The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1867. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 265, 7 November 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1867. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, November 6. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock; all the members being present except Messrs Thompson and Wigley. Some notices of motion were given. Mr Akersten moved that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to ascertain during the recess the cost of the fee simple of a few feet off the corner of the undermentioned properties on the Waimea-road, for the purpose of throwing the same into, widening, and improving that thoroughfare, viz., Baigent's or King's, Biggs's, Painter's, Taylor's, Dixon's, opposite Disher's, and at Richmond opposite Hodder's, and near the Plough Inn. Mr Akersten was of opinion that these improvements might be effected at small cost, and were essentially necessary for the safety of the traffic on that road. Tbe motion was seconded by Mr White, and supported bj Messrs Baigent (who instanced the corner opposite Hodder's as being especially dangerous) and F. Kelling, who expressed his surprise that the question should have emanated from a city member, and was carried without division. A motion standing in the name of Mr Donne, having for its object the preparation by the Government during the recess of a measure which should ensure a responsible system of administration of goldfields matters, was withdrawn. Mr Dreyer also withdrew his motion asking for the production of copies of all correspondence between the Government and the Commissioner of the South-est GoldSelds, from the 10th April to the ISth June this year. Mr Gibbs's motion that the papers now lying on the table of thi9 Council, being correspondence between the Provincial Secretary and the Commissioner of the Southwest Goldfields, be printed, was carried, aud, shortly afterwards, the printed papers called (or were laid on the table of the House. Mr Bentley having moved the second reading of the Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Railway Bill, the House resolved itself into committee on the bill, Mr Donne in the chair. On the consideration of the first clause, authorising the Superintendent to enter into a contract for the construction of a railway, Mr Kingdon proposed, as an amendment, the addition to the first paragraph of the clause ending. ' agree to give such portions of the Waste Lands of the Crown in the said province as payment for such railway when completed, as he (the Superintendent) shall think fit,' of the following words, ' subject to the approval of the Provincial Council.' This amendment was lost on division by S to 4, five members declining to vote. On the adoption of the entire original clause being moved, the motion was lostj the votes being — equal 8 to 8, and the chairman giving his casting vote against the adoption of the clause. The House then resumed. Mr Donne withdrew two motions standing in his name, having reference to an increased representation of the Southwest Goldfields in the Provincial Council, and moved the suspension of the standing orders, in order to introduce without notice during the present session a short bill for the same purpose. The Provincial Solicitor and Mr Parker objected to the motion, on the ground that the Council had already voted that a bill providing for7an increase in the goldfields representation should be prepared during the recess, and the motion was lost on division by 7 to 6. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, the Council resolved itself into committee on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill," Mr Kingdon in the chair,, which was passed and the chairman having reported progress the item of £1000 to the Karamea-roads having been increased to £2500, the House then resumed. Several notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned at,7 o'clock, until 5 o'clock this afternoon.