PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 44, 31 May 1873, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, May 28. PJETITIONS. Mr. Acton Adams presented a petition from 160 merchants and importerß of Nelson in favour of placing tho port under the control of a Harbour Board. Mr. Gibbs, Chairman of the Petitions Committee, brought up the report on the petitions of tho inhabitant of Upper Buller, Upper Mouteka, and Stanley Brook. The committee recommended that tho Upper Bullor and Upper Motueka districts be separated, and bo each constituted a Road Board district ; and that Stanley Brook bo made a subdistrict under tho Highways Act Amendment Bill. The report of tho committee on the petition of the Artizans' Association for a grant of money in aid of their library was unfavourable, as a grant was already given to the Nelson Institute. 1 AMENDING EDUCATION ACT. Mr. O'Conoe moved, "That the increasing demands upon the revenue for public works and other purposes, render it desirable that the educational establishment of this provinco should bo pluced upon a basis more nearly approaching the self-supporting and self-reliant principle, either by increasing tho returns under the heading of Education Rate, or by j some other moans ; and the following ba a committee to inquire and report upon the subject of the foregoing resolution : — the Speaker, tho Provincial Secretary, Mr. Waatney, Mr. Sliephard, ,Mr. GuinneßS, Mr. Ivess, and the mover." He said it was •well known that the amount annually voted for educational purposes was a very heavy one, and larger than the province could afford, when so much money was used for opening the country by roads. The tiino had now arrived for our educational system to be mado more self-supporting, and though ho did not pretend to say how this was to bo effected, it j was clearly necessary that some means should bo adopted for bringing the receipts and expenditure to something more nearly approaching a balance, and it was for this reason that he moved for a Select Committee. There wero large land endowments for education, but at present the revenue derived from those was but trifling, amounting to not more than £220 a-ypar. The time might come when the receipts fro*m this source would become much larger, but in the mount imo tho Council could not refuse to devote its serious nttontion to tho necessity of lessening the heavy drain on tho revenue. The tax at present was unequally levied, and totally inadequate to the purpose for which il was required, and a cotnmitteo might collect evidence on this head, which would carry great weight with the Council in dealing with the matter. His desire was to place tho educational establishment upon a firm basis, and he could see the time coming when the Council would certainly refuse any increase in the annual vote, and possibly might attempt to decrease it, in which case the whole system, unless rendered more self-supporting, must break down under its own weight. Out of the vote of £7,200 asked for, £6,800 were spent upon salaries, and the average amount expended upon books and other requirements for school purposes was equal to half-a-crown per head for each child attending the schools, Lfor whom their parents paid only five shillings each, pj/largor poll-tax on the children might be raised, and in 1869 something of this kind had been proposed, and might now be carried into effect in such a way as not to press more heavily on the parents than they were able to afford, since each local committee was vested with the power of exemption whoro they doomed it necessary. The manner in which the system was now supported was radically wrong, since it throw the burden on the shoulders of those who were least able to pay. He would like to see a special rate on property for the purpose, but tho next best thing was to raise the rates at present paid, and so relieve the Provincial Government from the very unfair amount of subsidy now asked from it. According to the Act, the rateyayers had the power to specially rate themselves, but this had never been brought into operation, the reason being that the people preferrod to receive an annual subsidy from the Council, from whom it came as it were as a gift from heaven, to putting their hands into their pockets to help themselves. Mr. Guinness said he thought that nothing was more creditable to the province than ifca educational BVBtern, but the time had arrived for making Borne alteration in the mothod of raising the funds. He considered it was a bad principle that people should depend so muoh upon the public revenues for educational purposes, and he would like to see some means devised for remedying this evil. The Provincial SEOiiETARr opposed the motion. Ho was of opinion that it would bo a groat miafcuko at the present time to attempt to raise the Education rate, as people were not in a position to pay larger fees, and any step in that direction would tend to break up the Bystem. There was a prospect of large works being shortly undertaken in the province, aud of better times being in store, when the revenue "would be better able to stand the strain upon it. Mr. F. Kelling said ho had sometimes thought a small increase in the rate was desirable, but did not consider that this was a favourable time for introducing it, as, if attempted, it would create great disturbance in tho working of the Act. No money was devoted by the Council to a better purpose than that of education. Mr. Aoion Adams opposed the resolution, on the broad principle that it was the duty of the publio to pay for educating the rising generation ; and it could be done by them far better and more cheaply than by individual parents. If we had compulsory education — as it was possible might be the case in the course of a few years — the question would then be, not whether the parents should pay higher rates, but whether they should