PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 105, 23 October 1863, Page 4

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

" • l v WEDNESDAY, 2 Ist OCTOBER. Morning Setting. s The Speaker took the Chair at -11 o'clock. The mini\te3 of last sitting .were read and confirmed. , -_ , _ • KOTICBI OF MOTIOH", By Mr Beavan : " That a respectful address be presented to the Superintendent, praying that a sum of LSOO should be placed 'upon the Estimates tor Jhe ,Towi\Belt road and the road in continuation bf Tweed-street." By Mr M Ra* : " That a sum of LlOOO'be placed upon" the Estimates out'of the sum voted for unenumerated roads to be expended on the road in the Mabel distiict, near the race course. '* , ' ' Motions. Mr BEAVAN • moved,—" That in the opinion of this Council, it is expedient .that the works necessary, for the Invercargill and Riverton Railway and the road in continuation of the railway Up 'to Lafce Wakatip, and also the tram-way on the East road, : be vigorously pushed, in, .order that the same may, if possible, be open for traffic before next winter." The motion not being seconded, lapsed. - - On the motion of Mr Cowan, seconded by the Provincial Treasurer, leave was granted to bring in a Bill, intituled "Sheep Ordinance, 1862 ; Amendment Ordinance, ,1863. „> The Bill was then Tead a first iime, ahd the second reading, upon the suspension ofthe standing order, moved for the evening sitting. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER: then moved that the House go into Committee upon the Estimates. Mr TARLTON, previous to the house; going into Committee, had some remarks to make on . the Education Estimates. The sum voted last year had not been spent,, notwithstanding the pressure, of educational necessities. There was but one school in Southland a year ago. Since then Y schools '■ had been opened at Riverton, South Riverton, Waianiwa, Campbelltown, Mavis; Bush, and a female school in Invercargill.; There were six schools as against one. Though he was no flatterer, he had to congratulate the present Government upon the successful working of the Education Ordinance, which" was partly their idea. There might be defects in the Ordinance, but ' still, as a whole, it deserved 'praise. The great priuciple of the Ordinance was the recognition of the historic and philosophic truth, that nations, communities, and individuals not only progressed in proportion ; to Governmental assistance, but to self-help. It was only thus that their resources could be developed. Looking at the great States ofthe world, it would be found that those were the most prosperous where the practice existed of doing nothing for tlie people that they could do themselves. . Look at the Lancashire distress. If such a calamity had occurred in the Colonies, ke supposed there would have been an immediate Government vote, but the English Government wisely did not contribute one penny out of the public funds, and left man to help his brother man. Compare Spain with England contrast the universal torpor that prevailed in the former with the activity observable in the latter. An 1 what was the reason of the difference ? — was it not because in Spain the Government did everything for the people? He believed in making the people put their shoulders to the wheel in education matters and everything else. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER quite agreed with the able and cogent remarks of the hon. gentleman. He was only sorry that they had not been made sooner. At one time the Otago Government paid the whole educational costs, but as year after year went by, they found it would not pay, and had to gi'Ve it up. In one district — the Molyneux — they had paid for two schools where there were only 4§ pupils — these cost at the rate of £80 a head. In England, some years ago, there, was an humble educational vote of £20,000. It was not long, however, before the evil crept up to JGI.OOO.OQO. The Southland Government were willing to advance nioney for educational purposes for the present, but certainly not to give. Mr WILSON addressed (he House at some length. Mr M'KAY advocated 'a more thorough system of taxing. The House then went i:ito Committee on the Estimates; reconsideration of Superintendent's salary, and other items. Mr ROGERS movrd— "That in place of tlie amount previously agreed toby the Council £800 be placed on the Estimates, as the salary for the Superintendent. The rank of the Province, and the responsibility and power of its head, demanded .that his salary should be proportionate.'' Mr Rogers' motion was carr^sd. Mr ROGERS then moved-±- <l That the salary of the Provincial Auditor be raised to £400." Why £300 was only twice the cost of a bullock driver ; and was an officer whose duties involved so much anxiety of mind, as those of the Provincial Auditor, to be placed on such a scale. The Government offered no-opposition ; the motion was carried. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER stated that it was contemplated to shortly give the Provincial Auditor clerical assistance. The CHAIRMAN then reperted ; and the House was adjourned to 7 p.m.