PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2261, 1 July 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PBBSS ASSOCIATION TKLEGBAM.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, June 30. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Beplying to the Hon. Dr. Menzies, The Hon F. Whitakbb said the Government were considering the question of altering the constitution of the Council, but had arrived at no final determination, and would not until the financial statement had been disposed of, finance taking all the Governmeot's'time at present. Beplying to the Hon. Dr. Menziet. The Hon. F. Whitakbb said that Government would not introduce a Bankruptcy Bill this year, but if the joint committee whioh dealt with the question last year would consider the new English Bill just received, and introduce a Bill based on it, he would do his best to help pass it. The Banks and Bankers Act, 1880, Amendment Bill (Hon. F. Whitakor) was read a first time, and the Gaming and Lotteries Bill a second time. At three the Council adjourned till Tuesday.

HOUSE OF BEPBEBENTATIVES. Thursday, June 30. BEPOBTS. Tho report of tho petitions committee on Mio petition of tho widow of the late Judge Mansford was produoed by Mr Kelly, recommending that a balance of £487 10s be paid, less £222 4s paid to Judge Mansford as compensation for loss of office in 1867, but not refunded by him when he was reappointed. The report on tho Otago Bible in Schools Association Petition was produced, refusing to recommend the prayor thereof. QUESTIONS. Beplying to Mr Wright, The Hon. J. Hall said that he know of no circumstance to justify tho question calling upon Government to explain why, under the railway tariff, a truck load of timber being charged lOd per mile for the first seventy-five mile and reduoed to 2Jd per mile tho next 158 miles, the oharge is then doubled by being raised to 5d per mile for any further distance. Beplying to Mr Bueseil, The Hon. W. Kollkston said that a Bill for the purpose of creating a new land district on the East Coast, conterminous with tho registration of titles districts, to be under the control of a Waste Lands Board, holding its sittings on the East Coast, would be introduced. Beplying to Mr Hamlin, The Hon. Major Atkinson said that orders had been given providing for the enlargement of a boatman's house at tho pilot station, Manukau Heads. Beplying to Mr Hamlin, The Hon. Major Atkinson stated that a sum would be plaoed on the estimates to have the south channel inside the Manukau harbor buoyed. Beplying to Mr Saunders, The Hon. J. Hall said that enquiries would be made as to the cost of getting a professional opinion regarding the best site for the erection of a bridge over tho Waiau river, and the probable cost of the same. Beplying to Mr Saunders, The Hon: J. Hall said that in preparing the Bill for the redistribution of seats ho would do bis best to give effect to a petition from the inhabitants of Eaikoura, praying that that district may not be united with Wairau for electoral purposes. Beplying to Mr Levistam, The Hon. J. Hall said that proposals were under consideration for securing a Resident Magistrate at Nelson whose services would be available whenever required.

Kbplying to Air J. B. Fisher, The Hon. J. Hall said that inquiry would be made into the probable coat of making " Cumin's Index to the Laws of New Zealand " a Government publication, upon the terms that Ournin shall be paid all profit after dofraying the cost of printing and publishing. Keplying to Mr Beid, The Hon. J. Hall said that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill this session dealing with sentences remissions, powers of gaolers, punishments, &s., and other general prison reforms. MEW BILLS. Leave was granted to Sir G. Grey to introduce a Bill providing for the establishment of a better system of local self government. The Bill was read a first time, and on the motion that its second reading he fixed for July 13th, he explained that he had purposely fixed on a distant date, as he was anxious to afford the Government an opportunity for stating what they proposed doing in the matter, a promise having been given that they intended taking action in regard to it. In reply to a question put by the Premier, Sir G. Gbbt said that he would lay the draft on the table so soon as he was informed what the Government financial proposals were to consist of. Sir W. Fox argued that as the date fixed for the second reading was an exceptionally distant one, it was only fair to the House that members should have an opportunity for perusing the measure at as early a dato as possible. The Hon. W. Bollbston asked Iho Speaker whether notice having been given and the Bill read a first time, it was not before the House, and as such members ought to have access to its contents. The Speaxbe replied that the rule was that so soon as the drafts were handed to the clerk they were printed and put into circulation. That was the usual course, end he saw no reason why the usual rule should be departed from. The following Bills were likewise introduced and read a first time : —To Amend the Mining Companies Act, 1872 (Mr Beeves) ; To Enable the Kaikouru County Council to Beolaim Land from tho Sea in the Harbor of Kaikoura and to Invest such Lard in the said Counoil for Harbor Purposes (Mr Saunders) ; To amend the Mine Act, 1877 (Mr Finn) ; Borough of Hamilton Boundaries (Hon. T. Dick). MIBOELLAyEOUS. The Auckland Exchange of Synagogue Site Bill passed through committee, and was reported with verbal amendments, read a third time, and passed. The House went into oomraittee on the Wellington Queen's Wharf and Store Sale Bill.

