PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4185, 26 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[Bx Tkleghaph.]

Wellington, July 26. In the Legislative Council yesterday, The Hon. Mr Nurse asked—(l) How many times has the Californian mail steamer been unable to enter the Harbor of Otago, and for what reasons ? (2) How many of those steamers touched on the bar in going in or coming out ? (3) What damage, if any, has been sustained by them in their crossing the bar? The Hon. Dr Pollen stated that on one occasion the Colima, being out of trim, and there being neap tide and a heavy sea running, the pilot could not take her over the bar. In answer to the second question, he said no steamer had touched going in or out of Port Chalmers. It had been said that the City of San Francisco did, but that statement had been officially contradicted. The Australia had certainly grounded, but that was three-quarters of a mile inside the bar. As to question No. 3, no damage had been done. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon,

Mr Pyke gave notice to ask fer leave to introduce a Bill to alter and amend the duties on gold. In laying the Financial Bills before the House, the Premier explained a few obvious errors in them. In the second part of table A, it speaks of funded debt instead of public debts ; and in another table it mentions public debt instead of public departments. In Committee on the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, cm clause 29, number of votes of burgcsse-*, a very long discussion took place as to whether there should or should not be plurality of votes. Some hon. members contended that municipal legislation should be controlled by men, and not by property, -while other hon. members maintained that if the rights of property were not adequately recognised, very great evils resulted to the community, and supported the clauses on the ground that they were a very fair compromise as between the rights of men and the rights of property. Mr Ballance moved an amendment that the third, fourth, and lifth seel ions (which provide for giving three, four, and five votes according to the value of property) be struck out, -with a view of inserting words to the effoct that any persons owning property of the (annual ?) value of L2OO shall be allowed three votes, the greatest number to be allowed.

Mr Bastings previously moved that every hurgese be allowed one vote, irrespective of what amount of property he possessed. Mr Bastings's amendment was lost by 54 against 23.

Before Mr Batianc ,'s amendment was put, the Prenuer announced that the Government would support the law as it stood by nxing five &.s the maximum of votes allowed Another division was taken without further discussion, the result being that the amendment was bit by 44 against 38, and tne^ clause then passed. Clauses 30 to 41, inclusive, were passed unaltered. r On clause 42, .candidate to deposit LlO, Mr Lumaden moved that the clause be struck out. A division was taken, and the amendment was lost by 39 against 18. (From our Special Correspondent.) Sir J. Vogel intimated that the Govern--ment would accept the first amendment in ordtjtr to get on with the- business, but he was opposed to the second as it might jeopardise the Bill, which he felt certain would prove very valuable as a consolidating measure.

Mr Stout deprecated strongly the Premier's endeavoring to frighten, the Committee into a eoui'se of action by a threat of what the other branch of the Legislature WQ'Jld do.

Sir J. Vogel immediately protested against snob, an interpretation being put on his words. What he meant was that there was a strong feeling on the subject in the House, and when the Bill came into Committee & majority nilaht object to Wat was donether-e, '

Mr Stout objected to the citizens being classed into what he called citizens of the fifth order, and would cease opposing jf s}«* left it Qptipnaj wish Oity Covin, oils to say whether they would adopt five votes.

Sir J. Vogel pointed out that it was left optional with Qtago constituents %& a.dopt the Act. Mr Manders—who lectured Mr Stout on his strong proclivities, whioh he said prevented him from working with the other Provinces for the good of the Colony- wa.B followed by Mr Det,autour, who said the speech of the member for Queenstown would have been better if the House had not been aware that the Queenstown Town Council had shut its eyes to aspiring genius. Mr J. E. Brown said all the rascality and villany of the New York municipal affair had arisen from property having no voice in representation. This moved Mr Stout to laughter, and the member for Ashley remarked that he could only regard the member for Danedin as a walking encyclopedia of isms.

