PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1900, 17 February 1870, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Thb Council sat yesterday at tho usual hour. Several motions of minor interest were proposed and agreed to. 'he principal discussion was upon a fi eessnge by his Honor the Superintendent relating to existing distress on the Thames gcldfields, and asking to be able to appropriate £3,000 to the relief of this distress. A very long and animated discussion followed,'which, in consequence of presiure upon our space, wc are obliged to omit. An amendment by Mr. Clark was accepted by Q-overnment, recommending that tho public works at tlie Thames should be proceeded with as soon as possible. Council adjourned at twenty minutes to twelve o'clock.

MESSAGK No. 33— DMTiiJi'iS AT THK THAMKt?.

The following message was sent down to the Council yesterday by the Superintendent:—

" Tho Superintendent desires to acquaint tho Provincial Council that lio Ims received reliable information of the existence of a Jorge amount of distress, approaching to absolute starvation amongst the unemployed population :it the Thames. At least 1500 men aro estimated to be at present oil tho very verge of starvation. From whatever cause arising, this slate of tilings must be met by tho Government. Food must be provided for starving men, their labor being taken in ©xohange as a guarantee against imposition. "'J his will invole, so long as it lusts, considerable expenditure, for which the Superintendent- must iisk tile Council to make provi sion to the extent of £30j0. The expenditure of such portion of this sum as m■ y be necessury, in a proper mid judicious manner, ami, as for as possible, on beuolicial public works, •will of courso be the special duty of the Superintendent, and Executive. "'The Superintendent a-ks the Council to include this as a special Tote in tho Appropriation Act; and, looking i o tho urgency of this matter, as well as the injury that is daily being inflicted on persons to whom tho pro vinco is indebted by tli- ir beinit unable to obtain paj mcnt, of their just claims, the Supciintendent would urge upon the Couueii tho necessity, for the credit of the province, of passing an Appropriation Act without a day's delay. "Thomas B. Gillie, "Superintendent. " Superintendent's Office, " Aucklanu, February 16, 1870."