LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 113, 13 May 1874, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The Council met at 5 o'clock. Tho Provincial Treasurer, in a speech of considerable length which will be found elsewhere moved, That the Council resolve itself into Committee for the consideration of the Estimates. Mr Rout said that upon the showing

of tbe Treasurer himself several thousands of pounds which it was proposed to appropriate were purely fictitious sums. He would therefore move, as an amendment, "That the Estimates being framed on a fallacious income, and the overdraft not being progided for in tbe proposed expenditure, the Estimates submitted to his Honor tho Superintendent be respectfully returned, with a request tbat they be amended to come within the supposed means of the province." — Mr Kerr would second the amendraend just to sre what they would make of it. Mr Donne would prefer to have an opportunity of seeirg the Provincial Treasurer's statement in print before discussing it. He therefore moved the adjournment of the debate until Thursday. Mr Wastney seconded the amendment. The Provincial Treasuser would offer no objection to the adjournment, especially after Mr Rout's very offensive amendment. Adjournment agreed to. — On the motion of Mr Bo ase, it was resolved, "That a letter from Mr Archer, referring to certain claims of his on the Province addressed to the Spenker and members of the Provincial Council, be referred to the Petitions Committee for its consideration." Mr Donne moved, " That in order to restore the efficiency of the Nelson Provincial Council as a representative institution, it is the opinion of this Council " The Executive Government Act; 1871," under which certain members of this Council hold certain offices, should be repealed, and other provisions made in lieu thereof, and that leavo be given the mover to introduce a Bill to give effect to that object." Mr Acton Adams moved as an amendment tbat all the words after "in lieu thereof" be struck out. — A long debate on tbe general principle of the resolution followed, and tbe amendment was carried. The resolution as amended was then put, and a division ensued with the following result: — Ayes 12: Messrs Gibbs, Boase, Kerr, Paiker, Rout, Donne, Baigent, Adams, Ivess, Maclean, Wastney, Sharp. Noes 8 : The Provincial Treasurer, Provincial Solicitor, Provincial Secretary, Messrs Tarrant, Kelling, Maguire, Shapter, Corbett. The Council adjourned at 10.40 p.m. until this evening.