PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 48, 26 February 1864, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

EVENING- SITTING-. •■'-."■/ ; • At a quarter past seven Mr. Tarlton, in the absence of Mr. M'Nab, was voted DeputySpeaker forthe evening. Members present—*' Messrs.' Scott}-' Chalmers, Jackson, Stuart, Wilson, M'Kay, Bcaven, Calder, Ho well, Cowan, and Rogers. ' Minutes of last 'sittings wero read and confirmed. THE MOKOMOKO BAILWAT. - Mr. SCOTT moved " For a return of all money paid on account of the wharf at' Mokomoko and the Branch Line of Bailway in-con-nection therewith." ' Mr: HOWELL seconded the motion,. • which was put and passed. . TOWS BOARD ORDINANCES — AMENDED, Mr. CHALMERS asked leave to bring hi a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Invercargill Town Board Ordinance, 1863." Leave was given, and the Bill read a first time. The standing orders were suspended, and the Bill, read a second time. The House went into committee on the Bill, which was passed therein without alteration. Progress was reported, and the House resumed. MESSAGE FROM HIS HONOR. Message No. 13 was received and read. It enclosed copies of all the documents which the Council asked for with reference to the contract of Messrs. G-reville and Whiting for the supply of road metal. Mr. WILSON moved—" That the documents be read." Mr. STUART considered it preferable that they shoidd lie on. the table, when, members could xieruse them at their leisure. Mr. COWAN was of opinion that they should be read. After some conversation, Mr. WILSON withdrew his motion, intimating that lie would give notice ot motion on the subject. his honor's reply to council Stood first on the orders of the day for consideration, but; Mr. STUART asked the House to pass on to No. 4. After some discussion, Mr. SPEAKER ruled that they could not do so. Mr. CHALMERS asked that, the second (Debentures Bill, No. 2,) and third (Appropriation Bill, No. 2,) be postponed. Leave granted. THE TOWS OP INVERCARGILL DEBENTURES' BILL. For raising a loan for improvement of the town was read a third time, and passed tlie House. THE ESTIMATES. Mr. STUART moved— "That the House vote only the supplies requisite to the 30th Juud next." This, he thought, would bring on the election of a new Council, who, he hoped, woidd set matters right. Mr. BEAVEN seconded the motion. Mr. COWAN moved, as an amendment — " That in the opinion of the House the supplies shoidd be voted by Council to the 30th September next." He did so because, by seeking a dissolution before then, they would virtually disqualify a large number of the population for four years. (Cries of "No, no.") Mr. M'KAY seconded the amendment. He considered that*if they dissolved before the new roll was made out the present members would just be returned. Mr. ROGERS was unwilling to vote for either the motion or amendment. Ho thought, they shoidd first try and ascertain whether his Honor intended to form an Executive. After some discussion, the motion and amendment were withdrawn, and Mr. SCOTT moved that a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent requesting him to bo pleased to appoint an Executive Council, in order that a financial rtatement may be laid before the Council, before proceeding with the estimates. Mi*. ROGERS seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Notices of Motion. Mr. WILSON gave notice that at to-morrow morning's sitting he would move — " That the papers and correspondence laid upon the table by direction of His Honor the Superintendent, relative to G-reville and Whiting's contract for the supply of road metal for the use of Government, be referred to a select committee to examine and report thereon, and to have power to send for persons and papers — committee to consist of- Messrs. Tarlton, Cowen, M'Kay, and the mover. Report to be brought up on Friday evening." l'he House adjourned at 8.25, till to-morrow at noon. -♦-