PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 99, 29 April 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28. The Speaker took the Chair at 5 o'clock. Present: — The Provincial Solicitor, the Provincial Secretary, Messrs. Edwards, Luckie, Hennelly, Kelliug, M'Dowell, Irvine, Burn, Gibbs, Parker, Wastney, and Sparrow. Mr. Parker reported from the Committee appointed to draw up an address ia reply to His Honor's speech, that they had drawn up an address accordiugly, and the same was read as follows: — The Select Committee appointed on Tuesday, 27th April, to prepare a reply to the address of His Honor the Superintendent, beg to submit the following reply, for the adoption of the Council. The Provincial Council beg to thank your Honor for your opening address. The Council are gratified at the satisfaction expressed by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, and His Excellency the Governor, at the reception accorded to them by the province of Nelson. The Council regret to observe that the actual receipts of revenue for the year have fallen so far short of the sum estimated, and they accept the explanations (as to a large part of the deficiency) given by your Honor in the address. In the face of such a diminished revenue the Council concur in the wisdom of the course adopted by your Honor in staying the execution of all public works, excepting those for which engagements had already been entered into. Any retrenchment that your Honor deems it necessary to make, consistent with the efficient performance of the public service, will receive the cordial support of this Council. The Council regret to find that dissatisfaction has arisen on the West Coast, and hope that measures may be taken in the present session to remove just causes of complaint, at the same time Ihey approve of the determination of your Honor, to oppose in the General Assembly, any dismemberment of the Province. With reference to the Brunner Coal Mine, as it appears that under the present terms of the lease offered by the Provincial Government, no company have undertaken to work the mine, the Council would desire that some modification .-lay be made to induce the profitable working of this valuable property, and also that the Government will not lose sight of the development of the equally valuable coal seams at Westport. The Council observe with satisfaction that Mr. John Morrison has received full instructions on the subject of the Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Railway, and trust that the uncertainty hitherto existing ou this question may be shortly brought to an issue. The very important matter of the care, maintenance, and education of the destitute children and orphans of the province, and the course adopted therein by your Honor have the full concurrence of the Council. The other subjects alluded to in your Honor's address will, in due course, receive the best attention of the Council. Charles Parker, Chairman. The Provincial Solicitor, in moving for leave to bring in " a Bill to determine the number of members of the Provincial Council, and to appoint electoral districts in tiie Province of Nelson," said that the object of the Bill was to reduce the number of members to 19. He believed that by so doing they would reduce the expenses, and as the Government had been at great pains to reduce the provincial expenditure, he felt sure the Council would assist the Government in carrying this Bill, if they felt that they conld do so without reducing their efficiency. Although the num ! bers proposed to be struck off and the amounts | they received were not large, yet it was the most" convenient manner of giving the West Coast their I due proportion of members, and was better than f increasing the total. number of the Council. I Seconded by Mr. Burn. ' Leave granted, and Bill read a first time. The Provincial Solicitor moved for leave to bring in 'a Bill to authorise the Superintendent to appropriate a part of the Motueka Reserve for a public cemelery," and in doing so said tiiat some years ago a block of 51 acres was granted to the Superintendent as a public recreation ground at Motueka. The inhabitants had great difficulty in finding land for a cemetery, and were willing to give up portion of the reserve for that purpose. Seconded by Mr. Parker. Leave granted, and Bill read a first time. Mr. Burn* presented a petition from Mr. Matthew Campbell, praying fox* compensation for d image done to his mill by diverting the Brook-street stream for the Nelson waterworks. Ordered to lie on the table. PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE By the Provincial Secretary: — Return of land sold in the Province of Nelson, from March 31, 1868, to March 31, 1869 ; Return of amount of License Fees, Depasturage Assessments, and Rents of Huns, within the Province of Nelson, for the same period ; Return of Leases issued under . Crown Lands Leasing Act, Mineral Leases, and Crown Lands Revenue, for same period; Keturn I of Publicans' Bush Licenses, issued during the period commencing July 1 , 18J58 ; Return of Deeds registered during the year 1868; Return of Births and Deaths registered during the year 1868; Return of Marriage Certificates issued during the year 1868; Return of Pilotage Dues collected at the Port of Ntlson, for the year ending March 31, 1869; Return of Dog Tickets issued during the year 1868 ; Return of Fees issued under the Weights and Measures Ordinance, for tlie year ending March 31, 1869 ; Return of Fees received under the PubMc Carriages Inspection Act, for the same period ; Return of Officers in the employ of the Provincial Government of Nelson on the 31st March, 1869 : Returns received from, the various Public Libraries of the Province ; Gazette containing Agricultural Statistics of the Province; Gazette containing statement of receipts and expenditure of the Immigration Commissioners of the Proviuce during the year ending 31st March, 1869; Report of Provincial

Engineer on Public Works executed duriug the same period; Report of District Engineer on Public Works executed on the South West Gold Fields during the same period; Report of District Surveyor on the Survey Department of the Sonth West Gold Fields during same period ; Report of Mr Warden Giles on the Buller District, for same period ; Report of Mr Warden Broad on the Charleston and Brighton Districts for same period ; Report of Mr Warden Dutton on the Grey District for same period ; Report of Mr Warden Turnell on the Golden Bay Gold Fields for same period ; Gazette contaioing Report ot the Provincial Engineer on damage done to the banks of the Bulier River; Gazette containing Report ot Mr Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer, on the Bulier River ; Report of Nelson Hospital Committee for year ending March 31, 1869 ; Report of Medical Officer on Nelson Lunatic Asylum for year ending March 31 1869 ; Report of Medical Officer on Nelson Gaol and Taranaki Buildings for,.same period ; Copies of correspondence between the Provincial Government and Mr John Morrison in reference to the Nelson and Cobden Railway. NOTICES OF MOTION EOR THIS DAY. Mr. Parker to move, That the Report of the Select Committee appointed to prepare a Reply to the Address of his Honor the Superintendent, be adopted. The Provincial Secretary to move, That a Select Committee be appointed to select Papers to be printed in the Votes and Proceedings of the Council, such Committee to consist of the speaker, Dr. Irvine, Mr. Parker, and the mover. The Provincial Secretary to move, That his Honor the Superintendent be authorized to expend a sum not exceeding Six Thousand Pounds for Salaries and Contingencies. Mr. Wastney to move, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to furnish the Council with a copy ofthe Letter of Instructions forwarded to Mr. Morrison on the subject of the Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Kailway. The Provincial Solicitor to move the Second Reading of the Provincial Council Bill. The Provincial Solicitor to move the Second Reading of the Motueka Cenietry Bill. MESSAGES. Messages were received from his Honor the Superintendent containing the Estimates for the current year; and the petition of James Jacks of Collingwood with the documents referring thereto. I The Council adjourned at 5.55. p.m. I Bridge over the Wai-iti. — We are sorry to hear that the footbridge over the Wai-iti, at Fos: Hill, has been carried away by the late floods. The loss of this brl-lge, which, though of the most primitive construction, was a great convenience to foot passengers, will be much felt by the inhabitants of the district, and we trust that some steps will be taken by the Council to replace ifc. Licensed Victuallers' Association. — We notice that a general meeting of the members of this Association is called for this evening, at the Miuers' Arras Hotel, at halfpast Seven o'clock.