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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 26.
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MONDAY, 3RD NOVEMBER, 1890.
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PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT (The Honourable FRANCIS FLEMING, C.M.G.).
The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (WALTER MEREDITH DEANE, C.M.G.).
,, the Acting Attorney General, (EDWARD JAMES ACKROYD).
,, the Acting Colonial Treasurer, (HENRY ERNEST WODEHOUSE, C.M.G.).
,, the Surveyor General, (SAMUEL BROWN).
,, the Acting Registrar General, (NORMAN GILBERT MITCHELL-INNES).
,, PHINEAS RYRIE.
,, CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.
,, HO KAI, M.B., C.M.
,, THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.
ABSENT:
The Honourable JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 27th October, 1890, were read and confirmed.
His Excellency informed the Council that the Secretary of State had made some changes in regard to the appointments of Postmaster General and Colonial Treasurer. The present Assistant Postmaster General has been appointed Postmaster General at a salary of $3,600 a year besides which he is to have free quarters, and Mr. MITCHELL-INNES has been appointed Colonial Treasurer and Collector of Stamp Revenue at a salary of $4,800 a year.
The Acting Colonial Secretary laid on the table a letter from the Sanitary Board in connection with Main Sewerage. The Acting Colonial Secretary also laid on the table the Minutes of a meeting of the Finance Committee held on the 27th October, 1890.
Honourable C. P. CHATER, in the absence of the Honourable J. J. KESWICK, supported the following resolution which was contained in a report of the Finance Committee, and which had been proposed and seconded at the last meeting of the Council:—
That the Government lay on the table a list of those Officers who have not received an increase under the new scale of pay and at the same time state the grounds of refusal in the case of those Officers who are not satisfied.
The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD spoke in favour of the motion.
The Acting Colonial Secretary addressed the Council and by direction of His Excellency laid on the table a list of Offices in regard to which applications had been made for a reconsideration of salaries and also the reasons why some among such applications had not been acceded to by the Government.
His Excellency addressed the Council.
Honourable P. RYRIE addressed the Council.
After some discussion it was agreed, on the proposal of the Acting Colonial Secretary, that the non-contentious work should be proceeded with by the Finance Committee.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD addressed the Council and moved the following resolution:—
That the Government lay upon the table a complete and detailed statement shewing,—
1.—The total amount in dollars received by this Colony on account of the loan for £200,000.
2.—The total amount of interest paid, principal and rate to be mentioned, on the loan annually from the date of borrowing until now, or to 30th June last, or any more convenient date of this year.
3.—The total amount of commission paid to the Crown Agents or others in connection with the loan. 4.—The total amount of charges, advertising, and all others incurred and paid in respect of the loan. 5.—The profit or loss in exchange on each of the amounts of the loan repaid annually.
6.—The rate per cent. per annum the loan has cost annually—the rate to include interest, commission, and all other charges from date of borrowing up to the most convenient date of this year.
7.—The amounts to be stated in Pounds Sterling as well as in dollars, also the rate or rates of exchange at which each conversion has been made.
Honourable P. RYRIE seconded.
The Acting Colonial Secretary addressed the Council.
His Excellency addressed the Council.
The motion was agreed to.
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Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD addressed the Council and moved,—
That the Council postpone consideration of the Estimates for 1891 for Public Works Extraordinary No. 29 on the Abstract List—in so far as regards the following numbers under that heading—Nos. 1, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 25, 29, 32, 34, 35, 36 and 37, until Government lay on the table detailed and complete statements of the proposed works shewing what is to be done in each case and the necessity for the works, together with estimates and plans, including a definite statement of their intentions with reference to Drainage and Water-works, so that the Council and the Public may know precisely what it is the Council are asked to sanction and for what purposes the money to be voted is to be used. Further, that the Government lay on the table a copy of the Despatch and Statement sent to Lord Knutsford in reply to his Despatch of 18th April last, also a fresh report from the Surveyor General as to what works he can now reasonably undertake to do during the ensuing year, and also a report detailing the Public Works to which the Colony is already actually committed.
Honourable P. RYRIE seconded.
The Acting Colonial Secretary addressed the Council.
His Excellency addressed the Council.
After discussion the Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD, on the suggestion of the Acting Attorney General, agreed to substitute the following motion in lieu of that originally proposed by him:—
That the Council postpone consideration of the Estimates for 1891 for Public Works Extraordinary No. 29 on the Abstract List—in so far as regards the following numbers under that heading—Nos. 1, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 25, 29, 32, 34, 35, 36, and 37, until Government lay on the table a general statement of the proposed works, including a definite statement of their intentions with reference to Drainage and Water-works, so that the Council and the Public may know precisely what it is the Council are asked to sanction and for what purposes the money to be voted is to be used. Further, that the Government lay on the table a copy of the Despatch and Statement sent to Lord Knutsford in reply to his Despatch of 18th April last, also a fresh report from the Surveyor General as to what works he can now reasonably undertake to do during the ensuing year, and also a report detailing the Public Works to which the Colony is already actually committed.
After discussion the amended motion was put and agreed to.
The Council then resolved itself into a meeting of the Finance Committee.
On the Council resuming, the Acting Colonial Secretary reported progress.
ADJOURNMENT.—The Council then adjourned till Monday, the 10th November, at 2.30 P.M.
F. FLEMING,
Officer Administering the Government.
Read and confirmed, this 10th day of November, 1890.
F. A. HAZELAND,
Acting Clerk of Councils.