News of the Day.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 61, 21 May 1868, Page 2

News of the Day.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Tuesday, Max 19. The Council met at five o'clock. The Speaker read a letter -which he had received from the Colonial Secretary, acknowledging receipt of the addresses to her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh, from the Nelson Provincial Council. The Provincial Secretary laid oil the table a letter -which had been received from Mr. Warden Broad, setting forth the pleasure which residents at Brighton had derived from the manner in which the Government had acted in supporting thedoingsof Mr. Commissioner Kynnersley, with regard to recent disturbances at Addison's Flat. Mr. llorne presented a petition from the licensed victuallers of Charleston, praying for inquiry into the mode of carrying out the law with regard to granting publicans' licenses. The Provincial Secretary laid on tho tablo a petition from the inhabitants of Brighton, relative to the local hospital. A petition was presented from J. R. Frazer. Mr. Sparrow presented a petition from Takaka and Collingwood, with reference to a road required by the diggers and others to the Upper Anotoki. EXCLUSION OF THE REPORTERS. Mr. Dosne drew the attention of the Speaker to the fact that there were strangers in the House, whereupon the reporters had to leavo the Chamber. The Provincial Solicitor thereafter moved the suspension of Standing Order 135, which enables the Speaker, on the representation of a member, to order strangers to withdraw. Mr. Pitt seconded the motion. Mr. Donne opposed it, complaining that the press had not reported him, and that it was as much misrepresentation for tho press to refuse to report members as to report them wrongly. He complained of what he termed marks of approbation and disapprobation from the reporting table [laughter], and spoke of the liberty of the press and its tyranny, as exhibited in the refusal to report certain members, adding that he would not allow any such conduct. He also spoke of some remarks which he said had been" made by reporters outside of the House, to the effect that he should not be reported in future. He said that he, for one, would not allow any hirelings of the press to coerce the privileges of that House, and the dearly-bought piivileges of Parliamentary representation [laughter], and he felt quite sure a majority of honourable members would therein agree -with him. Mr. nonNE derided the statement that the dearlybought privileges of the people had been injured; and the honourable member who referred to it should remember that that very liberty was due to the press [Hear, hear.] He denied that there was any interruption from the reporters' table. He sat very near it, and never heard or saw anything objectionable or likely to intenupt the members [hear, hear] ; and he hoped the member for the Grey would be ashamed of his proposal. The fact w as, it appeared that there had been some personal dispute between Mr. Donne and the press, and this Council should not be a party to any Eiich thing as allowing a member to settle any personal dispute in such a way. [Hear, hear.] Mr. Donne thould have been the last man to complain of tho press, as he Ehould remember the difficulty of giving full reports of proceedings. He felt sure

if the speeches of some members were not printed, it was for good and sufficient reasons, for there was a great deal siiid which was not worth printing. Mr. P. Kelling, referring to an allusion of Mr. Donne as to what honourable members said outside, said lie (Mr. Kelling) had cornplaiucd that some members were not reported at all ; but he thought Mr. Donne had always been very fully reported. Mr. Sddioxds censured the conduct of Mr. Donne, as to the remarks he was in the habit of making on members in the House ; and added that the Council had nothing to do with what passed outsido. Mr. Pitt sneered at the conduct of any honourable member who would adopt such a course as that of excluding the press, in revenge for bis not being reported. [Hear, hear.] Mr. Burn said that on the occasion when Mr. Donne thought he was interrupted from the roportcrs' table, it was from two honourable members who were speaking rather loudly while standing near the fire-place. There was quiet and order at the press