The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1868.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 106, 6 May 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1868.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Tuesday, May 5. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. Present, all the members, except the Pro vincial Solicitor, and Messrs Baigent aad Wigley. A message (No. I) was received from his Honor the Superintendent containing the Estimates for the current year, with the usual Comparative Statement, which were laid ou the table. A letter was read by the Speaker from Captain Rough, conveying his resignation of the oflice of member of the Hospital Committee. Reports by Mr Thompson on the improvement of the Waimea-road and the road over the Moutere hills were laid on the fable. Mr Bentley presented a petition from 120 occupiers of the coal reserve at Westport, praying that they may be permitted either to lease or purchase the sites which they at present occupy from the Government, which was read and laid on the table. A considerable number of notices of motion were given. Mr F. Kelliug having moved the recommittal of the Cattle Trespass Bill, for the insertion in clause 3, line 13, after the word 'driving,' of the following words, ' auy number of cattle,' Mr Parker demurred to the delay which would be caused by the recommittal of the bill, ,aud suggested that the opinion of some legal member of the House should be heard as to the effectiveness of the proposed emendation. Mr Pitt was of opinion that the words proposed to be inserted would only increase the difficulty, and the motion, which was seconded by Mr Beitt, was lost on the voices. Mr Wastney's motion for a Select Committee, to take into consideration Mr Wrigg's report on the best line for a Railway from Nelson to Cobden and Westport, to consist of the Speaker, the Provincial Secretary, Messrs Pitt, Donne, F. Kelling, Macmahon, Akersten, Parker, Beitt and the mover, which was seconded by Mr Bentley, was carried without division. On Mr Beitt rising to move the production of copies of all correspondence between the Provincial Government and Mr Commissioner Kynnersley from lot January, 1868, to 31st March, 1868, he stated that having understood that the production of this correspondence would be embarrassing to the G-overnment, he begged leave to withdraw the motion. The Provincial Secretary explained that the honorable member had mistaken his meaning ; the Government only objected to the wholesale production of correspondence. Mr Beitt then announced his intention to press his motion and it was carried on division by 15 to 7. On motion of the Provincial Secretary, the two motions standing in the name of the Provincial Solicitor, for the second reading of the Public Wharves Bill, and the Goldfields Licensing Bill, were postponed until this evening. Mr Gibbs moved for a Select Committee to consider whether any and what reductions can be made in the expenditure (departmental or otherwise) of the Government of the province, with power to call for persons and papers, such committee to consist of the Provincial Secretary, Messrs. Wastney, Parker, F. Kelling, Kingdon, Sparrow, Donne, White, and Mr Macmahon. Mr Gibbs trusted tbat the committee would be enabled to prove that considerable reduction was practicable in the Provincial expenditure; he had hoped that a member of the Nelson Financial Reform League would have taken up the subject, and instanced the example set by other provinces, Canterbury especially, in this regard. He then pointed out several departments, — the Engineer's the Council

I itself, and particularly the Police, as being overpaid. ! The motion was seconded by Mr Burn. Mr Bentley moved the adoption of the previous question, but the motion not being seconded, fell to the ground. Mr Home suggested that inconvenience was likely to arise from the postponement of the consideration of the Estimates uutil the report of this committee had been brought up, which . probably might take place at an indefinite period. The Speaker called attention to the Standing Order which provides that a certain date shall be fixed for the bringing up of such reports. Mr Gibbs then proposed that the report should be brought up iu a week's time. Mr Pitt thought a week would be far too little time for the purpose, aud also, that the work proposed for the committee was unnecessary, as when the Estimates were brought up, each item would be discussed separately. He defended the Police expenditure, and said that such an investigation would occupy as many months as the days proposed by fhe mover ; reductions might possibly be made on the West Coast expenditure, but they certainly could not be considered in a week. Mr Simmonds thought the committee would be quite ineffectual for the intended purpose, and expressed doubts as to whether the Council really wished for retrenchment. Mr Macmahon supported the motion. The Provincial Secretary had no wish to oppose it, though he thought that the constitution of the committee might have beeniess partial, for it was comprised of those members who had always voted for reduction. He reminded the House that the other provinces had increased their officers as they increased their debts, and he expressed his confidence that it would be found that there was not one superfluous or overpaid officer in the employ of the Government. Mr Donne expressed Lib fears that the practical object sought to be obtained by the mover would not be accomplished, and suggested as preferable the appointment of a Commission, to enquire into the whole question of provincial expenditure, alluding to the saving which might be made in tiie public works, as well as in departments of the Government, and commenting on the useless character of some of its past expenditure. Mr F. Kelling supported the motion, though he had little hope that it would fulfil its object. Mr. Sparrow also supported it, because there was a general cry abroad for retrenchment, and the committee would prove that all had been done that was possible in this respect. Mr Gibbs having replied, expressing his belief that the Council would not hesitate to appoint the committee, and thereby prove to their constituents that they were prepared to entertain earnestly the question of economy. The motion was carried by 14 to 8, tbe Provincial Secretary and Mr H. Redwood declining to vote. Several notices of motion were given, and the Council adjourned at 20 minutes to 7, until 5 o'clock this eveuing.