EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BILL AS AMENDED.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1181, 2 June 1874, Page 2

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BILL AS AMENDED.

A Bill to repeal the Executive Government Act, 1871, and to make other provisions in lieu thereof. Whereas an Act was passed by the Superintendent and Provincial Council of the Province- of Nelson, in session XXL, No. 1, intituled the Executive Government Act, 1871. And whereas it is expedient that the said A.ct should be repealad and other provisions made in lieu thereof. Be it therefore enacted by the Superintendent of the Province, of Nelson, with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council thereof, as follows ; 1. The said recited Act is hereby repealed, 2. There shall be an Executive Council for the Province of Nelson, to advise and assist the Superintendent in the government thereof, con.-isting of not less than two, nor more than four members, who shall be capable of holding one or more of the following offices, that is to say, of Provincial Secretary, Provincial Treasurer, Provincial Solicitor, and Go'dficlds Secretary." ;j. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the administration of the Government of the Province is hereby vested in the Superintendent, who shall act only by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, the members of which shall be appointed by the Supeiintendent, and shall hold office during his pleasure, and so long as they shall retain the confidence of the Provincial Council, and no longer. 4. The Superintendent or Doputy : Superintendent shall be the President

of the Executive Council, cind shall have a deliberative as well as a casting vote, and two members of such Council together with such President, or three members in the absence of such President, shall form a quorum ; and the Superintendent shall cause j: roper minutes to be kept of the proceedings of the meetings of such Council. G. The Superintendent shall keep and use the public seal of the Province. 7. The Superintendent is hereby empowered to issue Government Gazettes for the Province, and all notifications published therein with any official signature thereto, shall bo considered as official communications to the persons to whom they relate, and shall be obeyed accordingly, 8. The Superintendent with the advice and consent of the Executivo Council, is hereby empowered to appoint the necessary • officers for conducting the business of the Province, and to suspend and remove any of such officers, and appoint others in their places, and also to make rules fcr the transaction of such business, and for the calling and holding of meetings for conducting the business thereof, and to alter aud rescind any of such rules, and to make others in lieu thereof, or in addition thereto. 9. The Treasurer shall keep true accounts of all moneys received and paid by him, and of the matters for which the same shall be so received or paid, and the books containing such accounts shall at all reasonable times be open to the inspection of the Superintendent and any membar of the Executive or Provincial Councils. 10. Every officer whos,e office shall entail the receiving of public moneys, shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, give security for the faithful discharge of his trust to the satisfaction of the Superintendent.

10ff. It shall be lawful for any member of the Executive Council appointed under this Act to resign his office by written notice to the Superintendent, and upon the receipt by the Superintendent of such resignation the office should become vacant, but nevertheless the person so resigning shall be bound to execute the duties of his office after his resignation for any period required by the Superintendent not exceeding one month, and shall also be bound to hand over by a signed inventory all documents, books, money, and other property connected with his office, to any person authorised by the Superintendent to receive the same. 10b. It shall be lawful for the persons who shall be in office as members of the Executive Council at the time of the dissolution of the present Provincial Council, or any future Provincial Council of the Province of Nelson, to continue in office and to act as members of the Executive Council until the election of Superintendent, consequent upon such dissolution, notwithstanding the dissolution of such Provincial Council. lOd. Noofficial appointment madeby the Superintendent shall lapse by the death, retirement from office, or new election of the Superintendent, until the same shall be revoked or a new appointment be made. 11. It shall be competent to any member of the Executive Council to have recorded in the minutes of such Council, his opinion or advise on any questions counected with the administration of the province. 12. No member of the Provincial Council, except members of the Ex ecutive Council shall hold any office of emolument under tho Provincial Government, nor shall any member of the Provincial Council hold any contract under the Provincial Government ; provided that nothing herein contained shall extend or apply to any agreement or contract entered into by any company, partnership, or association consisting of more than twenty persons, when such contract or agreement shall be entered into for the general benefit of such company, partnership, or association, or to any contract for printing or advertising, or for any contract for which not more than fifty pounds is to be paid, or for theloau of money or to any security for the payment of money only. 1.3. The short title of this Act shall bo "The Executive Council Act, 1874."