HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1710, 11 August 1875, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

YESTERDAY

The bnsiness of the House, in addition to that already telegraphed, was of little Auckland interest. Mr. Tolmie's Death.. Mr. Macandrew drew attention to the death of Mr. Tolmie, and the necessity for immediately filling np his seat, but Sir Donald McLean thought it would be more respectful to wait till after the funeral. The writ was ordered. Beading Statements. A disscusßion arose on a question raised by Mr Reader Wood relative to the practice of Ministers reading their statements instead of addressing the House. He said this was an objectionable practice. The statements were prepared by clerks and unless Ministers shewed themselves to be be masters of. the subjects referred to the House had no guarantee. Mr Rolleston referred to the practice as troparlimentaiy and was confirmed by the Speaker. Sir George Grey thought the question was whether they were to have a Ministry of great men or of clerks, in relation to whom Ministers stood as talking birds. No British Ministers dare rise up one after another and read statements as the Government had done.

Major Atkinson said the financial statement had been compiled by himself at a great cost of labour. Ministers were thoroughly familiar with the work of Government, and were not afraid of any test applied by the Opposition. Mr. Luckie supported Ministers on the ground of the multiplicity of figures in these statements.

Mr Reynolds and Mr Kelly also spoke in defence, when the matter dropped. The Wynyard Pier. In reply to Mr Swanson's question relative to the block of traffic along the Wynyard pier and foreshore East of Auckland. Mr Richardson said the Government had the matter under consideration, and hoped they would be able to do something to facilitate traffic.

Private Railways. In reply to Mr Murray, Mr Richardson said the Government would introduce a bill to facilitate the construction of private railways.

_, Rates. FJMajor Atkinson promised to lay on the table a return of the annual value of all the rateable property in the road districts and municipalities of the colony. Election of the Mayor of Auckland. Mr feheehan gave notice of a bill to make the Mayor of Auckland elective by the ratepayers.

Stamp Duties. Mr Bowen in introducing the Stam Duties ■Bui said the object of the Act was to simplify the collection of duties. The new Act was nearly the same as the one in force in England, and the duties were in no material point auterent from those now in force in the T2? y, t -«He cx PlaiQed fully the provisions ot the bill m relation to the production of stamped documents in Court, which throw jneonusof accessing the duty on the Stamp umce whose decisions if incorrect shall not invalidate the document. Messrs Bunny, Tribe, Murray, May, Montgomery, W Kelly, J. Shepherd, and Swan■on objected to the duty on mortgages as Muing revenue out of the poor instead of oat of the wealthy. JJTI Th She Pher* and Luckie dettnded the mdrtgage duties. Messrs Sheehan and Hunter pointed out SfniTS?* 1011 ™\ lnoreased under the bill, Which they considered unnecessary at pre' Mr Bowen said it was evident that the SnCTS; Pet With the W™l of members. The Government would be auite prepared to alter the details iKELfiJ? * T^ 0?* 868 in the North Island--Btt D. McLean read the statement on land purchases out of the 700,000? grant It was active6^* t0 mos WMte S B™cessfal. agents-viz. : Mr $°^oner o? g°"? '\Y* ,KemP> Civil ?Jdw6^i!f _ Auckland; Colonel ■JM retit lb* "** of land Purchased or leased >I|jlgam

by the Government since 1872 is as follows: Province of Auckland acres purchased 490,784, leased 391,601; Hawke's Bay purchased, 240,537 ; Wellington, 429,792; Taranaki, 170,499. Total, I,6lS,66Sacres, at a cost of, including 13.000Z charged for expenses of department, 16,421?, or 2s s|d per acre, and for 391.601 acres of land, on which has been paid £2957. The incompleted transactions represent a total of 2,941,842 acres under purchase, and 1,522,502 acres under lease, on which has been paid, including £13,135 for departmental services, £118,823.

Abolition DebateThe House was crowded after the adjournment to hear the debate on the abolition of provinces measures, many being unable to gain admittance. The ladies mustered in very great force. Sir George Grey. Sir George Grey spoke with great eloquence and earnestness, and was frequently compelled to pause by the demonstrations of approval. His repeated warnings of the House that they were acting illegally, and that to press their measures would land them in the Courts of law, is considered to indicate a determination not to let the matter rest even in the event of the Ministry forcing their measures through.— [We publish elsewhere a full report of Sir George Grey's speech.] Sir Donald McLean. Sir Donald McLean dwelt chiefly on the argument that the Colonial Gi-overnment having now taking up the work of the provinces the functions of the latter are suspended. He said the voice of the people was with the Government. The provinces had done good service in the early days, but the time of their usefulness had passed away, and when they reached such a condition as that in which Auckland was, the sooner they were swept away the better. He contended for the accuracy of the Government finance, and defended Dr Pollen and his colleagues. He said the opinion of the Chief Justice had never been asked on the subject of abolition. The creation of one united colony would enhance instead of weaken the credit of the colony.

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