PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 95, 7 December 1872, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER -i. HI LIT Aft Y CENOTAPH: Mi' Sliaiiaglian moved, " That this Council is-of opinion tiifit a cenotaph should be-erected as a tribute, 01V behalf of tlie province, to the memory of those- who lost their lives m the war of 181-5-46.'. And that ft respectful' address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting lum to place on the supplementary estimates a sufficient sum of molierto cariy the abcT-j resolution into effect." _ He advoJated the erection of the cenotaph not only as ft tribute to tlie meifiory of those who had fallen in the early struggle of the eolonv, but' also .because they should have 'some record of the most important epoch ill the. history of the place. He referred to the want of such records in our public institutions, and particularly ill the library. Mt Gordon did not see why those who fell in the wars of-. 1863, 18(V!.-, and 1855, should not.be included... Motion agreed to.. LANDING FEE ON SHEEP.*. Mr Bassett moved,'. "That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him So to exercise the power conferred by clause 4, in the Sheep Act, ISG3, Amendment Act, 1871, that tVe landing fee on sheep may be increased to not more than 6d per head." At the present time the landing fee of 3d did not pay the cost of Mr Mitchell thought the present fee quite sufficient, and tliut nn increase might tend to enhance-the price of sheep.. It. would affect his constituents at the Thames, who were obliged to import all their.sheep from Napier and other places. , Mr Swanson thought the fee should be sufficient to cover the cost of inspection, but not more. The increase of the fee would make no appreciable • difference in the price of mutton-. Mr Lusk said at present the revenue received in landing fees was sufficient to cover the cost of inspection, but if it were thought, as had been proposed,'that- a more expensive system of inspection was necessary, of course an increase ill the 'fee would be required. Motion agreed to. IHUMATAO KOAD BILL. On tlie motion of Mr Dyer this bill was-read 3 first- time, and referred to a select committee. LOCAL INDUSTRIES. Mr Sheehan moved, -" 1. That this Council, looking at the satisfactory results of the assistance given by it to the glass and tobacco industries, .is of opinion that further inquiry should be made with &-view<of : ascertaining whether similar assistance should be given towards the establishment of other industries. 2. Thar a committee be appointed, consisting of Mr Bovlan, Mr Creighton, Mr Dyer, Mr Lusk, Mr Mackay v Mr' May, and the mover, foi- the purpose of making such inquiry; committee to have ."power to call for persons and papers, and to report within ten days. 3. That it be an instruction to the committee to consider whether any alteration should be made in the recommendation of the Council during its last twosessionson thesubject of iisli-curing industry." Amongst the industries which it would be desirable to inquire into the establishment of, he mentioned particularly the manufarture of sugar from beet, woollens, and iron from the titaniferous*' sand on the West Coast. With regard to the third paragraph, he believed some three or four thousand pounds had been expended at Whangarei in the preparation of fish, and that tlie terms on which a bonus was offered last year for the production of a certain quantity of cured fish had been complied with—4o tons having been prepai-ed, ; the only difficulty beinjj its shipment.—-Motion agreed to.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOS- 'SHM. Mr Lmsk inpvedthe second reading $>f feU - si?doirtg so ho reviewed at some length the histfofcy <9$ f.lte'J&Nj!U«ig. vft which the Industrial School was now iv-eiil. The kill'-the-same its. tiuu. introduced at. tne end of last HUtf Council, :uul tne object of the bill was to set aptii" t!w' pertv in trust for the purpose to which that pro-tffcwy' iw r-.ww devoted. Dr Nicholson held that they wove exceednig tkeif"powers when they were stepping in to apply a portion of the Grammar School Trust to the use and aid of the Industrial School A larrge portion of the Grammar School tnnds was spent in the grounds eonnc'icd with this property, and, without soma motion oil behalf ot the Grammar fechool tommis- | sioncrs, the Council had no right to step in and say a por- j tion of its property should he divided for the purpose to which it was now proposed to devote it. To do so he thought would be dealing unjustly and unfarily with the Grammar Sohool. Mr Shanaghan questioned the legality of the bill. If the Government wanted to support this sohool let them give the three acres of the reserve which is in Parncll, anu is now used as a public reserve, lie moved that/ the bill be read a second time that dav six months. Mr lvelly "drew attention"to the.state of the House, There were but 12 present; when the Council stood adjourned for want of a quor-um.. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER-5.