PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1869. The Counoil met pursuant to adjournment, - * The following members were present :-—Tb& Provincial (Secretary, Messrs. Oledhill, Elliot Upjohn, Veale, Kyngdon* and Lawrence. Absent i Messrs. C. W.Hursthouse, Tattouj Brown* Made* Faull, Snollj and BVee. j PETITIONS. - | Mr. Lawrence presented a petition from Jaraes Joll, and Mr. Gledhill one from James tfiddes. j Petitions were received and notices of motion j given for their consideration next sitting day. PAYMENT 0? TUE WAIWAKAIHO BRIDGE. The Provincial Secretary moved, " That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that an application should be made to the Colonial Government to issue Colonial Debentures in lieu of the balance of Provincial debentures, issuable under theTaranr.ki x Loan Ordinance, 1863,' to be handed to Mr. John Kerr, in repayment of the sum of £2,000 borrowed from him for the reerection of the Wai wakaiho Bridge j the araonnt of principal money to be represented by the debentures so piv<«a l^ing determined in accordance withareschuion of the Provincial Council of the 3rd May, 18(57, relating to Mr. Kerr*sloan." Air. Elliot eecoi ded the motion whioh after some discussion was agreed to. NEW ROAD DISTRICT. The Provincial Secretary moved, " That this Council is of opinion that in order to keep the main line of road north and south of the ' Town of Now Plymouth in an efficient state of repair, it is necessary that the land on the inland side of the live for at least one mile in depth, and the whole to tho seaward and of such length not being less than Four miles, as may seem from time to time to be desirable, be constituted one Road District ; and that the whole of the minimum rate of snob district be appropriated for tho improvement of the said line." Mr. Kyngdon seconded the motion, and after some discussion the Counoil went into Committee on it, when finally it was postponed to another occasion. IXTBN3ION OP THE BOOKING ORDINANCE. The Provincial Secretary moved, " That in the opiniou of this Council it is desirable that the * Town Buildings Roofing Ordinance, 1867,* be in force in that portion of the Town of New Plymonth bounded as follows j— -On the north by the sea beach, on the west by Queen-street and the Market place, on the south by Vivian-street and Conrionay-street, on the east by Liardetstreet, ami tho lluatoki river." Mr. Gledhill seconded- the motion whioh was agreed to on the voices. cost ot the Bridges erected. g Mr. Upjohn moved, "That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to furnish this Council with a detailed expenditure (showing the cost of managet ment separately) of each bridge erected by the Provincial Government out of loan, Mr. Upjohn said in moving this resolution he did not expect to tiud any mares ne3t, but he had been asked outside to obtain the information. Mr. Veals seconded the motion which was agreed to. VOTE OP THANKS TO MR. C. f. RtfRSTHOUSE. Mr. Gledhill moved, "That the Superintendent be requested to convey the thanks of this Council to- VL tv C. P. Hursthouse, for the deep interest which he has taken in behalf of the welfare of New Zealand during the last twentyfive years, and more especially for the bold and truthful statement of the case of the Colony, contained in his recent letters to The Times" Mr. Upjohn seconded the resolution, which was agreed to on the voices. COSIKITTEE O* SUPPLY. The Council then went into Committee of Supply, and on the Provincial Secretary moving the first item, he briefly stated why the estimates had only been sent down for four months, whioh was Biruiiar to what be stated at the last meeting. 0a the item Assistant Treasurer being moved, Mr. Gledhill said that one party who had heavier dudes to perform was less paid than any other person in the Province, and he thought the amounts were disproportionate. He referred to the Provincial Secretary and the Assistant Treasurer. 0 ' The Provincial Secretary explained that as he had merely to attend tho Counoil for about three months in tho year to carry on the business of the Government, besides some slight routine business when they were ont of session, the Executive thought the sum placed on the estimates sufficient, but as his (Mr. Kelly's) time was not fully it was .considered that he shonld have £12 per month for looking after the roads and bridges as long as the expenditure of the loan lasted. As to the rumours that he was getting a per centage out of the work, he could only say that it was quite uutrue. All the items down to Boads and public works were agreed to without an alterration — with the exoeption of ** overseer to prisoners, £24," which was reduced to £21. The item, Inspector of sheep, was agreed to, but with the understanding that the office was to be abolished after October next. The Ciuirkan then reported progress, and the Council after rising was adjourned till Tuesday next, at 2 o'clock.

Courtship v. "Liquoring up."— Touching on the matter of courtship, as a means of trial for an "eligible husband," Mr. Fox in his, lecture on " Strong Drinks" said—" If I was a nice young woman, yoa know j aud, a nice young mau came fossicking after ma; young man, I'd say, sign the pledge for twelve months, or you don't come funoodling after me." Thb Pwze Essays.— Messrs. Mantell, J. C. Crawford, and Domett, the arbitrators on the respective merits of the price essays on the means of securing the permanent settlement of the goldmining population, arrived at a decision yesterday. There were forty-two competitors. The first prize, £50, was awarded to Mr. Eyton, of JUxekland ; the second, £30, to Captain Hntton, "Tof Auckland ; the third, £20, to Mr. E, T. Gillon, of Wellington*