THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 176, 22 May 1869, Page 3

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

RESUME OF PROCEEDINGS. In another column we give the details of the proceedings of the Council to a certain extent which we shall continue in our next. The Estimates were passed as proposed, but not without numerous discussions on the items. On a reconsideration of Messrs. Robinson’s claim, £l5O was voted as compensation. Williams £53 6s 8(17 was passed without a division. £ 100’was passed for repairs to the Opawa Bridge ; £7O for repairs to the Tua Marina and Spring Creek Bridges ; £2OO for repairs to Tayleur Pass Road ; £4OO for repairs to roads and bridges generally ; .£IOO for repairs to wharf and for moorings, Kaikoura; £25 for a boat at the Clarence Perry. An act to permit Boards to rereceive all fees under Dog Nuisance Act, passed. A freehold of 500 acres granted to the Messrs. Bowden for loss of land. Petition received from 70 inhabitants of Kaikoura, praying for reinstatement of Sergeant Goodall there. Resolutions were carried for embodiment in a new Education Act, which the Assembly is to be requested to pass, the chief provisions being a division of the Province into districts of Picton, Pelorus, Wairau, and Kaikoura, each district to elect an independent Board, comprised of five members j schools

to be supported by fees accrording to schedule, and a portion of the land revenue raised in the respective districts. Fees to be paid for all children living within 3 miles of the school, whether attending or not.—The prayer of Messrs. Murphy and Reeves petition was not granted. The Appropriation Act was passed, also an amendment to the Licensing Act—“all houses closed at 11 o’clock at night, and between 1 and 7 p.ra. on Sundays ; licensing fee to be £3O in town, and from 4T5 to £3O in country, according to discretion of sitting Justices.”—A Bill amending the Picton Town Improvement Act, and extending the provisions to the Town of Havelock. A SENSATION IN THE COUNCIL. The Council extended its sittings to 10 o’clock last evening with the hope of completing the business, but as this was not done, it is intended to sit again to-day. Upon assembling at halfpast seven it was apparent to the observer that something more than usual was on the tapis, for all the members who might be expected were there to time, and a subdued expectant look pervaded every countenance. The Provincial Treasurer rose and amidst wrapt silence communicated the circumstances which appear in the following resolution, which was moved by Mr. Eyes, and carried unanimously :

“ That the action of ths Bank of New Zealand in placing to the credit of the Provincial overdraft account the sum "of .5£2,44S 13a lid, forwarded to the Province by the Colonial Paymaster, under the provisions of the Public Revenues Act 1867, and also the sum of .£‘l34 9s , being a portion of the advance voted to this province by the General Assembly, was illegal, and in opposition to the Colonial Secretary’s official letter of March 19th, and to the protests of the Provincial Executive ; and that the subsequent action of the directors of the said Bank, in reducing the limit of the provincial overdraft from £5990 to £3OOO, is a direct violation of a special agreement ; and tnis Council hereby requests his Honor the Superintendent to communicate the circumstance to the Colonial Government, and represent that the Province has never received the sums above named, which were fowarded by their instructions; and to forward a copy of this resolution to the Colonial Secretary.”

It will be seen from the above that the Province is deprived of its last shilling at a moment’s notice—as soon as the Act appropriating the last of its funds to the repairs of the roads, bridges, &c., had been passed. All the members appeared taken aback ; Mr. Seymour expressed his extreme surprise ; Air Conolly considered it“extraordinary conduct Mr. Ward and others spoke on the subject, while the motion passed unanimously. We refrain from expressing any further opinion at present on the matter, hoping to be better informed before our next issue.