PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Colonist, Issue 26, 19 January 1858, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, January 13. The Speaker took the chair at ten minutes past five o'clock. The Clerk read the minutes of the preceding day. A question being asked by the Speaker as to whether there were any notices of motion, Mr. Eban would move the following resolution in committee on the Waste Lands Bill—" That in order to prevent improper appropriation of the soil of this settlement, so admirably suited to agriculture combined with the raising of stock in farms of sufficient size to avoid the evil arising from the injurious occupation of the remaining waste lands of this province, by any wow-cultivator —to more effectually improve the provincial revenue in connection with the prosperity of our multiplying fellow-settlers, in rural and pastoral districts—to encourage, especially, the enterprise and distribution of a resident industrial population, along our shores and in favourable parts of the interior of the country—to accomplish more successfully these objects ancl purposes, in conformity with the equitable spirit of the age,—any lands selected by private individuals for farming occupancy, may in future be sold on credit to bona fide cultivators in blocks not exceeding 640 acres, and not less than 80 acres, on payment of 25 per centum cash, and of the remainder in equal triennial instalments, with 5 per cent, interest on the amount of unpaid purchase money. The fixed price of such pasture lands to range, according to valuation, from 2s. 6d. to 10s. per acre; the price of rural lands from 10s. to 20s. per acre. It may be optional with intending purchasers to buy at fixed prices or at auction, within the limits of prices aforesaid. Dr. Monro; said he would move on Thursday —"For leave to bri_g in a bill to empower the' Dun Mountain Mining Company (limited,) to construct a railway for the transport of the ores and produce arising from the mines and lands of the Company, and for other purposes connected with the said Company." Also to move—" That it is desirable that the mode of appropriation of the land revenue should be prescribed in the Waste Lands Bill; that the first charge upon the proceeds of the sale of the Crown Lands should be the annual instalment of the debt due to the New Zealand Company, and the expenses of the department; and that any surplus remaining should not be subject to be treated as ordinary revenue, and applied to the current expenses of Government, but Bhould be applicable to certain specific purposes calculated to open up and improve the country—such for instance, as surveys, the construction of roads and bridges, drainage and other useful public works ; and immigration when the circumstances of the province may seem to require it: and that as a general rule, the expenditure upon these objects should be made upon the district within which the funds have arisen "

Also to move—" That, seeing that this Council does not pretend to cany out Responsible Government in the sense of requiring that the members of the Executive Council should be either members of the Legislature or able to command the assent of the majority, but has, on the other hand, always maintained that, by the responsibility of the Executive, it means the responsibility of the Superintendent; it is therefore clearly inconsistent with common sense, or a proper practice of Government, that in any laws which the Council pass, the Superintendent should be bound to act in accordance with the advice and consent of his Executive Council, or, in other words, by the advice and consent of gentlemen appointed and

dismissed at his pleasure, not necessarily ..members of the Legislature, and in no respect amenable to its'aiithority, or related to it at all, excepting in so far as the Council votes their salaries.

Dr. Monro asked the House to allow him to postpone the motion standing in his name until Thursday evening. Agreed to. Mr. Kelling's motion—" That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to have the Government Gazette printed in the form 'that the late Council, in the last.session, agreed upon, in order to save the double printing of the various hills," after some little discussion, was withdrawn. Mr. Saunders' motion—"That Standing Order, No. 37, be suspended, with reference to those bills that have failed to become law, in consequence of not having timely received the Governor's assent," was passed. Mr. Ward moved—" That, in the conduct of the business of this Council at this period, it is desirable to entertain no questions or measures not imperatively demanded by the exigences of the public service, with a view to an early adjournment to a season more suited to the general convenience of its members." Seconded by Mr. Keeling. Dr. Monro, after making some remarks as to the inconvenience attending some, of the members sitting in Council, was of opinion that if any change was to take place that April, May, and June months would be the best time for meeting. Mr. Saunders' remarks were to the effect that if the motion was not acceeded to, a great insult would be given to the agricultural portion of the members. He thought the spring of the year was the best time for tiie meeting of members. The question on being put to the House was passed. Mr. Ward asked leave to withdraw his motion, "That this Council, at its rising, do adjourn,for two months." '< • •'■■ '.'.-' Ji! '-/..'•'' ''■■ The Provincial Solicitor moved the second reading of the Debenture Bill. Seconded by Mr. Wells. Carried with one dissentient voice. ■ The House went into committee on the Education Loan Bill. The Provincial Solicitor moved the second reading of the Education Loan Bill. The various clauses in the bill having been read, they were put to the committee and passed. The House resumed and asked leave to sit again on Thursday. Leave granted. Mr. Dodson asked the Provincial Solicitor, If is the intention of the Provincial Government to take any steps to establish a weekly market in the town of Nelson, for the sale of produce? The honourable member said that sixteen years had now elapsed since Nelson became a settlement, and no market was established. Great inconvenience was felt for the want of one. The merchant could visit a ship when it arrived, and the miller could meet the captain halfway, and entirely shut out the poor man from making any bargain. The farmers' wives also complained of the want of a .butter-market for the purpose of having a uniform price for their butter. The Provincial Solicitor, in reply, said he was not .prepared to say whether the Government would take any steps at present in establishing a market.

The Nelson Gold Fields Bill was read to clause 19, when Mr. Wells moved that the Council do resume and the chairman report progress, and ask leave to sit again on Thursday. Question put and agreed to, and the Council resumed.

Mr. Parker brought up the Report of the Committee on the Nelson Gold Fields Occupation Bill.

Report read, and ordered to lie on the table. The Provincial Secretary asked leave to postpone the second reading of the Waste Lands Bill until Thursday. Leave granted. Council adjourned at ten o'clock. '