PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3191, 13 May 1873, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Monday, May 12,

Mr Cuttkn proposed to give notice for to-morrow of a question : whether the message just read had been sent with the advidb and consent of tlie Executive ?

The Provincial Secretary : I will answer the question, and have simply to say that the message just read has not been sent with the advice and consent of the Executive Council ; and I beg to give notice that, on next sitting day, 1 will move that his Honor’s message bo taken into consideration.

THE UNIVERSITY,

Mr Barton asked tlie Provincial Secretary whether ho is a ware what steps were taken to obtain from the body of the legal profession the fittest person for the ofl]ce of Bearer ; and what steps being taken to secure the services of the fittest person for the office of Law Lecturer to the University? The Provincial Secretary ; In reply to the question just put, I can only say that the Government know nothing about it ; they were not consulted in regard to the appointment, and had nothing to say in reference to it. Apart from that I think as the Government are *sipaply holding office until fjieir successors are appointed, it is not competent for the House to go on with any busi ness. As you arc no doubt aware, sir, bis Honor was recommended tp sepd for Mr Rpid'pn'Friday lasi:, and if the bon. member for tbe Thieri has nothing to say, I shall move tbe adjournment of the House. The Speaker ; It is quite competent to go on with tbe business; and a great deal of formal matter might be disposed of. Tbe Provincial s- ecbetary : The Government are not disposed to go on with anything. Mr Barton then gave notice of the following : “ That this Council request the Council of the Otago University to lay on the table of this Council the correspondence t ; at took place respecting the appointment of a law-reader and law-lecturer to the University, and all the papers relating thereto, together with such other information as will enable the Council to ascertain what steps were taken to obtain from the body of the legal profession the fittest person for the office of law-reader and law-lecturer.”

EXPLANATION,

Mr Beid rose to second the motion for adjournment, and explained that on Saturday afternoon he was honored by his Honor’s message, and having waited on him, the Superintendent desired him to undertake the task of forming a new Govemmeat. He informed his Honor, as no doubt many hon. members were aware, that as the bulk of members were absept from town on Saturday, he c]id noj; expect to be'able to make any progress until some time on Monday afternoon. Ho had not been idle in the meantime ; but as many members were still absent he bad not yet been able to make any great progress. He did not know how far the message just received might affect his progress. In the meantime he seconded the motion for adjournment, and hoped when the Council met to-morrow to be in a position to r. port that the names of gentlemen wjio wefe likely to possess the confidence of the Council had been submitted to bis lionor, or else that he had abandoned the taskThe House then adjourned till two o clock next day. "