PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4258, 19 October 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[By Telegraph.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, i October 18. In . committee on the Municipal Bill a clause was inserted making the cost of testing the validity of election of councillors payable by the borough councils. HOUSE OF representatives; In reply to a question by Mr Thomson, the Minister for Public Works stated that the contract time for the Clutha Railway bridge was March of next year, and probably Hiere might be an extension of that time. ' At present it was impossible for the Government to interfere. THE 1 ESTIMATES. : The item “Departmental Buildings, L 14,300,” was reduced by rL4,000, but Sir George Grey’s motion to strike out “ L 450, repairs to MinsteriaT residences,” was negatived on the voices, r On the item “Colonial Architect, L 700,” Sir Robert Douglas moved its reduction by L 5, just to give the Colonial Architect a hint that the House was dissatisfied with his work, especially with regard to the ventilation and other matters connected with the House. The motion was negatived by 27 against 16. Mr Burns next moved that the item struck out, which was negatived by 26 to 14. The whole vote was then carried by 29 against 20.

MR PASSMORE DISCUSSED. On the Railways Estimates, Head Office, and Audit (Wellington), L 4,617, Mr Murray moved that the item “Superintending Engineer, L 800” (showing an increase of L 100), be struck oat. Mr Richardson passed a high euloginm upon this officer (Mr Passmore), and explained at length the large and important duties performed by that gentleman. Mr Murray withdrew his amendment, but Mr Lusk said he would press it, and complained strongly of. the mismanagement of| that office, at least so far as the Auckland railways were concerned. Mr Whitaker pointed out that a Coinmis,sion had been appointed to inquire into thos,e charges, and they would soon .ascertain whose fault it was. The salary was ho more than was paid in Otago and Canterbury. Mr Lusk withdrew his amendment, and the item was agreed to. The items Northern Railways (L 86,131), and Southern (L 170.000) were agreed to without discussion, as also were the estimates chargeable on the land fund. THE MUNICIPAL SUBSIDIES.

On the item municipalities, road boards, and out-districts, L 75,000, , ’ Mr Montgomery objected to this on principle, and moved that the whole item be struck out, while Sir R. Douglas, Messrs Wason, Rowe, and Moorhouse supported it. The Premier defended the principle as perfectly sound, the main object being to compel the whole population to contribute by taxation towards the construction of roads instead of letting it all fall upon real property.

Mr Held said look at it how they would it must act unfairly, as it placed the administration directly in the hands of the owners of property. If a poor district that could not afford to levy rates joined a rich district thay would see the revenues of the Colony poured into the rich district that could perhaps well afford to do without assistance stall. ..•/ " -h

Sir George Grey raid thp Premier was tmng to play into the bands of one party and wheedle the other; ho was tnlri-nbr money from the hands of the masses and giving it to the few to expend. Mr Sheehan said there was neither wisdom, principle, nor science in subsidising municipalities which were already well endowed, while outlying districts "were languishing for want of a reasonablAexpenditure of a little public money.' The Corporations of Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, end Christchurch had no claim upon'the vote, whatever. ■ : V \ . After a long discussion the vote was earned by 37 to 12. ABOLITION FINANCIAL ARRANGE-

■ME NTS. -• Oa the. motion for going into Committee on the Provincial rangemente Bill Mr Sheehan spoke at great length against the Bill, availing himself of S® of condemning the details of the Bill and the' Government, after whichthe House went into Committee on Hie Sill, reported pro- ; gresa, and adjourned at n,m; !/r