PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue III, 26 May 1870, Page 6

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(From the "Daily Times." Wednesday, 18th May. supplementary estimates. Capt. M'KENZIE drew the attention of the Government to the large number of motions on the Order Paper, and asked when they would be prepared to take them. Mr. REID replied that a very conver nient day would be after the Council had gone through the estimates. The SPEAKER said that such a course of procedure would be very unsatisfactory to the House, since the whole revenue might thus be appropriated without, hon. members having a chance of bringing forward their motions. The usual practice was for the Government to fix a day before the estimates were passed. After some discussion, the matter dropped. Several petitions were then read. UNION WITH CANTERBURY. Mr. ASIICROFT moved: "Ist. That it is expedient that steps should be taken with a view to uniting the Province of Otago with the Province of Canterbury. 2nd. That in the event of the Otago and Southland Union Bill becoming law, it is desirable -that power should be obtained from the Assembly, with the concurrence of the Canterbury Representatives, to arrange a basis of Union. 3rd. That an Address be presented to His Honour the Superintendent, requesting that he will be pleased to give effect to the above resolution." The discussion which ensued on these motions elicited a strong expression of opinion as to the advisability of a union of the provinces of the Middle Island. The House divided on the first resolution, with the following result : ayes, 12; noes, 9. The second and third resolutions were negatived. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. Mr. REID moved the adoption of the item, £1000, Superintendent's salary. Mr. JAMES SHAND moved as an amendment that the item be reduced to £800. Mr. CLARK seconded the amendment. Considerable discussion took plaoe on the item, which was ultimately passed at £1000. For amendment, 9 ; against, 23. The Secretary to Superintendent, £350; passed at £300. Provincial Secretary, £500 ; Provincial Solicitor, £500 ; nonofficial Members, £300, or £150 each a year ; Clerk to the Executive, also acting as Under-Secretary, £500 ; Chief Clerk. £290 ; printing and stationery, £50 ; clerical assistance Provincial Solicitor, £300 ; incidental expenses, £50 ; Speaker, £200 ; keeping of chambers and messenger, £125 ; Sergeant-at-Arms, £100. Expenses of Country Members, £1300. Mr. MAIN movsd as an amendment on this item that the sum be reduced by one half. A lengthy discussion took place. Capt. M'KEXZIE thought if hon. members got anything at all, they should get something more than tucker. Mr. SHEPHERD remarked that the honorarium had never cleared his ex« penses. Mr. TAYLER could not believe that the hon. member (Mr. Main) was serious when he moved his amendment. The hon member did not labour under the same disadvantages as many country members who were living at hotels. The hon. member took the precaution to bring his family to town with him, and was therefore not subject to the discomforts and expenses which other hon. members had to bear, such, for instance, as a bed 18 inches wide, with a cold wall instead of a warm wife — (laughter)—together with rheumatism, head ache, heart ache, and all the other ills to which the human fr4m.e was subject, — (R.enewed laughter.) The item was passed. The following. items were also passed : —Expenses of Select Committees, £300 ; Library, £50 ; Printing and Stationery, £500 ; Incidental Expenses, £50.