HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3752, 25 July 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE NATIVE LAND COMI'AXV'S BILL. Mr Bryce presented a petition from inhabitants of Poverty Bay against the New Zealand Nati\'c Land Company's Bill. Mr Sheehan presented a petition from a number of natives also against tho bill. Major Atkinson stated that the Government considered it abvisable that tho Native Land Company's Bill should not bo proceeded with in any shape. Mr DcLautour accordingly Avithdrew the bill, and it was discharged from the Order Paper. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said there were serious obstacles in transferring to tho temperance branch assurance policies taken out under the ordinary system—the government Averc trying to find a way to overcome them; the reason why the Government deemed it inexpedient to offer a reward for the discovery of a payable goldfield in the North Island Avas the fear of native complications ; the railway traffic by extra trains between Masterton and Featherston on Saturdays was not sufficient to encourage the putting on of extra trains on Wednesdays ; a case of hydrophobia, had occurred in Australia in January last to an imported dog; tho Government had no objection to reduce the fee on late letters and those posted in raihvay vans to one penny ; tho Government saw no reason to pay the Westland County £3000 if tho Otara tollgate Avas removed; it was not thought necessary to strengthen or duplicate the raihvay'line between Dunedin aud Port Chalmers for two years to come; the Thames High School was this year in a much better financial position that ever before, as it was receiving a large rent from an endowment — it was intended therefore only to vote £500 as formerly; the Government would not be prepared to ask Parliament to vote money tw carry out Dr. Grabham's recommendations as to tho Thames Hospital in full, but if tho Thames people, like those of Napier, would raise somo money themselves towards the necessary works the Government Avould assist; a portion of the Catlin's river railway would probably be opened in twelve months; the Government would not refund to Mrs T. B. Taylor, of Wanganui, the amounts overcharged her in propertytax—the law Avould probably have to be altered in order to render life interests such as her's liable to the full duty ; no deduction of pay was made in the case of Imperial pensioners employed by the Public Works Department. NEW DILLS. After some opposition from Mr Seddon, Sir George Grey, and Mr Holmes, Major Atkinson introduced tho Legislative Officers' Salaries Bill, which was read a first time. Major Atkinson also asked for leave to introduce tho Payment of Members of the >- General Assembly Expenses Bill. Mr Soddon, Sir George Grey, and Mr Holmes opposed tho bill, as it proposed to include payment to members of the Legislative Council. On a division leave Avas granted by 49 to 0, and the bill Avas read a first time. Tho Native Committees Bill (Bryce) was introduced and read a first time. PACIFIC ANNEXATION". The debate on the report of the Annexation Committee was resumed by Mr Rolleston, who strongly supported it, urging tho necessity and desirability of annexing tho Pacific Islands. Colonel Trimble Avas opposed to annexation in any shape. Mr Peacock approved of it but not of committing the colony to indefinite liability. Mr Wynn-Willianis thought our liability should be defined. At the suggestion of Mr Montgomery, Major Atkinson promised to haA'o (he report printed in paragraphs, which could bo put separately on Thursday. The debate Avas adjourned. PARLIAMENTARY WITNESSES INDEMNITY DILL. The Parliamentary Witnesses Indemnity Bill was passed through all its stages. LIBELLOUS PETITIONS. Sir George Grey took exception to the accusations made in a petition from PovertyBay Avhich Mr Bryce had presented against the Ncav Zealand Nativo Land Company's Bill. It accused the promoters of having kept secret the real purport of the bill in order to force it through the Houso by unconstitutional means. Although it had - been read by the clerk, it should not, ho thought, appear in Hansard. Mr A. McDonald defended the company, and. condemned the petition and its promoters. After some further discussion the Speaker ruled that petitions read by the clerk should not appear in Hansard, and any libellous or improper petition would be struck off the records of the Houso. COMMITTEE OK SUPPLY. The House then Avcnt into Committee of Supply. On tho Estimates for the Minister of Justice's Department being read, a long discussion took place over the vote £40,901 for R.M., District Judge's, and Warden's Courts. Ultimately a sum of £50 Avas struck off tho travelling allowances of the R.M. at Timaru on the motion of Mr White, and at Mr Connolly's request the salary of the R.M. at Ashburton Avas reduced from £500 to £100. The whole vote then passed. On the vote £12,200 for criminal prosecutions coming- on, a motion to reduce the itom CroAvn Solicitors and Prosecutors from £7000 to £5000 was rejected on a division, and the voto passed as printed. Tho votes for Coroner's Act and Contingencies passed. A long discussion arose on the vote of £3888 for Prisons. Mr MacandroAV took exception to the first two items, tho "raising of the Inspector's salary from £600 to £700, and an alloAvance to him of £100 in lieu of quarters. Mr Connolly explained that Captain Hume avus engaged in England for three years, terminating in September mext, Avhen, if dispensed Avith, and he elected to return to England, the Government had to pay his and family's passages ; he inteuded to do this unless his salary Avas raised, anil the Government felt him a valuable officer Avhom it Avas most undesirablo to lose. A long discussion ensued, Mr MacandroAV, Mr Bracken, and others objecting to an English Inspector at all, and Mr Hurst, Mr O'Callaghan, and others to tho increase as too large. Mr Seddon warmly defended the vote Mr O'Callaghad moA'cd that the allowanco £ 100 be struck out, which Avas carried on a di visionby 2 1 to 2 3. Mr Sheehan moved to strike out all the items for Mount Cook prison, considering tho Government were trying to establish a central prison for the colony there in defiance of the oft-repeated decision of the House against having a central gaol. Mr Conchy and Mr Rolleston said no such attempt was being - made ; only* a iicav prison was wanted' in Wellington, aud the Government were trying to build it on the most approved principles by prison labor ; they were also building one in Auckland, and would soon be doing so in Dunedin. Mr Bracken and others "protested against prisoners being removed from other gaols to Wellington. Mr Hutchison said Wellington certainly did not want them or a contral prison. Mr Sheehan's amendment Avas lost by 22 to 13, and the total vote for Prisons, less the £100 house allowance, was passed.

The total Class of Justice also passed. At 2.20 progress was reported, and tho Houso rose.