GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 728, 19 October 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

( Per Press Agency HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, October 18. The House met at 2.30, MR FARNELBS CLAIM. After some formal business, «ir R. Douglas moved—“ That the House resolve itself into committee of the whole to consider an address to the Governor, requesting him to recommend an appropriation of it 1050 to satisfy the claims that Mr H. W. Farnalihas on the province of Auckland, as stated by ths report of the public petitions committee.’, The Premier opposed, saying that the appointment was illegal. The claim ought to have been made against the Provincial Council of Auckland, and should have been submitted to that body, inasmuch as two sessions of the Council had been held, at which he could have applied. There was no doubt he had been illegally appointed by the Superintendent of Auckland, and that Mr Farnall gave away land orders under the authority of an Act which he knew was repealed before he was appointed. The motion was lost on the voices. SUPPLY. The House went into commit! ee of supply. Public buildings, £27,515 The item departmental buildings, £14,300, was reduced by £4OOO. Sir G. Grey moved that the item £450, for repairs to Ministerial residences, bo struck out. This was negatived on the voices,af ter considerable discussion. On the item Colonial Architect, £7OO, Sir R, Douglas moved that the item be reduced by £5, jjust to give the architect a hint they were dissatisfied with his work, especially with regard to the ventilation and other matters connected with the House of Representatives. This was negatived by 27 against 16. Mr Burns then moved that the whole item be struck out. The debate was interrupted by the chairman leaving the chair at 5.30. LAST NIGHT’S SITTING. COMMITTEE OE SUPPLY. The House resumed on thejestimates. Mr Burns’s motion, that the item Colonial Architect £7OO, be struck out, was put, and the House divided, and the motion was negatived by 26 to 14. The whole vote was then carried by 20 against 20. Railways, estimates, head office, and audit (Wellington)—£46l7 —Mr Murray moved Engineer £BOO (showing increase of £100), be struck out. ” Hon E. Richardson passed a high eulogium 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 pm ; s it, and complained strongly of the mismanagement of that officer, at least so far as the Auckland railways were concerned, Hon F. Whitaker pointed out that a commission had been appointed to inquire into those charges, and they would soon ascertain whose fault it was. The salary was no more than was paid in Otago and Canterbury.

Mr Lusk then withdrew the amendment, and the item was agreed to. Northern railways, £86,131, and Southern, £170,000, were agreed to without discussi m. Municipalities, Road Boards, and out; districts. £75,000 Mr Montgomery objected to this on principle, and moved that the whole item be struck out. Sir R. Douglas and Mr Wason, Rowe, and Moobhouse 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 Reid said look at it how they would it must act unfairly, as it played directly into the hands of owners of property. If a poor district that could not afford to levy t rates joined a rich district, they would see the revenues of the colony poured into the rich district that could well afford to do without assistance at all. Sir G. Grey said the Premier way trying to play into the hands of one party and wheedle the other. He was taking 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 already well endowed, while outlying districts were languishing for want of a seasonable expenditure of a little public money. The Corporations of Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, and Christchurch had no claim upon the vote whatever. After a long discussion the vote was carried by 37 to 12. The estimates chargable on the land fund were passed without alteration. financial arrangements bill. On the motion for going into committee on the Provincial Abolition Financial Arrangements Bill, Mr Sheehan spoke at great length against the Bill, availing himself of the opportunity of condemning the details of the Bill and the general administration of the Government. The House went into committee on the Bill and reported progress, and adjourned at 12.40.