GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1801, 28 November 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ] Thttbbdat, Noyembbb 27. j Replying to Mr Miller, The Attobney-Gbnebal said there were at present five emigration agents in the old . country. Mr Hollo way got £l5O a year, Mr . G. M. Reed £6OO, Mr John Bathgate £3OO, Mr A. Olayden £250, and the Rev. J. Berry , £3OO. The Southern Districts Native Sohool Bill and the Marlborough Rivers Bill were read a first time. The Qualification of Eleotors Bill was read { a third time, after an unsuccessful attempt by , Mr Wilson to allow Maori land owners in common the right to vote. The Christchurch Drillshed Bill was read a J third time, and the Waitara Harbor Bill a second time. In discussing the last Bill, an opinion was fenerally expressed that the New Plymouth [arbor Works would never succeed. The Registration of Electors Bill was read a second time, after a very short debate. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. j Thubsdat, Noyembbb 27. The House met at 2 30. PETITIONS, BEPOBTS, AND NOTICES. Several petitions and reports were presented. . _ The interim report of the Colonial industries Committee, making certain recommendations re tariff exemptions and additions was brought up. J Sir G. Gbby gave notice to move that the " report of the Election Petitions Committee re J City of Christchurch election be expuuged ! from the reoords of the House. The report of the Otago Harbor Board Petition Committee was presented. . Returns of expenditure by County Councils, ' Municipalities, and Road Boards were presented by the Premier in reply to a return aßked for by Dr. Wallis. , QUESTIONS. Mr Bowen asked the Government whether they are in a position to supply cadet corps J throughout the colony with light rifles, and if J not, whether they will take steps to do so j without delay. The Pbbmibr said a request was made three months ago for 500 Snider carbines, but ? enly Martini Henry were available. They { were waiting for a reply to an application for the former description of arms. Sir G Gbby asked the Government whe- i ther, on the Ist October, a man named J Pearson Armstrong was given into custody by the railway manager at Westport, and lodged 1 in gaol for the offence of going upon the \ the railway wharf in search of work, and will ' the Government enquire into the oase. Mr Olives said inquiry would be made into the matter. Mr Osmond asked the Government whether the system of letting the clearing and formation of the line on the NapierManawatu railway in small contract* to the i settlers residing adjacent to the railway is in- i tended to be dispensed with and the workß i let in future in large contracts; also, if the work is let in large contracts, whether any provision will be made whereby the settlers resident in the locality may obtain employjnent on the works ? .....*» Mr Olives said it was not intended to continue these contracts for clearing only; but being on the spot, settlers would no doubt have preference for work by large contractors. Mr Obmond asked the Government if they will provide for a monthly sitting of a Resident Magistrate's Court at the terminus of the Napier-Manawatu railway, and if arrangements will be made for holding a monthly sitting of the Court at Woodville ? Mr Rollbston said enquiry would be Mr J. B. Fishbb aaked the Government whether they will lay before the House a return showing the extent to whioh the revenue and expenditure of the colony are augmented by cross entries, crediting and charging the various departments of the Public Service with work done and materials provided for other departments. Major Atkinson said there were no crosß entries except in the railway department. Mr Reid aaked the Minister of Mines it the Government will fulfil a promise made by the late Government to send Professor Ulrich on a visit to Rangitoto district, in the County of Westland, in order to report on the silver mines and mineral discoveries in the locality. Mr Oiivbe said the Professor was not the servant of the Government, and not at their command. Dr. Hector had visited the district, and his report was printed. Mr Maoandbew said tho Professor's services were at the disposal of the Government Bix months out of the year, the latter paying part of his salary on that understanding. Mr Bowbn aaked the Premier whether the Government will make some provision for the maintenance of existing domains and public gardens. The Pbbmieb said there was a sum on the estimates for the purpose. Mr Wakbbibld asked the Government — sTL) Whether they have any information as to the Agent-General having taken up his residence at Falmouth ? (2.) Whether they

