PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 183, 15 July 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, July 6. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present, —All the members but Mr Richardson. Papers. Mr. M’Lean laid on the table correspondence in reference to the Wellington Debt, and the Mail Service ; also reports by the Provincial Engineer on the erection of a bridge across the Tukituki, on the Provincial Surveys, and on the Road Works. Ordinary Expenditure. Mr. Ormond moved—- “ That this Council hereby authorise his honor the Supt pending the passing of the Estimates for the ensuing financial year to carry on the ordinary expenditure of the Government at the rate of the past year’s estimates.” —When the abstract of salaries for Juno was laid before the Auditors, he wrote back to say that no provision had been made for the expenditure, and the Treasurer then communicated with the Govt., and they brought forward this motion, which was really wanted, to carry on the necessary expenditure. Mr. Fitzgerald seconded the motion. Mr- Colenso had no great objection to the motion being put, but he did object to vote for a motion he did not understand. The member for Porangaliau had told them that there was one month in the year for which there was no appropriation. Mr. Osmond explained that he had not said so, but that some administrative difficulty existed. Mr. Colenso said he was alluding to what the member had said as to there being one mouth overlapping, which was not provided for. Last session, at the members own suggestion, they had passed the Estimates for 12 months, and subsequently tor three months more, in order that the Council might be called together during the latter period, and to obviate the difficulty in question again occuring. And now they were called upon to pass a resolution of t' is kind, after the Council acting with such kindness towards the Government last session. He knew the motion only meant “ ordinary” expenditure, but the term differed in other Provinces and under different Governments. They were called upon to vote money, when they did not know whether there was any money in the chest. The member for Porangahau should have given them some information

as to the state of the finances, ■when making the motion. He supposed they were now asked to sanction a quarter’s expenditure, before they knew whether there were sufficient funds to meet it. Before he could give a vote for the motion, and he should be sorry to divide and stand alone, although be cared little for standing alone in that Council, he must know three things first, what was the estimated revenue for the year; second, what amount there was on hand ; and, third, what the Government meant by the word “ ordinary,” Mr. Fxtzgeeaid said a motion of this kind was not an unusual thing. During Captain Carter’s superintendency, the estimates had been passed for 15 months, and the reason such a course was pursued last year was for the convenience of country members. He should support the motion, because it was but repeating what had been done before. Mr. Edwaeds said he really thought some explanation should he given by the Government. There was no time even mentioned in the Resolution. Mr. Oemond said the Resolution stated “ pending the passing of the Estimates.” Mr. Tiffen said ho felt averse to any change, but there was only one course open, if the works in progress were to be carried on, and he should support the motion. Mr. Oemond said a similar motion had been made last year by the member for Te Auto (Mr. Tiffen). The same state of things also existed when Mr. Colenso was in office. Mr. Colenso said there was no similarity between the two cases. In the one case only twelve months Estimates had been passed, but in the other they had passed 3 months additional, in order to afford the Superintendent time to call the Council together. Mr. Obmond said that what was meant by “ ordinary,” was the various expenses necessary at the rate of the]items passed last session. The balance in hand was from £4,000 to £5,000 ; and the revenue for the coming vear was estimated at £20,000. Mr. Colenso : Does the Balance include any advances from the Bank ? Mr. Obmond said there were no advances at all to the credit of the Province. The motion was then agreed to, and the Council adjourned.