PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, MAY 15. (From the Daily Southern Cross.)

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 314, 19 May 1874, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, MAY 15. (From the Daily Southern Cross.)

The Provincial Secretary in reply to a question by Mr Brown stated that private persons were purcnasing laud m tbe Upper Thames, but Mr Mackay, General G-overnnient Agent had informed the Superintendent that an application had been made to the General Government to proclaim the district under the Immigration and Public Works Act, by which means an end would be put to all negotiations. Ho would supply uioro information on the subject on Tuesday. In reply to a question by MrCheeseman as to the removal of the Now North Eoad toll-gate, the Provincial Secretary stated that the question of dealing with toll-gates would be submitted to the Council on Tuesday uext. A Bill to authorise the City Council to raise £50,000 by way of loan was received by message from the Superintendent and read a first time. It will come on for second reading on Tuesday next. debate on the Highways Bill was resumed. Mr Dargaville suggested thafe the consideration of the Bill shonld be deferred until after the Highway Boards had been ofl'ered an opportunity of expressing their opinion upon it. A discussion ensued in the course of winch the Provincial Secretary stated that if the Council allowed the Bill to be read a second time, md went through the first two parts in committee, he would bo willing to postpone the provisions relating to the appointment of Central Boards and to borrowing powers for a fow days, to enable hon members an opportunity of further considering them. The Bill was read a second time without any further discussion as to its principle, and considered in committee for about four hours, during which a great deal of progress was made. Leave was obtained to sit again on Tuesday next. The Provincial Treasurer gave notice that ho would move on Tuesday next that the Council make good by appropriation the sum of £3000 for liabilities outstanding for the months of Januajy, February, March, and April of the present year. The vote granted in December had proved insufficient by £2700. The Treasurer proposed to make his financial statement on Wednesday. A motion for carrying into effect the report of the select committee on the petition of Duncan Cuuipbell was postponed until Tuesday, the Provincial Secretary opposing it.