PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 65, 18 May 1865, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, May 10th, 1865. Captain Mackenzie asked ihe Provincial Treasurer why so small a proportion of the amount voted had been expended on the roads in the Clutha district — to which Mr Mosa replied that the strictest economy was being practised, in consequence of the large expense involved in repairing roads made under the present system. The debate on Mr Vogel's resolutions and Mr Macaudrew's amendment on Separation, was then resumed by Mr Dillon Bell, in the absence of Mr E. B. Cargill, who had moved the adjournment. Mr Bell, in a lengthened speech, explained the reasons why he could support neither the resolutions nor the amendment. He was opposed to Separation, but in favor of the consolidation 01 the Middle Island Provinces into one, with a central Government. Mr J". Cargill intimated his intention of voting for the amendment. Mr "Walker thought the time had not yet come for carrying out either Separation or consolidation. Mr Reynolds condemned the resolutions in totq, and did not agree with the amendment. Mr Rennie urged a re-affirmation of the resolutions on the subject, passed last session. Mr Yogel having replied, the Council proceeded to a division. The amendment of Mr Macandrew was carried so as to become" the substantive motion before the House. On being put in that form, the previous question wai moved and carried. Mr Macandrew then gave notice to move his resolution at the next sitting. The Roads Diversions Bill waa read a third time and passed. The House then went into Committee of Supply, and it was resolved to vote the sums in each department in globo. Several items were disposed of, and progress was reported.

Thursdat, May 11th, 1865. In reply to Mr Macandrew, the Provincial Secretary said the toll gate at the Dupedin Jetty had been erected by the lessee on the authority of the Government. Tho Provincial Solicitor was of opinion that the toll could be enforced as against lighters, and notwithstanding tho decision in the Magistrate's Court, the matter would bo brought before it again immediately. In reply to Mr Blair, the Provincial Secretary said that the destruction of property at Abbott's Creek was owing to the accumulation of sand at the mouth of the Creek and not from the inadequacy of the bridge. The Provincial Secretary, in answer to Mi' Miller, said a, sum would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the erection of a Jetty at Oamaru. The report of tho Commission on the "Waste Lands of the Province was laid on the table. The discussion on the motion of the Provincial Treasurer, that the plan of Harbor Reclamation on the tablo be adopted, was postponed until Monday. The motion of the Provincial Treasurer, for raising the interest on the Harbor and Public Buildings Loans to a rate not exceeding 10 per cent, on condition of principal and interest on all loans bearing more than 8 per cent, interest being paid in DunecUn, was, with an amendment, carried. On the motion of Mr Bell the House resolved itself into a Committee of Supply for the purpose of discussing the motion of the Provincial Treasurer, affirming tho expediency of obtaining the gurantee of the General Government to Provincial loans orfsuch reasonable terms as might be demanded. An amendment proposed by Mr Yogel was negatived, as well as one by Mr Macandrew. A verbal amendment by Mr Brodie was agreed to, and after some discussion the motion of the Treasurer was agreed to. The Otago Harbor Trust Lands Ordinance was read a first time, and the second reading made an order of tho day for the next sitting of the Council. The Roads Ordinance Bill was recommitted, and a number of verbal amendments made. The Municipal Corporation Bill was read a second time. Mr Brodie called attention to {the danger to tho Government Offices, of tho proximity of looso wood and bark, which the Provincial Secretary promised should bo remedied. In reply to a question by Mr Dyer, the Provincial Secretary said tbe Government h*d no notice of the resignation of the City Commissioners. On the resumption of the House at seven o'clock, tho House went into Committeo on the Municipal Corporation Bill. Clauses 1 to 11 passed without discussion. On clause 12 being proposed, Mr Bastings proposed that there should be three representatives for each ward, which was negatiyed. On clause 13 being moved, Mr Mouatt moved as an amendment that the Mayor should be elected by tho Councillors from amongrst the number. A divison took place, and the amendment was carried by a majority of 14 to 6. Progress was reported, and leave given to sit again on Friday. Mr Bastings presented a petition against the removal of the Hospital to the Exhibition Building, signed by 300 persons. The petition was received. In Committee of Supply, Mr Bathgate's petition, asking for an advance of 8 per cent, on the paid-up capital of the Dunedin Water Works Company, was discussed in Committeo, and it was decided not to receive the petition. Mr Swyer's claim for compensation was rejected. Mr Dyer's motion for the abolition of turnpike tolls was rejected. Mr Reid's motion to expend tho amount of tolls on the roads on which they were collected, was negatived. In Committee of Supply, some items passed through the Estimates.

Friday, Mat 12th, 1865. The Provincial Secretary stated that the opinion of the Provincial Solicitor should be taken on the subject of jetty dues. Mr Walker moved the adoption of a report of tho Select Committee on Private Petitions, recommending that a provision should be made for placing the Catholic clergyman on the same footing with the Protestant gaol chaplain. A long discussion ensued, -which ended in tho adoption by a large majority of a resolution proposed by Mr Macandrew, declaring it to be inexpedient to make any public provision for gaol chaplains. < A motion, proposed by Captain Mackenzie, for placing on the Estimates a sum for the repayment of 10s. an acre to purchasers of pre-emptive rights, charged in error by tho Waste Land Board, was opposed by the Provincial Secretary.

