PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Western Star, Issue 31, 13 June 1874, Page 2 (Supplement)

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, June 2. The following statement was received “ T have the honor to transmit to you the encl sed copy of the balance-sheet and statement of expenditure for the year ending 31st March, 1874, which was placed in my hands yesterday afternoon. I have to direct your attention to the omission in the document of j the usual certificate of the Provincial Auditor, and to explain that the balance of the books hasnot yet been accurately brought out, and that therefore I do not feel warranted in granting such certificate I may, however, inform you that I have examined the statement of expenditure, and be.ieve it to be correct H. Livingston.” In answer to Mr f isii the Speaker said a similar circumstance had never happened in this Province before, and he was not aware of any clause in the Audit 'ct to meet such a case; bnt he would look into the matter The Waste Lands and Immigration Committee rep or ted—(l.) On the petition of R. S. Allan, praying that steps might be taken to procure to him a crown grant for the fiftyacre section taken up by him at Martin s Bay—that seeing strong inducements were held out to parties to proceed to the settlement, petitioner proceeded there at considerable expense, with the full intention of settling, and that owing to that encouragement that was expected to be given by the Government not being fulfilled, he was compelled to abandon his enterprise, the Government ought to tske whatever steps may be found necessary to secure the petitioner a crown grant for his fifty-acre section. —(2 ) On the petition of settlers in the Shag Valley district:—“Your committee have to report that they have considered the question viz, ‘The sale of 3,000 acr-s in the Shag Valley district to Colonel Kitchener and Mr F D. Kich, m July, 1873, contrary to the petition of settlers in the district, praying that the remaining portion of unsold land in the Moeraki Hundreds be withdrawn from sale and set aside as commonage, and a resolution of the Provincial Council, dated July 19, 1873. referred to them Your committee have taken evidence thereon, and find that the land in question was advertised to be sold by public auction on the 16th Julv, 1873 ; that it was suddenly withdrawn from sale by a telegram addressed to the Government auctioneer, dated July 14, 1873, l>y authority of the Chief Commissioner, acting on the distinct resolution of the Provincial Council that such withdrawal was desirable ; that subsequently the Waste Land Board being applied to by vir F. D Rich, and by Mr Elliott, on behalf of Colonel Kitchener, on July 29, 1873, that they should be allowed to purchase the sections in the Moeraki district so withdrawn, aureed so to allow, if the Superintendent did not choose to exercise his right of reservation from sale. The Superintendent, on being applied to, stated that he had no objection to the sale. 'I he Beard then apparently allowed the sale to be concluded. Vour Committee have no doubt, from the evidence attached, that a loss to the Provincial revenue of over L 3,000, and an injustice to others prepared to purchase, has been the result of this sale ; and that the Council should have been allowed the opportunity of reconsidering this session their decision of last session, in order that if reversed ; the land might submitted to public auction. Your Comniittee would also point out that if the peculiar relations between the irresponsible Waste Land Board and the retponsible Government of the Province were not in existence, the conditions under which this sale was effected could not have been created. Your Committee are of opinion that the late Government are responsible for a serious loss of revenue to the Province, and an injustice tr intending competitors, by not carrying o'jt the resolution of the Provincial ' ounen, passed on the 10th July, 1873 ‘that this Council recommend the Government to grant the prayer of the petition of settlers in s hag Valley District,’ the Superintendent having been advised by his responsible advisers, on the 31st July, 1873, one day after the session closed, not to exercise reservation.” Wednesday, June 3. THE FINANCIAL STATEMNT. The House having gone into Committee of Supply, the Provincial I'REASUKEKdelivered his statement. He premised by expressing his regret that he had not been abl ‘, as he at first expected, to deliver the statement within a week after the Council assembling, but circumstances, which it was unnecessary he should now explain, had prevented him doing so until the present time. The illness of the Sub-Treasurer, who had recently resigned, bad rendered the bringing out ®f the balance-sheet a somewhat tedious and difficult matter. It now showed a discrepancy of 24s 6d which would be adjusted before the Council rose; but in the meantime the statement might be taken as substantially correct, and sufficient to guide the Committee. Then turning to revenue, estimated and actual, he pointed out that the returns from the sale of Crown lands had been L 43,000 more than estimated, the increase being principally from the sale of lands in Southland, large purchases having been made just before the rising of the last session of the Council, when it was expected proposals would have been made for raising the price of land oneforth. He believed the revenue from this source would have been much larger if the Hundreds authorised last ses sion had been proclaimed when the Government intended they should be ; but full information on that point had already been laid before the Council. Sheep assessment returned an excess of L 4,000. It was more than possible that the runs, if assessed, would be found to return a higher rental than they now yielded, because they were not now stocked quite up to their carrying capacity. The matter would receive the attention of the Executive, and if it was considered conducive to the interests of the Province that an assessment should be made, the Government would endeavor to move the Waste Land Board accordingly. kit was expected that there would have been a considerable falling off in gold export duty, owing to the reduction in the rate from 2s 6d to 2a, but he was pleased to see the reduction had not been so much, L 17.504 having been realised, as against L 20.431 the previous year ; and L 16.000 estimated. Col I fields revenue on the other hand had fallen short of the previous year, and the amount estimated by L 2,6 0. which he accounted for on the assumption that high wages in other industries bad temporarily drawn away part of the goldfields population from mining operations. Repayments had brought out what was expected, except in the item of passages owing by immigrants. The late Government made an effort to endeavor to collect some of the tn mey owing to the Province, but without effect. A large number of replies to the applications made f.,r repayment were now in the hands of the Government awaiting consideration, some of the debtors offering to compromise for a portion of the amounts owing, and it would be the duty o? the Executive to deal with the various cases in such a way as to do justice to the public without pressing too hardly on those not in a position to pay. The receipts from railways showedadeticiency of about L 4.000, arising only from the Port Chalmers line. fter ref rring to the sale of reclaimed land and the North (Otago loan, he said last year L20.0H0 was proposed po be borrowed on the security of the Education reserves, for erecting and extending school

