PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Thursday, April 30. The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock. The members present vere — The Provincial Secretary, the Provincial Solicitor, Mr. G. Hunter, Mr Borlase, Mr Pearce, Mr LucUam, Mr Cruikbhank, Mr J. Milne, Mr G. Craw ford, Mr Wright, Mr Buckley, Mr Graham. Mr Lowes, Mr Andrew, Mr Beetham, Mr C, Phar.zyn, Mr H. Phurazyn, Mr Morgan, Mr Hutchison, and Mr Brandon. The Clerk oi? the Council having read the proclamation calling the Council to gether, The Sebjeant-AT-Ahms announced his Honor the Superintendent, who enter'.i'l the chuaiberj and read the usual opening speech, which ib published in a supplement to this day's issue. On the motion of the Provincial Secre tary, the Speech was ordered to be printed. PETITIONS. Mr Hutchison presented a pptition from Charles Stantiall, who prayod the Council to take into consideration his claim to certain land to which his father, wow de ceased, was entitled as a military settler. The petition was ordered to lie on the table. PAPERS. The Provincial Secretary laid on the table the following papers: — Return of accounts received from the dif ferent toll-gates in the Province, from Ist April, 18/3, to 31st March, 1874. Return of expenditure under the heading miscellaneous contingflncies, from Ist April, 1873, to 31st March, 1874. Mr Blackett's report on the Wanganui River, with the plan attaohed. Return of the expenditure of the Province of Wellington for the year commencing Ist April, 1873, and ending on the 31st March, 1874, specifying in each case the appropria tion expenditure, unexpended balance of ap propriation, and expenditure in excess, end Return of receipts of the Province of Wel lington for the year commencing Ist April, 1873, and end'ng 31st March, 1874. Druft of proposed regulations relating to the sale of four blocks of Crown lands situ ated in the Province of Wellington. Statement of the Bridge .fund Account under clause four of the Toll Gates Amend ment Act, 1872, for tho financial year ending 31st March, 1874; also statement of the spe cial account under clause 34 of tho Diseased Sheep Act, 1872, for the fiuunoiul yoar end ing 31st March, 1873. Sketch map of the country between Wan ganui and Waikanae. Map showing the triangulation of the Manawatu and llangitikoi districts. Suggestions for the amendment of the Highways Act, 1871. Suggestions for tho amendment of the Education Act, 1871. 