PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 366, 30 April 1869, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(Condensed from the Daily Times.)

The twenty-fifth session of the Provincial Council of Otago wasinaugurated on Thursday, the 22nd inst.

At 12o’clock, the hour appointed for the opening, the Speaker took the chair, the following gentlemen being present;—

TREASURY BENCH, Mr. Vogel Mr. Haggitt • Mr. Hughes. MINISTERIAL BENCHES. Mr. Burns Mr. Millar Mr. Duncan Mr. Mollison . Mr. Fraser Mr. Seaton Mr. G. Shand Mr. Sibbald Mr. Turnhull

OPPOSITION BENCHES. Mr. Barr Mr. Brown Mr. Clark Mr. Hutcheson Mr. Henderson Mr. M‘lndoe Mr. M'Derraid Mr. Murray Mr. Mosley Mr. Shepherd Mr. Reid Mr. Thomson

Messrs. John Lillie Gillies and George M'Lean entered the Chamber, and took

their seats on the Government side of the House. Messrs. -Driver and Green also came in at a later period, and took their seats: the former on the Ministerial side of the House, the latter on the Opposition. The galleries at this period were well filled, and several ladies were present in th Speaker’s gallery. After the Speaker had made some notifications to the House in a low tone of voice, the Superintendent was announced, and the members rose to receive him. The reading of the speech was not a matter of much time; nor did the members, who knew perfectly well that they would shortly be supplied with a printed copy, seem to take much interest in it. Hardly a second had elapsed after the withdrawal of the Superintendent, before the receipt of messages from him was announced; and the first of these, when read, was listened to with a portentous gravity by each side of the House, which seemed to indicate that there was a possibility of something being said about that at a future time. Another message, and then Mr. Treasurer rises to move the suspension of the Standing Orders, so that a House Committee may be appointed. This done, the adjournment of the House for twenty minutes is moved, the public leave the Chamber, and members retire to the refreshment rooms. On resumption, Mr. Speaker reads the address to the Prince, which has been sent down by the Superintendent for the concurrence of the Council, but with which it soon becomes aparent every individual member is not prepared to agree. There is a sharp litle discussion, and then it is resolved that the consideration of the matter shall be postponed till the next day, and that in the meanwhile a committee shall be appointed to confer with the Superintendent on the subject. Then a pause, and members look to the leader of the House, expecting that he will move an adjournment till next day. Just as he is about to rise, up springs Mr. Donald Reid, from his seat in the front centre of the Opposition benches, and quietly points out that as some changes have taken place in the Ministry during the recess, an explanation of the causes which have led to them would not be unacceptable to members not in the confidence of the Government. His challenge has no effect on the Treasurer, however. Another pause, and Mr. Duncan tells the House why lie took office and why he resigned. Still Mr. Vogel remains unmoved. Yet another pause, till Mr. M'Dermid steps into the arena, and offers an explanation to the House. As he rises Mr. Vogel leaves his seat on the Treasury benches, passes down the floor till nearly opposite the speaker, and seats himself in an attitude of quiet attention. When Mr. M’Dermid had fully explained himself, Mr. Vogol returns toj bis own seat, and there answers all that has been said. The matter then drops, and there being no more business before the House, it was adjourned till next day. Friday, April 23.

The address to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was read and adopted. Subsequently, several committees were formed, and then Mr. Gillies rose and moved the reply to the address, which, after some slight amendments, was adopted. Upon the motion of the Treasurer the House wont into committee to take steps to defray the expenditure of the reception of the Duke of Edinburgh. £3OO, £4OO, and £SOO were respectively proposed. Eventually the latter sum was adopted and placed in the hands of the Government to expend. Several notices of motion were tabled, and the Hon-ie adjourned till Thursday, the 29th.