PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1184, 12 June 1874, Page 4

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

[CONDENSED FROM NELSON PAPERS.] SC.iB ACT. The adjourned debate resulted in an amended motion being passed: — " That in the opinion of this Council, all sums of money received as fines for breaches of tho Nelson Scab Act, and all sums received for renewal licenses, be retained for expenditure within the districts in which such breaches shall occur, for the purpose of preventing further spread of the scab or other sheep disease." GOLDFIELDS LOCAL REVENUES ACT. Mr lvess moved, " For leave to introduce a Bill to repeal the Local Revenues Act, 1873, and Amendment Act, 1874." After considerable discussion, leave was given to introduce tho Bill, on the understanding that it should not be pressed any further this session ; so that time might be allowed, both for a further trial of the Boards, and also for a moro carefully considered expression of opinion on the subject. THE ESTIMATES. The Council in Committee passed the following items : —■ Goldfields Districts—Maintenance of Roads and Bridges : Buller £4SO ; Charleston, £700; lnangahua, £900; Ahaura, £2OOO j Lycll, £320 j Cobden, £450.

The Supplementary Estimates were then passed, as follows: — Non-official member of Executive, £100; Retiring allowance to Mr 6-reenfield, £2OO ; Clerical assistance to Executive, £SO Public Works —Wing dam to No Town, £100; Nile Bridge, £1000; Branch roads to Larry's and Gorge Town, £1000; Road—Twelve-mile to lied Jack's, £IOO ; Pangatotara Road, £150; Protection of River J3aukfi Pangatotara, £K)0 V The Provincial Secretary explained that the sum of £350 had been voted for the salary of thp Secretary and Treasurer, which was a reduction of £IOO on account of his expected absence at the General Assembly; and that the sum of £IOO for the unofficial member of the Executive was to provide for the performance of his duties while he was away. Various sums were then passed in blocks, in order to enable the Government to effect reductions where possible.

Items Assistant Surveyors (2) Nelson £450; Assistant Surveyor Westport, £250; Ditto, lnangahua, £3OO ; Ditto, Grey, £250 ; Draughtsman, Nelson, £250; Clerk in Laud Office, £l5O. For these a block sum was voted of £lGso.—Three Wardens and Resident Magistrates, £1500; one Warden and Resident Magistrate, £2OO. Forthese wassubstitutodthe item, " Wardens and Resident Magistrates, £l-150." Clerks, Westport, £275 ; Charleston, £275; Ahaura, £225 ; Reefton (21 £450. For these the block sum of £750 was substituted. The proposed reductions in the salaries of goaler, Inspector of Police, and Harbor Master were abandoned by the Government, as was the block sum for District Constables. NILE P.RIDGE. Mr Donne moved, " That in the opinion of this Council the reconstruction of the bridge over the Nile river, Charleston, is a work of so much urgency and importance to the district and the Province that its reconstruction should be one of the earliest public works undertaken by the Government." Mr Corbett seconded the motion. The Provincial Secretary moved the previous question, which was carried. DEPUTY SECRETARY AND TREASURER. Mr Donne moved, '' That the fluctuations incidental to a responsible form of Government render it highly probable that the chief Executive Departments may be occupied from time to time by gentlemen unacquainted with or unskilled in official routine, necessitating a permanent officer to whose experience and skill the details of the management of such departments could be prudently entrusted, and that in pursuance of this principle it is desirable that some person holding the office of Under-Secre-tary and clerk to Treasurer should form a part of the permanent staff of the Province." Mr Gibbs seconded the motion. The question was ultimately adjourned till next Thursday. EDUCATION. It was resolved that: —" Tho sum of £7OO should be placed on the Appropriation Bill to be paid to the Central Board of Education. LICENSING LAW. Mr Parker moved, " That the resolution forming the report of the Select Committee appointed to consider and report what amendments are desirable in the Licensing law be adopted." Carried. HONORARIUM. The Provincial Secretary moved, " That at the termination of each session a proportionate reduction shall be made, at per day, on the honorarium of members who may be absent from Council, except by leave, in which case deductions, if any, shall be specially provided for in the motions granting such leave; special sessions to be paid for at 20s per day." Carried. THE ESTIMATES. Mr Kerr moved, " That in the opinion of this Council the Estimates set down by the Executive and passed by the Council, should be a first charge upon the revenue of tho Province ; and that until they have been fully satisfied other votes ought not to bo dealt with by the Executive." Negatived on a division. Ayes, 7 ; Noes, 9. SUSPENSION BRIDGE AT REEFTON. Mr lvess moved, " That his Honor the Superinte'ntendent be requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £3OO, for the purchase of Dalton's lnangahua Suspension Bridge that being the value of the Bridge as estimated by the Provincial Engineer." Curried. FOUR MILE WATER RAGE, CHARLESTON. Mr Donne moved, '* That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £SOO as a subsidy for the Four Mile Water Race, Charleston," Carried. NEW HOSPITAL, REEFTON. Mr lvess moved, " That in consequence of the present building used for hospital purposes at Keefton being unsuitable, his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £4OO, to supplement subscriptions to the amount of £2OO, to bo raised by tho public for the erection of a suitable hospital building." Carried. HOSPITAL AT LYELL. Mr Maclean moved, " That his Honor tho Superintendent bo requested to place upon the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £3OO, to meet equivalent subscriptions, for the

purpose of providing hospital accommodation and medical assistance at Lycll." Carried.