GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1811, 10 December 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, December 9. After the routine matters were disposed of, and a large number of members bad given notice to move for leave of absence, there was a debate for the third time on the case of Mr Jackson. On the motion for the adoption of the Petitions Committee’s report, which stated that Mr Jackson had done nothing which justified his dismissal from the service, about a dozen members spoke from all possible points of view, the debate lasting for an hour and a half, and lapsing for the day at four o’clock, when, by the rule of the Council, the orders of the day were proceeded with. Eirst readings —A number of Bills from the Lower House were read first time. Second reading—The Bating Act Amendment Bill. Third reading—Auckland Loans Consolidation Bill, the Harbors Act Amendment Bill, and the Otago Hoads Ordinance Amendment Bill. On the motion for the second reading of the Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, the debate was adjourned for a fortnight, on the plea that the measure was too important to deal with so late in the session. The Council adjourned from 5 till 7 30. EVENING SITTING. The whole of the evening sitting was in Committee on the Lands Act Amendment ■Bill. Many amendments were made in the measure, the most important being that the clause allowing optional residence by deferred payments selectors, was struck out after an hour’s debate, by 16 to 5. The Council adjourned at 11. HOUSE OF BEPBESENTATIVK3, Tuesday, December 9. The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS, In replying to Mr J. B. Fisher, Mr Oliver -said inquiry would be made into the working of the Stamp Foe Act, and if inconvenience to the public arising therefrom was lound to be greater than the advantage to the revenue the Government would revert to the ordinary • circulating medium in payment of the fees of Court. Replying to Mr Bain, Mr Rollebton said the lease of the Auckland Islands expired last month. Mr Bain asked if Ministers would recognise the deputation of Lincolnshire farmers now on the way to New Zealand, for the purpose of inspecting land, by affording facilities for visiting various parts of the colony. Mr Rollkston replied in tho negative, but stated that the Government had already given orders to Crown Lands Commissioners and other officers to afford every possible facility. Replying to Mr McDonald, Mr Rolleston said he was not aware of any power the Government had to grant a bush reserve to settlers of Opotiki, so that they may acquire firewood free of all charges. Bepljing to MFHamlin, Mr Rollebton' said the Government did not intend to direct the district engineer in Auckland to make a survey daring the recess of the line of railway from Pukekoe to Waiuku. Mr Beeves asked the Minister of Justice if he will instruct James Mackay, Esq., Acting B.M. at Greymouth, to institute inquiries re the dismissal from tho Civil Service of Christopher J, Frank, formerly clerk to the B.M. Court, and gold receiver at No Town, Grey Valley. Mr Rollebton said he saw no reason for reopening tho question as decided by the Governor in Council. Replying to Sir George Grey, Mr Rollebton said it was not true that Te Puke block had been disposed of to any persons. Replying to Mr Barron, Mr Rollebton said the Government had no objection to lay before the House, before the further consideration of the Otago Harbor Board ing Bill, a copy of the order made by his Excellency the Governor in Council on 29fch of October, 1875, sanctioning tho use and occupation by Otago Harbor Board of certain lands fronting Anderson’s Bay road. Mr Hamlin asked the Government whether any action has been taken in regard to the report of the Native affairs committee, made on 17ch August, 1877, on the petition of Tapa te Whaka, and if no action had been taken, whether the Government were prepared to give effect to the recommendation therein contained. ~M~ - Bryce said difficulties had arisen in tho way of carrying out the report, but the matter would be carefully investigated by the Government. Replying to Mr Harris, .Mr Oliver said the Government would not grant the prayer of the petitioners in the ■petition of 274 settlers and others in Auckland provincial district that a bridge be erected across the Tamaki River, which petition was referred to them by the Public Petitions Committee on the 24th November. The want of funds compelled them to take that course. Mr Hutchison asked the Minister of Education if he will give effect to a suggestion in last annual report of the Wellington Education Boards on the of providing that inspectors shall be appointed by, and be under the control of the Education Department, instead of by and of the Boards. Mr Rollebton said at present the suggestion could not be dealt with. Mr Fulton asked the Government whether they will during the recess, devise some method for the more speedy apprehension and punishment of those who, deserting their wives and children, leave them a burden upon the charity of the public, and whether they will endeavor to secure united action with the neighboring Australian colonies in this matter. Mr Hall promised that the suggestion would be favorably considered by the Government. Mr Fulton asked the Minister of Justice what further provision is proposed to be made for the accommodation of children committed o Caversham Industrial School, seeing that that institution has now its full complement of 341 inmates. Mr Rollebton replied he was aware of the injustice in mixing the orphan and criminal children together. Tho Government would see what could be done for separating these institutions so as to admit of a better classification. In the meantime it was necessary that the attention of magistrates should be directed to certain irregularities in the committal of children to these institutions. Replying to Mr Swanson, Mr Hall said tho Chinese Immigration Regulations Bill was one they desired to see passed this session, Mr Fulton asked what steps Ministers proposed to take towards providing accommodation at Caversham Benevolent Institution for incurable patients from Dunedin Hospital. Mr Hall said that a sum of £I2OO would be required for the purpose, and at present the Government could not make such prevision. Replying to Mr Finn, Mr Olives said the Government did not consider it necessary to take steps towards proclaiming a railway station between Athol and Kingston, on the Winton and Kingston line. Replying to Mr Finn, Mr Rollebton said the Government had not taken steps towards the erection of a lock-up in Queenstown. Mr Ireland asked if the Government had succeeded in making arrangements for the completion of the Tapanui railway, and when the work was likely to be finished ; also if it is the intention of the Government to erect a Court-house at Wakaia, as petitioned for by residents of that