PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 295, 29 November 1862, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28. The Speaker took the chair at twenty minutes after four o'clock, and opened the business with prayer. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr REYNOLDS gave notice that be would, on Monday, move the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the whole question of immigration and to report on the Bth December ; such committee to consist of Alersrs: Cargill, Paterson, Oswin, Todd, and the mover. TURNPIKE ORDINANCE. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR laid on the table an Ordinance to Authorise Tolls on and for the maintenance of public roads within the Province " It was read a first time, ordered to be printed, arid the second reading was fixed for Tuesday On the motion of the PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR, the Electric Telegraphs Bill, the Hospitals Regulation Bill, and the Bill for Regulating Theatres were ordered to be read a second time on Monday. GOVERNMENT PRINTING AND ADVERTISING. Mr REYNOLDS moved— " That a committee be appointed to inquire into the whole question of the Government printing ; with power to call for persons and papers, and to report on Friday week ; committee to consist of Messrs Martin, Hardy, Taylor, Oswin, and the mover." The question of the cost of printing and advertising had been before the Government for a long time. It certainly seenwd a large amount that was now bein^ expended, but that amount might be necessary. His object was not, however, to prove this necessity or that so large an expenditure could be avoided. For the six months ending the 30th September, the total amount for advertising was L 1.261 17s 6.1, and that for printing, L 1,509 12s 7d, making a total of L 2,772 o,s Id ; or, at the rate of L 5,514 a-year. It was true that during the six months the expenditure had been much greater than was likely to occur in future • but supposing it could be reduced fo L 4.000 a-venr, which he believed was as much as was possible, it was still a question whether it would not be advisable for the Uovernrnent to have their own printing onice, He should be able to prove to the committee that this principle had been adopted in New South Wales and Tasmania; and all he asked was a-report from the Committee after full inquiry. Mr PATEitSON seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Service as Jurors. Mr REYNOLDS moved- # " That an Address be presented by this Council to his Honor the Superintendent, respectfully requesting that his Honor will be pleased to represent to His Excellency the Governor, the great obstruction and hindrance to Public Business, and inconvenience to individuals that arise from Members of the Executive Government being liable to serve as Jurymen and also from Members of the Provincial Council being in like manner liable so to serve during the Sitting of the Council; and to solicit thi t His Excellency may order sucli steps to be taken as will remove the evil." The business of the Executrre Council had been considerably retarded by the members having to be so much in attendance upon the Supreme Court, as jurors ; and under any circumstances, it was undesirable that the members of the Executive should have to give their attendance in Court from day to day for a fortnight or more. He knew that some members of Council thought that all the members Bhould be wholly excused from serving as jurors; and personally he would gladly move that such should be the case, did he not believe that the General Government would never assent to it. Mr KILGOUR seconded the motion. Mr TAYLER thought the motion did not go far enough- Since the 10th September, he had scarcely had an hour to himself at home, owing to his bein<* summoned both as a common and special juror • and he had thus been unable to go through the many bills of which the Executive—who had really done wonders in that matter had sent him copies. He should move an amendment, altering the motion so as to exonerate altogether the members of the Council from serving as jurors ; for he thought that those who devoted themselves to the business of the Council gave time enough to the public service. Mr HEPBURN seconded the amendment. Mr HOWORTH believed that the present Session of the Supreme Court was altogether exceptional • and that it was in every way desirable to adhere to the original motion. Mr REYNOLDS appealed to the mover of the amendment to withdraw ifc. If earned, he feared that, because so much was asked at once, the General Government [would not interfere at all; whereas the motion was so moderate that it was scarcely possible to object to it. The amendment was withdrawn, and the motion was agreed to. MESSAGES FKOM THE SUPERINTENDENT The following messages were brought up and were read by the Clerk :— Message No. 1. " Superintendent's Office, November 26th, 1862. The Superintendent forwards for the consideration of the Council certain resolutions of the Executive Government on the survey of old, but impracticable road lines, and on regulating the appropriation of the public moneys iv support of local efforts. He forwards at the same time a resolution of your House, adopted in its second session, on the 18th of September, 1855, indicative of the views then prevailing on the subject of the original road lines, and would'merely observe that, owing to these liberal views not having been carried out from temporary causes, the land through which such roads will now pass are chiefly sold and claims for compensation may probably arise. ' "With reference to the "rules for regulating the grants in aid of district assessments, it is only necessary to observe that they are based on the principle that, the land should contribute towards the formation ot roads, and in proportion, as regards district roads to the contributions to the revenue from thd sale of lantHn the neighborhood; the exception, if any -worn admissible, being in favor of remote and sparsely populated districts, where the country is much broken and intersected with creeks, swamps, and mountuin ranges. It will be evident that those grants should not be made to subserve private interests; and, therefore, the application for them is recommended to be by . public meeting duly called; and it, is recommended that the total amount for any one district - should be limited, so that the district, as a whole, should watch and sec that the appropriations are where the larger number of inhabitants will be benelitted. It is almost needless to remark that tha extension and formation of main lines to the outlying districts and the interior, make it necessary, in order to avoid the pressure ol taxation for their*construction, that the«e supplementary grants should be limited in amount, and extend over a certain number of years, so as not to press heavily upon the revenue at any particular period.

