PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1728, 27 May 1862, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 20. The Speaker took the chair at five o'clock. •Present, the whole of the members. '•! THE MANAWATU BLOCK. Mr. Borlase moved the following resolution standing in his name — _." That a res P ectf ul Address be presented to Hia Honor the Superintendent, requesting him (after the drainage of the block of 25,000 acres of land at Manawatu, for the effecting of which • purpose this Council has been'desired to vote the necessary means) to cause the same to be surveyed in 100 acre blocks, and to permit such blocks as may not be sold to be rented hy individual applicants, on leases for 10 years, with a purchasing clause, at a rent of .£lO percent, on the upset price of such blocks." He hoped that the motion would be frankly considered by the Council, and he thought , that if adopted it would be the means of brineing an agricultural population into the Pro. vince, and thereby promote its prosperity The scheme he proposed was theonly one that would leave open the Manawatu block to bona* fide settlers, and induce an agricultural pomi. lation to occupy it. It was well known to >

members present that a great number of prosperous farmers in the neighborhood of Wellington had been enabled to obtain freeholds on conditions similar to those embodied in his motion, and they were a class of settlers that they ought to be proud to possess, and to take means to bring into the- Province. He was aware that there was an objection to making the Government the landlord under the proposed plan, but he wished to remove this objection by putting the leases under such a Commission as would effectually prevent the Government interfering in any way with the tenant. And the objections to his proposal, he might remind the House, could be as easily brought against the plan proposed by the 1 Government in one of the clauses of the Sinking Fund Bill. The Commissioner of Crown Lands had told them that a plan would be adopted which would take the mortgages out of the hands of the Executive, and if a plan of this kind could be adopted in the one case it could be equally as well carried out in the other. He would put the leases in the hands of a Commission that would be independent of the Government of the day. The Government could not be losers by the transaction, as the improvements effected would be an additional security for the payment of interest and principal. As agent for a large number of sections let with purchasing clauses, he had never experienced any difficulty in obtaining due payment of the rents and the principal, when or before the leases expired. He could conceive no plan by which they would be so likely to induce some ot those parties who were^iow wandering about the Colony, wishing to settle somewhere, but not having yet made up their minds where. Such parties, hearing of this opportunity, would avail themselves of it, and be induced to settle down on the block in question. We wanted an agricultural population, for he could not disguise from himself the fact that we were importers instead of exporters of produce. When the Government had fixed the price for the land, he asked them to let those not having sufficient capital to pay down the whole amount at once, without depriving themselves of what they would require for fencing and cultivation, to then rent the land, with a purchasing clause. He could see no difficulty in carrying out the scheme, and trusted that it would have the favorable consideration of the Council.

_ The Commissioner of Crown Lands recognised in the motion of the hon. gentleman an old friend with a new face. It was in fact a proposal to sell the puhlic lands on deferred payments. It being an old and thread-hare subject was perhaps the reason why the mover had not entered into it at greater length. The stray persons that were wandering about the Colony, from Otago to Auckland, were a class j of persons less adhesive — less inclined to settle down— than any other class in the world. Besides, persons coming from the Otago gold fields, it was to be presumed, came with gold in their pockets, and did not therefore require land on credit. He (Mr. F.) knew of no means by' which they could furnish capital, to people who had no capital, in a wholesale way like that recommended. The hon. member's reference to the farmers in the vicinity of Wellington was not to the purpose — there was no analogy between the two cases. These farmers were men who borrowed money from capitalists who were able to judge whether they would be doing a wise thing to trust them. On the other hand there would be a great many persons who would apply for land under the proposed scheme whom the hou. member would not recommend any of his clients to have any dealings with. The hon. gentleman then pointed out that the recommendation amounted to a material alteration in