PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 179, 13 July 1871, Page 7

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, 4th Jpi.y.'

PETITION. A petition was presented by Mr. G. F. C. Browne, from residents in the Waitahuna district, praying that a portion of the district, commencing at the junction of the Murray's flat Creek with the Waitahuna river, be declared a mining reserve, and exempt from occupation for agricultural purposes. miller's flat. Mr. Mervyn asked the Government, whether they intended to sell a lot of land at Miller's Flat. He believed a x? umber of people who had applied for the lease of land in that block were very much afraid the Government were going to repeat the same operation as was performed in the case of the Island Block- —namely, to promise a lease of land they were going to sell. He thought if the Government assured the House — and through the Houße, the country at large — that they W9re not going to do so, it would give great satisfaction.

Mr. Reid could assure the honourable member that it was not the intention of the Government to sell any portion of the block referred to at present. So far from that being the case, the whole of the block would be open for lease immediately. The only reservation over any portion would be for the value of the improvements on some portions of the allotments. It was absolutely necessary to have a regulation framed with a view to securing that any persons taking up the allotments would pay the whole value of t'je fences on the ground. It was just possible, however, that part might ultimately be sold if it were not all taken up — (Hear, hear.) IHE ESTIMATES. The House went into committee of supply, and nearly all the items were passed without amendment. The following total items under the head " Education " were passed: — £1365 ; district schools, £12,942 10s. ; grammar schools, £800 ; Southland schools, £187 10s. ; £1150; and £3083. High school, £2205. G-irls, £480 and £50. Boys' school, £525. Before the House adjourned a select committee was appointed to enquire into the p 'esent and future prospects of the Girls, High School. The House then adjourned.

Thursday, 6th July. AMOUNT DUE TO MUNICIPALITIES. Mr. Thomson moved, " That there be laid on the table a return showing the municipalities to which the sum of £1500 is due, and the amount due to each." Seconded by Mr. Henderson, and carried. RECREATION RESERVE FOR TOWNSHIP OF ROXBURGH. Mr. Shepherd moved, "That an address be presented to his Honour the Superintendent, requesting that he will cause to be reserved 300 acres of land, adjoining the township of Roxburgh, for the use of its inhabitants for commonage and recreation purposes."

Mr. Reid moved the following amendment: — "That an address be presented to his Honour the Superintendent, requesting that he will cause to be reserved 300 acres of land adjoining the township of Eoxburgh, for the purposes of recreation and public utility." The amendment was accepted by Mr.Shepherd, and carried on the voices. PETITION OF RESIDENTS AT CROMWELL.

Mr. Hickey moved, and Mr. Shepheard seconded, "That the petition of the inhabitants of Cromwell, relative to commonage, be referred to the Goldfields Administration Committee." Carried. CEMETERY AT MOA FLAT. Mr. Bradshaw moved, "That an address be presented to his Honour the Superintendent, recommending that all that area in the Province of Otago, containing by admeasurement three acres, more or less, being part of run 215, and situate at Moa Flat, in the Benger Survey District [here the boundaries are specified] be set apart as a site for a cemetery at Moa Flat." Carried. PETITION Or MINERS IN THE WAITAHUNA DISTRICT. i Mr. G. F. C, Brown moved, "That the petition of miners in the Waita- 1 huna district, relative to setting aside | land for mining reserves, be referred J ta the Goldfields Administration Committee." — Carried. THE REPORT OF THE MINING CONFERENCE. Mr. G. F. C. Brown moved, "That in the opinion of this Council certain recommendations of the late Mining Conference should not be given effect to in any legislation during the ensuing session of Assembly."

After some discussion, the mover withdrew his resolution, with the view of bringing it forward in a more specific from on a future occassion.

Mr. Mervyn brought up the following interim report of the Select Committee on the Administration of Goldfields: — "Your Committee having carefully considered the various petitions in reference to the establishment of a Courthouse and Gaol at either Clyde or Cromwell, are of opinion that in the event of a Courthouse or Gaol being erected in the Dunstan district,

it should be erected at Cromwell, as the centre of the Northern Goldfields." THE ESTIMATES. The House then went into Committee of Supply. On ;he item, "Wardens, five at £450, two at £400, and one at £100, £3^00," under the head " Goldfields," Mr. Allan moved that the amount should be reduced by £350. After discussion, the item was passed as printed. Several other items were passed. CHAEITABLE INSTITUTIONS. Mr. Lumsden moved, "That an address be presented to his Honour the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the Estimates a sum adequate to the payments of grants-in-aid to country Hospitals and Benevolent Institutions, at the rate of £2 to £1 contributed by public subscription to these institutions."

After several honourable members had exproased themselves as opposed to the motion, in consequence of the unfavourable state of the public funds,

Mr. Bastings said, that if by deferring the expenditure of votes on public works these institutions could secure payment of the subsidy he would rather those votes remained unexpended than thesp institutions should be deprived of pecuniary assistance, and in order that adequate assistance mi^ht be rendered, he would walk up to his knees in mud. After some discussion the Committee divided on the motion, when there was found to be — Ayes, 19; noes, 11. The motion was therefore carried. The Committee then divided on the question, " That the motion as amended be adopted." (The amendment, moved by Mr. Daniel, was that the rate be £1 to £1, instead of £2 to £1.) A division was taken, with the following result — Ayes, 19; noes, 11. The motion, as amended, was therefore carried.

The House adjourned at 2 o'clock in the morning till 2 o'clock in the afternoon.