The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1868. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 130, 4 June 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1868. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, June 3. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. All the members were present except Mr Thompson. Mr Sparrow brought up the report of the Select Committee appointed to consider the petition of the settlers aud miners of Takaka and Collingwood, recommending that the sum of 300/. be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the formation of a bridle track to the district lying between the Waingaro and Anatoki rivers, competent persons to be appointed previously to explore the country and report upon its practicability, and if favorably, that the work should be let in sections by public teuder. The report was read and laid on the table. Mr Gibbs then reopened the adjourned debate on Mr Wastney's motion with reference to the reservation of the Brunner Coal Mine, opposing the motion. The Provincial Secretary opposed both the motion and Mr Burn's amendment, and said it was monstrous to suppose that tbe success of a scheme of such magnitude could depend ou the lease of a small mine, quoting Mr Wrigg's Report to illustrate his opinion ihat this raine was a mere spot amongst the general mining riches of the district. The resolution, if passed, would seriously affect the position of the inhabitants of that part of the province, and would probably precipitate its separation and constitution into a separate county. Mr Macmahon thought that the Government desired to place the Council in a very embarrassing position, for Mr Wrigg had distinctly stated that if the Buller coal mine were leased, it was unnecessary to proceed any further with the railway question, as in such a case there was not the slightest chance of success. If the Government had confidence in Mr Wrigg's report, he would ask why they proposed to lease the mine, but if they had no faith in the railway, and therefore wished to lease the mine, why not say so honestly, and not mislead the Council and the public by continuing to expend money on a scheme that had already cost the province a large amount. . Mr Kingdon moved as an amendment that the debate on the question be postponed until that day six months, which was seconded by Mr Dreyer, and lost, on division, by 14 to 8. The Provincial Solicitor said that the resolution, if carried, would have the effect of locking up the mine, and if it had not been previously worked this would be of comparatively little matter. But in such a case the arrangements which had been made for the Government for the coaling of certain steamers must necessarily be deranged, and great loss in the working of tbe mine would consequentl) accrue. The Government had undertaken to carry on the working of the mine, and if carried on, a considerable sum would be required for the construction of a tramway to the port. Mr Parker opposed the motion, thinking that the mine should no longer be left in its present state, whereas if it were efficiently worked, it would be of tbe greatest value to the province, and yet the resolution asked the Government to do nothing with it until some company should arise to make a railway to it. It was never intended that this mine should be handed over to any railway company. Mr Pitt also opposed the motion, reprobating the locking up the mine, a certainty for an uncertainty. The Council had a guarantee that the mine would not be let except to a competent company, and after all terms might be made for the amalgamation of that company with the railway company. Mr Baigent suggested that the Government should carry on the mine until the railway question was settled. Mr C. Kelling opposed, and Messrs Bentley, Akersten, and White supported the amended motion, and Mr Wastney having replied, it was put and carried by 15 to 9. Messrs Pitt and Redwood declined to vote. Mr. Wigley's motion that a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report upon the petition of Sir David Monro, seconded by Mr. F. Kelling, was carried by 12 to 7. On the motion of the Provincial Solicitor, the Amuri Reserve Bill was read a second time, and the Hohse having gone into committee, Mr Simmonds in the chair, the bill was reported without amendments. Mr Smith's motion that the two islands on the Buller River, opposite Westport, be withdrawn from reserve, and be surveyed and offered^ for sale at Westport, was lost by 9 to 3, the Provincial Secretary opposing it, and Mr Dreyer stating these two islands had been let under the Goldfields Act for seven years. Mr Donne's motion, seconded by Mr Home, that hia Honor the Superintendent be requested to take the requisite steps to get Charleston made a Port of Entry and Warehousing Port, was opposed by the Government, on the ground that Charleston was t. tally unfit to be made a Port of Entry, and supported by Mr Home, who stated that although Charleston was a crooked harbor, and could only be entered by small vessels, the Council was only asked to do an act of grace which was essential to the prosperity of Charleston. Tbe motion was opposed by the Provincial Solicitor, and supported oy Messrs F. Kelling, Dreyer, Burn, and Wastney, and ultimately carried.

The Provincial Solicitor's motion for leave to bring in a bill to make provision to prevent the spread of Scab in Sheep, seconded by Mr Pitt, was carried and the bill was read a first time. Mr Akersten, in moving that a sum of £20 be placed on the supplementary Estimates to ' stake out ' the channel from Nelson to Richmond,which was seconded by Mr Redwood, stated that such a measure had been recommend by the Harbor Master, and tlie motion was carried. Mr Gibb'a motion, seconded by Mr Akersten, for a select committee to consider the petition of Mr James Jacks of Collingwood, for compensation, was lost. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, the Council then resolved itself into committee for the further consideration of the Estimates, Mr Parker in the chair. The consideration of the item 1400/. for a cartbridge over the Wai-iti, at Foxhill, was, after much discussion, postponed. The item Horsebridge, Motueka River, 1 000/., was carried, and 2000, for the Hurunui Bridge, was increased on an amendment by the Provincial Secretary to 3000/. The following items were passed without alteration : — Bridge over the Waiau (to meet equivalent subscriptions), 3000/.; Karamea Roads, 300/.; Main South Road, 800/.; Botanical Garden Reserve, draining and improving, 250/. •, Nelson Cemetery, 50/.; Collingwood Cemetery, 15/.; road from Riwaka to Takaka, 100/.; Court-house and lock-up, Takaka, 200/. ; road from Takaka to Collingwood, 50/.; Court-house repairs, Collingwood, 50/.; Compensation for land to roads, 150/.; District Roads (to meet equivalent subscriptions), 150/.; Railway, Nelson, Cobden and Westport, preliminary expenses, 250/. ; Explorations, 300/. ; and lesser Public Works, 500/. The votes for the Road Boards were also passed without alteration : — Nelson, 300/.; Suburban North, 175/.: Waimea, 1,000/.; Moutere, 350/ ; Motueka, 300/.; Pangatotara, 200/. ; Riwaka, iSO/.; Takaka, 250/.; Collingwood, 150/.; and Amuri, 400/. In the department of ' West Coast Roads and other Public Works,' the toliowing votes were carried : — Buller Valley and tributaries, 3,000/.; Grey Valley, including road on North Bank, 4,500/.; Ahaura Road, 2,000/.; Maintenance of Coast Roads and Charlestdn Streets, including extension ofCoastroad northwards, 3,000/. ; Maintenance of Road to Addison's, and extension to Brown'a Terrace and Charleston, 5,500/.; the item West Coast to Caledonian Terrace, 1,000/., was increased, on the motion of Mr Home, to 2,0u0/.; Branch roads, 2,000/.; Buildings:— Custom-house, Westport, 400/.; Post-office extension, Westport and Charleston, 250/. ; Warden's house, Charleston, 550/.; Survey-office, Charleston, 90/.; Gaol extension Westport, 33' J .; other buildings, repairs, and fittings, 700/; Moor-ing-posts, anchors, and other gear, aud removing snags, 1000/. On the motion of Mr Home, the item ' clearing and fencing Cemetery and Hospital Reserve at Westport, roads thereto, and other streets,' was struck out, and the last item, ' Westport Jetties and protection of new road,' was postponed. The House then resumed, and several notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned at a quarter to 11 until 5 o'clock this evening.