PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3240, 1 July 1871, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

FaiDAY, June 80. The Speaker took the chair at 3 o'clock. Present : — Messrs Bunny, Boriase, Hunter, W. W. Taylor, Renall, Masters, Dransfield, Milne, Anderson, Pearee, Ludlam, Crawford. PROVINCIAL BUII.DIKGS. . The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY wished to state, before proceeding with the business before them, for the information of the Council, that the Government had made arrange* ments for raising the money for the erection of the Provincial Government buildings. Tbey had received a letter that morning from the parties willing to advance the money. He might also state, with regard to tbe LUNATIC ASYLTTM, that the Government bad already taken steps to obtain a full report on the actual condition of the asylum at Karori ; and what might be the most advisable course to adopt under the circumstances ; and, should the Government succeed in raising the money under the Loan Act, they would regard the Asylum at Karori as one of the most pressing things to be dealt with; und would deal with it accordingly, as they recognised in it a peremptory duty. Therefore, in making that Asylum as service* able as possible, they would expect the Council to justify them in making such an unauthorised expenditure, rather than see them wait Beveral months before taking the necessary step. BBPOBT OS THE WHAM COMMITTEE. Mr W. S^ MILNE moved— "That,, tkia Council concurs with the recommendations contained in the report of the Wharf $)m> mittee." In making this motion, he did uot do so because he was the most conversant with the subject, but simply to enable the Counl'il to get over a difficulty which had suddenly arisen in the matter. The hon. member then proceeded to comment briefly apon the various suggestions contained in the report, and pointed out the advantages likely to be derived by the city and port by carrying them out. In fact, he thought the probable advantages were so apparent to everyone that he had little occasion to dilate upon them, and that tbe Council would have no hesitation in con* cuvcing with them as a whole. The following is the report referred to :— The committee have the honor to report that they have resolved to recommend to the Council that the Government should be requested to amend the wharf regulations, as follows, viz. :-— CHABGES. " 1. That no charge be made to vessels ly* ing at the wharf discharging inward oargo, provided the vessel does not occupy more than three days for each 100 tons of her register, the charge after such time not to exceed one farthing per registered ton por diem. "2. All hulks when lying outside a vessel for the purpose of delivering or receiving coal shall be exempt from wharf dues. "3. All goods, &c., transhipped from one vessel to another lying alongside the wharf, and not landed on the wharf, shall be charged 2s 6d per ton, excepting coal, which shall be free. " 4. Wharfage at the rate of 2a 6d per ton shall be paid on all goods landed on or shipped from the wharf (excepting ships' stores and such baggage as passengers carry in hand), wharfinger to give receipts for all goods, and to supply the necessary labor for loading and unloading drays, without further charge, vehicles to be exempt from wharfage. " 5. The wharfinger shall be responsible for all bonded goods landed on the wharf after 3 p.m., and for all free and duty, paid goods after four o'clock p.m. On goods landed after these hours he shall be allowed, in addition to the usual wharfage, to make a charge not exceeding a shilling per ton, upon the owner of the vessel from which the goods are landed ; such goods to be free of storage charges for three dayp, after this time a charge not exceeding 2s per ton per week aholL-be j*£Fd. "6. Wharfage on wool, flax, and tow, 3d per bale, from ship. Do do, 6d per bale, from the shore. Do on coal, Is 6d per ton. Do on grain and flour, Is 6d per ton. " 7. All goods transhipped; not going ashore, to be charged 4a per ton j this charge to include storage for fourteen days, and all necessary labor for securing and delivering after the fourteen days have expired, a charge not exceeding a shilling per ton per week may be made. The committee would further recommend the following : — LEASE. That for the greater facility of working the wharf, the bonded store and wharf should be let under one lease. NIGHT WATCHMAN. That a night watchman should be employed at the wharf." Mr LTJDLAM seoonded pro forma. Mr PEA.RCE, while agreeing with many of the suggestions in the report, must yet differ from others, and from the report as a whole, inasmuch as it did not meet one much-vexed question ip regard to port charges. The hon. member then proceeded to the examination of the various recommendations contained iv the report, and while doing so referred to the present- wharf regulations. He objected to the entire acceptance of many of the reoommendations, and thought the report faaity altogether. Clause two was imperfect in the same way as the regulations, as no mention was made about vesssls loading as well as those discharging. It was time an alteration was made in the present unsystoniatio mode of doing business in regard to vessels taking in oargo. Clause two he had no particular objection to; but to clause three he must object, as being both unwise and unfair. It seemed quite unreasonable that the service required by clause three should bo charged for at the same rate as thafc provided for in cbuse four. The latter clause bad the fault of not going far enough in the right direction. It did not provide anything to do away with the constant difficulties arising between wharfinger and consignees in tbo movirg of goods deposited on the wharf. According to the Customs regulations, all goods had to be received by the wharfinger, and gauged on the wharf. This compelled the consignee, unless he entered into some arrangement with the wharfinger, to keep a man constantly