GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1788, 13 November 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, November 12. Mr Whitaker gave notice to introduce a Bill to Amend the District Law Societies Act and the Building Society’s Act. In reply to Mr Beynalds, ;Mr Whitakeb said the Government saw the necessity for legislation re indecent theatricals, but could not introduce a Bill this session owing to the press of work. Colonel Whitmobe moved for a return of public works expenditure in the counties of Wairoa, Taupo, Cook, Whakatene and Tauranga during the last year. Mr Whitakeb said the return would take much time and money, and do no good when prepared. Colonel Whitmobe withdrew his motion. lit Thorndon reclamation sale. Colonel Whitmobe moved for all correspondence relative to the extension of time of payments, so as to compare the action of both Governments in favoring their friends. The motion was carried. On the motion of Col. Whitmobe, a return was ordered of all public works expenditure in, and revenue got from, all districts of the colony during the last ten years, with the provincial liabilities taken over by the General Government, &o. On the motion of Sir F. Bell, a return was ordered of all land offered for sale in Otago since November, 1877 and revenue received therefrom. Nearly the whole afternoon was occupied in discussing the Standing Orders on local Bills, and making some alterations therein, HOUSE OF EEPBESENTATIYE3. Wednesday, November 12. The House met at 2.30. Mr Bichaedson presented a petition from Christchurch jewellers praying that duty ou jewellery imported be not increased, Mr Gkobqb gave notice to ask for a return of the import duty on sugar, spirits, and teas since September 30th. Mr leeiand asked if the Government will cause a bridge to be constructed across the Mataura, between Waikaia and the Gorge. Mr Ohveb said it was a local work, but if the railway line was proceeded with it would necessitate a bridge in connection with it. Mr McLean asked for a return slowing the amount paid to each newspaper for advertising and printing for the two years prior to September 30th. The return was supplied. Mr Ballancb asked for the opinion of the law officers respecting the conditions by which the Titanic Steel Co. are entitled to a grant of 5000 acres, and if the Government will see that such grant is made. Major Atkinson was inquiring into the matter, and would see if a return could bo supplied. Mr Babeon asked the Government if they have granted, or intend to grant, to the Otago Harbor Board half-a chain of the Anderson’s Bay road, and if so under what legal authority can such grant be issued. Mr Eolleston said no such grant had been made,>nd it was not intended to take any action in the matter. Mr [George asked the Colonial Treasurer if the promissory notes due at the beginning of this month by various persons, as part payment for the purchase of sections of the Thorndon Eeclamation, have boon paid, and if not, wby not. Major Atkinson said requests for extension of time had been made, and were granted for throe months. £7OOO was paid on the 24th ultimo. Mr Bain asked the Government whether they intend this session to introduce a Bill to suppress indecent performances in Theatres and othor places of public amusement. The Premies said something was about to be done in the other branch of the Legislature in connection with the matter. Mr Gisboenb asked the Government whether they will take steps during the recess to cause a flying exploration to bo made of the South-west Coast country between Hokitika and Jacksons Bay, and by the way of the Haast Foss into the settled districts of Otago, with a view to ascertaining its availability for a line of railway, the extent and description of Crown lands which could bo opened up for settlement, and its general mineral resources. Mr Oliveb said a survey of a portion of the line would be made. Mr Montgomery asked the PostmasterGeneral if a sum of money will be placed on the estimates for the erection of a new post and telegraph offices at Akaroa, in accordance

