LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 116, 18 May 1870, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Immediately after the minutes of the j previous meeting were read, two messages were received from, his Honor the Super- 1 intendent, the one inclosing a letter from Mr. Kynnersley, , which after some discus- 1 sion was laid on the table without being read, the other, which contained certain propositions of a conciliatory nature, will be found in another column. Mr. Wastney moved the suspension of Standing Order, No. 28, in order that the message might be immediately taken into con«. sideration. The motion being seconded by Mr. O' Conor, Mr. Donne rose to express his opinion that the Council wa3 not then in a position to . entertain ' the subject matter of the message. , He would not refer to the spirit, feeling, or motive, which might have suggested or dictated it,, but he could not overlookthe fact that there were on the paper for consideration that evening, two distinct motions condemnatory of the Government. The whole thing was unprecedented, and by considering it at once, the Council would be placing itself in a false position. The message, he might describe as a fishing one, trying to find out what the Council wanted. He had never known such a course to he pursued in the whole of his political experience and could notfeel other than surprise that the Superintendent should choose so critical a momentfor such an actior. The only question for the Council to consider waß, did the Executive possess their confidence ? It was not for them to shape the course of events, that was for the Superintendent to do. They were asked to travel. on an unknown path leading Heaven knew where. Mr. Reid thought that if members would look at the matter fairly, they would be of opinion that it would be a most unseemly act to adopt Mr. Wastuey's resolution. If the message was of so important a nature the more respectful way to treat it would be to postpone its consideration, as to discuss it at that moment would be to treat the Superintendent and themselves with contempt. If it would have been sharp practice , to accept Mr. Franklyn's resignation on the spur of the moment, it would be much more so to enter upon so important a subject as that before them without due consideration. Mr. Shephard thought that the Council would not be in any way injured by going into committee at once, as they might appoint a ■ deputation to wait upon the Superintendent. He looked upon it that an invitation had been sent down to them from him to come to some understanding, and that a conference would result in a much more intelligent conclusion than by debating the matter in full Council. If any objections were then offered by the headof the government, the Council would be at liberty to act as it thought fit.. Mr. F. Selling did not approve of Mr. Wastney's motion. He was exceedingly glad that such a message hod been received, and the Council was bound to meet it fairly ; but as it was quite unexpected, he would rather that the consideration of it was deferred. Mr. Luckie was glad to see seme" slight indication on the part of. the Superintendent and the Executive that they were beginning to understand their position. It was also a matter of congratulation to the Council to find that 'so bug as it adhered to its strict duties and kept within the law, it would induce the Superintendent and Executive also to act in accordance with the law. He was certainly taken unawares by the message, but he looked upon it that the present government was one of surprises. Its characteristic tactics were, surprise, stave off, checkmate, while the proceedings of the Council were, and always had been, fair and straightforward. He was glad to see that the Government were at last showing tokens of reasonable conduct and he hoped the results would be satisfactory, Mr. Wastney and Mr. O'Conor having stated that their object in moving and seconding the resolution had been attained by creating discussion, the message was, on the motiou of the former, ordered to be printed, and eventually a Committee was appointed to take it into consideration. Mr. Gibbs then wished to call the attention of ihe Speaker to the Auditor's report in which he feared a great error existed, but on the Provincial Secretary pointing out that the mistake was purely imaginary ou Mr. Gibbs' part, the matter dropped. Mr. Donne rose to make a personal explanation. A great deal had been said out of doors of what was called

