HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1794, 20 November 1879, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, Noyembbb 19. miscellaneous businbsb. Mr Pike gave notice that; he would move " That the Houbo will not consent to a discontinuance of subsidies to local bodies unless some provision is made for carrying on local works." Mr Pykk asked the Minister for Public Works whether the Pullman cars recently imported are fitted with cast iron _seats_ and kerosene lamps. Whether the Minister i 3 of opinion that cast iron seats and kerosene lamps would add to the bodily comfort and safety of the passengers in the event of collision or other accident involving a general smash. Whether he will lay before the House a copy of the specification of the Pullman carriages as sent to the New York agent, together with a statement from the engineer in°charge of the Middle Island lines of the height of each tunnel on Chriatchurch-Invor-caTgill railway, also the height of the carriages as imported. Mr Olives said the cars were so fitted, but what injury would ensue in case of accident he did not feel called on to surmise. He would lay on the table the papers asked for if Mr Tolb asked the Minister of Justice, the Government will make provision for the equalisation of the salaries of gaol officials throughout tho colony. The Govebnmbnt admitted that there was a want of uniformity in the salaries, and provision would be made to equalise them. Mr GISBOBNE asked the Native Ministor if the Government will, during the present session, bring in a Bill to amend the existing Native land purchase system. Mr Bbycb said the Government were anxious to amend the law relative to land purchase, but he was afraid time would not allow of it this session. Mr Gisbobne asked the Colonial Treasurer to what specific American Act he referred when in tho financial statement he asked the Houso to impose a property tax. Major Atkxnson replied that he referred to a New York Statute of 1879. Mr Mubbay asked the Minister of Works if he will lay before tho House the report of the engineer on the Brighton-Kaitangata and Outram Clarendon railway. It was promised that the report should be laid on the table. Tainui aßked the Native Minister if the Government will bring in a Bill empowering the issue of Crown grants for the Greymouth Native reserves, and other reserves on tho West Coast of the Middle Island, in accordance with tho adjustment made by Commissioner Young; if not will he state the reasons for withholding the said grants. Mr Bbyce said ho had been advised that no such Bill was necessary, as the powers sought existed under tho present law. One reason for withholding the Crown grants was that the sub-divisions had not been oompleted. Mr Shanks asked the Government what steps they intended to take with a view to supplying tho Volunteer Artillery batteries with a proper complement of field guns, and if a sum will bo placed on the estimates for tho necessary guns, and if the Governmont propose to increaso the capitation at present paid to the Artillery corps. If so, to what extent. The Government heped during the present year to supply field guns, but as to the capitation, they regretted that the financial position of the ojlony would not [permit them to reeommend the House to ngroe to it. Leave was given to Mr Ballance to introduce a Bill to amend the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Act, 1874. On the motion of Mr Tole, it was agreed that petitions from Maories should conform i to the rules of the House the same as othor i petitions. _ _ _ _ ~ On tho motion of Mr J. B. Fishbb, the t House agreed to consider to-morrow a reso--1 iution that tho House concur in the report of i theGoldfields Committee upon the petition i of Mr B. Reeves and others, i Tho motion of Mr Mubbay to cause a , Judge to inquire into the legality or other-

wise of the expenditure upon the Grahamstown reclamation and Te Aroha Railway was withdrawn, in deference to a generally expressed wish. A motion by Mr Whitakbb to placo £200,000 on tho estimates for roads aud biidges in Auckland, was deferred for a fortnight by 23 to 20. A motion for a return of persons employed in the Native Department since Ist January last, the amount paid to them, whether voted or not by the House, and whether out of loan or general revenue, was agreed to. Mr Suhon moved that thero be laid before tho House a copy of a voucher for £IOO or thereabouts paid to W. L. Rees in July or August last, on account, of legal advice on some matters on the West Coast. Also, a copy of any correspondence that may have taken place between Mr Rees Jand tho Government with reference thereto, and any legal opinion supplied to the Government. Mr Kelly raid the question involved a breach of the Disqualification Act, as Mr Rees was a member of the Hous? a! tho time.

Mr Sheehan said Mr Rees ceased to be a member of the House when the money was paid. Mr Tole moved tho previous question ; the correspondence asked for miijht involvo tho relations that ought to exist between a solicitor and client.