) with the petition of residents of that place dated Ist September. The Peehiee said a sum would be placed i on the estimates for the work, a much smaller i sum than the late Government intended to i allot. ' Mr Geoegb asked the Premier if the • Government are preparing and intend bring- ■ ing down this session a Bill for the purpose of settling the amount of honorarium to be paid to members of the Legislature. A resolution to this effect had been carried by this House. The Pbemiee said a Bill would bo brought down as soon es possible for this purpose. Mr Gibbs asked the Minister of Lands if he would submit to the House a return of the number and value of immigrants’ land orders issued by the Agent-General’s department in England, upon which to present time holders have not made their selection. Mr Rolleston said a return was in course of preparation. Leave was given to introduce the following Bills : —(Mr Oliver), Hokitika Harbor Board Endowment Act 1878 Amendment Bill; (Mr Pyke), a Bill to alter and amend the boundaries; of the Alexandra (Vincent County) Corporation Kosorve. Mr Wakefield moved that the proposed new County of Timaru should not be con. Btituted. Mr Gisboene pointed out that the petition for the now county was not legally before them, as the petition should be considered the session after the one in which it is presented. Mr Wakefield said he had taken the opinion of the Law-Officer on that point, and was told it would have to be tried before o court ef law. Under all circumstances, ho thought the motion he had to propose would prove the best way of dealing with the petition. Mr Gisboene urged that the petition was not before them legally, and they should not deal with it. Mr Tuenbull said the hon member for Geraldine was himself to blame if any irregularity had arisen, because it was upon his own resolution that the country was asked. 1 He held the resolution in Mr Wakefield’s own writing, asking for this new county. The Pbemieb said he would move that the words, “ That petition should net have been i laid before this session of Parliament,” bo inserted before the resolution. He contended that it was not wise to give effect to the peti- - tion. The facts appeared to fce that this por- > tion of the county was not satisfied with the • expenditure. He moved this addition to the ] resolution with a view of allowing the matter i to be held over until next session, which would afford time for more mature delibera- 6 tion. If they still desired to bo separated E from the other county they could then apply E on the same memorial.

Mr Shbimski moved the adjournment of the discussion on the motion for a week, which was assented to.

Mr lekland moved that, with the view of giving effect to the petition recently presented to the Government by the aettlers in Tapanui and Waikaia districts, and of enabling them to get their produce to market, Government be requested to take the necessary action to have the branch railway line from Waipati to Fourahaka bridge opened for traffic with the least possible delay. Mr O .lives could not promise anything of the kind, and under the circumstances would ask the mover to withdraw it. The tender had been accepted on certain conditions by the late Government, and they did not see their way to make the alteration. Mr McLean also urged the withdrawal of the motion, or he should be compelled to vote against it. Mr Fyes said the terms of the contract ought to be enforced. Mr Ibeland, in reply to Mr Richardson, said the contract time would expire in May next. No payment was to be made until the line is completed and handed over, Mr Mubbav moved that the terms of the contract be enforced by the Government. He would ask to add the words of the amendment to the resolution after the words “ Government be requested.” In reply to Mr Gibbs, the Minister for Works, said the full penalties were attached to the contract. Col. Thimble thought the matter should be left in the hands of the Government, to be dealt with as they thought proper. Mr Stewaet concurred in this view of the question. Mr Macandeew said the request contained in the resolution was a simple uuo, aud it u would bo complied with the work could be done within contract time, if the contractor thought proper. Mr McLean said the contractor should be compelled to fulfil the terms of the contract. He had given them trouble enough already, and had no claims for consideration. Mr Macandeew said the character of the contractor was of the highest description. He had that assurance from the engineers. After some discussion, on the recommendation of the Minister for Public Works, the amendment and resolution were withdrawn, Te Wheoeo moved—“ That the petition of Wirihana Te Kehu and others, reported on by the Native Affairs Committee in 1878, be referred back to the said Committee for reconsideration, inasmuch as fresh evidence can now be obtained affecting it.” Mr Bexcb said no amount of evidence could alter the decision arrived at in the case, or justify any further action, until the general question of compensation for losses sustained during the war was dealt with. Ho did not see that any good could arise from reconsideration of the report. The motion was carried. Mr Speight moved that the petition of Wm. Wilkinson, newspaper proprietor, reported on on 7th August last by the Special Wire Committee, and ordered to be referred to a Select Committee to be appointed this session, be dealt with by the Telegraph Committee of this House. Mr Montgojibev said he was glad this matter had been brought up, because he had a petition, which had been delayed through an informality, from Messrs Wilsons, Horton, and Beeves, who had been accused of a certain action which they wished to rebut in connection with the special wire.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. The Auckland Loan Consolidation, and Dramatic Copyright Billa were read a third time and passed. The Bating Act, 1876, Amendment Bill No. 2 was read a second time, No. 1 having been withdrawn. The Queenstown Racecourse Reserve Bill was read a second time. Mr Sheehan proposed that the Native Reserves Vesting Bill be read a second time, and referred to tho Native Affairs Committee. Tainui moved that it be road a second time that day six months. Mr Kelly could not see what good would result from the passing of this Act, or its reference to the Native Affairs Committee. Mr M'Lean thought it should be killed at once. It would create a debt equal to three Native offices.

