PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 299, 28 May 1875, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

IULi.fc.BAY, MAY 27. The Speaker took the chair at 3 p.m. MESSAGE. The SPEAKER announced that he had received a mrssngc from his Honor the Superintendent enclosing a petition from ratepayers in the Ashburton district. The petition was read and received. sir Cracroft Wilson gave notice that next day he would move that the message be taken into consideration.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Dr Bayner asked without notice whether the Temuka and Geraldine Agricultural Societies would participate in the grant for agricultural societies. The Provincial Secretary replied that he could not at the moment state what societies would participate in the grant. He might say that the grant would beallocatedm the same way as the grants of last year. He would endeavour to obtain for the hon member the names of the societies participating in last year's grant. HOSPITAL DRESSERS. Dr Bayner's motion that the Government grant permission to the resident surgeon of the Christchurch and surgeon of the Timaru Hospitals to receive pupils as hospital dressers, upon payment of fees, subject to the approval of the Government, was postponed, by leave, until Tuesday next. IMMIGRATION. Mr HARPER said that, owing to the thin House, he would ask leave to postpone the following motion, standing in his name, till next day, viz—" That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that Canterbury should be represented in Great Britain by an immigration agent sent from this province, and that his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place a sum not exceeding on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of facilitating immigration to this province." GRANT TO MUNICIPALITIES AND ROAD BOARDS. Mr Harper asked leave, for a similar reason,to postpone the following resolution—- " That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the sum placed on the estimates for Municipalities and Boad Boards should be apportioned to such Municipalities and Boad Boards only that have raised rates within their respective districts. RESERVES. The Provincial Secretary moved—- " That, in the opinion of this Council it is expedient that, so soon as the requirements of the railway upon the reserves Nos 349 and 389 are finally ascertained, a portion of the reserve on the south bank of the Orari river, not exceeding 100 acres, should be set aside for a racecourse reserve, and that the remainder of the reserve, except such portions as it may be deemed expedient to reserve for townships [or for other public purposes, be gold by auction. The motion was agreed to. LEAVE OP ABSENCE. " On the motion of the Hon G. Buckley, leave of absence for ten days was granted to the Hon E. Richardson. LYTTELTON REGATTA. Mr Webb moved that the House go into committee to consider the following resolution:—"That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the supplementary estimates a sum not exceeding £SO as a contribution towards the Lyttelton Begatta Fund, to be given in prizes for boats and vessels of a useful description." The Provincial Secretary said that the Government, though not approving altogether of the vote, would not oppose il on the ground that the railways on the occasion of the regatta received a very large accession of business. It was therefore on this ground alone that the Government did not oppose the resolution. He thought, however, it ought to be charged to the railway. The motion for going into committee was agreed to, Mr G. B. Parker taking the chair. In committee Mr Webb moved the resolution, which was agreed to, reported to the House, and adopted. public announcements. Mr Walker movt d—" That in the opinion of this Council that in all public announcements relating to laud—viz, Gazettes, Oidi nances, reserves, aud returns laid on the table of the Council, it is desiiable that the name of the road district in which the land is situated should be inserted. The motion was agreed to. SHEEP ORDINANCE, 1875. On this order of the day being called on, The Provincial Secretary said that he understood the hon member for Sefton did not intend to proceed further in this matter, as the sheep inspector was carrying out what the Bill intended to provide for. Under this circumstance, he would move that the order of the day be discharged. The motion was agreed to. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House then went into committee of supply. Class 20—Rakaia bridge, £3662 19s 2d . Mr W. B, TosswiLL enquired whether the Government had received any report from the Bakaia Bridge Commission 1 The Secretary for Public Works replied that the report he believed had been sent to the General Government. The Provincial Government had telegraphed for it. After some discussion the item was passed. Ashburton bridge, £9OOO. Agreed to. Waimakariri Gorge bridge, £1528 0s 3d. Agreed to. Ashley foot bridge, £266 13s 4d. Agreed to. Pareora, Otaio, Waihou, £4OOO. Agreed toOpihi Upper (reflooring), £I4CO. Agreed to. Waihi (Winchester), £1250. Agreed to. Waihi Creek (footbridge), £250. Agreed to; Te Ngaiai, £7OO. Agreed to. Ashley (North road), new bridge, £2679 15s 7d. Agreed to. Lower Selwyn, £798 2s lOd. Agreed to. Temuka (reflooring), £IOOO. Agreed to Mandeville and Kaugiora Swamp (over No 2 drain), £IOO. Agreed t&. Saltwater Creek bridge, Kaiapoi (repairs to creek and road), £IOO. Agreed to. Saltwater Creek, Northport, Kowai, £4OO Agreed to. Hawkins, £ll2. Agreed to. Hook, £6OO. Agreed to. Ohou (Upper Waitaki), half cost to Otago, £SOO. Agreed to. Tekapo bridge aud approaches, £5250. Agreed to. Waitaki bridge cost), £7600. Agreed