pay any at all, as many of would be unable to afford it, and it was impossible to say whoro the line was to be drawn between those who paid and thoso who did not. The Provincial Solicitor supported the resolution. He would bo sorry to see the working of the Act injured in any way 5 but ho had always felt that tho weak point in tho system was, that it was not sufficiently self-supporting, and depended too much upon the publio purse. If at any time tho Council ■wore unable to vote the subsidy, \,he whole thing must brpak down, and this might happen at any time, for thp constant cry was for money to expend upon roads. If even £1,000 were cut off the annual voto, it was difficult to say how the system could be carried on, as it must lead to a reduction in the salaries which would have a most injurious effect. At present, thero were many people who sent their children to the Government schools who were well able to afford to pay a much larger contribution to the Education Fund, and he should be glad to Bee sorao moans adopted for insisting on their doing so. Mr. Wabtney supported tho resolution, and expressed his surprise that the Government had not made a move in this direction before now, as it was part of their business to see that funds were provided for this purpose. He had always considered that the system should be made more self-supporting, and believed that an increase in the rate would have a most beneficial effect, as the people would appreciate their advantages more if they had to pay more highly for them. As it was, many of the parents were quite indifferent to tho matter. The five shilJjngs a-head was a matter of no importance to them, but if they had to pay a pound instead of five shillings they would take care that they obtained value for their money. Mr. Gibbs supported tho resolution, and hoped the Committee would be ablo to devise some means of increasing the revenue. He thought that the centre* of population should be in a position to support their own schools, and that it was only the out-distriots that should require Government assistance. Mr. Shephard would like to boo a committee appointed, as ho was anxious that some means should be devised for preventing our present system from breaking down uudor its own weight. Within the last few years the number of schools had been largely increased, but there was only a very trifling increase in the school revenue to meet the additional expense. A still larger sum was required than that placed on the Estimates, but ho did not know how it was ■ to bo obtained, Tho teachers were kept down to the

very lowest possible salaries, but still the funds were short, and at the same time we had to face competition from the other provinces, where the masters were better paid. To Btarve the teachers was to drive them away to other provinces, and thus to cause our own to sink below them in co fur aa the quality of our teachers was concerned. He wished to see a committee appointed, and with a view to setting aside all debateable matter, would move as an amendment that all the words between " That " and " the Speaker " be struck out for the purpose of substituting the following: — "a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon the advisability of taking steps to render the educational system more self" supporting j Buch Committee to consist of," &c. Several members spoke in favour of the amendment, which was ultimately carried on the voices. INCREASED REPRESENTATION TO THE WEST COAST. Mr. Burn moved :—: — 1. " That no alteration be made in the number of members, or their distribution, in the settled districts. 2. " That the numbor of members in the Southwest Gold Gelds be increased to eight. 3. " That the members be distributed as follows :—: — Cobden . . . one member Aliaura . . . two members Charleston . . one member Buller . . . two members Inangahua . , one member Central Buller . one member." The first resolution was act aside by moving the previous question ; the second wns carried on division by the casting vote of the Speaker ; and the third was carried on the voices. RETURN OF CONTINGENCIES. Mr. GIBB3 moved, " That his Honour the Superintendent be requested to fnruish the Council with a return, showing the expenditure under the item ' various small items, £288 15a. 4d.,' as Bhown in the Auditor's Report, under the head ' Contingencies.' " REINSTATEMENT OF J. A. MAGUIRE. Mr. Reid moved, " That, in consideration of the length and general good character of James Arthur Maguirc's connection with the Provincial service us gaoler, at Cobden and Westport, his Honour the Superintendent be respectfully requested to again admit him to the service of tho Government by appointing him to Borne situation for which he may by his experience bo suited, and which may be at his Honour's disposal." He said the Committee which inquired into the case had unanimously agreed that Mr. Maguire might have been treated with more leniency considering his long term of faithful service, and he was glad to be able to say that the Government were not opposed to the Committee's recommendation. He hoped the Government would also see the way to compensate the petitioner for the trouble and expenco he had been put to in bringing his case before the Council. Petitioner had been put to severe loss and annoyance, and he hoped the Government would, with good feeling, reinstate him in his former office of gaoler at Westport, which had never been filled up. Mr. Donne seconded the motion. Mr. O'CoNOfc supported it. Ho thought a reprimand would have been suffijient for any dereliction of duty the petitioner had been guilty of; ho had been too harshly dealt with by the authorities, particularly when his long good conduct, faithful and efficient services were taken into consideration. Mr. Pinkerton spoke highly as to the character of Mr. Maguire, whom he had known for several years. — Motion