case of lire taking place while used for these purposes. They had since found a fourth company willing to take a portion of the risk, so that they were now assured for £2,000 —that was £SOO in each. It was very undesirable to do anything that would tend to vitiate a policy, as in case of a fire, a lawsuit would be inevitable.

Mr Ward could toll them on the authority of Lord St. Leonard that if any variation was made, tire companies would be sure to gain the case. He would like to know what was allowed, as if they exceeded that, the policy would certainly bo vitiated.

In reply to a question from Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Seymour said only the buildings were insured, but no documents.

Mr Robinson said there was no weight in the objections raised. He could not see that the Bund would increase the risk more than any other Society, as they only asked for the use of frlpi.t one room, not as the others did, use every room in tile building, and even the Resident Magistrate’s office ; he did not believe there woulil bc any smoking in the room. If the Insurance policies allowed the use to be given to one Society why not to others. He thought the Band had as good a claim as any Society. On a division the Ayes were—Messrs. Robinson, Hodsou, Sinclair, Baillie, Turner, and Dodson ; the Noes—Messrs. Seymour, Conolly, Carter, Chaytor, Western, and Ward. The casting vote of the Speaker was given with the Noes, consequently the motion was lost. Mr Ward hoped the Government would renew the whole question of letting the hall to anyone, as he thought that until the documents were placed in a. slate of security they ought to refuse it to all. (Hear, hear.) If the Government would not revive the question, he would do so himself. THIRD READINGS. The Kaikoura and Kohai Road Diversion Bill, the Superintendent’s Land Alienation Bill, and the Roads Act Amendment Bill, were read a third time and passed on the motion of his Honor Mr Seymour. EDUCATION. On the motion of the Superintendent, a sum of £52 19s 4d, received from the General Government as a per centage from Land Sales for Education, was ordered to be divided among the several schools, on the same principle as the former distribution. LEASES ON GOLDFIELDS. Mr Seymour moved that an application be made by the Council to the Governor through the Speaker, for powers under clause 5 of the Gold Fields Act, to grant Agricultural Leases on the goldfields. He said the powers in question were reserved by the Governor, and only granted on the application of the Superintendent and Provincial Council. They sought it because in the Pclorus the diggings were of a small but permanent character. The miners had ceased to live in tents, and-had houses and gardens situated near their works, and were undertaking works of a larger and more important character Under those circumstances it was desirable to grant leases of pieces of land to assist them in settling and increasing the prosperity' of that part of the Province ; it was for these reasons he asked the Council to join him in applying to the Governor. Mr Conolly seconded the motion, which was carried. THE ESTIMATES. The Council went into Committee on the Estimates, Captain Baillie in the chair. The following items were passed, being in every case the sums as printed, with the exception of Lunatics and Paupers, which were increased : Superintendent—Travelling expenses and forage £200; Clerk £4O ; Provincial Treasurer £IOO ; Provincial Secretary (also Immigration Secretary) £IOO ; Land Office Clerk £l6O. Chief Surveyor £3OO. Mr Sinclair moved that the item be increased to £320 on account of the increase of duties which would devolve upon him through the introduction of the Land Transfer Act. Mr Carter knew of no reason for increased vigilance or activity, and hoped the Government would not agree to it. Mr Seymour agreed that the work of the office would be increased, but to meet this they had put down the next item for draughtsman £75 ; they had already got behind their work, and the Surveyor would be able to do more were he not so often interrupted by enquiries on the part of the public. The most satisfactory way of dealing with the matter would be by passing the next item. He did not say £320 was too much for such an old servant, but when ho asked them to raise it from £2BO to £3OO last year, it was objected to by the present mover. If they raised it again now they would have to revise all the other salaries. Mr. Ward agreed that £320 was not too much for the officer named, but the reasons given by the mover were quite inadequate, as he could only work during office hours however much there was to do. Mr. Western supported the motion, on the ground that some time ago the salaries were reduced 20 per cent. In this case he had only been raised to £3OO again, while all the rest had got back to the old rates. Mr. Goulter said the reduction had been reinstated by the action of last year, therefore if the motion passed they would have to raise all the others.

