Provincial Council.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 665, 29 April 1865, Page 3

Provincial Council.

4 Monday, April 24. The SpEJiKEa took the chair at 6*30. TSe^Bßntiles of the last meeting having been read"and confirmed, . The Speaker made known the receipt from hi 3 Honor the StHjerintendent of two Messages, the first of whichWe give in full. No. 29. — THe Superintendent takes the earliest opportunity oninforming the Provincial Counoil that he has derenninedon not offering himself for re-election at tfie approaching termination of; his present tenure of office. The Superintendent is now approaching the close of hie second tennro of offloe, and he ifeels'it necessary after having given some of thi best years of his life in this Province to its seVvice in an offioial capacity, to consult his healthAhis private means, (which have Buffered), and his other interests which have been unavoidably neglected in attending to his public duties. The Superintendent desires to record his best thanks to lycfvincial Council for the consideration and co-operation he has received from ' No. 30. — Transmitang applications from Messrs W. Hately and W. J. Fookß, (Auckland) both ■members of the R.01V.5., for situation as Inspector of pleuro-pneixnonia, scab, &c. The applications were accompanied by certificates — that of Mr,. Hately as having held a similar situation for two years in Southland. ThoHertifioates of Mr. Fooks were also satisfactory. His Honor, however, had determine, (unless the Council differed), on the appointiwmt of Mr. Hately, his first application having b\en made on the 18th November, 1864, and thatW Mr. Fooks on 28th February, 1865. \ Mr. T. Kelly rose to ask the Provincial Secretary, " What is the extent oTland beyond the Patea River within the boundaries of the Province." In doing so, he said, it was highly necessary that the, boundary of the Provinoe shonld be d/sianotly defined. Large importations might take place to the Patea, and then a question might arise as to which Province — Wellington or Taranaki, could claim the duties. , The FuovuiCiAL Sechetary said it was imp6ssible for him to give any distinct answer to the question. Tho boundary of the Province had never been properly defined. It was understood to extend from Mokau to the Patea Mr. T. Kelly again rose to ask tho Provincial Secretary, " If the Provincial Government are in possession of any information as to the capabilities of the-P«tea River, namely, the depth of water on the bar at low water, the length to which it is navigable, and the facilities it offers for the accommodation of coasting vessels." The Provincial Secretary could only give the same answer to thie question as he had done in 'the former. The Government were not in possession .of tshe information asked for. • Mr. F. U. Gledhill asked the Provincial Secretary, "Whether our Police force is under the control of the General or Provincial Government." '' Tho PaovrNciAL Secretary replied thafc the Police wore under the control of the judicial officers of the Colony." Mr. F.-U. Gled|llLL again rose to ask tho Provincial Secretary " Why a warrant to arrest a person of the name of O'Riely, which was applied for at the Police Magistrate's office early on the morning of Tuesday, the 18th instant, waa not executed by the Police officers, since the man was walking about in Town during the morning of the . same day." His object in askrrig'&is question was to Bet at rest various reports floating round hue regarded the merits of the Police. For his own part he did not think they wore morite-* 1 . Still it was eaifl^hat although an information had been laid at ten o'clook on the morning of the 19th instant, the warrant had not issued until 5 p.m., ' and that che man Riley'was still at large.

The Provincial Secsetahy said he had made enquiries and learned that the warrant for the apprehension of O'Riely had been issued within a quarter of an hour after the information was laid. Mr; GiEDHiix rose to move, "For leave to bring in * Bill to slier and em^nd tb^lawo rcg"'

lating the salo of spirituous liquors." Tho Provincial Secretary said he would not offer any opp.osition to tho introduction of tho Bill, but would remind hon. members that they had a large amount of business before them. Further he thought the hon. mover (Mr. Glodhill) should give some cogent reason for the introduction of a Bill so soon after licensing day. Mr. T. Kelly thonght there was work [enough before tho Counoil for its limited time. -This was a measure he thought might be deferred for the consideration of the noxt Council.

Mr. Upjohn thought that somo alteration was" necessary in the present Licensing Ordinance. For instance he would like to see it amended in that way to permit, as in some other places, of tho " bottle" system with storekeepers. ■ ■ Mr. Gledhill said the principal feature of .the Bill he proposed to introduce was that of having quarterly licensing meetings. ' This ejnteia was adopted in Canterbury. A house had been built in this Town, p& most hon. members were aware, for a first-class hotel, at a cost of something liko' £2000. A liceuso was applied for at the late meeting in the nanie of Mr. Henwood. It was refused, and on no other ground he believed than that of Mr. Heuwood having sold spirits to Natives. It was to the man and not to the house the license was refused . It was well known, however, that although tho application was made in Mr. Kenwood's name, ho would not have had the management of the house. Mr. Halse had beou retained on the part of the proprietors of this house to attend at the licensing meeting'; and givo the Bench explanations. This opportunity, however, was not afforded — the Bench sitting with closed doors. If a modification was no.t made in the Licensing Ordinance, that the Bench should sit quarterly, the building he alluded to would remain empty for the next twelve months, and much loss be sustained by the owners. By the passing of the Bill he now proposed to introduce they would be enabled to apply again for a license in three months.

