GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1800, 27 November 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBBB 26. The following Bill was read a second time: —BUI for Compiling an Edition of the Enactments in force in New Zealand of a Public and General Nature. - , A large number of local Bills wereadvanoed * The** Miners Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Council rose at 810.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIYES. "Wbdnksday, November 26. The House met at 2 30. jIKI ABTS OOPYBI6HT BILL The Fine Arts Copyright Bill was reported from the Legislative Council, with amendments, and an amendment providing that a copy Bhould be deposited in the library of the Legislature was objected to by Sir G. Grey as the commencement of a vicious step. Mr Hiblop objeoted to the House being asked to agree to amendments they had not «en. , The debate on the amendments was adjourned for one week. QUESTIONS. Mr Rbbvbs asked Ministers if during the recess they will institute inquiries with a view to establishing some schools of mines in the colony. Mr Rolxbbton said Bohools were to be «3tablished at Ghristchuroh and Otago according to a provision made last year. He believed progress had been made in that direction. Mr Gisbobnb asked the Minister in Joharge of the Marine Department if he will allow the white light on the flagstaff at Okarito on the West Coast of the Middle Island to be continued. Major Atkinson said the Marine Department reported that it was useless, but if after enquiry it was found necessary it would be continued. Sir G. Gbby asked the Government if they will make provision on the Supplementary estimates for a drill hall for Thames Volunteers in the same manner as they made for similar halls for Volunteers in other parts of the colony. The Pbbmikb said the sum of £2400 had been asked for by the officer commanding the Thames Volunteers, £I2OO for the purohase of a building, and £I2OO for converting the came into a suitable drill shed. The practice of the Government was to give pound for pound contributed by districts up to £3OO. The only oase in which this had been exceeded was in Wellington the central volunteer district of the colony, and most important. The general rule was not to exceed £3OO.

Mr Reeves asked the Government if there were any Government papers or correspondence bearing on the subject of the manufacture of ammunition and war materials in this colony? If so, would the Government lay such papers before the House. The Pbbhibb said correspondence would be laid on the table. Mr Moobhousb asked the Minister for Public Works whether it is the intention of the Government to complete the approaches to the Ashley Gorge bridge. Mr Oijvbb said a sum would be placed on the estimates to complete these approaches. In reply to a query as to what amount had been paid by the Government to Dr. Buller within the present year and up to date for services, also what is the nature of such services, and whether that gentleman's services are still retained by the Government, upon what terms and conditions, Mr Bbyce ■aid the sum paid was £621. Dr. Buller was retained as counsel in the Native land cases now going on, and was receiving £lO 10s per diem. Mr Shbimski asked the Government whether Mr W. J. Hurst, mentioned in the estimates for the present year, class 1 in the Colonial Secretary's department, as entitled to £B4 for services rendered as chairman to Auckland Harbor committee, was the member of this House, and when the services were rendered.

The Pbbhibb said In 1877 a Royal Commission was appointed, of which Mr W. J. Hurst was chairman, and the payment was made on that account. Mr Bain asked the Minister of Lands why Crown Grants of sections 1,2, 3, 20, 21, and 22, block 49, town of Invercargill, have not been issued to Invercargill benevolent institutions, these seotions having been permanently reserved for the purpose by a proclamation in the " New Zealand Gazette" of Bth July, 1878.

