PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 166, 24 May 1859, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thursday, May 19. All the members present except Messrs. Elliott, Red wood,'Monro, and Wcmyss. The Speaker ill the chair. The minutes were read by the Cleric. - CEMETERY COMMITTEE. The Provincial Secretary introduced the report from the committee that had been appointed. ■ The Clerk read the report, which recommended the appointment of a new committee, to be appointed from the members for Nelson and Suburban North. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The Committee forwarded their report, in which they advised some few alterations. Mr. Mackay moved that the report do lie upon the table. WAIMEA SOUTH POUND. Mr. Baigent moved—"That the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the •sum of .£SO for the purchase of a site, and the erection of a pound in the district -■ of | Waimea South," and spoke as to the great inconvenience which the inhabitants of Waimea South experienced from the want of such an accommodation. Mr. Kelling seconded the motion, and spoke* as to the necessity of such an erection, the want of it causing great carelessness amongst the owners of cattle in that district. Mr. Sharp asked if the sum of £30 in the Estimates was for any particular pound. The Provincial Solicitor replied that there •were some pounds wanting repairs which would cost that sum, and therefore had been placed on the Estimates. Mr. Saunoers thought that such an erection should not be placed there unless the inhabitants of the district were agreeable. " Mr. Simmonds also opposed, and hoped the lion, member would amend his'motion by adding to it, that it should only be placed there at the request of the inhabitants. Mr. Bakjent replied that the inhabitants of one portion of the district were anxious for a pound, and considered that it was necessary for the pro-. tection of the roads. Mr. Parker would propose an amendment, viz., to add, " should such pound be required by the inhabitants of the district." He would, however, at the instance of the Provincial Secretary, alter his amendment to, " should the majority of the electors be desirous." Mr. Wells thought the question not, only,a district, but a general one, which the Government should look to on account of the damage done by cattle trespassing. ' . Mr. Dodson agreed with the last speaker, and gave his own experience as a member of a road board. Mr. Sinclair also opposed the amendment, and considered pounds were part of the common law. Mr. Sharp also opposed, and thought that such a question was hardly a fair one to leave to a majority of inhabitants, as it might be that the majority were flock or cattle owners. Mr. Saundkrs thought that an increase of pounds would add to the difficulty of reclaiming lost cattle, as so many more would have to be visitfd. Mr. Killing supported the original motion. TVir. M'Rae opposed the amendment, and considered that Pounds were extremely necessary. He had seen the great expense and loss of time caused by the distance stray cattle had to be driven. : Council divided. ' Ayes, 6. ■ Noes, 12. The Provincial Solicitor Mr.'Wells The Provincial Secretary Vyvyan Mr. Mnradon Sinclair ■ Parker Gibbs Simmonds Mackay Saunders . M'Rae . . . ■ . Eenwick Baigenfc Kelling Sharp Hewetson I Dodeon The original motion was carried. NELSON CEMETERY. Mr. DonsoN, pursuant to notice, asked the Provincial Solicitor "on what legal''authority,-and when, the public cemetery at the Port was sold, and why the public were put to the necessity of re-selecting a new site for a public cemetery." The hon. gentleman alluded •to. the.general attention given by the public to the new Cemetery Bill, and spoke of his own experience as one of the preliminary expedition to Nelson, as to the fact that one who had died on board was buried on Fifeshire Island with the understanding that-.he was to be removed to consecrated ground as soon as surveyed. A survey had been made, and a site was selected where some" were buried. There had been some five or six acres surveyed for that purpose and he could now only find a spot of about one quarter of an acre. He was given to understand that it had since been sold^ and he had lately visited it and found that it was pleasure gardens. The original site was admirably adapted to the purpose, as the drainage was directly into the sea : and not as now, burying the dead amongst the living. The Provincial Solicitor would have been glad to have had the usual two days' notice. The land had been sold by auction, but lie was unable to give the full particulars at present. He considered that the original was the best site in the settlement, and he might add that he had himself drawn up a memorial against the present site. He regretted that the power did not exist to alter it now. . ESTIMATES. The Council then went into committee. Dr. Renwick in the chair. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. The Speaker was voted £150 per annum. . The sum of 20s. per diem to four members residing more than 20 miles from Nelson. Six members, residing more than 10 miles from Nelson, at 15s. per diem. Seven members, residing more than 4 miles from Nelson, at 10s. per diem. My. Mackay expressed his intention of presenting his portion to the Cricket Club. Clerk to Council, ,£l5O per annum. . Assistant Clerk, at £4 105.5 per week. • Messenger, at 12s. per diem. u-... The Contingencies were proposed to be increasd £50 for the purchase of books for the Council •library. . Mr! Kelling objected, as the character of the books had been such as were more suitable for the Institution. Mr. Sinclair explained that he proposed books of reference, and a copy of the Statutes at large. It was then proposed to vote £364, which was carried, this including the renf. v The estimate for the Takaka Road was struck out. The Education and Immigration items were postponed, Dr. Monro being absent. The Pelorus Bridle Road was passed. Some little discussion ensued upon the item of the Cemetery at Richmond, and the vote of £35 was amended to £139. Purchase of Road up Eves' Valley was carried. . The sum of £150 was voted for the road between Waimea West and Waimea South. TRUNK LINE AT COLLINGWOOD. £2000 was voted for this purpose. The Council then resumed, and the usual motion for adjournment being put, an amendment was moved by Mr. Sharp, that the Council be adjourned till Wednesday, the 25th, which was carried. \