LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 127, 1 June 1870, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

On the motion of Mr. o' Conor a Select Committee was appointed to consider, and report upon, the working of the Provincial Council Act of last session. The Provincial Secretary, moyjed that the unauthorised ._expe^nAituTe,„aoiounting to £62 10s., be passed, and, in doing so, said that he had been induced to put the resolution on the paper by what fell from the members the other-night when they expressed their willingness to vote the amount if the Superintendent paid into the Treasury the sura of £37 10s., and as this had been done he had no hesitation in asking them to "vote for the resolution. Mr. Gibbs could not admit .that- the mere payment of the £37 10s. was sufficient. Mr. O'Cconor would not have opposed the resolution had it been accompauied by some message from the Superintendent expressive of regret for what had occurred, but as there was nothing of the kind he must vote against it. Mr. Baigent was of the same opinion as the, previousspeaker. The Provincial Secretary said that if such a course was to be pursued he would withdraw the motion. There waß a distinct understanding the other night that if the money were paid into the Treasury the vote would be passed, and upon that understanding the Superintendent had given his cheque for the amount. He was extremely sorry to see that now members were going to draw back from what they had then stated, and as a large number of "them had left the room, and the Act required that the resolution should be agreed... to by an absolute majority of- the Council, he would ask leave to withdraw the motion, as, by pressing it, he would be placing the Superintendent in a most unpleasant position. Motion withdrawn. , The Provincial Secretary -moved that the Council do. go into Committee on the Estimates, Mr. Donne trusted that the motion would not be proceeded with without further remark from the mover as it was the usual, practice before goiug into Committee of Supply to discuss the policy of the Government. He would not absolutely oppose the motion but would give his reasons for objecting to its being proceeded with. He did not consider that : the Couucil were in a position to go into the Estimates until the Executive , Government Bill was passed, for, they really did . not know what they had to vote, tf . that Bill were passed it would be necessary to remodel the Estimates, for ■ they had been framed by the present Executive, and in ajl probability would not meet tbeapproval of their successors, •_ He could not understand how -the Executive with a proper sense of dignity and self respect :could ask the Council to go into Committee of Supply, for they could not have forgotten that it was not long since & vote : of want of confidence in them had virtually been passed. He could hot, help thinking that the Executive was trying to reduce the Council to- a mere piece of machinery which was to be put in motion for the sole purpose of voting supplies. For many weeks they had been contending for great principles, and that for which they had been fighting was still in an embryo ;form, it was therefore not to. be expected that they could proceed with the business until some settlement had been arrived at. He was not prompted by factious motives in raising those objections, but he considered, after what occurred, that it would be highly indecorous for the Council to entertain the Estimates, and highly improper of the Provincial Secretary to urge it. He would suggest the propriety of allowing the motion to lapse. The Provincial Secretary said that he had purposely moved the resolution without remark, as he wished to ascertain what was the feeling of the Council. After their refusing to vote the unauthorised expenditure when they had distinctly led him to understand on a previous evening that they would do so upon certain conditions which had since been complied with, he was at a loss to understand what their real meaning was. Mr. Luckie thought that the Provincial Secretary was laboring uuder a misunderstanding. He had always said both inside the Council and iu conversation outside, that some expression of regret should be made by the Superintendent, and had that been the case he would have unhesitatingly supported the motion for authorising the expenditure. Mr. Shephard suggested that the Standing Orders should be suspended for the purpose of going on with

[the Executive Bill, which would be getting through the business just as much as going [into Committee on the Estimates, and would also be likely to produce a far mora kindly feeling. He was very, unwilling to obstruct the business of the session, hut [ under present circumstances he thonghtifc impossible to proceed with the Estimates. The -motion was then put and lost. Mr. Luckie asked the Provincial Solicitor whether it was his intention to bring on the Executive Bill for the third reading. The Provincial Solicitor said that as he saw no chance of the Bill in its present state, proving workable, he would much rather some other member would take charge of it, as he did not feel justified ia proceeding with a measure which he was convinced would prove impracticable. Mr. Luckie thought it strange, after this bantling of the Provincial Solicitor's had passed through Committee and come out of it full fledged without the main amendments being opposed by the Government that he Bhould now throw it over. Mr. Wastney thought the Bill, in its present state, a most unfair one, and as the Superintendent could not have seen it since it was re-printed, he should oppose the third reading at all events for this evening. Mr. Donne wanted to know if Mr. Wastney was the mouth-piece of the Government, if not, he would ask the members of the Government to state whether or not the Superintendent had seen it. Mr.. Wastney had only stated his private opinion and Mr. Dbune was perfectly aware of that without asking the question. The Provincial Secretary stated that- the Superintendent had oaly seen the rough draft. In reply to Mr. Raid the Provincial Solicitor stated that he had never altogether approved of the Bill, but he had prepared it in accordance with the resolutions of the Council, but it had now received such considerable alterations that he was not disposed to go on with it. Mr. Donne suggested the desirability of suspending Standiug Orders with a view to obtaining some distiacfc expression from the Council on the conduct of the Executive, who, he hadreasou to believe, were not representing the Superintendent in this matter. Mv. Shephard thought it would have been more courteous in the Executive, if they intended abandoning the Bill to have told the Council so early in the eveuing. Siuce the Provincial Solicitor had deciiaed having anything/more to say to it he would move the third reading of the Bill. Mr. Reid . would second the motion pro forma, but he would rather see it postponed until the next evening, in order to give the Superintendent an opportunity of first seeiug the Bill in print. Motion lost. The Council then adjourned until this evening.