Hr. Sinclair thought they should induce old and valued servants to remain, and did unt see the necessity for raising the others ; he only he only wished them to be reasonable. Mr. C'ONOLLY regretted that the mover had not intimated his intention of moving an advance, as he felt a difficulty in voting at all. The services of Mr. Clarke were almost incalculable and difficult to replace, but there would not be an increase of labour under the Act, as it was merely copying. If the Act ever came into

force in this Province, of which he was by no means sure, an additional draftsman wouldmave to be provided for. He would oppose on ground, but if put 'on the ground that he formerly had a larger salary, ho should feel a difficulty in voting. Mr. Robinson had a difficulty in voting, but felt that ho must look at the small amount of revenue at the disposal of the Government in reference to the maintenance of bridges, and the necessary supplementing of Road Boards. The item was then postponed, but afterwards passed as printed at .£'3oo. f, "| Draughtsman £75; Speaker Provincial Council I £SO ; Lock-up Keeper and Messenger, at Cs 6d | per day. W

Mr. Sinclair wished to know what the increase of duties would be for the Messenger, as at the same time noticing that the pay was not increased. If the duties of “ Lockupkeeper ” were anything but nominal, he should object to them being added. Mr. Seymour said the duties would be merely nominal. The reason was that they had hitherto an inspector and twQ-fionstables, one,aib,whoin djeUyeind, _sximmonses lunCTke other remained iibout the buildings, but now the Bailiff was going to be appointed by the General Government, an arrangement by which the Province would be the gainer, but they would lose one man’s services by it. It might be necessary if a man was'in the lockup, during the absence of the constable to have some one with authority to see he had his food, &c.

Mr. Sinclair replied that all the police had some little means of adding to their income, but the messenger would be deprived of the means of doing so. He was one of the hardest worked of all the Government officials in the town, and therefore he would rather that something should be added to it.

Mr. Robinson thought it would be a bad amalgamation, and they would find that the constables would shirk their duties all they could. A bettor plan would be to make the bailiff do the duties in question. Mr. Seymour said the Government would agree to strike the words “ Lockup keeper and ” out, but ho considered the mode of proposing alterations without notice was objectionable, as it gave them no chance of considering them. Sir. Robinson would prefer that the words be struck out rather than increase the salary. The words were then struck out. Passages of Prisoners and Constables £3O; Expenses of Supreme Court £IOO. Picton Gaol— Gaoler £160; Turnkey £120; Warder £100; Clothing and rations for prisoners £250 ; Fuel and lights £3O ; Contingencies £lO. Blenheim Lock-up—Rations, &c. £2O. Havelock do. £lO Police 1 uspector,"aiT'Ss'per day £194 ss. One Sergeant at Ss 6d per day £155 2s fid. — i ( Mr Sinclair thought a Sergeant at 8s fid was j ! letter paid than an Inspector at 9s, and referred I :o the one at Havelock, who held other offices \ .vhich he considered an anomaly.' Mr Robinson said it would be using their oldest servants very badly by refusing them permission to undertake other duties, which any reduction would amount to. Item passed. One Sergeant at Ss per day £146 Three Constables at 7s 6dperday £4lO 12s fid— Mr Sinclair wanted to know where they were to be placed. Did it mean two additional ! Was it at Havelock ? If so, he should like to know if he was needed.

Mr Seymour said at present they -were paying three men, but although they would shortly be relieved from paying one as bailiff, he thought it was as well to keep the place in the Appropriation Act to meet emergencies, but in the meantime they were paying him. Mr Robinson said he thought 7s a day when first appointed was quite enough, increasing it as the Government found deserving. —y. Forage £IOO ; Contingencies, including travel- £ ing allowance £l5O ; Provincial Surgeon (includ- | ing medicine) £IOO ; Hospital Warder, with t rations £SO; Nurse £4O ; Nursing assistance I £lO ; Rations £2OO ; Clothing £3O ; Contingen- | cies £SO ; Medical Attendance £so. i Mr Hodson wanted to know the meaning of \ the words.

Mr Seymour said they had to pay for occasional assistance to paupers in out districts, as Kaikoura and Havelock, where there was no Hospital. It had hitherto been paid out of the contingencies, but he thought it better to place it under a distinct heading. Vaccination £IOO.

Lunatics and Paupers £SOO.

