NELSON.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 667, 4 June 1870, Page 2

NELSON.

PROCEEDINGS IN THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tuesday, May 31. West Coast matters have not occupied any position of prominence among the proceedings in the Provincial Council during the week which has elapsed since the date of my last letter. The mode of electing the governors of Nelson College, the subject ofland endowments for libraries, and a Bill for the improved drainage of Nelson City have been the three subjects which have been most discussed, and, except the endowment of libraries, they are subjects which are more of local than of general interest. West Coast members have therefore sat more as listeners than as legislators on the gubernative management of the College, and on the subject of " stink" and its consequences, disguised in the discussions by the use of such words as miasma, malaria, and zymotic diseases—social evils from which even Nelson does not altogether enjoy an immunity. Until last night the new Executive G-overnment Bill made little or no practical advancement—a circumstance in some degree due to the necessity for the observance of technicalities of procedure, but in a greater degree due I doubt, to the shyness of the Government and the older identities on the subject of shaking the traditional faith of nearly a quarter of a century —a faith which some seem to think has rather impeded the progress of Nelson as one of the New Zealand Provinces. What has " eventuated" with regard to that Bill I shall relate at length at some other time. Meantime I may mention that it has passed through Committee, amended and improved, and that, literally, it may now be considered law.

It was on Wednesday, the 25 th inat., that the Council resumed, after the Queen's Birthday ball, which was held in the Council Chamber under the patronage of the Volunteers. Though held in the hall, and although it is one of the events of the year in Nelson, I do not think the ball was attended by anyone of our sober-sided Councillors. Tinie was when the West Coast had representatives who distinguished tbtmSelves, not alone in the discussions, but in dancing, and in dress. The -present race of West Coast representatives, compared with one, at least, of their predecessors, is, indeed, sadly degenerate in point of gallantry and gaiety. They sport not their figures in the ladies' gallery—they seek not the society of those who sit in side saddles—they adorn not their persons in striking selections of naval and military costumes as ingredients in one and the same suit. With a strong facial resemblance to funeral mutes on active duty, they look as if the life of a Provincial Councillor were not so much a life of vanity as one of extreme vexation of spirit. This probably accounts for their absence from the festive scene of Tuesday, and for the punctuality of their presence in their places on the following evening. Of the proceedings of that evening, and of the evenings following, I purposed giving you the usual rough-and-ready record, but the Murray starts sooner than I expected, and I am now on board of her, writing against time. You must, therefore, cull from the Colonist any reports of West Coast matters, relying upon my supplementing them on the first opportunity.

Wednesday, Mat 25. (Prom the Nelson Colonist.) ATES AND NOES. Mr Donne, on the minutes being read, objected to his vote being recorded with the Noes on the occasion of the division on Mr Eeid's resolutions regarding Mr Kynnersley, as he had called for a division in order to record his vote with the Ayes, and had so given it. The Speaker said he had ruled that the vote be recorded with the Noes according to rule, as Mr Donne had called for a division when he (the Speaker) had ruled that the Ayes had it. It was ultimately resolved that the fact should be minuted that Mr Donne, although technically recorded among the Noes, was nevertheless in favor of the resolution, and merely divided the Council in order to have the votes recorded.

NO-CONFIDENCE. Mr Luckie, in explanation of this motion, still standing in his name on the notice paper, said that some moral effect had resulted from a similar motion, which was partially discussed a fortnight ago, and which, although not actually, was morally passed by this Council in consequence of subsequent events connected with that vacant chair, which in the present Couneil had been illegally occupied. One of the effects of that motion was the preparation of a bill, the purport of which the Council had been waiting with some anxiety. Until that bill had been considered by the Council, he should leave the motion still on the notice paper. ELECTION OP CODDEGE GOYERNOBS. On the motion of Mr Donne, the Council resolved itself into committee to consider on this subject a series of resolutions. Mr lieid in the chair After a 1 ong discussion, Mr Shephard moved that the committee report progress, with the view of a further conference with the Governors of the College, on the opinion expressed by the Council. Progress was accordingly reported, and the Council resumed. ENDOWMENTS TO LIBRAEIE3. Mr Gribbs, in committee, moved the adoption of certain resolutions on the subject of endowing libraries in the country districts, and in towns. Mf Collins said his experience had been against the success of subsidies for libraries. They were not taken advantage of, and in his district did no good whatever. There were only six in dividuals who took advantage of the library, himself being one, and all were well able to purchase their own books. Besides, as for the granting endowments in land, there was a considerable difficulty. We know the value of a pound, but one acre might be worth £2, and another £SOO. (Hear, hear.) Mr Shephard said if land were set apart trustees should be appointed for each district, and efforts made to establish a permanent library of good books to be useful hereafter.