In replying, Mr Stout went into the question of property verms manhood representation, and committed himself to a s-tateinent that none of the ablest men of England possessed landed property. A dialogue between Messrs Brown and Stout foil -wed, the former closing it with the observation that it would be better if the member for Dunediu acquainted himself with what was going on about him outside of Otago, adding that in Canterbury this law had been in operation for years and had not given the slightest trouble. Mr Lnsk made a speech in the same strain, saying the principle had given the utmost satisfaction for years in Auckland, both in town and gountry, ' he lirst amendment was agreed to on the voices. Mr Bastings amendment was rejected by 54 against 23, the latter being Messrs Bastings, Baigent, J. C. Brown, Gibbs, Bryce, Naki s Stout, Grey, Ballance, Wason, Hialop, Hodginson, Woods, Barff, llees, Macaudrew, Woolcock, >'eaton, Burns, Lumsden, Thomson, Shrimski, and De iau tour.

Mr BallauceV amendment was rejeoted by 43 against 33, the aye 3 being Messrs Hodgkinson, Bastings, Dignan, Ballance, Shr'roski, J. C. Brown, Hislop, Naki. Burns, R. Wood, Stafford, Hursthouse, Taiaroa, Swanson, J. E. Brown, Kenny, Bryce, Bees, Grey, Seat-on, Wason, Barff, W. Wood, Wakefield, Macandrew, Gibbs, Baigent, Lumsden, Stout, Manders, Thomson, De Lautour, and Woolcock.

On clause 3 Mr Murray-Aynsley gave notice of his intention to move a new clause providing that the year's roll remain in force in the event of the clerk failing to make out a return as provided by the section.

On clause 35 Mr Manders's amendment to substitute " seven " for three days' notice was negatived on the voices. On clause 42 Mr Lumsden moved its rejection, which was negatived by 30 to 18. Some amusement was caused by Sir J. Vogel afterwards calling attention to the fact that clause 41 had slipped through as printed. He is however to move the recommittal of the Bill to carry the Act. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 5.30.

On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m., the hon. Mr Richardson delivered the PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. Mr Richardson commenced by regretting that the delivery so soon after the close of the linanci.d year compelled him to prepare the Statement more hurriedly than he otherwise would have done. Additional tables had, however, been appended, which, together with the reports from the Engineer-in-Chief and other officers, containing information in detail, would convey full information. RAILWAYS. The railway works had not been pushed on so rapidly as in the two previous years, but care had been taken to avoid delaying those approaching completion, so that they might be made remunerative as early as possible. Tho Estimates had been materially interfered with by the necessity for lining several thousand pounds—Ls9,ooo—over the whole Colony, and by the. constantly increasing traffic, which, he was happy to say, had rendered largely increased station accommodation requisite, and also large additional provision for rolling-stock. The Kawa Kawa Railway would be in working order during the present year. To develop the traffic on the Kaipara and Riverhead Railway an extension beyond Helensville would be necessary. The proclamation for the Rivevhead and Aiickland line was withheld, owing to the heavy claims for land compensation. Should these be persevered in, it would be the duty of the Government to alter the route. The exceptionally bad winter had delayed the Mercer to Newcastle line. Tenders are only now being called for the permanent way, It would be twelve months oefore the line could be opened. The Napier and Manawatu line was open to Te Aufce, the land claims were unexpectedly heavy, and some damage had been done by floods. The line would shortly be opened to Waipukurau. The Waitara and Patea line was in progress to Inglewood, and its extension southwards was intended as soon as practicable. Satisfactory progress is being made on the Patea to Wangauui, and Wanganui to Manawatu lines, but the land claims are much in excess of the estimates. The conversion of the Fuxton and Manawatu tramway will be sufficiently completed in a few months so as to enable it to be worked under railway regulation. The works on the Wellington and Masfcorton line have not progressed as fast as the contracts entered into led the Government to expect, owing, in some measure, to the difficulty of getting men to remain in the bush country. The Rimutaka and other tunnel.'* were found to requite lining, although difficult to bore. The portion opened to the Upper Hutt gives satisfactory