table. He added that although the speeches were not fully reported, which no one could expect, the proceedings of the Council with its motions and rotes tvere fairly and faithfully published, which was a great benelit to the public. [Hear, hear.] Mr. Macmahon expressed surprise at the weakness exhibited by Mr. Donno. The Provincial Solicitor denied that the press had in any way, during the many years he had sat in the Council, gone beyond its duties and privileges. This was evidently a personal question, and the Council should have nothing to do with being instrumental in promoting any such matter. [Hear, hear.] The motion of the Provincial Solicitor was then unanimously agreed to, and the reporters were readmitted. CATTLE TEESPASS BILL. Mr. SisiJiONDS moved, " That the Cattle Trespass Bill be recommitted, to enable him to add to clause 3 : — ' Provided also, that when the nearest pound shall be distant from the homestead of the owners of such cattle more than three miles, the person upon whose land such cattle shall be found trespassing shall then impound them upon his own land, and shall give immediate notice of his having done so to the owneu of Buch cattle ; but such cattle may not be released until a sum equal to twice that set down in Schedule A bo paid to the person upon whose land such cattle arc impounded.' And to add to clause 7 : — ' The districts so to be withdrawn being outlying or thinly populated districts, bounded by mountain ranges, rivers, or some natural features of country that would prevent as much as possible cattle of one district trespassing upon that of tho other.' " He said he quite felt that it would bo difficult to make the bill altogether satisfactory, but still it could be amended in a way to meet some of the more pressing cases. People in outlying districts, for instance, had no protection from the existence of a distant public pound. It was necessary, therefore, that they Bhould have the privilege of themselves impounding trespassing cattle on their own property. The mof ion having been seconded, Mr. Sparrow said he could not support the motion, though he still thought the Act might be amended. Mr. Macmahon suggested the withdrawal of tho motion. Mr. F. Kexling thought the motion if carried would not work, and suggested the withdrawal of the proposed amendments. Mr. Wig ley thought the proposed amendments could not be carried out, even if the Council should adopt them. Tho Provincial Solicitor said the proposed amendments could not be carried out, because there was no provision in them for giving notice to tho owners of the cattle impounded. He also thought the proposed amendment to clause 7 was impracticable. Mr. Smitonds, in reply, said honourable members seemed to admit that something might be done to amend the bill, yet they would not do it. Ho thought if the Council would go into committee, that some desirable improvement in the direction he had indicated might be made. Seeing, however, the general tone of the expressed wish of the Council, he would withdraw his motion, but with the determination of opposing the third reading of the Cattle Trespass Bill. ROAD OYEE MOUTERE HILLS. Mr. C. Kellikg moved, " That his Honour the Superintendent be requested to place upon the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £650, for the purpose of altering and improving the road over the Moutcre hills." He said the present road was very unsatisfactory, and that the proposal he now made was in order to avoid a height of no less than 150 feet in crossing the Moutere hills. Mr. Macmahon seconded the motion. Mr. Sumouds said these roads had been altered so frequently that no honourable member could know whether the proposed alteration would be permanent. He thought the sum was a large one, and that, in fact, it would not be the last amount asked for reducing the Moutere hills. Mr. Sparrow supported the motion. Mr. TnoiirsoN said the honourable member (Mr. Simmonds) must be in error in stating that this road had been frequently altered. Such had not been the. case. He had made a careful survey of the proposed line, and felt assured it could be made for the sum asked for. My. White supported tfie motion. The nevr lino had been approved by Mr. Thompson and by the Provincial Engineer, and both had carefully surveyed it. It was the high road to Motueka and Collingwood, and