a strange coincidence, namely, that he should have tabled his notice of motion, relative to Mr. Franklyn's resignation, immediately after the no-confidence vote, and as he saw the matter again alluded to in the Evening Mail he should like to state the exact facts. It was currently reported on the Coast before he left that Mr. Franklyn would not put in an appearance at the Council, for which various reasons were assigned, and among others, that he had sent in his; resignation. He had intended to ask the Provincial Secretary whether there was any truth in the report, but seeing that Mr. Franklyn took his seat, he naturally, concluded that all was right, and it was not until two o'clock on the day of the debate that he became possessed of any reliable information on the subject. The question then arose in his mind whether he should give notice of motion before or after the debate, and for obvious reasons he decided on the latter course. Mr. Luckie also wished to explain, as it hau been said that the members of the Opposition had refrained from raising the question because they believed that Mr. Franklyn was going to vote with them. He was under the impression that the resignation had been sent through Mr. Kynnersley, and, knowing that such charges uuless full and clear were a mistake, he had recommended Mr. Donne not to give notice unless he was perfectly certain that he was correctly informed. There had been no trickery, no complicity, i no underhand work, and it was unfair to suspeet members of such. What surprised him was that the Government, knowing the facts, did not scruple to shield themselves from defeat by the vote of a man who had no right to be in the Council.. Mr. Reid corroboraten what bad fallen from the previous speakers. Mr. O'Conor said that until a very late period he had known nothing of the affair, and,, when told, he had stated his opinion that if the resignation had been tendered the Government would have accepted it, but now he believed that a train of deception had run through the whole affair. While exonerating himself he was desirous of exonerating others from any complicity in the matter. The Report of the Select Committee on the Gulliford petition, which declined to entertain the prayer of the petitioner, wf s adopted. M;. Luckie, in seconding its adoption, referred to some remarks made by the Provincial Secretary the ..other night. He had already disclaimed any personal animosity towards the purchasers of Wangapeka lands, and he was much surprised to hear such charges repeated by officials. He had been told that he was the head and front of the obstructives, and tbat he had stood ia the way of the advancement of the Province. Even if that were the case, instead of feeling any vexation, he believed it was something to be proud of, as he was perfectly sure that the course he ha " adopted was the fair and just one. He had also been charged with trying to damage the Culliford and Perseverance Companies, whereas tbe fact was that the respect he had for a correct basis and legal order in such undertakings had induced him to take such action as he was convinced would tend to the benefit of shareholders. A motion of Mr. Luckie's to the effect that all resignations should be sent by the Superintendent to the Speaker immediately upon the receipt of them was agreed to. A discussion then ensued upon Mr. Collins askiug leave to bring in a Bill to enable the Board of Works to raise money by debentures. The Bill was read the first time and ordered lo be printed, the Provincial Solicitor stating that he should in Committee propose a clause prohibiting the Board to borrow the sum required unless they obtained the consent of a majority of the whole number of ratepayers in the town who were all interested, and should therefore be consulted. Mr. Shephard's vote of censure, and Mr. Luckie's of want of confidence were postponed until Friday, several returns were asked for, some questions were put to the Provincial Secretary, among others whether Mi'. Franklyn had ever made any claim upon the Government, and if so whether they had been satisfied, to the former of which the reply was in the affirmative, and to the latter in the negative, aud the Council then adjourned until this evening.

Wairatj Races.— These races have ia consequence of the unfavorable weather been postponed until to-day, when the best meeting that has ever taken place in.

the province was expected. A capital course has been prepared on the turf at the back of Mr. Redwood's m ill.

Advice to Exclusives. — At a public ball in Berliu lately, the Crown Prince of Prussia found himself next to Mr. X., the Court Tailor. " What do you think of the Ball ?" asked the Prince in the most affable manner. " H — m, pretty well, but a leetle mixed," was the reply. "My dear Sir," said the Crown Prince, « what would you have, you can't expect us all to be tailors."

The Theatre. — The Star Company gave their second performance at the Oddfellows' Hall last night, but owing to the programme being a repetition of that of the previous evening, the audience was not so numerous. For to-night we notice Mr. Tom Taylor's celebrated drama "Still Waters run Deep," is advertised, which will no doubt, if the weather prove favorable, bring together a full house.

The Wanganui Herald.teWs us that as a lady was riding out of Patea a few days ago, she came across a human skeleton leaning up against a tree, in a place called the Boney Gully, near Manuwapou. A Stick was placed against one of the ribs to preserve the skeleton in its standing position. It has since been ascertained that the skeleton is that of a beautiful young Maroi woman named Eruti, who is said to have been shot, and who was well known by the settlers in and around Patea, The circumstance under which Eruti came by her death we have not been. able to learn. The skeleton has been removed by some of the settlers.