LOCAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 51, 3 May 1866, Page 2

LOCAL NEWS.

PROVINCIAL- COUNCIL. Wednesday, May 2, The "Speaker took' the chair at 5 p.mJ All the' members 1 were-- present, except ]_e»6ra. Kutherford and Thompson. The minutes of ' the last meeting ' were' read 1 aikl confirmed. MESSAGE _R6_ TIIE SbPERISTENDEIST'.' Message No. 16 transmitted the Supplementary Estimates, including : the items recommended Dy the Provincial Council. REPORT. Mr. Kingdon brought up the report of : the ' select committee appointed to inquire into Mi; Mackley's memorial.- They' said, after' consulting the Chief Engineer as to the mileage in the Itinerary complained of, they found it'to be as correct' as it" may' be. The Itinerary was-not- published by the authority- of th-e-Government, although the information it contained was obtained from the Government offices!' Under these circumstances, the-ebmmittee coulditot recommend that any compensation be paid-to Mr. Macfeley, although they deeply regretted- the- loss an-d injuries' caused by the diggers, on account of which ■ Mr. Mackley claimed compensation; standing on_kns. Mr. Burn moved the suspension of Standing Order No. 87, to allow him tb move, when' the' Estimates were recommitted, that the. sum of £250 be substituted for £200, for the dra-ughlsmar* in- th-e Survey ; Department; i Mr. Kingdon seconded. i Mr. Oliver opposed the motion, contending that -it' ! was the business of the Superintendent and -Executive I to fix the salaries, and not the Council. : . Mr. Baigentwas understood to* express approval. He complained of the great noise in the Council room, and that order was not properly kept. Mr. burn said Mr. Oliver was in error in defining the powers of the Superintendent. At-onetime- he said chat official was absolute, at -another that he had no power at all: It was the duty of the Superintendent to nominate ali officers, and that* of the Council to vote the salaries. Mr. Oliver divided the House on the motion; The result was — Ayes, 14; Noes, 4. THE ESTIMATES. The Provincial Secretary moved, That the Estimates be recommitted, for trie purpose of making the following alterations, viz.—To strike out; the figures " 16U/." after the word " Sergeant," in Police' Department, and insert the figures' " 170/." Also after the words " Hurunui Bridge," that the words and figures, '• subject to the approval of the Provincial Engineer and also subject to the sum of 1,000 being subscribed by the inhabitants of Amuri 3000/," be struck out and the figures " 2,000/." inserted. Mr. Simmonds seconded. Motion passed. The House then went into committee, Mr. Kingdon in the chair. Mr. Giver again denied the power of the Council to interfere with the salaries, and was laughed at by Messrs; Burns and Simmonds for his punctilious conduct. Mr. Baigent concurred with the" previous speaker" that the apportioning of salaries was the duty of the : Executive alone. The Council were going bpyoritE their powers, and increasing the salaries of officers tb an undue extent. The constables were paid a sightbetter than the farmers. The speaker protested against the doctrine that the Superintendent and Executive, fixed the salaries. The Council would abdicate its functions if it did not fix the salary of the officers. He did not approve, as a rule, of altering the estimates, but the present, appeared to be exceptional cases. Mr. M' Mahon showed that the council had expressed an . opinion on a memorial sent in by the officer in question, and this led to the present action of the Government. . ... Mr. Kelling justified the conduct of the Government in raising the salary of a highly meritoriousofficer. The Provincial Secretary pointed out the inconsistencies of Mr. Oliver in commending on a former occasion what he now opposed. Mr. Akersten was glad to hear the doctrine laid down,- that the council fixed the salaries/ Mr. Oliver was a perfect puzzle to him and the council. A 6 an earlier stage of the session' he was fbr restricting the powers of the Superintendent, now he was iv favor of his fixing the salaries. According to that gentleman it was difficult to see what the council had to do at all. The items were agreed to. Mr. Gibbs moved, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the snrh of 25/ for tlie purpose (if repairing the Slate River Bridge. He thought the repairs this bridge had beeul provided fbr, but was mistaken. The bridge was iii