the Land Regulations, while one of those regulations rendered it necessary that any alterations proposed must be published for a given period in the Government Gazette, which regulation in the present instance had not been complied with, though it had 'been when the scheme came before them some years ago. He submitted, therefore, that they were not competent to entertain the motion of the hon. member; he was glad, however, that he hadbrought it forward, as some practical view might he adopted indicating the wishes of the Council how, within the scope of the existing Land Regulations, this particular land should be disposed of. The hon . gentleman concluded by moving the following resolutions, the 4th was added by Mr. Carter at a subsequent period of the debate — "1. That it is highly desirable that after the drainage of the block of 25,000 acres, at Manawatu, the land should be .surveyed into suitable blocks before sale, regard being had in determining the size ol the blocks to the requirements of the agriculturist of limited capital. "2. That the said land should be sold by auction. "3. That no land should be sold until the line of road in the block should have been determined on, surveyed, and marked out conspicuously on the ground. "4. That in the sales by auction a certain proportion of the lots, alternate or otherwise, should be reserved from sale for a certain period." A long debate hereupon ensued, Mr. Borlase replied, and the House divided. For the amendment, ayes 20 ; noes 5. Ayes — Messrs. Rhodes, Whitewood, Crawford, McEwen, Taylor, Turnbull, Bryce, Allen, -Carter, Johnston, Allison, Smith, Barton, Fawcett, Fitzherbert, Watt, Woodward, Brandon, Harrison, and. Stokes. Noes — Messrs. Borlase, Buck, Wright, Spinks, and Wallace. Mr. Hunter declined to vote. THE ESTIMATES. The House then went into Committee on the Estimates, when the various items were agreed to until those under the Harbor Master's Department were read, when a long discussion took place, resulting in increasing the salary of the Harbor Master from £200 to £250, and the contingencies of the department from £40 to £100. The salary of the Inspec - tor of Police was increased by the Government from £200 to £262 10s., the addition being to cover his travelling expenses. He was also voted forage allowance, £68 ss. per annum. When the items under Signal Station were read, the Committee reported progress. THE HIGHWAYS ACT. ' On the motion of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, the Highways Consolidation Act was read a second time, without discussion, to be committed on Thursday. SURVEY BOABD 811/ L. The House then went into Committee on this Bill. On the Ist clause being read, Mr. McEwen moved that it be struck out. A lengthy discussion ensued, and the Committee divided. For the amendment, ayes 10— Messrs. Rhodes, Buck, Whitewood, McEwen, Crawford, Borlase, Stokes, Wright,

Bryce, and Fawcett ; noes 7— Messrs. Smith, Fitzherbert, Watt, Hunter, Carter, Woodward, and Taylor. The Bill was, consequently, virtually rejected. Mr. Spinks brought up the Keport of Mr. Rotermund's Petition Committee, which was read, and ordered to be printed. It recommended that the sum of £89 6s. lOd. be paid I to the petitioner, and Mr. Spinks gave notice that he should move on Thursday that the sum be placed on the Estimates. Mr Carter asked leave to postpone the committal oi his Re-apportionment Bill until tomorrow. To this Messrs. Borlase, Wright, Crawford, and Wallace objected. Messrs. Fitzherbert, Duncan, Stokes, and Hunter supported the motion. Mr. Carter explained that several members who supported the Bill had left the House, not expecting that the question would come on this evening. A number of notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned. Wednesday, May 21. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. Present, the whole of the members except Mr, Fawcett. TOWN BOAKD BILL. Mr. Stokes asked leave to bring in a Bill lor making and improving the streets of Wellington, and for the management of the City Reserves. He said that the Bill divided the town into three wards, and gave two members for each, who were empowered to impose a rate not exceeding 2d. in the pound upon the actual value of the land itself. He had entered into some calculations as to the amount ol funds that would be thus realised, and found that if a rate of Id. in the pound was levied it would realise the sum of £2000, in aid of which the Government proposed to give an equivalent amount. The rents of the Town Belt, he calculated, would bring in £500 per annum. The total amount which would be available for town purposes would be something like £5000, of which the town would contribute two-fifths, and the Government, including rents from Town Belt and cost of prison labor, three-fifths. The Bill would be printed, and on its second reading he would enter more fully into its provisions ; he might