PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2307, 26 August 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, August 25 The Council met at 2 30 p.m. The Hororata Water Race Bill was read a second time. The Hon. Captain Phaser gave notice to bring in a Bill to regulate the privileges of the Press. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds moved the second reading of the Otago Harbor Board Leasing Bill. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse moved its rejection, on the ground that it was altering for a special locality the provisions of general legislation. Several members spoke ogainst the Bill, on the same ground. The Hon. F. WhitAKBB, without pledging himself to the Bill, advocated its being allowed to reach the committee stage.

The Bill was thrown out by 15 to 13. Division list : For the Bill—Hons. G. Buckley, Holmes, G. Johnston, Lahman, Miller, Peacock, Peter, Beynolds, Scotland, Whitaker, Wigley, Williamson, Wood. Against—Hons. Brett, Chamberlain, Dignan, Fraser, Grace, Henderson, Mantell, Martin, Nurse, Pharazyn, Pollen, Bichmond, Bobinson, Waterhouse, Wilson. The Auckland Beserves Exchange and Change of Trust Bill and the Waitara Harbor Board Loan Bill were read a third time. The debate on the second reading of the Timaru Harbor Board Endowment Bill and the Hon. Q. M. Waterhouse’s amendment to. throw it out was resumed.

The Hon. F. Whitaker supported the Bill, on condition of the endowment clause being erased.

Several members spoke for and against the Bill, its opponents urging that the harbor was bound to silt up. Ou a division, the Bill was read a second time by 17 to 11, Division list : Ayes—Messrs Baillie, G. Buckley, Dignan, Henderson, Holmes, Lahman, Miller, Peacook, Peter, Pharazyn, Beynolds, Bichmond, Whitaker, Wigley, Williamson, Wilson, Wood. Noe*—Messrs P. Buckley, Chamberlain, Fraser, Grace, Mantel], Martin, Nuise, Pollen, Bobinson, Scotland. The Council rose at 4 55. HOUSE OF EBPBESENTATIYES. Thursday, August 25, The House met at 2.30 p.m, notices op motion. Sir W. Fox gave notice of motion affirming the desirableness of restricting the sale of intoxicating liquors in Bellamy’s. The Hon. J. Hall gave notice that he would introduce the Otago Dock Trust Bill, questions. Beplying to Mr Bastings, The Hon. J. Hall stated that the appointment of a Minister for Public Works was under the serious consideration of the Government, and so soon as a decision had been arrived at the fact would be communicated to the House, if in session.

Beplying to Mr Andrews, The Hon. T, Dick promised that Government would make application to the authorities in Sydney for particulars as to the number of persons attacked by smallpox in that city within the last twelve months, distinguishing between those persons who have been successfully vaccinated, those unsuccessfully vaccinated, and those who have never been vaccinated, also the mortality in each class.

Beplying to Mr Gisborne, Tne Hon. T. Dick said that Government had been advised that a prosecution would not bo likely to be sustained in respect to the miscarriage of justice stated by the Public Petitions Committee to have occurred through the negligence of a Crown Prosecutor in the case of James Johnston, and they will not institute proceedings against persons implicated for conspiracy in that case to defraud the said James Johnston. He further added that Government made a practice of avoiding such prosecutions unless the same were likely to be successful.