buildings; but the Committee preferred voting the amount out of the revenue, and therefore the loan was not applied for. To meet the demands this year for school buildings an additional L 30,000 would be needed. About L 12,500 of the 1,20 000 voted last year had been spent, and a further vote of L‘20,000 would be asked. It would be a question whether, in view of such a large expenditure, the Committee should not consider the question of borrowing a port on of what would amount to over L 50.000 for new schools and additions to other buildings. Referring to the expenditure of the past year, he said there was approprirted for 1873-4 L 707,914, of which LI 11,000 was for works to be paid for in land. The late E xecutive, however, consideied that in view of the increased value which land had acquired during the past year, and the necessity that there exists for husbanding as much as possible the Crown lands with the view of inducing settlement, decided in accepting the contracts for the branch railways authorised last session, to do so on a cash basis, and provision would have to be made for them in this year’s appropriations. The actual expenditure was L 416.238. Some items of importance had not been required. Lll.OO > for interest on the Port railway. In asking for this sum last year, he was not fully aware how matters stood in regard to railways. Hn ler the Immigration and Public Works ct, 1870, section 4, part 1, and section 10, part 2, an amount of L4OO 000 was set a ide out of ibe loan as a railway fund for the Middle Island. Otago’s share of that grant was, 1870-1, L 45,487 ; 1871-2, L 42 910, and 1873 4, L 43.695 In addition to this, by section 23 of the same Act an eighth of the revenue of the Province derived from stamps was allotted to the Province for railway purposes. At present, therefore, after paying for the Dunedin and Port Bailway, there was a sum available of L 68,560. Then there was LIO.OOO for immigration, of which only L 2,000 had been used, and most of that would probably be repaid by the General Government. After explaining the balancesheet, he drew the attention of the committee to the (lovernment’s proposals for the current year. The revenue was estimated at L 421.597 from ordinary sourc s, inc tiding road boards subsidy, to which was to be added 1,29,235 under '-orth Otago loan. The mam source of revenue was, of course, from Crown lands, and it was difficult to calculate with any degree of certainty as to the amount, as sa es, to a great extent, were regulated by circumstances outside the control of the Government. Considering the large quantity of laud that would be open during the year in Hundreds and blocks on deferred and cash payments and seeing, further, when lands were again open for sale in Southland considerable quantities would be taken up at 20s, the estimate given was reasonable. The sheep assessment had been increased to L 65 000 (exclusive of amount from education reserves), chiefly on account of the sums receivable from the rents of the Wakatip and Taapeka runs recently sold, if decided (O have an as essment during the year, the revenue from this source would probably be further augmented. The other items need not he referred to. There was available for appropriation—balance from last year—1.83,490 ; estimated ordinary revenue, 1421,597 ; total, L 505,087. The Government proposed to appropriate L 552.184. In addition to this, there were the engagements on account of branch railways, but, from the bed information at their disposal, they believed, however ener getically the works might be prosecuted, the Government would not be called upon tn oav during the financial year more than 1.60,000. which ‘ woj*fd. however, apparently be unprovided ror After very careful consideration they had arrived at the conclusion not to ask the Council this session to sanction the sale of any blocks of land under the 150th section of the Waste Lands Act. It was proposed to apply to the Assembly for a fresh loan of L 500.0 0, on the security of specific 'locks of land, for the purpose of constructing the branch railways already authorised and to be authorised There should be no difficulty in g tting such loan, as the question of constructing branch railways in places where they were likely to pay was one which the Colonial Legislature should look upon favor ably, as they would bring a large amount of valuable traffic to the main lines. Should the loan not be granted, the Government did not anticipate any financial difficulty in providing the necessary funds to carry on the works till the Conned meet again, when the question of raising funds could be freely discussed. However much works were pushed on there would always necessarily be a very considerable amount which could not be spent and considerable balances remaining in the Treasury at the close of the financial year. Even were such not the case, the Province would find no difficulty in obtaining such accommodation as would prevent any stoppage of the works authorised. If it was possible to put off lan-e sales of land until the branch railways were constructed, there could be no doubt the value of the lands would be much enhanced, and a great deal more be made out of them either by sale or lease. If money could be hr rowed on satisfactory terms for the construction of the works until the pastoral leases fell in, then the necessity for selling would lie greatly diminished. When the leases fell in, the lauds, if re-let in suitable and moderate-sized lobs, and for shorter terms, they would not only bring in a very h andsome annual revenue, but the settlement of a large number of very valuable colonists on lands at present occupied by a few. He concluded by expressing a hope that the finances of the Province would be considered satisfactory. The appropriations were necessarily large. The other Provinces were making such strides and taking advantage ot the present flourishing condition of the country to push on railways, harbor works, immigration, new industries, &e,, calculated to promote the material prosperity of the country and the work of colonisation, that Otago could not stand still. This Province must prudently yet boldly go forward and endeavor to maintain in the race of progress among the other Provinces the position which its great resources had placed it in.

