PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2586, 1 June 1871, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

This Day.

The Speaker took the chair at tAVO o’clock. A message from his Honor the Superintendent was read, stating that he had received a despatch from the Colonial Secretary, asking an expression of opinion from the Superintendent and Provincial Council relative to the construction of certain lines of railway, and suggest iig the concurrence of the Provincial Council. The lines referred to were the Mataura and Moeraki and Outram lines. Several petitions Avcre presented and notices of motion given. The Speaker than called on Mr Mervyn to move the resolution of which he had given notice, Avhen Mr Reid rose, and said that in moving the adjournment of the House to Monday, at tAvo o’clock, he might be expected to explain the state of affairs in regard to the formation of an Exeeuti\’e. Up to the present time he had not succeeded iu completing the arrangement so as to be able definitely to give the names of the memhes, although he believed it quite possible it might be formed this afkrnoon. He had plac d himself iu communication Avith his late colleague, Mr Duncan, who for priva* e reasons declined to accept office, as did also Mr Barton, tj whom the position of Provincial Solicitor was offered. He had had communication Avith other members on the question, several of whom expressed their desire to assist him. He observed a press of business on the Order Paper, and in order that there might be no although perhaps it was not Avitliin his province, lie might suggest that the Private Petitions Committee had full power to proceed with their duties, although the House was not sitting Avithin twenty-four hours of their meeting. He concluded by moving that the House adjourn to Monday at two o’clock. Before the question Avas put, the Provincial Secretary stated that, in order to avoid a formal motion, he might state that he should not convene the committee which had been form'd on hie motion to inquire into certain matters connected Avith resolutions of the Executive; and Mr Haughtoa said he should in like manner allow the Committee of Inquiry into the muddle of the Traquair and SteAvart Hundreds to lapse, Mr i eid roused up, and proceeded to condemn the insinuations cast upon his Government by the retiring Executive and the evening paper. The Speaker seemed inclined to let him have full swing under the plea of replying to a charge, hut Mr Reynolds rose to order ; and after a feAY Avords by Mr Reid, the House adjourned tq Monday at two o’clock.