Friday, June 14.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 137, 14 June 1867, Page 2

Friday, June 14.

The Speaker took the chair at 11 oclock Members present : The Provincial Secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Messrs. Pitt, Sparrow, H, Redwood, C. Kelling, Kingdon, Wigley, Beitt, W. White, Bentley, Simrnonds, F. Kelling, Wastney, Gibbs, Baigent, Donne, McMahon, Parker, and Dreyer. Mr McMahon rose, pursuant to noiice, to ask the Provincial Solicitor whether the " Constabulary Force Ordinance of New Muuster" is in operation throughout this proviuce, and stated that a difference of opinion existed as to whether this Act was in operation in every part of the province; if the reverse were the case, he was of opinion that steps should be taken to extend its action. The Provincial Solicitor, .in reply, stated that the Ordinance had only come into partial operation io the province. Mr JVlcMuhon, in moving that a select committee be appointed for the purpose of taking into consideration the desirability of introducing a Bill to encourage and facilitate the drainage of land, such committee to consist of the Speaker, Mr Thompson, Mr Baigent, Mr C. Kelling, Mr Parker, Mr Sparrow, Mr Wastney, and the mover, stated that he considered it highly desirable that a more systematic method of drainage should be introduced, in order to render the laud more valuable; and he felt confident that it was only necessary for this purpose to bring the subject before the Council. Mr Parker seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Bentley moved that his Honor the Supe'riuteudent be requested to furnish the Council with a return of the amount of money received for land sales at Westport, and the amount expended informing* roads and wharf in that place. The motion was seconded by Mr Wastney, and carried. Mr. Akersten, in moving that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to defer the repairs of the Government Wharf, until the Council shall have considered the advisability of filling in the wharf with stone, and making other extensive and necessary additions in earthwork, stated that his reason for brineinc this O O motion before the Council was, that it was understood that wood was proposed to be used in the repairs of the Government Wharf. This he considered to be very unfit for the purpose. Stone and iron could now be obtained almost as cheaply as wood, and stone was infinitely preferable to that material. The wharf, in its present state, was very inconvenient, and for the amount placed on the Eatimates, — £1000 — much might be done to improve it. Mr. Akersten described the approach to the wharf as being disgraceful from its narrowness. If any money were spent upon the wharf, be considered that it should be devoted to widening the road, and that <the entire work at the •wharf should not be carried out, until the subject had been fully considered by a committee of the Couucil. Mr. Pitt seconded the motion. The Provincial Secretary stated that the Provincial Engineer had reported that repairs were absolutely necessary for the safety of the wharf, and £400 was all that was required for this immediate purpose. Until Mr. Balfour's Report upon the harbor had been received, it would be very injudicious to undertake any alterations in the wharf on a large scale. Mr. Simrnonds suggested that the motion should be withdrawn, and a Select Committee moved for. The Provincial Solicitor said that if immediate steps were not taken, the wharf would be in. great jeopardy, and if the Council approved of the motion, the delay which must necessarily ensue, might be .productive of most serious xq-

! suits. The time would probably arrive when the construction of a stone quay would be requisite, and had, indeed, been always looked forward to by the G-overn- | ment. Nothing that it was now proI posed to do with wood, would interfere | with any future stone work which might i be carried out. | Mr. Akersten, in reply, said that he I had learned that Mr. Balfour's reply ) would not be received during the present t session, and therefore it would prove an I obstacle to any present improvement of the wharf. More accommodation was imperatively required, as only one English vessel, as had been proved on a recent ' occasion,' could be accommodated at the \ wharf at once. Mr. Akersten submitted I that no delay need ensue in the considera- ; tion of the subject, if a committee were '•i at once appointed. i The motion was ultimately negatived, 1 Mr. Akersten rose to move that that his • : Honor the Superintendent be requested .; to place a sum of money on the Estimates, . sufficient for the removal of the Buoy I Rock, in kelson Harbor, and said that I this subject had been lost sight of in the ! Provincial Engineer's Report. The rock \ was a great nuisance, and likely to cause accidents, being situated in the direct line ', of traffic to the Government Wharf, and it would cost only from £500 to £700 to ■ remove it. Mr. R. Burn seconded the motion. ', Mr. Donne thought the consideration of the subject should be postponed until the probable cost had been ascertained. ' Mr. Pitt was of opinion that the re- :, moval of the rock would be an unnecessary expenditure of public money, no serious accidents bad as yet occurred ; from this cause, aud it was well buoyed. Mr. McMahon thought the whole question of Harbor Improvements should be referred to a Select Committee. Mr. Akersten asserted that many vessels had been upon the rock, and that it was a ; constant source of aunoyance to pilots. ; Vessels at the Albion Wharf had frequently ; to wait for several hours to enable them , to leave the harbor. He intended to move ' for a Select Committee to consider the harbor improvements generally, and this would come under their consideration. The motion was lost. Several notices of motion were given, ' and a petition was read from Mr. John i Rogers Eraser, with reference to alleged \ grievances in connection with the Grey ■i Coal-fields. \; The Council adjourned at noon, until 5 ■■: o'clock on Tuesday.