THE COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XII, Issue 609, 2 April 1864, Page 2

THE COUNCIL.

The Provincial Council is hard at work again after its two month's rest, but it will need all its energy to get through the long list of business before it. It has been discussing the Iron-sand business for some time, and has at last

decided 'that the leases granted to Captain Mosrhead are forfeited, and that neither he nor Dr. Samuel, the alleged mortgagee -of the leases, has any further claim for consideration at the hands of Government. We do not see that any other decision could have been come to after a review of all the facts; and it is to be regretted it was not arrived at sooner, as it would have saved valuable time. Now, however, the way has been cleared for negotiations in other quarters, and either fresh leases may be granted to Mr. Watt and his friends (as seems probable), or the thing may be dealt with in any other way that is thought better. It is a great step to have cleared away the obstruction which has so long stopped all progress. In the matter of finance we were very glad to see that the 'Council made a halt on Thursday and demanded explanation. It had already voted for ordinary expenditure a sum exceeding by about oneTialf the estimated revenue, and honorable members naturally wanted to know where the excess and what still remained to be voted was to come from. It was certainly, a most undesirable way of doing business not to have laid the financial state of the Province before the Council before a single vote was asked for, when, as we understood, the main object of the prorogation was "that such a statement might be prepared. The Superintendent held a conference with the Council last night, but we do not hear that much light was thrown upon the matter.