a* most' dilapidated condititibn' and prevented the settlers from crossing the river. Mr. Simmonds* wished to know* what : sort of a bridge it-was, arid'what were the wants of the population. Mr. Gibbs said the bridge cost between 300/ and 400/. It was of wood, was used chiefly by miners, and' the land leased on either side had been so used as to destroy the approaches. The Provincial Secretary explained that the - item vas a -new one and could not be passed now. . Mn Dodson moved to strike out the figures £100, after the item " Suburban North Road Board," and insert the figures " £ 1 25." Carried. . The P-ovintial Secretary moved the figures £5000, after the word " Sinking Fund," be struck out, and the figures * ' £ 1 5.000 " substituted. He said the Government wished to anticipate the vote for two years, and the funds at the disposal of the Government placed them in tlie position to suggest the alteration. The waterworks would not be delayed in consequence of the new arrangement. Mr. Baigent said he wns perfectly elated at- the prospect before them. They had borrowed 20,000/ and had 15,000/ to put out to interest. This was about the size of it (great laughter). The motion was agreed to. The Provincial Secretary moved, instead of Mr. Kingdon, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to raise the salary of the Turnkey of the Gaol to & 132, and the Overseers to £254. Motion passed. . Mr. Burn moved. That the sum o /250/ be substituted for 200/ for the draughtsman in the survey department. He eulogised the character of that officer, and said he richly deserved the increase proposed. Mr. Curtis thought so too if the draughtsman was •employed the whole of his time. The Provincial Secretary said the draughtsman was regularly employed from ten till four. He agreed as" to the desirability of the increase, and would- support it, although* he was not aware the motion was going to be brought forward. . Mr. Kelling opposed the motion on the ground that less land was being sold than formerly,. and provisions *'ere' getting cheaper (cries of 0h,. 0h): Mr. Dodson approved of paying servants- well, if the Government did not keep more cats than there were mice to catch (laughter). Mr. C. Kelling moved an amendment, that the item- be 225/. The ProvinciahSecretary explained that the recent land sales involved a- great amount of work, and the increase proposed was for an officer fully employed by the Government. The Speaker said the present salary was an obviously low one, and must have been overlooked when the Estimates were passed. Mr. Oliver said the proposal came from the wrong quarter. He would have no objection to raise the salary of the Provincial Secretary himself (laughter). The speaker said it was a question of justice and. not of the quarter whence the suggestion came. They were recently told by a high authority to seize on truth where'er tis found, and that the flower's divine where'er it grows (great laughter). After a discussion the motion passed, and the House resumed, the chairman having reported the Estimates as amended. Mr. Gibbs now Minended his motion in favor of the Slate River Bridge. Mr. Burn seconded the motion, Mr. Baigent supported it. The motion passed. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, seconded by Mr. Burn, the standing order 28 was suspended to enable the House to go into committee on the Supplementary Estimates, Mr. Kingdon in the chair. The following items passed : — Harbor Department, lean to, 40/; Inspector Hackney Carriages, 40/; Chief Inspector Cabs, 58/ 6s. Bd. ; Hurunui Bridge, 1,000/-, Volunteers. 150/; Public Libraries and reading rooms, 100/; Repairing Jetty and Harbour Riwaka, 35/; Wharves Takaka District, 40/; Boat landing Nelson Harbor, 200/; Cart Bridge Wai-iti, 1,200/; District Cemeteries, 200/; Road Wai-iti, 150/; Agricultural Association, Motueka, 100/; Foot Bridge Riwaka Ferry House, 40/; Foot Bridge Wai-iti near Jary's Mill, 250/; Horticultural Association, 100/; Haven and Waimea-roads, 250/. The House resumed. Mr. Kingdon moved the resolution proposed by the Select Committee appointed to take into consideration and report upon the petition of Mr. Matthew Batty, namely, That as the Committee find, tliat the valuation of Batty's plant and improvements, on which the Government proposed to act lias been made chiefly by Mr. Burnett, who was at the. time in the service of the Government, they think it would be desirable that a fresh valuation should be made by two persons and an umpire appointed by them ; that one of the valuers should be named by the Superintendent and the other by Mr. Batty, but neither should be in any way connected either with the Government, with the present Lessees of the mine, or with Batty and his partners. The sxpense of the valuation to be equally divided between Mr. Batty and the Government. In case Mr. Batty declines or. neglects to appoint a valuator within ten days, the Council consider that the valuation of Mr. Burnett should be strictly acted upon. He had no donbt of the correctness of Mr. Burnett's valuation. Yet as tha thing was done in a hurried manner, it was possible that an assumption of injustice was done to Mr. Batty, The committee wished to satisfy Mr. Batty, by appointing a fresh valuation ou condition he pay his share of the expense. Mr. Curtis seconded the motion. Mr. Sparrow opposed it, thinking the Superintendent was justified in taking a decided course with an obstinate mair" He thought the Council would not fee warranted in allowing a second valuation, al-

