LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 102, 2 May 1871, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

o The Council met at 5 o'clock last night; present, all the members. The Goldfields' Representative moved, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to make arrangements with the General Government for an extension of the line of electric telegraph from Greymouth to the Ahaura. No representation had yet been rn-ide to the General Government as to the desirability of commencing this ; highly necessary work, the estimated cost o ; f which was £2000. The workiog expenses, together with interest ou the outlay.^ at 6 per cent., would not amount to moi?e than £200 per annum and this he believed would be fully met by the receipts. Mr. F. Kelling seconded the motion. Mr. Wilkie opposed it, as he did not consider it to be absolutely necessary, but thought that the money might be more advantageously laid out upon roads. The Provincial Treasurer said that one strong reason for undertaking this work was that the Brunuer and Cobden railway would in all probability shortly be commenced, and experience had shown that no railway should, be without a telegraph line. The answer to Mr. VVilkie's suggestion that the money had better be expended upon roads was that the funds for establishing telegraphic communication which could be procured from tbe General Government upon guaranteeing a low rate of interest, could not be obtained from them for tbe purpose of road making. The telegraph was no longer looked upon as a luxury, and the time to be gained by being able to flush a message from one si 1 c of the island to the other was a great object, as a saving of time meant a saving of money both to the producer and to the consumer. He believed the line would prove a source of profit. Mr. Gibbs opposed the motion as the expense would be debited to the province no matter from what source the funds for the erection of the line came. The Goldfields' Representative having replied, the resolution was carried. The Provincial Treasurer moved that his Honor tbe Superintendent be requested to make arrangements with the General Government, for the extension of the line of telegraph from Nelson, via the proposed Foxhill Railway as far as Richmond, and thence to Motueka, subject to the construction of the said railway. It would be observed, that the carrying out of this project was to be contingent upon the construction of tbe railway to Foxhill, and he thought that if this line was constructed, it would be but an act of bare justice to the people of Motueka that they should be placed in direct communication with Nelson and the West Coaßt. Much inconvenience was caused at present by letters containing orders from the Coast not being received in time to allow of the goods being shipped by the next boat, and ho conceived it to be the duty of: the Council to afford every facility, to our. agriculturists for disposing of their produce and for ascertaining the state of the markets. Mr. Luckie seconded the resolution. He did not look upon the proposed line as a luxury as there was evidence to prove, that much loss had accrued to the' settlers of Motueka through their not having rapid commnnication' with the Coast. The .cost of the line would not in the first instance fall upon the province, which would only be required to guarantee a very moderate rate of interest for ' the money. Mr. F. Kelling- supported the motion, but did not wish the erection of the line to-be subject to the construction of the railway. Mr. Baigent highly approved;o£ ,-the resolujtion, as : he, jfchoiight that, hitherto, Nelson had been greatly neglected;; in tthe matter of telegraphic communication. . The proposed line would pass through a. populbusjcountry, and the interest and working expenses would be, amply* reimbursed by the receipts. '• Mr.' Gibbs opposed it for the same reasons that had led him to object to the Grey and Ahaura line; ! Possibly it might benefit one or two storekeepers at Motueka, but it would not make, the slightest, difference; to the. seMeVs.l f~ Mr% /Collins Jwdulil<not oppose the resolution,, as ijts being carried into effect 'was 1 entirely upon the General cGpyerp ment Joan scheme.! If the,- country was to be burdened to the enormous extent proposed, he should like

to see Nelson get ber 'fair share. He thought it would be as well that the Council should indicate what amount of interest it was! prepared to guarantee. Mr. Reid could see no possible objection to such a contingent resolution. The Provincial Treasurer in reply Baid that the erection of such a line would have the effect of rendering the settlers more independent, as they would no longer he at the mercy of the storekeepers with regard to the market prices of produce. The resolution was carried on the voices. On the motion of Mr. Wastney tbe report of the Select Committee appointed to prepare a reply to the Superintendent's address was adopted. Iv reply to a question from Mr. Baigent, tbe Provincial Secretary said that the Warrcni ■ B#M gu' natt hue BK-e^Hnined^and iustructions issued to have it repaired immediately. Mr. Wastney, for Mr. Macmahon, moved that in the opinion of this Council it is undesirable to attach a salary to tbe office of Chairman of Committees, either at present or hereafter. Some discussion arose upon the wording of the resolution, and its consideration was ultimately adjourned uulil to-day for the purpose of allowing Mr. Macmahon to be present. Mr. Luckie presented a petition from Mr. John Kerr praying for redress for losses sustained by an error in the survey df certain lands purchased by him from the prown. The Council then adjourned until this evening at 5 o'clock.