consider he can properly attend to his duties while residing 10 far from London ? (3) Whether they intend to insist on his abstaining from taking part in politios while retaining his present office. The Pkbmibe replied that the Government had no information as to Sir Julius taking up his abode at Falmouth. They had already answered the third question in the affirmative, and would not consider he could attend to his duties if resident so far away. Mr Andbbws asked the Government if they will cause enquiries to be made concerning the men lately unemployed, now working oik the Weka Pass railway—(l.) As to the number of single men employed, and upon whose authority ? (2.) As to the rates of pay per day and the price of work ? (3 ) As to the style of books kept and mode of bookkeeping ? Mr Olivbb said inquiries were being made on the subject. Mr Bebtes asked the Commissioner of Telegraphs what is the extra cost of keeping a staff of operators at the telegraph office, Parliament buildings. The Pbemieb said the cost would be £230 per annum, but the cost was not so muoh an object as the desirability of having everything central.

Mr J. T. Fisheb asked tho Government whether they have considered tho advisability of making provision on the supplementary estimates to provide suitable accommodation for his Excellency the Governor when ho may visit the two large centres of population, Chriftchurch and Dunedin.

The Pbbsiieb said the matter was under consideration, and an answer might be given at a later date.

Mr Fink asked the Minister of Justice if he would lay before the House all correspondence, &c, between the Government and all other persons, having reference to the erection of a publio gaol at Queenstown. Mr Bolleston said the correspondence was away at present, but would be produced. Mr Da Lautoub asked the Colonial Secretary if he has considered the petition of H. N. Warner, authorised surveyor of Auckland, forwarded to the Government some time ago; also if, in the opinion of the Government, petitioner has any claim for consideration, he will refer the petition to a Committee of the House.

The Pbemibb said there was no record of any such petition, but search would be made. Mr Finn BBked tho Government when the outstanding liabilities of the late Provincial Councils due to County Oounoils will be paid. Major Atkinson said there was nothing due from tne late Provincial Councils to County Councils. SUPPLY. A resolution, reported from the Committee of Supply, including the votes passed, was agreed to. BILL DISCHABGBD. The Special Settlements Bill was discharged from the Order Paper. DISTBICT COUBTS VALIDATION BILL. The roport on the District Courts Proceedings Validation Bill was adopted, and the Bill read a third time and passed. LOCAL SELPGOVBBNMBNT. The adjourned debate on looal self-govern-ment was called on and discharged, on the motion of Mr Sutton, who feared the session was now too far advanced to do justice to a subject of such importance. NATIVE BILL. The Marihiku Native Reserves Grants Bill's second reading was moved by Mr Bbycb. Tainut asked that the Bill be held over, as several Natives had neglected to get their names included in the transfer, and inquiry should be made. In answer to a question by Sir G, Grey, The Native Minister said it was intended to go on with the Bill this session. Sir G. Gbby objected to tho power given in the Bill to sell property. If any Native member moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, he would support him. Mohi Tawhai moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, in order that the names omitted might be included in the meantime. Mr lltjesx supported the Bill, stating that the Natives were anxious to have the title individualised. Mr Bbycb said the lands were inalienable, and it was not intended to power of alienation. Provision was made to issue Crown grants to Natives who could prove thoir claims. Sir G. Gbby pointed out that power was given to his' Excellency to make the land alienable. In answer to Mr Murray, The Native Ministeb said he did not object to have the BUI referred to the Native Affairs Committee after the second reading. The amendment was lost, and the Bill read a second time. Mr Bbycb moved the Bill be committed. Sir G. Gbby remonstrated, and said it was read a second time on the distinct understanding that it would be referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The motion to commit the Bill was withdrawn by consent, and a motion to refer it to the Native Committee was proposed and adopted. second beadinqs. The following Bills passed their seoond reading:—One Wheora Land Grant Empowering, Intercolonial Probate Bill, Admistration Bill, Leases and Sales of Settled Estate Act Amendment Bill, Imbecile Passengers Acts Extension, and Sheriffs Act, 1858, Amendment Bills. MKIIBEBB' EXPENSES BILL. On the committal of the Members of General Assembly Expenses Bill, a discussion arose. Sir G. Gbey moved—" That the Upper House be excluded from the operation of the Bill." _ „ Mr Maoandbew suggested that the Bill should be dropped rather than interfere with the Upper House, as it was proposed to give them power to interfere with the payment of members of that House. Sir G. Gbby explained that in the Bill for the Elective Council he proposed that members of the Legislative Council should be paid, but he did not approve of including them in this Bill, which was to provide for the permanent payment of members of that House. A division was taken on the question that permission be given to report progress, and ask leave to sit again. The result was—Ayes, 29 ; noes, 32. The debate was interrupted at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. MBMBBBS* bxpensbs bill. The House resumed in Committee on the Members of General Assembly Expenses Bill, and the discussion on the motion by Sir G. Grey to strike out the Legislative Council in clause 1 of the Bill was continued. It waß urged that the Lower House should be paid because they were put to the expense of elections, and the Upper House were not put to the same expense. It was also urged that the Upper House were men of large means. _ Messrs Gisborne and Reid supported this view. Mr Dice opposed, and in contradistinction | urged that the unsuccessful candidates should be considered. Sir G. Gbby contended that if such a view were taken, election contests would become a farce, because every qualified man would contest seats, if their expenses were assured. Mr Lundon expressed an uncomplimentary opinion of members of the Upper House, and said that to put a stop to this discussion he would move that the Chairman leave the chair. . A division was taken, the result being— Ayes, 30; noes, 39. The amendment of Sir G. Grey, that the words " General Assembly " be Btruck out of clause 1, and " House of Representatives" substituted, was then put and negatived by a majority. On clause 13, the question " that the Ohairman leave the chair " was again put, and a division taken as follows :—Ayes, 48 ; noes, 23. The Bill was therefore thrown out.

