PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1908, 2 August 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(P3R PKESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, July 3t. Major Steward is urging on Government to aßßlst the Manlototo and Waltakl County Councils m the construction of a dray road from Kyeburn Flat to the Tokoratl terminus of Windsor Llvinatone Rallvr»y, and if this ia done he wishes the Waimate unemployed to be afforded an opportunity of employment thereon, or that employment be given to them at Waimate on the Pablio Domain or elsewhere. Failing this he aßka the Government to afford aooi9 opportunity to the petitioners to earn meana of livelihood.

Notice of the following ticklish questions was given by M&j r Steward to-daj : (1) Whe her the Colonial Seoretary has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Waimea 'Joanty Council, urging that m acoordanca with section 88 of Hospitals and Charitable lustltutions Aot, 1835, endowments of Orown Laada to the extent of 250,000 acres be set aside for the purposes of the Act. (2) If he (a able to explain why, Boeing that the section referred to is mandatory, bqc'i area wea notaetaslde by theprevlons adminietralioo. (3) Whether the present Government is prepared to cairy out the Intentions of Parliament as plainly as expressed m said section 88 of the Act of 1885.

Major Steward will also aak the Minister whether be han considered tho request of 31 unemployed me", residents of Waimate, upon whom some 150 aoula are dependent for starting of sorao public work, whereby they may bo enabled to earn a means of support for themselves and their families, and whether he 1b aware that Mr Fusßell, of Oamaru, labor agent for the Government, has obtained the names of no less than seventy heads of families who are unemployed In the distrlot.

The report of the Sheep Committee ' which was very strongly condemnatory of the mode of working of the Department : was presented to-day by Mr Lance, who ' moved that it lie on the table. In apeak- I ing to his motion Mr Lanoe Btated that < the Committee, feeling that it was disgraceful that New Zealand should be the ' only colony m which scab existed, had ' made exhaustive enquiry into the cause of the spreading of scab. Many of ■ the inspector?, he Btated, were capable man, but he had no hesitation In saying that the head of the Department wsb quite at- fib for Mb position, as he had not qualities of organisation suited for such ' an important post, As an amendment to Mr Lance's resolution Mr J. Mackenzie moved that the recommendations of the Committee, whioh indluded the abolition of the Central Sheep Department and the division of the colony Into blx Bheep districts, should bo given effect to; Mr Kerr seconded the amendment, and, Bpeaklng on the subject, accused the Department of gross extravagance. Considerable debate followed, during which the Minister for Lands stated that he recognised the gravity of the mattar to some ex'ent. He agreed with tho report and he aßaured the Housa that before next session he should take stepß to remedy the present defects. In his reply Mr Lance stated that he recognised that the Chief Inspeolor was a painstaking and hard working officer, but, at the aime time, he was not suited for the position. Eventually Mr Mackarjzie'e amendment was agreed to on the voices, and the changes Involved In the adoption of the report will be given effect to during the reoess. Government have invited a suggestion from Sir J. Hall as to the prevention of shooting on Sundays where It is oljectlonable. If the Auctioneers' Bill Is dealt with this setßion provision will be made to require auctioneers to keep a register of brands cf sheep sold by them, and of persons for whom they are sold, Wellington. August 2 A complimentary ban q Get la to ba given to the Ministry and members of Parliament, who supported the passing of the Customs Bill by the Industrial Protection League on Saturday week. Extensive preparations are being made for the gathering whioh bids fair io bo a great success. A number of " Protectionists " . from northern and southern cities will be present on the occasion. I understand that Government are al"v ready taking stops to fulfil their pledges over the Otigo Central Railway Bill, v z., to carry the line on to Mlddlemarch at - the earliest possible moment, and instructions were given by tho Mlniiter of PubUo Works yesterday to have tendera called for the bridges on the section without '; deity, I believe nine bridges will be j required In this portion of the work. ' Tendera for earth work eta., will be ; wiled for Utec on. ,