results [The Nelson and Foxhillljne has suffered very ilttle from floods. To develop trafficit 1S required to be extended to the New Wharf. The necessity for extending the Picton and Blenheim railwav over the Opawa river mto the town of Blenheim is more and more evident. CANTERBURY AND OTAGO RAILWAYS Fro.n .Amberley to Waitaki very little remains to be done, and specffications for the last plate-laying contract south of Waimate are being prepared. The land claims have been excessive, and LIB.OOO have been required for additional station accommodation Considerable additions to the rolling stock will be necessary if traffic continues to increase as it has done during the past year An extension of the Kaiapoi and Eyreton Railway to join the Oxford and Rangiora line is necessary. The loss in working these lines owing to their not being connected has caused the Province to vote a portion of the cost of extension, which is over a country so favorable as to require little more than layW the permanent way. The Waitaki bridge has been opened for traffic, and has now a water supply for protection from fire. From Oamaru to Moeraki the line will be ready for traffic in about two months. The works south to Dunedinareall under oontract, except nme miles at Waikouaiti. This length will be let as soon as the Blueskin section is completed.. The land compensation throughout she district has been very heavy, and the bricking of the tunnels involves a further appropriation of L 36.000. The remark before made relative to. station accommodation and ?QlUna stock, Ambcvley to WaiW*», apnhea also to the district Waitaki southward. The Minister, after visiting Baiclufcha, has giver* instructions for the Olutba tQ Mataura line to be proceeded with %« *et out by the EDgineer-ln-Chief. The works south of Clinton will not be completed before the end of the year.

WEST I OAST. The Westport and Mount Rochfort Line is progressing. A contract for loading coal and protective works has been let in excess of the appropriation, but liable to'cancella tion if the House directs. The Government consider this a colonial work, and if continued, votes should be taken year by year. There is now a fair prospect of the field being practically opened up. The Government concur in the de«ision come to by the recent Royal Commission on the Colliery Reserve, whose inquiry was exhaustive. The Greymouth and Brunner line is opeu, and the coal traffic may be expected to commence in September. The Government consider that the Greymouth works should, like those at Westport, be dealt with by the Colony. An arrangement has been made with the Corporation for I&king over the wharf and its dues. Pending the sanction of the House, a. separate account of wharf dues is kept.

MILEAGE, COST. ETC., OF RAILWAYS. The mileage of railways is -.North Island: 392 authorised, 145 open for traffic, and 183 in progress. South Island : 638 authorised, 404 open for traffic, and 199 in progress. Total: 1,030 authorised, 549 open for traffic, and 382 in progress. The amount spent on railways during the past year was L 1,639,014, making a total expenditure on railways of I 5,215,018, with liabilities extending into 1878 of L 983.253. This includes all existing contracts and plant and material ordered from Home. The great additional cost of land has been referred to in detail, and it becomes a question whether the districts through which future extensions are made should not provide the lands free before any expenditure is incurred towards construction. Further explorations have been made from Canterbury northwards towards Blenheim, but it is doubtful whether the best route has been discovered. This exploration will be continued during the present year. The surveys from Hokitika to Greymouth show the cost of the proposed line to be L 222.000, as against the .original amount stated, L 85.000. Some deviations are under survey, by which a reduction in the former amount is hoped for.

THE PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT Has effected a saving of L 2,000 per annum on railway plana alone. ROADS. A comparatively small amount has been spent on new read works during the past year, and only two districts need to be specially mentioned, viz., Wairarapa and North of Auckland. Contracts have been made for metalling all the worst places in the Seventy-Mile Bush, but the severe winter weather has obliged the work to be suspended. The road opens up a large tract of fine land for settlement. Up to June, 1875,. L 47,252 have been spent on roads north of - Auckland, exclusive of Manyere Bridge. The expenditure and liabilities last year amounted to L 6.889, leaving a balance of L 5,858. It is proposed to expend this balance on the bridges requisite to make the main trunk road Auckland to Bay of Islands passable for ordinary traffic. A revote of L 7.872, unavailable for technical reasons last year, will be asked for to meet liabilities incurred on the presumption that the money was available for roads generally in the North Island. A considerable number of the Armed Constabulary have been employed principally in maintenance and repairs. No extra pay has been given, and although,- taking their time and ordinary pay into account, the work has not been executed so cheaply as if let by contract, yet, as it has been done in addition to their constabulary duties, it is a clear gain to the country. The small balance from the Westland roads vote will be expended south of Hokitika, and that from the Southwest Golfields rote on the road between Greymouth and Reefton.

