GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 729, 20 October 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

{Per Press Agency., HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, October 19. The House met at 2.30. RAILWAY PASSES. In reply to Sir R. Douglas, Hon E. Richardson said Government did not intend to issue free railway passes to members till after the session, as they had not yet control over the Southern lineß. TELEGRAM FROM LORD CARNARVON. A telegram from the Secretary of State was laid upon the table. KILLING OP HARES. In reply to a question by Mr Larnach, Hon C. C. Bowen said the time during which hares should be allowed to be killed should be extended, NEXT SITTING OP ASSEMBLY. Mr Thomson moved—" That in the opinion of this House, the next session of the General Assembly should be held in Dunedin. He stated his object was not the removal of the seat of Government from Wellington, but merely to provide that Parliament should occasionally meet in the large centres of population, commencing with the next sea■ion being held At Puna&n. He believed

that the cost entailed would be trifling, though he admitted that the procuring of reports from heads of departments would not be so convenient as at Wellington, where Ministers had their departmental officers at their hand ready. The hon gentleman went on to give reasons in support of his motion. The Premier said the arguments of the hon member meant nothing; they merely meant that it would be nice occasionally to hold the session at Dunedin. He hoped the House would reject the motion, which had not a single recommendation. After some discussion, the motion was negatived by 29 to 23. LAND CLAIMS. Mr Stafford moved that the credit of the colony required that the awards made by the Government Commissioners under the Taranaki New Zealand Company's Land Claims Act, 1872, be settled with no unnecessary delay. The Premier went into the leading facts of the case to show that the Act which raised this difficulty was passed under a misapprehension, and due to political feeling at the time. The more the case was looked into, the less it would bear inspection. He objected to seeing the public estate dissipated, but he had no objection to see this difficulty settled in a reasonable manner, or before a court of law. In conclusion, he moved, that the following words be added—" And that the Government be authorised to negotiate with the claimants with a view to such settlement." This was accepted, after some discussion. MESSRS BRO&DEN'S CLAIMS. Mr Larnach moved for a committee to inquire into the terms of the petition of Messrs brogden and Sons, relating to the payments made by them to the late AgentGeneral, on account of certain adult immigrants brought to the colony. The Premier pointed out that the question had already been exhaustively gone into, and they reported that the statements of the petition were not substantiated, and so far as the committee were able to judge there was no grounds for the charge. He strongly opposed the motion. The motion was negatived on the voices. SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS. Mr Larnach moved—" That in the opinion of this House it is improper for any salaried officers of the Government, or the Civil Service of the colony, to receive a fee, salary, or reward outside of the office he holds, and that from this time forward any officer found receiving a salary or fee, other than from the office held by him, shall no longer be retained in the Civil Service or the service of the Government of the colony." Hon F. Whitaker pointed out that the passing of the resolution in such a general form would interfere with many persons employed in the Native Department, with country postmasters, and many medical men. If the motion was aimed at any particular individuals they should be specified. Mr Reid also thought the motion too sweeping, and said he would move an amendment that it only apply to officers in receipt of a salary of £250 and upwards. The Speaker left the chair at 5.30.