HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1017, 9 August 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, AugustS. The House met at 2 30. PETITIONS COMMITTEE. Mr Kelly brought up the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Mr Coyle, a surveyor, which was read, setting forth that the Committee had no recommendation to make beyond that made twice before, that the claim should be referred to arbitration. Mr Fish moved—“ That the report be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the claim be referred to arbitration.” Mr Bracken seconded. The Hon Mr Rolleston had gone through the case carefully, and he could not see that there was any claim on the part of the petitioner. His consenting to arbitration raised an assumption of the existence of some claim. The amount of the contract under which the claim was made was L 2,000, and the claim for compensation was in excess of that sum. He moved as an amendment —“ That the petition be referred back to the Committee, for them to say what sum is due.”

Mr Sutton objected to sending the petition back to the Committee. After further discussion, the Hon Mr Rollbston said he would be quite willing to refer the matter to a Court of Law, undertaking on the part of the Government to raise no technical objection, Mr Fish agreed to accept the proposal. The motion was accordingly negatived, on the understanding that the matter would be referred to a Court of Law, as proposed.

questions. Replying to questions Ministers said— That the Government had considered the possibility of the Irish informers landing in New Zealand. They had as great a horror of such men as anyone could have, but they recognised that if informers were to be hounded about from place to place it might be the means of deterring others from turning informers, in which case great criminals might escape. Government, however, had a stronger feeling on this point, as they considered it very far wrong of the Home Government to transport these)criminals to the Australian colonies without first enquiring if they were willing to receive them. The final determination of Government in the circumstances was still under consideration. —That no doubt the Agent-General would obtain information regarding an Act recently passed in France called the Transportation to the Pacific Act, and when they had that information they would be able to judge what should be done to counteract its evil effects. At present they had no information. —That titles to lands sold under olause 54 of the Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1882, being Education reserves, could not be obtained without payment of the stamp duty, and it was not the intention of the Government to make any alteration of the law.— That contrary to rule, the prisoner in the recent tragedy at Nelson had inadvertently been made aware of his contemplated removal. Orders had been issued against a recurrence of such information being given beforehand to prisoners. —That there would be no objection to a renewal for say six months of the bonus for the manufacture of starch in the colony.— That the Government would not erect a temporary light at Waipapa point, as it would only mislead and increase the dangers of navigation. The permanent light had arrived by the Timaru, and would be sent forward at once for erection.—That it was not true that sheep scab was spies ding all over the colony. It might he so in some places, but that would not warrant the repeal of all special legislation on the subject.— That precautions had, been taken to counteract the corrosive effects of the sulphurous vapors from the hot spring at the Rotorua Hospital. —That the police in their endeavors to bring to justice the murderer of Miss Dobie performed nothing more than a very ordinary duty, and merited neither reward nor promotion.— That there were defects in the second schedule of the code of civil procedure, which would be remedied as soon as possible. In the meantime members of the profession and the law societies would be invited to communicate their views on the subject.—That the Government had reports as to irregularities in Lyttelton Gaol, and they would make inquiries as soon as the Inspector was at liberty. Government did not think a Commission of Inquiry would be necessary.

BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Maori Registration Act, 1867, Amendment (Te Wheoro); Cavershatn, South Dunedin, and St Kilda streets Improvements (Mr Larnaoh). PUBLIC WORKS PUND. Replying to questions by >vlr Holmes, The Colonial Treasurer said there was L 935,000 to the credit of the Public Works fund on the 31st March, 1882, and the House voted that sum for public works; that the House also voted L 200,000 for roads and bridges, under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, 1882. The House voted L 200,000 out of the Public Works fund more than The credit of that fund. He considered that the L 2.50,000 that was to be raised under the New Zealand Colonial Inscribed Stock Loan Act, 1882, was to be placed in the public works fund to make up the deficiency in that fund. That in his opinion the LIOO,OOO to be paid out of the public works fund under the Roads and Bridges. Construction Act for main roads was an absolute subsidy out of that fund, and not to be recouped to that fund out of the land fund, and the LIOO,OOO to be paid out of the public works fund under the same Act for district roads would be lent again to the local bodies as fast as it was paid, and there was no hope of its being returned to the public works fund in our time.

“HANSARD.” Mr Maoandrew moved single copy of Hansard should be sent free by post on application to every householder (who is a registered elector) throughout the colony, and that it be an instruction to the Printing Departments Committee to make the necessary arrangements accordingly. ” Its cost would only bo about L 3,000 for the session. The debate was interrupted by the 5.50 adjourmaant. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30.

u i:*a aeoi; o-o Uks Honsp. reenmi ij' if was va,_ . .or Y.-; 1 ),; Muemimenu. On the motion i’cr '.'.e third rcrdins;. ! : h M. fliiUU?. sn v,. -r £•) vcru-u- v U;» till/ <li»uui>u KtL a niittii. tt<> TlOVftck, Franklin North.’’ The Committee divided Ayes, 33; noes, 23. On the motion for agreeing to the resolution, The Hon Major Atkinson said the Government could not agree to the motion. Local works were already pro vided for by law, and he wished it to be distinctly understood that the Government were not prepared to place any vote on the Estimates, nor would there be any such votes brought down. Mr Hutchison said the Roads and Bridges Construction Act had proved a complete failure, and he counselled the House to adhere to their determination ' ha . r e this resolution agreed to. The House divided —Ayes, 34 ; no 35. CHARITABLE GIFTS DUTIES EXEMPTION , BILL. In Committee this Bill was considered. On resuming it was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. TRUST BOARDS. On the motion for going into Committee om the Religious, Charitable, add Educational Trusts Boards Incorporation Bill, Mr Sheehan moved as an amendment “That the Bill be referred to a Select Committee to consider and report upon — (1) The provisions of the said Bill; (2) The extent, position, itianagement, and present condition of the various lands affected by the Bill; (3) The desirability or otherwise, of the resumption by the colony of so much of such lands as have been obtained by grantor endowment from the colony.” A long discussion followed, the debate being ultimately adjourned, and the Bouse rose at 1 o’clock.