WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3568, 30 July 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[By Telegraph.]

(From our own Correspondent.)

.... . . July 29. At the evening sitting Mr Macandrew moved that the item Naval Training School be struck out. Mr Sheehan suggested that the boys should be kept ashore and then instructed in the art of navigation. Mr Wales did not see the necessity for purchasing or leasing the buildings proposed. The vote was withdrawn untd further negotiations could be carried on with the Home Government for a vessel, which should be stationed at Afferent ports for three months at a tima, during whica youths might be taught navigation. Mr Vogel hoped the experiment would be tried, because if successful it could be extended to other ports. The Government did not seek Auckland’s offer ; it came from them, and was a very reasonable one. The amendment was negatived ou the voices. Mr Gillies raided an .objection to the vote for a Resident Government Agent for Auckland, but Mr Vogel explained that there would be no expenditure so long as the Ministry was at present constituted. The whole of the Estimates passed through last night, it was expected the Defence Estimates y'ould occasion some discussion but they provoked none. ’ Mr M Lt*an said the results of establishing schools were most satisfactory; nearly 1,500 children were making great progress in English.

T he adjourned debate on the qualification of Electors Bill was resumed by Mr Andrew he moving that the Bill be read that day six mouths, Mr l eader Wood defended the Bill warmly. He made a bitter attack on Mr Creighton, saying he set his constituency at defiance, and that two of his principal supporters had written to him to resign, as the constituency was virtually disfranchised, bub he had refused.

Mr Steward gave notice of his intention to move that the residence qualification be extended to two years. Mr Vogel agreed to an extension to twelve months, and said the time was fast approaching when it would be advisable to adopt the plans of Ministers taking office going to tbeir constituents. When railways were further developed the change might be made. Mr Shepherd ami Mr While fiercely opposed the Bill, as robbing miners of their rights. Ihe debate was adjourned till Friday. The division will be close.

Mr Maoandrew’s Juries Bill, excusing from service active firemen, on producing certificate by captain or other competent officer, provides that three months’ service must be required before a fireman can claim exemption. Granting an improper certificate renders the captain liable to a penalty not exceeding LlO nor less than L 6; and the person producing the certificate is liable to a tine not exceeding LSO nor less than LlO, Mr Pox, in asking the Government to con- , eider the propriety of appointing a comznisI sion to inquire into the terms on which the business of benefit and friendly societies in the Colony is conducted, referred to the unsatisfactory condition of the funds ef the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows in i ngland, Mr Vcgel replied that the matter had occupied the attention ot the Minister in charge of the matter, and he did not think there was any necessity for appointing a BoyM Commission. A couple of mouths ago the Colonial Secretary had his attention directed to the malted, and found that in some cases the law had not been carried out, The Aet in force gave the Government sufficient power, but through a pressure of business it was not brought into ii jP era^ou - The Colonial Secretary had called upon the Societies to furnish the returns which by law they were required to furnish, and had arranged that these should be subjected to actual examination. «the powers in the hands of the Govern-

meat were not sufficient to obtain the required information, they would appoint a Royal Com* mission In any case, the matter would receive their earnest attention.

Considerable discussion took plaoe over Mr Harrison’s motion, that all Resident Magis* tratea should be under the control of, and their salaries paid up by the General Go* vernment. Mr Vogel opposed it. • Curtis having said the Nelson Provin* ° 11 - - had made reductions in the goldfields officers of that Province against hj * ie stK P being one of false economy, Mr RoUtstou said no -Superintendent should be placed in such a position, for which he received a yood dressing at the hands of Mr beid. The motion was negatived on the voices.

t he ‘ Post ’ has a leader this evening stat* mg that Mr Vogel’s latest idea is to sweep away the existing Provinces, and make one Province for each island, Wellington remaining the seat of government of the federal Province, and that if defeated he will uppeal to the country. Whatever may be the future plans of the Government they have not the slightest intention of propounding anything of the kind this session. On the Licensing Bill, Mr Thomsen mo ™i Man amendment, that if any part of the/house for which a license is applied for is fatted up as a store, the Court cannot grant the application.

m. . ~ July 30. ifaera was considerable discussion on laiioas motion for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the unfulfilled promises co the Natives of the South Island. Mr Vogel objected to a resolution framed so as to commit Parliament to the idea that there had been unfulfilled promises, and said the matter should be brought up by petition. Mr Macandrew hoped the Government would be supported, and the Natives not be led to indulge in hopes that two million acres of land should be reserved on their mere assertion, unsupported by evidence that promises made thirty years ago bad not been fulfilled. The motion was negatived.

On the second reading o! the Southland Land Act Amendment, Mr M'Glashan saggested the desirability of simplifying and assimilating the land laws of Otago and Southland. 6

Tk« lans of Towns Regulation Bill was shelved by 20 against 12 Mr Macandrew agreed to extend the period of service which would entitle. firemen to claim exemption from serving on juries to twelve months, and the second reading of the Juries Bill was then agreed to.