LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 130, 2 June 1874, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

On ihe Council meeting last night, Mr O'Conor said tbat be bad succeeded in forming an Executive consisting of himself as Provincial Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Pitt as Provincial Solicitor, Mr Shapter as Gold fields Secretary, and Mr Rout as unofficial member. They intended to introduce a policy of economy and retrenchment which was rendered necessary by tbe financial position of tbe province and hoped to receive tbe assistance of tho Council in carrying it out. They hoped to obtain the loan at tbe next session of the Assembly, but until then did not think it wise to avail themselves of tbe £20,000 agreed to be advanced by tbe General Government as it was to be a charge upon the current revenue. They could not with so small an income Bfford to spend so large a Bum out of current revenue in any one direction, and therefore proposed to wait, for prudential reasons until the consent of the General Assembly had been obtained to tbe proposed loan, although it was not intended to follow out tbis policy so far as to deprive tho expected immigrants of employment. Tbeir idea was tbat all great undertakings such as railway communication through tbe province should be carried out by means of loan, but that minor works should be constructed out of current revenue. It was contemplated to extend the sum to be borrowed for harbor improvements, so as to enable them to build a dry dock as well as a wharf, by which the productiveness of the woik would be increased at a small cost, and the port of Nelson placed upon a proper footing. They would take up the other bills of the late Government, and endeavor to get them through the Council as quickly as possible. The Government recognised the desire of the members of the Council to return to their homes, and would therefore propose that precedence should be given to Government business so as to bring the session to an early close. He had to ask tbeir indulgence if his statement had not been as clear and comprehensive as they might have expected, but his time had been so fully occupied \ since taking office tbat he was / only able to give a bare outline of the proposed policy of the Government. He hoped that whatever fault finding there mi»iit be would bo conducted in a fair spirit. The Government looked for, and expected, criticism of their actions and would be sorry to find the absence of opposition under a syptera of responsible governmeot. He wished to express his gratitude for the courtesy and kind treatment he bad received at the hands of eeveral members of the Council, and especially from Mr Greenfield who bad been most kind and generous in the assistance he had rendered him. They would be prepared at the proper time to proceed with the estimates which had been reconsidered and certain reductions made amounting in all to above £2000. In effecting any reductions in tbe service, seniority and efficiency would be carefully regarded, Mr Kerr. — What is to be done with the £20,000 if it is not to be spent? The Provincial Secretary. — It has been determined to hold it over until the General Government shall havo agreed to advance it upon some security that will not give them the power to step in and pounce upon the current revenue, wh.chwould bedieastrous .othe province. In reply to a question from Mr Parker, the Provincial Secretary said that the Government would cause an inquiry to be made into the spread of scab at Motueka. — Mr Donne moved that the Council adjourn until this evening, This was seconded by Mr Kerr, but negatived on the voices. — On tho motion of Mr Gibbs it was resolved, That in accordance with tbe report of the Petitions Committee, bis Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates tbe sum of £10, for the purpose of refunding to Mr J. Williams, of Fern Flat, Reefton, a deposit fee paid a second time on an application for an agricultural lease.* — On the motion of Mr Kelling it was resolved, Tbat a Select Committee be appointed to consider by. what means and to what extent the Wairoa Bridge can be preserved for public traffic, and to enquire if any arrangements can' be made by which the bridge can be made available for cart traffic; such Committee to consist of the Speaker, Messrs Shephard, Maclean, Baigent, Tarrant, Kerr, and the mover. — On the motion of Mr Donne it was resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consist of Mr Greenfield, Mr Rout, Mr Maclean, Mr Ivess, the Speaker, and tbe mover, to oonsider and determine what improvements, if any, can be made in the arrangement and printing of the Blue Book, as well as the Council printing generally. — The Buller Reserves Bill was on the motion of the Provincial Solicitor read tbe second time £and committed- — In reply to a question from Mr Sharp, the Provincial Secretary said that it was the intention of the Government to table certain resolutions bearing upon the constitution of the Waste Lands Board.— 'i he Provincial Solicitor moved the second reading of the Loan Bill. The original intention had been to borrow £20,000, £3000 for completing the Lunatic Asylum, and £17,000 for a new wharf and reclamation of land. They now, however, proposed to ask for an additional sum of £10,000, which would provide for the construction of a dry dock as well as a wharf. The rents derived from these, works would, it was believed , pay the interest on the

loan without imposing any burden upon tbo revenue. If this Bill were agreed to he was prepared to abandon tbe Harbor Board Bill. On tbe motion of Mr Shkphard the debate was adjourned.—Mr Tarrant called the attention of tbo Government to tbe dangerous state of the wharf at Motueka. The Provincial Secretary .aid that, the matter should ba atteuded to.— -The Council then adjourned until thia evening.