PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 135, 11 June 1886, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(by TEiiEORArn— parliamentary

REPORTER )

Wkllinqton, this day. The Mmister for Public Works assured Mr Hamlin yesterday that lie was in error in saying that charge for haulage of scoria ash to Fukekohe had been increased. He says it wa9 the charge for filling trucks at the quarries which had been increased to tho extent of 4d per ton, and this increase was made simply at the cost of the Railway Department. A point of some importanco was involved in the matter which was under consideration of the Petitions Committee yesterday. MrD, McCoul seeks compensation for damage and consequent loss sustained through fires caused by sparks from tho engino of the Kaipara line. Tho committee will report that in the absence of direct evidence to proretbe injury complained of was caused by sparks from the engine, the railway committee cannot recommend further than that the petitioner should seek remedy in the law courts-to which course the Government have consented. Mr Swanson received a letter from Mr Farnall, Sec. of the Auck. Trade and Labour Council, requesting him to undertake the Seamen's Bill, and e-.pressing confidence that if he did so it would pass. The hon. gentleman thinks thiß is very good in the face of all that was said and written of him as tbo opponent of tho working man at last City West election. _ Mr Hamlin urged on the Minister ot Public Works yesterday the desirability of assimilating charges on the Onehunga Wharf to those levied on the Auckland Wharf, as promised in 18S4. Mr Richardeon claimed that ereat care had been taken to as to comply as far as possiblo with the promise, and so far as he could ascertain the only extra charge was for carts going on tho wharf, and this was levied because tho Railway Department had been compelled to greatly extend as well as to maintain structure. The Government, at Mr Bradshaw s instanco, intend to introduce a Sharebrokers Bill of a comprehensive kind, defining what is a Bharebroker, and his duties. It is designed with the view of frustrating share jobbing, and will probably be introduced in the Legislative Counoil. The highest paid teachers under the Education department during tho past year were: David White, Normal, Dunedin £480 ; A. B. Thomson, Napier, £478 ; John G. L. Scott, Glouces-ter-street, Christchurch, £461 ; H. Worthington, Wellesley - street, Auckland, £451. The joint committee on Standing Orders recommended that a bill to validate the raising of additional capital and debentures for Wellington and Mauawatu railway, and in which Borne technicality had occurred be proceeded with on condition that they pub lish notice of their intention to apply for the bill. The following are the totul amounts payable to the local bodies for rates under the Crown Nativo Lands Rating Act, from July last to May last: — Auckland, £G,815; Hawke's Bay, £2,040; Taranaki, £'2 991 ; Wellington, £5,536; Nelson, £7 732 ; Marlborough, £715 ; Westland, £7 018; Canterbury, £1.320; Otago, £2,443; Southland, £2,888 : total, £40,103. The Land Act Komedies Bill (Pyke) is designed to remove difficulties which have become apparent in working last year's Land Act. As the Act now stands the holder of a perpetual lease of rural Und may become the holder of a small grazing run, but the holder of a •mall grazing run cannot obtain a lease of rural laud for agricultural purposes, and it is intended to remedy this inequality. In the next place, it is proposed to place tho holders of perpetual leases on goldlields on tho same footing with lessees olsewhere as to right of purchase after six yearn'occupancy, Other amendments are for tho purpose ot dealing with temporary occupancy of unused lands, for .vhii'h tho Land Act does not make uuy provision, and lor more tho epeedy settlement of lands which remain unsold. Captain Fairchild is not alarmed by tho striking out of tho Hinerooa vote, and he ?ayf, jokingly, of course, that if it is not roplaces, he will run a steamer himself for twolvo months. In that connection, ke says, at the timo of tho Maori war, tho Government had no monoy to run a stcamor, and ho drew his savings out of j tho bank and kept her going 5 months till j they got tho funds.. I Two important elements in the Mining Companies Bill havo been made at Bradahaw'a suggestion, and they will be movod in committee by tho member in charge of tho measure. One provides that no person trading in (hares shall, after tho passing of tho Act, bo appointed manager of any mining company, and the other that any mine manager buying or selling shares shall bo liable to a penalty not oxcocding tilty pound?. Sir Frederick Whitakcr is introducing a bill into tho Upper Chamber to prevont tho deportation of French convicts to this colony. lion, Mr Kollcaton says that Sir JuliuS Vogol's Ministry ia eesentially a borrowing Government. " They not only borrow money, but idea", whenever they can get them. Mr Tolo was in his place at the Houeo again ycatord&y. Auckland Harbour Board Loan Bill, and a bill restricting tho application of tho North Island railway lino loan was read tho first timo yosterday. Clutha Thomson was appointed Chairman of Committee to inquire into the commission paid on account for tho purchase of district railways. Sir Julius Vogol made tho mistake of voting with both ayes and noeß in the division on Mr Wilson's motion re special settlement resolution on Wednesday afternoon.

The wpather is again atrocious, and as a consequence, members remain indoors, and political matters are very

quiet. The Government narrowly oscaped defeat yesterday on the motions respecting the monopoly of contracts being given to Maori?, and residence being made a condition in special settlement regulations. Mr Hamlin intends to ask the Government tomorrow why tho eubsidy has not been paid at Pukekohp West Road Board, and when it will be paid.

Mr Poacock will aek what steps are being taken to erect a lighthouse at Cuvier Island.

Mr Mitchelson has presented a petition from Tonald McGregor and sb'others, praying for a telephone at Whangarei Heads and lakos, and others from Wnipu County Council and Mangapiko Road Board, praying for separate Hospitals and Charitablo Aid Board for Waikato.

Dr. Pollon's claim for arrears of pension from 1873 to J876 has gono to the-Commit-tee.

Mr Moss has presented a petition from Mrs Bracewell, whose husband was killed on tho Waikato Railway, praying for an allowance. One-Tree Hill. A number of Auckland members will propose that the bill to take One-Tree Hill for a recreation reservo be withdrawn, as the reservo is already an education reserve, and they say that their endowments are too poor already, Mr Buckland, on the other hand, says that all the other hills in the vicinity of Auckland are recreation reserves, and this should be also. He only proposes to take the mountain, which he says is valueless for other purposes.

Auckland Petitions,

The Petitions Committee had the following petitions under consideration to-day : — The petition of the contractors of Auckland, praying for alterations in the existing conditions of Auckland contract, was referred to the Government for.consideration, attention being called to the mode of arbitration used by the Victorian Govern, ment. Tho conditions of the petition of C. Whisker and others,of the Borough of Newmarket, against closing certain roads, was referred to Government for consideration. The petition of the Waikato residents, praying to be constituted asaseparate district under the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, was referred to the Government.