Mr Seymour asked to increase this item to £6OO, as he found he should otherwise have to pay under special orders. Mr Robinson was sorry to see the item so large, and thought great care was necessary, as there were persons receiving it who were not deserving. Mr. Seymour was glad the question had arisen, as the evil was growing to very formidable proportions, and he would be glad to receive any information by which the sum could be re duced or kept down. In cases of necessity it was difficult to tell when to hold the hand and when to open it. Mr. Conolly said a large proportion was beyond control. There were no doubt cases of the kind alluded to, but the lunatics increased the amount by .£1 per week ; and orphan children were another inevitable burden wliich must be provided for, and could not be pushed aside. These took another large proportion of the amount. Item increased. Fuel and lights £3O. Picton —Harbor Master £SO ; Light Keeper £25 ; Lights £lO. Havelock—Harbor Master and Pilot £SO. Wairau River Mouth —Harbor Master and Pilot £l2O. Kaikoura—Harbor Master £25. Wairau River Mouth—Boat Shed £25. Contingencies —Hire of Boatmen, &c. £SO.

In tlie afternoon were present the Speaker, His Honor Mr Seymour, Messrs Conolly, Carter, Chaytor, Western, Ward, Dodson, Turner, Baillie, Hodson, Robinson, Sinclair, and Douslin. The Committee resumed on the Estimates, and passed the following items ; Returning Officers £2O ; Books and Stationary for offices £SO ; Newspaper’s £5 ; Printing and advertising £2OO ; Postages and telegrams £2O. General Contingencies £4OO. Mr Sxkclaib asked for the sum to be increased to £OOO. Mr Seymour explained that it was a similar amount to last year, and *£so remained unex-

pended of it; he thought the sum stated quite sufficient. to Bridges — Seymour wished a larger amount voted, as many bridges were wanting repairs. He might instance the Omaka bridge, which would cost .£l5O. Last session he was given to understand that it only wanted new flooring, but having examined it, they found the joints and timbers were so rotten as not to hold the nails. During the past year several bridges had been repaired, and it was found difficult to know how much money was required. He instanced the Spring Creek bridge, and concluded by proposing that the sum be £IOOO. Mr Sinclair agreed with the amount, and referred to the Koromaiko.

The item passed as amended. Surveys £SOO ; Legal Advice £SO ; Payments under Land Clauses Consolidation Act £IBSO ; Fuel and Lights for Offices, £3O ; Insurance, £SO. Repairs Wharf, Gouland’s Ferry £3O. — Mr G. Dodson proposed that the sum be increased to £6O, as the sum set down would go very little way towards the purpose, as the wharf repuired widening to twice its present width.

Mr Seymour said the same item appeared last year. Owing to a flood the wharf was disconnected with the shore. He visited the spot, and was about getting it repaired, but several residents wished him to desist, as they intended submitting a plan by which a more extensive wharf could be constructed; such plan had not, however, been submitted, but he had no objection to the amendment. Goldfields £250. Mr Douslin asked how this sum was to be apportioned, and whether any provision was made for repairing the road between Deep Creek and the Forks. Mr Seymour stated several offers had been made, some of which would be taken into consideration, by which payment in land had been proposed. If money was required, it would be taken out of this amount. Mr Douslin said unless the Government declined the offer of taking payments in land, he should wish the amount increased. Mr Seymour said the Government was disposed to entertain offers of that kind favorably, but he was not -willing to pledge the Government. He felt the peculiar necessity for considering roads on the gold-fields, as they had no road boards. Mr Sinclair would like to have seen a return showing what had been alienated from the Province in this way, and knew a vast deal more land had been given in this way than advantages derived to the public. Mr Douslin moved that the sum be increased to £350,

Mr Conolly said lie was surprised and considered it the duty of the Government to keep down such items to their lowestpossible amount. A division was taken, when the Ayes were— Messrs Douslin and Robinson, and the Noes— Messrs Seymour, Conolly. Carter, Turner, Chaytor, Dodson, Hodson, Western, Blick, Sinclair, Goulter.

Fire Brigade. Blcnhejm,£2s ; Hospital Fence £3(i’;~"Eepair3 hdrth end of the Opawa Bridge £l5O ; Viaduct south side Opawa Bridge £6OO ; Picton Wharf £6OO ; Repairs and Painting Government' Buildings £100; Dray Road from Landing Place to Canvas Town £SOO ; Refund of Publican’s Licenses £IOOO ; Bridle Road south of Kahutera £3OO ; Refund under Scab Act £IOO ; Davis for contract between Mahakipawa and Havelock £SO ; Passage of P. Rigby to Melbourne .£ls ; Navigation of the Opawa and Omaka Rivers A'loo ; Court-house, Havelock, LIOO ; Room for Public purposes, Marlborough Town, L3O ; Removal of Snags, Pelorus river, LIOO ; Road to Top House, L2OO. [To he continued in our next.\