PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 320, 18 January 1871, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

In the Provincial Council yesterday questions were asked with reference to aid to Ifcond Boards, the Armed Constabulary, tlie Hawkers' Licensing Bill, libraries in counti'y districts, confiscated land, South Koad. and pleuro-pneutnonia, and a motion was carried for an educational reserve at Matakohe. The Licensing Bill' was then taken up in committee, and the 22nd, or permissive clause, was debated from shortly after the opening of Council until 230 a.m. this morning. Various amendments were proposed, and at length the clause, as amended, was passed. Various other clauses were briefly considered and passed. The bill was reported, and reconiitted for the amendment of certain clauses, and the tenth clause, that referring to wholesale licenses, was submitted to the operation of the permissive principle. According to the bill in its present form, and which, apparently, will not be materially modifii'd, application for all licenses, whether wholesale or retaii, must be made through the local licensing bench. And if, on a census being taken for the purpose, of all adult males and females, resident in the ward, town, or highway district iv which the hotel or store is situated, it appear that two-thirds of the people object to the renewing or granting of a license, the magistrates shall refuse the certificate necessary for the granting of such license or renewal. Further amendments on the measure will be considered to-day, but chiefly witu the object of bringing the clauses into harmony with the permissive principle already accepted. The Council adjourned at ten minutes to three this morning till one p.m. to-day.

THIS DAY,

Amonp the business for to to-day there is a motion of Mr. Dyer, for an address asking for the advance of £4,000 from the Harbour Trust Fund to fill in the market reserve, various motions on minor matters, and all the bills now pending in Council are on the notice paper for to-day.