PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 652, 28 May 1864, Page 15

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, 25th Mat. The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock p.m. Mr Moitnrs presented a petition from 87 settlers in the North Harbor District, complaining that the sum, which it was understood when they purchased land, was to have bi>en appropriated to tbe construction of roads had not heen spent, and asking the House to take their case into I consideration. The petition was received and read. Several notices of motion were given. The Provincial Secretary, laid on the tnble returns in reply to several orders of the House. The Speaker laid on the table a balance of the liabilities of the Provincs for the year ending 31st March, and a table shewing the funded debt of the Province to that date. Mr Reynolds brought up the report ef the Select Committee on Government Printing, which was read. The Provincial Secretary made a statement of the views the Executive entertained on tbe position of the Province. He considered the resolution of the House in granting only six months' supply instead of twelve, was justified by the present Btate of affairs. He did not apprehend any serious difficulty in conducting the business of the Province. The principal danger had arisen from an over ezpeonditare in anticipation of funds expected to be realised from the sale of debentures, but which had proved not to be available. But any danger from tbsfc cause might be avoided by retrenchment. There was a debt of L 350,000 incurred already, and the' large and expensive works in coarse of progren, with those it view, must increase it considerablT. The debentures were being taken up slowly, but at the rate at which thpy were being realised/ two years would elapse before the debt was liquidated. It would be therefore necessary to institute retrenchment in every department of the Provincial Service. The number of officials muit be reduced, and the expenses curtailed. If no- , cessary, salaries mast be reduced, while some departments, it was thought, could be dispensed with altogether. It might also be necessary to stop some of the works now going 1 on; and' wherever a curtailment of existing contracts was <■ possible, no matter what the result, it tnu>t tw : done. The Executive proposed giving effect to the resolution of the Council, by odering for sale - the 150,000 loan of 1861, and also to bring mow land into the market. If allowed to carry out these piano, he had do doubt of being able togiv» a satisfactory account of the financial position of the Province at the end of the financial period. The Provincial Treasurer intimated that he hoped to be prepared to lay the estimates on the table at the next sitting of the Council. In reply to Mr Brodie, the PnovnroiAii Tiuttsorbr said it was the intention of the Government to place on the estimates a sum Bnffieieafc to meet the debt incurred by the Dunstan Hocpital, and to maintain the efficiency of the inatitution. In reply to Mr Hughes, the Pbotihcui Treabubkr read a letter from the Commisiiooer of Police, explaining that constables were never provided as escorts for bank agents, but thoae gentlemen were allowed the protection of travelling with officers when engaged in their regular duties. , In reply to Mr -Hugoea, the Ssckbtawc for Public Works said that the Government had resolved that in all future contracts a clause should be introduced by which contractors should be compelled to pay men as soon as they wem discharged. The motion of Mr Macahdmw that a copy of the memorial from Messrs Mansford sad Brownhill be transmitted to the Superintendent asking him to grant » sit? for a Mechanics' Institute at Port Chalmers, and to place a sura on the estimates in aid of the institution, was agreed to. The discussion in Committee on Mr Vogel'a proposed resolution relating to waste lands was resumed. After some debate the motion was negatived, and the negation reported to the House and confirmed. Several new bills were laid on tbe table, whick were read a first time and ordered to be printed. The Ferries Ordinance Bill was read a second time. The Anderson's Bay District Roads Lands Bill was read a second time sad passed through Committee. The third reading was made an order of As day for Tuesday next. The House went into Committee on the Ferries Ordinance Repeal Bill. After tome discussion, it was agreed that b#-* fore proceeding further with it, the opinion of ths Provincial Solicitor should be taken respecting ifc. The interim report of the Select Committee