PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2627, 19 July 1871, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Yesterday. It would be well if a veil could he drawn over the proceedings in the Council last eight, in jno previous Council has there

been witnessed such disreputable scenes as occurred over the honorarium question, which cropped up on the first item, of the supplementary estimates—“ expenses of members —country, 20s and town 10s per diem”— being read. The ball was opened by the previous resolution whicli fixed the honorarium at 15s being rescinded; after which Mr Duncan moved an amendment, that the sum of 15s should be put down for country members. Mr Barton moved, as a further amendment, that the amount should be fixed at 19s ll|d ; thereupon considerable discussion took place as to which amendment took precedence. Ultimately it was decided that Mr Barton’s amendment should be taken first, which was done. After considerable discussion, a vote was taken with the following result Ayes, 15—Armstrong, Barton, Bastings, Brown J. C. (teller), Brown, G. F. C., Haughton, Henderson. Hickey, Hutcheson, Mervyn, M’Kenzie, Robertson, Shepherd, Smith, Webster, (teller). Nos, 15—Allan, Basstian, Blacldock, Bradshaw, Cargill, Daniel, Duncan, Galbraith, Lumsden, Mollison, Rcid,Reyyolds (teller), Shaud [(teller) Sumpter, Turnbull. Pairs: For, Haughton; against, Mollison The chai>inan gave his casting vote with the noos, and the amendment was consequently negatived. Mr. Barton then moved that the amount be reduced to 19s 11 Ad, and intimated that he was determined to ca ry his point if the debate were continued for days. The second amendment m t with no better fate than the first, b ing negatived by the casting vote of the chairmen of committees, For some time the game continued. Mr Barton moved the item be reduced by a halfpenny each time, until at last he wearied his opponents, Mr Cargill who hail been leading those who voted for the lesser sum, Refusing to fight the matter further. Subsequently, it was resolved to limit the payment of 10s to such members as resided beyond two miles from the Council chamber. The debate was characterised throughout by considerable acrimony, which did not lessen when items of less consequence came on for consideration. Mr Duncan and Mr Shepherd got to warm words, and the Provincial Secretary an d Mr Reynolds to closer quarters still. Motions to report progress were made at nearly every step, the number of divisions being legion. At three o’clock this morning, when an amendment was moved on the items “ Girl’s High School,” progress was reported.

This Day. Mr Barton asked the Provincial Treasurer if the Waterworks Company had sent in a detailed statement of their returns, in order that it might he ascertained whether or not they were justly entitled to the guarantee they asked, whether (he company had deducted from their income interest on the sum of LIo.OOO ; and whether there were any arrears of rates left outstanding sufficient to cover the sum asked to he given. The Treasurer replied in the affirmative in regard to the first question; asked that notice should be given of the second ; and in regard to the third, that there were arrears outstanding sufficient to meet the amount due at the present time. In answer to Mr Haughton’s question—whether it is with the sanction of the Education Board that the Shorter Catechism is taught in several of the district schools in the Province ?—the Provincial Secretary said that the Education Board had not interfered in the matter to the slightest extent, and that the only complaint that had been made to the Board was that in one or two schools the Shorter Catechism had not been taught. In Committee of Supply, the Supplementary Estimates were taken up at the point at which they were left off in the morning. Mr Bastings modified his views since the last sitting so far that he was prepared to agree to a reduction of the item by LSOO in place of LI4OO and he based his opposition to the vote on the ground that the money could be better spent in country districts where elementary education had not been provided. The vote was supported by Mr Gillies, the Hon. M. Holmes, the Provincial Secretary, and Mr Barf on. The amendment was agreed to on the voices. The salary of the Chairman of Committees was increased by LSO ; but a similar vote for the Speaker was negatived. [Left sitting.]