ROAD SUBSIDIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1025, 22 July 1871, Page 9

ROAD SUBSIDIES.

Dr WEBSTER asked the Provincial Secretary how the Government proposed o apply the LI 4,000 reci-ived fiotn the Colonial Government on account of road subsidies ; in what manner they proposed to distribute the same, and what might be the probable amount which ihe various Rr.ad Boards would be entitled to in reference to the amount of rates collected by them. Also, whether the Government would be able t© grant any further subsidies out of provincial revenue,; and what time might probably elapse before the "Oiago Roads Ordinance, 1871," would come into force ? Mr BEID replied to the effect that it was intended to grant subsidies ; that the amount would probably be LI to Ll on the rates collected ; that if any balance remained at the end of the year it would be distributed pro rata amongst the different Road Boards ; and that the Ordinance would come into force as soon as assented to by the Governor. CLERK OP COUNCIL AND LIBBARIAN. Mr REID moved, " That this Council having learned that Mr Charles Smith is, owit\g to failure of health, about to resisn his appointment as Clerk tf Council and Librarian, which offices he has filled for a period of nearly 10 years, desires to express its extreme regret that Mr Smith should be compelled to resign from such a cause ; and, fiuther, to place on record its testimony to the efficient and satisfactory manner in which he has discharged the duties of those offices." Mr Reid referred to the T?ry arduous

and important duties which Mr Smith had be* n called upon to perform, partly in consequence of the large amount <>f printing work which hdu accumulated before he entered upon his duties, ten years ago, as well as to the praiseworthy and creditable manner in which those duties had since been discharged. It might he truly said that during that gentleman's long period of service the records of the Council had always been looked upon by honourable members as strictly correct, any appeal in case of dispute having always been regarded as decisive. — (Hear, hear ) With regard to the records themselves, there had never bten any dispute, and he felt confident that honourable members generally would agree with him in saying that Mr Smith had performed his duties in a faithful, impartial, and highly creditable manner. — (Hear, hear.) Mr Smith had held office during the time that four Speakers had occupied the chair, and he presided when the three last Speakers were elected. Under the circumstances of the case, he was convinced that in placing this motion on the paper to give honourable members an opportunity of expressing their regret that Mr Smith should be compelled to resign from failing health, he merely consulted the views of every member of that House. — (Hear, hear.) Mr REYNOLDS (the late Speaker) cordially seconded the motion, and said he willingly endorsed every word which had been uttered by Mr Reid, the Provincial Secretary. It wa3 true that Mr Smith had held office for nearly ten years; it was also true that during fifteen previous sessions there were arrears of work on hand, the proper performance of which, taken in conjunction with Mr Smith's daily duties, involved great care and very severe labour. And no withstanding that Mr Smith, during his long tenure of office, had performed many arduous and important duties, it was very much to his credit that it could be said, now that unfortunately he was about to resign because of ill health, that no honourable member had once questioned the accuracy of the records. — (Hear, hear.) Moreover, the various Ordinances and Acts which had emanated from this Council had received careful attention at Mr Smith's hands. He thought they muat all regret that Mr Smith waß about to resign, and especially that he w^s compelled to resign in consequence of failing health. — (Hear, hear.) The motion was carried unanimously, j Mr REID moved, " That Mr Speaker be authorised to appoint Mr William Edward Sessions as Clerk of Council and Librarian. 5 ' This motion was also carried unanimously.