PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 168, 20 July 1867, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Feiday, July 19. The Speaker took the chair at 1 1 o'clock; all the members being present except Messrs Parker, Baigent, and Beilt. Mr Pitt, in moving the adoption of the ad interim report of the committee appointed to report upon the Buller and other coal-fields in the province, said that the subject was a large oue, and the committee couid not hope to give a full report this sessiou; they had therefore presented an ad interim report. Ke then referred to the comments of the Examiner on the report, aud considered them as petulant and uncalled for. After several members had spoken on the motion, The Provincial Secretary rose and opposed the motbn, saying that it was a farce to suppose that a guarantee of interest on £25,000 would help to develope a coal-field at the Buller. Had it been proposed to guarantee interest on 100,0007. something might have come of it. He characterised the report asan ill-considered production, and moved, as an amendment, that it be referred back to the committee for revision. The amendment was seconded by Mr Simmonds, and after a lengthened discussion was carried on the voices.

Mr. Burn, ou moving that a bonus of ss. should be paid to any individual or company raisiug good coal from any mine on this side of Cape Farewell, on giving proof that not less than 500 tons of such coal have been landed at this port, provided that such bonus shall" not exceed £500 in any one half-year, commencing on the 31st December, 1867; that the sum total thall not exceed £2000 ; and that in case such bonus shall be claimed by more than one party, it shall be divided proportionally to the quautity of coal raised in the half-year by each respectively, said that, his object in moving this motion was, to get coal introduced into Nelson which would supply at least our local wants, and not. witb any idea of fostering the of Blind Bay at the 1 expense of those of tlie West Coast. Mr. F. Kelling seconded the motion, hoping it would have the desired effect. Mr. Akersten thought the question should be referred to the select committee sitting on the subject. He regarded the proposal as especially intended to benefit Pakawau, and he did not believe that the seams at that locality would ever pay for working. Mr. White moved, as an amendment, that the question be referred to the committee. • The Provincial Secretary seconded the amendment, and said that he thought this question should not be dealt with separately from the former one. A division theu took place : — Ayes 10: The Provincial Solicitor, Proviucial Secretary, Messrs Redwood, Sparrow, t^igley, . White, Bentley, Akersten, McMahon, and -* Wastney. Noes 9: Messrs Pitt, Gibbs, C. Kelling, Kingdon, Dreyer, Thompson, F. Kelling, Burn, and Simmonds, Mr Donne declining to vote. The amendment was therefore carried. Mr. F. Kelling's motion that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of £75, as a salary for a second constable in Waimea South, was, after a debate, negatived by Mr McMahon moving the previous question. On the motion of the Provincial Solicitor, the Licensing Bill and Gold-fields Licensing Bill were both read a third time aud passed. Mr Kingdon's motion that the report of the select committee in Mr R. Crawford's case be adopted was agreed to. Mr Burn's motion that a select committee be appointed to take into consideration the petition of certain freeholders in the town of Westport, in the province of Nelson; such committee to consist of the Provincial Secretary, the Speaker, Messrs Bentley, Pitt, McMahon, Simmonds, Sparrow, aud the mover, and to report on Wednesday next. The Council then adjourned at 2 o'clock untii 5 o'clock on Tuesday next.