The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1867. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 264, 6 November 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1867. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, November 5. The Speaker took the chair at ~> o'clock; all the members being present except Mv Wigley. r J he second reading of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill was postponed uatil the notices on the paper were disposed of. In reply to an inquiry from Mr Simmonds as to what action hau been taken towards the erection of the bridge over the Wai-iti river, to connect Wsimea-vest and Waimea-south, the Proviiui.il Secretary said that. theProvincialEngineer had been much occupied of late with very important public works, and nothing had yet been done, but, that the work would be proceeded with as soon as possible. Mr Simmonds's motion that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to procure for the Council a report from the Provincial Engineer as to what steps have been taken in the erection of the Waimea-bridge, and if, in his opinion, the timber delivered for the bridge is of a satisfactory character, and according to contract, was carried, ■the Provincial Secretary laying the report on the table, which stated that the ironwork for the bridge had arrived by the Cissy, and was being carted to the site of the bridge; that the woodwork was also being delivered, and was examined periodically by the clerk of the works, some of it having been rejected as unfit for the purpose. Mr F. Killing's motion that it is inexpedient to consider any other questions, during the present session, than such as have a direct bearing upon the subject for which the Council has been specially, called together, was withdrawn, in obedience to the general feeling of the Council Mr Macmahon moved that the Council wish to record it as their opinion that the course pursue d by the Executive Government, in expending large sums in excess of the Appropriation Act, should be immediately discontinued; and further, that while at all times prepared to vote any sum that may be reasonably required for the public service, the Council will not grant a Bill of Indemnity for any large unauthorised expenditure, after this session. Mr Macmahon said that his object in bringing forward this motion was not exactly to censure the Government, who had certainly not acted wisely, but to let them down as easily as possible, and he would leave it in the hands of the Council to reject or adopt it as they thought proper. Mr Parker seconded the motjon, which he thought both worded mildly and a necessary one. He would not wish to prevent the Government from* spending small sums, say 2000/ or 2000/, in order to carry out important works, but thought the Council should be convened to authorise such large expenditnre. He was decidedly of opinion that the Council should not separate without giving utterance to some such expression of their opinion as would prevent the recurrence of such conduct in the future. Mr Donne moved an amendment to the effect that for the future more attention should be paid to the provisions of the Audit Act, and that officers on the West Coast be instructed not to undertake any works without authority from the Government, which was negatived by a majority of 14 t0. 4, Messrs Redwood and White declining to vote. The Provincial Solicitor moved an an amendment to the original resolution, the addition to it of the following words: — 'That the Council is of opinion that "it should at all times be called together whenever an extension of existing goldfields, or the development of new ones appears to require any cousiderable expenditure of money which it has not authorised.' lie admitted that a considerable sum had been expended by the Government in excess of what it had expected would be necessary, hut works when once begun, must be concluded, and instances were, not wanting in the neighborhood of Nelson, where it had been found necessary to ask for an increased amount for the completion of such work's. Mr Burn seconded the amendment in the belief that the Council would always gladly meet together to authorise any large expenditure. Mr Parker would not oppose the amendment, but could not see any necessity for it. Mr Kingdon thought it quite superfluous. The hitch arose from the Superintendent going down to Wellington for some months and not appointing a deputy. Mr Sparrow objected to the amendment, and hoped the Council would at once go to the business for which they were convened. Mr F. Kelling would have preferred that the resolution had not been proposed until the report on Mr M'Mahon's previous motion had been, brought up. The amendment was ultimately lost on the voices, and the original resolution was also carried without, division. Mr Wastney's motion that his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to give instructions to the Provincial Engineer, at his earliest convenience, to visit the Collingwood Coalmines, and give his advice to the company connected with the same as to the best method of