COST OF CONVEYANCING. On the motion of Mr Macandrew, seconded by Mr Burns, it was resolved—" That the report of the Select Committee appointed to consider the best means of simplifying and reducing the cost of conveyancing bo adopted." To carry out the recommendation of the report, it was further resolved—" That a respectful address be transmitted to His Excellency the Governor, requesting that he may be pleased forthwith to give effect to the Lands Registration Act, 1860, within the Province of Obago." Mr Macandrew re-introduced his resolution on the inexpediency of raising the question of Separation ; but tho discussion was interrupted by the following scene : —

AN ALABM — ADJOUBNMENT. Mr Adam said he had just had occasion to see the Provincial Engineer as to the safety of the building ; and the Engineer thought the building exceedingly dangerous, and that the Council should adjourn. The Speaker : I think there should be some official report on this subject. Mr Adam said he had spoken as Chairman of the House Committee. The Engineer would not commit himself to the opinion that the Council should remain in the building. There was a crack in the bank at the back of the building ; and the Engineer said that until he had examined a channel on the hill, he could not say that the building was safe. Mr Reynolds had heard during the morning that there would be great risk in using the building. Tons of stuff had fallen even while the Council had been sitting ; and if a large portion of the bank gave way, nothing could save any one in the place. Ho felt that they were running a very great risk. , . ., Mr "Walker thought there was nothing urgent in the matter. The Engineer would not, until he had made an examination of the surface, pledge his professional reputation to the safety of the building— that was all. It would bi very inconvenient to adjourn. Mr Adam said that the Engineer had no doubt that part of the bank would fall before the night was over. It would be well for the Council to clear out. Mr Burns thiught they might meet elsewhere for the evening, if another place could be secured. After some conversation, the Chairman of the House Committee was instructed to enquire as to another placo of meeting. The Provincial Treasurer thought this was taking a very hasty step. Mr Adam : It would be a very nice ending for tno Council, to be swept out into the street, building and all. Mr Bell thought the official statement made should settle the question of adjournment. There was no need of being fool-hardy. Everybody could see what the late rains had done, in different parts of the city ; and if the bank behind the Hall slipped, the whole building must go into the street, and most probably everybody in it would be killed. . The Provincial Treasurer commenced speaking againw the motion of Mr Mocandrew. Mr Hughes: The honorable member for the Manuherikia (Mr Macpherson) haa just been to the back, and he say» the place is not safe-. There were suggestions to adjourn ; and the question being put, it was affirmed.

Tho Council was adjourned at half-past four o clock ; it being understood that the members were to come to the Hall at seven o'clock, to loam where tho evening sitting was to be held. . . The House re-asscmbled at seven o'clock in the usual place of meeting. . The Speaker read a letter from tho City Engineer, stating that ho had examined the bank of earth behind the Council Hall, and was of opinion that although small portions of earth might fall, there was no danger so far as the meeting of Council was concerned. A communication to the same effect was read from Mr Howlinson, of the Department of Roads and Works.

SaIcbdat, Mat 13th, 1865. On the motion of Mr Brodie, it was agreed to take the Setition of Mr C. P. O'Rafforty into consideration, in bmmitteo of Supply. The petitions of J. N. Merry and John Louden, were referred to the Committee on Private Petitions. , ,, The Superintendent's Message, Ho. ?, was brought down, stating that directions had been given to prepare abill, authorising the placing of L22.000 on the Estimates, for the purpose of refunding the purchase money with interest, to those desirous of receiving it, who bought land under the proclamation of the 20th December, 18b4, and giving reasons for dissent from the Resolutions oi the Council. „ ... The Eoads Bill was further considered in Committee, and some amendments made. It was tlien reported to tho House, and the third reading made an order of the day for Monday. The consideration of the Resolutions on Land was resumed in Committee, and some additions made to several clauses. The amendments were reported to the House, ■vrhichresolved itself again, on the motion of Mr Thomson, into Committee, to consider the amendments of which V discussion ensued, which continued until half -past fivo o'clock, when the House adjourned.

Mondat, Mat 15th, 1865. A motion standing in the name of Mr Mollison. was, in that gentleman's absence, moved by Mr Mouatt, who said, however, he did nob support it. It was to exclude reporters from the House until the debates were reported " more impartially and accurately." After some talk, the motion, and an amendment modifying ifc, wore withdrawn. On the motion of Mr Dyer, seconded by Mr Adam, a resolution was adopted, praying for the extension of the Resident Magistrate's Court at Tokomairiro. The House having gone into Committee of Supply, to consider his Honor's message, recommending a sum of L22,000 to be voted for repayment of purchasers of land under the proclamation of the late Government, After a loug discussion, the Government resolutions were carried on a division. The item of L22,000 was then agreed to.

Tuesday, Mat 16th, 1865. The Chairman of Committees took the chair at two o cl o c It On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, Mr F. Dillon Bell -was elected Interim Speaker, during the absence of Major Richardson. The House went into Committee on the Land Resolutions. , Mr Thomson withdrew his amendments in favor of a motion by Mr Dyer. The Hoxiso resumed, when Mr Dyer moved an amendment on the resolutions : That the whole of the clauses relating to pastoral lands be struck out, for the purpose of introducing clauses enabling the Provincial Government to grant or renew pastoral leases, on terms approved by the Council. The amendment was negatived, as was also a series of amendments by Mr Macandrew. Interim reports on private petitions were laid on the table. The Otago Roads Bill Avas read a third time and passed. In Committee on the Municipal Corporations Bill, a proposition by the Provincial Secretary, in accordance with a vote of the Committee that " a Mayor be elected by the Councillors out of their number," was negatived. The remaining clauses passed with unimportant alterations. The Bill was reported, and the third reading made an order of the day for Wednesday.