NELSON PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 503, 13 May 1869, Page 2

NELSON PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

DEPARTMENTAL REDUCTIONS

(2? Y ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) (froji our own- correspondents ) Nelson, Wednesday. The Provincial Council commenced to deal with the Estimates last even-

Considerable reductions are contemplated in the departments at Nelson.

The office of Crown Commissioner of Lands has been abolished as a distinct office, and is to be amalgamated with that of Provincial Secretary. The salary of the Provincial Engineer has been reduced by two hundred pounds a year. The Executive, wroth, called for a division once, with this result: —Eor the Government, 4 ; against the Government, 16. No material reduction is contemplated in the West Coast departments. The subjects of a grant for protective works at Westport, and of a subsidy for a river steamer, will he brought on again by Messrs M'Doweli and Reid after the Estimates have been gone through. Dunedin, May 4. Mrs Dick, wife of the Superintendent, was buried yesterday. There was a large funeral, and the Council adjourned on the occasion. The Provincial Treasurer, Mr Vogel, made a ministerial explanation in the Council- to-day. He complained of the abuse he had been subjected to, and said he could not afford to sacrifice more than he had done. The Ministry resigned, and Mr Duncan has been sent for to form a Government. CiißisTCHTTncn, Sunday. The Provincial Council was opened on Friday. Tho Superintendent in ins speech urges still the retention of the Provincial form of Government with greater powers. A Bill will be introduced reducing the number of representatives in the Council, and redistributing the representation of the Province.