LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 112, 12 May 1874, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The Council .met at 5 o'clock. Present, all the members. On the motion of Mr Kelling, it was resolved, "That the. Government be requested .to bring in a bill to repeal the American Blight Ordinance, Session 11, No. 3.-— Mr Gibbs introduced a motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to take into consideration and report upon the question of the representation of the settled districts in the Council with a view to some alteration being made therein. He referred especially to his own district, wbich was one of large resources and quite inadequately represented by one member. There was a large amount of country in it adapted for settlement, there being in the Aorere Valley alone 10,000 acres of splendid bush land, aud the population wss likely to increase largely. He, as the member for the Golden Bay district, was placed in a most difficult position, having to represent two district interests, that of the gold miners and that of the agriculturists. Mr Baigent seconded the resolutiou. Mr Shafter proposed to amend the resolution by making it apply to the representation of the whole province aud not of the settled districts only. Mr Kelling opposed the amendment, as he thought the goldfields were quite sufficiently represented. Mr Maclean deprecated any hasty or undue alteration of the laws, as it imparted a feeling of instability and uncertainty with regard to them to those who were asked to respect them. He did not think any good cause had been shown by tbe mover of the resolution, especially if its operation were to be confined to what was invidiously called the settled districts. The Provincial Treasurer quite concurred with what had fallen from Mr Maclean, and hoped Mr Gibbs would accept the amendment. — - Further amendments were proposed, and the resolution was ultimately passed in the following form:— That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration and report upon the question of the representation of the province in the Council; such Committee to consist of the Speaker, Messrs Parker, Ivess, Kelling, Baigent, and Maclean. The Committee was appointed by ballot. — Mr Ivess moved, "That inconsequence of the rising importance of the Boatman's district, and the serious inconvenience experienced by its inhabitants in consequence of the want of road communication, his Honor the Superintendent be empowered to enter into contract with persons willing to undertake the construction of a road from Gorge Town to Landing Road on the deferred payment system, to an amount not exceeding £1,500, such payment to become due at tbe expiration of twelve months following the due completion of the contract." After some little discussion the debate was adjourned until the consideration of the Estimates. — In reply to a question from Mr Tarrant, the Provincial Secretary placed on the table certain petitions from tbe settlers in Pangatotara. — In reply to a question from Mr Corbett, whether the wardens of the South-west Goldfields have any control over the public worke, the Provincial Secretary replied that they had none unless specially requested by the Government to take control. This was occasionally done, but now that Local Boards were established , the Boards would be asked to take charge of public works, should the Engineer's services not be avail-able.—-On the motion of Mr Parker it was resolved, " That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report what amendments are desirable in the Licensing Laws ; such Committee to consist of the Speaker, Messrs Shapter, Sharp, Kelling, Adams, Gibbs, and the mover, with power to call for persons and papers, four to be a quorum. — The Municipal Corporations Waterworks Acts Bill was read the second time and passed through Committee. — The Gas and Waterworks Transfer Bill was read the second time, and partially passed through Committee, the further consideration of it being postponed in order that the terms upon which the transfer was to be effected might be embodied in the Bill. — The Cruelty to Animals Bill was read the second time and committed. .In Committee a proposition was made to provide for the maximum fine being £20 instead of £5 as originally proposed, also to give to the Magistrates tho power of inflicting punishment by imprisonment in any very gross case of cruelty. The further consideration of the Bill was postponed. The Council then adjourned until this evening.