Beplying to Mr Gisborne, The Hon. J. Hall said that some time ago information asked by the Home authorities was supplied relative to the Native Land Court Act, 1880, since which nothing further had been heard on the subject. Beplying to Mr Murray, The Hon. T. Dick said that Dr. Skey was the analyst appointed to analyse agricultural soils and manures. Samples for analytical purposes could be sent post-free, where the sample was of a nature which could be properly transmitted by post. Beplying to Mr Beeves, The Hon. W. Kollbsxon said that after the estimates passed last session certain ser-geant-majors were reduced in rank, and Is per day taken off their pay, in addition to the 10 per cent, reduction ; that certain sergeants and twelve constables were reduced in rank, and 6d per day taken off their pay in addition to the 10 per cent, reduction; that from the Ist of August, 1880, during the past financial year, twenty-six police sergeants and a number of constables were reduced in rank and sixpence per day taken off their pay, in addition to the ten per cent, reduction. Between Ist August and 31s December, 1830, while reductions were being made in the police force, certain promotions were made in the reserve portion of the constabulary. Certain third-class sergeants wore promoted to be second-class sergeants, and second-class sergeants promoted to first-class sergeants, vacancies in these departments having been filled up as they occurred. The reduction had nothing to do with the reserve or field force, which was only reduced in numbers as it was thought prudent. Beplying to Mr Turnbull, The Hon. J Hall said that steps had been taken to discover the deficiency stated by the late Minuter for Public Works last session as existing in the railway stores department. The supposed deficiency had turned out to be a mistake, the apparent deficiency hav-ng arisen from frequent changes in the administration of working railways and the absence until recently of any properly organised accounting system. new bill. A Bill to authorise the construction of certain railways was introduced, and read a first time on the motion of the Hon. J. Hall. SECOND READINGS. The following were read a second time : Canterbury Rivers Act Amendment Bill, Waimato and Temuka Public School Site Bill. THIRD READINGS. The following passed through committee, were read a third time, and passed :—Geraldine Racecourse Reserve, Southland Agricultural Association Reserve, Eangiors High School, Akaroa High School, Waimakiriri Harbor Board Loan, Waimate Racecourse Reserve, Invercargill Gasworks Site, Roxburgh Recreation Ground Management, Christchurch Municipal Empowering Bill. The House adjourned at 5,30. BVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 30. MISCELLANEOUS. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Brown said that ho thought this was a fitting opportunity for ascertaining when the Government intended bringing the session to a close. They were all anxious to got away. Mr Bastings said it was nonsense to speak about going away, as they had done absolutely nothing. If members could not afford the time necessary to do the business, they should retire from the position. The Hon. Major Atkinson reminded them that this was a private members’ night, and the more time they wasted in idle discussion the less time they would have to do their work.

Sir G. Grey said that they were asked to rush through an Imprest Supply Bill representing £250,000. He did not relish things being rushed on in that way. To mark his sense of the Treasurer’s conduct, ho would oppose the motion. The Government could bring in their Imprest Supply to-morrow, being a Government day, and the delay of a day could not cause much inconvenience. The Hon. Major Atkinson said that there was no use for a discussion. From circumstances, which must be patent to members, ho was prevented from bringing the Bill forward at yesterday’s sitting. An Imprest Supply Bill, amounting to £250,000, was introduced and passed through all its stages.

EEKOINQ BILL. On the motion for the committal of the Fencing Bill, Mr Andbews complained that the Bill ought to have been brought down by the Government. The Bill was not only uncalled for, but it was actually calculated to impede [agricultural settlement. He would oppose 'every clause of the Bill.

Mr Bowen took exception to the remarks of the previous speaker. He insisted that the measure was greatly needed. He also took exception to the carping tone usually assumed by the previous speaker, and charged him with a habitual practice of attempting to set class against class.

Mr Moss suggested that the Bill should be set down on the Order Paper for to-morrow. It ought to have all the prestige of a Government measure. If that course were followed it would enable private members’ business to be proceed with. Sir G. Grey defended Mr Andrews from the remarks made by Mr Bowen. After further discussion, Mr Bryce said that the Bill was one of great importance, and he did not feel that he would bo justified in dropping it as had been suggested. He asserted tnat it was not the bona, fido settlors who hed cause to fear a measure of this kind, but the absentee owner. He had no objection to accept Mr Swanson’s suggestion that the Auckland Fenc'ng Act should be excepted from the schedule of repealed Acts. The House went into committee on the Bill.

The Hon. J. Hall stated in reply to a question put during the earlier part of the day re the now clause inserted last night in the B» presentation Bill, that they had now had time to consider the point, and they had come to the conclusion to consent to its withdrawal.

In committee on the Fencing Bill thirtyfive claus -s of it were passed, with mere technical amendments.

[Left sitting at 1.30.]