The debate on the Financial Statement was open by Mr Gillies, who, after pointing out an existing liability of 1 85,115, reduced the actual credit balance to L 19,510, and he was disappointed that the Treasurer had not clearly brought out the fact of the prop sed expenditure being so far in excess of the estimated revenue. The estimated revenue was L 450,832, and the expenditure L 552.354 To the latter must be added L 164,760 proposed to be expended upon railways, either out of revenue or loan. If we obtained the loan this expenditure would not be charged against revenue; but in view of the possibility of this loan not being granted, the amount should be charged against revenue. The only expected some 1.60.000 to be chargeable revenue during the present financial year for these works ; but they were committed to an expenditure against revenue of L 164.000, which would have to be provided for this year and the following year. There was thus a total of L 717.144; on the other side an estimated revenue of L45D.832, an excess of appropriation of ■ 266,311. In tome shape or form L1G5.645 would have to be met; and the only source would be the sale of land. In the Estimates there was provision for the sale of land up to LIBO,OOO, and ceupling these

two sums together, it would be necessary to sell land to T 342,645. It had been staled that only 1.60,000 would be expended during the present financial year, but a good many hon. members thought there was little chance of the loan being got; and then the railway expenditure must be taken out of revenue. The Treasurer should have explained more fully how he reconciled the proposed expenditure in excess of revenue —which was the only unsatisfactory part of the statement. The Provincial Treasurer replied that there would be ample time next session to decide how the funds were to be raised, if it were decided to proceed with the railways. Last year, nob much over half the vote fer railways had been spent, and he said without hesitation that if the authorised works were carried out, there would be a considerable amount in the Treasury at the close of the financial year. Mr Kinross hoped the Government would continue the L2to LI subsidy to road hoards, in anticipation of which they had entered into engagements. Mr Fish referred to the railway policy of the Government as very unsatisfactory, and said the Government had misled the Council. If, as he believed the proposed loan could not be obtained, the only alternative would be to sell large blocks. It would have been better if the Government had come, down and asked for such an alternative power, in place of trying to throw dust in the eyes of honorable members. In connection with this question of railways there was a fact to which he wished to call attention. The hon member was here called to order. After conside r able debar.e, progress was reported, and leave obtained to sit again The deba e on the railway resolutions (Nos. 3 and 4) and on Mr Fish’s amendment to no. 3, as follows “That, seeing the tenders for the construction of the lines of railway referred to in resolution Ao. 3, and accepted by the Government, far exceed in amount the sum appropriated by tiffs Council for that purpose, it is of opinion that it is desirable that such contracts, except the Green Island one, be not recognised by this Council; and that if the proposed loan is obtained from the Assembly, then fresh tenders be called for the same,” was resumed by Mr Gillies, who protested against the course proposed to he taken. The contracts referred tn in reso ution No. 3 were entered into by the Executive a few days before the Council met; and although the contracts covered nine miles less than what was authorised, the Government bad exceeded the amount appropriated by LI 1,582. Whun these contracts were let there was no appropriation by the Council. If this course of conduct was to be sanctioned, the (sooner they gave up responsible Government altogether the better. It would be said that to refuse to proceed with the c instruction of those railways would be tantamount to repudiation, but no such argument could be used. This was a clear case in which the Superintendent and Executive had gone beyond their powers unnecessarily, (here being no urgency whatever in this particular case. The Provincial ecretary replied that he was not there to deffend what ha I been done respecting those contracts. The ques-ti-n was, those centners had been accpted, and although, is a matter of tact, rather too late to render them so legal and binding on the' Government as they would otherwise be, still they' were accepted with the full concurrence of