on the wharf, although there might aot be more than one or two of his cases or paokages landed in a whole day sometimes. The practice, therefore, had been to make some standing arrangemeet with the wharfinger, but from the work involved in the regulation, he could not see how the wharfinger could do it for 2s 6d per ton. Clause five professed to deal with a difficulty whioh had existed for some time, owing to goods having to be received by some one after Customs hours; but the wording was not sufficiently clear. He should like to seethe wharfinger made responsible, and! the present unsatisfactory features of the case fixed upon an equitable basis. As regards the charges mentioned in clause six, he should prefer that coasters delivering wool at the ship's side should be exempt from wharfage. It was no more reasonable to charge for wool put on board a vessel without using the wharf in any way than to charge wharfage for it if taken on board in the stream. In some . respects the charge must have a prohibi* tive effect; in fact, the wool might be sent by steamer to Lyttelton, and taken on board there without inourring any greater expense. Clause seven seemed to revive the old question as to who was to move goods landed on the wharf for transhipment ; and he thought that was a matter which ought to be distinctly , stated. As regards the hours for discharging, thecoinmitfctee stated a grievance, but they suggested no remedy.. Of the floating dock, he admitted it would prove a great convenience for shipmasters, and as such would be advantageous to. the port;; but it was a question for the province, in connection '< with their engagements regarding the erection of a patent slip. Mr LUDLAiE. said the remarks of the hon. member who had just sat down bore out the remarks he made formerly on this subject, that there ehguld have been more city jnem-

bers on the coinmitteo, whereas, it was mainly composed of country numbers, who could not be supposed to know the commercial wants of the port so well as merchants in the town. He entirely coincided in the reinarka of Mr Peavco with respect to wool brought to the vessel io coasters. But he did not wish that the Government should be entirely bound by the report ; in faot, he did not sco why they should not have discretionary power m the matter. Mr DRANSFIELD could not agree with the sweeping suggestions of Mr Pearce, who, in handling the report so soverely, would convey the idea that the report was utterly worthless. He could not admit that view ; but while he would not contend that the report went into the question of charges, and other matters, as, in drawing up something that ehould be final, he contended that _ the report gave highly valuable suggestive information, and that was all that had been expectedTheve was no doubt tho report could lmvo been made more perfect had more labor and consideration been bestowed upon it ,• but ho thought that it would meet the case satisfactorily in most respects. With regard to the ejection of a floating dock, no doubt it would be useful to the shipping of the port ; but it might be held as not wise to erect a structure to operate against the patent slip, on which the province had guaranteed interest. The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY saiu Government would give every consideration to the report ; but in the exercise of their discretion and guided by tho information elicited in the debate, they would not only avail themselves of that but would also deem it their duty to obtain any other information that might be desirable in throwing new light upon the matter. He was sure that although ho did not possess very much knowledge on commercial matters such as were then being discussed, there was no doubt Mr Hunter would give all tho information required. Although aware of the responsibility of the province in the matter of the patent slip, he would rather see the interests of the port of Wellington considered and tho floating dockerected, even ehould it sensibly interfere with the pecuniary success of the patent slip. Looking at the matter broadly and liberally, it would not be wise to take too narrow a view, as ho had little doubt no actual loss would be the result, the contrary rather. Mr HUNTER said as his name had been mentioned m the debate, he might say a few words. He entirely concurred in the remarks of Mr Pearce who had pointed out the wnak points of tho report. With respect to the floating dock ho waß of Mr Bunny's opinion — that though apparently likely to injuriously affect the slip* a beneficial reaction must ultimately ensuo. Ho could not give credence to tho exaggerated stories circulated of the damage sustained by produce, as he had been a constant attendant at the wharf, and saw nothing to justify that assertion. If the wool reports might be taken as a guide, it would be also found by them that the quantity of aea-damaged wool was proportionately more of late years than it had been formerly. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR said in concurring in the remarks of his colleagues, ho would not like to sco the Government insist •upon, as part of the sale with the Corporation, that tho floating dock should be attached to tho wharf. He did not see why it should be bo, as it would interfere with tho shipping. Mr DRANSFIELD pointed out that the floating dock would actually be a great convenienco. Mr MILNE then replied. The motion was then put and agreed to on tho voices. THE APPROPRIATION ACT was advanced through all its stages, and passed. The Council then went into committee on the GEEYTOWtf AND MASXERTON TRUSTS BILLS. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR then introduced several new clauses, validating all past acts of trustees with regard feo these truata'f that all moneys derived from these trusts should be divided between both townships ; and that a similar partition of profits derivable from the 48 acres of a reserve be also made by the trustees. It was necessary that something of this kind should be done in order to enablo the bill to be passed through the General Assembly. Mr W. MILNE suggested the introduction of the words "or for any other purpose of public utility" as a means of givhog to tho trustees a greater scope of usefulness, inasmuch as it would give tho trustees power to utilise the property in other ways for the benefit of the community tlmn merely as an educational reserve. The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY suggested that no division be taken upon these bills, as they were only intended as a guide for the General Assembly. The people would yet have an opportunity of signifying their final desire upon the matter. Mr W. MILNE withdrew his motion upon this explanation. The bills were then read a third time, and passed. This having concluded all the business, His Honor the SUPERINTENDENT immediately entered and read the following PROEOGATION SPEECH. Mb Speakbe and Gentlemen of the Peovincial Council, — I have already assented to An Act to Appropriate the Revenue of the Province of Wellington for a term commencing on the first daj of April, 1871, and ending on the thirty-first daj of May, 1871. I have now further to inform you tbatl have, in the name, and on behalf of the Governor of New Zealand, assented to the following Acts, viz:— An Act to amend the firat clause of the Licensing Amendment Act, Session 13, No. 10. An Act to grant a piece of land at Wanganui to the Freemasons. An Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to District Highways. An Act to provide for the erection of Toll Gates on main roads in the Province of Wellington. An Act to provide a system of Education for the Province of Wellington. An Act to enuble tho Superintendent to enter into contracts for the construction of Tramways. An Act to prohibit Burials in a certain block of land in the Township of Foxton, An Act to declare the Trusts of certain lands in the Township of Masterton, in the Wairarapa District, and to provide for the appointment of Trustees therein. An Act to declare the Trustß of certain knde in the Township of Greytown, in the Wairarapa District, and to provide for the appointment of Trustees therein. An Act to appropriate the Revenue of the Province of Wellington for the term commencing on first day of April, 1871, and ending on thirty-first March, 1872. And also that I have reserved for the assent of the Governor, An Act to enable the Superintendent to deal with the Reclaimed Laud in the City of Wellington. But the several acts you have passed are not to be taken as the ouly gauge of the extent and importance of the work of the session ; for in addition to those measures, you have pasoed several important resolutions, accompanied with certain draft bills, which you hove requested me, as Superintendent, to procure the passing of in the next session of fie General Assembly. Whilst I assure you thut I shall use my best endeavors to carry out your wishes, I take the opportunity of stating that, if I entirely fail to obtain the assent of the*. Parliament of the colony to the measures whicb^ou thus desire me to bring forward, I see no prospect of my being able to render you any further service in the capacity of Superintendent ; and permit mo here to observe, that the office would cease to be desirable if I could not promote the progress of the pro* vince.

In reviewing the legislative labors of your present session, I note with particular satisfaction, that, not-withstanding the difference of views as to the basis of rating, you have manfully faced the question of direct taxation, and have thug adopted for tho province a policy of Belf help similar in character, if nob in degree, to tho policy of s.^lf- reliance, which wus so fortunately inaugurated for the colony, as ft whole, in 1864 ; and it ie a further gratification that your measures with regard to district roads, main road 3, tramways, and railways, constitute tho complement of the policy of the present Colonial Government. Having had the courage to adopt the policy of a general land tax, you have doubtless already discounted, at its true value, the usual outcry against all taxation. I speak upon reileetion when I say that I regard as a popular fallacy the belief that the prosperity of a country is always in an inverse ratio to the extent of its taxation. I believe, on tho contrary, that tho rule is that the progress and prosperity of a new country is in direct r^tio to the extent of its population 3 provided always that the produce of taxation is expended on works of U9e.ful development-. The duo administration of the services for which you have provided will, if the ways and means bo forthcoming as anticipated, require all tho attention which the Executive can bestow during the recess. I hope to be able to visit different portions of the province, for I believe in the value of occasional personal observation. It is a subject of congratulation that I am enabled to close the Council vithin four weeks of its being opened. This desirable economy of the time of members of the Provincial Legislature could not have been effected, had not the members of my Executive Council bestowed unremitting attention to the preparation of the measures to be laid before you, and had you not also addressed yourselves practically to tho despatch of business. I have always considered that an annuul session of three or four weeks ought to be sufficient for the despatch of the legislative business of this province 5 and I hope that, when /he Council next lneots, suitable accommodation will have been provided, and that you may not again be subjected to the personal inconvenience to which you have for some years submitted.In closing this twenty-first session of the Provincial Council, I thank you, in the name of the province, for the attentive consideration which you have bestowed on the various important measures brought before you, and I now declare this Council to be prorogued. WILLIAII FITZHERBERT, Superintendent. 30th June, 1871.