Bluff, Selwyn, and approaches (South Mai verr.). £0470 2s 9d. Agreed to. Moffat's bridge, Akaroa road, £197 10s Agreed to. Lower Rangitata temporary bridge (onethird cost), £7OO. Agreed to. Upper Rangitata protective works. £2210 Agreed to. Willows and planting, £IOOO. Agreed to Bealey bridge, West Coast road, £75 r > Agreed to. Koads, £36,147 18s Bd. On the item "Waimate Gorge road, inolud ing bridge over Waihou. £12,466 la 6d," Mr Brown moved that it be expunged.

After some discussion the item passed as printed. The entire class as printed was passed. On the committee resuming, the following were agreed to:—Miscellaneous, £55,445 12s; Grants in aid, £4449 17s 3d. College, £3839 15s 6d. College, Museum, and Public Library, £5739 15s 6d. After some discussion progress was reported, and leave given to sit again tomorrow. EDUCATION ORDINANCE, 1875. This Bill was further considered in committee. On clause 18, providing the mode of election of school committees, being put, Mr Harper moved—" That the word 'ratepayers' be substituted for the word • householders.' " If this were not done a landlord who let his cottages to his workmen would be in no better position than his tenants. Mr Higgins suggested that the qualifica tion of voters for school committees should be the same as followed out in the election of Boad Boards. Mr Jebson thought the power of managing the schools and expending the rates should be by those who paid the household rates, and therefore he was in favor of retaining the word "householder." The amendment was negatived on the voices. Mr J. E. Brown moved the insertion of the words " and owners and occupiers of land," after the words " household rates." The Speaker opposed the amendment, believing that its only effect would be to complicate the clauses of the Bill. The amendment was negatived on the voices, and the clause passed as printed. Several clauses having been passed the chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow. Notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned until noon this day. Friday, May 28. The Speaker took the chair at noon. REPORT. The Provincial Solicitor brought up the report of the Select Committee on the Sheep Ordinance, 1875, which was read. WEKA PASS TOLLS. Mr Harper obtained leave to renew the following notice of motion for Wednesday—- " That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the tolls on the Weka Pass road be abolished." LIGHT AT AKAROA HEADS. Mr Westenra moved that the Council go into committee to consider the following—- " That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place on the supplementary estimates a sum not exceeding £1750, for the purpose of erecting a light at the entrance to the harbor at Akaroa." He thought that the the Council would not refuse the vcte, because at times vessels had to put into Akaroa harbor, and the entrance was at times so covered with fog that it was difficult to find. Captains of the coastal steamers had assured him that if a light were placed at the Heads there would be no difficulty. Mr Pilliett seconded the motion, although he believed £1750 would not be sufficient, inasmuch as Mr Blackett had stated that it would cost £SOOO. Then there was no provision for the maintenance of the light. The Secretary for Public Works said that the Government were of opinion that a coast light at Akaroa Heads would be very properly placed. But the question was very important, and concerned the General Government as well as the Provincial. He would, therefore, suggest that the hon member should withdraw his motion, in order that the Provincial Government might confer with the General Government on the matter.