mention, however, that in the event of the Bill being passed, and the Government contributing an equivalent sum to that raised by rates, it was understood that no more grants in aid would be asked by the Council for town improvements out of the provincial revenue. -Mr Hunter seconded the motion. A Town Board was in existence at Nelson, and he was informed when there that in no one year had the rate exceeded If d. in the pound, though the Board was constantly either making or improving the streets of the town. After a few words from Messrs. Fitzherbert, Borlase, Wallace, and Spinks, in favor of the motion, leave was granted, and the Bill read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. GAME. Captain Rhodes moved, in Committee of Supply, "That an address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to put upon the Estimates a small sum, not exceeding £50, to be expended in introducing game from the Province of Auckland, to be distributed by His Honor among the settlers residing in this district, "Wairarapa, Rangitiki, and Wanganui." He supportod the motion in an eloquent speech in favor of field sports, and concluded by observing that it might not be far wrong to ascribe the dashing charge of the cavalry at Balaclava to the game of England. Mr. Stokes opposed the motion. If every gentleman would spend a five pound note on his individual run, for the purpose proposed, the motion would not be required. The man who would introduce game into the Province at his own expense would obtain a cheap and lasting reputation, and the future sportsmen of New Zealand could drink to the memory of the man who first introduced game into the Province. It was a matter not. for Government aid, but for private enterprise. Mr. Allison supported the motion as a step in the right direction. He thought it would be well to introduce also some of the fish of Australia. Mr. Johnston also supported the motion, and was surprised that the hon. mover had not asked for a larger sum. He stated that three red deer were on board the Triton, which had been presented to New Zealand by the late Prince Consort, and Avere consigned by Mr. Morrison, the General Government agent in London, to the Superintendent of Wellington, and he trusted that whatever sum was necessary to pay the cost of this valuable importation would be freely paid. After a further discussion, in which a great niamber of hon. members took part, Mr McEwen proposed, as an amendment, that the sum be Id., upon which the House divided. ! Ayes 15 — Messrs. Fitzherbert, Woodward, ] Allen, Stokes, Barton, Borlase, Carter, Buck, Bryce, Turnbull, Crawford, Whitewood, Spinks, McEwen, and Hunter. Noes 10 — Messrs. Rhodes, Allison, Johnston, Smith, Schultze, Wright, Watt, Taylor, Duncan, and Harrison. GRANT IN AID. Captain Rhodes withdrew the following motion until the Bill introduced by Mr. Stokes had been disposed of—" That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent requesting him to place upon the Estimates a sum of not less than £500 as a grant in aid for making the Public Reserves in Wellington, known as the Canal and Basin Reserve, available as public recreation and pleasure ground, and forming the road thereto." PUBLIC MARKET. Mr. Wallace moved the Council into Committee of Supply in order tp move the following — " That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place upon the Estimates the sum of £1000, being the item No. 7, in the Schedule of Loan Act, No. 6, passed in the first Session of the Provincial Council, such sum to be devoted to the purpose of establishing a Public Market in Wellington as provided for by Act No. 12, Session I. : the said sum of £1000 being part of the Loan of £50,000 authorised by Act, No. 6, Session I." The Speaker having left the chair, Mr. Wallace found that he, being Chairman of Committees, was precluded from moving his resolution, which consequently lapsed. WANGANUI RACE COURSE. Mr. Watt moved — "For leave to bring in a Bill for the management of Race Courses in the Wanganui and Rangitiki Districts," which, he •said, was similar to the one which had been passed for the Hutt. Leave granted, read first time, to Tbe read a second time on Friday next. v

