MEETING OF PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 81, 30 May 1871, Page 5

MEETING OF PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

The now Provincial Council met for the despatch of business on Thursday last! Most of the members were present. ELECTION* OF SPEAKKK. After the usual formalities, Mr Cargill rose and proposed that Mr W. id. Reynolds be appointed Speaker. In doing so he referred to Mr Reynolds’s experience, zeal, and assiduity. Mr Turnbull seconded the motion; Mr Reid proposed Mr John Lillie Gillies as Speaker, because Mr Reynolds had on certain occasions displayed a party bias in his rulings. It was necessary for the Speaker to abandon feelings of partisanship, and to act dispassionately and impartially. Mr Gillies had had a large amount of experience in public allairs and would fulfil the duties satisfactorily. Mr Bastings seconded the nomination; as he would not agree with one gentleman always occupying the same position. Mr Haucihton justified the Government in nominating the late Speaker, on the ground of established precedent ; but believed Mr Gillies would make an excellent Speaker. After a debate, Mr Reynolds said ho thought Mr Reid should state at what particular meeting or meetings he occupied the position of a partisan. Mr Reid said that it was almost impossible to do that ; but chairs had been frequently carried from almost every room in the Council Chambers to the Speaker’s room to accommodate those gentlemen who attended the meetings. Messages were sent to members, informing them about the meetings to be held, hut any member who was looked upon as doubtful was not invited. Ultimately the motion “That William Hunter Reynolds do take the chair of this House as Speaker” was put, and declared to have been lost on the voices. A division, however, was called for with the • following result :—Ayes, 12 ; Noes, 2il Mr Gillies was then elected Speaker without a dissentient voice, and returned thanks for tho honor conferred upon him.