the Council at its last session. The responsibility' rested on the Government to have those contracts entered into last year ; the pressure of work on the department was so great that the contracts could not be got out in time, and in order to prevent further delay the Government thwught it best to adopt the course they had. Those contracts were let. and would the Provincial Council now recall the authority which it gave lust. session for t.be pniiolinii+.i.in _ of those railways ? And if it was decided to do so. was the L’oun il to do it in the face of the probability of claims for compensation on the part of the contra > tors ? It might be said th t the contractors would have no legal standing in the .Supreme Court; but that was doubtful, and would probably be tested. But was there really any such objection to the manner in which those contracts were entered into as would justify the Provincial Council in allowing this matter to be taken to the Supreme Court to be discussed and decided there ? He thought no such ease nad been made out. If those engagements were thrown over by the Council it would seriously affect the carrying out of such works in the future. It would be high y improper for the 1 louucil to take steps for overturning these contracts Mr Bastings was not going to throw on the Government any blame that rested on his shoulders. With reference to the extra cost of the railways, he might say that the cost of all works during the last year had been in excess of the estimate from the rise in the price of labor. If it had been possib e to let the works six months before, it would have been done ; but from the smallness of the staff it was impossible to get the necessary surveys made In doing what had been done, the late Government thought they were meeting the wishes of the Council. Mr 1)E Latour said he thought if th» Council were of his opinion, that whatever was done with the amendment, which ho himself had no great love for, the resolution would not be passed in the abs nee of the Select Committee’s report, uiqess the Provincial Treasurer eoudesce ided to explain the full particulars relative to the alleged illegal let-ing of these tenders. When the late Government refused to meet tin House at the conaiucnoeinent*of the session, they announced that their actions would be open to full criticism, as they would on all occasions be in their places to give an account of their actions. So far as he was aware, the late bead of the Government had not opened his mouth in this matter. Whatever matter was irregular, whether it was irre gularity of the "Treasurer’s department, or in this case, as in the Public Works, the late Provincial Secretary could not escape the main responsibility. It must strike the Council how wise the invisible coachman had been in attaching two leaders to the Government coach, who, by their frobc and free action, would hide the gall marks and sores of the two steady old polers. He thought this was not a bad simile, but it would be manifestly incomplete without the addition of the member tor Invercargill, as the old guard playing an occasional solo upon the ram’s-horn. Putting, perhaps false metaphor aside, he hoped the Council would insist on an explanation being given relative to these contracts by the late head of the Go vernment and the member for Oatnaru Country. They had been examined before the Select Committee, it was understood, and the Government were, of course, aware that it was almost a necessity for the late Government to be indemnified by the passing of this resolution before the report came down to the Council.—Mr Stout : Question.—The honorable gentleman who calls question is merely carrying out what he holds bis s-at upon the benches to do —by bis great abilities, and by his powers of oratory to defend acts that cannot defend themselves.—{Hear, hear ) —The amendment was negatived by 7 against 27. * >n Mr i-illies’s further amendment —“ "That the construction of the lines already authorised, and for which contracts have been accepted, be prosecuted during the current year, payment to be made out of loan,” there voted—Ayes, 9 ; noes, 24 Mr De Latour moved an amendment which was ruled out of order, and Mr Brown the addition of the following words to the motion— ‘Ortbe sales of special sections of land of 300 acres each, contiguous to the lines of railway,” which was nega-

tived. The resolution was then agreed to, On Mr M'Kenzie’s motion it was resolved to address the Superintendent requesting him to urge upon the Colonial Government the necessity of erecting and establishing a branch d. pot for immigrants at Palmerston,

Thursday, Junk 4.