-THAMES MUNICIPALITY. Mr Swan asked, "Whether' the Government will be prepared to advise his Honor the' Superintendent to consent to the erection of the town of Shortlasd, Grahamstown, and Tararu, into a Municipality?" Me Sheehan replied in the afllrmalTve. AUCKLAND COTXKGI'. A"S1) G RAMJIAR SCHOOL. Mr Dyer moved, u That a select committee be appointed to inquire into, and report upon, the present state of the Auckland College and Grammar School; such committee to consist of Mr Bovlan, Mr Carleton, Mr Crcigliton, Mr Hamlin, Mr Taylor, and the mover, and to have power to call for persons and papers." He placed the notice on the paper owing to-the unsatisfactory nature of. the report of the-head-master, in reference to the progress made. He had also observed that there was an undue proportion of children of a tender age, which must, he thought, materially affect the progress of " the elder boys. There was too much time occupied in elementary instruction, which it was the duty of inferior schools Ij give. Mr Backhand said lie had heard that the .Grammar School Trust intended to appoint- ft competent commiss oil, consisting of men who were qualified from their experience to deal With the- subject, and he did not think it would be wisd to delegate the question to a committee of the House. He hoped the lion member would withdraw his motion. Mr Dyer did not think that the appointment of the committee could in any way; interfere with the commission referred to. Question put. Council divided : Ayes, 13 ; noes, 9. The motion was consequently carried.' BAY OF I'LEXTY SBTTIiEMENT. Mr. Kelly moved, " That this Council is ofopinioir that the immediate location of immigrants on lands available in the Bay of Plenty, East Coast, for immigration purposes, is a matter of' Considerable political' importance • to the future prosperity and ' welfare of this province and the colony. That his Honor the Superintendent, be-rcquested to urge upon the General Government the utility and advisability of at one locating a number of immigrants in that district, and to offer the services of the Provincial Government in giving effect to this resolution." Mr. Sheehan said the motion had the hearty approval of the Government, .who would endeavour, to induce the General' Government to locate immigrants in the locality referred to. . INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL- BILLr . The debate on the second reading of this bill was resumedMr Sheehan hoped that the Council would allow the do" bate to stand over until Wednesday, to enable the Government' to make further inquiries, .with a view of bringing down modified proposals, and that the amendment of Mr Shanaghan to read the biil'that day six: months would not

be pressed. Debate adjourned untirTV'ednesday next;. KEI'ItESFATATION -BILL, . The Council went into committee to consider this' bill. Mr Sheehan, in .moving clause 2, referred at some lcn'gtli to the principle of the bill, and to the arguments for and against the reduction of .members of the Council. Willi regard to expense he belicted that if a reduction of four or five memers were effected it would not make a diH'ercnee of Mire than £100, and it was.a question. <whnilu>i-, in o>cV* to malco such :l saving, it would be advisable to reduce the number.' As to the expense attendiiijr the sittings of .the Council, lie could tell those wlio complained in tliat respect that there was more paid for printing papers alone in the province of Canterbury than was paid in connection wit.li this Council altogether. It was said' that 'Jy a reducfion of members, business would be shortened, and there would bo less talk. He did not think so. Before 12 months were over the General Guvernnvcnt, in self-dcfcnec, would''be compelled to make a concession of powers to Provincial Governments.- The business designated in the Upper House as parish business would • be 1 -handed over to the Provincial Councils to discharge ; and surely, with their knowledge of. the local requirements, they Wore best able to deal with such bills as those authorising loans for "as works, which at- present' were sent beforo- the General Government, and ' discussed at an enormous expense to the whole colony. That being the ease, the argument about a shortening of business would fall" to the ground. With regard to talk he thought the Council could not be accused of wasting much time in that way, and that a reduction of members would not lessen the talk, for where now two men spoke for one hour each then one man would talk for- two hours. While they had .increased the number of members, the business or the time occupied in transacting it had not been increased too. He was not opposed to a moderate reduction, but ho had a horror of extremes. The proposal to reduce the number of members to 17, or even 21, would, if carried out, bo a greater evil than allowing them to remain at 40. . The city had in many important matters withdrawn from the control of the province; and as tho population was extending- to the more distant districts, atid as in the original plan of reprcsentatation a preponderance was given to tho town and suburbs, it would be better to reduce the city and suburban representation, and . increase the country representation, because tlic real work of the Counoil would would be to govern the country districts as the city could govern itself. His proposal was to reduce the number of city members —the members for Parnell, Xewton, Onehunga, and possibly another district —and allow other districts to remain as at present',' which wonld in fact be giving them an increased repoesentation.-- With regard to the bill being referred to a select committee; he intended to make a motion with that object. Progress was- then reported, and the- Council resumed. On the motion of Mr Sheehan tha bill was referred to a committee consisting of the Spsaker, Messrs B jylan, Buck-, land, CaWeton,- Shanaghnn, Douglas,- Maxwell, Prime, Shepherd, Stdnej, Swan, Nicholson, May, and the mover.