WATER RACES. The Thames, Waimea, and Mount Ida Water Races, and the Waipori Sludge Channel, are nearly completed. The Nelson Cr«ek Race will take some months to complete. It will uot be necessary to ask for votes for the expenses of management, as they will be handed over to their respective counties. Tenders have twice been called for the first section of the Mikonui Water Race, but as they were so much higher than the Government were led to expeot, they have on each occasion been reluctantly declined. It is now proposed to hand the work over to the County, with a further contribution of LIO,OOO to be advanced by the Government. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. As the Colonial Architect's report contains details of buildings erected, nothing further is stated thereon. COAL EXPLORATIONS. The result of the topographical survey of the Buller coalfield shows an extension of the coal measures, a considerable portion of which will be available for working as early as any that have yet been found. °lt is not proposed to continue the survey at present. Eleven leases have been granted, aggregating 8,520 acres. Several of the lessees will probably be ready to use the railway from Ngakawau to Westport as soon as completed. At Greymouth fresh outcrops have been discovered, and at Jackson's Bay and Abbey Rocks, far south on the West Coast, the coal development has been examined, but no workable seams have as yet been discovered. Some superior samples of ooal have been received from West Wanganui, and that part of the country will shortly receive attention, INSPECTION OF MACHINERY. The Act is being carried "out very fanly. The fees.charged.have rather more than covered expenses,

The railways have been workedHth the following result* during the past yea?--

Expenditure for the year ofLU ' '3 7s SI Leaving a balance of L 10.063 Ss S '. , The permanent rolling stock has been kept m thorough repair. wJS*T&* n>tt^'*'. IOM of L 937 ofi the IToxton Tramway during the procesß of its conversion into a railway > but it is now paymg its expenses. The receipts fromthe Canterbury-Rail y f* n « 31sfc M»r«h, were Ltm5,806, and expenses L 124,513. The receipts from the Otago Railways during the same year were L 90.790, nrd the expenditure L 66.852, leaving a credit balance on the Canterbury and Otago Railways of

The Auckland and Mercer traffic has not been so large as was expected. Objections have been made to the rateß, but it is impossible to lower them if the line is to be worked so as to leave a margin above working expenses. It is a very prevalent opinion that the public ought to have the same amount of accommodation as on the railways in England or the adjoining colonies, where the cost has been so much greater; but the fact is that the rates charged are generally below those charged in England, and only ia Otago are they as high as those charged in Victoria. If the accommodation now asked for in various parts of the Colony, and which to a great extent has been given in Canterbury, is, as a rule, to be acceded to, the cost of the lines will be so increased as to require the rates to be generally raised. The aim of the Government will be to equalise the rates, and they should not be higher than those in the southern part of the Middle Island.

SUMMARY OP EXPENDITURE. The total expenditure to the 30th June last, under the Immigration and Public Works Act, In the North Island, has been, for railways, L 1,780,956 ; on roads, L 491.636: on water races. L 58,636; total, North Island, L 2,331,228. Middl e Island, on railways, L 3,403,538; on roads, L 194.721 : on water ?olF |2B3 ' total - Midd k Island, Lo, 820,543. Sundries, L 30.523. Total expenditure, L 6,182,225. PROPOSED EXPENDITURE On railways for current year. An amount is proposed to be asked to cover contract, and other liabilities during the current year oil the following railways, viz.:—Kawa Kawa Railway, L 20.000; Auckland and Puuni, L 161,000 ; Napier and Manawatu, L 47.000 ; Wellington and Masteiton, L 137,000 ;* Waitara and Patea, L 37.000 ; Patea and Manawatu, L 114,000; Nelson and Foxhill, L 7,700; Picton and Blenheim, 7r« SO JL ; „ Gre y mo »tk and Brunnetton, L 19.000; Westport and Ngakuwau. L 49.000; and Waifaki, L 79.700; Waitaki Bridge, L 1.300 ; Waitaki T[lnvercargill and Lawrence branch), L 324.400; Winton-Kinß-ston, L53,000-tt.taL L 1,054,600. The following