unanimously agreed to. ESTIMATES. The Council then went into committee on the Estimates, and passed a few items, when it resumed, aud adjourned. Thursday, May 29. SALE OF REEFION TOWNSHIP. The Provincial Secretary moved, " That, in the opinion of this Council, the occupied portion of the township of Reefton should be sold to the occupiers under the provisions of the Waste Lands Act 1863, Amendment Act 1872." Seconded by Mr. Ivess, and agreed to. LYELL LOCK-UP. Mr. O'Conoe asked the Provincial Secretary, " Whether the Government intended immediately erecting police quarters and a lock-up in the Lyell township ? " The Provincial Secretary, in reply, stated that the Provincial Engineer had received instructions to ' call for tenders for the work. I PRAY ROAD TO BOATMAN'S, Mr. IVES3 moved, " That his Honour the Superintendent be requested to place upon the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £1,000 for the construction of a dray road from Landing Road to Georgetown, Boatman's." Mr. O'Conor seconded the motion, whioh was agreed to. WATER SUPPLY IN GREY DISTRICT. I Mr. PINKEETON moved, " That, in the opinion of I this Council, a water-race should He constructed from Randall's Creek to Napoleon Hill, Grey disj trict, as recommended by the Provincial Engineer in his report on Water Supply for Nelson South- West Gold-fields (dated April 15, 1871) j and that his Honour the Superintendent be respectfully requested to urge upon the Colonial Government the importance of the work, and the necessity for its immediate construction." He said it was a sister scheme to the railway ; and if the people of Nelson assisted the miners to get a sufficient water supply in the district named and other parts of the gold-fields, when the iron horse rattled through our valleys to the West Coast the miners would visit Nelson, associate with its inhabitants, and spend their superflous cash in this city. Mr. Guinness seconded the motion, and the Provincial Secretary and Mr. Donnh supported it. The proposed race would supply water to twenty-five square miles of auriferous country, give f}fty heads of water, and an annual income of £2,500. The motion was unanimously agreed to. FOOT-BRIDGE OVER NEWTON RIVER. Mr. Shephard moved, " That his Honour the Superintendent bo requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £30 for the erection of a foot-bridge over the Newton." Seconded by Mr. Ivess, and agreed to. ROAD TO STANLEY BROOK. Mr. Shephard moved, " That his Honour tho Superintendent be requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £150 to complete the road from Pigeon Valley to Stanley Brook." The work was necessary to give Stanley Brook an outlet. Mr. F. Kelling seconded tho motion. Mr. Baigent proposed the sum be increased to £300. — The motion, as amended was agreed to. WEST COAST RAILWAY. The Provincial Secretary moved, "That the Council resolve itself into Committee, for the consideration of his Honour the Superintendent's message No. 5, relative to railway communication." Tho Council having gone iuto Committee, the Provincial Secbetary proposed the following re- ( solutions •.—. — " I. That this Council is of opinion that the construction of a railway from Fox-hill to Brunnerton, uniting the two short lines already under contract from Nelson to Fox-hill, and from Brunnerton to Qreymoutu, is absolutely essential alike to the im- ! immediate prosperity and the permanent settlement of all parts of the province. 11 11. That the Council earnestly request the Colonial Government to recommend the General Assembly to authorize the construction of the line from the funds raised, or hereafter to be raised, by the colony for public works, on the following conditions :— " 1. That the work be carried out by the Public Works department of the colony. " 2. That special security be given by the province in land within the watersheds of the valleys through whioh the line will run, to the extent of 10,000 acres per mile of railway.

" That the province shall bo subject to the same liabilities as other provinces in which railway works are being carried on by the Public Works department." He said he considered the objections hitherto entertained to the railway by the West Coast members would be no longer held, now that the line was to be constructed by the Colonial Government. Mr. O'Conoe objected to the wording of the first resolution, and moved, as an amendment, that the words " absolutely," " alike," " immediate," and " all parts of," be struck out. Mr. Guinness condemned the amendment, and supported the resolution. It was the duty of the Council to pass no lukewarm resolution, and he thought the wording should be allowed to stand. Mr. Ivess would support the amendment. He had in addressing his constituents opposed the scheme of a railway, and he could not now stultify himself by supporting the Government resolutions. Mr. Reid said no man had more strongly condemned the proposed railway than himself, having repeatedly written against it, and ridiculed the scheme. But times were changed. Railways were being constructed in every province in the colony, and it was not for the interest of Nelson to be excluded. He should therefore give the resolutions his cordial support. The railway would certainly have a beneficial effect upon the whole province. Mr. Donne supported the resolutions very heartily. The successful negotiation of the deputation with the Government was a subject for congratulation by every well-wisher of the province. He saw great difficulties in the way of a company dealing with the sale and occupation of the land, but in the hands of the Government the mining interest would be safe. Messrs. Wastney, Shephard, Pinkerton, A. Adams, F. Kelling, Burn, and the Speaker, all epoke in favour of the resolutions. A division was tuken on the amendment, which was negatived by 16 to 2, Mr. O'Conor and Mr. Ivees comprising