LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 139, 12 June 1872, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL

The Council met at 5 o'clock. Mr. Gibbs wished to call the attention of the Speaker to an error that had appeared in the report of the Committee on Special Settlements, wherein it appeared that he had given evidence tending to show the value and extent of land available for settlement in the Central Buller district. This he bad not done, and he therefore raoved that the report be sent back to the Committee for alteration. No one bavin" seconded the motion, the Provincial Treasurer said that the passage referred to by Mr. Gibbs stated that several witnesses, in the list of whose names was included that of Mr. Gibbs had given evidence .which chiefly tended to prove tbe value nnd extent of the land referred to, by which it was meant that (he chief portion of the evidence tended in that direction. He should be perfectly willing when the report was published in the Blue Book, to add a note calling attention to this qualification of the evidence. — On the motion of the Provincial Treasurer it was resolved : (1.) That, to promote tbe settlement of the Province, power should be given to tbe Superintendent to reserve land for special settlements. (2.) That such authority extend to not more than 100,000 acres, in such place or places, and in such block or blocks, as tbe Superintendent may from time to time think fit. (3) Thafc the provisions of the "Nelson Crown Lands Leasing Act 1871," be adopted, except as to land first being offered for sale by auction. (4) That the price of land shall not be less than five shillings nor more th;m forty shillings per acre. (5.) That not more than 200 acres shall be allotted to each person. (6.) That in the regulations to be framed it shall be left open for persons already resident in the colony to take part in such settlement. (7.) That the price of land to be received from the General Government, under the provisions of tbe " Immigration and Public Works Act 1871," shall be paid to a special account, to be called the " loimigratiou Fu-nd," and, after providing for cost of survey, be applied solely in promoting settlement, and providing work on roads for the heads of families during the first year. (9) That the survey of such lauds as are intended to be reserved for special sefcilement be at once commenced, with a view to prepare for the re eption of immigrants. — In the absence of Mr. Kynnersley, Mr. Collins moved : — That his Honor tbe Superintendent be respectfully requested to amend the Appropriation Act by altering the figures "£100" after "Clerk in the Land Office "to " £150." Mr. Guinness seconded the resolution. Mr. Gibbs did not mean to offer any opposition, but already large additions had been made to the Appropriation Act, and he could not but ask where the money was to come from. The resolution was carried unanimously. — On the motion of Mr. Gibbs, it was resolved " Thafc his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to instruct the Chief Inspector of Sheep to use for tbe future at the public dipping tanks tbe proper mixture of sulphur and lime, in lieu of the present dip of tobacco and sulphur. — The Council then went into Committee on the Goldfields Licensing Bill, which ■ passed through with certain amendments. — Mr. O'Conor wished to call the attention of the Speaker to a breach of privilege in that morning's Colonist wherein appeared a report of certain proceedings concerning himself which had occurred in his absence, he being for the time one of the strangers who were ordered to withdraw. The 1 Speakeb said that there was no breach of privilege in publishing such a report. Mr. O'Conoe said that he considered himself grievously wronged by its publication. There was another personal grievance to which he would call attention. He bad asked for a copy of the evidence taken before the Westport Laud Purchase Enquiry Committee which had been promised him,! but he Was told that he mußt wait until it was printed. The Government printer had toJd him

that it was not yet in hand, nnd he was anxious to have a copy at once end not to wait months, for it as was likely to be the case. The Speaker repeated that he should have it as soon as possible. It had been necessary that a fair copy should be made, and portions of it were now in the bands of two of the printers in the town, nnd on the following; day tbe balance would be sent to the third. He expected that the printing would" be very soon concluded, and promised that if tbe manuscript could be dispensed with before . the printing was competed it should be placed in Mr. O'Conor's bauds. Mr. O'CONOR thought that it was a breach of privilege to himself as a member of the Council Ihiit, ulthough he hail been promised it, he had not yet been able to get hold of a copy of the evidence. — The Council then adjourned umil this evening.