NEW ZEALAND EXEBUTION 1865.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 683, 25 February 1864, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND EXEBUTION 1865.

OTAGO LOCAL COMMITTEE.

The weekly meeting of the Local Committee for the Province of Otago, for the promotion of the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865*, was held yesterday afternoon at the Atkentoura. Mr Vincent Pyke (one of the vice-chairmen) was called to the chair, and there were also present—Messrs E. C. C. Quick, C T. Ick,St. John Branigan, T. Redmayne, A. Beverly, W. J. Leggatt, J. S. Webb (hon. secretary), T. S. Forsaith, E. M'Glashan, A. R. Livingstone, C. Webb, R. Gillie;*, H. P. Morse, J. L. Gillio3, and Mr Waymonth, secretary. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. •THE QUESTION* OF PUNTS. Mr lok reportelthat the Chairman of the Committee (Mr M. Holme-*), Mr Qiick, and himself, had waited upon the Superintendent in pursuance of the resolution of the last meeting, for the purpose of ascertaining what funds were likely to be placed at the disposal of the Committee. A meeting of the Executive had been held just before—partly, he believed, for the purpose of considering the matter. His Honor stated that the Government had noavailable funds nttheir di--.po--.al at present; but thatundoubtedly theywould place a sum of LSOO on the Estimates to be submitted fo the Council, which would meet in March, and which he had every hope would be grantod. In tho meantime, the sum of LIOO would be placed to the credit of the Committee, which would be enough for present purposes. But his Honor added that it was distinctly understood when the L4OOO was voted, that it was intended for local purposes in connection with the Exhibition. The deputation could not obtain any further information. Mr Quick: Did you understand his Honor to say that all the L4OOO was intended for local purposes. Mr Ick : No, but that the expenses of securing a proper representation of Otngo should be borne out of the vote—that LIOOO would be given for that special purpose. Mr Quick understood his Honor to say that, generally, the L4COO was for the Commissioners ; but that, out of it, the Government thought the Commissioners would have allowed something for the Local Committee. Mr J S. Webb thought the matter of funds too important to be passed over now because the Committee had funds for slight present expenses. and there was a promise that a proposal should be submitted to the Provincial Council. It was well known to members, that there was a decided disagreement between the Government and the Commissioner > with reference to the expenditure of the L4OOO. No doubt it would be in the memory of all that wliea the vote was before the Council there was a very strong opposition to it- at least, the demand for a postponement of the matter was so strong', that the Provincial Secretary had to threaten the resignation of the Executive, so as to put the Council into the dilemma of passing the vote or having a " crisis." The Government now maintained—and what refereuce he had been able to make to the pub - lished reports of the debate, led him to believe that they did so correctly—that it was not a direct vote to the Commissioners, but for the general purposes of the Exhibition, in which it was the manif-st intention of the Government in asking, and the Council in granting, the money, that the expen es incurred by the Committee should be included. The money, it was understood had been placed to the credit of the Commissioners ; the Government said that they understood the expenses of the local committee to be a charge upon theL4ooo; but theCommissionei'3 thought themselves in this dilemma, that if they made a grant to this province, out of what they considered general fuuds, other provinces would have as good grounds for making claims. The Government said this was not so, but that the fund was a special one. It was most desirable that an understanding should be 'come to at once; for if the Government got lukewarm on the subject, or if they felt that they, had been got the better of by the Commissioners, the committee might, in the end, firid themselves worse off than jf an application had not been made ti the Government for help. He thought that if proper steps were taken there would be no difficulty in getting a further grant for the Commissioners. He believed that the committee woyald require L2OOO at least; and if they got LSOO'and were then left to do their best, they would very probably find themselves utterly unable to do what was necessary for the proper representation of the, Province. But if the Commissioners would stand between the Government and the committee, and act amicably with both, he believed there would be no diffisulty in doing the work for which the committee was called into existence.' As a means of fairly raising