HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 645, 13 July 1876, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, July 12. The Speaker took the chair at 2,30 p.m, lands for mining. The goldfieldn committee, to whom was referred the subject of rents and fees charged for the occupation of lands used for gold and silver mining purposes, have reported as follows:—“ That, in the opinion of this committee, while the members are agreed that in some cases serious irregularities and inequalities exist with regard to mining leases, yet that it would bo inexpedient for the Assembly to interfere ; but that sufficient powers should be given to local bodies to frame regulations elastic enough to encourage prospecting, while in permanent leases duly protecting the revenue.” QUESTIONS. The following questions were asked:1, Mr Thomson—lf Sir J, Vogel will inform the House as to the expense which he was pub when in England for telegrams to the colony, as referred to by him in his letter to Dr Pollen of 13th February last. 2, Mr Thomson Whether the unnegotiated bonds, or any portion of them, have been hypothecated, and if so, to what extent; the amount advanced on their security, and by whom advanced. ’3. Mr Thomson—Whether any portion of the Government debentures have been sold, and if so, to what extent, and the price realised. 4, Mr Lumsden —Whether it is intended to make provision in the appropriations for the current year for the completion of the block of buildings for public offices at Invercargill. 5. Mr Carrington—When the lighthouse which was promised on Cape Egmout, will be erected. Replies were given as follows : (L) The return sent by the Treasury showed that the expense incurred for telegrams from England and Australia was £BBO 18s lOd. (2) There was no further information from England as to the transaction. As stated in the financial statement, there was reason to believe that on the receipt of authority to issue short dated debentures, of borrowing on them, and hypothecating them, the transaction would be completed, whereby £1,250,000 debentures would be issued for twelve' months. In reply to the specific parts of the question, he stated that there had been hypothecated of the general purposes loan £210,500 bonds for £20'),000 cash, and of the defence loan £52,700 bonds for £50,000 cash, both to the Bank of New Zealand. The Treasury had drawn upon London for £175,000, as against the proceeds of the bonds authorised to be sold, (3) Of course the hon gentleman was aware that £200,000 of the guaranteed bonds had been sold some years ago. £5500 having been sold at 5 per cent premium, and £191,500 at £3 10? per cent premium. The balance was unsold ; but of it £269,000 had been hypothecated on April 30th last to the Crown Agents. (4) The Government did not intend to ask the House for an additional vote this session for the erection of another wing to the building. (5.) There were native difficulties in the way of proceeding with the work, FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time—Wellington College Reserves Sale Bill ; Wellington Corporation Borrowing Bill ; Kaiapoi Harbor Board Bill. CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURES. Or Mr Murray's motion that the constitutional measures of the Government should be circulated without delay, that the Bills to give effect thereto should not be passed sooner than one mouth from the date of such circulation, in order that opportunity may be afforded for the expression of public opinion upon their provisions, Sir J. Yogel remarked that the Government were working very hard, both in the House and out of it, to bring down their Bills, and he hoped to be able to do so by Friday, and have them read a first time then, in order that they might be placed on the paper for Tuesday. The leader of the Opposition had intimated to him that it would be acceptable to his party to take the discussion on the financial statement on the second reading of the Counties Bill, or on one of the Bills which involved the financial policy of the Government, which course the Government had agreed to as just. The motion was then withdrawn. MISCELLANEOUS. The following motions were agreed to without debate. Mr Taiaroa —“That there bo laid before this House copies of ail correspondence between Mr Alexander Mackay, commissioner of Native reserves, and the Government, relative to the setting apart of certain lands in the Middle Island for half-castes of the Ngaitahu tribe. Mr Thomson —“ That there be laid before this House a return showing the various items of expenditure connected with the state forests for the year ending the 30th June last, amounting to £15,010.” “ That there be laid before this House a return showing in the case of each province the advances that have been made on works m progress on which it is proposed to charge interest out of the land fund.” “ That there be laid before this House a return showing the sum expended on railway constructions in each province, on which it is proposed to charge 2 percent out of the land fund of the province.” “ That there be laid before this House a return showing, in the case of each province, the estimated revenue from railways during the current financial year, amounting in the aggregate to £445,000.” “ That there be laid before this House a return showing the liabilities of the colony on 30th June last, under the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Act, 1875.” Mr Reynolds’ motion, that each paper presented to the House should show the cost of preparation, was negatived on a division. BROWN COAL. Mr Wason moved that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of using brown and other native coal as fuel for steam purposes on the lines of railway in New Zealand, three to be a quorum. inch committee to consist of the Hon Mr Richardson, Mr Macandrew, Mr Curtis, Mr Montgomery, Mr R. G. Wood, Mr Button, Mr Larnach, and the mover, with power to call for persons and papers, and to report within six weeks. Sir J, Yogel made an interesting statement of inquires he had made on the Continent and in England as to the adaptability of the brown coals of this colony to be manufactured into patent fuel, which, from Admiralty and other reports, he showedito be largely used at home for steam purposes and

to be fully 20 per cent superior to ordinary coals. The reports he had obtained at home showed that the brown coals of Otago, Southland, Canterbury, and Auckland were admirably adapted for the manufacture of patent fuel. He had sent home ten tone of Green Island and Saddle Hill coals, in respect to which the Admiralty buyers said it would make very good patent fuel for steam and household purposes. Mr Curtis while paying a tribute to the Premier for his desire to advance the material interests of the colony, thought it was one of those matters which should be left-to private enterprise, and upon which the committee could come to no satisfactory conclusion.

