Auckland Provincial Council.

New Zealander, Volume XIV, Issue 1313, 17 November 1858, Page 3

Auckland Provincial Council.

The Provincial Council met, pursuant to adjournment, on Thursday the 11th, and, despite the attraction in the Albert Barracks square, in the Farewell Banquet to the 58th Regiment, a real business sitting ensued.

On Friday, the Council met at the usual hour, bnt the attendance of members was small Two Messages from the Superintendent were received and read : they inclosed a new Publicans' Licensing Bill, and a (Provincial) Jfuperannuation Bill; which were read a first time and ordered to be printed A motion by Mr. King for an address to the Superintendent, respecting roads from Waiuku to the Pura Pura landing-place, and the Awaroa, 1 ed to some conversation, during which it was shown by the Executive that the Government were already doing everything in their power to forward the objects referred to. Motion negatived by 6 to 5 Message No. 23, relative to the Steam Mail Service Contract, was con* sidered in committee of the whole ; when considerable discussion took place on the first of Mr. Harris's scries of (rive) resolutions condemnatory of the provisions of that contract, by which the English Mails for Auckland from Sydnev will be brought by the steamers via Nelson and New Plymouth, instead of being brought direct to Auckland ; but there being only eleven members present, the debate was adjourned to allow of a larger attendance The Auckland Building] Bill wasjread a second time ; the Council went into committee, when the first clause was read and progress reported The third reading of the Sheep Bill was postponed, and the Council adjourned to Tuesday.

The Provincial Council met again yesterday afternoon : Present—The Speaker and 18 members. . •.. A petition from Edward Barry, North Shore, was presented, praying compensation for a right of load through his farm. Notice of motion for production of correspondence on the subject, {was given On the motion of Mr. Merriman, the Couucil went into committee on Message No. G of the Superintendent, transmitting Auckland Improvement Act, ISSS. The hon. member reminded the committee of the position in which matters were left by the rejection of the report of the select committee, recommending the widening of High-street to 42 feet—and nothing more. From that report he dissented ; ho still thought the whole of the block should and could have been purchased ; and as the Council had rejected that report and it was necessary some final decision should be come to, he would now, not aa a member of Government, but as Chairman of the Select Committee, move a resolution which would test the feeling of the Council and bring the matter to an issue- lie moved that the Superintendent be requested to purchase so much of the frontage of the block in Shortlaud-street, as would be sufficient to widen Highstreet to 60 feet: if this resolution were adopted, it would then be for the Council to consider what should be done with the remainder of the block—if rejected, he should regard it as a declaration of the opinion of the Council that no action should bo taken in the matter at all Discussion ensued, during which it was evident that many hon. members wished to see something done, but were restrained by fears of expense or interference with vested interests—that nearly every one was "disgusted" with the extravagantsums asked for portions of the land, that almost every hon. member had some pet scheme of his own, that all would have liked to see " the Government" propound some comprehensive plan harmonising all differencea of opinion, satisfying every proprietor and burnt-out occupier, yet costing the Province nothing. So the motion was rejected by 14 to 4, as was also an amendment by Mr. Harris (for purchasing the whole block, widening the old street, and reserving the remainder for public offices) ; the fact of such rejection was reported to the Council; and a resolution adopted that that rejection be notified to the Superintendent. And then more than one hon. member repented him of the step he had taken, and wished the whole subject re-opened ; but it was " too late" The Report of the Queen-street Wharf Committee was brought up : it recommended an extension of the wharf to the 3-fathom water-line The Provincial Council Enlargement Bill was read a second time on the motion of Dr. Pollen, who stated that the Superintendent and Executive did not concur in the desirability of Responsible Government; the first clans* was read, and progress was reported Road Bills, Nos. l and 2, were read a third time and passed.... The Sheep Bill was re-committed for a verbal alteration in clause 16, and notice of third reading given for to-day Message 23, in reference to the Mail Service Contract, was cousidered in committee, and Mr. Harris's resolutions, condemnatory of the mode of conveying the Mails from Sydney to Auckland via Nelson and New Plymouth, adopted.,., The Council then adjourned,