GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 715, 4 October 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

{Per Press Agency .)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, October 3, The borrowing power given by the Christohmch Drainage Bill has been reduced from £250,000 to £200,000.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, October 3. The House met at 2 80. PROTECTION OF ANIMALS ACT. Sir G. Grey gave notice to move for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Protection to Animals Act. THE GOLDFIELDS. Mr Ptke asked—(l) If the Government would take into favorable consideration the recommendations of goldfields committee, as set forth in the report of the Otago Central Miners Association correspondence, and appoint a commission to inquire (during recess) into the question of the validity of water licenses granted under Goldfields Acts in force, and the relations between the licenses ro granted and the ordinary riparian rights of the land owners and others ? (2) Also if the Government would further authorise such commission to inquire generally into existing goldfields legislation, with the view of having a complete and comprehensive measure prepared, dealing with the questions aforesaid. The Premier said the Government would take the recommendations into consideration, but without committing themselves to carry out the whole of them. They had not yet time to consider the matter, but they were anxious to meet the views of the committee, and of the miners. During the recess the whole question would be considered, but whether they would consider it necessary to appoint a commission to carry out what was asked is not yet decided. At any rate they would take steps in order to ensure that a proper Bill would be introduced next Parliament. QUESTIONS, Hon W. H. Reynolds asked the Minister for Public Works inform the House when the Public Works Estimates were likely to be laid on the table. (2) Whether provision would be made for carrying out the recommendation of the Engineer-in-Chief with regard to wharf extension at Port Chalmers. „ Hon B. Richardson said the estimates would probably be laid before the House on Monday next. The second question was under the consideration of the Government. It should be remembered that the Otago Harbor Board were preparing to incur an enormous expense in order to do away with the large ship trade at Port Chalmers, and take it to Dunedin, and under those circumstances there were doubts as to whether they were justified in going to any great expense. COMPENSATION. Mr LabnACH gave notice that on Thursday next he would move that the House go into committee with the view of granting £235, one year’s salary, to the widow of Mr Elliott, mail agent, who lost his life through cold and exposure while in the performance of his duty on the service between this colony and America. COUNTIES BILL, In committee oa the Counties Bill, clause 133 (Council may raise an ordinary loan), Mr Seymour and others took exception to the power to raise by loan three times the annual county fund.

Others supported, and to test the matter a division was taken, and the clause was retained by 28 against 26. Clause 136, limiting the loan, was amended to limit the loan to twice the annual amount of the county fund, instead of three times, as printed. On the clause relating to the application of ordinary loans, Mr Montgomery moved —“ That that part of the clause be struck out which provided for paying the first year’s interest out of the loan itself.” The amendment was carried on the voices. Clause 174, exempting contracts from stamp duties, was struck out by 26 against 22. Subsections 2 and 3 of clause 188, were struck out, the application of subsection 4 being extended to bridges and ferries. The whole Bill having been gone through, the postponed clauses were taken. They occupied the House till the hour for rising, and the remainder will be gone on with at 7.30.

LAST NIGHT’S SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30.

‘ COUNTIES BILL. Several new clauses relating to the divisions of counties wer& brought down and agreed to. The effect of the new clauses was to enable the Governor in Council to alter the boundaries of counties and re-divide counties whose boundaries are altered into fresh ridings, also to make provision for the election of new councils when the boundaries of counties are altered. Contracts then existing may be enforced against the original county, and councils may agree for a transfer of a fair share of property and debts. If councils do not agree the Commissioners of Audit may make an award as to the matter in question; all property transferred from one county to another, is to vest, in the corporation of the new county. No alteration of boundaries is to affect the interests of bondholders or creditors. With regard to voting, Mr Wood proposed an amendment virtually limiting the ratepayers to one vote, but the amendment was lost by 35 against 17. Mr DeLatour wanted the number of votes limited to three. His motion was also lost, and the clause was then agreed to. Sir George Grey asked that progress be reported before proceeding with the schedules, which was agreed to. EDUCATION BOARDS. In committee on the Education Boards Bill on the 4th clause a good deal of discussion ensued, Mr Wakefield having moved an amendment to the effect that there should be two Education Boards in Canterbury (north and south), in consequence, he said, of the inefficiency of the Board at Christchurch. Hon C. C. Bowen pointed out that if they were bringing down a Bill dealing with the whole question he would have no objection to another Board for Canterbury, but there were great difficulties opposed to doing that under present circumstances, one of which was that an alteration in the present law would be required. As the present Bill was only intendecLto carry on for a year, he hoped the amendment would be withdrawn, Mr Bowen, also gave assurance to the member for Timarw that in their Bill

next year they would provide for two Boards in Canterbury. The amendment was negatived on the voices.