Mr BoiXBBTON (aid when the _ society was incorporated the grants would be issued. Mr Finn asked the Government if they intend to erect a public gaol at Queenstown, and, if io, when. Mr Boilbston said consideration was necessary as to these district gaols. In this cate tenders had been called, but a question had been properly raised by the late Government, and, so far as he could ascertain, the gaol was not considered necessary, but inquiry would be made. Mr Ptltok asked the Minister of Public Works why the sum of £3OOO, voted under the Immigration and Publio Works Appropriation Act, 1878, being vote No. 87, item 34, for roads and bridges across the Taieri, to open 27,000 acres, has not been expended, and whether the Government are prepared to place that sum on the estimates for the same purpose for the current financial year. Mr Olitbb {said the reason was that the railway works were not sufficiently advanced to enable the work to be proceeded with. Mr Rkbvks asked the Minister of Mines if it is the intention of the Government to appoins an Inspector of Mines for the West Caast of the Middle Island. Mr Oijvbb said the coal mines were visited, and an inspector would be appointed for gold mines. Mr Bbbvbb asked the Commissioner of Telegraphs wben he will cause the wire to be again worked from Parliament Buildings. The Prbmibb said the number of operators at disposal would not permit of it at present. Messages were s?nt and received every quarter of an hour from the lower office, and this should be sufficient for hon. members. Mr Shanks asked the Government what steps had been taken to have land at Mataura set apart for the purpose of paying for the construction of Edendale and Fortrose Bailway (being about 43,000 acres) surveyed into suitably sized sections and thrown open for sale ; also, if they will be prepared to place a considerable portion of the land in the market under the deferred payment system. Mr Boxmbton said the land should not be sold until the railway gave it additional value; that was the arrangement made. Mr McCattghait asked the Minister for Public Works if the Otautau and Nightcaps railway was let to a bone, fide contractor, if any deposit was paid, and if he will lay the contract before the House. No progress has yet been made with the contract. Mr Olitbb said the contract was let to a Mr Smith, and he would be compelled to go on with it. Mr Finn asked the Minister of Lands the cause of the delay in throwing open certain agricultural land at the head of Lake Waka- j tipu. Mr Bolmston said no delay would ensue in doing so as soon after Parliament rose as possible. NOTICES. Mr J. T. Pishbb gave notice to ask the Government to make provision for the accommodation of his Excellency when he should visit Ohristchurch and Dunedin. Mr Pyke gave notice to ask if the services of Dr. Buller can be dispensed with without injury to the community. CONSTITUTION ACT AMENDMENT. Leave was given to Sir George Grey to introduce a Bill to amend the New Zealand Constitution Act, 1852. Mr Boweit asked that the hon. gentleman should indicate the nature of the amendment. The Pbbmieb concurred in the suggestion. Mr Bollbbton said the nature of the change should be stated at once. Mr Shebhan said the course pursued by the hon. gentleman was the common practice of the House. Until a Bill was ordered to be printed it was usually only a blank sheet of paper. Sir G. Gbbt said he did not think he should be compelled to make a short statement until the Bill was printed. It was now drafted, ready for printing, and would be before the House at once. This objection should have been made when the Bill was read a first time. The Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be printed. GOVEBNMENT BUSIHEBB. Mr Hall moved—" That for the remainder of the session tho House sit on Mondays at hilf-paafc seven for the transaction of Government business, and • that on Thursdays GoTwssQont business should have pmoedsßoe."

The motion was carried. THB BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. Mr Dick asked leave to withdraw the notice of motion in his name on tho ground that it was too late in the session to do justice to it, namely :—" That in the opinion of this House provision should be made, subject to a time table and conscience clause, whereby the Bible shall be read daily in public sohools without comment." GOLD MINING ENCOTJBAGBMBNT. Mr Finn moved—" That the House will, on Wednesday, resolve itself into Committee of the whole to consider a respectful address to be presented to the Governor, praying that his Excellency will cause a sum of £IOO,OOO to be placed on the estimates for the purpose of encouraging gold mining industries within the colony of New Ze-land." A division was taken, with the following result:—Ayes, 26; noes, 32. The motion was therefore negatived. COMMISSION ON ADMINISTBATION. Mr Mtjbbay moved that a Commission of five persons be elected by ballot to investigate the manner in which the public services of the colony are conducted, and to take evidence upon oath, and to report to Parliament next session how, in their opinion, the administration and departmental business of the colony may be so systematically organised and conducted as to secure efficiency and economy suited to the requirements and within the means of the colony." He did not expect at this late period of the session to do anything in the matter, but wished to place the motion on record in order that aotion might be taken upon it at a future date. Mr Shbehan suggested its withdrawal. The Pbemieb concurred in the suggestion, and promised to give the matter consideration and afford every taoility for future inquiry. Mr Maoandbbw said the matter must be dealt with by the Government of the day, for very little good would arise from any commission. Mr Mtjbbay received permission to withdraw the motion after the expression of opinion. COUNTY ENDOWMENTS. Mr Gbobgb moved that the House, on Wednesday, resolve itself into Committee of the whole, to consider an address to his Excellency praying that 20,000 acres of land in Rodney County be set aside for the purpose of constructing roads in the said county. Mr Rolleston hoped the mover would content himself with placing the motion on record, pending proposals with regard to this subject to be laid before the House in a few days. Mr Seddon hoped the House would go into Committee, to consider the advisability of granting endowments to County Counoils the same as to boroughs, and would move an amendment to that effect.

Mr Macandbbw supported the amendment, in order that the grants might be general. Mr Pykb said the motion was similar to one carried last session, which the Government then said they did not intend to give effect to. He congratulated the member for Port Chalmers on his conversion to this view of the matter.

