PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1454, 14 October 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[By Telegraph.] qrnom the coeeeßpondent of the peeßs.] allocation r,u canterbury's land REVEN<jtS. A return to an order of the House, made on the motion of Mr Vincent Pyke, ot land revenue received by the Provincial Government 0 f Canterbury from that portion of the province now comprised within the counties of Waitaki, Vincent, and Lake, from the date of the settlement of the province to the date of abolition, shows that the land sales were—Waitaki county, 20 acres, value £10; Vincent, 2113 acres, value <£4B2(>; Lake, 220 acres, value .£4lO. The expenditure of the Provincial Government on roads, bridges, and other public works within the districts dui'ing the same period was nil. THE VOLUNTEERS. The report on the New Zealand volunteer force, distributed to-day, is of some interest. It states that during the past twelve months the excitement caused by the disturbed state of European affairs, has had the effect of stimulating the volunteer movement in the colony. In the two islands the increase has been 279 adult volunteers, and 232 cadets, and although several corps which had fallen below the minimum had been disbanded, six new corps had enrolled themselves. It is said that the new regulations, which fixed a minimum of fifty as the least which the Government would recognise as entitling a corps to its capitation allowance, have had the best possible effect, and the several changes, by which bona fide volunteer officers are replacing the permanent staff at all the chief centres of population, have proved that those officers are quite equal to the duties. The present strength of the volunteer force is as follows North leland, adults, GOS cadets; South Island, 2074 adults, 1575 cadets; total, 5508 adults, 2180 cadets. Of this t »tal there are 592 cavalry, G2O artillery, 401 engineers, 3143 rifles, and 449 naval. Large guns are now expected from England, which at our chief seaports will be handed over to the artillery volunteers, and a certain number of guns will become available for corps at other places. It appears probable that when these new large guns reach the colony, there may be a difficulty in obtaining a sufficient number of instructors competent to teach the several corps the use of these pieces of ordnance. But this difficulty can be got over, should it be required, by inviting one or two qualified persons, now at Sydney, to complete the staff of artillery instructors. THE HUNGRY EYES OF OUR NEIGHBORS. Mr Montgomery to-day, referring to the statement by Mr Whitaker with reference to the 20 per cent, of land fund, said the hon. member appeared in ignorance that Canterbury land had cost two pounds an acre, while land in other parts of the colony cost perhaps ss. The money derived from the land fund was already allocated for the maintenance of roads and bridges. Some members of the House were actuated by political cupidity iu seeking to rob other wealthy districts. ASHBURTON HICIH SCHOOL. The Bill introduced by Mr Wason, to establish an Ashburton High School, is similar to Timavu High School Bill. The eleventh clause contains a proviso to the following effect: — " Provided that all real and personal estate, which may be purchased by the Board, orgranted as a site or sites for a High School, devised, bequeathed, or given to the said Board for the benefit of the Ashburton High School, without any trusts of a sufficient nature being expressed, shall be held by the Board upon trust for the general purposes of this Act. Clause sixteen omp wers the Commissioners to select out of reserves for secondary education in the Provincial District of Canterbury, such land as will give an annual income of .£250. THE GOVERNMENT DEFEAT. It has transpired that yesterday Sir G. Orey was in great trepidation, and had so lost his nerve, owing to the withdrawal of the Beer ard Joint-Stock Companies Tax Bills, that he was anxious to withdraw the Eradication of Scab in Sheep Bill as well. He would, in fact, have done this, in fear of meeting with opposition from the lando I interest in the House, had renot been over-persaaded by his colleagues and tli > Government supporters. I have this on good authority from ono to whom Sir G. Grey himself spoke urgirg itl withdrawal.

PROSPECT OP PROROGATION. There siiil remains a large quantity of work to he got through, and the prorogation is not expected for ten days or a fortnight more. Several motions are blocking the way of going into committee of supply Though there will bo no formal opposition, it is expected that the Government will not after their late demoralising defeat carry anything through without some difficulty. WAITABA MEETING. The papers which were some time back promised have been to-day laid on the table of the House. The document, however, which is very bulky, consists of nothing else but the special correspondence of the Auckland " Star," Auckland "Herald" and "New Zealander" newspapers. LYTTELTON HARBOR BILL. The Ly ttelton H arbor Board Amendment Act as passed by the legislative Council repeals section 43 of the Act of 187(3, and in lieu thereof empowers the Board to borrow and raise in the manner prescribed by the former Act any sum or sums of money, not cxcecdinglin the whole ,£200,000, and all such sums shall lie applied to the purposes mentioned in the said 43rd section, provided that no claim of any holder of debentures under this Act shall attach to or be paid out of the public revenues of New Zealand or by the General Government thereof. The new clauses and schedule are as follows : 3. Notwithstanding anything heroin before contained, if any Act shall be passed by the General Assembly in the present session prescribing the terms, manner and conditions upon and subject to which Harbor Boards may borrow money, then the moneys hereby authorised to be borrowed shall be borrowed and raised only in accordance with the provisions of such Act. 4. The Lyttclton Harbor Board shall for harbor purposes, and for purposes of harbor works with respect to the streets and roads described in the schedule, have all the powers of taking roads, streets, and lands which a Road Board has under the Public Works Act. 1876, or any Act amending the same, of taking lands for public works. Schedule—All that portion of Godley Quay and of the beach road commencing at the southeast corner of town section No. 231, and extending along that quay and road to the southeast corner of that portion of rural section No. 217, occupied as a domain and recreation reserve, also the cross street leading from Godley Quay to Brittan terrace. JACKSON'S BAT SETTLEMENT. A deputation, consisting of several members of both Houses, waited on Mr Macandrew today with reference to the sole appointment of Dr. Giles as Commissioner to inquire into the past management of Jackson's Bay settlement. Dr. Giles is supposed to have left Hokitika for Christchurch this morning. T.e deputation urged that a Royal Commission should be appointed, and that the inquiry should not decide entirely upon one person ; that it should beheld on the spot, and commence (irstat Hokitika, with the view of ascertaining how the funds were actually expended in the settlement. A number of affidavits have been made setting forth the treatment received by + .he settlers from Mr Macfarlane, the resident agent. Mr Macandrew said he would confer with Mr Stout on the subject, and possibly the course suggested by the deputation would be agreed to. The deputation urged the cxpediency_ of appointing Judge Ward to act with Dr Giles, and suspending Mr Macfarlane pending the result of the enquiry. Mr Macandrew promised that an answer would be given on these points to-moi-row.