the question, he would move— ■'That the secretary be instructed to convey to the Boyal Commissioners the opinion of this committee, that it is desirable that the necessary funds for the expenses of this Committee should come through the hands of the Commissioners, the Government having represented 'to the committee that tho grant 0f.L4000, which has been placed at the disposal of the Commissioners, wa3 originally intended to cover the ( expense of all matters connected with the Exhibition in the Pro vince; and that if it is found inadequate, it will be found much more convenient to apply to the Council for a supplementary grant, than for any distinct vote for the purposes of this committee." Mr Ick seconded the motion. He thought it very doubtful whether more money would be voted. Seeing that the L4OOO was voted by a narrow majorlly, and under a threat from the Executive to resign, what more natural than that the Council should ask " Wha1; has been done with the L 400 01" And what could the Government reply, except that they had baen outwitted and it was gone to the Commissioners ! The Chairman said that during his recent trip up the country, he found that the matter was likely to be taken up mo t warmly } but on all hands, as a preliminary, there were inquiries what money was to be had Mr C. Webb thought it wrnld be useless to calculate upon anything from the Council ,* he believed that nothing more would be got from that quarter, Mr J, L. Gillies wif-hed it to be cleaily understood what was the position of affairs. An inti"*mation had been given to the Commissioners that theL4ooo was at their disposal, but only LSOO had yet been actually appropriated to them ; and that was given with an intimation that the money was understood to be for general expenses. Mr Webb asked whether tha whole sum had been so placed as to be virtually in the hands of the Commissioners, or whether it so stood that whatever was unexpended at the end of March. up to which time the Appropriation Act extended, would have to be voted again. Mr Gillies said that the whole had been secured by the Government. The Government felt themselves in this position : they had stated that the money was at the disposal of the Commissioners, aad therefore' thsy felt that they could not appropriate it except through the Commissioners. Mr Forsaith -.ympathised with Mr Webb's object; but he felt that they had reached a position when there should be no false delicicy, that an impregnable position should be taken ; especially seeing that, frcm all tbat had been said, the Council meant the L4OOO not to be exclusively for the Commission, bu>, under the aitspiceß of those gentlemen to be applied to those general purposes which' might be rendered apparent by the wants of the Province. There was a prima facie reason why the Council should, after the action of the Commissioners, meet any appenl for further funds, by simply saying, " We will grant no more." He desired to arrive at the sime result as Mr Webb, bub by a different means; and he would move as an amendment — •'That as a difference ot opinion exists between the liovernment and the Commis-ioners, relative to the purposes for which the L4OOO was voted by the Provincial Council—This Committee resolves to suspend all further operations until such time as this difference ia adjusted, and arrangements definitely made for placing at their disposal the necessary funds." Mr M'Glashan seconded the amendment. The Committee seemed to be between two fires, and likely to get scotched. He for one should not hestitate long about sending in his resignation to the proper quarter, and he had no doubt many more would do the same. They must have funds from some quarter ; there was a promise made at the initiatory meetiDg ; and unless money was granted by somebody the action of the Committee muflt be paralysed, unless the members were ready to give LIOO a piece. Mr Qillies explained that the promise made by the Superintendent would be strictly fulfilled. There would be a sum of LSOO put upon the Estimates ; and upon the faith thit it would be voted, LIOO of it had been advanced. The Chairman thought it would be better_ to resign unless there was a definite understanding as to funds. Otherwise, the Committee might find themselves committed to work which they were utterly unable to do. In reply to a question, Mr H. P. Morse said he of course knew what had passed amongst the Commissioners j. but he did not feel at liberty to state more than his belief that a clear understanding was more likely to be arrived at by the passing of the motion than by the adoption of the amendment. Thoamendment was put and negatived by 9 votes to 5; and the motion was carried by 12 to 2. The decision as to permanent offices was postponed ; and some unimportant routine > business . having been transacted, the Committee adjourned for a week. '