LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 131, 2 June 1875, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

The Council met at five o'clock. Mr Kblliitg moved, "That, the General Government having proposed the abolition of Provincial Governments, this Council is of opinion the time has arrived when a more effective and less expensive form of Government than the present could ba adopted, but before approving of such material change in the constitution, desires to know what the proposed new form of Government is going itf be t " This was a question that had been before the country for some months, and he thought that the Council should pronounce an opinion upon it, as the constituencies Bhould know what were the views entertained by their representatives on a matter of such importance. — Mr Acton Adams fully recognised the importance of the question, but would prefer that its consideration should be adjourned. — Mr Wastney also agreed as to its importance, but would rather have more time to consider the motion. He would therefore move that the debate be adjourned for a week.— On a division the adjournment was carried. Ayes, 11 : Tho Provincial Secretary, Provincial Solicitor, Provincial Treasurer, Messrs Baigent, Parker, Boase, M'Guire, Adams, Wastney, Edward?, Shepbaf J. Noes, 9 : Messrs Sharp, Tarrant, Kerr, M'Gregor, Ivese, Kelling, Corbett, Donne, Gibbs. Mr M'Guire moved, "That the Superintendent be requested to furnish this Council with a detailed statement of the travelling expenses incurred by members of the Executive during the la3t financial year."— Return laid on the table. Mr Sharp moved, "That his Honor the Superintendent be requesiel to place on tho Appropriation Act, in accordance with a lestlution of Council of 4ih June last, the sura of £552 18a S J, amount of fines and renewal licenses for tbe year ended 31st March last, to be expended in the Amuri district, for the purpose of preventing the further spread of scab in that district." — Agreed to. Mr Gibbs moved, "That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to take the question of making the roads prayed for by the petitioners of Ngatimoti, Orinoco, and Upper Moutero into consideration, with a view to carrying out the works under the 6th Heel-inn of 'The Waste Lands Act, 1874"'— Agreed to. Mr IvEfS moved, "That, in the opinion of this Council, 'The Bnller Reserves Administration Act, 1874,' imposes upon the Superintendent a duty to grant all the leases in (he schedule of tho Act mentioned, and that such leases Bhould be grunted on reasonable terms accordingly." — The previous question was proposed and negatived. Mr O'Conor moved, "That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to provide for expenditure in Westport not exceeding £500 during the current financial year, such expenditure to be limited to supplement grants of the Borough Council, and private subscriptions, each respectively of equal amounts." — Agreed to. Mr Donne aEkeJ the Provincial Secretary, "If there is any foundation for the rumor that the Provincial IJ.ngineer has condemned the work already performed in the construction of the Nile bridge, Charleston."— The Provincial Secretary replied that he had no information to give on the subject. Mr Donne moved, "That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to have laid on the table copies of all papers connected with the Nile bridge contract. — Agreed to. Mr Donne moved, " That his Honor tho Superintendent be requested to place ou the Supplementary Estimates tbe sum of £150 for a footbridge over that branch of the Totara river at Costello's accommodation house on tbe road between Westport and Charle3ton via Addisons." — Agreed to. Mr Donke moved, " That the Government be requested, with as little delay as possible, either to call for tenders for the repair and maintenance of the main road between Charleston and Brighton, or to place the same in such a position that it shall no longer remain in an impassable condition." — Debate adjourned for a week.