PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2176, 18 July 1889, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

(brqm oub own corbbsfondbnt )

Wblmnoton, July 17 Petitions from various loo»I bodies were presented to-dny praying that the Charitable Aid BUI Bhall not pass. Mr Dunoan, following the example of Messrs Smith, Ward,, and Guinneoe, has given notice to ask that the railway m his dfetrlob b« further oonstiuoted on similar terms to those proposed In connection with the Otago O?ntraV In reference to this matter tho Premier, In the coarae of hla reply to Mr Ward, who wanta the Southland Railway oona^uo'ed on the same principle as the O ago Oimtra', gave oectalu indioations that he was inclined to oonsi et what other Hnea iv the olony should be constructed on this prloolpie.

Dc Hodgklnaou has given notice that when In Committee on the Representation Bill ho will move »n amendment to strike oat the words " thres to five members," the oV jnot being the amalgamation of the country electorates, so that Instead of eaoh electorate returning one member only it may be extended to return from three to five members.

It appßucd that Mr MoKerrow, late Sarveynr-Generai, now Chief Commissioner of Railways, was ex-offiolo a member of the Representation Oomtnls • slon, but of oourse ceased to aot when he was appointed Railway CkmmUsioner. The desirableness of re-appointing him on the Representation Commission (s being urged on G varomcnb. The Premier has, however, Intimated that Government have no present Intention of filling the vacancy.

Government do not see their way to making farther concessions to Rifle Oinbs.

With reference to Mi Seddocris question aa to restricting Chines* immigration it is the intention _of Government to extend the Aot,. which expires with this session.

The Treasurer intends making some pro vision yhereby the delay whioh takes place In auditing the accounts of iooal governing bodieß may be removed. The Ho doe has ordered the production of the correspondence between Government and Judge Ward relative to the case of Ohriatle, a bankrupt. There was a long discussion on the motion tabled by Mr Fulton, but moved by Mr Withy, affirming the desirableness of extending the present Local Option law. The motion w-js carried by 36 to 26 The debate on the reform of the Legislative Oounoil proceeds gaily m the Upper Bodse. One of the Lords, disgusted at the opposition to the Bill, warmly declared to-d*y that if an angel from Heaven drafted a Bill there would be found Councillors ready to take exception to it. Mr Barron's motion for the gradual annual reduotion of the Property Tax was. on a division of the House, loot by 60 to 11, and before Mr Hobs' amendment coud be put the dinner adjournment interrupted the proceedings. The hour of half past five had nearly arrived whea ths Speaker announced the result of the division on Mr Barton's motion for the gradual annual redaotlon of the Property Tax. There «ras yet a minute to the half hour, however, and Mr Seddon managed to get In another amendment to the effect that the Property T«x be abolished on and after 30th September, 1890; and that In the meantime agricultural and mining machinery be exempt from taxation* A petition making extraordinary and serious charges against Wl Pere and Me W. L. Bees was presented to-day by Mr Oarroll on behalf of 36 Maoris, owners of the Paremata blook, at Oisborne. The petitioners state that through the parslstent urging of Wl P.ere and Mr Bees they agreed to hand over the block to the New Zealand Land Settlement Company. .The land was to be administered for the benefit of the Maoxi owners, two-thirds to go to the Natives and one-third to the Company wbioh was to receive no further remuneration. A covenant to this effaot was drawn up and signed by all the Native owners of the blook. The price fired for the land was £9000, but the petitioners had only received £1000. The bnUnoe of £3000 was not yet paid when the covenant waa brought before the Trust and Frauds Oommißsfqaer. The Chairman of the Maori Committee said th < Natives had not been paid all the money although Wt Pere and Mr Roes strongly nrged him to admit the payment. This Qh»lrman was then dismissed and a new Chairman wae appointed and a "marked" oheqae for £8000 was given to him. When examined by the Trust Oommlsiioner he said all the money had now been paid. The Commissioner granted his certificate and the bank took the cheque, but up to the present time the petitioners had not received their mgney, though their ltnct had passed from them. They now pray for relief from this great calamity vhlch had fallen on them " through the dishonorable and fiendlnh machinations " of Wt Pere and Mr Bees, the Company aud the Bank. Tboy ask for asslatanoe In aettlng aside this " dishonest and treacherous " sale and ob'aAalng tn»tr land as they had no other means of support.

Mr Anderson has given notioa to ask the Premier if Government will legislate m the direction of having volunteer drill and boat-sheds exempt from local and monlolpal taxes and ratei.