LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 201, 22 May 1874, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

' The Council met at 5 o'clock — Mr .O'Conor, . the new member for the Buller district,- was introduced to tbe Speaker by Mr Maclean. — A Bill to authorise the Superintendent to raise a loan for the purpose of completing and constructing certain public works j was, on the motion of' the Provincial Solicitor, read the first time, ---Mr i Gibbs moved tbe suspension of Standing Orders to enable hira to move, That, in the opinion of this Council, any system of responsible Government is not suited to the circumstances of so small a legislative body as the Nelson Provincial Council. ,Mr Adams and Mr Maclean opposed, and Mr Donne supported the motion, which, on a division, was negatived by 13 to 8. Ayes *-«-- The Provincial Secretary, Provincial Solicitor, Messrs Baigent, W-Btney, Kelling, Tarrant, Gibbs, and Donne. Noes—The Provincial Treasurer, Messrs Ivess, Boase, Kerr, Maclean, Corb'ett, Adams, Parker, Shapter, Bout, O'Conor, Maguire, and Sharp. — The Counoil then went into Committee on the Estimates, Under the head "Police" the .» item Contingencies, £1200 was passed. *' Har--bors." The following items were passed without amendment:- — Harbor master and pilot, Nelson, £400; second pilot, coxswain, and signalman, £275; four boatmen, Nelson, at £120, £480; harbor master, Westport, £800; . signalman, Westport,£l92; harbor master and signalman, Charleston, £100; signalman, Grey,£l92 j signalman, Brighton, £50! signalman, Ngakawhao, £50 ; contingencies, boat hire, oil, &c, £200; harbor lights, Collingwood and Riwake, £50.— "Scab Act." Chief inspector^ and inspector for Waimeas, Motueka, Riwaka, and Moutere, £250. Mr Adams moved that the .words " including travelling expenses" be .added. He said that lhe sum of £j250 haH been voted last year on the distitrojLuoderstanding with the Provincial Secretary that it was to include travelling expenses which, however, had been allowed to the extent of £102. The Provincial Secretary denied having made any such stipulation.'^vMr Kerr moved- that the figures. £3oo i_fcvuding travelling expenses bo substituted. "Mr Maclean suggested that in view of the probability of a new Executive Act being passed it would be better to postpone the consideration of the Estimates. He therefore moved that the Chairman report progress aud ask leave to Bit again. Ayes— Messrs Kerr, Maguire, Parker, Rout, Maclean, O'Conor, Ivess, Sharp, Shapter, Boase, Corbett, Donne, ond Adams. Noes — The Provincial Secretary, Provincial Solicitor, Provincial Treasurer, Messrs Baigent, Wastney, Tarrant, Kelling, and the Speaker. — The Cruelty to Animals Bill, nnd Gas nnd Waterworks Transfer Bill were recommitted for the purpose of making certain verbal alterations. — On the motion of Mr Adams, a Bill to repeal "Tbe Executive Government Act, 1871," and to make certain other provisions in lieu thereof, was read the first time, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday. — On the motion of Mr Ivess it was resolved Tbat as the completion of the main road from. Square Town to the Little Grey Junction is of so much urgency and importance in maintaining permanent communication between Reefton and Greymoutb, this Council empowers the Honor/ the Superintendent to complete the road with as little delay as possible in the event of the proposed loan being sanctioned by Parliament. •^--The Council then adjourned until

This Morning.

On the motion of Mr Gibbs it was resolved, That bis Honor the. Superintendent be requested to make arrangements for the construction of a certain line of road in Suburban Collingwood (and for which sums of \ money were voted by this Council in the Sessions of 1868, 1869, and 1870), under the provisions of clause 42 of the " Waste Lands Act; 1863." — On the motion of Mr Kelling it was resolved; Tbat the Superintendent be requested to send down a Bill for amending the Cattle Branding Acts.— Mr Kelling asked the Provincial Secretary Whether it was the intention of the Government to cause the land in the township of Brighton to be sold, and if so, when? The Provincial Secretary, replied in the affirmative, and said tha ifc the Government would shortly issue advertisements calling on the residents at Brighton and the Lyell at present in occupation of their sections, to make application for tbe purchase of them. — The Council tben adjourned until Tuesday evening.