LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 116, 18 May 1871, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Resolutions for placing sums on the supplementary estimates were agreed to as follows : — £so for the use of the Nelson Agricultural Associations to meet equivalent subscriptions, on the motion of Mr. F. Kelling ; £500 for the road from Waimea West to Moulere, on the motion of Mr. C. Kelling- ; £100 for the trunk line of road between the township of Wairau aud the Con way River, and £100 for the road through the Four Mile Bush at the head of Lake Sumner, Amuri, on the motion of Mr. Rutherford. The " Highway Bill " for promoting the safety ot persons travelling on public roads was introduced by Mr. Wastney and read the first time. Prior to the Council rising, Mr. Donne said he wished to bring forward a question of privilege referring to a mait r affecting his own personal honor which he could not allow to pass unnoticed. He alluded to a report which had appeared in the Westport Times of the debate on the Executive Bill in which Mr. < ''Conor was stated to have spoken as follows : — "lt would be remembered that last session a vote of £2000 was passed which was to be expended on a road between Westport and Charleston, with the understanding that this expenditure should not be incurred unless the actual revenue exceeded the estimated revenue. But notwithstanding that many roadworks of great importance were untouched or uufiuished in social districts,; this road, useful only for several purposes, was commenced. And that on the eve of t a general election at which Mr. Donne was a candidate. Placards were affixed in localities likely to favor the undertaking to this effect : — s lf you wish the road made between Addison's and Charleston, vote for Donne.' " He (Mr. Donne) distinctly asserted that no such words had even been uttered by Mr. 6'Conor in that Chamber or he should have felt bound to reply to them. For certaiu prudential reasons he had remained silent during the debate referred to, but had Mr. O'Conor spoken as he was reported to have done, he most decidedly would not have remained quiet under such an accusation, and he considered it high time to put a stop to such false statements being published in a newspaper. It was clearly stated in the report complained of that he (Mr. Donne) had used the powers intrusted to him for electioneering purposes, and he did not think it proper to allow such an assertion reflecting as it did upon his honor as an individual, as a Minister, and as a member qf the Cduucll to pass unchallenged. He asked the Council ;to say whether such words had ever been used, in that Chamber by Mr. O'Conor, and in order to obtain r , a reply from them he would, move "That the matter purporting to be a report of the speech of the member for .Westport, Mr. O'Conor, printed in the Westport Times of the 11th May is incorrect and therefore contains* statements reflecting on therbember for 1 -winch" 'were 1 not made in this Council either by Mr. O'Conor or any other member." Mr. O'Conor said .as.thi^ matter was ,perso,nal to ,himsel| he; , wished;. to ; say that , he {.was; - abje ;tp, p'rol.e ! every assertion *nadein that report, 1 btft witfh i reg£cd;toshaT;lp6rtibn of it referring to the! placards ha was doubtful whether he had

actually said it. He had spoken ay^he time at some length, and certainly had a, •reference to ' the placards in his notesi which \Hq had • afterwards sent to the editor of the Westport Times from which to report his speech. This was one of these, errors that. arise in an ordinary way, nud he was free to acknowledge that the report was wrong so far as concerned this particular item, and he would move an amendment to the resolution stating that such was the case. At the same time he wished to be clearly understood. He admitted that the report as published was incorrect so far as the reference to the. placards was concerned, but. in .every other particular he asserted' that il was strictly and accurately cojhect. 'He would move as an amendmenJf the insertion of the following word^after the word " incorrect " : — " So mx as refers to the meution of certain pMcards." Mr. Wilkie seconded the amdpdment. Mr. Keid thought Mr. Donfte might accept this amendment althcngh he had had just nause of complain/ it] this instance and was quite right in saying that it was .a ..matter that, could, not be overlooked. 1 , This might serve as a lessou to the reporter for the Westporl Times, and might also be accepted as such by other sections of the press not far from Nelson which occasionally added the suppressio veri to the suggestio falsi. Mr. Ltjckie agreed with Mr. Keid in his remarks as to what appeared in some newspapers. He considered that if justice was to be done no distortion of facts should be published us matter for commetit. If persiflage and banter were resorted to in connexion with ihe proceedings of the Council, and occasionally some pretty hard hits were triven no oue could complaiu, but the facts should also be published in order that the representatives might have fair play with the people. Certain newspaper writing of the present day reeminded him of the couplet : : — . '. We lack their strength, 'tis true, but we atone For that,' and more, by sweetness all our own. This he would slightly parody as follows: — Wo lack their facts, 'tis true, but we atone For that, and more, by fictions, all our owls. The amended resolution was then put and carried as follows : — That the matter purporting to be a report of the speech of the raemberfor Wesfport, Mr O'Conor, printed in the Westport limes of 11th May is incorrect so far as refers to the mention of certain placards and therefore contains a statement reflecting ou the member for Charleston which was not made in this Council either by Mr. O'Conor or any other member. The Council then adjourned until this evening.