constructing a tramway, or other means of conveying the coals from" the mine to where it is desired to deliver them near Collingwood, was seconded by Mr Baigeut, and supported by Mr Gibbs. t . The Provincial Secretary opposed the motion on the ground that it was not within the province of the Council to ask the Superintendent to issue instructions to the Provincial Engineer to give his time and advice to a private company. Several member* spoke in support of and against the motion, -which was lost on division by 7 to G, Mr Donne declining to vote. 3Mr Eentley moved for leave to bring in a bill authorising his 1 ionor the Superintendent to enter into a contract for the construction of a railway from the Port of Nelson to Cobden and Westport. Mr F. Kelling supported the bill, but objected that it ought not to have been introduced by a private member of the Council, but by the Govern ment. The Provincial Solicitor said that, although the Government had drawn the bill, he should not support it, as he considered it quite unnecessary; for when the Superintendent required such powers as the bill conferred, he could ask the Council to grant them. Mr Kingdon supported the motion at some length. The Provincial Secretary objected tiiat no necessity had been shown for the passing the bill. Mr Pitt supported the motion, on the ground that no contract could be entered into until the bill was passed. The provisions were amply sufficient to meet all the conditions required by the General Assembly, and the Superintendent would doubtless take care that the contractor was one who would be approved by the Council. If the bill was not passed, all action in the matter must cease, but if passed, and any properly qualified person came forward, the Superintendent would be empowered to deal with him, Mr Simmonds supported the bill, which would at least authorise the Superintendent to act, whether he exercised that power or not. Mr Gibbs opposed the bill, as being unnecessary. It was by no means likely that the Superintendent would be called on to enter into any contract before the next session of the Council, and if it were so, the parting with such a vast amount of public land would be a sufficient justification for calling the Council together. Mr Dreyer opposed the bill, on the ground that it was impolitic to vest such large interests iv the hands of one man. Mr Akersten also opposed the measure, expressing his belief that.; the railway would never be made, and that the "sooner this bugbear was put an cud to the better, lie also adverted to the anomaly which was presented by the fact that the bill, which was framed by the Provincial Solicttor, was opposed by the Government. Mr B entity replied, stating that he had heard no reason adduced for the withdrawal of the bill; and, on a division, the motion was carried by 14 to 6, the Provincial Solicitor and Provincial Secretary declining to vote, and the bill was then read a first time. The Provincial Secretary then briefly moved the second reading of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, considering it unnecessary to repeat the observations which he had made in reference to it on Thursday last. ' Mr Gibbs supported the motion, but thought that the sum asked for would probably be too small. Ke protested strongly against the manner in which the unauthorised expenditure on the West Coast had been carried on, and animadverted at considerable length and in very forcible terms on the tone of Mr Commissioner Kynnersley's correspondence with the Government. Mr Dreyer defended Mr Kynnersley, and blamed the Government for allowing such an outcry to be made against him without, uttering one word in his favor. Mr Kingdon also vindicated Mr Kynnersley, considering him a most invaluable public officer. He thought the Government had acted in a very undignified manner throughout this affair. Mr Pitt supported the second reading, and hoped the sum asked for would be found sufficient. The Government bad never attempted to defend the unauthorised expenditure, but had seen no other means to meet an unexpected contingency. He could vouch that the money hud been -well and profitably spent. Mr Donne would support the motion, but would prefer its postponement until the matter had been thoroughly sifted, even if it took a fortnight to do it. Mr H. Eedwood approved of the motion, and thought the prosperity of the goldfidds was attributable to the wise forethought and prompt action of the Government. Mr Akersten based his objection to the measure mainly on hisiears lest the money required should be improperly expended through the want of proper engineering skill on the West Coast. The Provincial Secretary replied at great length, answering seriatim the various objections raised during the debate, stating that the excess of expenditure was absolutely necessary, for it was most important that the work of opening up the goldfields should not be impeded, and said the Government had never attempted to blame Mr Kynnersley, on whose ability they placed the greatest alliance, and whose services they highly appreciated. The Government had spent the money, and they alone were responsible for it. The question whether Mr Kynnersley had exceeded his powers or not lay between him and the Government, not between him and the Council. The Government alone were responsible to the Council, and they never attempted to shift that responsibility to Mr Kynnersley's shoulders. The motion was then carried without division, and the bill was read a second time. The Provincial Secretary having moved that the House resolve itself into committee on the bill, Mr Kingdon in the chair, Mr Wastney moved the adjournment of the Council, which was carried on the voices, and several notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned at a quarter past 9 o'clock, until 5 this afternoon.

