PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1012, 3 August 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, August 2. BILLS. The Taumutu Native Commonage Bill and the Murihiku Native Reserves Grant Bill were read a second time. The Hon Mr Chamberlin’s adjourned motion re increasing forest reserves was carried. The Hokitika High School Bill was passed through Committee. The Timaru Racecourse Reserve Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 4 50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thurso ay, August 2. The House met at 2.30. BILLS. The following private Bills were road a third time and passed:—Taiaroa Land and Guardian Trust and Executors Company’s Bills. ME DARGAVILLE’S CHARGE. W The Hon Major Atkinson tabled the following motion :—“ That the hon. member for Auckland City West, Mr Dargaville, having charged the Premier and Treasurer with using for years their political position for the purpose of promoting legislation not for the good of the colony, tut for the interest of the Bank of New Zealand, especially in assisting to pass the Public Debts Act, 1867, and further having accused the Premier of receiving the sum of LIO.OOO, or aome portion of

LIO.OOO, as payment for such services rendered in passing the Public .Revenue Act, 1867, a Select Committee be appointed to inquire and report to the Hou* • —(1) Have the Premier or Treasurer, or either of them, used their or his political position improperly in assisting to pass the Public Debts Act, 1867, or in any other way in promoting legislation favorable to the interests of the Bank of New Zealand and against the interests of the colpny ; (2) Did the Premier receive or indirectly the sum of LIO,OOO, or any larger or smaller sum, for helping to promoie the passage of the Public Debts Act, 1867, or any other Act since 1867 in which the Bank of New Zealand was interested ; the Committee to consist of Messrs Driver, Hurst, jiacaudrew, Montgomery, Steward J. E. Brown, and J_.Gr, Wilson, four to form a quorum, and to report in a fortnight.” QUESTIONS. Replying to questions. Ministers said:— That the Treasurer had not borrowed; or raised money under the powers given by the Inscribed Stock Loan Act, 1882, nor had money been raised or dealt with, but under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act the amount, when raised, would be payable into the Public Works fund, hut there was no immediate intention of raising it. The Government could not in any way undertake to devote the money when raised to the East and ' Weft Coast, Middle Island, railway.—That the responsibility of keeping Davidson, the murderer in Nelson gaol the length of time he did rested with, the Hon Mr Conolly. The prisoner, asf ar matter of fact, was under orders, and but for stress of weather preventing the despatch of the steaimirwould have been removed to Wellington. When the late occurrence took place'-CliAtiß was a sufficient number,of warders em, ployed in the Nelson gaol to fill all iha ordinary requirements of their case, and there was no reason to regard l Davfddon as specially dangerous. —The ‘Agent-General , 'had instructions to 1 despatch by eieh : vessel as many natural‘ enemie*of the rabit as could be conveniently gc . Ifnfortunately these animals-*did not thrive at sea, and only a small proportion' theln arrived safely.' The Qfe .viweat would, however* encourage '1 Uu importation of ferrets’; stoats, and ;v; els. — That the Government would further consider the propriety of making Tbs extension of the Mount Somers railway at its crossing place over the Ashburton. —That the report of the Board appointed to in* quire into the complaints mad a by the passengers by the steamer : Catalonia hid not yet been received. He had himself made some inquiries into the subject of 1 these complaints, and to some' extent he believed they were well founded. The whhle matter, ho waver, bo oare- ’ fully considered.

, FIRST READINGS. , The following Bills were introduced and read the first time: —Te provide for the erection of Land Boards ; to provide for the disposal of Pastoral Lands (Sir George Grey); Russell Bxohpngo of Land (Mr Holleston); Animals Protection Act, 1880, Amendment (Mr Hntnlin). ROADS. ‘ f ' ' The Hon Major AiKiNsfor moved—- “ That a Select Committee hie. appointed to inquire and report which - sf‘ the roads gazetted under section 7 of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act should be approved as main roads ; the Committee further to inquire anc( report whether there are circumstances - which would justify the granting of all or any of tbs applications made since 31st March ilast to have roads declared main roads, so as to enable the local bodits applying to participate in the fund available for distribution under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act; also, whether it that applications should be entertained for the current year from c ‘unties not having applied during the year 1883 to have additional roads placed on the acheurh. of main roads. ” Interrupted by the 5.30 adjorr ■ ment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. The debate was resumed by Mr W. M‘K-.nzie. He objected to the r otion, contending that it was the duty of Government to take the responsibility sought to be imposed upon the Committee.

Mr Barron moved as an amend:.lent — “ That all the names be left out with the view of substituting the naans'of the Ministry.” After discussion Mr FuiTON ; reposed, as an amendment, that tRb : .Ucwing words be added to the motko, “and generally to consider in what dire ction the Roads and Bridges Act requires amend' ment. ” Mr Smith supported the motion. Mr Fish contended it was tl- duty of Government to take the respor. of working out this Act upon tl -n>.v. .‘vol What the Government aimed si; ws* to shirk that responsibility. He ala- objected to the construction of C-un-mittee, Mr Beetham, Mr Maodonaj ; - and Mr Hurst supported the motion. Several members having ep the amendment by Mr Fulton m pat . a-i carried on the voices. • Mr Barren’s amendment fn km-ng out names of the Committee at was negatived on the voices. The Hon Major Atkinson hating replied, the House_ divided.— , s, "5 ; noes, 24. The motion as amended was . t rded BILLS OF EXCHANGE BU.. This Bill was reported, and the. amendments agreed to. The Bill v - j-e.'sd a third time and passed. MISCELLANEOUS BILLS. On the motion of the Hon Mr Cokolly, the Criminals’ Execution Bill -ra,-read a second time. The Property '..w Consolidation Bill was read a, jdoond time. The Crown Grants Bill was considered in Committee, and passed wirh amendments. THE MINING COMPANIES ACT (1872) AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was considered in Con.entree. Clause 3 was amended by inverting air months as the period within which a transferor of shares should bo chargeable with liabilities. Several ne*- clauses were added and clause 6 was a;: act: out. Progress was reported. The House rose at 1 o’clock.