GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 657, 28 July 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

{From a correspondent of the Press.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday. July 26. MINISTERIAL RESIDENCES, Ron Mr Waterhouse moved that there be laid upon the table a return of the cost of the various ministerial residences ; specifying the original cost of each residence ; the amount spent in each case in additions and repairs thereto ; and the cost of furnishing thereof ; such return farther to specify the proportion of such total cost which has been paid for out of the proceeds of loaus. The motion was supported by Hon Colonel Whitmore, who condemned the extravagant expenditure which he said was going on all over the country. The motion was agreed to, CANTERBURY EDUCATION RESERVES SALE AND LEASE BILL The second reading of this Bill was moved by the Hon J. Hall He thought Parliament should give effect to the conclusions arrived at by the Provincial Council, as that Council could net now carry them out. The Hon Mr Fraser said the Council had been the other day straining at a Wellington gnat, and now they were asked to swallow a Canterbury camel. The Hon Mr Hall had lubricated the camel, but he (Mr Fraser) was unable to swallow it. The Bill sought to give power to sell reserves. He was altogether opposed to such a practice. The value of money was decreasing, while the value of land was increasing. He would move that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. The second reading was supported by the Hon Col Brett, Hon J. B. Acland, and Hon B. Grey (who stated that these reserves had no special value). Dr Pollen would not oppose the second reading. He thought consideration should be given to the last dying wishes of the Provincial Council of Canterbury, for whose memory they should entertain the greatest respect. Hon Mr Robinson criticised the Bill, but would not oppose the second reading. Hon Col. Kenny said there was a principle underlying this measure, and he thought the Council should be careful how it acted. If the Bill passed its second reading, he would move that it be referred to the waste lands committee. Hon Dr Menzies and Hon Col. WhitMOHE spoke in favor of the Bill. The Hon Mr Hall replied to the objections which had been raised against the ! measure. He pointed out that to reject it I would be to play into the bands of the

squatters. It had been, said that the land would increase in value, true, but there was an old proverb which said that w hile the grass was growing the steed was starving. Their youth were growing up around them, and it was necessary to provide for their education. The second reading of the Bill was carried on the)voices, its committal to be an order of the day for Friday. REGULATION OF LOCAL ELECTIONS BILL. The new clause introduced by Hon Colonel Whitmoeb, the text of which was given yesterday, was affirmed, and the schedules having been passed, the Bill was reported and recommitted, when Hon Dr Pollen moved the following addition to clause 2 “ Any returning officer appointed under the provisions of this Act, and also any person who, under any Act or Ordinance is or may be empowered to preside at or conduct the election of any local body or any member thereof,” which was agreed to, Hon Dr Pollen also moved that the words “ The day of polling for ” be struck out of the clause, and the following words added after the last line—“ The day on which the polling is to be taken shall be the day appointed for holding the election, as hereinbefore provided.” Notice not having been given of the proposed amendment, progress had to be reported. Thursday, July 27. government insurance department. In answer to Hon Mr Waterhouse, who asked whether it is the intention of the Government to act upon the recommendation of the English actuaries, who reoorted upon the condition of the insurance department, to raise the premium charged upon lives insured at an advanced age, Hon Dr Pollen replied that the Government had already acted upon the recommendation of the English actuaries. In answer to Hon Dr Menzies, Hon Dr Pollen laid on the table a list of those persons to whom the New Zealand Cross has been given, and copies of a despatch from Major-General Chute, in which he recommends that the decoration should be bestowed on Colonel McDonnell. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, July 27. The House resumed at 2 80. QUESTIONS. The following questions were asked : 1. Mr Hamlin asked whether the Government are aware that the approaches to the Auckland and Mercer Railway, at Pukekohe, are almost wholly impassable for vehicles, and whether they will be prepared to assist the inhabitants in rendering access practicable. 2. Mr Swanson asked if the Minister of Justice would lay before the House a return showing the classes of men who are exempt from serving on juries, stating, as nearly as possible, the number in each class. To which the following replies were given : (1) That the Government were not aware, nor could they promise any assistance. (2) The return would be laid on the table. first readings. The following Bills were read a first time: —City of Dunedin Corporations Consolidation Bill, and a Bill to amend the Maori Representation Act, introduced by Mr Tairoa, MOTIONS AGREED TO. The following motions were agreed to without debate; — Mr Sheehan—For a return of all sums of money paid from time to time to the proprietors of the Waikato Times newspaper during the year 1876, if such payment was made. Mr Sheehan—That copies of all correspondence and instructions having reference to the recent refusal by the Government to permit Samuel Locke, Esq, a Resident Magistrate at Napier, to leave his office for the purpose of witnessing certain deeds in manner required by the Native Lands Act, 1873, be laii before this House. AGENT-GENERAL. On Mr Murray’s motion— 11 That in the opinion of this House an opportunity should be afforded it of considering any appointment, which the Government may propose making, of Agent-General before making such appointment.” Sir J, Yogel said the matter had not been discussed by the Government, but when it became necessary to do so they would lose no time in taking the House into their confidence. He hoped that assurance would be sufficient for the member for Bruce. As to the question raised by thathon member whether security should not be given by the officer holding the position, it was one worthy of consideration, and one to which the Government would give attention. Of course if that suggestion were acted upon, it meant taking so much off the salary of the officer, because these securities were generally given by guarantee companies. Power to make the appointment vested by Act in the Governor and no resolution of the House could take that power away from them. ' He assured the House that the Government would take it into its confidence whenever they had any confidence to impart in reference to this matter. (Laughter). After the assurance he had given ho hoped the motion would be withdrawn. Mr Murray withdrew his motion. STAMP OFFICE, On Mr Larnach’s motion—“ That the Government be requested to make early arrangements for the re-establishment and working of an imprest stamp office in Dunedin and otherimportant)princ pal townsin the colony for the purpose of stamping cheques, bills of exchange, etc, as the necessities of commerce may require,” Hon C. C. Bowen said it was not within the knowledge of the department that any great inconvenience resulted from having only one stamping office in the colony, The deputy stamp officers were supplied on requisition, and the convenience of the banks had been specially consulted, the transmission of their stamped cheques and forms being permitted post free and direct to the bank. They were merely asked to exercise reasonable forethought in giving their orders in time. The establishment of depots in the principal towns means not only getting fresh machinery for each place, but involved a larger expense on that account, also an increase in the staff of the department in the different towns, while no case had been made out to warrant such an expenditure. This was strongly supported by Mr Stout, Mr Burns, Mr Murray, Mr Sharp, and Mr Swanson, and opposed by Mr Reynolds, who remarked that with the establishment of many stamp offices it would be a difficult thing to protect the revenue. On a division the motion was negatived by 39 against 33. On the' numbers being announced, the question was asked if an Eon member could

