PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1862, 30 April 1863, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday,. 28th, April, 1863.

The Council met at 5 o'clock

Members present — Messrs Borlaso, DeCastro, Rhodes, Wallace, Taylor, Carter, G. Allen, Peake. Hewett, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Provincial Treasurer, Provincial Solicitor. Messrs Stokes, Dransfield, Barton, SmUh, Whitewood, G. Hunter, Fawcett, Buck. McEwon, and Duncan. Messrs Peake and Hewott were introduced by Mr Hunter.

On tho motion of tho Commissioner of Crown Lands, seconded by Mr Carter, Mr Waring Taylor took the Chair.

The Clerk having read the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr WALLACE suggested that the notices of motion be likewise read. The SPEAKER thought that as it was unusual in the General Assembly it wa9 unnecessary, in this House and overruled the request of MiWallace. QUESTION. Mr CARTER pursuant to notice, asked— 1. Why, when £650 was placed on tho Estimates last session for widening the Remutaka road, no tenders had bean called for to execute the work? 2. Why at the Tauhertnikau, a branch line of road to Morrison's bush had been commenced, when the main line of road from the Tauheriuikau to Greytown, recommended by Mr Hogg had not been touched : and also if it was the intention of the Government to commence the Greytown road so as to go in a direct line, from the point where the present contract for making part of the Morrison's bush line terminated?

He observed, that in 1861 the sum of £GSO had been placed on the estimates for widening the RimuUka road, and this year £500 was placed on the Estimates ; no such sums had been spent, and he felt it his duty to ask the Government the reason why ? Tho PROVINCIAL TREASURER explained that the Government had solicited tenders for the work; but^they were all too high ; if the tender had been excepted, more important work must have been neglected. The Government therefore thought it better to let the matter stand over for a time. The specifications would in all probability be modified; A very large portion of what was placed on the estimates had been expended on improving the approach to the Bridge at tho Pukuratahi. All the labor was in widening.

Mr CARTER put query number two, and stated that considerable unpleasantness had arisen in Wairarapa, especially among the settlers of Greytown, in consequence of the road to Morrison's Bush having been commenced in preference to the Greytown road. The settlers understood that the untouched line as laid off by Mr Hogg was much the best.

The PROV. TREASURER objected that Mr Carter had not made a distinct difference between his questions. He would lay on the table a tracing to elucidate his remarks. The two roads, one leading to Greytown and the other to Morrison's Bash, met at a point about 20 chains from the Tauheriuikau River, passing off at an acute angle. The present road started 25 chains from the point of junction parallel to thu intended line of road, and about thirty chains of *the road to Morrison's Bush, would then be common to the two. On about 18 chains of this road, comirion to the two districts, the Government were now engaged, and they had done this because it was part of the permanent road to Morrison's Bush, and was better in every point of view than the Greytown road. Witli regard to the second point of the hon. member's question he might say — Decidedly not. SLAUGHTER MOUSES. / The COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS, pursuant to notice, moved — '• For leave'to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to the "slaughtering of cattle." He remarked, that the Govern, ment had introduced this Bill because the old Bill had fallen through and Government proposed to make amendments, so that the Bill should come into operation on the Ist January 1804, instead of Ist July 1863, which would give time enough to make the necessary arrangements for erecting new slaughter houses. Another provision of the Bill would be, out of this to fix cevtain hours for driving cattle through the streets. Bill read a first tima and ordered to be printed.

The COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS asked for a second reading to-morrow evening.

Mr WALLACE objeetcd, there was a motion on the paper that evening relative to the Town Board Bill. He thought as the carrying out of this Act would devolve upon the Town Board, it ought to he first considered. Mr BORLASE asked the Commissioner of Crown Lands to concede the point. He thought the regulations respecting the slaughter-houses would be a purely municipal matter. The COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS could not see the matter in this light. If they shelved these Bills now, they might never get them passed this session at all. They could pass the Bill first and then submit ifcs provisions to the Municipal Board. In fact, ttie passing of the Bill strengthened the hands of the Town Board, aa the question was a vexed one, and by settling it in the Council the Board would be saved from annoyance. It was absolutely necessary for the health of the city. There was no occasion to carry it through a third reading until the Town Board Bill passed.

