LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 114, 14 May 1874, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The Council met at 5 o'clock. Oa the motion of Mr Maclean it was resolved, "That this Council thank his Honor tho Superintendent for his opening address, and assure him that the matter therein contained shall receive their earnest attention. — Oa the motion of the Provincial Secretary, a Printing Committee was appointed consisting of the , Speaker, Messrs Parker, Maclean, Ivess, Boat, [ Wastney, and the mover. On the motion of Mr Maclean it was resolved, "That in the opinion of this Council | it is desirable that steps should be taken by the Government of the province to procure the extension of the telegraph line from the Lyeil to Nelson by way of the Buller Valley. — Mr Acton Adams moved, "That the Government be requested to lay on the table a full return of the sum of £349 15s Id expended on the railway fete." He did to for the purpoße of caling the attei ton of the Council to an expenditure upon what was certainly an unproductive work, and he thought it necessary that the Executive should see that such things were not overlooked by the representatives of the people. — Mr. Wastney seconded the motion, as he thought the expenditure was a great piece of extravagance. — The Provincial Secretary said that this return should be laid on the table. It was usnal on such occasson to make some demonstration, and the money bad been spent under the direction of a committee. He was surprised to find that exception was taken to if, aod did not think that Mr Adams would find three members to support him in condemning it. — Mr Acton Adams asked the Provincial Secretary, What properties have been purchased for the Gas Works since the end of the financial year, for what price, and upon whose valuation ? And further, What necessity existed for such be purchasr, and what use is proposed to be made of the properties purchased ? The Provincial Secretary said the property in question consisted of an acre and a quarter of land, with a dwelling-house and: brisk warehouse thereon, and had a frontage of 165 feet to Haven road and 330 feet to another public road; At the time of the selection of the Gasworks site, it was offered for sale for £1500; the Board of Works assessed the ' property at £1290, but the Government purchased it for £1000. It was required for the extension of the Gasworks and other purposes mentioned in the Provincial Engineer's report; besideß which, had the property not been purchased, the Government would probably have had to pay a considerable sum for* depreciation of property, as legal proceedings for Duisance bad been threatened.