THIS DAY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 52, 4 May 1866, Page 2

THIS DAY.

The Speaker took the chair at 11 o'clock. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Kingdon moved, That the Report of the Select Committee on Mr. S. M. Mackley's petition be adopted. Mr. Gibbs seconded. Motion passed, Mr McMahon moved, That this Council, being impressed "with the urgent necessity for erecting the Bridge over the Waimea River at Appleby, for which the sum of 5,0002 has been voted by the Council, requests that his Honor the Superintendent will be pleased to direct that the ssme be proceeded with, with the least possible delay. He said a sum had beun voted twice and no action taken in the matter. Many lives had been lost in the river, and he hoped the Council would adopt the resolution. Mr. Parker seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Akersten asked the Provincial Secretary whether any "wharfage is charged at the Cobden Wharf, and if so, at what rate per ton, and any other charges. The Provincial Secretary replied, that a portion of the Wharf was let at £75 per annum for six months, but that no charge had been made to Mr. Batty. CATTLE TRESPASS BILL. On the motion of the Provincial Solicitor, this bill was read a third time and passed. BULLKtt KESERVES ADMINISTRATION WILL. On the motion of the Provincial Solicitor, this bill vas read a third time, and passed. Mr. Gibbs moved, That it is the opinion of this Council, that in the matter o^the memorial of Mr. Matthew Batty, it -would be expedient that a fresh valuation of his plant and improvement should be made; such valuation to be made by two valuers to be chosen by this Council, and that they, before commencing proceedings, choose an umpire to act between them. He contended that it was the duty of the Council to do justice to a most injured man.

Mr. Oliver complained that the motion reopened a question that the Council had alreadj' decided. If this were allowed the subject would be incessantly repeated. The Speaker ruled that Mr. Burn's motion was not identical with this. Mr. McMahon said he had never heard tVe Speaker's ruling questioned before. Mr. Oliver replied, that he had not the slightest intention to question the Speaker's ruling. Mr. Burn's motion having been read, the Speaker ugain showed that the motions were not identical. Mr. Akersten seconded the motion. Mr. Simraonds said, some arrangement should he come to as to the way in which the valuation should he paid for. The expense ought not to fall on the Government, especially after the manner in which Mr. Batty had acted, Mr. Kelling contended that if an investigation arose out of an accusation against the Government, | it was the duty of the Council to provide ior pay- J went. . ! Mr. Burn said a fresh valuation would not he fair i without a fresh investigation, and this should not be i allowed tilll Mr. Batty gave up possession. An investigation was imperative. , The Provincial Secretary said the motion was ab- j surd. A valuation had already taken place and given • no satisfaction. A select committee had decided that the Government had acted fairly. He did not like to oppose the motion, although there was aood reason to do so. They did not want to lay themselves open to the ungentlemanly and base insinuations of Mr. Oliver, who was never tired of bringing the most groundless accusations against the Government. Mr. Oliver denied that he had ever attacked the Government in a base and ungentlernaniy way. Mr. Curtis opposed the motion as a useless and one-sided one. He felt disposed to propose an amendment, striking out the words "chosen by this Council" and inserting, "recommended by the Select Committee." He feared this would be reducing the motion to the state of that which had already been rejected. The Speaker said he would rather the Council pronounced than himself as to whether the questions were identical, and as to the power of the Council to rescind a negative vote. Mr. Parker urged the importance of adhering to the Standing Orders. The Speaker confessed that it appeared to be a revival of the old question ; but he would like the Council to express an opinion. Mr. Kingdon seconded the amendment pro forma. Mr. Parker rose to order, and objected to the amendment being put. Mr. Burn thought if Mr. Curtis wouli withdraw his amendment, he"could solve the difficulty by another and suitable amendment. Mr. Oliver tried to throw oil on the troubled waters, and suggested that by gones be by gones ■(laughter). The Speaker put the question as to the validity of the amendment, when a large majority voted against its being put. ■lilr. Barn moved sn a~-sr.dir.ent proposing to strike out all the words of the original motion after "improvements should b 2 made." Mr. Akersten was going to propose another amendment when he was reminded that he had seconded the original motion. Mr. C. Kelihig moved an amendment suggesting other verbal alterations. Mr. M'Mdhon said he was in favor of doing justice to Batty, who had acted in ignorance, was a poor man, and ought to be protected by the Council. On these grounds he would support a new valuai ion. Mr. Dodson was willing to give Batty a fair chance, (.•specially as there was a doubt whether the company that superseded him were not a myth. The Amendment was put and negatived. Mr. Parker,moved another amendment. That it is not expedient to make a fresh valuation. There was no seconder. Mr. Gibbs replied, and expressed satisfaction with the state of the discussion. Mr. Burn's amendment was put and carried. APPROPRIATION BILL. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary this bill was read a second time. The House went into committee, Mr. Kingdon in the chair, to consider the bill. The amount of the expenditure voted by the Council to the 31st March, 1867, was 92,792/ 4s. 6d. The unauthorised expenditure during the twelve months ended 31st March, 1866, was 13,735Z Ss. Id. The chairman reported the bill as passed, and the House resumed. On the motion of the Provincial Solicitor, the standing order 28 was suspended to allow of the third reading of the bill. The bill was then read a third time and passed. Several notices of motion were given, and the House, at 12-30 o'clock, adjourned until Wednesday next, at 1 o'clock. The Electric Telegraph. —Telegraphic communication was resumed this morning with the Southern provincss.