PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION

Colonist, Issue 1165, 4 December 1868, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION

DR. IRVINE ELECTED FOR THE CITY,

On Nov. 23, pursuant to notification, the nomination took place of a member to fill the seat for the City vacated by Mr. Pitt, who some time since retired from the Provincial Council. Thomas Bruuner, Esq., the Returning Officer, presided, andhaviug read the writ; Mr. Luckie proposed that Francis Wemyss Irvine, M.D, be elected. Mr. Webb seconded the motion. Dr. Irvine, in returning thanks for the honor conferred upon him, said that during the past eight years he had taken an interest in matters connected with the Province, and felt gratified at the electors now affording him the opportunity of participating in the management of the Province in a more direct manner. Since his name had been mentioned in connection with the vacancy in the Council two opposite rumors had reached" his ears ; one stating that he wonld be a nominee of the Government, and a thick-and-thiu supporter of the Superintendent; the other, that he would be, as it was phrased, " a mere tool of The Colonist." He hoped that these rumors would neutralise each other (hear, hear) ; at all events he would assure the electors that ho would enter the Council as a thoroughly independent member. He would endeavor to act in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, which, by causing both the Superintendent and the Council to be returned by the same electoral body, evidently contemplated their adopting substantially the same policy, with a3 much co-operation as possible, —as little* as possible of collision. He would therefore give a candid consideration to any measures introduced by his Honor's Government; "and where lie could view them as just and wise, would give them his cordial support, while in the other case he would not hesitate to record an adverse vote. With respect to the general policy for the Province he adverted to the existence from the first of two parties, the one bavin" " Economy" for its motto, the other, " Progress." The former party may have adopted a narrow view of tho requirements of the Province, ■while the latter, had it been unchecked would, as is now universally allowed, have launched the Province into unwise and extravagant expenditure. The true policy appeared to him to be to combine what was good in the aims of both parties, and by strict economy in the ordinary administration to provide funds for the progressive development of the Province. Ho wished to explain what ho meant by economy; not indiscriminate reduction of salaries, ■which would only make the public servants dissatisfied and deprive them of heart in their work ; but what •was meant by the word in every household, namely, making things go as far as they could. Let public servants be paid reasonably well, but give them plenty of work, and look well after them (for which no one whs the worse); and where by a consolidation •of offices three men could be made to do the work of four, save the salary of the fourth. In briefly alluding to the two large public works of which much had been already said, the Railway, and the Graving Dock, the Doctor said he hoped the former would ■ not be considered out of date, for though little spoken of now-a-days it had lost none of its importance. Very early Tn the discussion he had endeavored to master the subject, and set forth his vicw3 in letters to The Colonist newspaper; the Government had pursued a plan different from that which ho had advocated for the carrying-out of the scheme ; but he did not the less hope that the earnest wishes of his Honor wonld be realised. He had long taken an interest in the dock, and would give his support to any well-devised plan for effecting its accomplishment. There were other measures of public improvement which could be carried out at small expense ; he would briefly enumerate some of them. Agriculture wa3 in a very low state in the Province, and there was great need to take stcp3 to f.>ster its improvement. The forests throughout New Zealand were being ruthlessly destroyed, to the great detriment of future industry, and with an injurious effect ultima'ely on the climate. The Colonial Secretary had stated the inability of the General Government to do anything' in the matter, which could only be dealt with by the Provincial authorities. Auother matter to be taken up wis our fisheries. He really believed there was as much food in the sea as on the land, and that many valuable kinds of fish wore never brought to table for the want of proper appliances for catching them, which a little judicious encouragement from Government would bring into play. A beginning had been made in the good work of introducing useful animals and plants, which if pursued ■with a wise liberality, as our means allowed, would add immensely to the resources of the Province. He considered local industries should be encouraged, to enable those starting them to overcome the first difficulties; he hoped to see tho cloth inaiifacture of the Province progress satisfactorily. The mo3t important development of the resources of the Province was that of its mineral riches, and he hoped that a systematic survey of them wou'd be undertaken, and means, if possible, devised for an efficient working. If only a small portion of the minerals of Nelson wore rained, the rents and royalties thence arising would, in ten or fifteen yours, bring in as large a sum as is derived by auy Province in New Zealand from the sale of its land. Referring to matters of social concern, he wished to advert to the system of education, which, though it had worked well upon the whole, appeared to him to require* some new amendment in the way of affording some incentive to both teachers and pupils. This desidoratum might be supplied by the College, an institution of which, under its present able and efficient staff (about to bo increased,) was a credit to the Province. If exhibitions at the College were offered to the best pupils at the common schools throughout the Province, coupled with rewards to the teachers of the successful candidates, astimularin:: influence would be felt far and wide, and the College itself would also be benefited. After an allusion to tho to the want in New Zealand of any institution for the care and education of the blind, he expressed a hone that two or more Provinces nii^ht unite in providing a suitable asylum for persons having so indisputable a claim on public help. Wr.h regard to the City of Nelson, whose interests he should consider himself specially bound to care for, he hoped to see •various improvements. The powers of the Board of Works should be enlarged so as to enable an efficient system of drainage to be set on foot, tho effects of which upon the public health would soon be manifest. He also wished to see sundry minor improvements carried out such as provision for safe sea bathing, the laying out of the Botanical Gardens, thus providing n. place for innocent recreation, and perhaps instruction ; and the introdiiotion of gas-light. Such improvements would render the city, already by nature the mo3t beautiful tosrn in the Colony, one of the most healthy and agreeable, and would have a solid money value by rendering it attractive as a place of residence to persons of independent means. Dr. Irvine concluded by saying that in adverting to those subjects he was not to be considered as pledging himself to bring them or any one of them before the Council at the present time; but merely mooted them as all of more or less interest in order that they might simmer in the public mind until a fitting timo and opportunity arose for their being carried out. Ho would give only one pledge, namely, that he would give his best attention to the business of the Prorinw, and act honestly and independently as their representative. (Applause.)

Suicide at the llospirAi.—A man named "William Ousely, who had been admitted into the Hospital on Nov. 12th, suffering from the effects of drink, and a fall he met with a few weeks ago, cut his throat in a most fearful manner with a tabla knife, early on Nor. 15th—the windpipe being completely severed. He is the same person who, while laboring under an attack of the same disease, beat his own head with a large boulder near to Richmond, inflicting a mo'fc frightful scalp wound and severely injuring the skull—about eleven months ago. It is said the unfortunate man, who had served in India met with a sunstroke there some years ago. Deceased wns a well-educated, and highly connected man. An inquest was held at the Hospital, on Nov. 16th, when the jury returned as their verdict — " That the deceased committed suicide by cutting his throat with a knife, while suffering from temporary insanity."