EDUCATION BILL. This bill was further considered in commit L ee. Clause 37, " Capitation rate to be levied on children." Major Stoney moved, as an amendment) that no person be liable to pay for more than two children, instead of four as rented. Amendment. put and lost by a majority of four. Clause 40, " Moneys to be paid to Provincial Treasurer and to be appropriated by Board Mr May was of opinion that the money should be pftid to the''Board, which should have a treasurer, and moved an amendment to effect, which was lost by■ a majority of seven: Clause 41-, "Religious instruction prohibited during certain hours : " Mr Lundon moved, to strike-out the word "no," which would have the effect of admitting religious instruction during school hours. The amondment was lost by a majority of 11, Mr Lundon voting alone. Clause 45,-."Act not to apply to aboriginal natives :,' Major Stoney moved, as an addliion, the words, "unless the parents or guardians of tlie said aboriginal children may voluntarily place themselves under tlie operation of the act. Mr Lusk pointed out that according to the Constitution Act the Council hhd not power to pass legislation affecting the natives or even the half-castes. He had no doubt, however, that the Maori children would not be escluded'Trom the schools. The amendment was withdrawn —Progress was reported, and leave given to sit again. SUPPLEMENTARY KSTI3IAXE3. . Tlie House went into committee to consider the Supplementary Estimates: Special order, 1872, £139 IGs.- Agreed to. Salary of signalman, Manukau harbour, £1-10. Mr Lusk said'tlie increase of £30 had been agreed to be placed on the Supplementary Estimates by th& Council, but the Gfovernment'would only recommend that it should be-paid subject to inquiry as to whether "it was deserved or required. The foilowing items were agreed to and instruction, Onehurtga Cadets, £100; additional vote in aid of agricultural and other local exhibitions, £100; construction of wharf at Russell, £400; salary of clerk of-R.M. Court, Thames, £25 ; services rendered at late fire, £25<; m aid of Mechanics' Institute, Auckland, £50 ; in aid of Mechanics' Institute, Coromandel, £50; in aid of Mechanics' Institute, Thames, £100; new hospital, £3,500; new slaughter house, £2,000; subsidies for steam service, £2,000; roads and works north, £2,000 ; roads and works south, £3,000. Goldfiekis roads, within present highway districts, £2,500. Mr Shanagban moved, "That the item bereduoed by £500." After a long discussion, in which Mr Shanaghan, Mr Lundon, Mr-Sheehan, Mr Mitchell, and Mr Cadman took part, the question was put, and the committee divided: Ayes, 1; noes, 19. The amendment was consequently lost.

The following itoms wore agreed to: —"Roads and tracks fields, Thames district"£l,2oo ; roads and tracks on anfcWds, eoroman lcl district-, .€2,200 ; public buildings, £750; tramways, maiutenwiTce and extension, !mm Tapu tramway, £1,200; water supply extension,. 1 t?»»nie»y £750 ; general contingencies, £1,503 ; opening and «w«fi»w»stvt of W gol.Uields, £500; education (contmjj nt;, £2 000 ;■ "AiitliWiSJtl! waterworks, Auckland, £700TW twnr reported with amendments, and lcaro was gi#«w to Tlio t.'ov<a«vt Avljio\vrned at 11.15 p-m.