the minority. The resolutions were then put seriatim and carried unanimously. The Chairman reported the resolutions without amendments. The Provincial Secretary moved that the resolutions be adopted by the Council. Mr. Gibbs said before that question was put, he would like to ask the Provincial Secretary whether the expression he had made use of in Commitfcoe, to the effect " That the land fund of the province only was liable for the guarantee to be given to the Colonial Government" was really so. He wished to bo satisfied on that point, before he was prepared to let the motion pass ; not having sufficiently studied the Act, he had thought that the provincial revenue generally was liable, in addition to the million and a-half acres of land proposed to be given. Perhaps the Provincial Secretary would satisfy him, or he should feel bound to vote against it. The Provincial Secretary said that it was only the land revenues of the province that were liable according to the Act. Mr. Gibbs expressed himself satisfied. The resolutions were then passed with the unanimous assent of the Council. HIGHWAYS ACT. The Provincial Solicitor moved the third reading of the Highways Act Amendment Bill. The bill was read and passed. STANLEY BROOK. Mr. C. Kelling moved, " That his Honour the Superintendent be requested to take the requisite steps ta constitute that part of the Motueka Vulley Road Board district known as Stanley Brook, &c, into a sub-district." Seconded by Mr. F. Kelling, and carried. ORDER OF THE DAY. The Council then went into Committee upon the Estimates, and several items were passed before resuming for adjournment. Friday, May 30. GOLD-FIELDS INCREASED REPRESENTATION. Mr. Donne asked the Provincial Secretary, when the Government will be prepared to bring in a bill to give effect to the resolution arrived at on Wednesday, May 28th, with respect to increasing the number of members of the Provincial Council ? The Provincial Secretary Baid instructions had been given to the Provincial Solicitor to draw the bill, and it would be introduced as early as possible. UPPER MOTUEKA VALLEY ROAD BOARD. Mr. Shephard moved, "That his Honour the Superintendent be requested to take the necessary steps for forming the Upper Buller and Upper Motueka Valley into separate Road Board districts." The Provincial Secretary did not object to the resolution, but he thought no change should be made until the works which the Upper Motueka Road Board had in hand, and for which they had received money, were completed. He referred to Mr. Dobson'B report on the road to the Buller by way of the Hope, which Government had just received. [This was read by the Clerk of the Council.] The cost of making a dray road by the Hope would be £10,000, while the one by way of the Grey could bo finished for £2,500. He Bhould be glad to submit the question to a Select Committee. The road by the Hope would save a day's journey to drays, and open for settlement a considerable tract of very fair country. The resolution was agreed to. ESTIMATES. The Council then went into Committee on the Estimates, and subsequently adjourned until Monday next. Failure op Sir Bartle Frebe's Mission. — The Sultan of Zanzibar has declined to have anything to do with the treaty offered to him by Sir Bartle Frere for consideration and signature. Sir Bartle had in fact gone in a pompous fashion to Zanzibar, to propose to the Sultan that the slave trade, on which the island had flourished for ages, and around which were gathered the sanctity of the Mahometan faith and the honour of ancient custom, should be absolutely and immediately abolished, on the condition that England shouid help his Highness to the receipt of an annual income of something like £8,000. The Sultan was, however, to pledge himself that, on the completion of the bond for the £8,000, he should abandon the £27,000 a-year which he got from the pursuit of the slave trade, and that the slave trade itself should be regarded to ull intents and purposes as a thing of the past. Sir Bartle Frere has not failed to assure the Snltan, that by the summary rejection of the treaty his Highness has placed himself in antagonism to the wishes of the English Government, and to the earnest views which are entertained by every European country claiming to be civilized ; but the Sultan is satisfied to abide by the decision of his pagan Arab counsellors, and to hold in contempt the opinion of those States whose object, humane as it is, could only be achieved, as he himself adroitly alleges, by the raising of the standard of insurrection and disaster within his own Sultanry. Sir Bartle has not congealed his surprise that, with the exception of the Consular representative of Germany, he should have met with so little support and sympathy from the officers delegated, in some form or other, as the diplomatic agents of the empires, kingdoms, and republics of the continents of Europe. Escorted, therefore, by her Majesty's Bhip Briton, the Enchantress has borne Sir Bartle off to the other famous East African island of Madagascar, in order that he may Bee with his own eyes and hear with his own ears how the Portuguese are dealing with the slave trade more to the southward. Rumour is always busy 'with the future of the Duke of Edinburgh. The latest is that an alliance has been definitely arranged between his Royal Highness and an Imperial Russian Princess, and that it will take place in England during the present season. The bride-elect is believed to be Marie Alexaudrina, only daughter of the Emperor of Russia, who was born in October, 1853, sister of the Czarewitch, husband of the Princess Dagmar, sister-in-law of the Prince of Wales ; but in another quarter it is told that the Royal lady on whom the Duke's hand and heart is about being bestowed is Hjera Constantinovena, daughter of the Grand Duchess Josephine, aister of the present Emperor of Russia.