GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1067, 28 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [pee PEESS AGENCY.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, November 27. The House met at 2.30. Mr Keliy, as Chairman of the Petitions Committee, drew attention to the fact that Mr Travers had presented a petition from Holmes and Co., railway contractors, by whom he had formerly been employed as solicitor. He desired the Speaker’s opinion as to whether the Standing Orders had not been violated. It was pointed out that it was upwards of five years since Mr Travers had acted as their solicitor. The Speaker said he thought the Standing Orders had been violated, as they forbade anyone who had acted for fee or reward, promoting or bringing forward any proceedings in Parliament. The fault, however, seemed a very venial one. Mr Thayers explained that he had presented the petition at the request of the Hon. Mr Richardson. His professional connections with Holmes and Co. had terminated some years ago. He contended that he had not broken the rule, but if he had it was most inadvertently. In reply to Mr Kennedy, Mr Sheehan said that Parliament having affirmed the principle of secular education, Ministers did not intend to provide funds for continuance of aided schools where they already existed, but would, on the Supplementary Estimates provide the same means for these schools up to the end of the present financial year as they would have r; ceived from the provinces. Alter that they would get nothing. In reply to Mr Brandon, Mr Sheehan said the Government intended for the present to abolish the colonial prize-firing, but would provide a small sum for local prizes. In reply to Mr Pox, Mr Sheehan said the Government intended to settle the claims of the Rev. F. Grace in terms of the award made in his case by Commissioner Beckham and recommended by a committee of the House. In reply to questions by Mr Hursthouse, Mr Sheehan read a memorandum from the Public Works Department contradicting the evidence of Mr Conyers before the Railway Management Committee regarding the issue of materials from the storekeepers to gangers on opened railways. In reply to Captain Russell, Mr Fisher m ’stated that inquiries were being made as to / the advisability of an overland mail twice a ■ week between Napier and Clyde and Wairoa County. In reply to Mr Sutton, Mr Sheehan saida sum would be placed on the estimates to assist the erect ion of hospitals, and in its distribution the claims of Napier Hospita l would be favorably considered, Mr Sheehan moved the discharge of tin Sheep ana Cattle Rill and the Charitable Institutions Bill. Agreed to. Mr Sheehan also moved the discharge ol the Civil List Act Amendment Bill. _ This was a measure to increase the salaries oi judges by £IOO for every five years’ service. The Government did uot like this proposal,

and the Bill was one of the late Ministry. The Government, however, admitted that the Judges were wretchedly paid, but they thought it better to leave the matter undealt with this session, as they intended to appoint a Royal Commission during the recess to consider the whole constitution and working of the Courts of Justice. In committee on the motion to give leave introduce a Bill to give a pension of £l2O year to Dr Greenwood, late Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr Sheehan, Sir George Grey, and Mr Rolleston supported the Bill, which was strongly opposed by Mr Swanson, who denounced the office as a sham, and objected to any pension to a man whose duty simply was to carry about a gilt stick, and who performed that duty very badly. Mr Reynolds also objected to the Bill. On division leave to introduce was granted by 37 to 8. The Public Works Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Council’s amendments in the Christchurch City Reserves Bill was agreed to. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, November 27, A message was received from the Governor, stating that John Nathaniel Wilson had been appointed member of the Legislative Council. The following Bills were read a first time— Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration, Oamaru Harbor Board Amendment, Public Libraries Subsidies, Mining Companies Act Amendment, Crown Redress Act Extension, and Sale of Pood and Drugs Bills. Replying to the Hon. Captain Fraser, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore said a Royal Commission was in course of appointment, with the object of considering the continuance of the present subsidy to the special settlement at Jackson’s Bay. The third reading of the Christchurch City Reserves Bill was agreed to. The Kakanui Harbour Board Bill was thrown out by a majority of 12. The Waste Lands Committee are to consider all subjects relating to the various Harbour Boards, especially their relations to other Harbour Boards.