PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3262, 4 August 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Wellington, July 22,

You will see from the Order Paper that Mr Steward, the member for Oamaru, asked the Minister for Public Works the following questions ; and as they so intimately concern the Province of Otago in connecting by rail with Christchurch, I give you the Ministerial answer at length:—“ Whether it is the fact that the materials imported for the Waitaki Bridge have proved unsuitable for the purpose ; also, whether such materials are of the description ordered by the Government; and if not, by whose authority materials of a different description have been sent out from Home ? In the event of the present materials proving unsuitable for the purpose intended, to what use it is intended to put them ? Is it proposed to call for public tenders for the construction of the bridge, and, if so, when ? ” The member for Oamaru, in asking the questions, stated that they were of considerable importance to the weal of Otago, as doubts were expressed as to the success of the undertaking. He understood that, although solid iron piles had been ordered fr >m Home, cylinders had been substituted in their place; and it was found extremely difficult to get them sunk to the proper'depths. He had also been informed that 2,000 tons of unsuitable material had been imported for the bridge. Should this information prove correct, a delay of two or three years would ensue through such mismanagement. The Hon. the Minister for Puhhc Works informed the House that the materials sent out were suitable; but they were not of the character ordered by the chief engineer, Mr Carruthers. The consulting engineers in England disapproved of solid piles, and, with the consent of the Agent-General, substituted cylinders in their place. For the purpose of sinking the cylinders they had sent out Webb’s patent excavator, but as it was intended only for the displacing of small shingle, it had not hitherto worked satisfac - torily. ’ Experiments were now being tried with the pneumatic apparatus used at the Rangitata Bridge, and when it was proven

which was the simplest, cheapest, and most efficient mode of excavation, tenders will be called for the erection of the bridge. The Animals Importation Prohibition Bill, on the motion of Sir J. C. Wilson, was ordered to be read this day six months. It was a Bill introduced by Mr Vogel, resulting from the Australian Conference. The pastoral people would have none of it. So it passed away. There was a lot of talking done on the District Courts Act Amendment Bill, but it was ultimately committed for this day we* k. I may learn something about it perhaps by that time. The Hon. Mr fathgate quoted an anecdote about two fishermen at Port Chalmers disputing as to the division of the fish they had caught, as a reason for its introduction and necessity; and the member for Parnell nastily remarked that it appeared to be the only reason why it should have been introduced, ami that the hon member bad brought the Bill into the House because he had nothing else to do; while the Superintendent of Auckland remarked the introducer of the Bill considered a change of law synonymous with reform. Another item in the day’s work—Mr Thomson’s motion —was as follows Mr Thomson to move “ the House into Committee to consider of granting leave to introduce a Bill providing for the raising of money by Joan to be applied to certain public works in the Clutha district.” Mr Ihom■on remarked that the works were necessary; that he proposed to give the Colonial Treasurer security on the consolidated funds of the Province; that were leave given he would, on the morrow, produce a schedule of the works, and show the security offered was ample. The Christchurch knight wanted to know how often this security had been already hypothecated. The member for Waimea (Nelson) suggested that the notice should be adjourned until after the Enancial Statement was made, when works contemplated to be performed by the Go vernment would also bo described, and the Native Minister advised the member for the Clutha to adopt his suggestion. So Mount Ida came to the front, and said for once a sensible thing: if leave were given in this instance to introduce the Bill, he should also want a little Bill for his district, and every other member would want to do likewise. I intend holding a strict watch and censorship over our members, and will ever lake care to place their actions aod sayings in the proper light. There was a lengthened discussion as to Mr Creighton’s leave of absence for three weeks being granted on urgent private affairs. He was represented as leaving a very important constituency unrepresented, and at one time a division was considered imminent ; but leave was at length granted. The member for Bruce said that people “ who have such urgent private affairs should resign thei” seats.” Another debate arose on leave being granted to Mr Donald Reid, Mr Webster proposing that “private” should be substituted for public afftirs. After some talking on the subject, and Mr Bradshaw stating that the Provincial Council had L 500.000 of public money to deal with, the leave sought was granted. In answer to Mr Cuthbertson, who asked the Government how many immigrants have, up to the present time, been landed at the Bluff on behalf of the Government, exclusive of immigrants for Messrs Brogden and Sons ; and what instructions, if any, have been forwarded to the Agent-General regarding fur ther shipments of immigrants to that port ? The hon. Minister for Immigration stated that the Zealandia had been the only vessel hitherto dispatched, in which only thirteen immigrants bad been landed, exclusive of those sent by the Messrs Brogden, the greater portion of which were nominated in the Colony. That on the 14th February last instructions had been sent to the AgentGeneral to forward 300 emigrants to Southland. ... j A scrap about mining for your readers on the goldfields .-—The member for • okitika moved “That the number of the Goldfields Committee be increased to seventeen, and that the name of Mr ColKns be added thereto.” The working man’s representative complained that no member of Wellington or Canterbury was on the committee. Mount Ida thought the committee already sufficiently large, and as to the Wellington and Canterbury members not being included in the list, that they would know nothing about the subject if they were. 8o the member for Avon said if Mount Ida’s opinion were carried out the House might resolve itself into small committees, each committee having a speciality to deal with, which they may beat understand. Then, Wellington must have a say, and Mr Bunny remarked that experts notoriously disagreed on subjects in which it was supposed they had special knowledge and training, and that they often took suggestions and and advice from others whose opinions were likely to be unbiassed, and would be able to bring clear commercial knowledge and training on the views submitted to them. The courteous member for Hokitika suggested if Mr Mervyn thought the committee too large he could reduce its members by one—by absenting himself. You will see from your exchanges a long speech by Mr Waterhouse on the reconstruction of the Legislative Council. Well, as no one knows or appears to care what Mr