" J. L. C, Richardson, Superintendent." Message No. 5. " Superintendent's Office, "November 28th. 1562. _ " The Superintendent forwards, for the eousidera tion of the Council, certain proposals connected with the disposal of Waste Lands of the Province, which he considers, calculated to remedy some serious existing evils.

" The vast importance of the subject is so fully recognised, that the Superintendent feels he would be needlessly occupying the time of the Council by detailing what is so general a cause of complaint. "He therefore simply submit the proposals, in the assurance that they will receive due consideration."

PROPOSALS RESPECTING THE DISPOSAL OF THE

WASTB I/ANDS,

1. That in order to secure the finest agricultural land from immediate sale, it is absolutely necessary that lands of a secondary character should be thrown into the market, in blocks of not more than 820 acres, in order to afford the means of investment by the farmer of capital who wishes to enclose and lay down the land in artificial grasses ; and also with a view of obtaining funds for opening up the country, by the formation of roads and by improving the navigation of rivers and lakes.

" 2. That areas of the best agricultural land be laid off, with adjacent temporary commonages of an inferior class, and be brought into the market in blocks of from 10 to 50 acres, from time to time, to suit the requirements of small capitalists and laboring men.

"3. That in the disposal of both classes of Land before mentioned, it be a condition of purchase, accepted by the purchaser, that L 2 per acre be laid out upon the Land in_the period of two years, and on failure to fulfil this condition, the Land shall be taxed at the rate of per acre annually until such condition be fulfilled. A bill for the purpose to be introduced into the General Assembly, having retrospective effect to the date of the first sale under these conditions.

"4. That with respect to all Lands sold previously to the passing of this resolution, the same tax of per acre be imposed on all Lands not improved to the extent of L 2 per acre within four years of their purchase.

" 5. That it is expedient, with a view to encourage immigration, and to enable immigrants to obtain not more than 50 acres of land without competition, that the Government, by means of purchasing certain areas_ afford immigrants the opportunity of becoming certain lessees, with a purchasing clause, on condition ot paying a small annual rent, and of improving the land to the amount of L 2 per acre within three years,

and in case of the non-fulfilment of the conditions) the lease to terminate, without compensation, at the end of the period. " November, 1862." " PROPOSALS RESPECTING~THE DISPOSAL OP THE WASTH LAKDS." The following are the proposals submitted to the Provincial Council by His Honor the Superintendent :— "1. That in order to seenre the finest agricultural land from immediate sale, it is absolutely necessary that lands of a secondary character should be thrown-, into the market, in blocks of not more than 320 . acres, in. order to afford the iaeans of investment by the farmer of capital, who wishes to enclose and lay down the land in artificial grasses ; and also with the view of obtaining funds for opening out the country, by the formation of roads and by improving the navigation of rivers and lakes.

2. That areas of the best agricultural land be laid off, with adjacent temporary commonages of an inferior cWiss, and be brought into the market in blocks of from 10 to 50 acres, from time to time, to suit the requirements of small capitalists and laboring men. "3. That in the disposal of both classes of land before-mentioned, it be a condition of purchase, accepted by the purchaser, that L 2 per acre be laid out upon the land in the period of two years, and on failure to fulfil this condition, the land shall be taxed at the rate of per acre annually until such condition be fulfilled. A Bill for the purpose to be introduced into the General Assembly, having retrospective effect to tiie date of the first sale under these conditions.

" 4. That with respect to all lands sold previously to the passing of this resolution, the same tax of

per acre be imposed on ail lauds not improved to the extent of L 2 per acre within four years of their purchase.

" 5. That it is expedient, with a view to encourage Immigration, aad to enable Immigrants to obtain not more than 50 acres of land without competition, that the Government, by means of purchasing certain areas, afford I mini "•rants the opportunity of becoming the Lessees, with a purchasing Clause, on condition of paying a small annual rent, and of improving the land to* the amount of L 2 per acre ■within three years, and in case of the non-fulfilment of the conditions, the Icasa to terminate, without compensation, at the end of the period. "November, 1862."

