PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1346, 11 June 1872, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

MONDAY, JUNE 10. The Council met at 3 p.m. Resignation, of Speaker. There not being a quorum, the Speaker adjourned the Council till next silting day. Mr objected. The member for Waimarama had resigned; he was no longer Speaker, and had no authority to adjourn the Council. Col Lambert asked in *vhat position the Council now stood. Triad they a Speaker, or not 1 Mr A'Deane contended that the jnembei for Waimarama was still Speaker, and was therefore competent to adjourn the Council. Mr Buchanan sa.id that if the Council considered that he had overstepped his authority, it had its remedy. He considered that in adjourning the House he had consulted the convenience pf absent members, and disclaimed any other motive. Mr Tiffen considered that until a new Speaker was appointed, the old pne was entitled to the chair. Mr A'Deane was sure he. was expressing the feeling of the House in paying that he nin.ua regretted that the Speaker should have attached a grave meaning to what was merely intended as a facetious remark. The om>e of Speaker had never been more ably or courteously tilled than by its present occupant, and he trusted he would continue to hold that office. (Hear, hear). Mr Maney said that if the Speaker had heen present when the remark of t-iie member for Clive was made, he ■would not have taken it in bad part. The words as printed conveyed a vevy different impression from the remark itself, which was not made in an offensive spirit, He hoped he the Speaker would reconsider his decision. Mr Colensq agreed with the member for Te Aute that the member for Waijuiaviiraa w?v* une of the most able

Speakers who had held office in the Council; and he was sorry to hear the remarks which fell from that gentleman on Friday evening. He hoped he would resume office; but he trusted »hat, if he did so, he would not again take offence at any member's remark simply from the hasty report of a daily paper. What a notorious error that same paper had made in a previous Council report, concerning the next sitting of the Supreme Court! Mr Buchanan had not taken notice of the remark alluded to on his own account —he was not so thin skinned ; but he was jealous of the name of any public body—however insignificant —with which he might be connected, and he should have considered himself unworthy of the chnirif he had allowed the remark— reflecting, as it did, upon the whole council—to pass unnoticed. His predecessor had said that the charge was unfounded, and this was the most satisfactory denial that could be desired. If, therefore, it was the wish of the Council, he would resume \rit> neat, and proceed with the business. (Hear, hear). Mr A'Deane moved that the Speaker do now take the chair. Unanimously carried.—Mr Buchanan then resumed tlie Speaker's seat, and the minutes of the last meeDing were read and confirmed. Hawke's Bay Sheep Act Amendment. Mr Johnston introduced this Bill. Read a first time, ordered to be printed, and second reading ordered for Thursday next. Registry of Dogs. Col. Lambert, pursuant to notice, moved—" That his Honor the Superintendent w ill cause to be laid before the Council a return shewing the number of dogs registered, with the names of their owners, since the last meeting of the Council." The Council should satisfy itself that its laws were carried out. He did not believe half the dogs in the Province weie registered. His HoNOii said the Return would be laid before the Council, and he believed it would be sati<facrory. About .£250 liad been realised from the tax. The work was difficult, and had been mainly done by the Inspector of Police. Some persons had no doubt escaped, but he believel they were very few. Up to the piesent time the natives had not paid the rate. The Irispeetoi had represented that this was not fair, and a circular had since been addressed to them on the subject, to the effect that the law would be enforced with regard to native dogs next year. Col. Lambert explained that he had no intention of finding fault. .He merely wished to satisfy himself that the law was carried out. Dray-road to Wharerangi Mr. Dolbel, pursuant to notice, moved—" That his Honor the Superintendent request the Provincial Engineer 10 survey a practical line for a dray-road from Wharerangi \ r alley to Petane." Such a road could be made at very small expense. His Honor said there was only one road there—a bridle track, which was not convertible into a dray-road. The right; of laying out a new road had now lapsed, and the Provincial Surveyor had no further power in the district. If the inhabitants formed a road-board, they would have the necessary powers, and could take their own measures.