PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 10 December 1872, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

PBIDAY, DECEMBER Gy IS?L'.HOAD BOAM> GRANT. Mr Humlin asked the Provincial Secretary, "Whether the Government intend to invite this Council to consider the bsst mode of distributing .the Road Board grant receivable from the General Government this year?" The Provincial Secretary eaid the Superintendent had sent a message to the Council, inviting any expression of opinion as to the deviations that, might be.thought desirable from the scheme of lait year, The scheme .of last yearwas before the- Council. STATISTICS. Mr Bassctt (without notice) asked the Government, "Whether they intended to procure the returns connected with tl:e last census, the agricultural statistics, and all expenses connected therewith?" His reason for asking the question, was that lie had long been of opinion that euch information was collected in a.very-expensive- manner, and that if some arrangement could be made to collect the information by means of the Highway Boards throughout the cou- t-'y, a great sav.iug might be made, inasmuch as the cost wcul 1 be nominal. Tho Provincial Secretary said he would take means to proqure, the information, .required, and would give attention to the hon. member's, suggestion. THE EDUCATION' B7LT, was further considered in committee. Reported with amendments, and third reading fixed for Tuesday next. APPROPRIATION' BILL. This bill was further considered in committee, arid tho, third reading. fixed - for. Tuesday. MECHANICS* INSTITUTE SAM OF SITT? ACT. Mr Luskmoved the second reading of this bill. Sir Buckland said it was extremely probable that the whole of, the Barrack lands would be shortly laid out. If so, a street would bo required here, and the property would become very profitable indeed. He thought it would be a pity to legislate on this subject or disturb existing trusts. Mr Swansou did not see any provision in the act for a right of way. He thought the City Council should be consulted. Mr Tonks said the Corporation would require a road of 100 link.?. There were on'y 12G links in the width of tbe block. It was probable the whole of this block would be. required. Bill read a second time.. Mr Swanson moved, " That the bill be referred to a Select Committee, to consist of Messrs Cadman, Dignan, Buckland, Philips, and the mover." Mr Lusk, thought the.effect would be, unless the Select Committee should exerci e great expedition,, that the bjll would be shelved for a .year. Mr Buckland : So much the bpjiec The bill was referred to a Select Committee.. AND, WAIKATO RAILWAY. Mr Sheehan moved, " That this Council recommends, as a work which should be undertaken under the Immigration and I Work.?. Loan,, a railway from. Cfrah&rnstown and j Shortland, by way of Ohinemuri, and connecting with the I Waikato line as projected, to central Waikato ; and requests his Honor t-e Superintendent to take the necessary steps to bring the proposed line under the consideration of the Colonial Government;." TJiis . was. no. new project of the Government. It was first proposed to recommend the appropriation of £300,000 to connect the Thames, gold fields with the Waikato country. He wa-? sure this project wonld be, more pa,pftfcnble thaii-the Hutt Railway, or the .Blenheim or Picton. The construction of this work would increase I the population, the trade, and consequently the reI sources of L an. extremely rich country. There was ! every prospect of the. native difficulty being abated. The'opening of the whole of the country would take place in less than a month after the death of one man. Any delay would promote the sbsorption.of the loan by other provinces. A metal road would cast very little,les3 .than anarrow-guage. railway. Mr Kelly seconded the motion. MOTION. Mr Creighton moved, "That an-address be prerenal to the Superintendent, requesting. him to cause that copie3 of all correspondence in reference to the alteration of the collector's box at the Newmarket toll-gate be laid on the table." Carried. The Council adjourned at nine o'clockt.