GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1022, 4 October 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [pee peess agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, Octobee 3. di s qualification. Mr Whitakee, as a matter of privilege, moved that the House concur in that part of the Disqualification Committee's report expressing the opinion that Mr Kennedy had not forfeited his seat under the provisions of the Disqualification Act. Mr Macandrew, as an amendment, moved that the House concur in the whole report. Mr J. Evans Beown thought that they had better have a special general field day to discuss all these disqualification matters. He moved that a special sitting should be held on Saturday, and that the debate should be adjourned till then. After considerable discussion the debate was adjourned till Friday. otago railways. The debate on Mr Pyke's Otago Main Central Railway motion was resumed. Mr Lumsden supported the construction of a line from Kingstown to Cromwell, as being tha most economical line, and which would open up a large quantity of land. He moved as an amendment —"That in the opinion of the House, the interior of Otngo shoiild be opened up by a main central trunk line of railway, and that to do this the G-ovemment, during the recess, should cause a survey of the different routes to be made, and that detailed plans and proposals for the construction of the line be laid before the House next session. Mr Bastings supported the original motion, and strongly condemned the dog-in-the-manger spirit shown by the Southland members. It was not in this way that the Otago Provincial Government and people had had dealt with Southland, especially in railway matters, in the past. He supported the report of the Committee as a fair and honest one, although the construction of the line would be injurious to him privately. He would, not, however, consult his individual interests against a scheme which would prove of such immense public benefit. Mr McLean supported the amendment, which, he thought, a reasonable one. If carried it would do more to forward Mr Pyke's views than the motion itself. Mr Pyke had dragged him into the matter in the most unjustifiable manner, without the slightest ground for his statements. There was no truth whatever in Mr Pyke's telegram to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. If it were proved that the Strath-Taieri line were the best he would support it; but this was not yet proved. What he wanted was to have a fair enquiry made. All lie wanted for his own district was fair-play. The Government would support the amendment. He was quite willing to support any lino which was proved to be the best one in the public interests. In many respects he thought that the Shag Valley line \rould be much the best, and it would be quite as advantageous to Dunedin as the Strath-Taieri line. Mr Macandrew thought the amendment was a mere stave off. He thought the Government could construct the line simply by selling portion of the land along it without going into the money market at all. If the Government did not make the line, private people were prepared to do so in counties if they could, but he thought it the duty of the Government to do so. The Strath-Taieri line would undoubtedly be the best.

Mr Eeid thought the amendment would lead to the construction of the Strath-Taieri

ine, quite as certainly and quite as quickly as Mr Pyke's motion. Careful accurate surveys vere, however, necessary before anything were done, and this would take at least six months. The amendment was an instruction to the Government to have proposals and letails ready to submit to next session for the •onstruction of the line, which, he believed would well repay the colony the cost of construction. Mr Reynolds supported the motion, and leprecated the jealous opposition of the Southland and North Otago members to the Strath-Taieri route. Even if the survey did take six months the work could then be commenced, if the motion were passed, without waiting till after the session, as provided by the amendment. Mr Wood thought the charges of jealousy against the Southland members were most unjust. He supported the amendment, as best calculated to do justice to all parties. Mr J. C. Beown would like to hear the opinion of the Minister of Public "Works. He supported the motion. Mr Carrington, as a member of the committee, was satisfied that the Strath-Taieri line was the beßt, and that it could be constructed without costing the colony anything, if a reasonable concession of land were given. Mr Delatour did not think Mr McLean's constituents were at all anxious to have the railway made through their district. To carry the amendment would be to stifle private enterprise, which would probably be prepared to undertake the construction of the line at once under the District Railways Bill. Mr Montgomery would support the motion, on the understanding that the construction of the line should involve no charge on the Consolidated Revenue or Loan, but be met out of the proceeds of the sale of land. Mr Burns supported the motion, and, if necessary, he would not be afraid to borrow money to construct such a line. He urged that the Q-overnment should withdraw opposition to the motion, and allow the Bill to be introduced, and dealt with on its merits. Mr Joyce and Mr Lumsden had not objected to the railway being made as far as Clyde by the Strath-Taieri route. Cromwell's natural outlet was Bluff Harbor. Mr Stout supported the motion. The Strath-Taieri route was no doubt the best, but in due time no doubt others would be dealt with on their merits, and be constructed. Mr Ormond supported the amendment. The Gf-overnment could not during the reces3 do more than the amendment proposed. The best route would be then chosen, and a hasty decision would be avoided. If the amendment were passed the Government would give immediate effect to it. Mr Hislop said the Strath-Taieri line had been got up in opposition to the Duntroon line, which was first proposed. He complained that the Committee had not taken proper evidence as to the latter line. He saw no antagonism, however, and would be glad to see the Strath-Taieri line constructed. Sir R. Douglas thought the question had better be postponed, so as to allow other equally important lines to be considered. He therefore supported the amendment. The debate was interrupted.