The following message was read:—“Referring to Message No. 22, referring to Volunteer land grants, as to the expediency of continuing which there seems to be much difference of opinion, the Superintendent ventures to suggest that the question might be met by a money appropriation sufficient in amount to cover a cash payment of say LlO to each claimant. Should the Provincial Council concur in this suggestion, the Superintendent will he prepared to place "he neeessary amount on the Supplementary Estimates.”

A petition from certain Volunteers, praying for an inquiry into the reasons for the omission of their names from the list of Volunteers entitled to land grants was presented by the Provincial Solicitor. At the evening sitting of the House for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Fish expressed surprise that the Treasurer had not given a more lucid and diffusive explanation respecting the discrepancy in the balance sheet. He (Mr Pish) had been informed that the Treasurer, while acting as Provincial Secretary and Treasurer, thought fit to institute an entirely new system of keeping the accounts of the Treasury ; and he had every reason to believe it was in consequence of that alteration that the discrepancy had occurred. If that were the case, he thought that gentleman was mainly to blame for the incomp eteness of the Provincial accounts. Mr J. C. Brown suggested an adjournment to enable the Treasurer t > answer the statements of Mr Fish —-(Laughter.) Mr Bastings called attention to the fact that LSS.OOO was to be expended on the management of railways. While the total estimated revenue from that source was L 45.000. It was absolutely necessary, if ■hey were to have a proper organisation of the railway system in this Province, that there should be a political head of the department who could devote his whole time to railway matters. Another matter deserving of the earnest consideration of the Go vorument and the Council was that while there was a large amount to be expended on public works throughout the Province, there was a V'-ry inefficient staff to carry out the works. He had no hesitation in saying that the Province lost thousands of pounds annually for want of a proper staff. There was a suggestion made by tne late Government, ami shadowed forth in his Honor’s address, that the two departments s muld be represented—that, in tact, there should be an engineer who was competent to undertake tlie construction of the railways of the Province, and also an engineer to undertake the management of public works. He could say from experience that it was impossible for any one man to give the necessary amount of attention to the supervision of all this work Mr Kinross inquired if it was intruded to assimilate the railway gauges. The Provincial Treasi rer, referring to the remarks of the member for Tuapeka in regard to railways, said it was never contemplated by the late Government to have a different political head of the Railway Department. This was totally unnecessary, and the Engineer had expressed himself of this opinion He was able to do th work of the railways as well as that of the roads and other works. The expenditure on roads and works was large, but honorable members would recollect that a considerable portion of this was authorised and contracted for. The engineerin ' work had been done toaomo 03ct0..t. Tho PROVINCIAL SeoBETARY, alluding to what had fallen from the member for Oteramika, said the question of altering the gauges had been considered, and it was possible that a sum would be placed on the tiupplementary Estimates for the purpose. The question, however, involved the matter of the sale of the present rolling stock, which might be disposed of in New South Wales, where the 4ft Sin gauge was being adopted. With reference to the discrepancy of 24s 6d, it might be satisfactory to honorable m mbers to know that it was on the right side of the ledger. He did not approve of the appointment of a separate engineer for tlie Railway Department, for many reasons. The Council then went into Jommittee.