Mr Barnicoat did not expect much good from the resolutions, the fact being that the land that was left was generally so poor as not to be worth much.

Mr Beid said reserves, if set aside for such purposes, should be placed in a general fund, and the proceeds applied by some central trustees, who should be empowered to lease the lands for certain periods. Mr Shephard asked Mr Barnicoat whether, from his experience as a member of the "Waste Lands Board, he could say if the Board had power to make such reserves of the Crown Lands without the consent of the General Assembly. He doubted if it had that power. Mr Barnicoat had no doubt the "Waste Lands Board could reserve lands for such purposes.

Mr Shephard said the Board might perchance reserve the lands, but he thought it had no power to pay over the rents. It could not dispose of the Waste Lands of the Crown or the profits arising therefrom, except under the provisions of the Waste Lands Act. After some further discussion, progress was reported, and the Council resumed, and shortly after adjourned.

TnrasDAY, May 26. PATENT SLIP. The Provincial Solicitor moved, " For leave to bring in a bill to further amend an Act to authorise the Superintendent to guarantee interest upon the capital to be expended in the construction of a Patent Slip or Dry Dock at the port of Nelson." He said negociations were now going on for a patent slip or dry dock, and as sometime would elapse before these were completed, he proposed, by this bill, to extend the time of guarantee for three years. Mr Luckie seconded the motion, which was agreed to. P.IVER WOKKS AT WESTPOET. Mr o'Conor asked the Provincial Secretary, whether the G-overnment were aware that the contractors for providing stone for the groin at Westport are not proceeding with the work according to specifications; whether it is the intention of Government immediately to cancel the contract, with a view to prevent any further delay in that important work; and whether the Government were aware, when accepting the tender of the said contractors, that they were not likely to complete the work specified ? The Provincial Secretary, in reply, read the telegrams that had passed between the Government and the resident Engineer, which showed that the lowest tender, which was considered the safest, had been accepted. The contract, however, had been cancelled. The four lowest tenders were —Eaton and Winter, 5a lOd a ton, for stone; Eugene O'Conor, 6s 8d ; Courtney, 6s 9d • Miller, 7s. Mr Macmahon inquired whether the Eugene O'Conor, who had tendered for supplying the stone, was the honorable member who had put the question ?

The Provincial Secretary replied in the affirmative. TOLIS EXEMPTION. The Provincial Secretary moved, " That a select committee be appointed to take into consideration the petition received last session from ministers of religion in the city of Nelson praying for exemption from tolls ; such committee to consist of the Speaker, Messrs Luckie, GKbbs, Reid, and the mover." He mentioned that a petition from ministers of religion had been presented last session, and it was now proposed to consider that petition in committee.

Mr Collins seconded the motion, which was passed. Mr Luckie had a motion on the notice paper as to the exemption of mail conveyances from toll, but it was withdrawn in favor of the following motion by Mr Eeid, which was adopted, " That tbe subject of exempting from toll vehicles or other conveyances of her Majesty's mails, and of exemptions generally, be referred to the select committee appointed to consider the petition from ministers of religion."

ENDOWMENT OF UEEAEIES. Mr G-ibbs moved, "That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration his Honor's message No. G, such committee to consist of the Speaker, the Provincial Solicitor, Messrs Luckie, Shephard, Baigent, the Provincial Secretary, and the mover, and that the committee be instructed to report before next "Wednesday." The Provincial Secretary seconded the motion, remarking that the committee should consider Mr Eeid's suggestion, made last night, that one special grant for such an object as libraries should be under a general trust controlled by the Central Board of Education. After a few remarks from Mr Eeid, the motion was agreed to. hawk's ceao coktbact. On the motion of Mr Eeid, a select committee was appointed to inquire into the execution of certain works undertaken for the Government, at Hawk's Crag, Buller Eiver. EETUENS, ) On the motion of Mr O'Conor, that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to furnish this Council with the returns usually received from the different district libraries, The Provincial Secretary laid the returns on the table.