CAUCUS MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 126, 1 June 1869, Page 2

CAUCUS MEETING.

To the Editor of tiie Nelson Evening Mail. Sir— Knowing as I tlo that you are anxious to give publicity to all that affects the welfare of our province I beg to forward to you the accompanying paper which would appear to contain minutes of a meeting held by some of our public men a few weeks since. I may state that I picked up the paper in its present soiled condition in Bridge-street, a little to the westward of the Government Buildings. I am, &c. Lamp-post. Minutes of Meeting held near the Provincial Hall, Monday, Mat 10. Present : Lots of Members. On the motion of Mr Timber Scab the chair was taken by Mr. Moxetbacs. Mr. 1). M. Fortunate opened the proceedings by stating that he and Mr. Gab had consulted with Mr. Sulkie, a man with a mind as broatl and as sharp as a needle, on the subject of Government Estimates, and that they had come to the conclusion that some of the officers were able to exist on the salaries it was proposed to pay them ; this, they thought, was a state of things that shouM no longer be allowed to exist, and they had therefore called this meeting in order to decide upon the best means of getting the amounts reduced, because it was felt that unless they made up their minds before hand not to listen to any arguments or reasons that might be addressed by the occupants of the Government benches, the reductions could not possibly be made. [Lond cheers, and cries of " What are you going to stand ?"] Mr. D. M. Fortunate said that, considering he had come to that meeting entirely for the good of his country, he did not think it failthat he should be called upon to go to the expense of finding liquor for all those present, he had however not the slightest objection to trust to the doctrine of chances, and would therefore propose that ihis meeting do now resolve itself into Committee on Yankee Grab. Mr. Fiddle Killing moved as an amendment, that the words " and that Jimmy be requested to bring the bones " be added, Mr. Timber Scab rose to a point of order, he wished to know Avhether it was parliamentary to speak of the master of the House as " Jimmy." The Chairman ruled that so loug as they studied economy they might do and say whatever they pleased. The amended motion was then put and carried. Mr. HoKEroKE proposed that Mr. Gab, Mr. D*. M. Fortunate, and Mr. Spiteful do the disagreeable work of the Caucus, by moving the reductions in Council. Motion agreed to. Superintendent, .£6OO ; after some discussion it was decided that this item should stand, as possibly one of those present might be Superintendent before the close of the financial year. Provincial Secretary, £400 ; Proposed hy Mr. Gab that £400 be struck out and £300 inserted in lieu thereof. That sum he contended was ample for a man who had once had the impudence to assert that he (Mr. Gab) wanted a Government billet ; besides he hain't much more work than he could get tlirough. Mr. Hokepoke proposed as an 'amendment, that the Provincial Secretary should be also Commissioner of Crown Lands ; this he said had occurred to him in consequence of the last speaker having stated that the work of the Provincial Secretary was only a very little more than could be done by one man. Amendment put and carried nem con. An honorable member here rose and proposed that previous to proceeding with the business before them they should light their pipes, and that acting upon the principle of fairness in which they had met together, such of the members as did not smoke should " shout " for those who did. A division was called for, of which the following was the result. Ayes (being smokers) 10 ; Noes (not being smokers) 3. Provincial Engineer, £650 , Mr. D. M. Fortunate moved, that this item be reduced to £450 and expenses, because they wanted the money for public works, and the more work? to construct, the less need for the Engineer to be well paid. Mr. Gab quite agreed with the amendment ; he had a lively recollection of a certain bridge iv the Waimea and the " slippery " proceedings of the " Overseer." Motion agreed to. Inspector of Police. It was resolved that the pay of this officer should be reduced, as he was at present receiving £14 per annum more than the Sergeants on the "West Coast. Chief Inspector of Sheep, £350. It was resolved to reduce this item to £200, because that was £150 less than that officer was receiving at present. Several other resolutions of a similar character were adopted, and the Caucus, after receiving two or three messages from his Honor the Host, adjourned, until next evening, at 5 o'clock, when they agreed to meet iv the Provincial Hall.