Sir J. Yogel disclaimed any idea, when volunteering to tender evidence to the committee, of wishing the manufacture of patent fuel to be encouraged at the cost of the colony. It was a matter that did not require such assistance. It seemsd to him quite possible that an industry might here be sufficiently developed to enable us to supply ourselves with coal as good for steam purposes as obtained from Newcastle. So far as he knew, there was no necessity for any extraneous assistance. The time would come when we should depend on our own coal.

In answer to Mr Cos, the Minister op Public Works said the committee, if it only sat for a few days, would produce a great amount of good, as it would be the means of showing to the country that our coals were not being neglected, The evidence that would be forthcoming to the committee by the Railway departments in the extreme ends of the colony would show that considerable pains had been bestowed upon the matter, and that the railway authorities are fully alive to ihe value of cur coals, and the way in which they could be used. Under his directions, the engine furnaces would be so altered as to use colonial coals almost entirely, if not altogether. On Mr T. Kelly’s motion, wood and charcoal were added to the committee’s enquiries. Mr Lumsden strongly urged leaving the development of our coal resources to private enterprise. If the Government gave them railways to the seams there would be plenty of good coal to be got. In Southland there was most superior coal, that did not want the water squeezed out of it. He was afraid the next proposal would be to appoint a Conservator native coals. Mr Wason has given notice to add to bis motion, which was agreed to, the names of Messrs Burns and Kennedy. Tl; e G overnment have finally decided to allow only one vote in the e ection for Mayors and county chairmen, but the plurality of votes will be allowed in the election of county councillors. The qualification of electors under the new order of things is to be dealt with in a separate measure. At municipal elections no vote can be exercised until the rates are paid up. Road districts are left in the same position as at present until the House deals therewith, which Government do not propose to ask it to do this session. On the clause dealing with miners’ qualifications under the Local Elections Bill, objection was raised to the retention of the word continuously, Mr Wason com plained of the continuance of exceptional legislation for miners, which excited the wrath of Mr Barff, who said miners obtained an honest living, which was more than he could say for some other classes. In answer to Mr Bastings, Sir J. Vogel said it was not intended to force county rates upon the counties. With the proposed subsidy of £2 to £l, half of which would go to county and half to Road Boards in the county, it was very possible some counties would not have occasion to strike a county rate. The Government promised to consider Mr Lusk’s proposition to allow proxy voting, and to announce their decision when the Bill was recommitted. It is understood that Sir G. Grey’s refusal to elect last night which seat he will occupy has not so much to do with his desire to follow precedents as to bring the negotiations now on foot for replacing him in Auckland VVestto a successful issue. Mr Rees, who went up on Monday, has been looking into the matter. The East Coast election committee held two sittings this morning and examined two witnesses. Specific acts of bribery and general treating were proved, but nothing to connect the sitting member, Captain Reid or his agents therewith, was proved. Most probably a fresh election will bo ordered. The fifteen who voted for the closing of public houses on election days were—Messrs Burns, Baigcnt, J. E. Brown, Delatour, Lusk, Hamlin, Murray, Thomson, Stout, Shrimski, Sir R. Douglas, Messrs Wakefield, Woolcock, Rowe, and McFarlaue. The Argus, referring to the caucus meetings going on, says:— “ Nominally Mr Macandrew is assisted by a committee of Otago members in bis negotiations with the members from the other provinces, but he is of course the ruling spirit. In all probability early in the debate next week resolutions boldly stating the policy of the Opposition—the policy of two provinces—will be brought down, if not by Mr Macandrew, at least at his instigation, and there is reason to believe that supporters will be found in quarters little expected. Fully seventeen Otago votes may be counted on for tbis scheme, and it is currently , reported that Mr Macandrew has been enabled to place the matter in such a light before the Canterbury members as to secure the adhesion of a 'considerable number of them, including Messrs Stevens and Montgomery. We are assured that not only will there certainly be one vote in its favor amongst our representatives, but that the Hon Mr Waterhouse will support the scheme in the Upper House, and is entirely in accord with Mr Macandrew in the matter. Auckland will by a large majority of its representatives support the scheme of separation.” (Per Press Agency.) The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Local Option Licensing Bill, but, being generally opposed, leave was given to withdraw the Bill with a view to introduce another. The Auckland Waterworks Act, 1872, Amendment Bill was passed. The Hawker. Bay Rivers Bill was read a second time. The South Dunedin and St Kilda Municipalities Bill has been committed, passed with amendment, and ordered to be considered next Wednesday. The Coroners’ Act, 1870, Amendment Bill has been committed. Aftpr debating the several clauses up to clause 5, and numerous divisions being taken, the Minister for Justice, at 1.20, moved that the Chairman report progress, with leave to sit again to-day.