! Mr Bexcb said, as far as ho knew, Mr Rees ' had supplied tho Government with no legal opinion, and no correspondence of the kind mentioned had taken placo. Mr Bowen submitted that any hon. member had a perfect right to ask such a question. Mr Moss complained of tho way in which tho question was put. Mr Siieehan said Mr Rees had received no money from the Government. Ho had supplied no opinion and no correspondence had taken place. What had been done was that Mr Rees had been retained and paid by tho Maori members of the Houao to defend the Native prisoners now in Wellington, The Pbemieb considered the question a proper one, as the money was paid to Mr Rees while he was a member of the House. Mr Gibbobnb said the transaction was between HoneNahe, as representing the Natives, and Mr Rees. Major Atkinson said a wrong complexion had been put on the matter. The Natives denied everything in connection with it. Ho read a letter from Dr. Buller, who is retained for the dofonca of the prisoners, complaining that Hone Nahe had paid Messrs Rees and Sievwright a retainer to act for the Natives, without the knowledge of the committee of chiefs. He urged that the matter called for inquiry. The previous question was then put and carried. On the motion of Mr McLean, it was ordered that correspondence relative to the refusal to grant the use of tho Hinemoa to Lord Normanby bo laid before the House. Mr Obmond moved for a return of all lands disposed of on deferred payments to each provincial district since the passing of the Land Act, 1877, the return to specify tho acreage of each selection, the price paid, where situate, and what expenditure was incurred (if any) in opening such lauds for occupation. The motion was carried. Mr Hamlin mov.d that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the claims of members of tho late Auckland Defence force, and report to the House within three weeks. Carried. Mr Satjndbbb moved for a Select Committee to enquire into and report upon the use alleged to have been made by the late Government of Government steamers, railways, and telegraphs, for influencing the late elections. The previous question was moved as an amendment and carried. Mr Mtjbkay moved—" That a committee be appointed to enquire into the grants of free passes on Government railways, and to report if in their opinion there should be any alteration, or if free passes should be abolished, and in lieu thereof time or other special tickets should be issued at reduced rates." Carried. Mr Reid moved—" That a Select Committee be appointed to enquire into and report to the House upon the expediency of diverting the proposed line of railway between Hokitika and Greymouth in order that it may pass through the Kumara, Goldsborough, and Stafford Town." Carried. The House adjourned at 5.30 p m.

EVENING SITTING. PAYMENT or MBMBBBS. On the House resuming at 7.30 it wont into committee on the Payment of Members' Bill, which fixes the payment of expenses by statute on the same scale as at present in force. LOCAL BIIIS. On the motion of Mr Sbymoub the Marlborough Rivers District Union Bill was read a eecond time. On the motion of Mr Macandbew the Otago University Reserves Leasing Bill was read a second time. COUNTY OP TIMABU. The adjourned debate on the question that the proposed now county of Timaru should not be constituted was resumed. An [amendment by Mr Hall —" That the propoeed county should not come into operation until the close of next session" was carried on a division. bating act. Tho Rating Act 1876 Amendment Bill was No. 2 w«a considered in Committee without amendment, and the third reading fixed for Wednesday next. ETIDEMIC AMONG MAOBI3. Tamoana called the attention of the Government to tho epidemic ragiDg iu his district, and asked that something might be done. Mr Bbycb promised that attention should be given to the matter. AUCKLAND IMPBOYEMBNT COMMIS3IONBB3. The Auckland Improvement Commissioners Transfers of Powers Bill was further considered in Committee, and reported without amendment. LICENSING BILL. On the Licensing Further Amendment Bill being considered in Committee, The Pbemieb stated that the Government did not purpose making any re-adjustment in licensing this session. The further consideration of the Bill was deferred. MISCELLANEOUS. The High School Endowment Investment Bill was read a second time, provoking a deal of discussion. The District Courts Act, 1858, Amendment Bill was further considered in committee, some slight alterations wore made, after which it was read a third time and passed. The House went into committee on the Miners Rights Fees Reduction Bill, introduced by Mr Pyke. Members seemed to think that if the reduction took place it should do ao all over the colony, and that the J*ativc3 at Grahamstown should not suffer anylosß, but that the Government Bhould make up the difference. Mr Pske pointed out that the Bill would not affect Native lands. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. The Land Claims Arbitration Bill was brought on for second reading, and adjourned for a fortnight. _ Tho House went into committee on the Hamilton Volunteer Hall Site Act Amendment Bill, which passed through its several stages, and was reported with amendment. The Mines Act, 1877, Amendment Bill was committed and reported with amendments.