The motion was then put, and agreed to. CATTLE INSPECTION. The COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS moved — " For leave to bring in a Bill to make provision for the inspection of cattle previous to exportation." Many complaints, he said, had arisen in consequence of people having had their cattle driven away, either wilfully, ignorantly, or accidentally for sale or shipment from this port, and this bill would, he hoped, protect them. Mr. BORLASE said that it was a matter of courtesy to the Government to allow free action in the matter. DBAINAGH. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR moved— "For leave, to bring in a Bill to enable Land Owners to Drain their Lands." The reason why the old Bill was not pushed, was to allow Land Owners to think the matter over ; he deferred further remarks until the Bill was before the House. Bill read a. first time and ordered to be printed, second reading fixed for to-morrow. MABINE BOARDS. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR moved— " For leave to bring in" a Bill to establish a Marine Board for ports in the Province." He stated that unless the Marino Boards were formed for the Districts of Wellington, Wanganui, Manawatu and Porirua, before the 3 1st December 1863, they might lose all action in the matter. Bill read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading fixed for to-morrow. TOWN BOARD. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR moved— 11 For leave to bring in a Bill to bring info opera- ; tion the Wellington Town Board Act 1862." i He proposed to repeal the clauses relating to memorial o( inhabitants being required prior to bringing the Bill into operation, and to put it in ' fall work at once. He did not intend it to clash with the Act of General Assembly. Bill read a firflfc time, ordered to be printed, day for second reading deferred. '• COMPENSATION. The PROVINCIAL TREASURER moved— "For leave to bring in a Bill to give effuafc to the Report of the Compensation Committee." The Bill was read a first time, ordered to bo printed, and the second reading fixed for this day fortnight. CEMETERIES, The PROVINCIAL TREASURER moved— " For leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the management of Cemeteries." He stated that hitherto special Bills had been required in each case. He proposed that all trustees of Cemeteries should now be guided by one Bill. Bill read first time and ordered to be printed. Second reading fixed for to-morrow. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF AFBIIj 80, 1863. The PROV. TREASURER moved,—" For a Select Committee to take up and complete the investigation of Claims for Compensation submitted to the Committee appointed on April 30th,

]862 such Committeo;tO consist of the Hon. the. Speaker, Messrs. Allen, Buck, Carter, and the Mover. 1 ' Motion carried.

LAND ItETURNS

Mr BORLASE pursuant to notice moved— " For a return of all applications for the sale of 5s lands, since the last session of tha Council, with the names of the applicants and the number of acres applied for by each of them. Also for a return of all such lands sold, by whorapurchased. and the amount paid per acre by each purchaser." He observed that he considered the House the guardians of the lands as "being the people's capital, and they were there to manage it. He hoped that he should have the returns at an early date.

Mr WALLACE said that he and Mr Fawcett wero the only two members who tried to get this return or a similar one last year. He hoped that the House would grant it. The COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS thought the return ought to be given in, but in ono form or other it had already appeared before the public. Mr HUNTER said that he never heard the House had stopped the sale of five shillings per acre land.

MrBORLASE had a distinct recollection of the Crown Lands Commissioner having stated that he was at the tima under certain engagements, but that at the fulfilment of them he could stop the sale at five shillings. Mr HUNTER said the engagement was not to lease under the old conditions.

The COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS had no recollection of any discussion arising upon the point of sale. Under the old regulations he was bound to sell. He had only pledged himself not to lease further. The hon member entered at some length into the nature of his duties aa Commissioner, and concluded by stating that although he was bound to take all applications for the purchase of five shilling land, when he inspected it, he used discretionary power as to the sale.