though it'appeared to have some discrepancies. As Mr. Burnett made tlie valuation for Taylor & Co, and not for the Government; it could not strictly be objected to. He moved an amendment, That the Council concur in the course taken by his Honor the Superintendent; and 'resolve that' no further action.be taken in the matter. There was no seconder, Mr. Burn moved another amendment to avold ; fhe comparisons which the committee had introduced into their report. He moved that a commission he appointed to make a re-investigation ofi the matter. He would move that' Mr. Akersten be one of the gentlemen appointed by the Council, and would leave the Council to appoint another. Mr. McMahon seconded the motion, thinking it desirable to ask the Superintendent to- appoint a commission. Mr. Dodson thought strangers and not Government officers ought to be on the. commission, though there was very little cause for appointing either. Mr. Baigent opposed the amendment. The Provincial Secretary supported the amendment. The motion was inconsistent with the report, and a re-valuation was not called for by the circumstances. Nothing had transpired to throw discredit on Mr. Burnett's valuation ; and every opportunity had been given to Mr. Batty to establish his claim; At the same time the Government were quite willing to support a commission of inquiry. Mr. Batty still held possession of the houses, and the Council would he justified in refusing his petition. Mr. Curtis defended the committee from the charge of inconsistency, and said the ground taken by them was the fact that the valuation having been made by an officer of the Government was open to objection, hence the propriety of having another valuation. He did not think the valuation was an improper one, but it had. the appearance of partiality, because given by an officer of the Government. He saw no advantage in a commission of inquiry in the appointment of which Batty had no share: The Provincial Solicitor showed that although Mr. Burnett was appointed by the Government, it could not influence his decision, as the Government did not. pay for it, but the company who were interested in the result. Mr. Batty's conduct was characterised by great obstinacy, which compelled the Government to act as they had done. He objected to take any further notice of Batty so long as he held possession of the property. If a commission was to be appointed, it- should be unconnected with the Council or the Government. Batty's misconduct had been such as to disentitle him to any consideration on the part of the Council, and was a reason why the Government should not be put to further expense. Mr. Gibbs thought tliat Batty had been hardlydealt with. He had developed a valuable coal-field, and had reason to complain that the late Superintendent's promises were not lulfilled, through the mismanagement of the present Executive. Mr. Simmonds defended the committee and the Government, and could not see the use of a commission. He supported the resolution. Mr. Kelling would abide by the report of the committee ; and, for appearance sake, would vote for a now assessment. Mr. Redwood vindicated the Superintendent from the charge of unfairness, having been present when he urged Burnett to be particular in specifying the nature of Batty's claim, and in seeing that justice was done to him. After a further discussion, in which Messrs. Kingdon, C. Kelling, Akersten, Oliver, and Burn joined, the question was put, that the whole of Mr. Kingdon 's motion be struck out. Ayes, 6; Noes, 11. The question was then put and negatived, that Mr. Burn's amendment stand in the place of the original motion. Mr. Simmonds moved, That all further action in the matter belongs to the Executive. The motion was not seconded, and the matter then dropped. ECI/LEE RESERVES ADMINISTRATION ACT, 1863. The Provincial Solicitor obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend this Act. At half-past 8 o'clock the Council adjourned till this evening.