PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 570, 23 July 1867, Page 4

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(abridged fbom thechbistchuech papebs.)

Tuesday, July 16. i[Continued from our last.]

Mr J. S. Williams quite agreed with the amendments before the House, although differing from some of the remarks vnade°use of by the hon. member who had moved its adoption. The hon. member (Mr Barff) had stated that by the Ordinance loans were charged upon the territorial revenues ; but if he took the trouble of looking into the Ordinance, he would find that such was not the case. [The hon. member here read the Mh. clause of the Lyttelton and Christchurc. 1 ilailway Ordinance.! In 1862 an Ordinance was passed, authorising the raising of a half-a-mUlion. The 6th clause of this Ordinance was similar to the sth clause of the Lyttelton and Chriati-hiuvh Railway Loan Ordinance, which provided that interest and principle should be paid out of the lands of the province. Tiie New Provinces Act provided that when one portion of the province separated from another, such portion should bear its fair proportion of the debts existing at the time such separation occurred. The Westland meiubew asserted that, because the money had not been spent Jin their district, they were not therefore responsible for any portion of the existing debt. But they must bear m mind that Westlaud was a part of Canterbury when they came to reside in it. They had settled in the district when the province was saddled with a considerable amount of debt; and he could not for a moment conceive what objection they could have to bearing a share of the responsibility. (Hear, hear.) Mr Beefield considered that a request for separation would come with a much better grace from the population of Westland, in the form of a petition to the General Assembly. The Westland members would admit that they had received a fair share of the revenues, but such could not be said by the members of the South. He would move, as an amendment, that the word "Southern" be inserted instead of " Western."

The Speaker ruled that this amendment was out of order.

Mr Hargreaves* amendment was then put. Mr Cassiits desired to make a few remarks before the question was put to the vote. With, the general spirit of the resolution he quite concurred, but he thought that the period of the session was too far advanced to discuss a question of such, vast importance at its proper length. He did not think the resolutions brought forward by his hon. colleague the member for Westland implied direot separation, but looked upon them as a means only of determining what course should be adopted — whether it was advisable the union of the two districts should remain or not. It was not a question which the Provincial Council could decide upon. The question of separation of the districts was one which the General Assembly had to deal with. He agreed with the amendment to its fullest extent. (Hear, hear.) If for nothing else than the appointment of a commission, which would adjust the debt, if any, and put a stop once and for all to the doubt existing, the present discussion of the question might be of considerable value. The Provincial Solicitor, lie apprehended, was a sufficient authority as to how far any part of the province was responsible for any portion of the debts that had been contracted, He would not argue the question of responsibility on this occasion, but would content himself- by announcing his assent to the appointment of a commission to inquire inio the whole matter as to how far the western portion was indebted to the eastern part of the province. Mr Wttatj. considered that the question of debt and separation should be made separate.

The amendment proposed by Mr Hargreaves »7as then put, and declared to be carried on the voices.

The question for the adoption of the resolutions, as amended, being put, Mr Beight said he was much inclined to move the previous question. He regarded the resolutions in their present form as neither declaring a principle of separation nor one of local self-government on th* part of Westland. What was meant by the third clause of the resolution, that it was desirable that a simple and economical machinery for the administration of the affairs of the western portions of the province should be provided by the General Government ? Did it mean that himself and his hon. colleagues should withdraw from their seats in the Council, and that their particular portion of the province shonld be placed under a despotic form of Government in the shape of an irresponsible agent, with delegated powers from the Governor of the colony? As regarded the present movement on the West Coast for separation, he had a strong objection to it for many reasons. Nevertheless, he would much rather prefer that the resolutions should affirm the principle of separation than that the district all along the Western side of the province should be placed, as" he before said, under the direction of an agent having delegated powers for the exercise of his authority from the Governor. He should therefore move the previous question. Mr Whali seconded the motion.

Mr Wynn Williams said it appeared to him that the Westland members did not know what they wanted, and the Eastland members did not known what to do — (laughter)— and the result was, it was an embarrassment to the Government, to the representives of Westland, and those of the Eastern portion of the province as well. He would admit that so long as the bond of union existed between the two parts of the province, the West Coast was entitled to its proper share of representation in the House ; but if that scale of representation were to be fixed according to the respective populations, the rotes of the eastern side of the province would be completely counter-balanced. What did the province of Canterbury consist of a few years ago ? It possessed a large extent of timbered country on the West Coast, which had since turned out to be auriferous ; but all the works were carried out on the eastern side of the province. Notwithstanding this, however, it did not follow that the inhabitants of that districts should not discharge their" fair proportion of the debt that was existing at the time they came to reside in the pro- , vince.

Mr Hawkes opposed the resolutions ; for he believed the miners of the West Ceast had not the slightest wish for separation from Canterbury. Westland was not ready for separation, and the Council would be acting cruelly towards them if they threw the onus of self-government on the inhabitants of that district.