mechanics' institute. ]V|r. Stokes moved the House into Committee of Supply, in order to make the following motion — " That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place upon the Estimates the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds for the Wellington Athenseum and Mechanics' Institute." Mr. Carter seconded the motion. Mechanics' Institutes were educational establishments, or adult schools, and as such deserved the support of the Government. Mr. Duncan and Mr. Spinks supported the motion. Mr McEwen and Mr. Watt thought that, it carried, the Hutt and Wanganui would have a claim on the public money. After some renwrks in favor of the motion, by Mr. Borlase and Mr. Schultze, Mr. Stokes replied, he did not ask for an annual grant. An effort was now being made to make the Institute more useful, and as a place of recreation where our towns-people could resort after the labors of the day, it was worthy of all encouragement. Motion put and carried, it being understood that this sum would again come under discussion when brought on in consideration of the Estimates. RE-APPORTIONMENT OF REPRESENTATION. Mr. Carter having moved suspension of standing order, for the purpose of bringing on a resolution without previous notice, said that if the resolution was accepted by the majority of the town members he should withdraw his Re-Apportionment Bill. He was anxious to i carry the principle that an apportionment of the representation on the basis of the Electoral Roll was necessaiy, reserving until the last session of the present Council the carrying out of the principle by law. The resolution stated — " That, in the opinion of this Council, it will be the duty of the Government, during the last session of the present Provincial Council, to introduce a Bill for the purpose of reapportioning the representation in the Provincial Council, and sub-dividing some of the present electoral districts — the Electoral Roll of the Province being taken as the basis for re-apportioning the representation." Mr. Borlase seconded the motion, with the proviso that he did not feel himself pledg to the view taken in its last clause. He was not sure whether the Electoral Roll was the proper basis ; the number of electors who actually vote he considered would be preferable. Mr. Duncan seconded, and Mr. Fitzherbert supported the resolution, without any reservation of any kind. Mr. SprNKS considered the motion an extraordinary one, for how could the hon. member guarantee that the present members of the Council be alive, or the present Executive be in power three years hence? He was glad, however, that a plan had been thought of by which the Bill could be withdrawn, for though it was quite true, as the hon. member had staled, that he could have carried it through the House, if he had persisted in doing so, it would have produced a state of feeling which he should have viewed with regret. He could not agree with the last clause of the resolution, but would be willing to accept of it as a compromise ; though he, would be better pleased if the hon. membe! would so modify it as to make it acceptable to them all, for if he voted for the resolution as it now stood he should feel he was bound to* support it if then in the House, when the question was again brought before them. Mr. Allen, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Stokes, should consider they were free agents. They only assented to the postponement of the Bill. Mr. Turnbull objected entirely to the principle of the Bill, which he considered most unfair to the town, and had he been present he should have opposed the second reading. Mr. Duncan said that those who voted for the resolution were bound in honor to support it when the question again came before them. If the opponents of the Bill would not accept the resolution as a compromise, he would strongly advise Mr. Carter to proceed with the Bill. Mr. Watt entertained similar views to those expressed by the last speaker. Mr. Wallace was rather surprised to see one of the City members pressing forward a measure to disfranchise the town. He 'considered it would be quite ■ competent for the Council to enter into the question when again brought before them. Captain Rhodes, would not pledge himself to any course which would disfranchise Wellington. He supported the resolution because he considered that Mr. Carter wished for some excuse to withdraw his Bill. Mr. Taylor thought that Mr. Carter had done wisely in withdrawing a Bill so obnoxious. Those who voted for the resolution would pledge themselves to it. Mr. Carter was surprised at the course adopted, and the principles advocated by the town members. If the Council abandoned the Electoral Roll, as the basis of representation, they would abandon the rights of the people as guaranteed to them by the Constitution Act. He regretted to hear property qualifications indirectly supported, and maintained that the Electoral Roll ought to be the primary basis on which the representation of the Province should be adjusted and apportioned. The re- ! solution was an instruction to the Government to draw up a Bill on this basis, and he ' would therefore recommend that those who could not vote for the resolution not to vote at all. If he did not get the support of the majority of the City members to this resolution, he should proceed with the Bill. The resolution was then put, and the House divided. Ayes 12 — Messrs. Woodward, Brandon, Fitzherbert, Buck, Duncan, Bryce, Carter, Wright, Watt, Allison, McEwen, Whitewood. Noes 6, Messrs. Johnston, Crawford, Turnbull, Taylor, Borlase, Wallace. THE ESTIftIAT.ES. The House than