8O

established upon a moderate scale) will pay even for the expenses of erecting and keeping up the toll gates and residence of the toll-keeper, and of collecting the tolls; whilst in that one locality I fear that, after deducting these expenses and providing for the necessary arrangements connected with applying the balance, the amount actually available for the repair of roads will be exceedingly small for some time to come.

Secondly—In the peculiar circumstances of New Zealand, and with a numerous native population just beginning to adapt themselves to European habits and pursuits, and to acquire property in cattle, horses, carts, &c., &c., I fear the establishment of a system of tolls (which to be of any service at all must necessarily be very high) will tend to discourage and retard the rapid advance which the natives are making in the particulars to which I have referred, and will be considered by them as both burdensome and annoying.

Thirdly—I should have wished that notice of any Bill for the purpose of levying tolls should have been given to the public in sufficient time to have enabled the colonists generally to express their opinion in reference to the principle involved, prior to such a Bill being passed into law, because I cannot help fearing that the dissatisfaction which will be excited by the contemplated tax will not be compensated for by the amount of good which will be effected by its application.

Having thus stated generally the objections which I entertain to the establishment of toll gates in the present state of this Province, I am quite willing to meet the different view of the question which has been taken by the Legislative Council, and to this end I would suggest, that in order to carry out that view with the least delay and in the most effectual manner, a committee of the Legislative Council be appointed to draw up such an outline of the plan and details which the Council desire should be embodied in the Bill, as may enable the Attorney General to prepare the draft in accordance with their wishes.

E. Erua

Mr. Hickson moved, agreeable to notice,
that Council do now go into committee on Road Bill, when Mr. Ludlam brought forward his resolution, proposed on Wednesday, the 23rd day of May.

On the motion of Dr. Monro, a sub-committee, appointed to take into consideration the scale of fees to be levied upon carriers, and others using the streets, such committee to consist of

Hon. the Attorney-General
,, G. Monro
,, A. Ludlam
,, H. Seymour.

Mr. Ludlam, agreeable to notice, moved,
seconded by Mr. Moore,

That this Council is of opinion that the portion of the Parliamentary Grant spent in this Province on public roads has not been productive of so much benefit to the colony as under a different system of application it might have been, and that this Council recommend to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor that for the future, wherever practicable, the system of contracts should be resorted to in the construction of all public works.

Resolution adopted.

Dr. Monro moved, agreeable to notice, seconded by Mr. Ludlam,

That the sum of £6000, reserved by the Charter of the colony as a Civil List for each Province, is a much larger amount than is required for the maintenance of the Administration of Justice and the Principal Civil Officers of the Government, these being the objects for which the Imperial Parliament empowered Her Majesty to make such a reservation: and this Council is further of opinion that the reservation of so large a sum effectively debars it from exercising an efficient control over the expenditure of the Province.

Resolution adopted.

Dr. Greenwood moved, seconded by Mr. Seymour,

That it is desirable in future Estimates to separate the items chargeable on the ordinary revenue from those which are to be defrayed from the Parliamentary Grant.

Motion agreed to.

On the motion of the Attorney-General, Council in committee on Constabulary Force Bill.

Preamble and clauses 1 to 16, inclusive, read, amended, and agreed to, when...

The Attorney-General moved adjournment of committee.

Dr. Monro moved as an amendment,
"that committee proceed."

Amendment put and negatived.

Motion of adjournment put and carried.

Council resumed.

Mr. Ludlam gave notice that on Tuesday, June 5th, he should move that a committee of the following members be appointed to report upon a Bill to authorize the levying and collection of tolls for repairs of public roads,

Hon. the Colonial Treasurer
,, D. Monro
,, G. Moore
,, H. Seymour
,, A. Ludlam.

At the suggestion of the Lieutenant-Governor, committee nominated at once.

On the motion of the Attorney-General, Council adjourned at a quarter to seven o’clock, p.m., to Tuesday, the 5th of June, at two o’clock.