go from oneffobby into the House, see how the voting was going, and then run round into the other lobby, and the Speaker replied that an hon member was at liberty to alter his mind before he recorded his vote. This caused much laughter ; Mr Macfarlane, the member alluded to, said ho had given his voice with the noes. ASHBURTON RESOLUTIONS, Mr Wason’a motion—“ That the resolution of the Ashburton Road Board, and of the public meeting held in the Library hall, Ashburton, with reference to the above resolutions, be printed,” was agreed to. GOLD DUTY, On Mr Woolcock’s motion—“ That in the opinion of this House it is highly desirable that the gold mining industry of the colony should be relieved from the present exceptional taxes now imposed on it,” Sir J. Vogel said if, in the face of the fact that the duty was to be handed over to local bodies, the goldfields members in the House desired the reduction of the duty, the Government would not offer any opposition to the Bill introduced by the member for the Dunstan to reduce it by sixpence per ounce this year, leaving it to the House afterwards to say whether further reduction should take place. Beyond that it would not be fair to the local bodies or prudent to propose. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment hour. PARLIAMENTARY NEWS. The Engineer-in-Ohief thinks that the railway from Christchurch to Dunedin will be completed by the end of 1878, if contractors carry out their contracts, which there is every reason to suppose they will do. An expenditure of £30,000 for the extension of Port Chalmers wharf is recommended, and of £15,500 for station extension and addition to the workshops at Dunedin. Tenders for the unlet portion of the Moeraki and Port Chalmers section are to be called next month. Reporting on the Lawrence branch, Mr Carruthers says, “ Owing to the steep gradients I think it would be better not to try to open any portion of the line until the rails are laid through to Lawrence. Unless an expensive temporary terminus were made there would be a great risk of accidents occurring.” Ten miles of the Winton elbow line are to be opened in a couple of months. The whole line is expected to be open early in 1878. There will be no sitting of the House tonight, in consequence of a ball at Sir J. Vogel’s. Mr Whitaker’s resolutions are to be moved at the evening sitting to-morrow. Mr Tairoa’s Bill asks for three additional representatives ; two for the North Island and one for the Middle Island. The East Coast and Eastern Maori Election Committees met to-day, and the latter committee agreed to report within a week. It is understood that there will be a fresh election, it having been proved that, by the polling booths being held eight miles from the gazetted place and the floods, over 200 natives were disfranchised. The evidence before the other committee showed that there had been a great deal of bribery and treating on the part of Captain Read’s committee, but there was nothing to connect him with the transactions, or that he even had a knowledge of them. One witness witness said he had received one way end another £9O to vote for one candidate, and voted for the other. It is placed beyond all doubt that the committee put Captain Read forward, and being a man of means he proved a perfect milch cow. Much amusement was caused by Captain Read’s examination. His frankness was perfectly touch ing, and when he said, instead of furthering him, his cemmittee had put him in a hole, the committee was fairly convulsed with laughter. It is believed that the committee will report recommending a fresh election, each side paying its own costs, which are sure to be up close to £SOO a piece. The San Francisco Mail Committee had three meetings, and adjourned sine die pending the receipt of the views of the New South Wales Government, which are expected in three weeks. The committee have determined to recommend the discontinuance of the Coastal Service.