resolved itself into Committee of Supply, to consider the Estimates, i On the motion of Mr. Schultze, the items ] under the heads Signal Station, and Inspectors of Sheep, werejpostponed. The sum of £100 was voted for Inspector of Weights and Measures, and Registrar of Brands. The items under the heads Audit and Miscellaneous, were agreed to. On the item £500, under the head Land Purchase Department, for Interpreters, travelling expenses for Land Purchase Commissioner and Natives, and incidental expenses, being proposed, a long discussion took place, lasting more then an hour and a half. Mr. Duncan enquired whether the power of purchasing lands could be delegated to the Province, and, if so, whether such delegation had been made. The absence of any correspondence and official information on the subject, induced him to ask the question. The Provincial Treasurer said that the Land Purchase Department had been handed over to the Province, but no funds had been handed over with it. The Provincial Government took the reserved sixths of the land fund

with the understanding that the land purchases should be defrayed by them. Mr. Watt proposed that the item be increased to £GO9 10s., in order to include forage for two horses for the Land Purchase Commissioner, in accordance with the notice he had given, and the understanding come to, when the Superintendent's salary was under discussion. Captain Rhodes said that he could not support the amendment, because the Council had already voted an increase of £200 to the Superintendent's salary, and he should suppose that the travelling expenses included forage. Mr. Stokes would rather see the sum for forage made a special item. Mr. Duncan was very unwilling to vote £500 in the absence of more definite information, and was sorry the matter had not been more clearly explained. He could not support the amendment without first receiving further information. He did not know under what Act of the General Assembly the Land Purchase Department could be handed over to the Province, and if done by the General Government on their own responsibility, there was no knowing whether, the arrangement might not be repudiated and set aside by a Ministry that would succeed them. Mr. Hunter said they had come, an almost unanimous conclusion, when the increase in the Superintendent's salary was voted, that they would vote him forage allowance for two horses as Land Purchase Commissioner. He hoped that Mr. Watt would persevere with his amendment, for he considered that the Council were bound to vote forage allowance. If the General Government did wrong they were amenable for it to the House of Representatives. He considered Mr. Duncan's opposition silly, and his objection an absurdity. Since the Council met they had been doing little else than congratulating themselves on having the Land Purchase Department transferred to the Province, and Captain Rhodes had said that the Banks would advance any amount of money to enable it go to work, and yet they were now met with this paltry objection. He required some impulse to make him speak — he did often address the House — but he could not refrain from giving expression to his feelings on the present occasion. They were not like weather-cocks to be turned round by every wind, when blowing from this quarter or from that, and the Council ought, in what it did, to preserve good faith. The salary of the Superintendent was not increased to £1000 because it was then known that Mr. Watt would take the present opportunity of proposing that he should have forage allowance as Land Pur- I chase Commissioner. Mr. Spinks and Mr. Allen supported the amendment ; and a long discussion ensued, in which Mr. Watt, Mr. Hunter, Mr. McEwen, Mr. Borlase, Mr. Turnbull, and Mr. Schultze took part. Mr. Duncan supposed that the Government had put down the £500 as a sufficient sum to cover all the expenses of the department. They were in perfect ignorance as to what arrangements had been made by the present Ministry and whether those arrangements might not be set aside by some other Ministry that would succeed them. He regretted that he had not expressed his opinions when Mr. Watt had stated his determination to move that forage Allowance should be voted the Land Purchase Commissioner, for he by no means assented to that proposition. He would not divide the House, but he would say that he had observed proceedings on the part of some hon. members which had surprised an^l disgusted him, aud that the public out of doors were not a little disgusted at their proceedings. Mr. Hunter said it was not the first, second, or third time, that the time of the Council had been wasted by the useless talk of the hon. member, and his threats to divide the' House, which, when it came to the pinch, he was not sufficiently a man 'to carry it out. He should insist upon the hon. member doing what he had threatened. Mr. Duncan said that Mr. Hunter