A number of amendments were made in the succeeding clauses, 21, 22, and 23 being struck out. The Bill was read a third time and passed, and the House adjourned at 1.15 a.ra. POLITICAL NEWS. {From a correspondent of the Press.') The new maps of the counties show sixty counties in the colony, thus situated : North Island, 31, West Coast—Mongonui, Hokianga, Hobson, Waitemata, Mauka, Raglan, Kawhia, Taranaki-, Patea, Wanganui, Bangitikei, Manawatu, Hutt, Wairarapa. East Coast —Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Marsden, Coromandel, Thames, Tauranga, Whakatane, Cook, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, Waipawa, Wairarapa, East Central—Piako, Waikato, Waipa, King’s, Taupo, South Island, 29. West Coast—Buller, Inangahua, Grey, Westland, Lakeland, Fiord, North Coast Collingwood, Waimea, Sounds. East Coast Marlborough, Kaikoura, Amuri, Ashley,Courtenay, Akaroa, Ashburton, Geraldine, Waimate, Waitaki, Waikouaiti, Peninsula, Taieri, Bruce, Clutha. South Coast Southland (including Stewart's Island), Wallace. Central, in Otago—Molyneux, Maniototo, Tuapeka, Mr Rolleston, on committee coming to the last clause of the Counties Bill, repealing Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works Act, drew attention to the propriety of the officers of the Board being compensated, as in the case of provincial officers. Hon F. Whitaker promised to take note of it, and said the subject probably would be referred to in the Provincial financial arrangements statement.

Sir J, Vogel and his family have altered their intention of going via Melbourne or Sydney and leave by the next San Francisco steamer. The House worked hard last night at the Counties Bill until Sir G. Grey confessed himself thoroughly worn out, and today the Government got through all the clauses, and also took up the (postponed clauses, and in the convenient absence of Sir G. Grey, who had been the opposing genius, pushed them through. They are likely to report the Bill and schedules this evening The Goldfields members are to meet the Premier to-morrow to consider arrangements for collecting the gold duty and other matters. The gold duty is at present collected by the Customs at the ports of the colony, but it will be impossible by that system to allocate to the counties their share of the duty. No particular plan has yet been devised. The relationship of the counties and boroughs in regard to main roads has also to be considered, and some favor given to Mr Woolcock’s motion for the county qualification to be the same as that of a member for the House of Representatives, and opening the door to candidates from any part of the electoral district. Sir J Vogel has addressed a letter to the Argus , on the State forests question, in which he says—“ There is no measure with which I have had to do, of which I am so proud, and which, in my opinion, w 11 be of larger ultimate advantage to New Zealand than the Forests Act. Not that I presume to think that the idea of legislation with the object of conserving and creating State forests in the colony originated with me. Many distinguished men from time to timediscussed the subject, and urged its paramount importance. Amongst these whose names occur to me at the moment as most eager in the cause, I may refer to the Hou Mr Stafford, Mr Kirk, Mr Potts, Mr Travers, Mr O’Neill, Mr J. T. Thomson,! and Mr McArthur. It is with consternation I observe the indication of a desire to repeal this Act. The experience of the world is against it. State forests are the must cherished institutions of the countries that possess them. I need only refer as examples, among others, to Sweden, Germany, France, Russia, Prussia, Austria, India, and latest, but not least interesting or important, South Australia, On the other hand, consider the laments over neglected forestry. What would Prance be but for the vigorous cultivation of its forests. During the last few years, notwithstanding all that man has done for North America, it is to be doubted whether that Continent has anything like the intrinsic value it possessed, when the colored man alone roamed through its vast forests now so frightfully destroyed. There is, I believe, a widespread feeling of consternation in the United States at the manner in which this great question has hitherto been neglected. It seems to me that whilst we are striving so hard to advance the interests of the present generation in New Zealand, it is wise and graceful to remember those who come after us. No public works can atone for desolated forests. The Plains of Canterbury may be covered with railways in less than the interval from youth to manhood of a single life, but it wonld take two generations to grace those Plains with matured forest. Let us suppose the period bridged over. What would the public debt for railways matter if there were forests to be valued by millions to set against it. This is but an instance. Regarding Captain Walker, an explanation may not be out of place. Captain Walker has come to New Zealand for twelve mouths, at the end of which time both the Government and he are each at liberty to make or refuse to make a longer engagement. Captain Walker would have been quite wiiiling to at once organise the management of the forests, and to have fully occupied his time, but it was deemed bettor to delay doing anything of the kind until he had seen all the forests and the country, reported on them, and indicated the plans he proposed for the future The subject was too important to deal with hastily. Under this arrangement Captain Walker considered it better to be idle during the winter months. He has made arrangements by which he counts on being able to fully report on the forests of the country, and to recommend the system he proposes for the future within the time of his stay here. Upon the Government would depend whether or not his plans were accepted and his stay extended."