PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 767, 2 June 1864, Page 6

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, June Ist. The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock.

-NOTICES.

Mr GILLIES^at the next s'tting, to ask the ProTineial Treasurer, in Committee of Supply— "In the event of the debentures of the various loans being disposed of, ■ how will he distribute the sum of 1340,025 Os 3d, charged against the various loans on the 21st March last, keeping in view bis statement that the surplus revenue had not beenerfafgeU'^ ■ '* r

Mr REYNOLDS, at the next sitting, to move —"That in the opinion of this Council, individuals ;tthose-;services may dispensed with by the Government |ia pursuance of a retrenchment pol>cy, flhouldhave the first offer of any new appointment v?h«h.theymay be competent to hold, and also that in the event of the staff of any reduced department being hereafter augmented, the appl catfqns'of those whose. services are at pre3ent_ dispensed wit'S should be preferred, and that an address be transmitted to His Honor the Superintendent embodying the.foregoing resolution."

BHTIXKNS.

The SPEAKER laid' on the table a statement from the Provincial Auditor of the financial debt of the Province, .ak&lst March, 1864, as a subetitute ipr, ;thej statement formerly sent. The only difference 'between the two was, that in the one now scut, th-.i Auditor had given the exact titles of the Ord nances authorising the loans. The PJabiYINCIAL SECRETARY laid on the table .certain correspondence which had been asked forV with reference to claims for unsurreyed land at, West Taieri; also the Geological Survey Department Report. ..-;..' .. new bill. The SECRETARY of PUBLIC WORKS lai<V>n the/table the Trunk Road Lands Bi^f and moved, that uVbe'read a first time.

The Bill .was reaS a first time, ordered to be printed, and'its second reading made an Order of the Day for Fri Jay.

THE HOSPITAL AXD LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Mr VOGEL'askfld—

" Do theGo r vernraentiptend to take any action en the report of the Hospital and Lunatic Asylum Com mission?" '■:.■' '■'j -

He said that last session a report was laid on the table of the House of a Commission on the conetitution and 'managtment of the Hospital and Lunatic Asylum, but, contrary to the usual course pursued with reference to such reports, no intimation of the intentions of the Government with respect ta it had been made. That report embraced a great many recommendations, and expressed the opinion of * the Commission that both ihe present' Hospital and Lunatic Asylum buildings^were., inadequate to the wauts of theie establishments, and also that the lunatics wer6 treated more like prisoners than unfortunate persons who had become insane. One of the recommendations wasrtnatnew buildings for both the Hospital and Lunatic Asylum •honld be erected,., and it was possible that the Government'; might "consider themselves, not at present in a position to undertake such a work; but besidesthis, there were several recommendations to which the GoVer'nraent: might have given effect, euch as the drainage of the Hospital, the ■übstituting flf-hair.for straw beds, and the proTiJlng of amusements for the patients, an increase of the attendants,' and other thioga. He read over at length the various'recommendations Obtained inttie report of the1 Commission, and pointed oufc ; those to which the immediate attention of the'Gflyernment.should be directed. He wished the, Government-to say if theieportmet with their'approbatioßj and if they meant to give their support ami attention.' •:_'■

The PR VINCIAL TREASURER was sorry th« honorable wember for Waikouaiti had not afforded the Government a little more time to prepare for answering this question. There were a great amount.of.. alterations compressed into the ieTOffimsndatioiis of the report, which the honorable member w.uld allow it could' not have been passible for the Government to enquire into, and ■correctly ascertain between. the time of giving notice and asking the question.

Ut VOGEJt exjreused lug willingness to post'

pone the quep/don for two or three days, in order to allow the. Government to look into the subject, and consider how far the report met with their support, It was agreed to allow the question to stand over till Monday. . . . ; : ■?: •:.'JTOWRSHIP 0? MOBKAKI; ' ' Mr GLEESON asked the Governmentr- ". Why the Township ot Moeraki has not been sold, and when it will be sold ?".