Leave being granted, the Bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading made an order of the day for next sitting. The Provincial Secretary moved the seoond reading of " a Bill to limit the operation of the Branding of Cattle Ordinance, 1864." Mr. Pitcairn moved an amendment of 4th clause. Carried.

The Bill was read a aeoond time, and the third reading made an order of tho day for next sitting. The Provincial Secretary then moved that the Council go into Committee of Supply. Carried. The Provincial Secretary moved the following items, which, after some discussion, were carried : — Surveyor (including horse hire), £350 ; Ist Assistant Surveyor, £250 ; 2nd Assistant Surveyor, £200 ; Junior Assistant Surveyor, £100 ; Contingencies, £200. The Provincial Secretary next, proposed the sum or £300 as salary for Harbor Master. Mr. Upjohn said before he voted this sum bo should like to have from the Provincial Secretary Borne further information. Since the present Harbor Master had held office things had not worked so satisfactorily as they had under Capt. Watson. He would wish to know what the receipts were from the Harbor department. Tho Provincial Secrbta&y thought he had made this sufficiently plain to hon. members bofore. The understanding with the boatmen was that one-third of the receipts should go to the Government, and the remainder be retained by themselves. The men, however, were not fully employed. At times there was a rush, and at others the work was slack. The quo3tion was whether it was advisablo to continue the present system (which appeared to work well) and' find employment for the men on public works when the roadstead was bare of shipping, or whether the old systom shonld be reverted to. In his opinion the work had been carried out in a far more efficient way under the new arrangement. ' Mr. Upjohn thought that retrenchment was to be tho order of the day, and he thought it might well bo commenced here.

Mr. Gledhill would ask whether or not the Harbor Master was not also Inspector of Cattle. Mr. W. We&ton did not consider a practical Harbor Master was required hero as well as a Pilot. The ofiice was a complete sinecure. The principal duties of a Harbor Master in the other Provinces aud in the Australian Colonies was to direct the mooring and laying of vessels. No suoh thing was required here. He thought the ofiice of Harbor Master might be combined with' that of Pilot. The question would then arise whether that Council oould interfere with the" Pilot — that officer acting under the Marine Board.' He would, however, move as an amendment, that the officos of Harbor Master and Pilot be combined at a salary of £300. After some further discussion tho item £300 for Harbor Master was passed with the understanding that he should also take the duties of Pilot. The item £144 for the latter office was Struck out. The following items wore then passed : — Clerk (Harbor department), £150 ; Assistant Clerk, £78 ; Storekeeper and Sailmaker, £144 ; Carpenter's work, £144 ; Signalman, £132 ; and B. Fox (on sick list), £132. On the next item £1276 for boats, stores, and contingencies, being proposed by the Provincial Secretary, Mr. Weston said he must oppose this vote, and as probably a good deal of discussion would tako place on it, he would move .that the Chairman report progress, and, the House resume. Carried. The Council having resumed and notioe of motion given by Mr. Pitcairn as to the appointment of an Exeoutive Council, the House adjourned until Wednesday, the 26th inst., at 6"30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 26. The Speaker took tho chair at 6 30 p.m. The minutes of the previous sitting having been read and confirmed, Mr. Pitcaien moved, " That a respectful, address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent requesting him to oause a Bill constituting an Executive Council, to bo prepared and sent down to this Counoil with as little delay as possible." He (Mr. P.) thought the ends of that Counoil would be very much better served if his Honor the Superintendent had a responsible Executive. With all due deference to the Provincial Secretary, he must say that it was very difficult for members of that Counoil to get satisfactory answers from him. He thought there would be no difficulty in getting members to hold office who wofald work for the public weal.

Mr. Weston seconded, pro forma. Mr. Upjohn could not see how, if it waa so difficult for the Council to get information from one gentleman, things could be bettered by having three. No doubt there was a great deal of time wasted in that Council through information not being promptly furnished, but the Superintendent was the responsible man, and he must boar the blame. The Council could Only reoord their votes whether the business was conducted by one, two, or three members.

The Provincial Secretary said it was all very well for hon. mombers to pitch into him, but lie thought -they might withhold such sharp and taxing expressions. With regard to a responsible Executive, if carried out properly he thought it might be of advantage to the Council and- tho country. •

Mr. A. Atkinson thought there could not be two opinions as regarded the theoretical argument of a responsible Executive, but tho question appeared to be whether the saddle might not be too big for the horse. The Barae fault that might exist with 'one man, in the view of hon. members would exist the same with two or three, but there was this difference, that under responsible Government if they went, wrong, they were turned out and a new Govern*.! ment formed. He (Mr. A.) thonght it would mf\ advisable for the hon. member to withdraw his motion and bring in a Bill himself. Mr. Kelly thought this was one of those questions which might be well left for a future Council. Mr. Gleduil£ thought this was a question •which might be well deferred fora future CouncUi' Mr. Rundi.e did not consider it necessary that the Counoil should go into this question when they were so near the end of their political existence.

The Council divided on the question, when the votes being equal the Speaker gave bis vote for the original motion.

