NELSON INSTITUTE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 39, 15 May 1869, Page 3

NELSON INSTITUTE.

Dr. Irvine moved, and Mr. Burn seconded, " That the Wusto Lands Board be requested to reserve a block or blocks of Crown lands, not exceeding in all 1,000 acres, as an endowment to the Nelson Institute, with the 9th clause of the 'Nelson Waste Lands Act, 1863,' on the committee of tho said Institute agreeing to employ the rents and profits of such land on lectures and evening classes ; to keep the accounts of such funds distinct from those of other departments of the Institute ; and to submit them annually to the Provincial Auditor ; the land to be selected before the 31st March, 1870." Mr. F. Kelling- supported tho motion, but said ho hoped that somewhat; similar resolutions would be arrived at in favour of the country institutes and libraries. Mr. Parker said, if the motion were adopted, the country would certainly require similar votes. Mr. Macmaiion would oppose, unless tho motion were withdrawn and the country districts included. Mr. Eeid, Mr. Daigent, Mi-.'Simmonds, and Mr. Wastney also opposed upon similar grounds. The Provincial Solicitor supported the motion, saying he thought it would prove very beneficial if it could be carried out. The jealous remarks made by country members on whatever was proposed for the town, would really lead many people to think that town and country interests were greatly distinct and opposed. If £5 were proposed to bo expended in the town for any beneficial purpose, country members immediately jumped up and wished that similar amounts should be expended in every district of tho province. Honourable members seemed to stand forward here and urge that each little petty place they represented was the principal portion of the province. After somo further discussion the motion was carried. MINING SURVEY FEES. Mr. Hennelly asked the Provincial Secretary, j How, and in what manner, the surplus of Mining Survey Fce9 has been applied by the Provincial Government? The Provincial Secretary • There has been no surplus. The surveys are done by Government surveyors for a certain fee. WATER SUPPTY. Dr. Irvine moved, " That a select committee be appointed to tako into consideration the petition of William Brent and others, and that of Robert Murray and others, with reference to water supply ; such committee to consist of Mr. Edwards, Mr. Luckie, Mr. Burn, and the mover." Tho Provincial Secretary : I think the resolution is not requisite ; and if the honourable member will move a resolution to tho effect that private streets be supplied with mains free of extra charge, it will meet what he requires. Upon this suggestion the motion was withdrawn. MR. BEVERIDGE'S PETITION. On the motion of Mr. Donne, it was resolved, " That a select committee be appointed to consider the petition of Mr. Beveridge ; such committee to consist of the Provincial Secretary, the Speaker, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Reid, Mr. Wastney, and the mover." CANTERBURY COAL-MINING COMPANY. On tli9 motion of Dr. Irvine, it wa9 resolved, " That his Honour the Superintendent be requested to furnish the Council with any correspondence which may have passed between tho Waste Landß Board and the Canterbury Coal-mining Company." PROVINCIAL COUNCILLORS, Mr. Parker moved, "That a Committee often bo appointed to consider what alterations, if any, should bo made in the Estimates under tho heading Provincial Council. The Committee to bo elected by ballot, to meet this evening after the adjournment of tho Council, and report to the Council to-morrow morning." Motion agreed to. The Committee was then balloted for with the following result : Mr. Roid, Mr. Donne, Mr. M'Dowell, Mr. Baigent, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wastney, Mr. Macmahon, Mr. Hcnnclley, and the mover. ESTIMATES. House in committee, with Mr. Edwards in the chair. " Volunteers, £350." Mr. Luckie moved that thi3"'irem be struck out. He said that even some of tho Volunteers admitted they did not deserve the grant. What good had arisen from it, he (Mr. Luckie) had for years been unable to discover. Item struck out. " General Contingencies, £3,500." On the motion of Mr. Parker, these figures were struck out, and the figures £1,500 inserted. On the motion of the Speaker, the following words were added to the motion, " for items not herein specified." " Provincial Schools, £6,200." Mr. Wastney moved that the figures be struck out, and " £6,500 " be inserted. j Motion carried. " Collection of Rate, £125." The above figures, on the motion of Mr. Parker, were struck out, and " £100 " inserted in lieu thereof. " Roads into Dovedale, Baton, &c, £200," was, on tho motion of Mr. Parker, made, " Roads into Dovedale, Baton, Pokororo, and Graham, £250." " Horse track — Waiwero to Moutere, £100." On the motion of Mr. Kelling, the words " horse track " were struck out, and the sum increased to " £200 ; " this being for the purpose of making it a dray-road. " Hurunui Bridge, £3,000." Mr. WIGLEY moved, that this sum be made £3,250. The Provincial Secretary read a copy of a telegram sent to the Superintendent of Canterbury, in which the Superintendent of Nelson declined to contribute any more to this bridge, he thinking that we had already spent sufficient on it. Canterbury had chosen the site and had all the benefit of the trade, and should therefore maintain the bridge. Mr. Wio-ley : I merely ask that this sum be put on the Estimates, to be expended if the Provincial Engineer shall so think fit. The Provincial Secretary said he would agreo to this. It was by no means the intention of the Government to withhold any necessary public works from tho Amuri ; the sole ground of their objection was that they thought the Canterbury Government should expend this money. Motion adopted. " Bridge, Wai-iti— at Fox-hill (provided revenue will admit), £2,200." Mr. Slmmonds moved that tho words, " provided revenue will admit," be struck out. Motion adopted. " Upper Buller-valley Roads, £400." Mr. Luckie moved that the figures £400 be struck out, and " £1,000 " be inserted. Motion adopted. " District Roads (to meet equivalent subscriptions), £150." Mr. Wastney moved that this item be increased to " £250." Motion adopted. Soutii-West Gold-Fields. " Coast Roads £3,300." Mr. Hennelly moved that this sum be increased to £5,500, for a dray-road. ( Mr. Luckie warned the honourable member not to try the good nature of the Council too far. A large amount of liberality to the We3t Coast had been already shown. j* # Motion rejected. The Council having resumed, after notices of motion, it adjourned. Friday, May 14. The Council met at eleven o'clock. Absent : Messrs. Irvine and Luckie. PETITION OF SETTLERS OF WAIMEASOUTH. Mr. Baigent movod, " That the petition of Bottlers of Waimca-Bouth be received." Petition received.