The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY said he could give no good reason why the Township had not been sold, but he assured the honorable gentleman that no further delay would take place in the matter.

FERRY AT INCH CLTJTHA,

Mr MAftSFORD moved—

" That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the Estimates a sufficient sum to establish a Ferry connecting Inch Clutha with the Main Land."

He did bo because the settlers there had no means of crossing the river, and great loss was often the result. There was a very considerable popu lation in the neighborhood, and the most of the land had been purchased from the New Zealand Company, the terms of which contract had never been fulfilled by the expending of a portion of the purchase money for the improvement of the district.

Mr MANSFORD seconded the motion,

The PROVINCIAL TREASURER said the truth was the Government had no money, but they would give all they had, which was the wire rope, formerly used at the Clutha Ferry. He would have offered them the punt also, but he was afraid it would never reach the river mouth. The motion was put and carried.

MESSAGE EROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.

No. 17.

" The Superintendent begs to forward for the consideration of the Provincial Council the accompanying memorial, which has been presented to him by residents in and near Maclaggan street, praying that a sum may be placed on the Estimates for forming and metalling ihat road b.y way of Mornington and Richmond Hill towards Look-out Point, and also by way of Roslyn towards the Half-way Bush.

" J. H. Harris. Superintendent.

"June Ist, 1864."

INTRODUCTION OP SALMON.

Mr MACANDREW moved -

•• That a respectful address be trans -rutted to his Honor the Superintendent to the effect that he may be pleased to place a sufficient sum upon the Estimates towards the immediate introduction of salmon ova into the rivers of the Province." He said that after the reply of the Government to his question the other day, and seeing the necessity for economy and retrenchmant which stared them in the face in all directions, it might appear indiscreet on his part to bring the subject forward again in its present shape. He presumed however, that the reply of the Gavernment had been given under inference that the members of Council were indifferent as to the introduction of salmon—at all events as to to its immediate introduction—and it was with a view to test the feeling of the House upon the point that he submitted this motion; should the result prove favorable to his expectation, he truste^ the Government would reconsider their decision; and tike prompt measures to carry out the wishes of the Council, especially seeing that the cost of so doing would be a mere bagatelle in comparison with the advantages to be gained—a drop in the bucket cf the half million annually which the Province was expending upon matters of much less doubtful prospective value — Exhibition Buildings and such-like. His own feeling was ihat if the successful introduction of salmon wa9 a good thing, they could not have it too soon. I s to the importance of the matter there could not be two opinions, it being admitted by all who understood the subject, that the rivers and lakes of this Province presented a surer prospect of success ihan any other portion of the Southern hemisphere. Whether the Government was regarded as supplying food ior domestic consumption, or as an article cf export, its introduction was a matter of the utmost importance, not to speak of the employment which it would offer to fishermen^ and the attraction to the Province of the disciples of Isaak -Waltoa,. of wham there were many throughout New Zealand, who, if sa'mon were introduced, would-spend their holidays on the banks of the TaierJ, Tokonniriro, and Clutha Kivers. Any one who looks at the value of the salmon fisheries in Scotland, whose waters bear no comparison in extent to the rivers and lakes of this Province/, would admit that he did net over-eßtimate the Impprfance of the matter. He found that the; annual value of the fishery in Scotlaudwas something quite equal. to what would be the discovery of an extensive gold-field. He hinlself could recollect when the annual value of salmon sent to the Town Market from the Tweed alone, waa LIOQ,OOQ. He.,earnestly hoped that the Council'would assent to his proposition, especially seeing that. Tasmania— whose revenue and resources were much le^sth,ai ours—had "so successfully set the example, He thought it very probable that, if communications were made with the Government of Victoria at. once, it might be possible, at a trifling expense, to transfer a portion of the spawn recently, imported by the Government there, as he understood, that there was a difficulty in finding..suitable water for them, the temperature in that colony being found to be unpropitious towards successful propagation. Mr MURISON seconded the motion, and hoped that the money would be put at the disposal ol the Otago Acclimatisation Society. Mr J. CARGILL said the great difficulty which stared the Government in the face was the want of money. He suggested that the words " at next session if the overdraft to the Bank is then paid ofi," should be added to the motion. The Government would then have no objection to it. There was a very general opinion that the salmon would find their way here of their own accord from .Tasmania. Hi suggested that this matter shou'd be left to the Acclimatisation Society, and a sum of LSOO would be placed upon the Estimates for that Society, part of which would go towards the salmon. Mr REYNOLDS thought that such a small sum should not stand in the way of the introduction of salmon, upon which lie looked as little inferior to the discovery of another gold field or the increase of our pastoral interest.

