LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 113, 14 May 1870, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

On the Council meting at five o'clock, Mr. Luckie moved for its adjournment to eight o'clock, to permit of Committee work being undertaken, no reply having been received from the Attorney General to the telegram on the subject of Mr. Frankly n"s resignation. The motion was adopted. On the Council returning at eight Mr. Franklyn' explained that it was his wish not to impede the work of the session by giving any member an excuse by his presence for moving an adjournment, and as there was no business on the Notice paper in which he took interest, he would leave his seat, and remain outside the bar, reserving his right to return should other matters of discussion be introduced. Mr. Donne moved an adjournment. To go on with the business while Mr. Franklyn was absent was as reprehensible as adjourning. If Mr Franklyn was legally a member an injustice would be done to him. If not, it was unjust to the Council to have its proceedings nullified by his presence. Mr. Collins opposed the adjournment, saying he would press a division to show with whom these delays rested. Mr. Luckie and Mr. Reid strongly repudiated any desire to delay business for delay's sake, and asked Mr. Donue to withdraw the motion, which was negatived on the voices. The Provincial Secretary said the Commissioner of Crown Lands saw no objection to a motion proposed by Mr. O'Conor that auction sales of land should take place in the township next to the locality in which they were situated; and the motion was agreed to. On the motion of Mr. Gibbs, amended by Mr. Wastney, it was resolved, "That the time for claiming the bonus recommended in the report of the select committee on the Buller and other goldfields, adopted by the Council on the 25th of July 1867, be extended to the Ist June, 1871." Mr. Reid moved for a Select Committee to consider a petition from Reuben Waite. Several members objected, on the ground of the matters of complaint having been previously and often considered, and, on a division the motion was rejected. Mr. Luckie proposed that the Superintendent be requested to place £100 on the Supplementary Estimates for the encouragement of oyster culture. Mr. Wastney recommended the withdrawal of the motion. Mr. Reid joined with him, believing that better encouragement could be given otherwise under the Oyster Fisheries Act. Mr. Wastney proposed, " That copies of all the telegrams connected with the resignation of Mr. Franklyn which have been or may be laid before this Council, together with those forwarded to the Attorney-General, and the answers to the same, be recorded in the minutes of this Council." Mr. Donne proposed the addition of the words, " That the letter of his Honor the Superintendent, in reply to Mr. Franklyn's telegrams, asking leave to withdraw his resignation, be also fnrnished to this Council and recorded in like manner," As thus amended, the motion was agreed to. The Waterworks Bill was read a third time and passed; and the Council then adjourned until 5 p.m. on Monday.