Ts Waeoeo would like to see the Bill referred to the Native Affairs Committee, who were the proper persons to deal with it. Tomoana said he would like the Natives of the colony to know what reserves were referred to. He could support Tainui’s amendment.

Mr Bbtce said it was intended to transfer these reserves to public trustee, and so simplify the work complained of as likely to grow. Ho admitted the principle of the Bill, but would rather not see it passed into law. Sir G. Gbey spoke at length in favor of the Bill. The Bill was ordered to be read a second time this day six months. The Auckland Improvement Commissioners Teansfer of Powers Bill was ordered to bo commit led in a week’s time. Tho Waharapa Eoco-courso Bill was committed, read a third t ime, and p issed. ilho Liir.d Transfer Act Amendment Bill was then committed, and a division taken on a motion to report progress and ask leave to ait again, which was carried. Tho District Courts Act 18SS Amendment Act was committed, and some difeufsion ensued on clauses introduced by the Government. The first was :—“Tho Governor may from time to time by proclamation, as from a date to bo fixed therein, declare that any District Court shall have cognisance of felonies or indictable misdemeanours committed before or after tho passing of this Act, except treason, murder, or other capital felony, or any felony which when committed by a person not previously convicted _ of felony is punishable by penal servitude for life, or for more than fourteen years except also any of the following offences, that is to say, misprision of treason, offences against the Queen’s title, prerogative, person or Government, offences subject to the penalties of proemunire blasphemy, and offences against religion, administering or taking unlawful oaths, composing printing or

publishing blasphemous seditions or defamatory libels, unlawful combinations and conspiracies, except combinations or conspiracies to commit any offence whereof such District Court hath cognisance when committed by one person.’*

A division was taken on the clause, with the following result:—Ayes, 26 ; noes, 23, Messrs Hislof, Moss, and Sheehan remonstrated with the House on the passing of each clause giving criminal jurisdiction up to fourteen years. Progress was reported [and leave given to sit again with a view to .reconsidering the clauses.

Mr Pyke moved.the second reading of the Miners’ Rights Fee Reduction Bill, the object of which is to reduce the cost of miners’ rights from £1 to 10s. He said tho miner was the most heavily and unjustly taxed member of the community. Messrs Seddon and Reeves supported the Bill,

Mr SiEWAET-oppoßed it on the ground that m the state of the finances of tho colony, taxes should be increased instead of being ri du ;cd. Mr _ Geoege said the reduction would necessitate a payment equivalent to this reduction, so far as the Thames district was concerned, where the fees went to the Natives under an agreement. If the Treasury was not prepared to meet such a payment, and the Bill passed, and the local revenue was thus taken away from counties, it would be required to be replaced from the Consolidated Revenue, and the latter could not be continued. Theretho position was a difficult one. Mr Speight referred to the exceptional taxation of this class, and said that tho rating of mining property would be a more just equivalent. Mr Huebthouse said it was impossible to rate mining property, and the cry for a reduction of the miner’s right did not come from tho hona fide miner.

Mr Sheehan spoke in support of the reduction, and urged that an arrangement should be made to enable the Thames to receive the benefit of the reduction. Mr Reid supported the proposal. A division was called for, with the following result :—Ayes, 29 ; noes, 23. The motion was therefore carried. The motion for the Gold Duties Abolition Bill’s second reading was moved by Mr Seddon, Ho deprecated tho interference of County Councils, which had striven hard to bias members against the Bill since it was introduced. Mr Reeves said he would not oppose the second reading, but should at another stage ask the Government to abolish tho duty altogether instead of by 6d a year. Mr Mastees opposed the Bill on tho ’rounds that the revenue was required locally. A division was taken on the second reading, with the following result:—Ayes, 26; noes, 27. The House rose at 12.35.