Leavo was granted for tho return. Mr CARTEIt moved — "For a Roturn of al Monies expended on public works in tho Wairarapa District, from May 2Lst, 1882, to April 28th, 1863. Also, The amount of Money and Scrip received for Land in the Wairarapa District from May 21st, 1861, to April 28th, 1863." Two years ago he had moved for a similar Return. There was an impreasion outside the House, that largo sums were expended in the Wairarapa. It was true they were placed on tha Estimates, but they were never expended, WAIRABAPA BACE COUBSE. Mr CARTER moved—" For leavo to bring in a Bill to provide for the management of the Wairarapa Race Course." There was a Race Course he said, but there was no one to improve it, or to manage it in any way. The Bill would put the land in trust. Mr BORLASE would like to know, when and where this Race Course was given to the, public, a Bill was brought in some sessions ago, but Go-' vernor Browne disallowed it, because the land waa not reserved.

Mr CAETER said, during tha last two years, the Superintendent had given a piece of land called the Ferry Reserve for the purpose. Leave was granted, the Bill read a first time, ordered' to be printed, and the second reading fixed for to-morrow. BELECT COMMITTEE. Mr WALLACE moved— " For a Select Committes to consider what amendments should be introduced in the Town Boards Bill. Committee to consist of Messrs Borlase, G. Hunter, Dransfield, R. Stokes, the Provincial Solicitor, Mr Crawford and the Mover." He observed that in consideration of the Land Commissioner and Provincial Solicitor having reserved tho final reading of their Bills until the Town Boards Bill was passed, he should not trouble tho House with comments upon this motion. Mr STOKES would simply hope that^Mr Wallase's amendments would be confined to matters of detail, and would not affect tho principles of the Bill. A great deal of attention had been bestowed last session upon tho Town Boards Bill, and ha hoped that this committee would only deal with minor matters.

Mr CARTER did not see the use of this committee. If the Town Boardßillhad to go through committee, it would be thoroughly ventilated, and any amendments could be then introduced. If Mr Wallnce pushed matters, he should oppose it . Mr 1 FAWCETT thought the public did not want the Bill, in spite of the £2000 held out as a "lollipop" for them to swallow; if they had wanted it they would have memorialized. He should oppose the Bill. The COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS said there was a mistake in Mr Wallace's motion, it ought to have been Act not Bill. With regard to the Slaughter House Act lasfc session, the power of licensing was in the hands of the Superintendent until the Commissioners got it. He thought after the Bill was so thoroughly sifted lasfc session, fundamental objection was unnecessary. The Bill at present was only a matter of theory, when it was working would be the time to find out if any screws were loose in the machinery, Bring it first into operation and then talk about amendments. Mr ALLEN Baid his opinions was much modified since last session, he thought one or two clauses might be added in committee. Ho would like to see the Board at work, the streets and roads were getting into a bad state, and the Board might take cognizance of them ; other suggestions might bo thrown out as tho- Bill passed through committee.

Mr WALLACE said his amendrneufc was based upon the opinion that the public did not like the Bill, and the fact of their not accepting it was a proof of his assertion. If the House accepted the Bill upon the representation of the Provincial Solicitor ha thought that they would be doing a most unjust thing in enforcing a Bill, the citizens did not approve of. Ho had put the Provincial Solicitor upon the committee, and had selected members from that House who were thoroughlyalive to the necassfciea and requirements of the place, and from among experienced men whose ob- . jectionß would be worth listening to; asfor MrStoke'fl remarks, he thought they might be taken exactly for what they were worth. The House then divided on the motion with the following result. Ayes 10. Noes 8. Boilase Provincial Treasurer Dranafield Com. Crown Land* Whitewood Hunter Fawcett Allen Buck Carter Do Castro Stokes McEwen Howett 1 Wallace Peake Rhodes Duncan On the motion of the Commissioner of Crown Lands the House adjourned.