on the petition of Measra Tescbmaker and Sehlottf was adopted, Leave of absence for one week was granted la (Japt. Baldwin. Captain M'Kbhzib's motion affirming the necessity of a strut inquiry into the nature of the road metal now being used between tbe bridge. South Branch Tokomairiro Biver, and LoveTa Creek was carried. Mr Rbtnolds 1 motion urging the Government to take steps to prevent encroachment on tha Town Reserves was carried. Mr Moss' motion for the appointment of a. Seleot Committee to inquire into the petition of' John Hughes, was agreed to. The House then adjourned. Thorsdat, 26ih Mat. The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock mv the afternoon. ' Several notices of motion were given. In reply to Mr Dick, the Provisoui, Skjmtart a&id the documents necessary to the proclamation of new Hundreds were in course of preparation. In reply to Mr Barns, the B«OBMARr. W Pu»- 1 mo Works said tbar a contract for 1000 oubte yards of metal was being carried out on the toad from Saddle Hill to West Tajevi, »ud that, tha Government had made conditional arraqgemfats - with gentlemen through whoie property the road must pass. In reply to Mr Macandrew, the ProtinouKi ssosztary laid there was no intention, on the part of the Government to make (he Geological

Department permanent, but no change could be atade until the expiration of Dr Hector's engageRent. In reply to Mr Hughes, in the absence of Mr Sireb, Mr Adam said the Bread Ordinance came Sato operation on the 7th October last. In answer to a question by Mr Dick, the PboTOWUIi TbbasUkkr stated that between the 30th January and the 24th March of this year, 133,100 worth of Debentures had been sold. On the motion of Mr Miller, the time for taiaging up the report ot the Select Committee oca the Cattle Bill was extended to the 30th instant. Mr Hasdy's motion requesting His Honor to ji»e his assent to the Education Ordinance, 3864, was agreed to. Mr Hushes, after some discussion, withdrew Ms motion for sending the steamboat St. Eilda to fetch back destitute miners from Pic»on. Mr Gums moved a resolution to the effect that the financial difficulties of the Province arose from the slow sale of debentures, which leswlted from their not being guaranteed by the Ckneral Government, and that it is therefore exjedient that the Superintendent should coramuni«ste with the other Provinces, that a combined tfort might be made to place their debenture* on toe Stock Exchange in London. Mr VooKii moved as an amendment that, a asodition Bhould be attached to the motion requiring each Province to give security for the amount ot its loan before being guaranteed by &c Assembly. After some discussion Mr Vogel's amendment ■ tss negatived. Mr Reynolds then moved an amendment, affirming the expediency of the General Government communicating with the London Stock Sxchange, and explaining the position of the debentures,. After some farther discussion, the {House adjourned until the evening. On resuming, the Buildicg Ordinance Bill was aead a second time. The Loan Ordinances Amendment Bills, three an jnamber, were read a second time, and passed through Committee. The thud readings were made an order of the ixy for Monday. The Road Lands Bill was read a first time, and the second reading made an order, of the day for Monday, The debate on Mr Gillies's motion was then sesomed. Mr Rbynolds's amendment was put and arried. Mr E. B. Cahoill then moved an amendment to the effect it was desirable the direct guarantee »f the General Government should be obtained to the Provincial Loans, and that the Superintendent take such action as might be nerassary by communicating with the General Government and the Governments of other Provinces. After some further discussion, Mr Cargill's zatendment was put and negatived. j Ultimately Mr Gillies's motion, with the first port withdrawn and slightly altered in other reipeets, was adopted. On ths motion of Mr Gillies, a return was ordered of all Contracts for Public Works authorised and entered into, and of the sum expended in day labour, during the last three months. A return was ordered on the motion of Mr QItUES of the cost of the session. On the motion of Mr Dick, % copy of the correspondence appointing Mr Swyer Provincial Engineer, was ordered. The PaoyiKoiAr, Tkkastjkeb explained that through accident copies of the Estimates had not teen received, and, therefore, on Monday he vosld move the House into Committee of Supply. The Hou«e then adjourned. Before the members left the House the copies «f the Estimates were brought in and distributed.