IN THE LOBBY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1004, 25 July 1883, Page 2

IN THE LOBBY.

[from our PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, To-day. When the Estimates were under consideration last night, Mr Oonolly moved to reduce by LIOO the vote of LSOO for the R.M. at Ashburton. Mr Ivess expressed a hope that the Minister would not press the amendment. Ee pointed out that Ashburton was one of the most important agricultural districts in the colony, and the time had arrived when that district required the very ablest gentleman as R.M. the Government could place at its disposal. . If the vote were reduced Ashburton would have to be contented with a second-rate officer. L 450 with a hou*e allowance was the very least the Government could offer. Mr Oonolly twitted Mr Ivess with being one of those who last week voted in favor of sending back the Estimates to the Government to reduce them to the extent ot L 50.000 and now when he (Mr Oonolly) showed where a saving could be effected Mr Ivess raised his voice against it. He assured Mr Ivess that the gentleman whom the Government were appointing to the position, though not experienced in the capacity as R.M., was a very old officer in the Government service and one universally respected. Previously he had been in receipt of a smaller salary than that now proposed, and no doubt he would be very much satisfied with his promotion, and the Minister felt sure he would cast no discredit on the office. The vote was ultimately reduced to L4OO. I understand the Government will consent to the formal introduction this afternoon of Mr Montgomery’s Bill to provide for the repeal of the Property Tax, and that the discussion will take place on the second reading to-morrow, though no doubt they will be tempted to retaliate upon the opposition for their attempt yesterday to prevent the introduction of Major Atkinson’s Bills relating to members’ expenses and the Legislative officers’ salaries.

Mr Rolleston ia determined not to give Sir George Grey another opportunity of accusing, him of holding back information relative to the pre-emptive rights in Canterbury, and has laid on the table of the House a further return of the homestead and improvement pre-emptive rights in the Provincial District of Canterbury, which were purchased from August Ist 1879 to 30th April 1883.