On the item “ Secretary for Goldfields, L 400,” Mr Fish moved the item should be postponed, wh'ch being ruled out of order, he moved that the item be struck out, as he vacant office was kept by the Governm mt as a bait to dangle before the noses of certain members in case of another vote of want of confidence. This second motion being ruled out of order he moved that the item be reduced to ( 399, which was nega tived by 7 against 21. He then moved a further reduction by IA, which was also negatived. Then Mr Brown and Mr De Lautour took up the role, and assisted by Mr Turton, alternately moved reductions and that progress should be reported. Up to midnight thirteen divisions had been taken. At about 2.30 am., at which hour twenty-seven divisions had been recorded, the Chairman of Committees left the chair for an hour to allow members refreshment After resuming, the item 1.400 for Goldfields Secretary was again put from the chair, Mr Brown being absem from the Mouse,and Mr De Lautour alowed the question to be put from the chair, when it was declared that the ayes had it. Mr De ' .AUTOUB then stated that he had been on his legs to make an amendment before thedi vision was d-dared, but it was ruled by the Chairman that such was not. the case. Mr Brown, who had in the meantime come into t.he 1 ’ouncil Chamber, stated the following case for ruling : That, as it was stated by Mr De Lautour that he bad been on his feet (and other members being of the same opinion) to speak to an amendment to the motion before the Committee, he desired the Speaker’s ruling, and requested the Chairman to ask for a ruling on the point. The Speaker having taken the chair, the point of order was put by the Chairman of Committees.—ln reply to a question of the Speaker, Mr M‘Clashan stated that he would not take any member by surprise ; and" in this case, expecting some amendment to be proposed by Mr He Lautour, he closelv watched the member for Mount Ida ; but the bon. member at the time was in conversation! with the member for the Arrow (Mr * ;!aih), and did not rise until after the vote/was declared for the Ayes. After this explanation ’ e Speaker ruled that the Chairman of Cos. dittos' ruling was strictly in order. At 4.10 a m. progress war. reported, and the Council adjourned, Fiu da v, .(UN e 5. On the House meeting, ! .. Kenzie called at - ration to the following paragraph in a leading article in this morning’s ‘ Daily dimes ’ : —“ We do not care to cha-racteri-e the action of the members who have m .do such an exhibition of themselves: we rather publish their names In Par lament it is the highest disgrace saving, perhaps, expulsion—for the Speaker to name a member. Let th" people of Otago learn the names of those members who, out of private pique, attempted to force a large majority to yield to therh and \vc have no doubt fitting reward

will be bestowed upon them for their con duct. We need not single out Mr James Clark Brown and Mr Cecil Albert de Lautour. We are sorry to say that the other members of the faction—they do not deserve the name of Opposition —are almost equally to blame. They walkedoutof the House —excepting Mr Tuhton, who remained to advise Messrs Brown and De Lautour. He wished to explain that he divided on the question when it was first put, and again on the motion to report progress, but he demurred to the statement going forth to his constituents that he formed part of a fad-ion. He had not countenanced such a line of action, and sooner than rest under such an imputation would resign his seat. —(Hear.) His constituents had not sent him to the Council to follow blindfold the lead of either the hon. member for Oaversham or the hou. member for Taieri. The speaker : (’he hou. member is now trespassing beyond the bounds of the question of privilege. The Provincial Secretary remarked that if he were so sensitive as to notice newspaper remarks he would have to lay half a dozen newspapers before th© House, Mr J. C. Brown, speaking to the question of privilege, said he was referred to in the article in question as having consulted with Mr Turton ; and, further, that there were only two members who had obstructed the business. To th ise statements he gave a denial. Twelve members had gone to a division, but only two members had taken upon themselves the duty of calling for the divisions. Mr Fish, referring to the same matter, said he had not intended to notice it, but it having been brought up by die hon. member for Waihemo, he called attention to the paragraph and the article, which read thus—“ Mr De Lautour and Mr Brown remaining to obstruct, while he other members of the Opposition, led by their Head, wait in an adjoining room, ready to give them assistance should they require it.” He wished to say that when he found the Government would not postpone consideration of the item, he withdrew his opposition and retired from the House. In making those remarks he did not wish it to be considered that he thought the course pursued by the hou. members alluded to was an improper one ; it was one forced upon them by the obstinacy of the Government.

A second question of privilege was raised by Mr J. C. Brown, who called attention to the report in this morning’s ‘ Daily Times ’ in which the Provincial Treasurer was report d to have said that “ during the recess he had managed to save a good deal of public money that the hon member [Mr Brown] nad desired to get hold of.” He wished to know if the hon gentleman had been correetly reported, bee use it was due to himself, to his constituents, and the Council, to ascertain if there was any truth in the statement said to have been made. ' He took that opportunity of saying that he had not had any communication, either verbally or by letter, with the hon. member for the last twelve months ; in fact, he had avoided speaking to him. He had in no way used the public money for himself or any other person, and during the ten years he had been a member'of the Council he had not received one farthing of the public moneys for any services he might have rendered outside the Council. The PE AKER suggested that as a matter ef courtesy, the Provincial Treasurer might answer the question. The Provincial Treasurer : I don’t know whether I u-ed those words, but they convey what I meant, and are exactly what 1 intended to say.—(Loud laughter ) At a later stage of the procee lings, Mr Brown gave notice of his intention to move that it was desirable to inquire into the truth or otherwise of the Treasurer’s statement.