After somo remarks from Mr Hargraves and Mr Barff,

Mr Hoos expressed his deep regret, that such an amendment as that before the House should hare euiinated from the lion, member for Hokitika (Mr Bright), and should have fouiid a seconder in the hon. member for Greynioutli (Mr Whall). That motion he (Mr Hoos) could not support, and he looked upon it as a complete betrayal by those hon. members of their colleages and their constituents those gentlemen represent. It -was well known in this House that at this present moment agitation was going on throughout Westland for separation. Ho (Mr Hoos) should himself take an active part on his return to Westland, to further that agitation, by petitioning his Excellency the Governor to obtain as soon as possible, that, which without doubt, must ere long come to pass. The present Government have badly administered the affairs since the beginning of the goldfields, thpy have not remedied the well-known existing evils with that tact aud precision as they should Lave slow, the country was in difficulties " ff i rough th<-ir neglect ; reform or an alteration V .' 4 urgently required, and the Government

proved themselves unable or unwilling to alter matters, therefore it devolved on the people to help themselves. The members and people of Westland were continually taunted by hon. 'members of East Canterbury of owing a large sum of money, which they were anxious to re-coup ; but they forgot that no settlement was brought about, and it remained yet to be proved that Westland owed anything at all. Mr Hoos pxpressed his deep regret that two of Westland's members should have betrayed Westland's cause.

The resolutions were shelved on the voices, and the next notice of motion proceeded with.

MESSAGE.

The Speaker announced the receipt of a message from his Honor the Superintendent, forwarding a petition that had been presented to him by a deputation from the operatives of Canterbury. His Honor urged that the matter might be taken into consideration with out the leaßt possible delay. . Mr Babff moved that the petition be read.

The motion was put and carried, and the Clerk read the petition as follows : — " To his Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury. The humble petition of the Operatives of the city of Christchurch and its vicinity — Sheweth, That your petitioners view with alarm' the great distress existing amongst the industrial classes, arising from the want of employment, and respectfully request that your Honor will be pleased to' send down a message to the Provincial Council assembled, asking them to vote a sum of money for the purpose of carrying on some reproductive public works that will afford employment and relief to a majority of those who are at present unemployed. And your petitioners further pray that, in event of the Members in Council refusing to comply with the above request, you will adopt such other measures aB you may deem' expedient for the immediate relief of those who are suffering from the present depression. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c." Mr Wilson said he would move that the petition be taken into consideration to-morrow. Mr Stewart said the hon. member for Christchurch had anticipated him. It was his intention to move next day for the appointment of a committee to consider the allegations contained in the petition. Mr Wilson said he would give way to the Provincial Secretary.

Gibson's whabf.

Mr Cassius moved that a respectful addruss be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place the sum of E2QQO on the supplementary estimates for the West Coast, for the extension of the Gibson Wharf from Wharf street to Beach street. Mr Wylde and Mr Belfield, Mr Lee and Mr Wilson objected to the vote applied for. Mr J. S. Williams opposed the motion, because the expediency of the work was very doubtful. Mr Cassius replied that the extension of the wharf was actually necessary for purposes of public accommodation. The motion was put, and declaimed to be negatived on the voices. The House divided — Ayes, 6; Noes, 20. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. On the motion of Mr Stewart, the Council went into Committee of Supply, to consider schedule D of the Estimates of Expenditure for the period ending March 31, 1868. Under the head Surveys, the sum of L 10.956 5s was proposed. Mr Bhown moved as an amendment that the item be reduced by L3OOO. The amendment was put and carried on a division — Ayes, 22 ; Noes, 7. ' The sum of L 7956 5s was then passed for this department. The estimates were then reported with amendments. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, the House went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the supplementary estimates for the period ending March 31, 1868. The following sums were passed :—: — ADMINISTRATION OP JUSTICE. Police Contingencies. — Bent of house and paddock at Oxford, at 16s per week, L 34 Bs. EDUCATION. Maintenance of superior schools, June quarter, LlB7 10s.

Maintenance of ordinary schools, June quarter, L 979 3s, 9d.