locality. Mr Olives replied that tho Government had not attempted to make any arrangements. They intended to ask the sanction of the House for that purpose. With regard to the second part of the question, the Resident Engineer had been asked to report upon the subject. Replying to Mr Reeves, Mr Oliver promised to lay before the House a statement showing tho salaries of the wardens of Otago goldfields, and the amount paid each from the Treasury for travelling and all other expenses for the year ending 30lh September, 1879 ; also’ of the number of cases adjudicated upon by each as resident magistrate and warden for the same period. Tk Whboro asked what lauds were given as security for the loans from England, and whether Maori lands wore included. Major Atkinson said Maori lands were not given any more than those of Europeans. Replying to To Wheoro, Mr Bryce said the Government would not undertake to bring in a Bill to provide that in future roads could not be enforced through Native lauds that were Grown granted. Mr Shephard asked if the Government will make provision for paying the present rate of subsidies to local bodies for the quarter ending 30th J one, 1860,

' they could not make Major Atkinson said . M be the duty of the promise asked. It wot>-~ wn a general the Government |to bring - #o)> -sion. proposition on tho subject nC' x " Replying to Mr George, t wou ld not Mr Hall eaid the Gorernm*. <ktoa gum place on the supplementary estim. service of £BO for subsidy for weekly steam between Helenavillo and Ta'dion, -; neg Mr Reeves asked tho Minister for M. -, 0 if he will causa instructions to be given to tu Warden of Grey Yalley to inquire into- and report on tho claims of Arthur Ellis and party for compensation for loss alleged to- be sustained by them in consequence of the wrong action of the late Warden for the district, Mr E. Shaw, and if he will order such inquiry to take place on the spot ? Mr Oliver replied that the matter had been enquired into, and a report furnished that the party in question had no good claim. Mr Reeves asked if it was true that no tender had been accepted for the conveyance of mails between Westport and Reefton ; also, if it was true that tenders for a packhorse system had been called for between these two important towns. Mr Hall replied that this was one of those oases to which it was felt retrenchment ought to be applied. Hence a paokhorse service was accepted. Replying to Mr Reeves, Mr Hall said at present the Government would not be justified in undertaking a paokhorse mail service between Waiau and Ahaura. Replying to Mr Reeves, Mr Rollebton promised to consider the necessity for the periodical removal of wardens of goldfields once at least every three years. Mr Harris asked the Government— (l) Whether they are responsible for damage to fences caused by sparks from locomotives on the Now Zealand Rad ways. (2) If they will cause inquiries to be made into several claims made by settlers in Franklin against Government for compensation for damage done to their cattle by locomotives on the Auckland and Waikato railway, with the view of redressing their grievances. (3) If they will cause inquiry to be made into complaints of certain alleged unfulfilled promises, in regard to fencing, stated to have been made by the Government to settlers in Franklin on their giving their lands to Government for railway purposes. (4) If they will erect fencing on the AucklandWaikato railway lino where settlers can prove that the Government promised to do so. Mr Oliver replied they were advised that they wore not responsible for damage so occasioned. When cases of the kind occurred they were strictly inquired into, and when a well founded claim was established, the repairs would be made by Government. GOVERNMENT BILLS. Replying to a question put yesterday by Mr Macandrew, Mr Hall said the following was the order of business proposed by the Government, They would pass before the close of the session the following Bills : —The Customs Duties, Tobacco Manufacturers, Revision of Statutes, Property Assessment, Land Tax Collection, Building Societies Act Amendment, and Electoral Acts Repeal. Tho other Bills set down would depend on the time of the House. If time permitted, he hoped to get through the Special Powers and Contracts Bill, the Counties Bill, Public Reserves Sale Bill, and Regulation of Elections Bill. They saw no hope of proceeding with the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill. The other Bills on the Order Paper would be dropped, including the Representation Bill, Electoral Petitions Bill, Gaming and Lotteries Bill, and Alienation of Maori Lands Bill. It members would condense their speeches as much as possible, the Government hoped to be,in position to have the House prorogued not later than Tuesday. BILLS PASSED. The Revision of Statutes Bill passed through Committee, was reported, read a third time, and passed. The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, Amendment was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. SECOND READINGS. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was, on tho motion of Mr Rolleston, read a second time. The Land Tax Act Collection Bill was read a second time, on the motion of Major Atkinson. EVENING SITTING. The House reassembled at 7 30. PUBLIC WORKS BILL. The Public Works Bill, 1879, was introduced, and read a first time. After the statement had been read, Mr Macandrew said the Public Works Minister was to be complimented upon the clear and businesslike statement he had just made. He was glad to find the policy, as originally initiated, was to be carried out in its integrity. The Bill was ordered to be read a second time on Thursday. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT BILL. The House then went into committee on the Property Assessment Bill. On a motion to include steam engines in the exemption clause, tho House divided, the ayes being 37, and the noes 38. The motion was consequently lost. Sir George Grey moved as a further amendment that the words “ and machinery of every description,” be inserted. The House divided, when the ayes were 35, and tho noes 40. The amendment was lost. It was moved as a further amendment that the following be exempted—steam engines used for manufacturing purposes, steam vessels and machinery for mills and agricultural pursuits or timber industries. A division resulted as follows —Ayes 31, noes 37. The amendment was lost. Mr Seddon moved a further amendment for the exemption of all property vested in a person for purposes of charity (?). On a division the ayes were 28, and the noes 41. The next amendment by Mr Seddon was for the exemption of all property of, or vested in, persons for mining for minerals ether than gold mining, which was lost on the voices. The next amendment was for the exemption of draught horses employed for farm purposes and dairy cows. On the division the ayes were 22, and the noes 37.