PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 239, 13 June 1861, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

On /Saturday, the 25th ult., Mr. Watt moved that the Superintendent’s salary should be raised to £BOO. The motion was carried fey a majority of 18 to 7 ; 'hut His Honor did uot accept of the proposed addition. A long | and interesting debate took place, on a motion by Mr. Stokes, expressing approval of the course pursued by the Superintendent and his ! colleagues %>f the Genera! Assembly, and the hope that by their exertions in the ensuing session, a wise, humane, and equitable policy towards the natives would be established. The motion was carried. The /nderanity Bill was read a third time and passed. On Monday, the 27th, a motion by Mr. Fox, desiring a more frequent correspondence from the members of the General (Assembly for the Province during its session; I was carried, as well as a motion by the Provincial Secretary, thanking the honorable J. Johnston for his exertions as agent for the Province during his recent visit to .England, and in connexion with the Ann lVihon. It was resolved that the most convenient time for the Council sitting was the mouth of April in each )ear. The Council met at 3 o’clock on Wednesday. Mr; Carter presented a petition from eighteen settlers at Carterton, which was read and received. Mr. Watt moved-

That this Council is of opinion that the Government ought to take active and immediate steps to collect the amounts on account of Immigrants’ Promissory Notes, now over due.

Agreed to Mr. Wallace withdrew his motion on grants in aid. . The Appropriation Act (authorizing the expenditure of £81,4.4] Bs.) was read a second time, committed, reported, and read a third time, there not being any amendments. The Council adjourned for a few minutes, to allow the Speaker to lay the Bill before the Superintendent for his Honor’s assent. Upon reas'embling, the Superintendent was introduced, ami prorogued the Council in the following speech Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of ihe Provincial Council, — I beg to intimate that I have assented on behalf of the Governor of New Zealand to the following acts “An Act to authorise the Superintendent to cause a tV harf to be erected in the harbour of Port iVicholson.” “ An Act to indemnify the Superintendent and the Executive Council for the expenditure of Public Money during tne years LBoB. 1859, and 1860, and also for a certain sum expended in excess of the Appropriation Act of 1857.” /

“An Act to explain and amend Harbour Reserves Act, Section 3, No. 14.” . “ An Act to appropriate the Revenue of the Province for the year commencing on the Ist January, 18(1 L, and ending the 3-lst December then ensuing.” Though the measures thus passed be few, yet this Session cannot fail to be recognised ' and remembered as one of the most important ever helj[|—important, inasmuch as it has established a cordial co-operation between the Executive and legislature—has revived confidence in the future of the Province, and more especially because you have made such ample provision for the resumption of public w orki iu every part of the Province.

Though the expenditure you have authorised is considerably hi excess of that proposed by me, I barn felt no difficulty in agreeing to it, believing that with Ihe termination of dur_tjmhappy conflcts and the restoration of public confidence, the Revenue will exceed my estimates,Yaiijl more than sufficient to meet all votes. While no efforts shall be wanting on the part of the Executive to carry out as soon as possible all the works you have sanctioned ; still I trust you will bear irf mind that some delay must inevitably occur in respect of some of them, unless we succeed in obtaining a very material increase to tho strength of the survey and Engiueer Departments.

I must a.«k you to accept on behalf of myself and my late colleagues my warm acknow*; lodgements for your address, in which.you express your approval of the course we pursued in the late session of the Genera! Assembly in reference to the war at Taranaki; and I beg at the same time to assure you our entire concurrence in your opinion as to the necessity of the General Government adopting* such a wise, humane, and equitable policy towards the aboriginal inhabitants of these Islands as will emtire the continuance of' peaceful relations between the two races and the future prosperity of the colony. Thanking l you fur the readiness with whichyou have devoted your whole time since the Session opened to the business brought before you, and for the- full and complete consideration you have-given to the several, measures, / now declare tliat this Council do stand prorogued. 1. E. Fbatherstox, Superiutcndfentt May 29,1861.