DEFENCES. Three drill instructors, Ll5O. HABBOB. Establishment of pilot station, Little Port Cooper, L 30 0; Dolphin swinging apparatus, L3OO. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Additions to Hospital, Timaru, L 25 0; Eoad Boards aud Municipalities, L 13,500. MISCELLANEOUS. Making and maintaining main of roads, L 10,00 0; gla3s cases, cabinets, and other expenses of museum, L2OO. WEST CANTERBURY GOLDFIELDS. Lower Gaol, Hokitika : — One third-class sergeant, at 9s per diem, with goldfields allowance of 4s per diem, L178 15s ; one secondclass constable, at 7s 6d per diem, with goldfields allowance of 3s per diem, L 144 7s 6d ; one third-class constable, at 7s per diem, with 1 goldfields allowance of 3s per diem, L 137 10s. PUBLIC WOBKS. Reconnaissance Survey, L276 10s 6d ; Grey River bank protection, L 100 0; roads in and about Stafford Town, L 300; do do Ross, L 30 0; road to Sunday Creek, LBOO. MISCELLANEOUS. Interest on over-draft, L7OOO. Mr Stewart moved that the sum of L9OOO be placed on the supplementary estimates for roads and tracks. The motion was lost on a division — Ayes, 11; Noes, 14. Mr Stewart then moved that the following items be placed on the supplementary estimates : — Magistrate's clerk, L 225 ; two Wardens' clerks, L 450. : The items were passed. Mr Stewaet moved that the Chairman do 1 report the Supplementary Estimates, with amendments.

Mr Bahff moved, as an amendment, that the words " with leave to sit again," be nddnd. The Chaibman ruled that this amendm&twas out of order. Progress was reported. 'On the House resuming, Mr Lee moved the adjournment of the House. Mr Wtxde seconded the amendment. Mr Stewart said he had jußt a few moments before received a communication to the effect that a steamer would be sent to Lyttelton on Thursday, to convey to Wellington the members of the General Assembly. He would therefore ask hon. members to sit an hour or an hour and a-half longer, in order that they might have a prospect of getting through the business by Thursday morning. Mr Wilson supported the motion for adjournment. After some discussion, the motion for adjournment till five to-day was put and carried. Wednesday, July 17. Mr Stewart moved the second reading of the Grey River Coal Reserves Bill. Mr Wilde seconded the motion which was carried. The clauses of the Bill were then considered seriatim, and having undergone some amendments, the Bill as it appears elsewhere iv its amended form was reported to the House. THE UNEMPLOYED. Mr Stewaet moved "For the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire into, and report upon, the prayer of the petition forwarded in his Honor's message, No 2 ; to consist of Messrs Hawkes, J. S. Williams, Pelamain, Wilson, Hillyard, Garrick, and the

mover ; to report on Friday." It would be quite in the recollection of hon. members, that on the previous evening a message was sent down by his Honor the Superintendent, containing a petition that had been presented to him by a deputation from the industrial classes, having reference to the present want of employment in Christchurch and neighborhood. The petition was unfortunately presented at so late a period of the session, that very little could be done towards the introduction of any remedial measures ; but his Honor on receipt of the petition, agreed to lay it before the Council, to see what could be done in the matter. The best mode of dealing with it, as it appeared to the Government, was by the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire into the whole matter under their notice ; but the lateness of the session would preclude it from receiving that considerable enquiry which it would meet with under other circumstances. As there was every probability of the session lasting for a couple of days longer, he proposed that the report of the committee should be brought up on Friday, instead of .on Thursday, as stated in the notice of motion he had originally given.. There could be no doubt that there was a considerable amount of want existing in Christchurch at the present time ; and if the committee could do anything towards alleviating that want, or could recommend to his Horor any measures, the adoption of which would tend to give to the industrious man " a fair day's wage for a fair day's work," the Government would feel very much gratified indeed. The hon. member again expressed his regret that the petition had not been presented sooner.

Mr J. S. Williams was sorry that the matter came before so thin a House for decision. He sincerely regretted that the subject had not been brought before them earlier in the sossion. (Hear, hear.) If such had been the case, and a full investigation had been made into tho matter, he had no doubt but that it would have influenced their decisions very materially. He was exceedingly sorry that the time was so short for the committee to complete its inquiry, as it was absolutely necessary the Council should be prorogued very shortly, to permit of hon. members attending their duties in the General Legislature of the colony. The shortness of the time would not afford them so great an opportunity as they ould desire to find out what amount of .distress really existed, and decide what means were best whereby to alleviate it. Should the committee make any recommendations in the matter, the Government, he might say, would take measures during the recess to supplement the action of the committee, aud would undertake the responsibility of making full inquiry into the matter concerning the distress at present existing. He had much, pleasure in seconding the motion. Mr Dixon hoped tkat a full and searching inquiry would be made into the allegations contained in the petition from the unemployed — so full, at all events, as time would permit.

Mr Wylde said that the Select Committee should be appointed by ballot. Mr Stewart inquired if it was necessary that the mover should act upon the committee. The Speaker replied in the affirmative. Mr J. S. Williams moved the adjournment of the House for ten minutes, in order that a ballot might be taken. The House accordingly adjourned, and on resuming, The Speaker announced that tho ballot had resulted in the appointment of the following committee : — The mover, Messrs Hawkes, Wilson, J. S. Williams, Delamain, Hillyard, and Garrick. PAYMENNT OP MEMBERS. Mr Wilson moved — "That the House go into committee to re-consider the resolutions agreed to in Session IV, with reference to the expenses of members. Tho motion having been seconded, the House went into committee, Mr Wylde in the chair.

