EVENING SITTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1396, 1 November 1884, Page 2

EVENING SITTING.

The Council resumed at 7.30. LAND BILL. The Hon Mr Haul moved that the second reading of the Land Bill be made an order for that day sis months. The amendment was eventnally withdrawn and the Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. LIFE ASSURANCE BILL. The Colonial Seoeetart moved the second reading of the Life Assurance Policies Bill. • The Hon Mr McLean moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. The Hon Colonel Whitmore moved the adjournment of the debate, which was carried. WEST COAST SETTLEMENT RESERVES. The consideration of the second reading of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill was adjonrned till next week. ELECTRIC LINES BILL. This Bill was read a second time without discussion. WANGANUI HARBOR BOARD BILL. The second reading of the Wanganui Harbor Board Bill was carried by 22 to 5. The Council adjourned at 9.5 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. next day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, October 31. The House met at 2:30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said:— That it would not bo necessary for the Government to place a sum on the Supplementary Public -Works Estimates for the formation of the Orookston section of the Waipihi- Roxburgh Railway line.—That the Government will not during the recess cauao n ourroy to ts madeof .the line of railway up the Waitaki to the, Lake Country, and a report of the quality and quantity of the land to be settled upon on e*ch side of such routes, nor would the gsame facilities be extended to a company to form such line as is now given to the East and West Coast Railway Company of the Middle Island. If a flying survey would be sufficient, Government would not object to it.-—That in view of the recent application of the Northern Shipping Company to have guiding lights placed at the Manukau Heads, the Government intended to have a special report made on the subject. If that report were favorable, the work would be carried out.—That the Government do not see their way to pay the salaries of those clerks of the Licensing Committees who have since their appointment by the Governor been performing their duties without receiving any salary.—That the arrangements with the road men on the Christchurch and Hokitika road, regarding the payment of wages, was made at the request of the workmen themselves. Government would arrange for monthly payments in future.— That the Government would see if some arrangement ca,nnot be made to secure the payment of moneys due to contractors for works executed without the delay which has occurred in the past. —That a large number of railway employees would be required on the Prince of Wales’ Bithday, but arrangements would be made to allow as many men as possible to have the holiday. —That there was no evidence in the department to show that the late Minister of Lands had anything to do with a syndicate formed to buy a large tract of Maori land in the Middle Island. Application had been made for a tract of land consisting of 100,000 acres, which according to the report on it was not very valuable land.—That it was not the intention of the Government to take any steps to set aside the sale •■o the Westport Colliery Company of 150 acres of land at Wsllsend, Grey river. A PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Mr Rollbston moved the adjournment of the House to make a personal explanation with reference to the Westport Colliery Company. This question was dealt with on a previous day in such a manner as be had to complain of Three Ministers in their several capacities bad done their best to make him a delinquent of the worst description, and that he had been giving away the lands of the people in a most unjustifiable way. The Premier had said that he (Mr Rolleston) had done a very illegal action, hut he considered he had acted wihln the law in the action he had taken. The Act gave tha Minister for the time being full power to act as he had done. He defended himself against the aspersions upon his character made by tha Premier and the Treasurer. His (Mr Holies ton's} transactions with companies were perfectly open and straightforward, and his character would bear comparison ' with that of the Colonial Treasurer.

Sir Julies Vooel said he had no regret for what he had said with reference to the member for Geraldine. He hoped he would taka to heart the lesson he had given him. That hon member always spoke as if he were a very superior being. He had frequently made most unwarrantable charges against him (Sir Julius Vogel). He did not wish to impute any corruption to the hon member; ha had merely said he had taken part in a transaction which had benefited a colleague. As to the accusation of the hon gentleman that he had coma back to New Zealand to take office, he ridiculed the idea in his state of health, as he did not know whether he would live till next session. He had come back without the slightest intention of taking office, but when he found the condition the colony had' been brought to by the hon gentlemen and his friends he consented to join the Ministry. He had no desire whatever to hold office, in fact, h» wae holding it <*t a

sacrifice, but; be considered that in consequence of his having done so confidence was already being restored all through the country. He would merely add that he' ventured to think his memory would live in New Zealand longer than that of the member for Geraldine. The Hon Mr Stout was sorry the member for Geraldine had taken up the matter in the light he had done. As fat aa he was concerned, he had merely «*ated he had done an illegal- aetieil fa granting the lease, and it should have bad the sanction of Parliament. 'He said - that in VtWlllKn of tem»<ef - the lease, Mr the Ooos* pany 160 acres of land, which was most un j notifiable. He charged the late Minis' tor with having violated the law. : - Major Atkinson felt peond to be a member of the Government that inclined the member for Geraldine. He considered the imputations the Treasurer made against that hon member were moat unworthy. He shontd like to know what Sir Julius Vogel had done for the country. He took the opportunity of warning the country that they were being led on j into a course which would surely end, disaster, and it w» only through the policy of the present Colonist! Treasurer. Mr Seddon thought Major Atkinson had little to thank the late Minister of V Lands for, as he it was who caused the downfall of the Atkinson Ministry. Mr B etc a defended the, member for Geraldine as to the lease in question. Mr Giuiss was greatly surprised to hear Mr Bolleston accused of unduly favoring the Westport Company. Hu experience of that Company bad been just the opposite, as he considered that the late Government bad not assisted the Company to anything like the extent they might_have done.

Mr Brown thonght the lata Minuter of Lands acted most injudiciously. . Mr Rollbston merely wished to say.he thought the Treasurer had had a useful lesson taught him by the debate, and fae hoped he wonld profit by it.. ■ The Treasurer had inside the House and oat of it made moat uncalled for, insinuations against him and the Government of which he was a member, whioh-hd thotf|llt’ Very unworthy of the positioa' he held In the House. The motion for adjournment was then WlthdrftWQ ■^