PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1737, 27 February 1874, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

[abridged from the west coast times.] Wednesday, February 25. His Honor the Superintendent laid up'in the table a copy of the Standing Orders of the Provincial Couucil of H iwke'a Bay, and a communication from the Superintendent of Nelson, referring to the proposal to construct a bridge over the Grey river. Mr Taiart presented a petition from Btockowners on the Paringa river requesting to be allowed to purchase land at 10s per acre. The petition was read and re- : ceived. Mr Lahinan brought up the report of the Standing Orders Committee. The report was read and received. Mr Cumins; asked leave to move without notice— "That Mr Seddon be appointgd Chairman of Committees." Discussion ensued, and it was decided that notice of motion should be given. Mr Lahman asked leave to move without notice—" That Mr A. E. Tennent be appointed Clerk to the Council." Permission was granted, and the motion was seconded by Mr Houlahan, and carried. Mr Seddon asked leave to move without notice — " That Mr Kitsou be appointed Clerk of Committees." His Honor suggested that it might be left in the hands of the Speaker. Leave was then asked and refused. Mr Lahman moved — " That a Printing Committee be appointed, to consist of Mr Speaker, Messrs Cum ing, Dungan, Todd, Robinson, Sed.lon, and the mover." Mr Todd seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr Guinness moved—" That his Honor i he Superintendent cause to be presented to the Council a return showing the amount of tolls collected from the various toll-gates in the Province for the year ending 1873, and also the amounts paid for the collection of such tolls." The tolls throughout the Province were iv many cases most oppressive. In some cases the receipts did not pay' working expenses. If the resolution was passed, he would be prepared to take fiuther action. Mr Tabart seconded the resolution. His Honor expressed it as his opinion that' if tolls- could be abolished altogether it would be a good thing. Perhaps a Bill might be introduced next session to deal with the matter. The motion was agreed to. Mr Lahman moved — " That a Petition Committee be appointed, consisting of Messrs Houlahan, Guinness, Mitchell,-' Cuming, Canavan, and the mover." Mr Todd seconded the motion. Mr Tabart pointed out that there were two Greymouth members on the com■nittee, but that Hokitika was not represented. A long discussion took place, and eventually the motion was carried. Mr Guinness moved — "That it is the opinion of this Council that his Honor the Superintendent take immediate steps to request the Government to cause regulations to be made under the 'Miners' Rights Extension Act, 1872.'" If the Act was brought into operation in Westland, it would do away with most of the jealousy between Nelson and Westland. The Provincial Council of Nelson had already passed a resolution on the subject. Mr Mitchell seconded the motion. His Honor said that it would give him great pleasure to forward a recommendation to the Government on the subject;. 1 Mr Robiuson thought that miners had sufficient natural difficulties in their way without artificial ones being required. He wished that the mover had given a wider significance to the resolution. The motion was agreed to. His Honor moved the first reading of the Provincial Administrative Bill. The Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be printed. Mr Lahman moved — tc That the Council adjourn until 7 30 the next evening. A long and irregular discussion ensued, and the Council adjourned until 3 o'clock this (Thursday) afternoon.