PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2212, 9 June 1870, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

This Dav. At this afternoon’s sitting, Mr Millar called attention to a letter by the Provincial Engineer, laid on the table of tlie House yesterday. The letter had reference to a paragraph in yesterday’s Daily Tim as to the construction of bridges at the Mataura ; and the burden of it was to prove that those bridges had cost nearly half as much more than they would have cost if erected under the superintendence of the engineering department. Mr Millar characterised the letter in strong terms, stating that it had been written with the express view of damaging Mr Brunton’s character. The Secretary for Land and Works replied, saying that the Government had taken upon itself the responsibility of forwarding the letter to the Council. Captain Mackenzie condemned the action of the Government. Ultimately the subject dropped, Mr Millar intimating his intention of again refer, ing to it before going into committee of supply,— The Licensed Theatres Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Shepherd’s proposal that it be read that day six mouths, was ■negatived by 21 to s.—The Impounding Ordinance Amendment Ordinance was also read a third time and passed.—On the motion of the Secretary for Land and Works, it was agreed that whereas doubts arc entertained as to the validity of the proclamation of the Tapanui and Mount Stuart Hundreds, the Superintendent should be requested to cause a Bill to be introduced into the Assembly next session to remove such doubts.—The Secretary for Land and Works intimated that during to-night’s sitting the Government would bring up for consideration the question of the apppointment of an immigration agent, and they hoped it would be then settled.