GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 633, 29 June 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(Per Press Agency .) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, June 28. QUESTIONS. In reply to the Hon Mr Ngatata, the Colonial Secretary said the Crown grant had not been issued to Mokai in accordance with the resolution, of the Council last session because the Native Miniate* did not think it advisable to do so. In reply to question, the Colonial Secretary said Captain Walker had been appointed to the permanent office of Inspector of Forests. EAST COAST ELECTION. A motion by Hon R. Johnson for copies of correspondence re the rejection of certain applicants for registration in the East Coast district was withdrawn on the Colonial Secretary’s explanation that there had been a mistake, for which the returning officer had been reprimanded. (From a correspondent of the Press.") HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, June 23. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m, bills introduced. After replies to two unimportant questions bad been given, leave was given to introduce, the following Bills, which were time:—To provide for the reserves in the for other houses to amendJ|J^

in the House many warm upholders of provincialism, but he hoped when they saw that abolition was an accomplished fact, they would unite in endeavoring to make the Counties Bill truly local and effective. He warmly praised iho administration of the Native Minister, which had been successful up to this point, though he thought the sugar and blanket policy should have been bestowed more upon the loyal than the disloyal Natives. He concluded by moving — <l That a respectful address be presented to bis Excellency the Governor, to convey to hia Excellency the thanks of this House for the speech which his Excellency has been pleased to make to both Houses of Parliament ; to thank his Excellency for informing us that since the Assembly last met the colony has been brought into telegraphic communication with other parts of the world. We recognise that this event is of great importance to New Zealand, and are glad to learn that proposals from the Government of New South Wales, to aid in the establishment of a second line of communication with Europe, and the reply of the Government thereto, will be laid before us. To express our gratification at learning that in pursuance of the legislation of last session, important measures will be submitted to us to give to the country districts and to the towns a larger share of self-govern-ment than they have hitherto enjoyed, and that other legislation consequent upon the abolition of the provinces will be proposed to us ; and to assure his Excellency that we shall gladly co-operate and assist in making as beneficial as possible the changes which are designed to take place immediately after the termination of the present session, and endeavour to deal with the principal measures, as well ns to provide against any inconvenience arising from deferred legislation. To assure his Excellency that we shall give our best attention to the promised Bill for establishing counties, and for giving to them powers and revenues of an independent character, but with liberty to adopt concerted action with boroughs and road districts. To express the satisfaction with which we learn that during his Excellency’s recent visit to Auckland he availed himself of various opportunities of becoming personally acquainted with a large part of the North Island, and visited several of the native tribes who occupy that portion of the colony, and to reciprocate satisfaction at the rapid development of the pastoral and agricultural country in the province of Hawke’s Bayand on the East Coast, To express our pleasure at learning that his Excellency visited the Arawa tribes of the Bay of Plenty and Taupo, and also those of the Thames, as well as the Ngapuhi and Aratva tribes of the North, by all of whom he was received in the most cordial and ( loyal manner ; and to agree with his Excellency that the kindly feeling which he found existing between these tribes and the European settlers in their districts, together with the increasing desire on the part of the natives to adopt the practices of civilisedjcountries, as evinced by the requests made, especially by the Ngapuhi tribe, for the construction of roads and telegraphs, and the establishment of courts of justice'.and schools, afford the most promising guarantee for the future peace and prosperity of the colony. To assure his Excellency that we also learn with pleasure that in other native districts besides those already referred to, the relations between the two races continue to improve ; and that recent interviews between the Minister for Native Affairs and Tawhio, and other leading native chiefs, have been of a highly satisfactory character. To thank his Excel- ’ lency for informing us that the results from the portions of railway opened for traffic are encouraging and assuring, and that beyond the good effected by promoting Battlement, the railways already yield in excess of working expenses a material contribution towards the interest on the cost of their construction. To express thejsatisf action with which we learn that the prosperity of the colony continues unabated; that the prospects of the agricultural and industrial interests are satisfactory; and that there are notable evidences of improvement in the results from mining of all descriptions. To concur with his Excellency in the opinion that not the least pleasing feature of the progress of the colony is the remarkable extent to which persons possessed of capital are coming from other colonies and countries to invest their means and settle in New Zealand. To assure his Excellency that we shall carefully consider the estimates of expenditure for the coming year, and give our consideration to the papers relating to the negotiations which his Excellency’s Government have entered into with the Bank of England, To thank his Excellency for informing ua that a Billfmij the purpose of enlarging the acquiring land in moderate sized cultivation aud settlement will be to us, which will also contain for continuing’ the local ad of the Waste Lands. To assure biBfIHHBB that we shall give our best other measures which may us as the time qf the ing a Gill to relating to Borong Debtors and Credi^flH9HaßHHfflHH« Holidate the and laws relating* • V build ing scJß;' ■: V' ■* • . .-•/ ‘ , '*V' -’Vy' *- *' * ” Almig^B beratiorfl happidH' •