Mr PAT ERSON" gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that Mos-'ao-e No 4, be referred to a Select Committee, that the Goth Clause of the Standing Orders be suspended in order that the Committee may consist of more than five members ; and that the Committee be composed of Messrs Todd, Hepburn, Gillies, Steel, Fenwick, Martin, and the Mover, to call for persons and papers, and to report on Wednesday, December 10th."

ThePROVINOIAL SECRETARY gave notice to move on Monday, that Message No 5, be referred to a Select Committee, to consist of Messrs Howorth, Cargill, M'Master, Gillies, and the mover.

Mr HO WORTH gave notice that he should move to be excused from serving on the Committee.

THIJ DOQ NUISANCE,

Mr HARDY moved the appointment of a Select Committee to prepare a Bill entitled:—"The J)og Nuisance Ordinance, 1855, Amendment Bill:" Committee to consist of Messrs Rennie. Oswin, Martin, M'Glashan, and the Mover, and to report oa Friday week. He quite agreed that those who really required the services or protection of dogs, ought to be allowed to keep them witbout being heavily taxed. When a dog was registered, he would have it carry about it proof of that registration. He would reduce the registration fee ; and he would give facilities for registration through the police courts in country districts. At present there could be no registration without coming into the city, so that many persons were prevented from registering dog 3 although they were willing to pay the fee j and as a result, not one dog in ten was registered. He would give power to destroy dogs found running at large on any sheep run, or in any paddock or enclosure where cattle were usually kept. Mr TODD seconded the motion.

The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR assented to the appointment of the Committee, but suggested an alteration in the wording of the motion, so as to comply with the Standing Orders. This was assented to, and the motion was adopted. LEAVE OP ABSENCE. On the motion of Mr PATERSON, leave of absence was given to Mr Steel, on account of ill health. On the motion of the PROVINCIAL SECRETARY, leave^f absence until the arrival of the Geelong steamer was given to Messrs Fenwick, and M'Masters. CRIMINALS BILL. I S?The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR moved the third reading of this bill. He said that he wished to state the course intend-d to be taken by the Governmentin regard to this measure, which the Superintendent and the Provincial Council were unanimous to be necessary. When passed by the Council, and assented to by His Honor, the Bill would be immediately transmitted to the Colonial Secretary. llt was to be hoped that it would not again be disallowed by the General Government, but if it should, it is to be hoped also, that the General Government would point out what remedy they proposed for the intolerable evil complained of. It was reasonable to expect this, for the matter was brought uuder notice before the late session of the General Assembly, when they themj selves ought to have introduced a legislative measure on the subject. It was the duty, he submitted, of His ! Excellency's advisers to obtain, moreover, some intercolonial arrangement, by which the grievance of pardons on condition of the convicts leaving the colony in which they had been convicted, or to which they had been banished when convicted in the mother country, would be abated. Ho knew that the father of this settlement, the late Captain Cargill, obtained a promise at the Colonial Office, that v ta*o should never be made a penal settlement, aud that there was a distinct understanding between the New Zealand Company and the first settlers, and the Colonial Office, on this point. If good faith were kept with the inhabitants of Otago, the Home Government would interfere to protect the inhabitants from the influx of criminals, both from the mother country, and from penal colonies. _ Independently, however, of that consideration, justice was due to them, and they would not cease to c aim it in some shape or other. In passing this measure, they were acting only in self-de-fence, and adopting a measure less comprehensive than the one adopted by the Victorian Parliament, and allowed by the Imperial Government. Thatmeasure had been modified to meet the views of His Excellency's adviser?, as far as possible, though the whole of the provisions of the Act of the Vu'tomu Parliament mi-lit have been, of right demanded by the Province, which had nsver been connected, like Victoria, with a penal settlement Mr PATERSON seconded the mofion : and the bill was read a third time and passed. A few minutes afterwards, the following message was brougut up :— " " The Superintendent loses no time, after the receipt 01 the intimation the thatCriininals' Ordinance, Ibb2 has passed the Council, to assent to the same on behalf of His Jixcelleuey the Governor "

TOWN AND COUNTRY POLICE ORDINANCE

The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR moved the second reading of this Bill. The only Ordinance on the subject, was one passed in the early history of jNew Munster, and which was exceedingly defective. By the bill under consideration, it was proposed to make good the defects of that Ordinaace, in matters of police both in town and country. As the bill had been several weeks in the hands of honorable mem bars, he would not occupy time now in attempting to sketch its scope or details. The Bill was read a second time. The House then went into committee.

[We have not space to publish the remainder of the proceedings, and shall conclude the report in our next issue. [