LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 13, 10 June 1873, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The Councilmetat 5 o'clock. A message was 'received ' from his Honor the Superintendent enclosing the ary Estimates, ambti citing in all to £8573. • — Mr Shephard moved, . ' That, in dealing with ; waste lands of the CroWn witb'in the Goldfield., the provisions of Sections

33, 34, 36, 37, 38, and 40 of the Goldfields Act should be retailed, and that in lieu of sections 35 and 39 tbo provisions of tha Crown Lands (Nelson) Leasing Acts, 1872, be adopted for this Province." Seconded by Mr O'Conor. After considerable discussion, the question of goiug into Committee on the resolution was put and negatived. The Provincial Secre tary moved tKe following amendment: — " That in the opion of this Council it is desirable that the Goldfields Act should be amended so as to extend the time for whieh agricultural leases may be grauted to 14 years to entitle holders of agricultural leases for a term of seven years to a renewal for an additional seven years at tho same rent, and also to entitle lessees at the. expiration of .the full time of 14 years to a Crown Grant, and without further payment. This Council is also of opinion that the deposit on application for agricultural leases should be £5, and the survey fee not exceeding 2a per acre." Mr Tarrant seconded pro forma. Question put, that the words proposed to be struck out stand part of the question ; division ensued, Ayes, 6, Noes 7. An amendment by Mr O'Conor, " That tbe rents on agricultural haaes shall not exceed ls 6d per acre,'' was about to be puf, when Mr Macmahon moved the adjournment of the debate until the next day, which was carried- The Provincial Secretary moved, "That it 7s desirable that the Colliery reserve at Westport, and that portion of the . Municipal reserve which is not required for. Government purposes, should be placed under tbe control of the Municipal Corporation of that town; ami that his Excellency the Governor be respectfully requested to .issue Crown Grants for the said reserves to the Corporation of Westport accordingly." Seconded by Mr O'Conor. Mr. Shephard proposed as an amendment after " town," line six, insert " due regard having been had to the claims of those persons who have been,* or who may be permitted by award of the Commissioner to occupy sites ih the reserves." Seconded by Mr Reid and agreed to. — On (he motion of Mr Shephard a Bill to amend the representation of the province was read for the first time. — The Council then went into Committee on the Impounding and Cattle Trespass Bills, and after Bitting Borne time resumed, and adjourned until this evening.