PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 706, 31 January 1855, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Friday, Jan dart 19*

Present— Mr. Speaker, and Messrs. Adams, Monro, Saxton, Collins, Barnicoat, Parker, and Baigent. A Message from the Superintendent was announced, conveying his Honor's assent to the Census Ordinance, the Legal Estate Ordinance, and the American Blight Ordinance: Dr. Monro brought up the report of the Select Committee on tbe\New Zealand Com* pany's debt, which was adopted by the Council and ordered to be printed. '-^ The Provincial Solicitor moved the third reading of the Education Commission Bill. Mr. Barnicoat brought up the report of the Select Committee on Public Works, and moved that it do lie on the table. - Mr. Parker gave notice of a proposed amendment in the Protection of Roads Bill, on its recommittal. Mr. Parker inquired of the Provincial Solicitor whether any reply had been received to the petition of the Council last session to the Home Government respecting improper grants of native reserves to Church schools. The Provincial Solicitor said no reply had been yet received. The memorial was received by the Superintendent on the 15th of May, and was forwarded by the first mail. Mr. Parker thought great delay had taken place in forwarding the document. The Council broke up in February, and he was at a loss to understand why so long an interval had elapsed before the document was sent. The Speaker said no blame could attach to the Superintendent for the delay. Mir. Barnicoat inquired when the copies of the contracts for repairing the roads would be produced. Mr. Parker did not see how the Estimates could be considered until the production of these, papers. The Council adjourned. Wednesday, January 24. Present— Messrs. Adams, Saxton, Cautley, Bush, Ward, Parker, Baigent, Elliott, and Mr. Speaker. The Provincial Solicitor gave notice of the re-committal of the Protection of Roads Bill for Thursday. Mr. Parker gave notice that on Thursday he should move the adoption of the report of the Select Committee on Public Works. The Provincial Solicitor gave notice that on Thursday he should move the consideration of the Estimates. Council adjourned. Thursday, January 25. Present— Messrs. Adams, Baigent, Collins, Ward, Elliott, Renwick. Parker, Monro, and Mr. Speaker. PROTECTION OF ROADS BILL. The Provincial Solicitor moved the re* committal of the Protection of Roads Bill, Dr. Renwick in the chair. The alterations proposed by the Provincial Solicitor were agreed to, but that by Mr. Parker, for limiting the operation of the bill to districts in which its introduction was called for by the inhabitants, was lost. The Council resumed. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS. Mr. Parker moved the adoption of the Report of the Select Committee on Public Works. The Provincial Solicitor wished to state that, although a member of the committee, he had received no notice of its sitting when the report was adopted, otherwise he certainly should have objected to parts of the report. Mr. Elliott was also a member of the com* mittee, and bad likewise been absent when the report was agreed to, but his absence had been his own fault. Had be been present on that" occasion, he should have endeavoured to have got the report modified in a few particulars, as he did not approve of it altogether as it stood. He could not concur, for instance, in the principle laid down, that the money to be expended on roads should be parcelled out among the different districts in proportion to the number of inhabitants in each, as many reasons might be given why such an apportionment would be unfair, and productive of no good. The appor. tionment, as heretofore, bad better, he thought, be left to the Executive Council. Then, again, while approving generally of the expenditure of the past year, the report questioned the propnety of the*expense which had been incurred in improving the principal approach to the town and in forming one of the chief streets. Now in his opinion the propriety of the work in question admitted of no question. The Report was adopted. THE ESTIMATES. The Provincial Solicitor, in moving that the Council resolve itself into committee to take into consideration the Estimates, said that he could not help expressing his satisfaction at the cum at their disposal for the present year, it being three times as large as that appropriated by them last year, and larger than that appropriated last year by the Provincial Council of Auckland. With regard to the estimated revenue, he considered it a moderate calculation, and thought that they might fairly expect to receive that sum, and in this opinion he was anpported by the heads of the eeveral depart, menu. In appropriating this sum, it war proposed that the salaries shonld be rather increased m conseqoence of the increased price of all neeeseanee, as well as the increase in the •mount of work. Labour of every kind bad Mcreued is price since lest year, and eoamoo

