LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 119, 20 May 1874, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The Council met at five o'clock. The Provincial Treasurer moved ihat the Council resolve itself into Committee for the consideration of the Estimates. Mr Donne moved as an amendment, "That this Council declines to entertain the estimates until at least some respectful or practical recognition by the Executive Government has been vouchsafed with regard to certain resolutions of this Council passed on Tuesday the 12th instant, and Thursday the 14th instant, having reference respectively to a repeal of the Executive Act, 1871, under which certain members ofthe Council hold certain offices; nnd to the Estimates not being framed in accordance with the circumstances and requirements of the province ; and that in this instance the Speaker of the Council bo formally requested to forv?ord a copy of this resolution to his Honor the Superintendent as the Executive head of the province." After a short debate the amendment was negatived by 16 to 4. Ayes, The Provincial Solicitor, Provincial Secretary, Provincial Treasurer, Messrs. Sharp, Shapter, Tarrant, Maclean, Maguire, Corbett, Boase, Wastney, Gibbs, Ivess, Kerr, Adams, Kelling. Noes: Messrs Rout, Baigent, Parker, Donne, — The Council then went into Committee on the Estimates. Mr Maclean proposed that, in view of a new Executive Ordinance being passed, the items under the beads "Executive "and "Executive Establishment" be postponed. This was agreed to by the Government. — Provincial Engineer and Chief Surveyor £400. Agreed to. Superintendent of Works £250. Agreed to. Consulting Surveyor, £43 15s. Mr Acton Adams moved as an amendment, that the figures £100 be substituted, and Mr Greenfield that they be £175. A lengthy discussion ensued, in which several members, and especially the Speaker, alluded to the services rendered by the late Mr Brunner. On the motion being put that the figures £43 15s stand part of the question, the Committee divided with tbe following result; — Ayes, 4; Messrs Rout, Donne, Wastney, Kerr. Noes, 16; the Provincial Secretary, Provincial Solicitor, Provincial Treasurer, Messrs Adams, Baigent, Parker, Tarrant. Maguire, Boase, Ivess, Corbett, Shapter, Kelling, Maclean, Sharp, and tlie Speaker. — The Committee then diviJed ou the question that the figures £100 be substituted. Ayes, 11; Messrs Boase, Tarrant, Maguire, Rout, Shapter, Ivess, Corbett, Kerr, Parker, Adams, Kelling. — Noes, 7; the Provincial Solicitor, Provincial Secretary, Provincial Treasurer, Messrs .Maclean, Sharp, Baigent, and the Speaker. — -The following items were passed without alteration: — Two assistant Surveyors, Nelson, £450; assistant surveyor, Westport, £250; assistant surveyor, Grey, £250 ; ditto, Inangahua, £300; Draughtsman, Nelson, £250; clerk in Lands Office, £150; Engineer, contingencies, £150.«~Item: Three Wardens and Resident Magistrates, £1500. Mr Wastney moved that the figures £1200 be substituted, which was carried on a division by 10 to 7. Ayeß: Messrs Rout, Donne, Maguire, Corbett, Kerr, Boase, Parker, Tarrant, Baigent, Wastney. Noes : The Provincial Secretary, Provincial Solictor, Messrs Shapter, Kelling, Maclean, Ivess, and the Speaker.— Tbe Council having resumed, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Parker, "That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration the Returns asked for on the 29th January last, and laid on the table on the 14th instant, with reference to the management of the Orphanage School at Motueka, to ascertain the existing deficiencies in tho present Institution at Motueka, and to suggest such a general plan of management as will best meet the requirements of the province ; such committee to consist of the Speaker, Mr Tarrant, Mr Shephard, Mr Donne, Mr Wastney, Mr Boase, and the mover. — On the motion of Mr Kerr it was resolved, " That the petitions from the Moutere enclosed in the Superintends ent's message No. 6, be referred to th% Petitions Committee. — The CounolE then adjourned until this evening.