Sessional_Paper_1885-1886 — Page 53

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PAPERS.-The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the following papers :-

(a.) Despatch respecting the postponement of the proposed Loan. (No. 14.)

(b.) Despatch respecting the new Heavy Guns for Defensive purposes. (No. 15.)

(c.) Correspondence respecting Quarantine Regulations. (No. 16.)

VOTE OF MONEY PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Acting Colonial Secretary read the following report of the Finance Committee:---

(Finance Committee, 12th March, 1886.)

Additional vote of £60,375 for Defences.

The Committee unanimously recommend the payment of the additional sum of £60,375 now asked for, but they do so on the distinct understanding that this vote shall be final for. the military and defensive purposes of the Colony.

To pay this sum and complete the essential public works in progress. the Colony must borrow; and the result will be, that interest and the provision of a sinking fund will so cripple the resources of the Colony, that urgently needed sanitary works must, for the present, be left in abeyance. The Colony, being merely a depôt, without natural products, is unable to increase its revenue to any appreciable extent, and it will be impossible for any further contribution to be made for military purposes.

The Committee next proceed to the consideration of the means to be devised for meeting the interest and the sinking fund in connection with the Loan which must be raised.

The Committee unanimously consider that the best means of doing so would chiefly be by an increase of Stamp Duty.

The Acting Colonial Secretary added that the Committee afterwards proceeded to consider the Loan Bill, the result of which will be brought up later, as His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government was in communication with the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject.

The Honourable W. KESWICK moved that, as the subject treated in the above report was of vast importance to the Colony, the consideration of the report should be postponed to this day week.

The Honourable P. RYRIE seconded.

Question-put and passed.

THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND FESTIVALS BILL.-REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE.---The Honourable W. KESWICK, Chairman of the Special Committee appointed to consider this Bill, presented the report of the Committee in the form of a revised Bill, and gave notice that when the Council went into Committee on the Bill he would move the addition of a clause.

QUESTION.-The Honourable W. KESWICK, pursuant to notice, asked the following question:-

When will the Lazaretto on Stone Cutters' Island be completed, and pending its con- struction, what provision will there be ready to meet any outbreak of infectious or contagious diseases?

The Surveyor General replied that the permanent buildings for the Lazaretto were contracted to be ready on the 1st of July next; and that, pending the completion of the permanent buildings, suitable accommodation was being provided for the reception of the sick, should occasion require it, in temporary and provisional matsheds.

WITHDRAWAL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL GRANT.—The Honourable T. JACKSON gave notice that at the next meeting he would move the following resolutions, and introduce a Cathedral Bill:-

1. That the Secretary of State for the Colonies be invited to reconsider the decision which has been arrived at as to the withdrawal of ecclesiastical grants in this Colony, with a view to the continuance of such grants, as in Singapore and in Mauritius.

-That the only expenditure which could be retrenched under the instructions received is a small salary, nominally of £800, but really of £640, paid to the Colonial Chaplain, and representing little more than remuneration for the necessary services of burying the dead, attendance at the gaol, at hospitals, &c.

3.That if this salary be withdrawn, the Colony will have to pay nearly if not quite as much in allowances for these services, thus substituting a precarious and unsatisfactory arrangement for one which works to the satisfaction of all concerned.

4. That the instructions to disestablish the Church on the first opportunity were not called for by any public demand, and that no public feeling exists in the Colony on the subject except such as is adverse to the course proposed.