Mr Montgomery hoped that the resolution would be carried, as it would strengthen the hands of the Provincial Government in negociating with the General Government. Mr Westenra briefly replied. The motion was agreed to, and the House went into committee, when the resolution was agreed to, and reported, and the report adopted.

provincial immigration agent. Mr Harper moved—" That the House go into committee to consider that, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that Canterbury should be representee! in Great Britain by an immigration agent sent from this province, and that his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully reejuested to place a sum not exceeding £ on the supplementary estimates for the purpose of facilitating immigration to this province." He was of opinion that if the agent were placed in a similar position to that Mr A. Duncan occupied, and be able to assist immigrants to the port of embarkation, it would have a most beneficial effect, anel would materially promote the welfare of the province. Mr Bluett, in seconding the motion, said he hoped a elifferent arrangement woulel be made than was made with Mr Duncan. He (Mr Bluett) eleprecated the payment of the agent at per head, as it tended to the introeluction of immigrants who were utterly useless.

Mr Jebson complained of the manner in which some of the Road Boards had erected sod huts for the use of the immigrants in various districts. He contended that the immigrants as a whole were industrious persons, and he was of opinion that to put them into sod huts, which were called dwellings, was not calculated to give them a high opinion of the land they had come to. Dr Rayner deprecated the remarks made by the hon member for the Rakaia. He contended that the Government had done all that they possibly could for the immigrants. He could tell the House that some of these cottages had been so comfortable that the immigrants had made to the Road Boards proposals to purchase them. He thought that in the selection of an agent, every care should be used so that a proper medical examination might be made in England before the immigrants were embarked, and thus the introduction of disease prevented. The Provincial Secretary said that the discussion appeared to aim to bare been

| somewhat -irregular. The quality of the immigrants now being introduced by the General Government was very much better than it used to be, in fact equal to those introduced by the Provincial Government, and, therefore, seeing the Geneial Government bore all the expense, he thought it would be well to leave the matter alone. The hon member had not filled up the blank in his resolution, and therefore it was im possible to say whether the Government would agree to it or not. Altogether, however, the Government were of opinion that the present conduct of immigration by the General Government was satisfactory, and as to the number of immigrants introduced, many persons were of opinion that it would not be well to push on the introduction of large numbers of immigrants. Mr J. 8. White complained of the manner in which time was wasted by some bon members speaking on every subject, and he said that, considering the number of immigrants, it was no wonder that there were some undesirable persons amongst them. Mr HIGGINS disapproved of the motion. Mr 11. F. Gray opposed the motion, preferring a system of nominated immigration. Mr Andrews opposed the motion, and suggested that the hon mover should withdraw it. Mr Harper intimated his consent, and the motion was withdrawn accordingly. GRANTS TO ROAD BOARDS AND MUNICIPALITIES. Mr Harper moved—" That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the sum placed on the estimates for Municipalities and Hoad Boards should be apportioned to such Municipalities and Road Boards only which have raised rates within their respective districts." He said that he found from art port from the Provincial Auditor that there were fourteen road districts never raised any rates. There was no return from Ashburton, and therefore he took it for granted that district had never raised a rate. On the principle of helping them who helped themselves, he moved the resolution, as it was most unfair ihat those districts should share in the £75,000. Mr J. S. White seconded the motion, and pointed out the hardship of a municipality which was taxed to the amount of Is lOd in the £, and which was placed upon exactly the same footing as those districts which had not taxed themselves. The Provincial Secretary said that as a matter of principle the Government concurred with the hon mover, but he was afraid that there would be considerable difficulty in carrying it out. Although certain districts had not raised rates during the past year, yet that, was no proof that they had not raised rates in the past, and moreover it might be that those districts might have been perfectly willing to raise rates, but had not the power to do so. The Government objected to the resolution as being too sweeping. Then again it seemed unfair to refuse to give to certain districts a portion of the land revenue raised in those districts because they had not raised rates during the past year. If the hon mover would so modify the resolution that it would request the Government in allocating the £75,000 to take into consideration whether districts had shown any desire to raise a rate, then the Government would agree to it. Mr W. White suggested that the motion should be modified so as to make it applicable to the future. Kr J. W. Tosswill would support the resolution as it stood, believing it to be most unfair that the Road Boards should receive grants in aid when the districts had not raised a penny towards making loads. Mr Walker said if the resolution were carried he should bring forward a resolution giving the districts in the first place 25 per cent of the sum realised for land. Mr Westenra pointed out that the lands sold in the Rakaia district had realised £152,151, whilst the amount received by that district was only £3759. After some discussion, Sir Cracroft Wilson stated that he knew of a district where, although a Is rate was levied, it would not keep the bridges in repair. What then would be done if a liberal grant in aid were not given ? Why. in a few years the chairman of the Road Boards would be sued for damages dono to vehicles in passing over the bridges. He found fault not with grants in aid, but with the system which prevailed of putting down ' liese hard and fast votes without considering the circumstances of the cases. Mr Fisher was of opinion that the resolution was of too sweeping a character. Mr DIXON said that the reason why the rates had not been co lected in some cases was that the Road Boards were by no means certain that they had the power to collect the rates. The subject of grants in aid to Road Boards, had already received careful consideration at the hands of the Council, and a resolution was passed on the matter, but it would not apply to the particular circumstances of some districts at the present time. In fact, there could be no possible general rule fixed, by which the House could be guided in making votes to the road districts.