Mr MACANDREW thought it would be quite possible to carry retrenchment too far as the Government were doing in this oise.

The motion was put and carried. PINE JfILL ROAD. Mr STREET moved-" That His Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place a sum on the Estimates for the purpose of continuing the forraati n of the Pine Hill Road." He only asked the Government to carry on this work if they tvere in funds and the debentures were sold. He did not ask them to resort to any unauthorised expenditure. This was a work of a strictly reproductive nature.

Mr GILLIES seconded the motion,

The SECRETARY of PUBLIC WORKS replied Jthat the Government had established, a principle in connection with this road, namely — not to appropriate any money for a road until they obtained lega1 possession of it. At present they had not, as some of the settlers refused to allow the road to pass through their sections.

Mr GILLIES pointed out that there must be something radically wrone: in the Survey Department when land was soid without a road being laid off.

The SECRETARY of PUBLIC WORKS admitted that there was something wrong, for there could be no doubt, unless he was greatly misinformed, that the land was" sold before.the road was laid off, and the settlers would _' not allow the road now to pass through their sections.

Mr JOHN CARGILL said the Government were placed in the position' to object to' this, aa well as to any necessary works in other pirts_ 01 the country. ■ He hoped to be In » better position at the next session. , . .. ~., ,

Mr BLAIR supported the Government.

Mr REYNOLDS thought the consideration of all these roads should be postponed till, next ses.ion. . .. ...

Mr ADAM pointed out that if these sums were passed by the Council they were simply voting away money which the Government could not find during the next four month.

Mr STREET said he was aware that before this land was sold the road line was laid down on a lithographic plan. He asked that the sum should be placed on the estimates, although he did not ask that-it should be immediately expended.

The motion was put and carried.

.AKATORE COAST ROAD Mr BUHNSmoved—

" That his Honor the Superintendent be reBpectlully requested to plane, the sum of LSOQ op the EBthsates- for opening up the Coast Road i>

terms of the petition from the settlers in the districts of Akatore, Otakia, Saddle Hi 1, and neighbouring districts, as received by this Council on the 28th April last."

Mr STEVKNSON seconded the motion.

Mr -J. ( CA^IIILL (Sai'^.the Governmeno ob jectedto^'tliis.as .to alLrthe other motions of a similar nature. : If', the. understanding was that they, should be dummy votes, and the Government were riot expected ■to carry- them oat until they were, in funds, they would have no objection to them. ■' Mr GILLIES supported the Government. Mr MACANDREW demurred to the understanding as laid down by the Government, because in voting for the placing of the sum on the Estimates, he meant that it should be there in earnest.

Captain MACKENZIE gava notice that if this motion was carried he would apply for votes for L 26.500 for works in the Clutha District.

Mr BURNS replied. The motion was put and declared lost. A division was called for by Mr BURNS, with the following result: —

Ayes, 4.—Messrs Mansford, Stevenson, Mollison, Burns (teller.) Noe3. 20.—Messrs Pateraon, J. Oargill, Reynolds, Baldwin, Lloyd, Blair, Walker, Birch, Mackenzie. Hepburn, Miller, Steel, Macandrew, Adam, Gillies, Clapcott, Gleeson, Morris, Dick, Brodie (teller.)

The motion was negatived.

