LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 106, 6 May 1870, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The first notice on the paper was one of Mr. Shephard's for a Select Committee to inquire into the best means of furthering the industrial interests of the province. The mover regretted that Dr. Irvine, who had always taken a deep interest in these matters, was not present to take part in this Committee, which, if skilfully conducted, would, he felt sure, lead to important results. Motion agreed to. Mr. Reid moved, That the Superintendent be requested to cause inquiry to be made as to the possibility and probable cost of rendering the Buller river navigable to the Lyell by a stern-wheel steamer. What he asked for would involve no expense, as the inquiry might be conducted by the regular Engineering and H rbor departments. Agreed to. Mr. Rutherford moved for a return particularising the number of cases tried under the Scab Act in the Amuri, showing before whom the cases were tried, and whether the defendant was a Justice of the Peace or not. He was induced to do so by the fact that it was felt that the administration of justice in that district was unsatisfactory in the extreme. Occasionally the plaintiff or defendant, as the case might be, was a Justice of the Peace, who would vacate his seat on the bench while his case was tried by his brother magistrates, he would then resume his seat to inquire into the cases in which his former judges were interested?; they, in their turn, leaving the bench to take their I places as plaintiffs or defendants. He thought it high time that such a state of things was put a stop to, and therefore moved the resolution standing in his name. Mr. Luckie seconded the motion, as he thought if such things were possible the sooner the axe was laid to the root of the tree the better. Mr. Shephard thought that the Resident Magistrate at Kaiapoi should hold regular courts in the district. After some further remarks, the motion was agreed to. Mr. Doune moved that a pedestal be fitted up on the right of the Speaker's chair, for the accommodation of the representatives of the Press. To this Mr. Reid moved an amendment, which was carried, to the effect that the Speaker be respectfully requested to make arrangements for the accommodation of the reporters. The Provincial Solicitor moved the second reading of the Waterworks Bill. Mr. Shephard objected to the power of reducing the rates being left in the hands of the Executive. That should be a question for the ratepayers to decide. Mr. Luckie was not opposed to the reduction of the rates, which he had always thought too high, but he considered in lowering them the Superintendent had broken the law. He would rather rather see a Bill brought in for the purpose every session, if necessary, and let the Council decide whether or not any change ahoud be made. The Provincial Solicitor had no objection to such an arrangement. His chief object in introducing the Bill, was to prevent the imposition of any unnecessary burden upon the ratepayers. Bill read second time, committed, and postponed for amendment. On the motion of Mr. Wastney the Speaker and Mr. Burn were, in accordance with the Nelson Hospital Act, re-elected by the Council members of the Hospital Committee. Mr. Wastney moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the desirabality of suggesting some comprehensive Immigration scheme. Mr. F. Killing seconded the motion, but thought it was rather a matter for the General Government. The Council then weut into Committee on the Standing Orders and adjourned at 9.30 until this morning. To-Day. At the meeting of the Council this morning, it was agreed, on the motion of Mr. O'Conor, that a return be requested, showing the number of officials withdrawn from the West Coast Districts to assist at Wangapeka, with the cost of such withdrawal, and the time of each officer's absence from his district; an amendment by Mr. Baigent, that the expenses of the Nelsou police and others attending Mr. Warden Broad ou his visits to Wangapeka, should be included in the return, being also carried. Ou the motion of Mr. Gibbs, it was resolved that the Superintendent be requested to place on the supplementary estimates the sum of £200, to meet equivalent subscriptions for the erection of Libraries and Institutes in country districts. The Council then adjourned until Monday evening at 5 o'clock.

Mining Shakes. — Mr. H. J. L. Augarde quotes as follows: — Culliford's, £1 ss. paid, at par; Perseverance, £1 paid, £1 15s. Business done this day. Commercial Company. — We see by advertisement that a meeting of the Commercial Gold-mining Company will be held this evening at the Commercial Hotel for the purpose of making another call. We notice that owners of half-shares are thereby allowed to vote at the meeting. The Opposition, — Mr. Luckie has given notice that he will move on Tuesday next "that the Government of this province, as at present constituted, does not possess the confidence of the Council." It is, of course, intended, if the resolution be carried, to endeavor to establish responsible government, but as this is quite a novelty in Nelson, we shall be aaxious to hear Mr. Luckie's reasons for proposing to effect so great a change in the existing state of things. The debate, which will commence on Tuesday, will be one of the most interesting and most important that has ever taken place in our Provincial Hall. The Carandinis. — The concert tonight, which is to be the last given by this Company, is for the benefit of Madame Carandini, and is under the patronage of his Honor the Superintendent, and the members of the Provincial Council. In addition to the highly attractive programme published, there is a yet further inducement to the public to attend, namely, the opportunity that will be afforded of seeing the supporters of the Government and the members of the Opposition acting for once in perfect harmony, as they certainly will do in expressing their entire satisfaction with the entertainment provided for them. Maitai and Suburban North Eeefs Prospecting Company. — This Company, which had been formed with a proposed capital of £500 for prospecting certain grounds in the neighborhood of this city, and had entered into agreements with some of the proprietors on most liberal terms for its interests, is unavoidably obliged to postpone further operations for the present, owing to the excessive conditions required for a lease by the owner of an intervening piece of of land. This is much to be regretted, as any delay to the progress of the Company must injuriously affect the prospects entertained of finding early employment for a number of meu out of work. Even a moderately paying gold mine in our vicinity, wouldeffectan immenseimprovement, directly and indirectly, upon the present anguishing state of business.