The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1868. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 125, 28 May 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1868. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, May 27. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. All the members were present, Mr Wigley in moving that tbe sum of £1000 be placed on the Supplementary Estimates, to meet the same amount given by the Canterbury Government, for the completion of the Hurunui Bridge, gave a resume ,of the circumstances attending its construction, and its demolition by the last beavy fiood. The correspondence on the subject between the Nelson and Canterbury Governments was read, and Mr Wigley concluded by urging the motion upon the fevorable consideration of the Council. Mr Akersten seconded the motion, which was supportedby Mr P. Kelling, and opposed by Messrs Macmahon and Simmonds. Mr Smith moved as an amendment that the adoption of the motion be dependent upon the Provincial Engineer's approval of the site chosen for the new bridge, which was seconded by Mr Burn, and lost. Mr Redwood supported the motion, considering that the Council, having already pledged itself to contribute towards the construction of this bridge, and having actually contributed towards the erection of the bridge which had been destroyed, was BtiU bound to assist in carrying^ out >its original intention. Mr Wigley.replied, and the motion[was carried on the voices. In reply to a question from Mr Parker, whether [ the wharf contracted for by Mr Thomas Miles, at | Westport, was completed according to the specification provided for the purpose, the Provincial Secretary stated that the correspondence on the subject already laid on the table showed that the wharf was not completed at the time it was carried away, but that if it had been completed, its destruction would [certainly j-have taken place. Mr. Donne's motion that the Speaker be requested to provide requisite accommodation for the reporters ofthe Press, outside the Bar of the Council, either in the gallery or in the body of the Council Chamber, as may be fousd convenient, which was seconded by Mr Wigley, and opposed by Mr Pitt, was brought to an untimely end by Mr Macmahon moving the previous question, which was seconded by Mr Wastney, and carried on division by 19 to 3. Leave having been given to the Provincial Solicitor to bring in a bill to authorise the Superintendent to sell or lease a certain Reserve in the District of Amuri, the bill was read a first time. Mr Donne moved that in the opinion of the Council the question of Provincial Expenditure is one entitled to some careful and elaborate inquiry, with a view of placing the same on a more i economical and at the same time none the less eflicient footing ; and with this view, would recommend his Honor the Superintendent, during the early part of the recess, to appoint a Commission, invested with requisite powers, to generally inquire into and. report upon the question of Provincial Expenditure, and the state and efficiency of the Public Service. Mr Home cheerfully seconded the motion, because he thought that a Commissionjwas the only way in which the question could he dealt with, and added tbat the Council would show by its action on this resolution whether it really desired to carry out economy in the provincial expenditure. Mr F. Kelling supported the motion, and moved as an amendment, the omission of the words ' the early part of,' which was seconded by Mr Burn and carried. A long di?cu_sion enßued, in which Messra Gibbs, Macmahon, Simmonds, Akersten, Parker, Pitt and Bentley opposed the motion, considering that the appointment of such a Commission would involve an absurd and useless expenditure, that the Executive were a Commission in themselves on such matters, and that the Superintendent could hardly he expected to appoint a Commission which might possibly report in effect tbat he and the Executive had not done their duty. On division the votes appeared to he equal, 9 being given for the motion and 9 against it, the Speaker therefore gave his casting vote with the ayes, leaving the question open for consideration when the Supplementary Estimates are brought, up, and the motion was therefore carried. Mr Gibbs's motion that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £300, for the purpose of repairing the existing roads, and for other public works, on the Collingwood Goldfields, which was seconded by Mr Sparrow, waa carried. Mr White moved that in the opinion of the Council all public works to be executed in this province be should let by public contract, which, after some discussion, the Provincial Secretary agreeing with the spirit ofthe motion, and stating that all works of any magnitude were now let by public tender, was carried on the voices. The Council then proceeded to the Order of tbe Day — the further consideration of the Estimates in committee, Mr Wastney (in the absence of Mr Parker) being in the chair.

The various items in the Gaol Department were passed without alteration: — Gaoler, (also .' Meteorological Registrar) £275; Turnkey, £150; , Three Overseers at£ll per month, £396; Matron ' £50; Contingencies, £584. In the Police Department the following items , were passed; — Inspector, £260; the salary of Sergeant Major being increased on the motion of Mr Kingdon, seconded by Mr Macmahon, and carried by 16 to 6, from £185 to £200; Sergeant, £160; Two Constables at £12 per month; Ten Constables at £11 per month, £1,320 (two amendments, to reduce the number to six and eight, by Messrs Gibbs and Donne respectively, being lost) Special Constables, £150; Arms, Travelling Expenses, &c, £150; Uniform, £200; Porage for horses, £40; and Stationery, £5. Por the District Police: — Suburban North, .£35; Suburban South, £25 ; Waimea East, £100; Waimea West, £50 ; Waimea South, £80, (an amendment by Mr F. Kelling to raise this sum to £120 being lost); Moutere, £35; Riwaka, £35; Motueka, £60; Ainuri, £200 ; Motueka Valley, £25; and Collingwood, £60. The salary of Inspector of Hackney Carriages was passed at £20. In the Medical Department the various items for the Hospital were passed, including Visiting Physician, £100 ; Surgeon, £200; Manservant, £60; Nurse, £60; Cook, £40; Housemaid, £30; and Contingencies £1,175, the additional items recommended in the Hospital 'Report being left to be brought up in the Supplementary Estimates. On the amendment of Mr Parker the salary of the attendants at the Lunatic Asylum was raised from £110 to £120 (a similar motion for £150 hy Mr Donne, having been lost); that of the Matron, £50, and Contingencies £580, being also passed. On the motion of Mr Parker, the Council then resumed, and eeveral notices of motion having been given, adjourned at half-paat 9 o'clock until 5 o'clock this day. mmmmmwmmmmmmmmmmmmmmwmritiimmirmmrmmmtmtmmmrmmimrmrmmmmm