The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1868. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 145, 22 June 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1868. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Saturday, June -0. The Speaker took the cliair at 3 o'clock; al^ the members being present. A Message, No. 12, was received from his Honor the Superintendent, inclosing the Appropriation ' Bill for the current year. [ A letter received by the Speaker from Messrs Rod and Hounsell, of Brightwater Mill, having reference to the report of the Select Committee on Mr W. White's case, was read, and it was moved by Mr Parker thafc it be referred to the Superintendent. It was then moved, as hii amendment, by Mr Smith, seconded 1 y Mr Redwood, which was carried by 10 to G, that the Speaker acknowledge the receipt ofthe letter. The Provincial Seeretary moved the suspension ofthe Standing Orders, to enable the Appropriation Bill to bc read three times, which having been done, the Bill was passed. A Message, No. 13, was received from his Honor the 'Superintendent, signifying his assent to certain Standing Orders and Rules agreed to by the Council, under the provisions of the Provincial Compulsory Land Taking Ace, IS6G. His Honor tiie Superintendent, attended hy the Provincial Solicitor and the Provincial Secretary, then entered the Ohamber, the mem bers rising, and having mounted the dais, proceeded to read the following speech : — Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council — I have assented on behalf of his Excellency the Governor to the following Acts: — An Act to provide fur the Leasing of Public Wharves in the province of Nelson. An Act to repeal the Cattle Slaughtering Act, 1863, aud to make other provisions in lieu thereof. An Act to regulate the sale of Spirituous Liquors, Ale, Beer, Porter and Wine, on the goldfields ofthe province of Nelson. An Act to repeaPt he Cattle Trespass Act, 1866, and to make other provisions in lieu thereof. An Act to make provision to prevent the spread of scab in sh eep. An Act to appropriate the revenue of the province of Nelson for the year ending 31siof March, 1869. I have reserved for the signfication of his Excellency's pleasure thereon, 'An Act to authorise the Superintendent to sell or lease certain lands granted for public purposes situated in the District of Amuri, in the Province of Nelson.' A bill shall be prepared for the consideration of the General Assembly to amend the Nelson. Cobden, and Westport Railway Land Act in accordance with the resolutions you have agreed to on the subject, and in the event ofthe measure becoming law, I will take such steps as appear to me to be best adapted to secure the attention of capitalists in England. I am glad that on reconsideration you have determined not to interfere with the immediate leasing of the Brunner Coalmine on the River Grey, as soon as lessees can be mat with who are prepared to lay down a railway from the mine to Cobdea at once, and to develope the resources of property in an efficient manner. As regards the relation of this mine to the question of the proposed railway from Nelson, I do not think the possession of it would be considered by capitalists in England to be of serious importance in connection with an undertaking involving the expenditure of a million of money. I thank you for authorising me to enter into a contract for the construction of a dry dock in Nelson Harbor and for voting a sum for the purpose, which, although not so large as I should have wished to see appropriated to so important a provincial work out of our present large revenue, will probably be as much as it will be necessary to expend during the current financial year. I congratulate you and the province on your ultimate concurrence in my proposal to devote to public works the £12,000 appropriated in a former Session towards the liquidation of the provincial debentures due on the Ist of next mouth, • from the payment of which, otherwise than by the gradual operation of the sinking fund, the province was released by the Public Debts Act of last session of the General Assembly. The Colonial Government is now prepared to meet the payment of the debentures from colonial funds in accordance with the law. It may be well that I should mention for your satisfaction and that of the public, that hacl the Ministry persisted in ignoring tlie provisions of the Public Debts Act as far as regards the Nelsou and Marlbi. rough debt, I had made arrangements for the due payment of the whole amount of £29,000. so that default on the part of the colony to fulfil its engagements would not have been allowed to inj ure the credit of this province. I now declare this Council prorogued. His Honor then left the Council Chamber, attended as before, and the Session was thus brought to a close.