should, he thought, bo improved as now requested. Mr. Gibbs said the present road had had a deal of money spent upon it. He had travelled over it frequently, and had experienced no danger; had the inhabitants of the Moutere to travel to Collingwood, they would soon find that the hills in their own neighbourhood were nothing to those lying between the Moutere and Collingwood. Mr. Burn moved, as an amendment, "Provided the revenue will admit of it." This was not seconded, and therefore lapsed. Mr. Parker supported the original motion, saying if the honourable member (Mr. Simmonds) had remembered a recent passage across these bills, where his trap upset and threw him and his child a long distance down the hill, he would surely have supported the motion. Mr. Beitt supported the motion. Mr. Dbeyeh assured the Council that the West Coast members were always willing to vote money necessary for. roads aud bridges. Mr. C. Kellinct having replied, the motion was put and carried. The Provincial Secretary said he would postpone the motion for going into committee on tho Estimates. He had expected a report from the committee sitting on Departmental Eeform; that, however, was not forthcoming ; he would therefore not propose tho motion for considering the Estimates this evening, but would do so to-morrow. Mr. Hokke hoped this delay would not continue ; it was inconvenient to those honourable members who desired to get through the business of tho Council. The Estimates had already been postponed for one week. [Hear, hear.] The PitOA'iNCiAL Secrltary : I have eaid that I shall certainly bring forward the question of the Estimates to-morrow. THE MAP OF THE PROVINCE. Mr, Siaimokbs moved, and Mr. Sparrow seconded, "That his Honour the Superintendent be requested to instruct the Chief Surveyor to colour the t) link-lines of road upon the large map in tho Council-chamber, and also to mark the names and eitcs of villages, bridges, and other places, so as to render the said map more complete and useful to the Council." Mr. Wastney said he had spoken with the Chief Surveyor, who had assured him that he had sent to England for larger paper than that on which the present map was drawn, it being his intention to have a much larger map prepared, showing all the trunk-lines of country roads. Motion adopted.

CATTLE TRESPASS BILL. Tho Provincial Solicitor moved the third reading of tho Cattle Trespass Bill. Mr. Simjiond3 moved that tho third reading be postponed till this day week. This amendment, after a division, was carried. CATTLE SLAUGHTERING BILL. Tho Provincial Solicitor moved tho third reading of this bill. Motion adopted. The bill was then read a third timo and paesod. COUNTRY ROADS BILL. Tho Provincial Solicitor moved the consideration in committco of tho Country Roads Bill. Mr. Wastney movod the postponement of tho question until tho Select Committco on Country Roads shall havo brought up their report. A short discussion ensued, and ultimately tho amondincnt was adopted. Tho Council thon adjourned till Wednesday evening at Hvo o'clock. Wednesday, May 20. Tho Speaker took the chair at five o'clock. MR. DONNE AGAIN. Tho moment tho Provincial Solicitor entered the Council Chamber, Mr. Donne said, seeing that tho Provincial Solicitor was present, ho would call tho attontion of tho Speaker to tho fact that strangers were present. Tho Provincial SECRETARY'inoved tho adjournment of tho Houso for a quartcr-of-an-hour. This was unanimously adopted, and tho Council accordingly adjourned. Upon tho llouso re-assembling, Mr. Home moved that Standing Order, No. 141, be suspended. Mr. Helling seconded the motion. Mr. Donne again drew the attention of tho Spoakor to tho fact of strangers being in tho Houso. Strangors were ordered to withdraw. Upon tho re-admission of our reporter, Mr. Donne was moving the suspension of Standing Order No. 139. Mr. Beitt seconded tho motion. Mr. Home protested against the suspension of this Ordor [which is as follows : — " Any stranger who shall in any manner interrupt tho orderly conduct of the business of tho Council, shall be taken into custody by tho proper ofiicor of tho Council, to bo dealt with as to tho Council shall seem meet."] He (Mr. Homo) would ask why tho honourablo member suggested that this Order bo suspended ? Was it not simply because the Council had already taken steps to