OAMARU,

The SECRETARY of PUBLIC WORKS moved—

" That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place the sum of three thousand pounds upon the estimates for the purpose of carrying out certain improvements in the town of Oamaru."

He wished it to be distinctly understood that he moved this motion as a private member of the House. In becoming a member of the Government he had not been relieved from his responsibilities to his constituency, aud he did not mean to throw them overboard. Last session the C 'uncil had agreed to vote LIOOD for the wants of the town of Oamaru, but th^y found this was very inadequate. Before the commencement of this session he had undertaken to move in the Council for a further sum of L3OOO, and he did not mean now to withdraw from his engagements

Mr GLEESON seconded the motion, and in some remarks strongly argued the claims of Oamaru upon the attention of the House.

Mr VO&EL tboncrht there was a liability of the Council towards Oamaru, for the large amount £of revenue accruing from it, but he thought a much smaller sum might be asked by the honorable member. As it would only extend over a period of four months, bethought LIOGO might be rsked. He moved that " L 1000" stand instead of " L 3000," as it stood in the motion.

Mr BIRCH seconded the amendment. Mr GILLIES would support the Government in opposing this motion.

Captain BALDWIN opposed the motion on the ground that the Government had not the money, n-:fc because the towa of Oamaru did not deserve to get it.

Mr B aODIE objected to subsidising a Town B< ard, under conditions which were not stated, because if the motion were agreed to there were many more applications of a similar nature which would be made. The pecuniary difficulties of the Province rendered it unadvisable that this large sum should be abstracted from the Provincial funds for Oamaru. Perhaps this town did suffer for want of money, but upon the grounds of expediency, it should be refused at present. He had a kind of sneaking affection for all votes for the interior, but he was reluctantly compelled to vote against the motion.

Mr WALKER supported the amendment.

The SECRETARY of PUBLIC WORKS accepted the amendment of the honorable member for Waikouaiti, because the time was too short to expend all the money.

The motion, as amended, was put when a division was called—

Ayes B—Messrs Birch, Street, Vogel, Burns, Gleeson, Walker, Mansford, Miller (teller.)

Noes 18—Messrs Paterson, Reynolds, Steel, Hepburn, Clapcott. J. Cargill, Adam, Dick, Gillies, Baldwin, Mackenzie, Murison, Lloyd, Stevenson, Blair, Morris, Mollison, Brodie, (teller.)

The Motion was therefore lost.

NOTrOES.

Mr BURNS, at the next Bitting, to ask the Government—"Whether the punt now in use at the West Taieri Ferry will be placed at the disposal of the settlers in the neighborhood of Scrogg's Creek as soon as the new bridge at the West Taieri be opened tor traffic, in accordance Wtth a resolution of this Council last session.

: Mr DICK, at the next sitting to move—" That it is not expedient to declare any unsurveyed lands within Hundreds open for purchase until the road lines have been laid off within all the district; to be declared open, and that should any unsurveyed land be sold, it is desirable that the survey of the land should be made, under the direction of the Chief Surveyor."

Mr STEVENSON, at the nest sitting to move —"That leave of absence be granted to Mr Reid for three days."

The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY, on Friday, to move -"That Message, No. 17, from his Honor the Superintendent be taken into consideration."

Mr E. B. C^RGILL, on Monday, to ask the Government—" Whether they had any intention of introducing a measure during the present sesMon of Council, having for its object the providing of adequate means for the extinguishing of fires within the cjty of D.unedin, and the raising of a sufficient revenue by assessment, gr otherwise, for the maintenanca of a Fire Brigade and the necessary machinery for the purpose ?'

Mr DICK, on Monday, to move—" That it is desirable that the Government should proceed without delay to have lines surveyed for railways between Bunedin and the Clutha, and between Dunedin and Port Chalmers; also, that it is most expedient to reserve without delay such lands.still unsold along the proposed line as may be necessary for railway purposes."

Mr GILLIES, oa Monday, to move—" That the report of the Hospital and Lunatic Asylum Commission be taken into consideration, and that the Executive Government be requested to submit a series of resolutions on the subject."

