PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 863, 1 November 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

—o—(From our Exchanges.) Wellington, October 23. Mr Barton has undoubtedly scored a point in the report of the Gaol Committee, on his charges against the Wellington polios. When these wore made in his speech in the Theatre Royal they were ridiculed as utterly absurd and groundless, but the report shows that they had considerable foundation, and discloses a very unsatisfactory state of police management. In reply to a question the Hon. Mr Sheehan said the Government did not intend to alter the boundaries of the Rangatikoi, or any other County during the present Session. I)r Hodgkinson asked the Government if they intend to amend the Land Act, 1877, ao as to reduce the price of deferred payment land from L 3 an acre to 30a, and if they will also amend the Land Act so that if there are several applicants it shall bo determined by ballot instead of by auction. The Hon. R. Stout said the • question would be answered in discussion. In the House to day, Mr Macau drew laid on the table a report of the damage done by the floods in Otago. The damage was estimated at 1d03.000, and the Government proposed to advance to the local bodies on the security of their subsidies, and for a period of five years, the sum of 1.50,000, Captain Russel said he would object to this, as it would bo determining the question of subsidies for fivo years, and there were many districts in the Colony which got no subsidy, and had never any roads or bridges at all—even to bo washed away. The Hon. Mr Macandrew said the vote was asked for. MrPyke asked the Government what course they intend adopting in regard to the recommendation of the Police' Pay Committee,

Tlio Hon. Mr Ballance said tho Governiri"nt intend to raise the pay sixpence in lower ranks, and a shilling in tho higher, from Ist January to the 30th June. Tho Government next Session will bring down an Armed Constabulary Bill, providing for ordinary pay, long service pay, and travelling allowances. Mr Pyke has given notice to ask tho Government to cancel ail existing railway passes, so as to re-issue those deemed necessary. Sir George Gray to day flatly refused to answer Mr Fitzroy’s question about tbo New, Zealand National [ Adthem, 1 Some members remarked that they had not seen the words, whereupon Mr Bastings volunteered to sing it if the House wished. Tho offer was not accepted. Mr Pyke asked tho Government whether they will cancel the whole of the free railway passes now in circulation, with tho view of re-issuing such free passes only as may appear to the Government to be necessary. He said that 3000 free passes were in circulation Tho lion. J. Macandrew said that directions had been given that all free passes now in circulation shall cease at the cad of the year,-with a view of issuing only such as may bo deemed necessary. The following items we cull from tho Supplementary estimates—Otago Central Railway, Dunstan to Lake Wanaka, L 55,000 ; Cromwell and Clyde, fencing the Camp grounds, LSOO ; Court-house, Tapanui, LSOO ; Railway—Palmerston to Waiherao, LSOOO ; loans to local bodies to repair damages by floods, L 50,000. The Hon. Mr Ballance in moving the second reading of the Financial Arrangements said—“ The fees arising on the Cold Fields would be made Local revenue. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Shrimski moved an amendment that the next session be held in Christchurch, in order to consult the convenience of members. The House divided—“ That the words proposed to be added stand part of question.” During the division Mr George asked that the question be again put. The Speaker again put the question. The division of ayes and noes was equal. The Speaker : It is my duty to give my vote in a manner which will not impede the progress of business.. I therefore give my vote with the ayes.—(Cheers.) The Speaker, after examination of the division lists, found that Mr Fitzroy had voted on both sides, and requested him to declare on which side he gave his vote. Mr Fitzroy : I voted on the first occasion under a misapprehension. I now give my vote with the noes.—(Cheers.) The Speaker then announced the result of the division. Ayes, 28 ; noes, 29. The amendment was negatived. The House divided on the main question, That next session he held in Christchurch : Ayes, 29 ; aces, 28. The motion was carried. The f( Rowing is the division list Ayes, Messrs Ballance, Barton, Brandon, Bowen, Bunny, Carrington, Curtis, DeLautonr, Feldwiek, Pox, George, Gibbs, Gisborne. Hodgkinson, Johnson, Kelly, M'Minn, Nahe, Pyke, Reeves, Richmond, Rolloston, Sbrry, Sheehan, Stout, Takamoaua. Wood. Noes. —Atkinson, Baigent, Barff, Brown J. C. (Tuapeka), Dignan, Fisher, Fitzroy, Green, Henry, Hislop, Hobbs, Hursthonse, Joyce, Macfarlane, Montgomery, Murray, Aynsley, Oliver, O’Rorke, Rowe, Saunders, Shrimski, Swanson, Thomson, Tole, Turnbull, Wallace, Wason, Williams, Woolcock. The question of going into Committee of Supply was under discussion when the House adjourned.