Mr Georob accepted the amendment. The Pbbhibb said it would have no practical result. He doubted whether it would be economical or expedient to provide these endowments,. because money was what was wanted, and in many cases the land would be sold to provide it. Mr Habbis thought consideration of the subject should be postponed until the Public Works statement was brought down. If that was not satisfactory he should support the amendment. It was presumptuous to bring forward such a motion when the whole matter had been settled by a committee of the House. On the motion of Mr Shbehan the debate was adjourned for a fortnight. NEW STANDING OBDBB. Mr Macandbbw moved—" That it be an instruction to the Committee on Standing Orders to consider and report as to the expediency of adopting a new Standing Order whioh shall provide that in the event of this House not being adjourned before the hour of midnight it shall stand adjourned at half-past twelve, without question; public business under consideration to stand adjourned to the following day ; and in the event of the House being in committee of the whole, the committee to stand adjourned at half-past twelve without question put, the chairman to report to the Speaker at next sitting of the House." The Pbbhibb This would, if strictly adhered to, have the effect of prolonging a session usually occupying three months to five months. Mr Macandbbw said it was cruelty to endeavor to keep working from two until six o'clock next morning. Tne country did not want them to make slaves of themselves. The motion was carried. BBDT/CTIONS IN BALABIBS. Mr Rebvbs moved —" That in the opinion of this House all salaries of civil servants amounting to £2OO and over should be reduced 5 per cent, and that the salaries of Ministers, and members' honorarium should be reduced 10 per cent." He asked permission of the House to withdraw the motion, expressing a desire that the Government should take action in the direction indicated without a hard-and-fast rule being laid down. Mr Geoege objected to the withdrawal, and moved an amendment that members of the civil service should be reduced by 10 per cent, of their salaries. The debate was interrupted by 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. GOLD*IBLDS COHHIXXBB'S BBTOBT. The House resumed on the Order of the Say, Committee of the whole House to consider the question—" That this House does concur in the report of the Goldfields' Committee upon the petition of Richard Reeves and others, of Charleston and Westport, Nelson South-west goldfields, and recommends the Government to make provision accordingly." The Pbbhibb said this meant an expenditure of £II,OOO on a. water race, whioh he regretted to say the Government could not support. He objected to the Committee assuming administrative functions. Mr Macandbbw said half the interest on the advance was to be paid by the Buller county, and would be stopped out of subsidies, and the other half would be repaid out of proceeds. The expenditure had been promised, and it would be a breach of faith not to sanction it. Mr RbbtbS said he was not surprised at the words of the Premier, who Beemed to know nothing of the matter. If the Government would accept the recommendations of the goldfields committee in the matter, they would do better than if they took the advioe of their own officers.

Mr J. B. FISHBB »upported the motion. Mr MtrßßAYpointedoHtthe losses sustained through the various water races. Messrs De Latour, Gisborne, and Sir G. Grey supported the motion. The Pbkhibb said the promises of the late Government were sown broadcast, and Ministers intended to repudiate those made without authority and illegally. No Government had a right to step outside the Appropriation Act, and, so far aa they were concerned they had not the money to expend. This and other works must wait until they were better able to approve of them. Mr Riohabdbon suggested that the motion should be withdrawn until the public works statement was before them, and until they knew what amount was available. Mr Sedhon said that the increased number of men employed through this race would be quite sufficient to guarantee interest. The question was put and a division taken, the result being—Ayes, 31; noes, 26. The motion was therefore adopted. BLAUSHTBB HOUSE ACT. The Slaughter Houses Act, 1867, Amendment Bill was committed. After considerable discussion, progress was reported and leave given to sit again on Wednesday. TABANAKI IBON WOBKS. The second reading of the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Act, 1874, Amendment Bill was moved by Mr Bailancb, who said the object 'of the Bill was to give to a defunct company 5000 acres of laud promised as a bonus on certain conditions, some of which had not beon fulfilled. After considerable discussion, the second reading was oarried on the voices, and the Bill ordered to be referred to the Waste Lands Committee, after a division had been taken on the latter point, the ayes being 27, and the noes 22. Major Atxikbon pointed out that the land proposed to bo dealt with was Crownland, and an informality had been committed in the matter of reference to the Waste Lands Committee. BILLS PASSED. The Marlborough Eivers District Bill was committed, read a third time, and passed. The Bating Act, 1876, Amendment Bill No. 2, was read a third time and pawed.