NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 280, 6 September 1867, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, IGtii Aug. disallowance ot provincial ordinances. Mr. Haughton complained that members had not been supplied with copies of the Gazette. He founc 1 that tho Rills had been disallowed by his Excellency the Governor, and that members were placed in a false position through not having copies of the Gazette. Mr. Stafford replied that Ordinances had been disallowed because they were ultra vires with the Constitution Act. Honorable members could have copies of the Gazette if they desired them. AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT OF THE COLDFIELDS. Mr. Bradshaw asked tho hon. the Colonial Sec rotary if he would cause to bo laid on the table all correspondence since the 22nd of April, ISCS, in respect to agricultural settlement on the goldfields, under tho "Ooldficlds' Act, 1800." He asked the question in consequence of a statemade by tho hon. member for Mataura to the effect that the waste lands of the Otago Goldfields were under the control of Mr. Fyke. Ho was certain such was not the case. Mr. Stafford said the Government had no objection to lay upon the table the correspondence referred to. A petition from the Mayor and four Councillors of Qucenstown, Otago,, praying for a system of local government, was received and ordered to be printed. The Dunedin Princes-street Ecservo Bill was read a second time. The Speaker announced that he had received a message from his Excellency the Governor, transmitting a Bill intituled "An Act to make specific provision for the expenses of certain judicial officers and courts on the Otago Gold fields," and, in Her Majesty's behalf, requesting the House to make such provision. Tho Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be printed. The Otago Land Claims Bill was read a second time, and ordered to bo committed. The Resident Magistrates' and Medical Practitioners' Bills were reported, with amendments, and the third readings fixed for the next day of sitting. The House resolved itself into Committee to further consider the clauses of the Municipal Corporations Bill. On clause 89, referin<r to vote by ballot, Mr. Stafford said that election by ballot would enable people of moderate views and quiet habits to have that influence which they ought to have, and the more violent and reckless portion of the community would not have the same opportunity of occasioning disturbances. He trusted the House would a°ssen t

to the principle of voting by ballot on this small scale, and four or five years hence the result of its working might be found valuable. Mr, Reynolds said that in municipal elections the ballot system had been in operation inOtago for the last three years, and it had worked well! No one could vote under it unless his name was on the Electoral Roll. The House divided on the question that the clause be postponed. The result was —Ayes, 23; noes, 21 ; majority, 2. The Provincial Law Suits Amendment Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. The object of this Bill is to enable a creditor, who has obtained judgment against a Provincial Government to obtain satisfaction. The law at present requires the Superintendent, !n all cases where a judgment has been obtained (except in any action for wilful neglect or default) to take steps to satisfy the judgment, as no levy can be made, and the creditor is thus at the mercy of the Government. It is now proposed that the Superintendent shall be bound to recommend to the Provincial Council (if in Session) a sufficient appropriation to . pay the money, and if the Council is not in Session to issue to the Treasurer a warrant to satisfy the judgment. Tuesday, 20th Aug. Mr. Macandrcw moved the second reading of the Otago Southern Trunk Railway Act Amendment Bill. The Bill was read accordingly, and referred to the Committee of Selection. Mr. Bradshaw asked the hon. the Colonial Treasurer whether the fines imposed by the Provincial Government of Otago upon Messrs. Robinson and Every, for contempt, and paid by those gentlemen to the Speaker of [the House, had been paid into the Colonial Treasury. Mr. Fitzhcrbert, in reply, said that no advice had been received of the payment having been made. The latest advices were up to the 16th POWERS OF PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURES TO TAKE LAND. Mr. Macandrcw asked the hon. the Colonial Secretaiy whether or not it is the intention of the Government to introduce a measure for the removal of doubts as to the power of Provincial Legislatures to take lauds for roads and other purposes. Mr, Stafford said it was not the intention of the Government to take any action until it was known in what manner the Imperial Government had dealt with the Provisional Compulsory Land Taking Bill, passed last Session, and reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. The Resident Magistrates' Bill, the Medical Practitioners' Bill, and the Gold Miners' Representation Bill were read a third time, and passed. The Otago Goldfields' Judicial Officers Bill was read a third time, and ordered to be committed. Mr. Vogcl asked for information as to who the officers were, and the terms on which the provision was made. Mr. Stafford said the reason why the localities were not mentioned was to enable Wardens to be removed from one district to another without inconvenience. Lately a Warden had been removed from Cromwell to Switzer's. He might state that neither the number of Warden's nor of departments had been increased. The Provincial Law Suits Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee, and was read a third time and passed. Wednesday, 21st August. rutslic officers disqualification btli. Major Atkinson moved for leave to bring in a Bill to disqualify public defaulters from holding the office of Superintendent of any Province, or other public office, and from sitting in either House of Assembly. Leave was granted, and • Major Atkinson and Mr. Cox were ordered to prepare the Bill and bring it in. Mr. Haughton proposed that those honorable members should bring ill the Bill this day six months. The Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be printed. WARDENS ON GOLDFIELDS. Mr. Reynolds moved, on behalf of Mr. Mervyn, for a return of cases hoard before Resident Magistrates and wardens on the goldfields. He said there was an impression abroad that there were too many wardens and resident magistrates on the goldfields of Otago. By having a return of the cases before them the House would be able to judge whether such was the case or not. Mr. Reynolds, on the recommendation of Mr. Stafford, agreed to insert the words "on each of the goldfields within the colony." Mr. Haughton said he did not intend to oppose the motion, but the return as regards the wardens must necessarily bo unsatisfactory. A great deal of the duties of wardens was to keep cases out of Court by advice and discretion in effecting settlement of matters which if brought into Court would lead to extensive litigation. So far from being able to judge by cases entered in the wardens' books of their fitness, he (Mr. Haughton) would be disposed to send a warden about his business whose books showed a large number of cases. As to the number of wardens that must he regulated by the population in particular districts. A motion was made and agreed to, That a return be laid on the table of the House of the number of cases heard before the resident magistrates and wardens on each of the goldfields within the colony from the 30th of June, ISGG, to the 30th June, 1807.