defend itself, by suspending Standing Order No. 135 ? because Mi*. Donne, in fact, wished to do all ho could to turn the Council into a bear-garden ? [Hoar, hear.] Mr. Donne : I beg to call tho honourable gontloman to ordor. Tho Speaker ! I think tho honourablo gentleman is not now in Older, seeing that he refers to a member of tho Council. Mr. Home : I bow to your decision, sir, though I do think the timo has arrived when honourable members must exercise their common reason to protest against tho conduct of tho honourable member. [Hoar, hear.] I will, sir, put a hypothetical case. iff, in any club, one of its members should so conduct himsolf as to beeomo a publio nuisanco Mr. Donne : I ngain ask you, Mr. Speaker, to call tho honourablo gentleman to order. The Speaker : No. I cannot do so. The honourablo gentleman is but putting a hypothetical case. Mr. Donne t But I know that tho hypothetical caso applies to mo. [Laughter.] Mr. Home : Sir, as I havo already Baid, there may bo a stringent rule of a certain club, to be used only in important casos for tho purpose of defending common sonso and common decenoy among its members. Mr. Donne : Mr. Speakor, I again call your attention to Standing Order No. 24. Tho Speaker : Tho honourablo member is but putting an imaginary case. Mr. Home : Now what would bo dono to any member of such a club so conducting himself? [Sevoral Voices : Turned out.] Ho would say most distinctly, that if the honourablo member could have shown to tho Houso that ho had been insulted within tho precincts of the Council Chamber ho would have supported him, but such was not tho caso. If they wore to carry on tho public bnsiness they must act liko men, or if they were to do as tho honourablo momber now asked them, they had better shut tho Ohambor up and go homo. [Hear, hear.] Mr. Pitt said too much, timo had already been frittered away upon this qu'ostion [hear, hear], and if it were pushed any farther, ho would call attention to Standing Order No. 138. [Hear, hear.] Mr. DONNE : I appeal to tho Speaker if I have wilfully disobeyed " a lawful order of the Council ?" Tho Speaker : I do not think I am bound to answor that question. Tho motion of Mr. Donne was. then put, and rejected. Tho Provincial Secretary then put and gave notico of a motion, to tho effect " That tho Speaker shan oruor strangers to withdraw, only ah \ho request of a majority of tho members present." [Hear, hear.] REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES. Mr. Burn brought up tho report of a select committee with reference to a wharf erected atWestport by Mr. Droyer. This report suggested, that though tho pominittco thought tho Government had been perfectly fair in its decision, yet that Mr Dreyer was entitled to £70 as compensation for loss sustained. The Provincial Secretary laid on Iho table a report from tho Committco appointed to inquire into the desirability of making provision for destitute children. Mr. Wastney brought up tho report of the Select Committco with reference to Country*2tonds. Mr. Gli)i)9 brought up the report of tho Select Coinmitteo on Public Expenditure. CART-BRIDGE AT BRIDGE-STREET. On tho motion of Mr. Pitt, seconded by Mr. Akehsten, it was resolved, "That his Honour the Superintendent bo respectfully requested to place upon tho Supplementary Estimates a sum of money sulllciont for the erection of a rart-bridgo over tho River Maitai, in Bridgo-streot, Nelson." DRAY ROAD TO CONNECT PIGEON VALLEY, &a, WITH WAIMEA. On tho motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Baiqent, it was resolved, " That his Ilonour the Superintendent bo requested to place on tho Supplementary Estimates tho sum of £600 for the completion of tho dray-road to connect tho districts of Motuektt Valley, Stanley Brook, and Pigeon Valley with tho Waimoas." WAI-AU CEMETERY. Mr. Wioiev moved, " That his Honour the Suporintondent bo rcquestod to placo on the Supplementary Estimates tho sum of £50, for tho purpose of fencing in tho cometory in the Wui-au township." Ho said many words could not bo requisito for such a motion. It was to fence a placo where the dead was buried, to protect it from damage by cattle, &c. Mr. Dreyer moved that tho figures " £50 " bo struok out, aud " £75" inserted in lieu thereof. Mr. Kino. uon seconded tho amendment. Mr. MACMAnoN said, surely tho membor for tho district know