THR STOREKEEPER'S DEPARTMENT. Mr GULLIES rooyed-

'• That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the position ai)d wxrking of the Storekeeper's Department, with the view specially to ascertain and report to this House. Ist. Whether tho Department is necessary, and calculated to economise the public expenditure. 2nd. If necessary, whether its organisation, powers, and position, as relates to the other departments of the s<rvice are such as to secure its effective performance of the duties assigned to it : and 3rd. If its position and powers shall seem inadequate to the performance of i'is proper functions, to recommeid such alterations as may be deemed necessary or expedient. Committee to consist of Mr Speaker (with his consent), Messrs Pate-son, Blair, Brodie, Gleeson, Morris, and the Mover. Report to be brought up on Monday next, 6th June."

He had no doubt the appointment of this Committee would enable the Government to decide whether,the department was necessary. He did not think the Government would dispute that there were cifferencesof opinion as to the economy of striking off this department altogether. He was of opinion that it was a very false economy to strike off this • department, for it would be a serious lo?s owing to the extravagancies which would fee the result. This department had, during the .time he was in office, saved its own salaries over and over again, and had put the Government in a better position to purchase than formerly. All he wished was a fair investigation, and calculated to economise the public expenditure.:

Mr BURNS seconded the motion.

•"Mr VO9EL said he expected there would be a amount of discussion en this motion, and he rose to move that the debate be adjournel to. a time when it could be properly taken into consideration. He looked upon this motion as an assumption of the Executive functions which he trnsted. the Government would not for a moment submit. to. The Government had declared agalnat th's department, and resolved to strike it off, and if the honorable member for Tokomairiro demurred to this he was at liberty to move,that the department remain, and then a discussion would take place upon, the merits of the question. After some further remarks, the honorable gentleman concluded by moving, as an amendment—" That the debate be adjourned till next sitting. 1' '~.-. Mr JOHN CARGULL seconded the amendment, which was at once put aad carried,

NOTIOE. Mr VOGEL, at 'the n xt sitting, to move " That an address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, reque-ting him to cause to be laid upon the table of the Council, a return of the amount .of business transacted in the Storekeepers' rD.epartment,.- specifying the' number of purchases made, ths number of' persons fr m whom they have been made, the purchases made by private arrangement, an those by public tender, the several amounts and nature of each, and and of the whole of the purchases and the value and nature of goods remaining in stock." Leave of absence was granted to Mr Moss till Monday next. WILD FOWL. Mr BURNS moved— " That this Council being desirous of preventing the extinction of the wild fowl of th:s Province, a respectful address be transmitted to His Honor the Su erintendent that he be pleased to communicate with the General Government for the purpose of a Bill being introduced at next session of Assembly for that purpose." Mr WALKER seconded the motion. Mr. J. CA«GILL thought there could be no proper objection to a motion of this kind. The motion was agreed to. The usual hour of adjournment having arrived, the Speaker left the chair till the evening. The House resumed at seven o'clock. SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of Supply. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER asked to be allowed to move the items for the Police Department (L 19,279135) in a lump sum ; but after a discussion, he withdrew the request. Commissioner, L 350. Mr REYNOLDS asked whether the Commissioner had also house-rent free. The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY was understood to say that such had been the case hitherto, but the Commissioner had now received notice that he would have to pay rent. Mr GILLIES pressed for further information —when was the notice given 1 The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY said that the Government had carried out a resolution of their predecessors. Mr REYNOLDS asked whether the Commissioner used his own horses. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER believed the Commissioner used horses belonging to the Department: he was generally oh business when, he rode. Mr REYNOLDS would further like to know whether the Commissioner had an orderly at his house. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER was not prepared to answer the question. Mr J. CARGILL said that the Government had not had time to look closely into all departmental details. Mr ADAM said that if it should prove true that in addition to L7CO a year, the Commissioner had house rent, fire-woo:!, and an orderly, he (Mr Adam) would make it his special duty to see that such a state of things did not continue. The item was agreed to. Chief Clerk, L 175; clerk and accountant, L 137 10s; one inspector for three months, L 100; two sub-inspectors at L 350, L 70 0; two mounted sergeants, at 18s per diem, L 147 Is. Major RICHARDSON called the attention of the Government to the fact that while the number of mounted constables had been reduced from 50 to 39, there were still 12 mounted sergeants— a proportion of non-commissioned officers such as he had never known approached in any other serI vice. Mr DICK said the explanation was the number of stations at each of which it was necessary to have a sergeant. Nine mounted sergeants, at 12s 6d per diem, L 1033 I9i; one ditto, three months, at 12s 6d per diem, LSB 17s 6d; 33 mounted constables, six months, at 11s 6d per diem, L 3998 11s ; one ditto, three months, L 52 6s 6d; three foot sergeants, first class, six months, at 13s per diem, L 356 17s; 12 ditto, second clas», at 12s per diem. Ll3i7 12s ; 88 constables at 11s per diem, L 8857 4s; two ditto, three months, at 11s per diem, LIOO 3s; two escort drivers, at 12s per diem, L 219 12s; one quarter-master sergeant, at 133 per diem, LUBl9s ; one Water Police sergeant, at 133 per diem, Lllß 19s; one ditto, at 12s per diem, LlO9 16.*; six ditto constables, at 11s per diem, L 603 183; detective in charge, at L 260, Ll3O ; one ditto, at 14s per diem, Ll2B 2s ; two ditto, at 13s per diem, L 237 8s; four ditto, third class, at 12s, L 439 43 ; one dit*o, three months, j L 5412 s; six female cooks and searchers, at L 25 per annum, L 75. Sub division, No. 6, contingencies, L 479 8s 6d; Gold Fields'allowance, LIOOO.

