PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1437, 24 September 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[By Telegraph,] [PROM THE CORRESPONDENT OP THE PRES3.] SALARIES OE RETURNING OPPICEKS. In Committee on the Electoral Bill, on clause seven, which allows lire Governor to fix the ealarloj to be paid to Returning and Registration Oiiiccrs, Mr .-doyens said there was something in this clause not satisfactory. The practice of the Governor tilling in salaries had not been the practice in the past, amt'it was undesirable that it should bo in the future. It was said the other night that ,(•5000 would bo required for this purpose, lie proposed an amendment, to the effect that all such salaries should be appropriated by the General Assembly. Mr .Stout, said that, under the Registration Art, the Governor had power to fix the salaries.

Mr Rolleston said the Government of the day should not be open to the accusation of influencing the actions of Returning and Registration Officers by having the power of fixing their salaries. The Attorney-General promised that the Government would bring down a schedule of these salaries. Mr Richardson thought that even if it hud been the practice in the past, the time had now come when the salaries should bo fixed by the Assembly. On division Mr Stevens’ amendment was negatived by 50 to 21. LUNATIC ASYLUMS. In committee on the estimates, on the item, Lunatic Asylums, Mr Rolleston said the accommodation in the lunatic asylums of the colony, since the abolition of provinces, was not nearly sufficient, and these institutions had been in a disgraceful condition. Some day, if the accommodation was not increased, a serious catastrophe would occur. Mr Ballance said £15,000 had been placed on the estimates for extending the lunatic asylums of the colony during the year. The Government fully recognised the importance of extending the accommodation of the lunatic asylums, but could not do more this session, Mr Rolleston —Is the Government acting upon any advice ? The tenders sent in for the extension of the lunatic asylum at Christchurch amounted to over £30,000. If the building is not extended this year, a great wrong will bo done. I would like to know upon what advice the Government are going when they say £45,000 will be sufficient for the present year, when we all know that it is not more than enough for one asylum alone. The Colonial Treasurer said the amount was put down by the advice of the colonial architect, upon the recommendation of the inspector of asylums, Mr Bowen said the member for Avon stated that since the provinces were abolished the Lunatic Asylums were in a discreditable state. Ho (Mr Bowen) would say that when the asylums were handed over to the Government, they were in a discreditable condition. The member for Avon was always fond of stirring up the corpse of provincialism, and it smelt badly. It would be better to move the Christchurch Asylum from the town to a larger site. Mr Rolleston said he was quite aware this was a most unpleasant corpse, but ho would never cease to stir it up. Very strong recommendations were made by Dr. Skae regarding Lunatic Asylums. The Christchurch Asylum was not large enough. Canterbury had got good reserves, and there ought to bo no difficulty in moving the asylum to a better site. If the the colony were to erect buildings on the scale of the buildings in Christchurch, £45,000 would be required for the extension of lunatic asylums. The public buildings at Christchurch had been of a very expensive character. The Government had to consider the means at its disposal. The item “Lunatic Asylums” was then passed. CANTERBURY RAILWAYS. There was a meeting of the Canterbury members this morning to consider the Government scheme of railways, as far as it will affect Canterbury, The meeting was adjourned without auy definite result being arrived at. THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS TARTY. To-night’s “ Chronicle,” after referring to the meeting of Government supporters held on Saturday, says that it is understood that the i’remier has intimated to the Ministerial supporters, since the meeting, that the Government will at all times be glad to bo en rapport with them, and that the recommendations made with regard to the measures to be proceeded with or dropped, will be brought under consideration at a full meeting of the Cabinet.

LENGTH OB THE SESSION. The current opinion is that the session will be over in another month.