Dr Rayner said it was the opinion in his district that where Road Boards did strike a rate it ought to be taken into consideration in allocating the grants in aid. Mr H. F. GRAY agreed with the remarks made by the last speaker. At the same time he thought it unfair that those districts which only required their roads to be repaired and had no new roads to make, should be deprived of their share of the grants in aid. He pointed out that the cost of maintaining the Riccarton road, a portion of the Great South road, for three miles, had cost £3OO, and he thought that the districts should be called upon to maintain a road which was largely used by other districts.

The Secretary for Public Works moved, as an amendment—" That in apportioning the sum placed on the estimates for municipalities and Road Boards, special consideration shall be given to those municipalities and Road Boards that have raised rates within their respective districts." Mr Montgomery approved of the principle conta ; ned in the resolution, but he would like to see the grant made*conditional on the districts raising rates during the current year. In fact, if the Eoad Boards did not do this, they were not performing their functions, and did not comply with the Ordinance.

Hon G. Buckley said that the mere rating of the district would not meet the question of maintenance, because there were many districts whose roads were cul up by other districts. To meet this difficulty thty must either erect toll-bars or put on a wheel tax. He must state that he was in favor of the latter alternative,

Mr Bluett was opposed to a wheel tax. believing tolls to bo preferable. He was of opinion that Ho.id districts ought not to hi called upon to rate themselves until they had received 25 per cent of the land sale? in their districts.

Mr Parker quite agreed with the principle thtt the Road Boards 01 pht not to be called upon to contribute until they had 25 per cent of their land funds handed over to thf-m.