Our telegraphic intelligence Informs us that upon the departure of the Airedale from the Bluff Harbor yesterday, an accident occurred to her machinery, in consequence of which she was compelled to put back. The casualty however appears to have been a very slight one, as, a few hours afterwards, she was signalled as having sailed for Wellington. yLMv John Frazer, who has been so long connected with the postal arrangement of this city, took his departure by the Nelson for Westport, to which office he has been appointed by the Government, in consequence of a reduction in the staff attached to the Nelson Postoffice. Whilst expressing our regret at Mr Frazar's removal, we may be permitted to congratulate that gentlemau on his having obtained a promotion to which he is justly entitled. Mr Frazer was accompanied on board the steamer by a party of his friends who were anxious to wish him 'goodbye,' and to show him this last mark of their esteem and friendship. The Fifth of November was celebrated yesterday by a very meagre exhibition of effigies of Guy Fawkes, those displayed being entirely destitute of thrums, stars, and indeed in some cases of even masks. The commemoration of this historical event has almost entirely ceased in England, aud has evidently but slight attractions for the Nelson juveniles, and probably it is as well that it is so. During the evening- we noticed, in the suburbs of the city, several bonfires composed of these absurd caricatures, accompanied by the usual display of squibs and crackers. In consequence of the boisterous weather which, has prevailed to-day, the Lady Barkly will not leave for Motueka, Waitapu, and Collingwood, until 7 o'clock to-morrow morning. The final performance of the Empire Dramatic Company took place last night, for the benefit of Mr Fenton, the proprietor, in the presence of a pretty numerous audience. For some reason unknown to us, both the pieces advertised were changed, the Republican being substituted for the Polish Soldier, and the farce of the Family Failing for that announced in the bills — An Ugly Customer. As these pieces have already been given by the company, any especial notice of them would be superflous, but we may add that they both went very smoothly, and the last especially afforded the most unlimited amusement to the audience. The interlude consisted of several items of very varied character, including another assaut d'armes between Messrs Augarde aud Sefton, in which the latter gentleman's play as well as his temper showed to great advantage; two humorous songs by Mr Reuben Waite, of barking notoriety, who kindly volunteered his services; a local song on the Nelson Meat Bazaar, by Mr Mauton, and another which purported to be written by a Member of the Provincial Council, upon the sayings and doings of the present session, aud which was well received; together with an illustration against time by Mr Sefton of his powers as a scenic artist, which was evidently witnessed by the audieuce with astonishment and interest, Mr Sefton managing, to paint a very fair moonlight canal scene within the space of a quarter of an hour. We must express our regret that the company have not met with more success during their stay in. Nelson, but facts are stubborn things, and probably this result may be attributable rather to the present depressed state of business in Nelson thaa to any depreciation of the talents of the company. S The Superintendent of Marlborough has received a reply from the Colonial Secretary to two petitious to the Governor, praying that Dr Muller may be retained as Resident Magistrate at Blenheim. Mr Stafford says that these petitions only confirm the opinion which the Government entertain of Dr Muller as a conscientious and esteemed public officer, but the Legislature having reduced by more than, one-third the sum placed on the Estimates for law and justice during the current financial year in Marlborough, the Government can only maintain one paid Resident Magistrate in that province after the Ist of November. He adds that Dr Muller will however retain several other paid offices, and receive a small increase of salary in his capacity as Collector of Customs, the duties of which, office have been reported by the Inspector of Customs to have been interfered with by its combination with the office of Resident Magistrate. The return ball at Blenheim to his

Honor the Superintendent of Marlborough and Mrs Eyes has been postponed till the evening of Friday next, in consequence of the sudden and lamented death of Mrs Barleyman on Wednesday last, which cast a deep gloom over the town. From the report of the inquest which was held on the body, it would appear that Mrs Barleyman, who was a daughter of Mr John Saxon of Motueka, died from disease of the heart, accelerated by mental depression caused by alteration in her husband's official position consequent on the late reductions in the Governmental staff at Blenheim. The Southern Cross of the 22nd instant states that the Raugatira had brought to Auckland on the 30th ultimo 200 men of the 2nd battalion 18th Royal Irish, being a portion of the detachment which is to be stationed in Auckland. Except that Kelly's claim ou the Monataira Creek has yielded 990z of gold to ISOlbs of stuff, there is no news of any importance from the Thames goldfields. The progress which is being made in the gi'owth of the township of Shortland is very marked: a fortnight ago there were not twenty wood structures in the town; there are now upwards of fifty. The steamer Tauranga, which arrived in Auckland harbour on Saturday night, brought up between 500 and 600 ounces of gold from Hunt's Claim. ;