Waterhouse or the Council may say or do, I shall refrain from inflicting any remarks on your readers. The Upper House had its innings on the first day of the session. When that prince of auctioneers, the celebrated George Robins, had an almost worthless landed estate to sell, he described it, all other panegyric failing, as “an eminently improvable propertyso, when called on to sell that part of our Constitution called the Upper House, he could describe it as “an eminently improvable institution.” June 24. There is no other way of doing justice.to the business of the House and the newspaper that employs you, than by daily keeping a journal of all that transpires, and making selections for yourreaders. I take an Order Paper ; see what concerns Otago, what is of Colonial interest, and make notes thereon—thus turning the Order Paper into a journal. J July 24. The Commissioner of Customs explained that the shipping returns showed only foreign arrivals and departures, excepting at Nelson, where a mistake had been made. It was thus possible that a large fleet might, from the returns, appear to be in a particular port, they having entered from foreign, and departed coastwise. As to the establishment of a Royal Mint, the Treasurer said the Home Government were averse to it at present ; still I see it is contemplated to coin silver and copper. As to extension of telegraph, Naseby to Clyde, the Premier said he must know a little more about it before he promised it. Mr Webster moved for correspondence as to increase of price of Southland land, and was promised by the Treasurer that it should be supplied. In doing so, he said that the Government had agreed to the increase of price in the hope of p eventing land monopoly and of encouraging settlement. Considerable talk followed on the Volunteer Land Scrip Repeal Bill • but it got a second reading, on the understanding that it was only a permissive measure to apply to such Provinces as chose to adopt it. The event of this day was the motion of Major Atkinson that the Pmmmore correspondence be produced; and on the motion of Mr Tribe it was read and ordered to be printed. As you will find it

in the Independent, I need not refer to it further than to say it has created much surprise, and Mr Haughton s prompt action hj generally approved. July 25.

Captain Fraser, in the Legislative Council, moved that the Council adjourn for om week, as he considered that hon. gentlemen were only wasting their time. I dare say he was right; but the honorables no harm in it, and preferred sitting. The Representatives commenced their day’s task with a few growls about the want ot accMmmodation for visitors and people who had business with members. Bir J. C. Wilson pathetically described his struggles with a female in distress, from whom ho could only escape by flight; but how would he fare in a private room ? It seems likely that the Stamps will he turned out, and their rooms devoted to reception of strangers. It is very desirable that the lobbies should be accessible only to those having business in the House, and I wonder proper provision was not made for outsiders during the recess. The Premier promised that the report of the I awrence Mining Conference should be laid upon the table. The Telegraph Cables Subsidy Bill was read a second time. A Provincial Council Powers Bill got a second reading, but it did not seem to satisfy anyone, and is likely to be so changed in Committee that its author will not know it. I think the House has a Provincial preponderance, as there are so many in it who are directly interested in the maintenance of Provincialism ; and it must be admitted that they are mostly active leading men. while the opponents are passive dead weights. The Minister of Justice got his Insolvency Bill read a s cond time, and ordered to be committed next *Tiday. He explained that the existing laws, occupying three Acts with 400 clauses were consolidated into one Act of 199 clauses. It proposes to vest insolvents’ property, instantly on the declaration, in the hands of the official assignee, who, with estates of less than LSOO, can deal very summarily. A debtor, having once obtained his certificate, is thenceforth free of his scheduled debts, and I believe if his estate realises 10s in. the £ can demand his discharge. The Miners Franchise Bill, to enable miners to vote at tbe election of Superintendents was postponed, and I think very properly so, as new electoral bills are promised, and whether they supply it or not an alteration must be made in the Miners Franchise Act as the proposed Goldfields Bill with it amalgamated rights extending over a long term, and transfers of them and of business licenses will make the existing law still more open to abuse than it is, A Width of Tires Bill has been read a second time, but it is generally thought that Parliament should not be troubled with such trifles, but that they should be left to the Provincial Councils. Leave was given to introduce a Bill for a loan for certain works in the Clutha district. Mr Vogel has promised the Financial Statement on Tuesday. It is thought some reductions of Customs duties will be proposed, and possibly a charge be made on property. It does seem reasonable that when estates are being so largely improved by public works, that they should directly return something to the Colonial revenue, but it is very doubtful if the. Government have the pluck to propose it. Mr Harrison obtained a water supply return of expenditure and liability under the L3O ; ,000 vote of 1870, and I am surprised to see how little your Province has benefited by it. You have the Naseby race, thanks to Mervyn, and a subsidy to the Arrow of L 613, Most of your applications, I am told, were informal, but if so why don’t the race owners amend them.