labourers were now difficult to get at ts. per day. The salary of the Superintendent had been put down at £500, and he thought that now they knew what were the duties and responsibilities of the office, none of them would think that snm too much. The clerk to the Superintendent bad been put down for four months only, as it was proposed tbat he should be transferred to the Provincial Secretary, should the bill authorizing the appointment be passed. There was an increase in salaries in the harbour and police departments, and at the sums proposed he was afraid that they would have difficulty in getting men ; in fact the police -had refused to continue under 6s. a day, which is a shilling a day below the usual wages of labourers. It was proposed to have an additional policeman in consequence of the increased work, especially the night duties. A sum had been estimated for the expenses of the witnesses attending the last sitting of the Supreme Court, as well as of those which would be required to attend at the next sitting. In the Commissioner of Public Works' department, there was also an increase, as it was proposed to give him assistants. This would be necessary if they voted so large a sum to public works as was proposed. The Resident Magistrate's department had also been estimated for ; perhaps they might not think proper to vote the salary of the Resident Magistrate, but he thought they would not refuse to vote the salary of the clerk, as he acted as clerk to th« other magistrates as well, and the expenses of the department, which included printing the jury list, &c. The Registrar of Deeds' department, had also been estimated for, as the General Assembly had refused to provide for it. The Registrar bad received a communication from the General Government, that they would pay him £300 for his salary for the different offices held by him ; but the Superintendent had had no communication to that effect, nor had any provision been made for payment of the clerk, &c. It was also necessary to provide for the payment of the registrars of births, deaths, and marriages, who had been appointed under an act of the General Asaembly, passed last session. An expense of £47 had been incuned by the election under the Nelson Trust Funds' act. The Superintendent was directed to carry out the provisions of the act, but no funds were provided. After providing for the different departments and miscellaneous expenditure, there would be a very large sum to be devoted to public works, which, after careful consideration, had been divided so as to provide for the various require ments as far as possible. They must all feel the want of a proper Council Chamber, and he thought that they could not do better than build one, now tbat they bad so large a sum at their disposal. The Government Wharf required rebuilding, and a sum had been put down for that purpose, as it was not only a convenience to the public, but a source of considerable revenue. It was also necessary to build an hospital and lunatic asylum, and to improve the gaol: £8,000 was estimated for roads, bridges, &c, and a like sum for immigration. The sum of £1,500, for steam communication with Melbourne, was the sum which would be required under an arrangement made with the Provincial Government of Wellington, in pursuance of a resolution passed by this Council. A like sum will also/ be required to be advanced for payment of the bonus to the Nelson steamer ; but this will be repaid by the General Government, and is included in the sum already advanced, and still remaining due in the estimated revenue.

Dr. Monro said before going into committee on the Estimates, he should like to clearly understand the course which it was most proper to take, and whether going into committee as proposed was the proper course. Last session, when this plan was followed, a difficulty was found to arise. He thought the proper plan was, that the Appropriation Bill should be sent down, and be read a second time, before they proceeded to discuss the Estimates.

The Provincial Solicitor had adopted the course taken last year in bringing on the Estimates before the Appropriation Bill was introduced, which [he thought the preferable plan. If the course suggested by Dr. Monro was followed, should the Estimates not be agreed to as sent down, the Appropriation Bill would have to be withdrawn. If the Council preferred having the Appropriation Bill before it, previous to going on with the Estimates, he would not object, but a delay of some days must be incurred by it.

The Speaker said, that having been appealed to by Dr. Monro as to the course proper to be pursued, be would state that he had given the subject much consideration, and he was of opinion that the Appropriation Bill should be introduced, and read a second time, before going on with the Estimates ; and if it should be afterwards found desirable to add anything to the bill, that no doubt could easily be done. This was a case in which the Britieh Parliament could not be taken as au example by tbat Council, seeing (that we had no machinery analagous to that possessed by the House of Commons. If a present delay was incurred by the course he suggested, it would in the end, he thought, be found to save time.

Mr. Baigent complained that the copies of the contracts entered into last year for the execution of public works, were not yet produced. He thought the Commissioner of Public Works was not treating the Council with respect by not furnishing the papers moved for. Until those papers were produced, he did not see how the Estimates could be voted.

Dr. Monro did not wish to impede public business, but he did not see how the Estimates could be paesed at the present moment, when there were several moot points which had to be diepoeod of. They night, it was true, pick

out certain departments^ and dispose of, leaving others for future discussion.

