GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 981, 17 August 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[Br Telegraph.] [pee press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, August 16. The House met at: 2.30 p.m. CANTERBURY SURVEYS. Replying to Mr Stevens, Mr Reid said steps had already been taken to remedy the evils consequent on discrepancies between the boundaries of sections in Canterbury as occupied in virtue of Government surveys, and the Crown grants by which sections were held. A Quitting of Title clause would, however, be required in the new Surveys Bill to make existing surveys legal. DUNEDLN FORESHORE. Replying to Mr Seaton, 'Mr .Whitaker said no Crown grant had yet been issued to the Otago Harbor Board for the land between the Peninsula, Ocean Beach, and Dunedin railway and Anderson's Bay road, but one in accordance with law was in preparation. the luna. Replying to Mr G-isborne, Mr McLean said no written valuation of the Luna had been made before she was sold. THE QUEEN BEE PASSENGERS. Replying to Mr Richmond, Major Atkinson said fbe Government fully recognised the services rendered by the Nelson Naval Brigade ",ii tfeureliing for the Q.ucen Bee passengers, and would ask the House to vote a sum sufficient to cover their expenses and a donation of £.30 to the funds of the corps. waste lands com .un the. The names of Messrs Lusk and Hamlin were added to this committee. hawke's bay land dealings—A SCENE. Mr Murray moved that steps be taken to give effect to the report of the Petition Committee on No. 283 (Hon. H. Russell) last session. On this an animated discussion ensued as to the Hawkki'3 Bay laud dealings generally.

Sir G. Grey having challenged Mr Ormond to move for a committee to inquire into his own transactions, Major Atkinson rose and said: Manliness and courage are not characteristic of the member for the Thames, who has persistently used his position to slander members of the Government. Mr William Woods rose and moved that the words be taken down. The voices were against this, but the Speaker said it was very undesirable such language should be used. The leader of the House should especially set a good example. Major Atkinson continued—lf I have expressed my opinion too plainly I withdraw the words, but I challenge the hon. member to place in writing the scandalous and disgraceful charges ho has made over and over again here against members of the Ministry. If he does so, we will afford him an opportunity of justifying his charges before the Supreme Court. If Ministers did such things they should be immediately ejected from office. Mr Rees said he was prepared to substantiate the statements he had made about Mr Ormond, or to put them into writing. He challenged, the Government to move for a committee to enquire into those land transactions, or support him in doing so. Ministers, however, were afraid to do this. Sir R. Douglas suggested that members, instead of quarrelling and abusing each other in the House, should settle differences of this kind outside. Mr Gisborne and Mr Swanson endeavoured to bring the House back to the question actually before it. After further discussion as to Russell's road, the debate drifted into one regarding the propriety of the Government being empowered still to take the 5 per cent, reserved in land sales for road purposes, although the right had not been exercised within ten years. In the end Mr Bo wen said the Government would agree to the motion on the understanding that they were to consider the subject in its general bearing, and not in regard to one particular case. The motion was then agreed to. official salaries. Mr Muruay moved a resolution affirming that no Government officer receiving over £3OO a year salary should bo allowed to receive any further remuneration from other bodies or persons for services, and that any such officer at present allowed to do so be immediately called upon to abandon either his private or Government employment. Mr Okmond objected to the limit of salai'y lixed. He said he frequently refused permission to officers to take private practice, and the Government, after consideration, were about to issue a circular forbidding any Government officer, no matter what his salary, taking outside work of any kind. Mr Stout said if no private practice were allowed Government would have to pay more. The motion would cost £IO,OOO a year more in salaries. Mr Wakefield supported the motion. Mr Teschemaker moved an amendment making the prohibition apply to all Government officers. Mr Dion an objected that it would apply to medical officers. Mr Rees thought the mattor should be left to the discretion of the Government. Mr Stout cited the cases of surgeons to hospitals, gaols, and lunatic asylums. Mr Swanson supported the motion. Far better pay officers higher salaries than allow private work. Doctors could be excepted. Major Atkinson asked the mover to withdraw the motion. The Government agreed with it, but it was not desirable to lay down a oast-iron rule. Mr Murray withdrew the motion. RAILWAY COMMITTEE. Messrs Richardson, Stevens, Lumsdeu, and Larnach, were added to the railway management committee. The Slaughter-house Bill was referred to a Seleot Committee. MAINTENANCE OF ROADS. Mr Bastings moved —" That in the opinion of the House, it being now established that counties are unable to make provision for the construction and maintenance of main arterial roads of the colony, it is imperative that immediate and permanent pro vision should be made by the Government for the gradual consti'uotion and maintenance of the same." His own county, as an instance, could not do the work for the next fifty years, and most others were similarly situated, although the works required were essential to the progress of J settlement. Dr Hodgkinson asked who would define the roads to be made, so as to avoid having political roads as well as political railways. Mr Reid said these works might be provided for otherwise than by vote of the House. It was most essential to the good government of the colony that the Legislature should be relieved of the duty of distributing money for particular works. In time he thought counties might be able to overtake all such works required, especially if further borrowing powers were given. Arrangements might be made to enable these bodies to use the credit of the colony to raise the necessary funds. It was certainly not yet proved that counties could not do these works. They should be dono under local control and management. Mr Gisborne and Mr J. C. Brown supported the motion. The debate was interrupted by the dinner hour.