PRIVILEGE, Mr Rees moved that statements having been made in this House, showing apparently that the hon member for Waikato, Frederick Whitaker, Esq, was, at the time of hia election, and has continued to the present time, interested in an agreement and transaction with the Executive Government, it is expedient that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon the said statements, and the facta connected therewith, and as to whether the provisions of the Disqualification Act have been thereby infringed, such committee to have power to call for persons and papers, and to report within three weeks ; five to be the quorum. The committee to consisfof.Mr Rolleston, Mr Stout, Mr Gibbs, Mr Johnston, Hon Major Atkinson, Sir G. Grey, Mr Curtis, Mr Wood, and the mover. The Premier opposed the motion, saying that if the member for Waikato were not entitled to sit, he was liable to certain penalties, which could be recovered in ordinary course of law, Mr Reader Wood thought it was the duty of the Government to frame carefully such a Disqualification Bill that no one could fail to understand its full bearing. The motion was negatived on the voices, CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. Mr O’Rorke . was elected Chairman of Committees, Sir J. Vogel proposing, and Sir G, Grey seconding him, in a few complimentary works. COMMITTEES. Mr William Wood was added to tho waste lands committee, and Mr Henry to the goldfields committee. MANUFACTURE OF LOCOMOTIVES, Mr Burns moved that the Government be requested to call for tenders for the manufacture within the colony of such locomotives, carriages, vans, trucks, and other railway rolling stock; also for turning and shifting tables, -as may be further required for the use of the several railways in the colony. Mr Richardson, in reply, said that the engineer-in-chief had recommended that the whole of the ironwork and certain portion of the woodwork which could not be made in the colony, be imported, but more recently he had recommended, and his recommendation had been adopted, that still less material should be imported in connection with the manufacture of rolling stock. A large quantity of that material was about to arrive in the colony, and in a few days its erection in different parts of the colony would be advertised for. A large proportion of it would be put together in Dunedin. It was true that establishments had been started in different piacco in the colony, particularly at the extreme end ot it, «nd one in Christchurch, and these establishments were fitted with a large amount of machinery required for the purpose of manufacturing and putting together rolling stock ; but it was out of the question for some time to come that, even if the appliances of these establishments were put together, they could manufacture all the stock required for the railways of the colony. There was no doubt a considerable amount of work could be done in them; and so far as the Government was concerned, they would be quite prepared to call for tenders for its execution, and if reasonable, would accept them. Still, it would be necessary to import a great deal of work from England. Mr Macandrew expressed the opinion that Government would find all its work could be done reasonably in the colony. He hoped .they would carry the principle further, instead of taking it for granted that we could not produce ourselves such things as inspectors of prisons, lunatic asylums, and forests. Mr J. E. Brown hoped, when Government accepted the tenders, they would take care that the whole of the work and material should be manufactured in the colony. The motion was agreed to. SAVINGS’ BANKS. In laying on the table, in, reply to a motion by Mr Stevens, a return of the number of savings banks now in operation in the colony, not being post office savings’ banks, the Premier said the Government were opposed ro doing away with such banks, and considered such a step would be viewed with disfavor by a large section of the colony. education reserves. On .Mr Cox’s motion, a return was ordered showing the number of educational reserves throughuut the colony, specifying the provinces situated, the upon ■ion

the committee on account of his finanancial ignorance and offensive declamatory style. Mr Hamlin considered • the Government acted tyranically. Mr Pearce supported the Government, as also did Mr Tribe. Mr ScHRiMSKi said Mr Rees ought to have a seat on the committee. Several other members spoke for and against, and Sir J. Vogel replied at some length, not blaming Mr Rees, but the indiscretion of his friends in trying to force him upon the House. The result was that Mr Rees was rejected on the voices, and the House adjourned at 1.40 a.m.