Mr HUGHES moved to substitute 1500. The police were generally better off on the Gold Fields than were their fellows in town.

The PROVINCIAL TREASURER said the Government had made a reduction already ; the amount voted for the whole past year being L3OOO. Printing, Advertising, and Stationery, Ll5O. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER said that this item included the cost of printing the "Police Gazette," which the House recently resolved should not be printed, but that the notices should be published in the proposed Government Advertising Sheet. In the opinion of the Commissioner to stop the " Gazette"' would be to deprive him of one of the most valuable means of preventing crime and detecting offenders. Simply in consequence of the information given in the " Gazette" several men had been apprehended, including the well-known Garrett. The "Gazette" was now published every alternate Monday j a copy was sent to every member of the farce ; v^hile there was a regular exchange with the other forces in the Colonies. He hoped, under the circumstances, the Committee would consent to the item, aa he felt that to discontinue the " Gazette" would be a very serious blow to the success of the establishment.

MajorRICHARftSIN hal carefully examined the " Gazette." The first page was filled with instructions, identically the same from week to week, and useless. The other information would be printed in the Sheet; and if the Commiss'oner thought it absolutely necessary that a copy should be sent to every constable and to the neighboring cslonies, it could be done.

Mr REYNOLDS believed the information would be more extensively and effectually spread by printing it in the Sheet.

Mr JOHN CARGILL said that there was a species of Ireemasonry in police matters. The X Gazette" Ayas looked to with very {treat interest by the members of the force, and different lorces regularly exchanged "Gazettes." Beside?, not unfrequently, language h d to appear in the " Gazette" which would be very objectiunable in the Advertising Sheet.

Mr REYNOLDS did not believe there was any force in the last objection. It would be well to send the Sheet to other Colonies instead of the " Gazette." •

Captain. M'KKNZEE thought it would be injurious to print so publicly information as to who were " wanted by the police; it would help them to get out ot the way.

Major RICH \RD3Otf aaid that on the other band, there would be the assistance that would be given by the public towards the apprehension of offenders.

The item was agreed to; as were the others in the Sub-division.

