PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 187, 12 August 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Fin day, July 15. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present—all the members but Messrs. Take and Fitzgerald. Timber for Building Purposes. Mr. Dolbel moved “For the appointment of a select committee to enquire into and report upon the state of the Province as regards timber for building and other purposes, and whether it would not be advisable that immediate steps should be taken to improve the road between the Pohui Bush and Petano bridge, and to devise some plan by which the working class might be located under a bush license ; such committee to consist of Messrs. Colenso, Kichardson, Curling, Rhodes, Edwards, and the mover. Report to bo brought up on the 20th instant.” —The mover spoke at some length showing the benefits which would accrue to the Province were such a course pursued. Mr. Richardson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Estimates. Mr. M’Lean laid the estimated revenue and expenditure for the year ending June 30, 1865, on the table. Sheep and Scab Amendment Act. Mr. Curling, having obtained leave to bring in the above-named Bill, moved that it be read a first time, which was agreed to, and the Bill was read accordingly. Begnlaiions respecting Timber. Mr. Ormond moved “for the appointment of a select committee to draw up regulations in respect of the timber contained in all bush lands or public reserves ; such committee to consist of Major Lambert, Messrs. Tiffon, Colenso, Fitzgerald, Richardson, and the mover. Report to be brought up on the 20lh instant.” Mr. Tiffen seconded the motion, which was agreed to. lligltmags Act. The Council then went into committee on the above-named Bill, and after some amendments the chairman reported progress. The Council, then adjourned. Tuesday, July 19. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present —all the members. Petition. Mr. Richardson presented a petition from 22 inhabitants of Petano, praying that the Council should take the bad state of the road between Napier and Petano into consideration. Petition read and received. Police Act. Mr. Fitzgehald moved that this bill be read a second time. Mr. M’Lean seconded the motion, which was agreed to, and the bill was read a second time. Drainage Act. Mr. M’Lean moved the second reading of the Hawke’s Bay Drainage Act, and explained its provisions. Mr. Dolbel seconded the motion. A long discussion then arose touching the short time copies of the Bill had been in the hands of members for consideration, although it had appeared in the Hawke's Bag Herald of that day, which Mr. Edwards considered was something like a breach of privilege. It was ultimately agreed that the debate should stand over till the following Thursday. The Council then adjourned. Wednesday, July 20. The Council met at the usual hour. Present—all the members but Mr. Tiffen. Defence Force Horses . Major Lambert asked His Honor the Superintendent “ if it had come to his knowledge that the horses of the Colonial Defence Force in the Province of Wellington were found unfit for the performance of a severe day’s work and failed the first day they were called out for service ; and what (if any) information His Honor has that the horses of the Colonial Defence Force in this Province arc in an efficient condition for actual service in the field.” Mr. M’Lean said ho was quite aware of the inefficiency of the horses in the Wellington Province, for he was an eye-witness of it; but the horses in this Province were much more efficient, and cost less money. He (Mr. M’Lean) then read a memorandum made by the officer commanding as to the working of the force in this Province. Loan Appropriation Bill. Mr. Ormond moved the second reading of this Bill, and remarked upon the various items in the schedule. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Colenso condemned the bill, and descanted upon the objects to which the various sums in the schedule were to bo applied. Messrs. Edwards, Fitzgehald, and M’Lean spoke in favor of the Bill. Motion put and carried. Procinoial Council Amendment Bill. Mr. Colenso moved the second reading of this bill, and adduced arguments in its favor. Mr. Edwards seconded the motion. Mr. Curling moved as an amendment that, the Bill be read a second time that day sis months,

■"'lnch was seconded by Major Lamhekt. Messrs. Rhodes, Lambert, Ormond, and Tiffen spoke against, and Mr. Fitzgerald in favor, of the Rill. The amendment was then put and carried on division, as follows : Ayes, 9. Noes, 5. Messrs. M'Lean Messrs. Colenso Ormond Kennedy Curling Edwards Lambert Smith Richardson Fitzgerald Tuko Dolbel Rhodes Tiffen The original motion was then put and negatived. Highways Sill. On the motion ot Mr. M’Lean, seconded by Mr. OiiuoND, this Bill was read a third time and passed. Tilcokino Reserve. Mr. M’Lean laid on the table correspondence respecting the Tikokino Reserve Act, 1863. Police Act. The Council went into committee on this Bill, and, after several amendments and additions, the Bill was reported by the chairman. The Council then went into committee of supply pro forma, and adjourned. Tiiuesday, July 21. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present—all the members. The Speaker read a letter from Lieut. Butler, asking, on behalf of certain bachelors, the use of the Council Chamber for a ball on the 27th inst. A lengthy but uninteresting discussion then ensued as to whether the Council Chamber should be given up for the sitting of the Supreme Court, or whether the Mechanics’ Institute should be en S a S ec f for that purpose. The latter was carried on a division of—B (Messrs. Curling, Fitzgerald, Kennedy, M’Lean, Ormond, Rhodes, Richardson, Tukc) against 5 (Messrs. Colenso, Edwards, Tiffen, Smith, Major Lambert). Another long and as uninteresting discussion then took place with reference to the application for the use of the Council Chamber for a ball. The Council divided as follows:—For granting the use of the Chamber—6 (Messrs. Curling, Fitz° gerald, Kennedy, M’Lean, Richardson, Smith) ; against it—7 (Major Lambert, Messrs. Colenso, Dolbel, Edwards, Rhodes, Tiffen, Tukc.)