THE Marlborough Express. SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1871.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 295, 3 June 1871, Page 4

THE Marlborough Express.

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1871.

“ Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all other liberties.’ —Milton

We began the week with the good resolution of printing the whole of the proceedings of the Provincial Council for the week in the current issue of our journal, but after considerable pains we find it impossible to do so, owing to interruptions caused by the arrival of the English Mail several days before its due date, and other reasons we need not here allude to ; consequently we can only summarise beyond a certain point, in describing the business. The Kaikoura to Kohai, and Blenheim to Renwick Road Diversion Acts, the Superintendents’ Land Alienation Act, the Roads Act Amendment Act, and the Appropriation Act, have passed through all their stages and become law, subject of course to the Governor’s veto. Of these measures the most important is the Roads Act, by virtue of which the Government—or rather the Province—assumes the maintenance of all Bridges over fifty feet span, and thus settled the vexed question of the Omaka Bridge, and not only that, but have relieved the several Boards of others which would soon have become a very serious burden. Some very useful and instructive discussions took place on various matters. The Band very respectfully asked for the use of the Hall for practices, but the Council, by the casting-vote of the Speaker, denied their prayer. It was elicited from the Government that the amount of insurance and consequent risk to the property had been affected by letting the hall to another body, and his Honor Mr Seymour confirmed all that has been said in the Express, under the heading of “ The Value of a Vote.” Mr Ward considered that under the circumstances the use of the hall should be forbid to all private bodies, and threatened, if the Government did not table a motion to that effect, he would himself do so. . He fulfilled his promise so far as giving notice of his motion, but when the time came he withdrew it.

For the first time, we believe, a per centage of the produce of sales under the Land Act, amounting to L 52 odd, was accounted for, and divided among the several schools. A memorial to the Governor was passed by the Council praying for a delegation under the Gold Fields Act of powers to the .Superintendent to grant Agricultural leases on the Gold-fields. A resolution was adopted calling upon the members for the Province to use their utmost efforts in the Assembly for obtaining a remedy for the monstrous injustice perpretrated at the expense of this Province, by the mode of charging it for the maintenance of the Telegraph line. Messrs Bowdens’ claim for compensation was again dealt with by a Select Committee which recommend a grant of A2OO in land. The Estimates were passed as printed, and several new items were added. These comprised a payment of LSO for road work to Mr Davies, Kaituna ; Al 5 for payment of the passage of Peter Rigby to Melbourne ; LIQO for improving the navigation of the Opawa and Omaka rivers ; AIOO for a Court-house at Havelock ; A3O for a room for Public purposes at Marlborough Town; AIOO for removing snags from the Pelorus river ; and A2OO for making a road from Wairau Valley to the Top House. The total amount of appropriation—Ll3,26o- - very far in excess of any revenue that can be expected. The Scab Act bothered the Council exceedingly, and after several committees and lengthy discussions the Council adjourned till this morning, when it is to be hoped a measure will be passed, to which we may refer hereafter. We must not forget to mention that our friend Mr. Ward made his usual Sessional attack upon Mr, Byes, nor did he overlook the Express. Of course one being absent, and the other having no opportunity, there was no possibility of replying

to Mm. Our reporter did contradict Mm rather more emphatically than was either prudent or proper, but fortunately none of the Council chose to hear the remark, or it is hard to say what the fearful consequences might have been. Well, we have a real regal'd for the Council, and regret the matter, but for some of the persons in it— We had better change the subject. A motion was made by Mr. Ward affirming that it was not desirable to change the mode of electing the Superintendent, by conferring the privilege on the People as in other Provinces. Some smart things were said, for which we have not space this week, and although the motion was carried it was on the vote of six members only out of twenty, five voting against it, and the rest being either in the ante-room or absent. This majority included the present holder of the office, and two of Ms Executive—namely. His Honor Mr Seymour, Messrs Conolly, Carter, Chaytor, Putland, and Ward. The People will doubtless have their say at another time.