PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1128, 26 June 1867, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The Council met yesterday at the usual hour. Mr. A. Clark moved the suspension of the Standing Orders, to enable the Council to adopt the report of the select committee upon the petition of Mr. James Busby. The report of the select committee was, after some discussion, adopted. The debate upon the question of approval by the Council of the Government proposals to reduce salaries was resumed. Mr. Carleton suggested tlie addition of the words "as far as the reductions extend." Mr. Newman moved an amendment to the effect that the deficiency in the revenue should be met by a corresponding reduction in the expenditure. Mr. Bo we said that the Government woidd do all they possibly could to reduce expenditure. Mr. Carleton moved an amendment to the effect that before asking for the approval of the Council the Government should undertake to equalise the revenue and expenditure of the province. The amendment as to addition of the words, "so far as they extend" (the reductions) was accepted by the Government: the other two amendments were negatived. Mr. May moved an addition to the words of f hc Government resolution, to the effect that the reductions should comprehend all salaries above £250 per annum, whicli was negatived. The Government consented to abide by the decision of the Council on this proposition if it were put as a substantive motion, the motion was put as an. addition, and negatived upon a division by 10 to 9—a majority of one. The Government resolution, as amended by the addition of the words "so far as they extend," and " such further reductions as the revenue might render necessary," was agreed to. A motion by Mr. Creighton, to the effect that the duties and fees authorised by the Native Lands Act, 1565, and the Native Lands Act Amendment Act, 1566, were injudicious and oppressive, and calculated to destroy the beneficial object contemplated by the original Act of 1862, was agreed to. Message 3 of his Honor was received and read, containing a memorandum by the Provincial Solicitor. Mr. Wynn moved an amendment of the terms of the Act recently passed to amend the City Board Act, relating to payment of costs of law proceedings out of rates, so as to meet the objection of the Provincial Solicitor, which was agreed to. A motion to be transmitted to the General Assembiy, for the concession of certain portions of the fore shore of Tauranga harbour to be set apart as endowments, proposed by the Provincial Secretary, was agreed to. The Council adjourned at a quarter to twelve o'clock till 3 o'clock this dav.