The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1867. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 161, 12 July 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1867. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thursday, July 11. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. All the members were present, except Messrs. H. Redwood, Dreyer, and Thompson. Mr. F. Kelling brought up the report of the Select Committee on the working of the Scab Act. Mr. R. Burn, brought up the report of the Select Committee on the future management of the Nelson Hospital, which was read and its adoption moved and carried. Mr. Sparrow brought up the report of the Select Committee on the Cattle Slaughtering Act of 1863. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, the Council resolved itself into committee for the further consideration of the Estimates, Mr. Kiugdon in the chair. la the Survey Department, the Chief Surveyor's salary 4251. including expenses, etc., was passed without opposition, whilst in the nexc item — two Surveyors — 3751 and 250/, including expenses, etc., the latter sum was increased by 251, on the proposition of the Provincial Secretary, making a total of 650/. The items — Draughtsman, 250/, and Cadet, 100/, were both passed, but the consideration of the item 685/, for labor, tents, horse-hire, stationery, etc., wa3 postponed, on the motion of Mr. McMahon. In the Provincial Engineer's Department all the amounts set down in the Estimates were passed, with the exception of the Provincial Engineer's salary 650/ — which was negatived, and the sum of 600/ was substituted on the motion of the Speaker, who took occasion to pass a high eulogium on the efficiency of that officer. In the Provincial Council Department, •the blank left for the Speaker's salary was filled up with 200/., being an increase of 50/. on the previous year, by a unanimous vote, several honorable members testifying in warm terms to the uniform courtesy and ability with which the duties of the office have been fulfilled. It was proposed and carried, after some discussion, that the question of the scale of payment of the Members should be referred to a select committee, to be appointed by ballot, whose report should be presented to the Council this morning. Tha salary of Clerk to the Council, 50/., and of the Assistant Clerk at 20s. per diem (during the sitting of the Council), were carried without discussion; the payment of the messenger being fixed at 14s. per diem, and 100/. being voted for contingencies. In the Gaol Department, -the Provincial Secretary stated that Captain Clouston, having been appointed Gaoler, would continue to perform, as heretofore, the duties of Meteorological Registrar, and the salary of 275/ was voted for the combined offices. A turnkey at 132/. per annum, and three overseers at 11/. per month, with 584/. for contingencies, were then passed. All the items in the Police Department — with the exception of 100/. for uniform, which, was objected to by Mr Pitt as insufficient, and the further consideration of which was postponed — were passed, in-

' eluding inspector 260/., sergeant-major 185/., sergeant 160/., two constables at 121. per month, ten constables at 11/. per month, special constables 150 Z., arms, travelling expenses, &c. 150/, forage for horse? 40/., and stationery 5/. In the department "District Constables," the following salaries were passed: — Suburbau North 35/., Suburban South 25/., Waimea East 100/., Waimea South 80/., Motueka 60/., Riwaka 25/., Takaka 60/., Motueka Valley 25/., Coilingwood 60/., , Amuri 200/. The salary for the district constable at Waimea West was increased from 40/. to 50/., and that of the district constable was made 85/. The salary of the Inspector of hackneycarriages was decreased from 40/. to 20/., the opinion being generally expressed that the office was unnecessary at the present time. ,JU,,In the Medical Department, the salary of the medical officers at the Hospital was fixed at 200/., of the attendants at 140/., and of the nurse at 50/. A further item of 925/. for extra attendance if required, for rations for attendants and patients, clothing and bedding for patients, drugs aud instruments, medical comforts, fuel and light, and sundries, was also passed. For the salary of attendants at the Lunatic asylum 110/. was passed, that of the nurse being raised from 40/. to 50/, the duties being considered quite as arduous as those of the Hospital nurse, and a sum of 485/. for extras, rations, etc., was also passed. In the Harbor Department the salary of the harbormaster and pilot 450Z, was carried without discussion, while a debate of some duration took place with reference to the next item, the salary of the second pilot 275/, which was ultimately passed, as were also those of the coxswain 150Z, the signalman and lighterman, at 7s. per diem, four boatmen at 120/ per annum, with occasional boatmen aud contingencies, 346/. The salary of the Nelson Inspector under the Scab Act 50/, was carried, and the proposition to give a salary of 350/ to the Chief Inspector, was rejected by a majority of 16 to 4, the sum of 300/ being substituted ; and the consideration of the other items in this department was postponed until after the adoption of the report on the Scab Act. On the motion of Mr. Parker, the House then resumed, and the ballot for the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the seat of payment to members residing above 40 miles from Nelson, having resulted in the selection of the Speaker, the Provincial Solicitor, and Messrs. Parker, Baigent, Burn, G-ibbs, andWastney, and several notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned at half-past 9 o'clock, until 11 o'clock this morning.