PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 141, 17 June 1868, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday } June 1 6. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. All the members were present, except Messrs. F. Kelling, H. Redwood, Beitt, and White. Some notices of motion having been given, The Provincial Secretary stated that the Colonial Agent, Mr Morrison, having determined to leave Nelson 'early this morning, if the members of the Railway Committee or any members of the Council desired to confer with that gentleman, he would be happy to meet them during the evening, at any time they might appoint, Mr Wastney brought np the Eeport of the Select Committee appointed to inquire into the existing state of the surveys of the Province, and to report what improvements, if any, can be effected to render them satisfactory. The Report stated that the Committee had reason to be satisfied with the arrangements under which the surveys of the Province are now conducted, but think it very desirable that the process of rectifying the

maps and surveys should be extended in the same manner as it has been so judiciously begun, aud recommend that the existing staff should be employed for that purpose, when their services are not imperatively required for other duties. In order to insure the furtherance as much as possible of this desirable object, the Committee are of opinion that the suggestion of Mr Bninner, to place a sum of £250 on the Estimates for remedying past errors in some of the existing plans, should be carried out. The committee express their gratification on finding that the rapid approach of the time when their powers will lapse with respect to right of way over land granted before October, 1866, has engaged the attention of the Government ; and their belief that the several Road Boards will cheerfully render every assistance in their power within their respective districts, in enabling the Government to define those roads which are most essential to public convenience. Mr Bentley, seconded by Mr Akersten, moved the following resolutions, passed by the Select Committee on Mr Reuben' Waite's Petition, viz.: — 1. That Mr Waite should be allowed to purchase the 80 acres surveyed by Mr Lowe for Mr Waite's homestead, at a cost not exceeding 10s. per acre. 2. That Mr Waite ba allowed the sum of £100 as compensation for losses he has sustained by reason of the matters set forth in his petition. The first resolution was carried on the voices, and the second, which was opposed by the Provincial Secretary, was carried on division by 10 to 9. The consideration" of Mr Gibbs' motion that the Council resolve itself into committee to consider Message No. 9 from his Honor the Superintendent, in reference to the Brunner Coal Mine, wns postponed, on the motion of Mr Wastney, until Thursday next. Mr Akersten then moved without notice the suspension of the Standing Order No. 28, which having been carried, the hon. member then moved that the Council adjourn at half-past 8 o'clock, in order to give the members of ihe Railway Committee and other members of the Council an opportunity, of meeting Mr Morrison, to confer with him on the subject of the West Coast Railway. Mr Donne opposed the motion, enquiring why the Government had not brought down a Railway Bill. The Provincial Solicitor explained that the Acts passed by the General Assembly authorise the Superintendent and Provincial Council to enter into a contract for the construction of the railway, and the contract must be entered into before the Council could pass any Act on the subject. The object of the Government now was to do away with the necessity for an Act of the Council, by obtaining the authority of the General Assembly to enter immediately iuto a definite contract in England. Mr Home said he should not oppose the adjournment, but doubted whether in the foggy state in which the Government appeared, to be with reference to the railway, anything definite would be arrived at. He complained that there were no data before the Council to show what advantages were derivable from the railway. As for Mr Wrigg's 'Report, much as respected him, he believed in it just %s much as he did in his own profession, for * where the carcass was, there would the eagles be gathered together.' The motion was then put aud carried on division by 17 to 2. On the motion of the Provincial Solicitor, the Council then proceeded to the Orders of the Day, and went into committee, Mr Burn in the chair, for the consideration of Clauses 17 and 19 and Schedule B of the Scab Act, which, after some trifling amendments, were carried. The House then went into committee on the recommittal of the Cattle Trespass Bill, Mr Kingdon in the chair, and Mr Sparrow's proposed clause was,~ on the motion of Mr Gibbs, struck out. The House then went into committee for the consideration of the postponed items on the Estimates, Mr Parker in the chair, and the item 'Westport jetties and protection of new road, £2000,' was passed. The following items in the Survey Department were then passed without opposition :— Chief Surveyor, including expenses, &c, £425; two Surveyors, £375 and £275, including expenses, £650 ; Draughtsman, £250; Cadet, £100; Labor, tents, horse-hire, stationery and contingencies, £1,485.

la the department of the Provincial Council, it was carried, on the motion of Mr Thompson, that members residing more than 50 miles from' Nelson should receive 30s. for each day's attendance, and travelling expenses. The other items : — Members residing more than 10 miles from Kelson, to receive 155., and members residing more than four miles from Nelson, to receive 10s., with travelliug expenses, were passed unaltered, as were also the items, Messenger, 14s. per diem, and Contingencies, £150. The House then resumed. Mr Donne brought up the ad iuterim Report of the Select Committee upon the advisability of amending the Standing Orders, which stated that the Standing Orders were in the hands of the printer, and would be submitted to the Council as soon as they were placed in the 'hands of the Committee. Mr Pitt presented a petition from Sir David Mouro, praying to be heard at the Bar of the House in support of his case, upon which a Select Committee brought up a report on Friday last. The Council then adjourned at halfpast 8, until 5 o'clock this evening.