laboured under a great mistake if he supposed that he was to be cowed by any supercillious remarks that he might make, and he would divide the House. The Provincial Treasurer moved that the words be taken down. Mr. Carter hoped that the motion would be withdrawn, as Mr. Hunter had used very severe language himself. Captain Rhodes said that he would not allow the hon. member (Mr. D.) to be put down. It required a deal of nerve to get up and propose amendments to the propositions made by the Government and their supporters ; and he did not think the time of the House was wasted when objections were made to any items on the Estimates. If hon. members had objections they had a perfect right to state them. The Provincial Treasurer withdrew his motion, and, after some further discussion, the amendment was carried, and without a division ! The other items in the Estimates were then proceeded with, the sum. of £100 for salary of person in charge of observatory only provoking discussion. Captain Rhodes thought one of the cadets in the survey office could attend to the Observatory for £20 addition to his salary. It was a new item, and he should like to know who was the person in charge. They might be voting £100 per annum to an officer who was already receiving a large salary. The Provincial Treasurer explained that Mr. John Knowles was the person in charge, and would have to attend twice a-day, Sundays included. He had charge of four barometers, a Avind gage, and a rain gage, and it would be i an instruction to him to signal indications faf approaching change of weather to the Harbor Master. — Item passed. On the item £900 for Geological Survey being proposed, a discussion of some importance ensued, when the Committee reported progress, and asked leave to sit again to-morrow. The House adjourned at half-past 11 o'clock. Thursday, May 22. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. Present 25 members ; absent Messrs. Harrison and Whitewood. motions. j Mr. Spinks moved " That the Report on H. W. Rotermund's petition be taken into consideration;" and moved in Committee of Supply " that a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, asking him to place the sum of £89 6s. on the Estimates to repay the, petitioner, the said sum having been expended by him in Abel Smith and Cuba Streets."

Motion,, after some explanatory remarks, agreed to. Mr. Watt moved " For leave to bring in a Bill to vest in a Board of Wardens lor the management of Local Works, the management of the Streets, Sewerage, and Preservation of Health of the inhabitants of the Town of Wanganui."

Leave granted, read a first time, to be read a second time, on Tuesday next. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 1 The Provincial Treasurer moved suspension of Standing Order, No. 67, in order to make a motion without notice. The order having been accordingly suspended, the hon. member moved the appointment of a Select Committee to take the above subject into consideration, as there appeared to be much difference of opinion with reference to it. Motion agreed to, and Captain Rhodes, on the motion of Mr. Duncan, added to the Committee. WANGANDI BRIDGE. Mr. Bryce moved " That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to procure from Mr. Fitzgibbon, or some other competent engineer, Plasn and Estimates for a Bridge for the Wanganui River, in order that the same may be constructed without unnecessary delay." The hon. member stated the town of Wanganui was built on one side of the river, and two thirds of the country settlers resided on the other. There was, moreover, on the opposite side a very large quantity of agricultural land which could not be turned to the best account owing to the want of a bridge. If the estimate referred to in the Superintendent's speech was correct, the tolls would, pay 20. per cent., after all deductions, on the money it would cost to build the bridge. Mr. Allison seconded, and Captain Rhodes supported the motion. The. Commissioner of Crown Lands severely criticised the hon. member and his motion, and threatened to divide the House if the words " in order that the same may be constructed without unnecessary delay" were not struckout. After some remarks from Mr. Watt, the obnoxious words were omitted, and the motion agreed to. AUDITORS. On the motion of the Commissioner of Crown Lands the Council passed, without remarks, a resolution to the effect that they concurred in the nomination made by the Superintendent of Mr. Harrison as Auditor, and. Mr. Pharazyn as Deputy Auditor of the Province, and the Speaker was ordered to issue his warrant for the appointment forthwith. LOAN ADJUSTMENT BILL. This Bill, which appoints Dr. Featherston, j W. Fitzherbert and W. W. Taylor, Commissioners to adjust the Wellington, amd Hawke's Bay Debt, was, on the motion of the Provincial Treasurer, read a second time, and passed Committee. DISTRICT HIGHWAYS BILL. This