On the motion of tho Provincial Secretam the Counoil then went into Committee of Supply. The item £1276 boats, stores, and oantangea* cies, was after some dissuasion, >reduoed to £76t. Tho next itqms j64QO, ( Boadß and Publio Work* dopar tniohfc yip, «2S0 v ßalary ot Road ' Surveyor and Engineer, and sEISO contingencies was struck out altogether. - .- , The following items (Poliqo department) were passed. Further, Mr. Gledhill expressed cis intention of giving notice of motion as to tho obtaining from one of the other Provinoes or Colonies,' two efficient police or deteotives. The items passed were, Sergeant £150, (boing a reduotion of £26 on tho printed estimate) ; Forage for do.# £50 ; 5 Privates, £-180 ; Contingencies, £?g| The items under Gaol department^amoly :— Gaoler, £125 ; Rations and cooking, £GSO •' and contingencies, £100, wore passed after' discussion. The Council adjourned till 6*Bo p.m. on Friday. Friday, ArRiL 28. Tho Speaker took tho chair 6-30 p.m. The minutes of the previous sitting be.en read and confirmed, The Speaker announced the receipt of the following Message from Ids Honor the Superintendent: — No. 82.— ; The Superintendent has tho honor t«, .acknowledge the receipt of a copy of a resolution ' [ passed by the Provincial Counoil, requesting hint to oause a Bill constituting an Execafcive Conno'.'< to be prepared and Sent down to tho Counoil wiU as little delay as possible. Tho Superintendent it of opinion that the qiiestionmised by the*-fosolu- ' tion should bo left to the approaching Provincial election, to bo determined- by the electors, as was done at the last election. His own views on the question of what the relations between the future Superintendent and Provincial Counoil should bhe foels himself exonerated from stating, as hv has already intimated his determination of nqs offering himself fol' re-eleotion ; and the expression of such views that he will uot be elected to carry out, might with reason be complained of by his successor in office. , " Mr. A. S. Atkinson asked the Provincial Secro. tary— Ist. What is the state and condition of tne moorings in tho roadstead, and to what extent are they now serviceable. 2nd. What steps have' been taken to recover the lost moorings,, ( and to restore them to a serviceable condition. 3rd. What will bo 1 tho probable cost of suoh restoration. 4th. When tha Harbor Regulations will bo nub- • lishdd, • - * The Pkovinoeal Secretary replied in ab'swor to the first question that the moorings had been unserviceable those tw6 years and wero so Btill. 2. That various attempts have been made to raise the moorings since the present Harbor Master had been in office. The last waa by Cajjt. Hoi ford ; who* had-, undertaken to raise them fa £15,' but after nearly sinking his pontoon, he was obliged to abandon the attempt. One ia caught aud- buoyed— the boats trawled for it and suocoeded in, getting hold of it/ but na<J not power to raise it. 3. The coßt would probably be upwards of £50 to raise and restore these moorings to a serviceable condition. 4. Tho Harbor Regulations will bo published immediately aftor the Ordinances now in hand are printed. Mr. F. U. Gleuiiill rose to move, " That a reIspeotful addross be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to put a sufficient sum on the Estimates to pay tho wages of two efficient police officers, having experience as detectives, whom it is desirable should bo brought into the Province." After some disousaion an amendment was moved by Mr. Pitcairn, that instead of the word "two," " one" should bo in. sorted., , ' --■,•»•:, The^amendment wag carried.' • ■• . /* , ..j.yarious orders' of the day having been postr i-poned, tho Council Went into Committee of Sup. _ply,.Mr.. Kelly in.the chair. Tho various items of Inspectors of Pleuro-pneu» monia and Cattle were postponed. The item £50 for Inspector of Weights anfl Measures, and £10 for rent of offices waa parried. , The sum of £1700 (including £1000 interest ok overdraft on Bank), as General contingencies was passed.. The item £1100, charitable aid, was struck out. Tho sums of £200 for printing and stationery, £400 for education, £150 for eradication of thistles (pubh'o, native, and absentees) , filizabdth Ford, £47 18s. 2d. ; and Council library;, £100 ; were passed. <. . ' On the motion of Mr., Upjohn the Council resumed. ' „ „ : ' The Provincial Secretary gave 'notice that at the next sitting he would move that a respectful address bo presented to His Honor tha Superintendent requesting him to place a dura on the Supplementary Estimates sufficient' to purchase Mr. Beardsworth's S.ohool-rOom; Mr. Upjohn gave notice that at the next sitting he would move—" That this Council is of opinion that the Public Found is at present-in a most inconvenient place, and that it should be removed to a more oentral place available for it. Mr. Pitcairn gave notice that' at' the next sitting he would move— ;" That a respectful address should be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, asking him to nominate thi'e'o■'commissioners to inquire into and report upon the present state of the Publio Reserves of the Province; also, to value them, so that the reserves may be- finally apportioned and applied to the different purposes for whioh they wero intended: Mr. Gledhill gave notice that at the next sitting he would ask the Provincial Secretary " Whethor tho Government is in a position and willing to leaso the Irdn Sand." The Council then adjourned until Monday next, at 6.30 p.m.