HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3187, 15 September 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

"Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that offers had been received for leasing the Auckland Islands, but the Government though ifc advisable not to accept any of these, nor would they do so until they were fully advised as to the natural capabilities of the islands ; operations for increasing the accommodation and plant of the railway workshops at Caversham were at present being carried out ; the Government had made provision for destitute natives in the Middle Island, and would continue doing bo in the case of deserving natives ; the Government were not uware of any portion of the camp reserve at Queenstown having been granted to private individuals ; nominations for immigrants from the Home country were accepted subject to the approval of the Government, but if they thought fit they had a perfect right to refuse these nominations and refund deposits. eOEBTTPT PBACTICES AT ELECTIONS. The Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill •was, on the motion of Mr Johnston, referred to a select committee, to be reported upon within three days. G-OYEBNMENT MFE ITTSTrBAN'CE BONUS Major Atkinson moved a resolution embodying the scheme for the distribution of Government insurance profits. In doing so he spoke in high terms of the management of the department. Sir George Grey moved as an amendment, "That in the opinion of this House the present system of Government insurance is not adaptod to the requirements of the working classes, and the House recommends that a scheme better suited to the requirements of their case be adopted." He would suggest that the limits for insurance be fixed at sums ranging from £200 to £500, and also that the aim should be to make it self-supporting. The Government should not grudge the expenditure of a small sum in endeavoring to establish a system for the benefit of the poorer classes. He condemned the system of paid agents going about touting for insurances, instead of attempting to educate the masses to the importance of life assurances. Major Atkinson said the proposal was in accordance with the views of the Government, and he agreed to embody the amendment as part of the original motion. After some debate, in the course of which Major Atkinson regretted that the bill prepared to establish a partly elective Board of Control could not be introduced this year. Mr Andrews moved that the management of the department should be placed under the control of a Board nominated by the Crown and elected by the policy holders. This amendment was afterwards_ withdrawn, and Major Atkinson's motion as amended was put and carried. The House adjourned at 6.30, and yesumed at 7.30,

TAnANATCI HABBOTt CCMttTSSIOX BUT;. Mr Hall proposed to adjourn the estimates, in orrler to allow the Tnranaki Harbor Commission Bill to be proceeded with. Mr Reader Wood protested against wasting another night in a Taranaki free fight, and on a division the proposal was rejected by 32 to 26. SXTPPLY. The House then wont into Committee of Supply, when the following votes passed without alteration :— Class 8, Kducation, £277,416. Class 9, Native Affairs, £19,054, Class 10, Mines, £21,033. Class, 11, Public Works and Railways, £582,650. Class 12, Defence, £204,245. Class 13, Lands, £134,584; Native Reserves, £1272. The public worke estimates were then proceeded with, and passed as follows: —Class 1, Immigration, £24,588. Class 2, Public Works Department, £12,772. Class 3, Railways, £1,017,636. Class 4, Surveys of New Lines of Railway, £400,000. Class 5, Roads, £262,763. Class 6, Land Purchases, £87,623. Class 7, Waterworks on Q-old-fields, £22,000. Class 8, Telegraph Extension, £11,154. Class 9, Public Buildings, £190,906. Class 10, Lighthouses, £34,545; Contingent Defence, £84,000 ; Charges of Raieing Loans, £14,000. Progress was then reported, and the House rose at 2 o'clock. Thursday. The House met at 11 a.m. MR. MOORHOUSE'S DEATH. Immediately after prayers, Mr Hall, who spoke with considerable emotion, said: Sir, since we last met an event has occurred which will occasion great sorrow, not only in this House, but also throughout the whole of New Zealand. There has passed away from among us one of the most popular and one of the most distinguished men of this colony, Mr Moorhouse. Mr Moorhouse was amongst the earliest settlers in Canterbury, and he was amongst the first to take an important part in the public life of the colony. A man possessed of rare natural ability and generosity of disposition, be was early placed in a position of and responsibility by his fellow settlers in the portion of the colony to which he belonged. For many years he filled the office of Superintendent of the large and populous province_ot Canterbury, and his name has been inseparably associated with the most important years in the history of that place, in the history of its progress and prosperity. William Sefton Moorhouse was one of the first elected members of the House of Representatives, and is one who will be long remembered in this House for bis many virtueo, and who will long be remembered for bis long and able public services. In the death of Mr Moorhouse we have lost a public man, one whose place will not be readily filled up, and whose name will occupy a lasting place in the hearts of the people. I feel that lam quite unable to say more. I feel myself wholly at a loss to express my feelings on this occasion. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, I will move that this House do now adjourn until the evening at 7.30. I understand that it was tbe wish of the deceased that his remains should be interred iv Canterbury, and with the view of giving effect to that wish the Government has determined upon placing the Government steamer at the disposal of his friends for the purpose. I now propose that the House do adjourn until this evening, and I shall also take care members will be afforded an opportunity of attending the procession from the deceased's house down to tbe steamer.

Sir George Grey said : Sir. I rise to second the motion. There are occasions when it is intended to pay a compliment to some persons whose deeds are so little known that they require explanation, but with the present occasion that is quite unnecessary, Mr Moorbouse was one of the first colonists of New Zealand to teach his fellow men to rely upon their own resources, and to show what great (hings might be accomplished by energy and self-reliance. He applied his mind to that, and he successfully carried on perhaps one of the most important works that has ever been executed in New Zealand. In that way be gave an example, not only to the province of Canterbury, but to the whole colony by his generosity and devotion. In all these respects he has established a claim to our gratitude and remembrance, and this House on a previous occasion did its utmost to show itself grateful for the service of that gentleman, and now I trust we shall pay this last tribute of respect without a dissentient voice, and show courtesy and honor to the memory of the gentleman whom we all respected.. Mr Macandrew : I will only add oue word to what has been said, that not only has the colony lost one of its most prominent public men, but 1 have lost in the death of Mr Moorhouse a sincere and trusted friend, one with whom I have been associated for a period of thirty years. As the Premier has stated Mr Moorhonse and myself were the only two members who occupied seats in the first Parliament in the session of 1854. Of his public character and actions it is quite unnecessary that I should speak. Of bis deeda he has left a monument behind him, which will continue to perpetuate his memory as long as New Zealand endures.

The motion was then agreed to, and the House rose.