The Evening Post. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1865. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. YESTERDAY.

Evening Post, Issue 164, 17 August 1865, Page 2

The Evening Post. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1865. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. YESTERDAY.

The Speaker took the chair at five o'clock. The Clerk read the minutes of the previous Bitting. The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY informed the Council that various communications had been received by the Government from Mr. Hoyt, Messrs. Cobb and Co.'s agent, trith reference to laying on a line of biweekly coaches between this city and Wanganui. Some of the communications were of a tenor with which the Government could not agree, but the last one was to the effect that Mr. Hoyt, ou behalf of Messrs. Cobb and Co , would lay on a line of bi-weekly coaches on the West Coast on consideration of an annual subsidy of £1000, to be guaranteed for the term of three years, and paid quarterly. He would, therefore, move that this last offer should be accepted. Mr. WALLACE seconded the motion. Mr. LUi)LAM, though fully cognisant of all the advantages which the province would derive from the opening up of the country by nail carti, and though personally a warm advocate of the motion, thought that the Council could not injustice be expected to bind themselves down to pay bo large a sum aa that proposed for three consecutive years. As a matter of duty, he, for one, would not sanction such a large appropriation of the revenue ; moreover, unless he whs greatly mistaken, the Council were unable to vote Such amm unless a special Appropriation Act was passed. On the motion of the PROVINCIAL

SECRETARY, the House then resolved itself into Committee on Mr. Hoyt's proposition to the Government. Mr. DRANSFIELD expressed it as hi<» opinion, that the proposals contained in Mr. Hoyt's last lettt • to the Government were extremely fair. The expenses which MessrsCobb and Co. would be put to in getting relays of horses, good stabling, &c, would be very great, audit was not to be expected tint they would tender for the engagement if it was optional with the Government to make other arrangements at the end of the year. Judging from what he had seen and heard of the advantages other provinces had derived from the laying on of Cobb'g coaches, he sincerely trusted Mr. Hoyt's offer would be favourably received by the house. Mr. PEARCK enquired whether the offjr made by Mr Hoyt, acting as representative of Cobb and Co., was a definite and binding one ? The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY, on the part of the Government, replied that it was, but that of course before being accepted as a contract it would be carefully considered in detail. Mr. STOKES moved, as an amendment, the addition of the following words to the original motion ;—"; — " Subject to arrangements to be made by the Superintendent, with the consent of his Executive Council." On the question being put, the motion and amendment were carried unanimously. Mr. WALLACE withdrew the motion standing in his name on the order paper of the day, to the effect that the contributions in aid that should be given to the Commissioners of the Town Board of Wellington in aid of the rates levied, should be fixed at a rate equal in amount to the total amount levied for the current year. Provided the sum so to be contributed out of the Revenue does not exceed the sum of £5000. The Pilot Station Removal Bill was read a third time aud passed. The bill to amend the law at present in force in respect to granting publicans' licenses was also read a third tithe and passed. Mr. BORLASE moved that the report of the late Inspector of Schools be adopted, his reason for doing so being to save time, as, were the report to be considered, the old question of education of the province would be resuscitated, and no good accrue. Mr. GEORGE CRAWFORD seconded the motion, and the report in question was accordicgly adopted. The petition of Mr. W. Spinks, wharfinger, praying that he might not have the value of a certain package that was missing deducted from his salary, was then considered. Mr. BORLASE moved that the Government do not seek repayment from the wharfinger for loss of the package referred t» in his petition. Mr. G. CRAWFORD seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The house went into committee on the bill to repeal the Wellington Town Board Act, and after a short discussion of six or seven minutes' duration the Chairman reported progress, and the committal cf the bill was re-adjourned until Friday next. The house adjourned at seven o'clock until Eriday next.