PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 227, 12 March 1866, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, 9th MARCH, 1866. The SPEAKER took the chair a few minutes after two. • The minuteß were read and confirmed. CATTLE TRES3PASS ORDINANCE. Mr. PEARSON brought in the Cattle Trespass Ordinance, and moved that it be read a first time, and the second reading made an order of the day at the next meeting. (This day.) Agreed. THE FENCING ORDINANCE. Mr. MACDONALD brought in a bill entitled the Fencing Ordinance, 1866, and it was read a first time, and its second reading made an order for the next sitting. RAILWAYS. On the motion of Dr. M.ENZIES, the correspondence on the subject of the appointment of an Engineer to inquire into the expenditure on the Bluff Harbor and Ihvercergill Railway was read. RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE. In reply to Dr. Menzies, the Provincial Solicitor, stated that private reasons had caused the resignation of two members of the Executive Council. BLUFF RAILWAY. The PROVINCIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the contracts for the completion of the Bluff Harbor and Invcrcargill Railway. SHEEP ORDINANCE, 1866. Mr. COWAN brought in the Sheep Ordinance 1866, which was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time next sitting. REPLY TO HI3 HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SPEECH. Mr. CUTHBERTSON brought up the following reply to his Honor the Superintendent's address : — This Council desires to express its satisfaction to find that your Honor's health has so far improved as to enabla you to resume your official duties. Ifc regrets that circumstances should have occurred to cause the lapse of several Ordinances passed in former sessions. The Council will take the necessary steps in regard to these Ordinances. The other Bills laid before the Council will receive its careful consideration. The Council is gratified to learn that measures have been taken to complete the Bluff Harbor and InvercargiU Railway, and that a prospect exists of its being speedily completed aud opened for traffic. It is gratifiying to learn that the ordinary revenue is estimated to exceed the expenditure for actual administration, and that some surplus will be available for the repair of roads and other public works. The resolutions communicated by the Superintendent of Otago to which your Honor refers, will receive the attention of the Council. BILLS— SECOND READING-. The Executive Council Ordinance, 186 f ?; The Dog Ordinance, 186<>; and The Toils. Ordinance, were read a second time, passed through committee without amendment, and were ordered to be brought up again at the next sitting of the Council. Several notices of motion having been given tne Council adjourned.