The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY; MAY 26, 1869. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 121, 26 May 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY; MAY 26, 1869. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 25. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. Present: All the members except Messrs. Home, Wigley, Redwood, and Baigent. PETITION OP M. CAMPBELL. Mr. Burn brought up the Report of the Select Committee on this Petition, which recommended that £250 be given to Petitioner, as compensation for losses sustained by the diversion of the Brook JStr.eet Stream. PETITION OF H. HANDYSIDE. Mr. Edwakds brought up the Report <of the Select Committee on this Petition, which stated that the Committee had not had placed before them any ground on "which the Petitioner could base his claim. PETITION OF CLERGY OF NELSON. Mr. Edwards presented a Petition from the- clergy of Nelson, praying for exemption from fees when passing through the toll; gate. ENDOWMENT OF INSTITUTES. Mr. Gibbs brought up the Report of the Select Committee, recommending the .:: setting; :aside of 30,000 acres for this purpose* . . . : LUNATIC ASYLUM. Mr, .Donne moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the two ...Reports of Dr, Kemp referring to the Lunatic Asylum and Taranaki Buildings; such. GJotnmi-tte© -to consist of the Speaker, the' Provincial Secretary, Mr." Burn, Mr. .; Reid, Mr. Beit t, Mr. Luckie, Mr, Mac--;M'ithqii; M Mr.;W > aßtne7, and the mover, /tyith powerto pall for persons and papers; .tp^epori \on Wed-;;;-^Bday'p|x|fci.^;- '■>,■■,'■•■.-:"■ V '■ : ": .-■ ' -■ , >;;fvMotibn;agreed.'tol i/'-u „ , ■ .• ■'.•;■■s ] $$ : ' "y^ 'ivii. L : executive. . ' •,"•:"•" in 'the '^QpJn^Bp^^hw'wCounpii;- it is desirable his",:

a Member of the Provincial Executive for the West Coast, who shall reside ia that portion of the province, in, order that the inhabitants of the South-west Gold-fields may have a sufficient guarau tee thatmoueys voted by this Council for public works and other departments of the South-west Goldfields ■will be equitably expended. Mr. M 'Do well seconded the motion as he considered that there should be a member of the Executive resident on the Gold Fields, and that he should be present in Nelson during the framing of the Estimates. Dr. Irvine would move an amendment to the latter part of the resolution, because as it now stood, it cast an imputation upon the Government, at the same time he thought that there should be some responsible person on the West Coast who should report to the Government. Mr. Pak&er. thought it would be creating a new department, and considered that the present Wardens could keep the Government posied up in all that was going on. Mr. Ltjckie thought the matter might fairly be left in the hands of the Government. Mr. Gibbs moved as an amendment, that all the words after " Coast " be struck out. " Mr. Reid seconded the amendment. In reply to what had been said about the Wardens being sufficient substitutes for a Member of the Executive, he would state that this was not the case, as the Wardens had no power to spend any money without instructions from head quarters. It was not the votes of the Council that the West Coast complained of, but the expenditure. Last year two-third's of the revenue was voted for the West Coast, but only onethird was spent. The" amendment was then put and carried. EXCLUSION OF REPORTERS. Mr. Donne moved, That this Couucii considers it undesirable that the Reporters of the Press should occupy any of the space allotted to members of the Council, particularly that portion of the Chamber between the. Speaker's chair and the place 3 of members, and therefore, resolves that the Speaker be requested to provide other accommodation for the representatives of the Press outside the bar. lv bringiug forward this resolution he would say that it bad nothing to do with what transpired last year. It was very objectionable that the reporters should occupy a position which was unique in itself and quite exceptional. It might be said that it was the only convenient place for them, but he considered that the Council should first study their own convenience, then that of the Press, and afterwards that of the public. Mr. Lugkie said it was unfortunate that the Council should year after year be troubled with so small a matter as that now brought forward. The hon. member for the Grey objected to the prevailing practice but made no suggestion as to what should be substituted for it. He (Mr. Luckie) had been in the gallery and found it impossible to hear. He admitted the present system was more or less inconvenient both for the Council and for the reporters. He thought that the hon. member for the Grey was annoyed at not being so largely reported as he would wish. The first consideration should be that the proceedings of the Council should be published, he did not mean all the speeches, for that would be a frightful infliction on the public at large. Dr. Irvine agreed with the last speaker with regard to the necessity of the proceedings of the Council being folly and truly reported, as it was necessary that the people sffould know what was said and done, therefore the representatives of the Press should be placed where they could hear plainly what was going on. Mr. Parker moved as an amendment that the last three words of the resolution be struck out. He thought that the reporters might be placed in the coiner where the bookcase was, which would be more convenient than the present place, as the reporters might occassionally wish to take a nap, or to smile at what was taking place^around, neither of which could they do now without showing disrespect to the Council. The amended motion was then put and .carried. ■..„.... -, .„. „...,,. .iVy ■ ' ■' . — - — ■ — •' - " .'— : ' '■ ■ • ' J- 1 VMEfiatEßisat-T-We understand that by .special: request Dr. Carr intends giving another;se#»ce in the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Friday evening next.