Mr Harper said that it was ridiculous to give such districts ps Mount Peel large sums of money, and which had never raised a shilling, whilst other districts which had taxed themselves last year got but little. He was quite willing to accept the amendment proposed by the Secretary for Public Works t The amendment was agreed to, and the resolution as amended passed. superintendent's message no 8. Sir Cracroft Wilson moved that the message of his Honor the Superintendent, with the petition attached thereto, be referred to a Select Committee, consisting of Messrs Walker, Rayner, Teschemaker, Higgins, Hay, Potts, and the mover. The motion was agreed to. agricultural scholarships. Mr W. B. Tosswill said that he did not intend to move the resolution standing in his name, as follows: —" That the income of the reserve for the school of agriculture should, after the payment of say £350 per annum as a portion of the salary of the Professor of Chemistry, be devoted until the formation of the said school of agriculture, to the establishment of scholarships, to be held by boys passing the best examinations in the country district schools." ■ court house for timaru. Mr J. S. White moved—" That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent requesting him to place on the supplementary estimates a sum not exceeding £SOOO, for the purchase of a site and the erection of a court house and offices at Timaru." The hon member drew attention to the inadequacy of the court house accommodation at Timaru for administering justice. He (Mr White) had drawn the attention of Mr Justice Greseon to the unsuitable nature of the accommodation, and his Honor had suggested that the Grand Jury should make a presentment, which they did. He noticed that the Supreme Court buildings in Christchurch had cost between £II,OOO and £12,000, and the Southern portion of the province had been called upon to contribute one-half of that expense. A convenient building for the purpose he had named could be erected for £SOOO in a central situation in Timaru, which could be used for the purposes of a Supreme Court, a District Court, and a Resident Magistrates' Court. He might state that not a shilling had been placed on the estimates for the town of Timaru, and at the same time he would state that if this should turn out to be a General Government matter, he trusted the Canterbury members would take care, and bring the matter before the General Government. Hon G. Buckley said that he lately, in company with the Superintendent and the Colonial Secretary, had visited Timaru. The Superintendent and Colonial Secretary had selected a site, and plans were being prepared for a new Court House at Timaru. He hoped the hon member would withdraw the resolution. Mr J. S. White, having obtained leave, withdrew the motion. WIDTH OF TIRES ORDINANCE, 1875. Mr HARPER, by leave, brought in this Bill, which was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Tuesday. AMBERLEY FOOTBRIDGE. Mr Harper moved the House into committee to consider the following notice of motion —" That his Honor the Superintendent should be respectfully requested to place on the supplementary estimates a sum not exceeding £SO, for the purpose of erecting a footbridge on the North branch of the river Kowal, near the Amberley township." The motion wa« agreed to, and In committee, the resolution was also agreed to, reported, and the report adopted. SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURF Mr W. I?. Tosswill obtain ■• : «"> to postpone the following until \- y—"That the resolution of this Counci. parsed on the 19th of December, 1872, under which a reserve of 100,000 acres has been made as an endowment for a School of Agriculture, be carried out in its integrity." educational reserves—leasing ordinance, 1875. The Provincial Secretary, by leave, brought in this Bill, which was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Tuesday. pigeon bay wharf. Mr Pilliett moved—" That the Council go into committee to consider the following: That a sum not exceeding £l5O be placed on the supplementary estimates, for the purpose of lengthening the Pigeon Bay wharf." The secretary for Public Works said if the Government found that the work could be done for £l5O, they would place the money on the estimates, but if the expense would much exceed that, the Government would not promise to do it. Mr Montgomery thought it would be the best course to pursue, to leave the matter in the hands of the Government. The motion was agreed to. in committee. Mr Djxon suggested that the motion should read for the purpose of improving the wharf. Mr Pilliett said that the money was wanted for the purpose of lengthening the wharf. The motion was agreed to, reported, and the report adopted. contract surveys. Mr Pilliett moved —" That a return be placed on the table of all sums of money paid by the Government to Messrs Sealey during the last nine months ending 31st March on account of survey contracts." The motion was agreed to. The Provincial Secretary said the amount paid was £7566 10s sd. He was not in a position to say what arrears were due. lapsed notices. The following notices of motion lapsed:— Mr Isaac Wilson to move—" That the engineer's report on the state of the drainage works in the Mandeville and Rangiora drainage district be laid on the table." Mr J. E. B'towN to move—" That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the supplementary estimates a sum of £4OO for the building of a grain »hed at Southbrook, on the Great Northern Bailway." Notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned to Tuesday, at 3 p.mi