NEW WORKS, if voted, will not be put in hand until the Government are assured that the necessary means are available. Ist. The extension of the Riverhead and Kaipara railway from the present temporary station at Helensville for about half a mile, and iho erection of a wharf at which vessels can with ease discharge their cargoes, Lls 000. 2nd. Anew wharf at Onehunga in connection with tho railway, L 14,000. 3rd. The extension or the Main South Line from New i'iyinouth towards Patea and Wan-uuii, L20.0G0. 4th. The extension of the nu-i;i line from Napier towards Wellington, Ll 0,000. 6th. To extend the Aelsonand Foxhill lino into the port, LB,OOO. 6th. To meet present liabilities at Greymouth on the Brunner, and to provide funds to continue the harbor works at a moderate speed, L25,0Q0. 7th. For works at Westport, 130,000. Bth. To complete the Picton and Blenheim railway into Seymour square, n the centre of Blenheim, Llb',ooo. 9th. For connecting the Kaiapoi and Eyreton railway with, the Oxford and Rangiora railway, LB,OOO. 10th. New surveys, LIO.OOO. Total for new railway works, L 156,000. Considering how small an amount of works has been done in the i:orth of Auckland, it is proposed to ask for LIO.OOO for completing the main trunk road-to the Bay of Islands for dray traffic, and for a main cross-road from Wangarei Heads westward In the Colonial Treasurer's financial statement some of the reasons were given for taking over the responsibility of the management of all the railways, "and it ja now pointed out in addition that there are three systems of management, three entirely distinct tariffs of charges, three audits, and the remuneration of the same classes of officers are on very d fferent scales. This tends to difficulty and expense. A consiilrable saving would be effected by the whole of the lines being nnder a combined mttnagp.ncnt and the entire rolling stock oa connected lines would be available on emergencies. Any comparison between {jhe systerns of management now in force Is purposely avoided; but, no matter who works the lines, the public's couv&nience will have to be consulted, and the Government watched, as it is, by the House, will" insist on their being economically worked. The experience of the past year confirms the opinions previously expressed, that with prudent management the railways will yield, taken as a whole, a very considerable contribution towards the interest on their construction. The t ESTIMATED REVENUE On lines at present worked by the Government is stated at L 132.000, and that on the T to^S 1 * 7 aDd 2 t T Ml,e ". atLw s.*oa and L445,0p0. If the Estimates prove correct, the railways open for traffic ought to give next year about 3 per cent, on their capatalised cost.

THE LATE AGENT-GESERAL. The Statement concludes with the following allusion to the late Agent-General: In 1871 the first Minister for Public Works announced in hia Statement the eppointmeut of the late Dr Featherston to the office of Agent-General, under the Immigration and Public Works Act. It is with the deepest regret I mention the loss the Public Works Department, as well as the Colony, has sustained in his recent death. TLis'is not the time to allude further to the services of that officer, but I can bear testimony to the way in which his duties connected with this department were performed, audi feel that any further reference now wruld be superfluous, if not out of place.

The Hidpata Railway ... Auckland and Mercer .-. UftniArfkanfl 1I7« «•.«!.«__ _ Keceipts. Expenditure. * ». d. £ n d 0 W18 9 2.6S8 1« l 22,487 1* 10 30.410 ]>» 1 fWaitanfc-tuxd New Ply. mOO$h ... ... ..; Wellinetou asd TTnnpr 12,417 S 4 1,833 12 S^ 7 907 U ' :,190 32 0 0 Hntt ... .... - 9 428 5 a ■' Pictonaaa Blenhteu: ..'. S.bl9. «- 3 ' Selson and Foxhill '"'••< 2,581 4 i Bruniier-Greymouth ... 1.C63 8 S Making a total of receipts for t j«- v: lis 4a. <5.203 10 a &«3 o a 2,3i)S 17 9> 883 11 S ir ->f L55,77ff