The Nelson Eveening Mail. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1874.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 127, 29 May 1874, Page 2

The Nelson Eveening Mail. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1874.

Good Templars. — Tbe members of the Order are reminded that after the formal business of the lodge is finished

! to-night, the rest of tbe evening will j be given up to readings and singing. The Otago may be expected here to-night about 7 o'olook. The Postmaster has requested us to state that j the Post Office will be open for the I delivery of her letters shortly after the steamer's arrival. The outgoing mails by the Otago close early to-morrow morning. Provincial Council. — The Council met last night when the Executive Council Bill was recommitted for the purpose of introducing certain amendments. These having been made the Council resumed and the Bill was read (he third time. — On the Council meeting tliia morning a message was received from the Superintendent announcing his assent to the Executive Council Act, and a second mesaage to the following effect:— «' The Superintendent requests the opinion of the Provincial Council upon the following matter before he entrusts to any gentleman the formation of an Executive Council under theprovisions of the Executive Council Act, 1874. On the 28th January last the Provincial Council expressed its opinion by a majority of sixteen lo two that the two offices of Provincial Secretary and Provincial Treasurer cannot be efficiently vested in one person. But the Superintendent has been given to understand that some change has taken place in the mind of the Provincial Council upon the subject, and would therefore be glad of an expression of their present wishes wiih regard to it." — The Council adjourned for an hour to consider the message, and on resuming, Mr Parker moved That in the opinion of tbis Council tbe two offices of Secretary and Treasurer be vested in one person. He had opposed a motion to that effect in the last session because he looked upon it that they were called together for a special object, and that it would not be right at tbat time to enter upon such matters, especially as the Provincial Treasurer j had stated that it would be looked upon as ano confidence motion. Mr Gibbs seconded the motion. He had declined to vote in the last session because it was said that it would be treated as a want of coufidence motion. Mr Mr Maclean moved as an amendment, That under a responsible form of Government, this Council deems that it ought not to be called upon at the present stage toexpressauy opinion on his Honor's message, and respectfully declines to do so, Mr Donne seconded the amendment, as he thought it would be time enough for the Council to express an opinion when the new Government was formed. The Superintendent bad placed a wrong construction on the resolution of last session. Mr Baigent would support the resolution of Mr Parker. Mr Greenfield thought that tbe Council were catted upon to give an opinion as they must do so when in Committee on the Estimates, and it would greatly assist tbe gentleman who might be called upon to form the new Ministry, He had been much surprised to find that members could not decide without adjourning and holding a meeting lor the purpose of telling each other how they were to vote. They should have known their own minds on the question and debated it fair ly in Council. Mr Parker's resolution was then put with tbe following result: — Ayes, 6: Messrs. Baigent, Greenfield, Gibbs, Parker, Pitt, and Tarrant.— Noes, 13 : Messrs. Maguire, Ivees, Boase, Shephard, Adams, Shopter, Donne, Corbett, Rout, Kelling, O'Conor, Kerr, and Maclean. Mr Gibbs thought that the division showed that all their late boasts about economy were but empty words. Mr Parker said that Mr Donne had stated tbat tbe Council should not express any opinion, but should leave the matter to the Executive. He hoped they were not going to commence their tyranny already, and take everything out of the bands of tbe Council. He was uot going to part with his right as a member of the Council to express an opinion on every subject that came before them. It looked very much as though tbey were afraid to consolidate the officea lest there should not be enough loaves for the new Executive. — The Council then adjourned until three p.m. Census Returns. — We take from the Government Gazette the following returns showing the d umbers of the population (exclusive of aboriginal natives) and dwellings in the several electoral districts of the province of Nelson : — City of Neleon, males 2772, females 2899, total 5671; on shipboard, males 165, females 31, total 196; Suburbs of Nelson, males 965, females 934, total 18.99; Waimea, males 1246, females 918, total 2164; Part of Cheviot, males 304, females 91, total 895; Motueka (including Waimea West), males 1437, females 1336, total 2773; Collingwood, males 766, females 540, total 1306; Buller, males 3404, females 1502, total 4906; Part of Grey district, males 2496; females 757, total 8253. Grand total, 22,566. Tbe total number of Chinese in the province was 320. Number of dwellings : — City of Nelson, inhabited 1090, uninhabited 188, building 4, total 1282; Suburbs, inhabited 341, uninhabited 22, building 4, total 367; Waimea, inhabited 454, uninhabited 14, total 468; Part of Cheviot, inhabited 75, uninhabited 30, building 2, total 107; Motueka, inhabited 496, uninhabited 30, building 3, total 529; Buller, inhabited, 1720, uninhabited 85, building 3, total 1808; Part of Grey district, inhabited 1206, uninhabited 42, building 3, total 1251, Collingwood, inhabited, 321, uninhabited, 61, building 5, total 387.