THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 2118, 17 May 1875, Page 2

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Eriday. The Council met last evening at seven. Mr Daniel asked the Government what steps they intend to take, seeing that the railway line passing along Bath road, Kiverton, is depriving occupiers in that | street of access to their homes and property. I The Provincial Secretary replied that steps would be taken in accordance with the law laid down for taking properties for railways, and that occupiers would be dealt with not only fairly but liberally. Mr Lumaden moved that an addreos be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, recommending that there be set apart under clause 16, Southland Waste Lauds Act, 18G5, the two blocks of land bereunder described, as a reserve for the collection and supply of water for the town of Invercargill, viz., sections 133 and 134, Forest Hill Hundred, total area 820 acres, as delineated on the record map of the district, in the Crown Lauds Survey office, Invercargill. Agreed to. Mr Wood moved that the petition of 1G Invercargill volunteers be referred to the Government for their favorable consideration. Mr DeLatour moved that it be an instruction to the Waste Lands Committee to take into consideration the present system of survey in the province, the charges levied in different districts, the facilities afforded to settlers, and other questions connected therewith, and to report thereupon from time to time. Agreed to. After a long debate on the Otago Harbor Board Bill, the Council adjourned at 1.30, till two this afternoon. On the Council's resuming this afternoon, Mr Mauders asked the Provincial Secretary whether the Government in tended to introduce an ordinance similar in character to that of the one for the purpose of keeping down the momentous and growing evil caused by what is known as the rabbit nuisance. He stated that rabbits had come up to the Lakes district from Southland, nud were becoming a great evil.

Mr Reid replied tbat-th^' Gfoyemrnerits fully recognised the momentous eviJy Irufe they were not prepared to deal with -it. He feared that the mere fact of bringing in a Bill could not do a great deal towards remedying the evil. It was a matter that the inhabitants of the respective districts should take in their own hands. If the hon. member would bring in any measure to deal with this evil, the Government would give it all their favorable consideration. The second reading of the Invercargill Athenaeum Reserve Management Bill was postponed ; also the Dunedin and Peninsula and Ocean Beach Sail way Bill. The Council adjourned at 5.30, till 2 on Monday. The ball to the Governor takes place this evening.