PROVINCIAL COUNCIL NOTES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 174, 8 June 1871, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL NOTES.

Wednesday, May 31. The Council assembled to-day in great strength, and both strangers' and Speaker's galleries were well filled with the public in expectation of some information as to the formation of the new Executive. The members of the Cargill Government were somewhat indifferent at taking their seats, and it was not until the formal proceedings, of the House had been gone through that they mustered up sufficient courage to resume the seats in the Treasury benches they had so ignominiously left on Monday evening. Mr. Thomson, of Clutha, was the first to break the silence. He brought up the report of the Committee appointed on the Standing Orders, and ably delivered himself in favour of their adoption. Dr. Menzies seconded. Air. Reynolds must have his say, and found vent in moving an amendment to the effect that no alteration in the Standing Oiders take place for one week. After some discussion, in which Mr. ( 'argill took part, the latter took an opportunity of making explanations as to the course pursued by his Government on tendering their resignations, and advising His Honour as to the action that should be taken in his present dilemma. This explanation was the more eagerly looked for, as it was generally known that the Cargill Government, up to within one hour of the meeting of the Council, had not officially resigned. Report saith fchey had occupied their leisure in destroying any vestige of the liberal measures they announced they were intending to bring before the Council for its consideration ; it is also said the estimates upon which they had bestowed great care, and were then in the printer's hands, were also similarly dealt with. Mr. Cargill went on to explain that in conjunction with his colleagues, who were unanimous, the vote arrived at on Monday evening was considered by them as a want of confidence in his Government, who had sent in their resignations to his Honour, and that certain delays had arisen while himself and colleagues were working up certain official matters purely routine, which had been in abeyance ; at the same time, expressing a hope that Mr. Reid would be able to form a Government which wouJd meet with the confidence of the Council, and the acceptance of the country ; in fact, he believed Mr. Reid had already formed such a Government, and he saw no reason why the business should not at once go on. However, as a matter of form, he (Mr. Cargill) would move the adjournment of the House to enable Mr. Reid to bring down his policy. Mr. Reid, who then seconded the adjournment, explained he had only just left his Honour, who had sent for him only half an hour previous, and could assure Mr. Cargill that things were not in so advanced a stage, and he saw no reason why business could not go on, so that the Order Paper might be cleared off-, but if the Council wished it, he would second the adjournment to Monday next, when he hoped he would so far succeed as to be able to meet the House, and go on with the business before them. Monday, June 5. —When the Council assembled the new Government were in their seats — Reid, Secretary for Land and Works ; Bradshaw, Treasurer and Goldfields Secretary ; Bathgate, Provincial Solicitor ; Cutten, non-official ; — all of whom seemed to be up to their work in answering various questions and other

formal matters which were gone through. Mr. Reid then gave an outline of a policy which his Government intended to pursue on the land question, with the assistance of tho Council, a portion of wiiioli w.ia the entire repeal of the Ilundre U Act, 1869-70, to which the late Government, from their expressed opinions, would no doubt give him their support ; and that simultaneously with blocks being leased or sold that a recognised pasturage right should also be given. He was of opinion, with the concurrence of the Southland members, that; the land laws of that province should be assimilated with our own. lie also said that the Government would most likely be remodelled, but that keeping in view retrenchment, he had not thought fit to 611 up the vacant seats, which would be hereafter left with the Council to deal with when going through the estimates, as to the desirability of having a representative each from the northern and southern portions of the province. The Government also intended to bring in a Bill for the repeal of the Waste Lands Act Amendment Act, 1869, which referred chiefly to the appropriation of the assessment on stock within Hundreds, lie was in favour of the continuance of the block system with deferred payments on the goldtields, as it was the best means of centralising the population, care being taken not to alienate auriferous lands. The financial position, he was sorry to say, was not a pleasant one — the expenditure was considerably in excess of the revenue. It would be the duty of the Government to equalise, as far as practicable, the expenditure with the revenue. Many unpleasant duties would of necessity be forced upon them. Pegardingthe Public Works Act, seeing that the General Government were borrowing, for which we are liable, and have commenced the construction of several works, it would be the duty of the representatives of this province to prevent a rash expenditure, and erect, if possible, a safeguard for the goldtields works. A much larger sum was needed for their proper development than is at the disposal of the Government for that purpose. There appears to be great doubt as to the stability of the present Government — a slight remodelling will no doubt place it on. a firm footing sufficient to command a large majority of the Council, who are to all appearances favourably inclined to Mr. Reid.