PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 658, 9 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, June 8. PHYLLOXERA. The Hon. Mr Oliver said Government would take all possible steps to prevent the introduction of phylloxera into New Zealand, and would obtain information from Victoria with reference to it. NATIVE LAND COURT. A return was ordered of the expenditure and revenue in connection with the Native Land Court for the last two years. FIRST READINGS. The Sheriffs Act, 1858, Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr Whitaker) ; and the Education Act, 1877, Amendment Bill (Hon. Dr Menzies), were read a first time. CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT. The Corrupt Practices Prevention Act, 1881, Amendment Bill was read a second time. THIRD READING, The Banks and Bankers Act Amend ment Bill was read a third time. ROTORUA LEASES. A return was ordered of all documents on the subject of the Rotorua leases. COAL DEVELOPMENT. The Hon. Mr Holmes moved that this Council is of opinion that in order to utilise the extensive deposits of steam and gas coal on the West Coast of the Middle Island, it is desirable that steps should be taken without delay to complete the improvement of the harbor of Westport, so that ships of large tonnage may be able to take in full cargoes for foreign parts, and proceed to sea without delay.

The debate on the motion was interrupted by the adjournment of the Council at 4.45.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, June 8. The House met at 2.30. new bill. Mr Moss gave notice that he would introduce a Bill entitled the Tenants Fixture Act, 1882. ADJOURNMENT. Mr Weston moved the adjournment of the House at its rising at 5.30 until tomorrow. It was arranged that Private Members Bills set down for to-day should be taken up to-morrow. Agreed to. QUESTIONS.

In reply to questions, it was stated : The Government would, by its own officers, cause a flying visit survey, with a view of ascertaining the shortest route in continuation of the railway line from Kumara to Awanui, viz , Waihau. They preferred this course to the granting of a premium, as it would be equally efficient and more economical.—With the view of preventing hurried and often untimely visits of peripatetic Magistrates, enquiries would be made for the purpose of re-ar-ranging the business and obviating the inconvenience at present existing. —The Court at Havelock would be re-opened for public convenience. —Government had not yet received a report respecting the construction of telegraphic lines from Riverton to Orepuki, and from Otautau to Wairo.—Government was not aware that communications sent by it to Te Whiti through Mr Parris were not received >v read to Te Whiti. On the contrary, it was a fact that these communications were fully known to Te Whiti.—The payment of warders in gaols was regulated by resolution in Parliament last session, and in accordance therewith an extra rate of pay was allowed in the case of a few old provinc al officers.—No decision ha? yet been arrived at re the petition of the Hauhau Tramway Company. —Government had determined to become the insurers of their own buildings, and in pursuance thereof the Parliamentary library was not insured otherwise. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—Offences Against the Person Act Amendment ; Westland High School (Mr Weston) ; Christchurch Alignment of Streets (Mr H. Thompson) ; To permit City and Borough Councils to

insure buildings within their respective boundaries against fiio; to repeal the Contagious Diseases Act, 1860 (Mr Hut* chinson). THE AUCKLAND HAKBOB BOARD BILL. The Auckland Harbor Board Empowering Bill passed through Committee, was read a third time and passed. AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL BILL. The Auckland Grammar School Bill was read a second time. KAITANG AT A BELIE? FOND.

Mr Joyce moved for the appointment of a Committee to enquire into and report on the questions, whether the conditions on which the Kaitangata relief fund was subscribed have been fulfilled 1 what is the legal position of the trustees of the same fund ? and whether legislation is necessary to prevent misappropriation of funds voluntarily raised for charitable purposes ? He said that in dealing with this fund the trustees had acted more like a Board of Guardians than trustees for the distribution of a fund. Having money on hand after relieving the cases, they thought proper to constitute themselves.a general relief fund, and although disasters had taken place since, they never once made any inquiry as to whether or not relief was needed. Appeals had siiice been made, with the result that only a very trifling response was elicited. Ho attributed the fact to the unsatisfactory manner in which the Kaitangata relief fund was being administered. It might be argued this was not the proper tribunal to take cognisance of such a fund. He reminded them that it was almost impossible to get the subscribers to interfere, and from that fact he argued that it was necessary to place persons constituting themselvas trustees of such funds in some position involving more legal responsibility. He understood that they might misappropriate the trust, and unless a subscriber was prepared to face the trouble and expense of a prosecution they would go scot free. The Hon. Mr Dick said a sum of L 16.000 had been subscribed, but so far as he knew, the committee had done its duty faithfully. Messrs Kelly, Peacock, Holmes, _ Shepherd, and Rutherford, acquiesced in the motion.

The Bon. Mr Rolleston advised the withdrawal of the motion, believing that now attention had been drawn to the subject, the trustees would take care to give full publicity to their intromissions. Mr Montgomery pointed out certain words in the motion about misappropriaton of public funds. He suggested that allusion should be expunged. He moved an amendment affirming the necessity for enabling the trustees to appropriate -the surplus fuuds. Mr Fitzgerald thought the motion premature, and considered unwarrantable aspersions had been cast upon the trustees. Mr Joyce intimated he would accept the amendment. He meant to cast no reflections upon the trustees, except as to the mode in which they had administered their trust. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.