, 1866-12-21

The Speaker remarked, that the Committee
had not had a full meeting after the receipt of
the petition. According 10 his opinion the
amount proposed does not a~ppertain to the
present item of expenditure e, but ought to
have been entered under the item ID IL 1.-The
Poor Department. and the settlement OF the p
petitions be referred to the Poor Commits
sion in the same manner as done hitherto with
regard to aid granted for the payment Of taxes.
He agreed with the Governors views, but
would have to vote against the amendment as
a part of this item.
The 1st member for Christiansted's town
(Clindinen) observed, that with the exception
of two of the sufferers by the fire, all had rem
dered their petition, which two however e-
pected the same exemption as the rest. lie
recommended the petition, and would propose,
that the concluding words of the amendment:
'whose owners may need such aid be left out.
The End member for Frederiksted's town
(Faber) conceded with the views expressed by
the Governor and the Speaker, and considered,
that the aid in question should only be granted
to those in need of it.
The 4th crown-member (Mendes) recon-
mended a general exemption OF the taxes IN
question.
The Chairman, vacating his seat, observed,
that the petition in the form laid before the
Council was not adopted to be granted. The
taxes in question were due, and he could not
conceive with what right the taxpayers could
expect an exemption from their obligation to
paw them than from any other debt, or why the
special calamity that has visited them, should
in this respect entitle them to any greater
claim than in case they had lost a part of their
fortune, or even their whole fortune, by any
other event. The case would be quite other
wise if the boon were considered as aid to
4hncn arlao &hn cV,Tounrc 1rhnco mad n "
them a reasonable claim to further assistance
than that already afforded by the sums that
had been collected through the liberal contri-
buttons. He therefore approved of the pro-
posals made, to refer each individual case to
the Investigation and declaration Of the Poor
Commission.
The 3rd crown member (DuBois) conceded
with the views Of the Governor, that the aid be
granted to those who need it.
The End member for Ehristiansted's country
district (Ratcliffe) proposed the sub-amend-
ment, that fireworks whose owners are in
need of such aid" be struck out, which was
seconded by the LIST member for Christiansted's
own (Clindinen).
At the subsequent voting the said sub
amendment was rejected by 8 votes against
4, and the principal amendment No. 2 adopted
with 9 votes against A.
The Governor observed, that he did not
consider himself authorised to take any further
steps regarding the granting of the aid in ques-
ton, before the receiptso of the royal sanction to
the Budget, and deemed it doubtful that this
expenditure would be sanctioned by the Home
Government.
5, End discussion of the Money Bill for expens-
es sub Item G. pensions"
The following amendments were introduced
], BY the End member for Christiansted's
country district (Ratcliffe) 'that a pen
sion of $12 per month to the widow of the
deceased Police Assistant Heitmann,
/. Emile, born de Breton, be granted from
the 1st November 1866 from the Colonial
Treasury, say for 5 months $50 90
The above pension to be annually posted
in the Budget with $144 until the said
sum can be betrayed with 81 pr. month
from the Poorfund. and So per month from
the Rumfund, when means are available"
2, By the Governor that the Grant be
framed as follows temporary pen
sion to the widow of the deceased Police
Assistant Hoffman at the rate of 81 so
per month, to commence from the LIST of
November land until the amount can by
degrees be assumed by the Rumfund) be-
sides the pension Of SO SO monthly already
allowed her from the said fund, an amount