Mr REYNOLDS vrahed to call attention to the fact that although the sum, which included the cost of printing the *' Police Gazette," was passed, this could not interfere with the prior decision of the House, that the " Gazette" should be discontinued

Mr BRODIE said it was competent for the Committee to vote a sum fur any purpose it pleased.

Major RICHARDSON held that a decision of the House could not be upset without the resolution affirming it being brought up and rescinded.

Mr J. CARGILL said the Government would not, of course, continne the " Gazette" unless as the result of a vote of the House,

HARBOR DEPARTMENT, L 4474

The various items were agreed to. On one of them,

Mr REYNOLDS hoped the present Government would arrange to use the powers conferred by the Marine Boards Act. for the purposes of harbor regulation. One thing that should be done was to see that only proper boats were liceused as lighters. As Lloyds* Agent, he was constantly being called an tq hold surveys > n goods, ■vfhich he felt pretty sure were damaged b,/ bad lighterage; and the loss thus occasioned was really a large one. The late Government ou ht to have attended to the matter ; for he had been constantly calliuß on them about it, from th?, me ha returned from AueUafid, '

Mr DICK said that soon after the return of Hi" honorable member, the Harbor Master, as instructed, drew up regulations. 'They -were= submitted to him (Mr Dick), and- lie endeavored to ascertain which-of .them should be sanctioned by : the Superintendent and which by the Governor. Finding that he couldnot settle the point he. referred to the Solicitor, who recommended that, for safety, all should be sent up to Auckland. But the Solicitor suggested alterations, and the matter was submitted to the Harbor Master. The modified resolutions were brought to him, and he referred them to the Solicitor. They had been passing backwards and forwards for some months; where they were now, he did not know; but he hoped they would at some time reach their destination and be put into force. Sub-division, No 7: Contingencies, LI 350. Pilot schooner, L2OO. Major RICHARDSON believed that the schooner Clarendon, at the Molyneux, was originally a pilot schooner ; then came the Caroline ; was there to be a third, or what was now being done? The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY said that the Harbor Master was not satisfied with the Caroline; but he was now negotiating on the basis of an exchange for one which he sai 1 would answer all his purposes. GOLD FILDS DEPARTMENT. Sab-division, No. 1, L 9375. Secretary, L 350. Mr REYNOLDS said the Department was a very costly one. Was it intended to make any reduction? It appeared to him there had been an increase since the Estimates were first printed. Mr JOHN CARGILL said that the Government did intend to reduce the department; but it would require time for careful consideration and remodelling. The reduction would be made as early as possible. The item was agreed to a« were others. Thirteen RrgUtrars and Receivers, acting also as Clerks, L4OO per annum, L 2566 13s 4d. Major RICHARDSON would defer to the Gold Fields members, but the slight experience he had had on the gold fields, led him to believe that these duties could not be combined advantageously. Mr BRODIE was sure that except in some of the outlying Gold Fields, the duties ought not to be combined. He had frequently seen men kept hanging about for hours, it not for days, waiting for registration documents, or others, the filling up of which would not occupy more than two or three minutes. The officers might do all the duties, possibly; but if they did, the miners would suffer, certainly. Mr HUGHES corroborated his colleague. He bad known cases like this. Men had come in eight or ten miles, on the Tuapeka, for registra tion, say of a race. They had given the required notice, and had come ia on the stipulated days, but they could not see the Registrar, who was engaged in other duties : but because they could not see the officer, they not only had to come in on another day, but they had to go anew through the forms of giving notice, and had to wait another fourteen days or a month. Major RICHARDSON thought that as the combined appointments had been made, it would perhaps be better to pass the item, only directing the attention of tha Government to the necessity for careful inquiry into the matter.

Captain BALDWIN believed that- there might have been a saving of some L6OOO a year in the department generally.

The item was agreed to.

Four Mining Surveyors, at LSOO per annum, LIOOO.

