Wednesday, 28th June.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 178, 6 July 1871, Page 6

Wednesday, 28th June.

Some amusement was created, and a sham fight occurred on the resumption of the debate on Mr. Bastings' proposition to reform the Provincial. Council. The Speaker and all the members were abroad what was to be done. One wishing to go on with the motions, another who had a speech to make was loth to lose the opportunity, another thought there was something in them — that was Mr. Thomson. Mr. Bastings was prepared to withdraw his resolutions. After a good deal of wandering from the question, and some difficulty as to convincing the Council as to the right way of going about their work, a division was takeu, and Mr. Mervyn was called upon to reou -_c the debate, I when Mr. Bastings, tried to cut short j all discussion by asking to withdraw his resolutions. Mr. Mervyn, however, was. unequal to going on with the deI bate, and asked leave to speak afterwards. Mr. Haughton saw there was evidently to be uo discussion, aud that to pass the resolutions as a whole was a sort of public suicide by the Council. I Mr. Reynolds moved certain amendments recommending retrenchment and reduction in the-number of members.' After au hour's debate, the previous* question was moved by Dr. Menzies and carried. On the motion I that the Speaker leave the chair, a disj cussion arose on Mr. Duncan's motion to produce the Estimate, of the late Government — a proposition which Messrs: Cargill fnd" Haughton, while offering no objection, expressed their ' disapproval as to the way the object in view was sought; to be obtained. ' Then followed a discussion upon the financial ' policy-, of the Government, the only new feature of the debate being . fchat the member for the Dunstan came !in for no end of abuse. A reminder by Mr. Bastings of the real business* of' the Conncil served to bring up Mr. Shand, who expressed his .determination of putting the Government and its party to the test as to the sincerity of their professions in favour of retrenchment, by moving the substance of Mr. Mervyn's intimation of the previous evening, viz :—": — " That the Estimates be referred back to the Government, in order that a reduction may be effected in the departmental

expenditure to the extent of 25 per cent. ; such reduction to be effected by the amalgamation of offices, and dispensing with the services of such officers as may not be essentially necessary to the efficiency of the public service." Mr. Mervyn moved as an amendment — "That, in the opinion of this Council, the departmental expenditure should be reduced by the sum of £10,000, arid that the Government be requested to give effect to this resolution." After several members had spoken the debate adjourned.