Bill was considered in Committee and, after long discussions, 15 clauses were amended and agreed to. The 16th clause, after being four times amended, would not pass current the Committee consequently reported progress STEAM SUBSIDIES. The House went into Committee of Supply, when the above thread-bare matters were again considered; after a long discussion, in which no one member agreed with the other, the sums proposed by the Government were assented to, viz: £1500 for Inter- Colonial, and £1000 for Local Steam navigation. The House then adjourned. FRIDAY, MAY 23. The Council met at the usual time. Present 22 members. SCAB AMENDMENT AOT. Mr. Carter obtained leave to biing in " a Bill to amend and consolidate the various Scab Acts now in operation in this Province." Read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time, on Tuesday next. SURVEY OF RUNS. Mr. Carter moved " Taking into considera" tion the fact that it appears from Returns laid on the table of this Council, that scarcely any of the Runs in this Province have been accurately surveyed, this House is of opinion that such Runs should as soon as the Government have an increased Staff in the Survey depart, ment be surveyed in order that a correct esti mate of their acreage may be arrived at." He said that it was" a question of great importance both to the Runholders and the public that the runs should be surveyed as soon as practicabie. The general impression appeared to be that the acreage of the runs was under-estimated, aud he himself knew that out of one run which was said to contain 6,000 acres, 12,000 had been already sold. As the Government had let the public estate at a very low rental, the least that it could do, would be to adopt measures which would secure to the public the full rental required by law. If on the runs being surveyed they were found to contain a larger acreage than had been estimated it would be a question for the Land Commissioner to decide whether the arrears should be demanded from the Runholder, or the extra quantity thrown open to the public. The Commissioner of Crown Lands approved of the motion as he considered it would strengthen his hands. It was a question which should be referred to the Survey Committee, and he would suggest that this course should be adopted. When its report was brought up, it might be found necessary to make a further grant for surveys ; and the runs should be so surveyed as to make one survey suffice in the event of the lands being purchased. Capt. Rhodes had an impression that the runhoider was bound to have his run surveyed at his own expense if called upon to do so by the Commissioner. He thought that it' the quality as well as the quantity of the land could be given it would be a good thing. The Speaker here called the hon, member to order. Mr. Duncan supported the motion. He did did hot think the hon. member was out of order. The Speaker called the hon. member to order. He had ruled that Captaiu Rhodes was out of order. The quality of land was not surely in the terms of motion. Mr. Carter would accept the suggestion of Mr. Fitzherbert, and the resolution was referred to the Survey Committee, Mr. Duncau being 1 ■idJed to it. J. BARNES* PETITION. Mr. Weight moved " That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration the petition of James Barnes: such Committee to consist of Captaiu Smith, Messrs. Wallace, Fasvcett, Spinks, and the Mover." Mr. Fawcett suggested that Mr. Fitzherhen's name should be added to the Committee 1 but as that gentleman said he might be summoned as a witness before the Committee, the motion was carried without amendment. MEETING TIME OF THE COUNCIL. Mr. Watt movel " That the House at it rising do adjourn uutil 12 o'clock on Tuesday next, debate ensued, and House divided, ayes 16, noes 6. Motion consequently carried. queen's store.

Mr. Johnston moved — " the House into a Committee of Supply in order to move " That a. respectful address be presented to bis

Honor the Superintendent requesting him 'to place on the Estimates a sum of money not exceeding £2500 for the erection of a suitable Queen's Store on the Reclaimed Land adjoining the Wharf." He said that as he had heen informed by the Collector of Customs' th;it all goods liable to duty would have to be landed at the Quean's vrharf, a Queen's store erected in its vicinity would be a great convenience and saving of expense. The cost of the store would not exceed £2500, and the rents received in seven years would repay the cost of its construction. Captain Rhodes said, that there was no part of the world where such a regulation as that referred to by Mr. Johnson was in force. It was of course a different matter when there was but one wharf, as at Auckland, He would rather pay the wharfage at the Queen's wharf without making use of it than not have his goods landed direct at his own wharf. Very heary prices bad been paid for the land at the head