Major RICHARDSON thought a most important question was involved here. A most vicious principle was being introduced. These surveyors were doing part of the duty-of the Survey Staff. As far as the Recreation Ground was concerned, duty belonging to the Provincial Engineer was taken away and given to the Gardener ; with regard to School Buildings, other duties of the Engineer were given to the Secretary to the Education Board; and the levelling of Bsll Hill had been confided to the Gaol authorities. He denied that any official connected with the Gold Fields had anything to do with the re-survey of townships, or the survey of goldfleld reserves or agricultural leases.

Mr BRODIE felt that there was an absolute necessity for a staff that should cover all survey work. 'There should be a section of that staff in each mining district, under its own head, who should be responsible to the Chief Surveyor. He (Mr Brodie) knew that the efficiency of the services of the mining surveyors had been greatly impaired by their having to do work which they ou^htnottohave been set todo; andbehadknown miners kepi; waiting for weeks for a survey, while the surveyors had beea away surveying for agricultural leases or something of the sort. The surveyors were most efficient men, and the item must be passed, but it had no business where it was.

Capt. BALDWIN asked why there had been an increase from L4OO to LSOO in the surveyor's salaries ?

The PROVINCIAL TREASURER said that the Government had alqpted the amount they found in the Estimates prepared by their predepessors.

Mr DICK confessed that the amount had slipped"in without his knowledge. But the Provincial Secretary would find in his office a loDg memorandum which would throw some light on the kubjact.

Mr REYNOLDS moved to substitute L4OO for LSOO.

After a desultory discussion, The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY said that the Government would accept the amendment.

The item, as amended, was agreed to; as were the others relating to the Department.

Gaol, Dunbdin, L 3009 16s; sub-division, No. 10, L 3890.

Gaoler, MOO per annum, L2OO.

Major RICHARD 3ON called attention to the want of accommodation, as frequently declared by the Judge, and as was pointed out in the Gaoler's annual report. Would the question of accommodation elsewhere have the consideration of the Government during^the recess )

The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY said that the Government would give the fullest attention to the subject during the recess.

The various items were agreed to. Prison Hulk, L 49110 5; sub-division, L 920 Geological Department, L 1230 ; su'vdivi sion, L 550.

Commission of Irquiry, Temporary Clerical Assistance, LSOO.

This item wa3 temporarily withdrawn, after discussion.

Mr REYNOLDS moved that the Chairman report progress.

Mr GILLIES seconded the motion. It was declared in the negative, and Mr Rey. nolds called for a division, when there voted—

Ayes, 7: Messrs Gillies, Mansford, Hughes, Birch, Macandrew, Reynolds, (teller.)

NOE3, 9: Messrs Adam, Richardson, Paterson, J. Cargill. Stevenson, Brodie, Walker, Qlapcott, Miller (teller).

The motion was, therefore, negatived.

The members who had voted in the minority, with the exception of Mr Reynolds, quitted the House.

Mr REYNOLDS called attention to the fact that there was no quorum; and he was about to leave, when

Mr BRODIE insisted that the honorable member must now remain.

Mr REYNOLDS denied tint he was compelled to do so, but he was quite willing to including himself —there was not a quorum.

The Chairman of Committees counted, and said that eleven members being present (iucluding himself), there was a quorum.

Mr Reynolds quitted the House, and h was not long after followed by Mr Walker, so that during most ot the business subsequently dqnc> there were only nine members present.

With the omission of a few items, the estimates for the following departments, &c, were agreed to : -Treasurer's, Sheep and Cattle Inspector's, Immigration, Home Agency, Education, Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, Weights, and Measures, Quarantine, Storekeeper, Courts of justice, Steam Service, and Grants in Aid, and numerous miscellaneous items.

Shortly after eleven, Major Richardson moved that progress be reported.

This was done ) leave was obtained to sit a gain; and the House adjourned.

Truly Sweet. —" When lam In pecuniary difficulties," said a pensive bankrupt, " my garden, my flowers, all fresh and sparkling, in the mornings console my heart " " Indeed !*' asked hit sympathising friend. 'M should have "thought they vroijiMtemmAyou.of your trouble, for> fike your jjills, they are all over dew/-"