LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 123, 23 May 1873, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The Council met at 5 o'clock. 7 On the, motion of Mr Tarrant, it was resolved : —"That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place the sum of £100 on the supplementary estimates for the completion of the dray road from the Ngatimoti to the Dove." —On the motion of Mr O'Conor, it was resolved : —'- That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place the sum of -£2000 on the estimates for the formation of a track up the river Mokihinui to the Lyell." —Mr Acton Adams moved :—" That this Council is of opinion that the travelling expenses of the Government officials (except those of the Executive and Public Works Department and of the Police) be confined to the actual outlay for horse and coach hire, steamers' fare, and expenses of a like nature." Mr Donne moved as nn amendment that the words " and Public Works Department and of the Police " be struck out. Mr Gibbs seconded the amendment. The Provincial Secretary objected to lhe resolution. If the travelling expenses were struck off, it was equivalent to reducing the salaries of the various officers to that extent, as they were compelled to travel about, which necessitated considerable expense. Mr Reid thought it would be a great mistake to refuse to pay travelling expenses. It would simply be placing a premium upon laziness, and offering to those who should be travelling about the country an excuse for remaining at home. Strict supervision over the charges made was desirable, but it would be a fatal error to decline to roimburse expenses fairly incurred. Mr Guinness wouid not support tho striking off the travelling expenses of the police who were only allowed four shillings per night when away from their stations which was barely sufficient to cover their actual expenses. Mr O'Conor opposed the amendment. If the Provincial Engineer's travelling expenses were not allowed it would be equivalent to reducing his salary to £200 a year, for which sum no good professional man could be induced to undertake the work. The result as regarded tho police, too, would be that the best detective, upon whom fell the most work, would be in receipt of the lowest Balary. Mr Donne withdrew bis amendment, and the original resolution was carried upon the voices. — The Council then went into Committee on the Estimates. The item "Superintendent of Works £250," gave rise to considerable discussion, but was eventually carried on the voices. The item "Clerk of Works South-west Goldfields (six months) £125," was also opposed by Mr Ivess, but was ultimately carried. The item "District Constable Lower Moutere £35 was raised to £50. The salary of Chief Inspector of Sheep was raised from £200 to £250. "Deputy Inspector Massacre Bay £25" was retained on a division a majority of one. —ln the item under the Scab Act " Contingencies and Travelling expenses £200 " the words" travelling expenses " were struck out and the amount reduced to £150 —Provincial Council : Speaker, &c, £200 Mr O'Conor moved that the sum be reduced to £150. On a division whether the item should stand the numbers were: Ayes 13, The Provincial Secretary, Provincial Solicitor, Messrs Donne, F. Kelling, Pinkerton, Guinness, Tarrant, Reid, Wastney, A. Adams, Shephard, C. Kelling, Burn. Noes 4, Messrs O'Conor, Ivess, Baigent, aud Macmahon.—A long debate then took place on the payment of-members, Mr O'Conor arguing tbat it would be better they should be paid in a lump sum. A division took place whether the item should stand as placed on the Estimates with the following result : Ayea 12, The Speaker, Provincial Secretary, Provincial Solicitor. Messrs C. Kelling, Burn, Reid, F. Kelling, Guinness, Shephard, Ivess, Pinkerton, and Donne. Noes 4, Messrs. O'Conor, Baigent, Tarrant, and Wastney. The Council thsu adjourned until this morning, when it met again and sat till 2 p.m. The business was uninteresting, and the Council then adjourned until Tuesday evening. «—mmmmmmmmm.mmm.mmmmm^mmmm