of the bay, and large bonded stores had been erected on the understanding that the Custom House would be built there. The Government had encouraged the putting up of those buildings, and if they were now to be rendered useless under the newregulations, he for one should put in a heavy claim for compensation. As a shed would be renear the wharf he should move as an amendment that the sum be £500. After a few remarks from Mr. Hunter, Mr. Fitzherbert, and Mr. Woodward, the amendment was withdrawn, it being understood that the amount could be decided when brought under consideration in the Estimates. EDUCATION EESEEVES. The Ckown Lands Commissioner obtained leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the management of the Educational Reserves, which was read a* first time, to be read a second time on Tuesday next. The following notices for next sitting day were given . — Mr. Wallace to ask the Commissioner of Crown Lands — " If it is the intention of the Government to propose any alteration in the Land Regulations during the present Session, to anticipate the new purchases of Agricultural land which it is expected will be made under the new arrangements in- the Land purchase Department. Mr. McEwen to move — "That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent requesting him to place on the Estimates the sum of £150 for the Mechanics' Institute at the Hutt, to be expended 'oa the purchase of hooks." Mr. Watt to move — " That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent requesting him to place on the Estimates the sum of £150 for the Mechanics' Institute Wangunui, to be expended ou books and improvements. Mr. Dunoan to move — " — For leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Dog Nuisance Act." Mr. Carter to move — " That the sum of £100 be placed on the Estimates for the purpopose of assisting to establish a Mechanics' Institution at Greytown Wairarapa." Mr. Wiught to move — " That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent asking for the sum of £50 to be placed on the Estimates for the purchase of books for ! the Karuri School ; and that a similar sum may also be paced on the estimates fur the School at Porirua for a like purpose;" Mr. Hunter to move — " That it is the opinion of this Council that the rent payable. by the occupiers of Crown Lands under Depasturing Licenses should be raised." The House then proceeded to the ORDERS OF THE DAK. The Loan Adjustment Bill was read a ib'ird time and passed. The District Highways Bill was again com - mitted, when after a long discussion, ou the motion of the Provincial Solicitor, the further consideration of the Bill was postponed until Tuesday to allow him time to prepare amendments. BE-APPOBTIONMENT BILL. Mr. Carter obtuiued leave to withdraw his Bill for the re-apportionment of the Representation. THK ESTIMATES. The House then resolved itself into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates: BRIDGES. The following sums were voted, after some discussion, for the following bridges : — Pakaratahi ... . ... £825 Horokiwi ... ... ... 85 Wangaehu 1000 Taueru 629 Porirua ... ... ... 200 Tutanui .. . ... ... 200 A long discussion took place on the item for the Taueru bridge. The Provincial Treasurer stated in reply to Mr. Spinks that the bridge was in course of construction, as so much timber had been prepared for it, it would be a great loss to the Province if the undertaking were abandoned. KOADS. Repairs of Trunk Lines... £4700 Featberston to Masterton 1000 " TeKopi... 250 Masterton to Castle Point 750 Beach Road, Wellington 100 Karoi Road 700 Belment Road 329 Wai-nui-o-mata 805 Bemutaka ... ... 650 Rangitikei Trunk Line ... 3000 Giants in Aid ... ... 4000 Bridle Track Mungaroa ... 300 Upper Rangitikei ... 500 No. 3 Line Wanganui ... 1000 North Wanganui ... 300 Hutt diversion near Silver Stream 700 On some of these roads a portion of the above amounts had been already expended. The item for Karori Road was on the motion of Mr. Johnston increased by £200. Mr Carter moved — "That the sum of £1000 instead of £650 be voted for the widen, ing of the Rimutaka road, debate ensued, and a division followed admendment rejected by a majority of 12 to 4, Mr. Carter, Mr. Hunter, Mr. McEwen, and M. Allen being in the minority. SUNDRY WORKS. Reclaimed Land ... £2000 Piling Wanganui River... • 187 114 Custom JHouse and Post Office 3097 Supreme Court & Police Office 5000 Repairs of Fire Engine ... 30 Luuatic Asylum ... ... 400 Gaol 750 Wanganui Gaol ... ... 500 Acre in front of Gov. Offices ... 1000 Fencing Government Grounds 200 Drain Clay Point ... ... 20 Toll Bar &c, Kai Warra ... 350 House for Native Chiefs ... 500 Wharf & Crane Wanganui ... 300 Contingencies Public Woiks... 4000 Deep Water Wharf 15,420 Metul Sheathing 1000 Cranes and Plant ... ... 100Q ; Several items were postponed and at li. 35, the Committee reported progress and the House adjourned, > .