LAND ACT AMENDMENT. The Land Act 1877 Amendment Bill, as reported from the Waste Lands Committee, was then brought up for committal. The Bill was gone through clause by clause, and some slight amendments made. Mr Kelly called attention to the special settlement claases, which he recognised as old features. . ...... Mr ROLLBSTON pointed out that it was intended to take advantage of the state of the agricultural labor market at Home to promote these settlements. Mr Obmond advocated the formation of settlements by persons in the oolony. Colonel Tbimblb did not approve of the special settlement olauses, on the ground that good land would &nl oooupants without I giving 10s an aore commission on the settlement of the same. Mr Rollbston did not approve of the sug-

gestion, but would limit the area to be so apart to 100,000 acres in one year, so that the Assembly might have some control over the blocks bo let.

Mr Kelly objected to the introductionof the middleman in these settlements, and instanced the Bnnmhall block, in which c»bo the Government had to pay £3500 to get out of the bargain, as evidence of the evil likely to arise from such a clause.

Mr Montgoheby supported this view, and said he should oppose the clauses. Mr DbLat/toub supported the clauses as most serviceable, because of miners' settlements, and said the original sin in the case of the Broomhall block rested with the Auckland Waste Lands Board, not with the Government, he believed. Mr Macandkbw considered these the most valuable clauses of the Bill, and hoped they would not be opposed. He instanced the success of the Katikati special settlement as evidence of the usefulness of these clauses, and said Mr Stewart, the promoter, intended under the clauses to extend his settlement scheme. He would like the Land Boards to he abolished in the same legislation. It might be a large power to give Ministers, but it would be a useful one, and the proposal to restrict the quantity to 100,000 acres per annum was a good limitation. Mr Ttjbnbtoi, would limit it to 10,000 acres, and if the land was to be given away he would give it to persons in the colony. It would retard and not facilitate settlement.

Mr Colbeck opposed the clause on the ground that he had a block for sale at £1 per acre, and could not afford to give a rebate of 10s an acre, and did not approve of Government doing so. Mr Macandbew would encourage all classes to settle on the land, and did not approve of tho idea that only agriculturists should be encouraged to settle. He had seen some of the best farmers made out of Paisley weavers.

Mr Moss counselled caution in tho matter of special settlement advantages. No doubt they would be admirable, if properly managed, as tho Minister for Lands had said, but that was just what was wanted. The question of limiting the area of blocks to not more than 19,000 acres annually waß then put and carried. Mr Mttbbay proposed to add the words "to be fixed by competent valuation" after "minimum price" (in clause 25) of not less than £1 per acre. The amendment was adopted. Mr Tubnbtjlli proposed that the words " one tenth," the price to be paid by persons selecting a block within three months after the deposit of the survey plan, be altered to one half.

The debate wag continuing at the closing of the Telegraph office.