The Provincial Solicitor thought that the Estimates should at once be proceeded with. It was a great tax on the time of many of the members to be kept so long from home, and if the Council applied itself to business, the whole he thought mtght be disposed of next week* Mr. Baigent moved that the considera* tion of the Estimates should be postponed until the Commissioner of Public Works furnished the returns moved for.

Mr. Parker seconded the motion, and observed that until those returns were produced he could not vote any sums for public works. Mr. Elliott would be sorry to 6ee such a resolution pressed upon the Council, as its adoption must lead to a great waste of time. Supposing that it was considered desirable not to vote the expenditure for public works until the production of the papers referred to, it would be folly to keep back the whole of the Estimates for such a purpose, as before these could be half got through, there was no doubt the papers required would be upon the table. The censure which had been thrown on the Commissioner of Public Works for not earlier producing the papers, was quite uncalled for. The honourable member who moved for those papers bad, he was sure, but a faint idea of what he was asking for, as he would see when the documents were produced. The Commissioner of Public Works was well known to have more business than he could properly attend to — business which constantly required his presence in all parts of the country districts. Having no assistant, tbat officer must have been compelled to prepare the papers moved for by the Council at hours when he could absent himself from duties which would not admit of neglect; and if the fact was known, he believed it would be found that he had been compelled to give up time for the purpose which be might fairly have claimed as bis own.

Mr. Collins would like to see the Estimates gone on with.

Mr. Bush said the Estimates had not been long before them, and he thought a little delay would enable the Council to bestow some further thought upon them.

Dr. Renwick said if be thought the immediate consideration of the Estimates would facilitate the public business, he should be glad to see them gone on with, but remembering what occurred last session, when a second discussion took place on many of the items, on the introduction of the Appropriation .Bill, be did not think it desirable to run the risk of a similar proceeding this session.

Mr. Parker did not wish to press the motion he had supported, to the obstruction of public business. If the vote for public works was withheld until the returns moved for were produced, he should be satisfied.

The motion was then withdrawn.

Mr. Parker then moved that the consideration of the Estimates should be postponed to Tuesday next.

A division ensued, when 'there appeared /or the motion — Messrs. Renwick, Monro, Bush, Baigent, and Parker ; against— Messrs. Adams, Ward, and Elliott. Motion carried.

NOTICES OF MOTION.

Dr. Renwick gave notice that be should enquire at the next sitting, why a portal communication with Motueka had not bean carried out, in accordance with a vote of £50 from the General Assembly for tbat purpose.

The Provincial Solicitor gave notice that on Tuesday next, be should move for leave to bring in a bill for enlarging the Council, and an Appropriation Bill. Also, that be should move the third reading of the Protection of Roads Bill.

Mr. Pabker presented a petition from Motueka, praying for pecuniary assistance to a school in that district. Council adjourned to Tuesday, the 30th.

Slbep- Walking. — A case is related of an English clergyman, who used to get up in the night, light his candle, write sermons, correct them with interlineations, and retire to bed again ; being all the time asleep. The Archbiihop of Bordeaux mentions a similar case of a student, who got up to compose a sermon while aileep, wrote it correctly, read it over from one end to the other, or at least appeared to read it, made corrections on it, scratched out lines, and subitituted others, put in its place a word which had been omitted, composed music, wrote it accurately down, and performed other things equally surprising.

The Judge of the Leicester County Court has decided that a man is not to be held responsible for the extravagant expenses of his wife after he has cautioned the tradesmen with whom she deals, even though he should live with her after giving such caution, and while the debt is contracted.

Rumours are afloat of an intention to establish in London a monater glee society, numbering at leait a thousand voices.

A new plan of building carts and other vehicles has been discovered, by which a horse can be made to draw a load one half heavier than by cuts as at present constructed. The new vehicle has four wheels, and when the horse ia harnessed the foremost pair come to about the middle 'pi his body ; the weight is thrown on the axlei* -.

An Amusing Mistake. — A. gentleman of Douet was going out in his carriage to make some calls with his visiting cards. He ordered his footman, recently come into his service, to go to the mantel-piece in bis sitting-room, tad bring the cards he should see there. The servant did as he was directed, and off started the gentleman, send, ing in the footman with cards wherever the " not at home " occurred. As these were very numerous, he' turned to his servant with the question—" How many cards have you left ?" " Well, sir," says the footman, very innocently, "there's the king of ■pades, the six of hearts, end the ace of elobi 1" "The deuce!" exclaimed his master. "That's goae/' said John.