PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Monday, 9th May. The Speaker took the chair at 2 o'clock. Several notiees of motion were given.

North Otago Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 12 May 1864, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Monday, 9th May. The Speaker took the chair at 2 o'clock. Several notiees of motion were given.

Iii reply to Mr Hughes, the Provincial Secretary said, that during the session he would j bring before the House a motion respecting the Hundreds. If the Government were assured that many persons desiied to possess land at Tuappka, they would arrange to sell land under the 48th Suction of the Gold Fields Act. In answer to Mr Macandrew, the Provincial Secietary was understood to say in reference to vesting the municipal estate of the municipality of Port Chalmers, that the Act of 18(31 was disallowed, but Crown Grants for 32 sections selected as a Municipal liesene, were issued in the name of the Superintendent, and were in the Waste Land Office. The Government would give effect to any leases the Town Board might issue of such land. In reply to Mr Macandrew, the Provincial Treasurer said that the Immigration Officer had confirmed the reports winch appeared in the newspapers of the dirty state of the Veens on her ai rival, and suggested the withdrawal of the Immigration conttact from Messrs. Potter, Wilson and Co. Ttiere had been gross carelessness on the part of the Emigiation Officer at home in allowing the essel to proceed to sea with such prousions. The Government were prepared to terminate the contract of Messis. Potter, Wil>on and Co , if it could be done without laj ing themselves open to an action for damages. In reply to Mr Hughes, the Provincial Secretary said tiiat a burvcyor was engaged in the Dunstan, and ono in the Wakatipu Districts prepaiing lands for sale. A motion for a return of Suburban Lands surveyed for sale with expenses of survey in the Townships of Lawrence, Hyde, aud Queenstown, was agreed to The Provincial Secretary said he was quite willing to place on the Estimates a sum of money for compensation to certain jihois. A motion by Mr Hardy for a Sulect Committee to enquire into Religious and Educational Trusts, was withdrawn. The reports of the Select Committee on the Oamaru and Clutha Petitions, were adopted. The report A the Select Committee on the Masters and Servants Act, was adopted. The report of the Select Committee appointed to draw up congratulatory addresses to Her Mdjesty and the Piince and Princess of Wales on the biith of a Son to the Prince and Princess, was adopted.

Sir Cresswell Cres«well once remarked in Court of a marriage between an old rnan and a young girl, that it was another instance of unfortunate alliances between January and May ;" whereupon a Scotch (statistician wrote to ask him whether ho could suggest a reason why marriages that took plat-e between January aud Muy turned out so badly. A poet was walking with Talleyrand in the street, and at the same time reciting boine of his own verses. Talleyrand, perceiving at a bhort distance a man yawning, pointed him out to his friend, saying, " Not so loud — he hears you " The polishing of diamonds is said to reduce thorn half their weight. Men by too much polishing often Iobo quite as much.