what was wanted. Mr. C. KELLIN& thought that one acre was enough for a cemetery at tho Wai-au, whero there were bo fow inhabitants. Tho amendment, on a division, was lost by 11 to 0. Tho original motion was thon put, and adopted. HILLS BETWEEN NELSON AND GREIG'S HILL. Mr. Simmonus moved, and Mr. Burn seconded, " That his Honour tho Superintendent be requested to placo on the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £1,000, for tho purposo of lowering tho hills on tho trunk lino of road from tho City of Nelson to Groig's-hill, as voted last session. Tho Provincial Sixketary moved, and Mr. Akersten seconded, as an amendment, to insert tho words, " or for otherwise improving communication between tho town and tho Wainioa,"

Mr. Wastney said he was sure that a much better road could be got by avoiding these hills altogether, and making a road round the cliffs. Mr. Simmonds said if tho lino of road proposed by the Provincial Secretary could bo made, ho would not. object. Tho Provincial Secretary : Tho line is already laid out, and appears on the plan, Tho amendment was put and adopted. Tho motion, as amended, wns then put and carried. CHARLESTON GOLD-FIELDS. Mr. Home moved, " That his Honour the Superintendent bo requested to place on the Supplementary Estimates a sum to award the original pi'ospectors of the Charloston Gold-fields, now found to be permanent fields." Ho said ho had received a communication from bankers and othees, recommending that some reward bo givon to these men, who had discovered the most profitable field on tho South-west Gold-fields. Mr. Dreyer seconded the motion. Mr. Surra said he could testify to tho fact that the men named by Mr. Homo wcro tho actual discoverers of the Charleston gold-field. The Provincial Secretary opposed tho motion, because the discoverers of the South- West Goldfield itself had not been rewarded. A select committee on the subject had, last session, recommended that no reward should be given. Mr. Parker opposed the motion. Mr. Burn would not support the motion. The Provincial Solicitor thought this motion should not bo adopted. Tho question had already been decided against by a Select Committee, and ho did not think it should now be re-opened. Mr. Home replied, saying that men really needed reward to e.icourago the finding of gold, which had done so much for Nelson. Do away, in fact, with the gold-fields, and Nelson will revert to its original position as a comfortable English village. On a division, the motion was lost: — Ayes, s:—Messrs.5 :— Messrs. Smith, Bcntloy, Homo, Donne, and Sparrow. . Noes, 12:— Tho Provincial Solicitor, tho Provincial Secretary, Messrs. Pitt, C. Rolling, White, Aker3ten, Burn, Simmonds, Parker, Macmahon, Baigent, and Wastney. VOLUNTEER BALL. On tho motion of Mr. Pitt, seconded by Mr. Bentley, it was resolved " That the uso of the Provincial Hall be granted to the Stewards of tho Tolunteer Ball, on Monday evening next, tho 25th instant." PETITION OF J. R. FRAZER. A motion was made and adopted, " That a select committee be appointed to consider the petition of Mr. J. R. Frazer ; such committee to consist of Mr. Pitt, Mr. Droyer, Mr. Akersten, Mr. Kingdon, Mr. Baigent, Mr. Parker, tho Provincial Secretary, and the mover." reading.room at moutere. On tho motion of Mr. C. Kelling, seconded by Mr. Sparrow, it was resolved " That his Honour tho Superintendent be requested to place upon the Supplementary Estimates tho sum of £30, to meet equivalent subscriptions, for the purpose of erecting a public reading-room in tho Moutere district." ADDRESS TO SIR G. BOWEN. On the motion of Mr. Burn, seconded by Mr. Simmonds, it was resolved, "That a Select Committee bo appointed to prepare an address of welcome to his Excellency the Governor, Sir George F. Bo won, as tho representative of her Majesty ; such committee to consist of the Provincial Solicitor, tho Speaker, Mr. Home, Mr. Wastney, Mr. Beitt, Mr. Wigley and tho mover." BULLER WHARF. On the motion of Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Macmahon, it was resolved, " That his Honour the Superintendent bo requested to furnish this Council with copies of tho correspondence between the contractor of the Buller Wharf and the Government ; also, a copy of the contract and specification for tho erectiou of tho same." After notices of motion, tho Council adjourned.