The Evening Post. THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1865. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. YESTERDAY.

Evening Post, Issue 146, 27 July 1865, Page 2

The Evening Post. THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1865. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. YESTERDAY.

The Speaker took the chair at five o'clock. The Clerk read the minutes of the previous sitting. Mr. LUDLAM presented a petition from 173 inhabitants of the Upper and Lower Hutt Districts, paying for an alteration in the 27 th clause of the Market Act. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR replied

that the Government would have no objection to bring in a bill to amend the Market Act, and the petition was ordered to be receive J. Mr. G. CRAWFORD moved for a grant in aid of £300 to the proprietors e£ the Wellington Swimming Baths. Mr. WELCH objected to public money being devoted to the use o£ a private speculation, and other members spoke for and against the motion, which was ultimately carried, and the sum of £300 voted. The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY begged to withdraw the Electric Telegraph Communication Bill. He stated that his reason for doing so was, that the General Government were about to introduce a similar Bill in the Assembly, and that it would be unnecessary, therefore, for him to do so in the Provincial Council. iMr. W. HICKSON objected to the second reading of the Manawatu Racecourse Bill, on the ground that it had not as yet been laid on the table, and stated his objection to a bill that he had never seen being read. The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY had no objection to the postponement of the second reading of the Bill until Friday next (to-morrow). g^Pftg adjourned debate on Mr. Hickson's 'proposed Corporation Bill was resumed. The PROVINCIAL SOLICITOR stated that the Government had no objection to the City having a Municipal Corporation ; the only point on which it opposed the motion was the proposed endowments, such as the reclaimed land for instance. He considered that the Town Board had a large supply of money already (laughter), .• and also had the advantage of the prison labour. If they wanted any other endowment, they had better add the Market (laughter). He begged to move as an amendment that the bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr. W. MILNE opposed the bill on the ground that any advantage accruing from it would only be felt by the town, and not by tl c countrxl3l Mr. BORLASE stated that the working of the present Town Board Act was very unsatisfactory, and that it was absolutely necessary to make seme alteration in it. He thought that at any rate the bill should be committed, and he sincerely hoped that the members for the country would not offer any opposition. Mr. MASTERS, on the ground that both town and country members should work together to establish municipal institutions, said thai he should not obstruct the passing of the bill. Mr. LUDLAM said that the proposed Bill embraced two distinct and separate principles — the first of which was the establishment of a Corporation, and the second the settlement of an endowment. To the first he had no objection, but to the manner of obtaining the latter he had. Notwithstanding this he should support the second reading, and propose alterations if the Bill were committed. Mr. WATT said that the Wanganui Town Board Act worked very well, and that he would vote against the Bill. Mr. WELCH spoke in favour of Municipal Corporations. TII3 Provincial Secretary opposed the second reading of the Bill, as did also Mr. R. Pharazyn, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Kells, and Dr. Allison, while Mr. J. H. Wallace, Mr. Bryee, Mr. Dransfield, and Captain Rhodes, spoke in support of the Bill. Mr. W. HICKSON, as the proposer of the Bill, briefly reiterated the various reasons that had induced him to b/ing it forward, and urged that it be received. He regretted the absence of Mr. E. Pearce, the Chairman of the Town Board, as he knew that he felt strongly on the subject, and from his connection with the Board could give some idea of how badly the present Act worked. HnOn the question being put the house nivided, and decided in favour of the second [reading of the Bill by the Speaker's casting The House then went into Committe of Supply, and adjourned at midnight until five o'clock this day.