On clause 2, Mr Dk Laftoxtb proposed, as an amendment, " That tho money proposed to be paid to the Council as purchase price for the wharf be devoted to the reduction of the municipal debt, and not otherwise." The House divided, that the clause as printed stand paTt of the question. Ayes, 20; noes, 24. The clause as amended was passed. Mr Hutchison said that after the change that had been made, the Bill was useless for the purpose aimed at. He moved that progress be reported. The House dividod. Ayes, 10; noes, 40. The remainder of the Bill passed, and, together with the Port Chalmers Cemetery BUI, was reported with amendments. The latter was read a third time and passed. The following Bills, passed through committee, were read a third time and passed : Port Chalmers Cemetery, Port Chalmers Drill Shed, Oamaru Harbor Board. Mr Mobs moved—" That the House will on Wednesday, resolvo itself into committee to ' consider an address to his Excelloncy, asking him to place upon the estimates o cum of £IOSO, olaimed by H. W. Farnall for servioes rendered and money expended in the performance of his duties as Immigration Agent in Belfast, for the province of Auckland and for tho colony." The debate was interrupted by tho 5 30 adjournment. EVENING- SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. BMALI POX AT DDNEDIN. Mr Shkimski asked without DOtice whether it was the intention of the Government to quarantine or otherwise fumigate the members who had gone on a visit that day to Dunedin in view of the small pox outbreak reported from that locality. The Hon. W. Johnston replied that the question was one which will have to be dealt with by tho Board of Health, and Government had ao power to interfere. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr M±candbbw moved the lecond reading of the Otago University Beserves Vesting Bill. The motion was carried. The remaining orders of tho day were postponed on the understanding that none of the oppcued motions should be gone on with. TLe following were then pnt and passed:— M>* Thomson —That there be laid before the House a copy of the estimates of last

I year, with an additional column showing in the case of each item the amount actually expended. Mr Htxtchisoh— That a committee bo appointed to enquire what amendments should be introduced into shipping legislation ; to report within a month. Mr Macandbew—That it is expedient that the House be informed what steps Government propose to take towards deepening the approaoh to the new railway pier at Port Chalmers, so that the said pier may be available for shipping. Mr Jones—That there be laid before this House any communication which may have passed between the Otago Waste Lands Board's auctioneer and the Commissioner of or any othor official or psrsons connected with the Board concerning the sale of Crown lands whioh took place at Oamaru on 10th November, 1880. Mr Hibst —For a return of the total cost of construction of the first section of the Lumsdon line. Mr Sheimski —That there be laid before the House copies of correspondence whioh passed between Mr Macandrew, when Minister for Public Works, tho Agent-General, and some ship-buildiag firms in Auckland relative to the establishment of a direot steam Bervice between Great Britain and New Zealand. Mr MoNTOoatBET—For a return showing the messages sent from the telegraph stations at whioh the extra oharge of 6d per message was imposed during the time the extra charge was enforced, together with the amount of revenue derived from such messages. Bir G. Gubx—For copies of correspondence relating to the transfer of or removal from office of all judicial officers since the close of last session. The House adjourned at 8.40.