HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3186, 14 September 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

"V Tuesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that two independent persons, wholly unconnected with the district, would be appointed to decide on the route of the Seaward Bush—Toitois railway line, and in the meantime the line would be added to the schedule of the Railways Authorisation Bill; the Government would consider the question of offering a bonus of so much per head on each of the first 50 ostriches introduced into New Zealand with the view of / encouraging ostrich farming in this country j [► the trial of James M'Gahey, who had been lying nearly six months in the Hokitika gaol awaiting his trial on the charge of murder, would take place on the 26th inst.; the question of increasing the number of stamp officers throughout the colony would be considered, and the claims made by Greymouth would then be taken into account ; some correspondence had been received during last month from Sir Julius Vogel, but the Government had not either taken it into consideration or replied to it; the Government would not advise the Governor to pay the Barry Town Prospecting Association £98 7s, being the amount expended by the association in prospecting for gold —the object of the vote referred to was to aid prospecting by opening up auriferous districts by tracks, and in that way a considerable sum had been expended on the district mentioned. THE AUCKLAND HERALD. Mr Hall called attention to an editorial article in the New Zealand Herald imputing collusion between the Chairman of Committees, the Speaker, and the Government in the late coercive measures adopted in . connection with the passsing of the Repreaentation Bill. He denounced the remarks as wholly unfounded, and calculated to prejudice the position of the Speaker. Sir Maurice O'Rorke remarked that the statements were wholly unfounded and unjustifiable. Mr Seymour concurred in the remarks, Stating that no conmmnication whatever had passed between himself and any member of the Government on the subject, or indeed between him and anyone with, the exception pf the Speaker. Sir George Grey gave notice that be would, on going into Committee of Supply, table a motion with the view of getting the subject more fully discussed. DIRECT STEAM SERVICE. Mr Macandrew moved that the House go into committee to consider the report of the Direct Steam Service Committee. Dr Wallis objected to the report. The motion for going into committee was carried by 49 to 11. In committee Mr Macandrew moved, " This committee is of opinion that the establishment of a direct monthly steam service with Europe would very materially promote the interests and develope the resources of this colony. Mr Reader Wood moved as an amendment that there was not sufficient information before the House to deal with the question. He suggested that the Government should prosecute further enquiries into the matter and report to the next session of Parliament. Mr Johnston said the Government looked on the proposal for a direct steam service as premature. The San Francisco contract did not terminate until 1883, and it would be time enough when that service ended, or was ~_ about to end, to take a step of the kind pro- ' posed in the report. In the meantime he would make every possible enquiry on the subject. The committee divided on the motion— Ayes, 27 ; noes, 31. Mr Wood's amendment was then carried. SurPLY. On the motion for going into committee of supply Mr Bryce moved that it was desirable to reduce the estimates by a sum of £30,000. He denied that there was any understanding between himself and the Government in respect to the motion, and he did not even know how they meant to take it. He had framed it so that they might accept it without in any way compromising themselves. He contended that the circumstances of the colony were not such as to warrant departing from the retrenchment policy that had already been entered upon. The income, including taxation and railway profits, did not exceed £2,000,000. Of that sum they had £1,500,000 to pay for interest on loans and sinking fund, leaving not more than £500,000 for other purposes. That of itself showed that they were bound to exercise the utmost economy. Mr Gibbs seconded the motion. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. Major Atkinson accepted Mr Bryce's motion for reducing the estimates by £30,000, saying that while the Government did not bind themselves to exact figures, he hoped they would save that or more. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Saunders moved that the estimates be not proceeded with until the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill had passed. Mr Hall said the Government would refer the bill to a select committee, in the hope that it would be put into shape so as to ensure its passage this session. Sir W. Pox, Mr Collins, Mr Olliver, and others, supported the bill strongly. Colonel Trimble condemned it. Mr Saunders' motion was negatived by 38 to 33, and the House went into Comof Supply. The votes for printing and stationery and ' sheep and brands were passed as printed. Some discussion took place on tho items, Revision of Statutes £300, and West Coast Commission £2000, in the miscellaneous rote, but ultimately the whole vote was agreed to. In the Legislative Department vote Mr Andrews moved to strike of £90 from the salary of the Clerk of the Legislative

Council, £100 from the Clerk of Parliament, and £50 from the Scrgeant-at-Arms, all of which proposals were lost by largo majorities on divisions. The item of £125 for Bellamy's was struck oat, and the vote then passed. Tho total votes for tho Treasury, Property Tax, and Miscellaneous Class 3, were passed, as also the voto for the Customs and Marine and Harbor Departments. On class 6 the votes for the Stamps, Land, Deeds, Registry, and Public Trust Departments, and Arrears of Survey, were passed. On the vote for the Government Insurance Department some discussion arose as to the administration of the department, which was impugned by Mr Hutchison, but warmly defended by Major Atkinson. The vote passed. The following votes were passed in class 4, District Courts and Supreme Court. On the vote for Resident Magistrates and Wardens, Mr Finn drew attention to the conduct of Warden Stratford at Kumara, and moved a reduction of £100 in his salary. Mr Seddon spoke strongly against the Warden's conduct, which he said was driving the population away from the place. Mr Dick promised to ascertain whether it was true that the Warden had disregarded the instructions sent to him not to hold his courts at night. He would not be allowed to disobey such instructions. Mr Finn withdrew the motion, and the vote passed, as did also the votes for Criminal Prosecution Fees and Expenses of Inquests, Contingencies, and Prisons. At 3.15 progress was reported, and the House adjourned. Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Hall, replying to Mr Barron, said the Government were at present enlarging and adding to the railway works and plant at Caver sham. Mr Bolleston said the Government had received an offer to lease the Auckland Islands for a sheep run, but as all their information showed the islands to be quite unfit for such a purpose the Government did not feel justified in leasing till the matter was further considered, so as to protect the seals. By next session they hoped to have a report on the subject.