PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 859, 4 October 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

' . —o—(From our Exchanges.) In Committee of Supply there was con-, sicTorable discussion on the item “ resident magistrates, and wardens’ courts, 1.40,942 45.” Mr Pox urged on the Government the necessity of redistributing the resident magistrates according to their fitness for the discharge of their duties in particular localities.' Mr Kolleston referred to the unsatisfactory condition of the licensing bench under the present system. Mr, Pyke advocated a return to the old system, under which every visiting justice would be 'qualified to sit'on a bench.-^(An hon. member: “No, no”) —he could not understand why a man should be considered fitted .to be a licensing commissioner and not aJ. P. He advocated the issue of a upw roll of justices rather than the revision of the present roll. In debate .on the Tapanui railway Mr Saunders-did not doubt Mr Macaudrew’s good judgment, especially in one direction. He considered it an excellent piece of good generalship for his own district. He objected to the course pursued. Mr Bastidga defended the action as a wise one. The. land wheu sold, would ‘realize LBO,OOO more than it would otherwi o have done. The land through which" the line passed was of first-rate quality. The, whole interest to he paid would only amount to L 4-700. The Ministry-deserved the thanks of the country for their action. He accused newspapers of fabrications and o| • utter falsehoods in regard to the line, which was not for the benefit of large landowners. Mr Pyko asserted that an approuriation had been made, with the full consent of the House, although only land not figures had been set against the appropriation. The resolution implied a severe censure. It was understood that the lands were reserved last session. He gave notice that he would move an amendment to the resolution when the time came. The Hon. R. Stout said the’ spirit of the discussion proved that Provincial jealousy still existed, Canterbury last year had bceu better treated tbau Otago, but Otago members had not complained. It was not true that tenders were accepted before the advertised time for opening tenders. It was a fact that the tender accepted was about L2OOO below the en gineer’s estimate. The term Waipahi was applied to both districts and to a small township, and thcWai-pahi-Tapanui line did not mean necessarily to the township. This line was altogether exceptional, and if that principle of construction could he adopted generally a great saving would follow. Ho admitted the. general principle, hut a particular case must be judged ou its merits, and upon that ground this lino could not be assailed. The land was the best in Otago, the lino was for the benefit of small farmers, and the principle of the contract was.agopd one to apply in other cases. He hoped Mr Richardson would withdraw his motion on the ground of insnilicient information on the case being in his hands, and trusted ho was satisfied with the explanation given. According to a return as laid on the lahle • of the House, the Banks carrying on busii ness in the Colony, paid as duty and licenses H9.OSG 2s 10d. •Mr Pyke lias given notice of his intention to move—“ That on Wednesday, 2nd October, this House will resolve' itself into a Connnitteo of the whole, to consider a respectful address to Ilis Excellency, requesting that a sum ofnnna}- not exceedingLsooo may bo placed ou the supplementary estimates to subsidise County expenditure, at the rate of LI tor Ll, for tho erection of a bridge over the Clutha river, in Vincout County.” The Clyde Athonmijm Bill has passed its second reading in the Council. September .19. Mr Murray to day gave notice to ask why the telegraphist at Clyde had not warned, the stations lower’down of the [rising of the river. ‘ ’ . Mr Pyke asked whether, in view of the frequent interruptions to telegraph commit: nicatiou, the Government would cansa’wircs to ho laid in pipes under the surface of the earth in exposed places ? ... The Hon. .T. T. Fisher said it was too ex-. pensive a plau to adopt. In Committee on the Land Tax Bill, on ; the suggestion of Mr Saunders, the Tiensu-, ror consented to strike out clauses 2 and 3; of sections 4, makiug’the primary value of, land in counties Ll and iu boroughs LSO an’ acre. Clause 4 passed. On clause 5 Mr Saunders suggested an amendmeht apportioning the tax between the lessees and the landlord, either lining allowed to recover from the other. The Troasu- 1 ror promised to consider the proposal on the re-committal of the Bilk Clause 5 passed. . " 1