After a long discussion, the following scale of payment was agreed to : — Members residing over two miles from Christcliurch, to receive 5s per setting day on which they are in. attendance ; over five miles, 7s 6d per day; over ten miles, Ll per day, with an additional allowance of L 3 per week in the case of members residing over fifty miles from Christclmrcb. ; the latter also to have their travelling expenses paid once each way.

PRICE OP WASTE LANDS.

Mr Wilson moved — " That in the opinion of this Council, it would be unwise, impolitic, and inexpedient to reduce below the present price of L 2 per acre the waste lands of the province of Canterbury." He moved this resolution in consequence of an impression having got abroad that the price of waste lands in the province was to be reduced to Ll -per acre.

Mr Moore seconded the resolution. He was not in favor of reducing the price of the land, but ho' would strongly support the reduction of the blocks from twenty to ten acres. This would give the working man a better chance of obtaining land. Mr Stewart said the Government wa3 quite in accord with the hon. mover of the resolution. It was not necessary to say anything in support of the resolution. He would suggest a slight amendment, which would have the effect of making the resolution more clear, namely, that the words " price of the" be inserted before the words " waste lands." Mr Wilson had no objection to the suggested amendment. The amendment was agreed to. Mr Buckley wished to know whether the resolution would apply only for the present Council. Mr Montgomery was sorry to think the matter had been brought up at all. He did not think there was any necessity for it. Mr Wilson said he had uot brought forward the resolution without good cause. He had been induced to do so by an influential member of the Waste Lauds Board.

The resolution Avas put, and agreed to. Notices of motion, were given, and the House adjourned till five o'clock on Thursday.

Thursday, July 18. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ORDINANCE,

Mr Hoos moved for leave to introduce a bill to amend " Tho Executive Council Ordinance, 1867." His object for bringiug forward the motion was in order that some provision might be made to enable the Goldfields Secretary to take his seat in the Council. Mr Barff, in seconding the motion, remarked that the present bill was in an unsatisfactory condition, and required to be amended in the manner proposed by his hon. colleague the member for Westland. There was no part of the existing Ordinance to make it compulsory on the Superintendent to nominate members of the Executive from tho Provincial Council.

Mr J. S. Williams said there was no absolute necessity for modifying Jthe bill, and ho should therefore oppose the motion.

Mr Dixon opposed the motion. Mr Joiinstone objected to the motion, because it had been introduced at too late a period "of the session. It was better, he thought, to leave tho bill jas it stood until next session.

Mr Hoos, in reply, said that the proposed amendment in the bill was really necessary, and it should not thcreforo be shelved. He hoped the House would agree to his motion, because, if the bill wore allowed to remain in its present form, the Secretary for tho Goldfields would bo coming hero next session, and would bo unable to take his seat.

The Speaker then put the motion, and it was declared to be negatived on the voices. In consequence of the above motion being negatived, the following motion standing in the name of Mr Hoos, fell to the ground : — " To move tho suspension of Standing Orders, in order to pass through all its stages the Executive Council Ordinance, 1861, Amendment Bill, 1867." SnEBP ORDINANCE. Mr Buokhw moved—* 1 That in the opi-

nion of this Council, the. Sheep (originally printed Scab) Ordinance should in future be enforced on the West Coast." Hitherto the conditions of the Ordinance had not been enforced there, and could not be without the presence of an inspector. He had no desire to put a stop to the importation of sheep, but it was au undisputed fact that scabby sheep were sent from Victoria, landed at Hokitika, and driven into the eastern side of the province. Such a thing should be put an end to, for if it were not, they would see scab extending all over the province. He truited, therefore, that the Council would agree to his motion.

Mr Baeff said that the motion, as it originally stood on the paper, mentioned the Scab, and not tho Sheep Ordinance, and he had in vain searched thi-ough. the Acts, -with a view of ascertaining what were the provisions of the Scab Act. He was, therefore, unprepared in the matter, and would like to hear some explanation from the lion, member for Waimate as to the provisions of tho Sheep Ordinance. He quite agreed with the hon. member that the spreading of scab should bo prevented as much as possible ; but in all probability the appointment of a Sheep Inspector would not be necessary, as it might be found convenient for the Inspector of Cattle on the West Coast to act in both capacities.

Mr Hoog moved, as an addition to the original motion, " That the expenses in carrying out the aforesaid Ordinance be defrayed out of the pastoral rents."

After some discussion, the amendment was put and lost, and tho original motion carried. COALFIELD EESEEVE BILL. On the juoticfn of Mr Stewabt, " The Grey River Coalfield Eeserve Bill, 1867," was read a third time, and passed. After the disposal of sundry other business, uninteresting to Westland readers, the House adjourned until noon next day.