PARLIAMENTARY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3054, 17 August 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. “ COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE ” TO SIR WILLIAM FOX. HOKITIKA HARBOUR VOTE. THE PROROGATION. [from our own correspondent.] Wellington, August 16. The House hurried through a large amount of business on Saturday. The Supplementary Estimates were partially through when Sunday morning put an end to labours. The £2OOO vote to Sir William Fox for services as West Coast Commissioner provoked considerable discussion. Mr Cowan moved to strike it out. The Premier defended the vote. The money had been previously refused by Sir Wm. Fox, but he understood that that gentleman, having since sustained losses, was now willing to receive it. Major Atkinson said no one in the country had more fully earned this honorarium than Sir Wm. Fox, by the large amount of work he had performed. He pointed out that Sir William had contributed largely to the settlement of the Native difficulty. The late Government felt so strongly on the matter that they signified to him that they intended to propose a grant of £IOOO to him. Sir William, however, said he could afford to do the work for love, and would not accept the grant. Since then he had sustained losses, and would accept it. He (Major Atkinson) hoped the House would pass the vote. Mr Samuel testified to the services Sir Wm. Fox had rendered, and signified his intention of supporting the vote. Mr J. C. Brown opposed the vote, Mr Taylor supporied it. Mr Fisher alluded to the services done to the colony by Sir Wm. Fox, and poinied to the case of Sir John Robertson, in New South Wales, as a parallel case. Mr Kerr would not object to the vote if it. was given a proper name, lie knew that Sir Wm. Fox had been of great benefit to the colony, bat he would ask what the task of the Commissioner was. Mr Grace asked whether this sum ! would he charged against the Maoris. The, Premier: No. Mr J. C. Brown asked whether Sir Wm. Fox did not get £1 10s a day for traveling expenses? The Premier: No; he got no more than his actual traveling expenses. Mr Kerr: They did not want to know within pounds; they simply wished to know the broad circumstances. Mr Hislop said he looked at it in this way: that the House was to give this amount as a graceful acknowledgement of great services. Mr Sutler said Sir William Fox had been living on the colony. Mr Kerr said he could state that Sir William Fox did not make his money in ibis colony; he was wealthy when he came here. Mr Dodson supported the vote, and thought it was a pity private matters had been imported into the discussion. Mr Hatch rose to speak, amidst cries of “ Question ! ” He, therefore, referred to Major Atkinson as one of those who had interrupted. Major Atkinson said he was not one, hut lie referred to the waste of time caused that evening by Mr Hatch, lie ventured to think the bon. fn-mlo-■can had spoken two hour? and\ half altogether. ' | Mr Hatch said he ventured to think I

tbe lion, gentleman was wrong. Referring to the question, he asked that full particulars should be given of the mu tier. Mr Seddon asked whether Sir William Fox was not a member of the House when he rendered these services 1 He was in the House in 1881. Major Atkinson s dd the work was completed in 1884. Mr Seddon objected to this vote and pointed out that working men’s wages were being reduced all over the colonies. Mr O’Conor thought that the full cii cumstances onght to be inquired into by a Committee before the vote was passed. Me suggested, therefore, that the vote should be postponed. He moved an adjournment, but was ruled out of order. Mr Turnbull regretted that the matter had been brought up in this way, and he cautioned the House that if this was carried, there were other heavy claims which would be forced on the House. Mr W. D. Stewart thought the Premier would be wise to accept adjournment. There would be no more business done that night. He (Mr Stewart) had the highest respect for Sir William Fox, but he would ask whether the hon. gentleman expected to be paid when, he enteied upon the work. He refused payment, and had h vote of thanks, and that was an end to the matter. Mr O’Oonor moved that progress be icported. Mr Gore said that if money was due to Sir William, it should be proposed in a proper way. The Premier said it appeared that tbe House wished the Government to drop the Supplementary Estimates, by tbe direction in which they were moving. He. had never seen Estimates more unfairly treated than these were. The House, after three hours work, had not passed three pages of Estimates. The consequence would be that Government would have to drop these Supplementary Estimates. Mr Seddon said the question should tie carefully considered. The Premier: Yes; but why not vote on it? Mr Seddon said because the Government supporters wished Government to carry their measures not by the Opposition’s assistance. He accused the Premier of being too generous, and said this ought to be beaded “ Compassionate allowance." [Oh!] The next thing would be Sir Wm. Fox’s election to the House. Mr Turnbull thought the best way of settling the matter would be to call Sir Wm. Fox to the Legislative Council.—[An hon. member: “He would not accept.”] Mr Turnbull said if a man would not take bread, he must starve. After some further discussion the item wos retained by 25 to 18, Mr Sutter moved that the item £3OOO for compensation to F. D. Rich for opening the Shag Point coal mine be struck out. The item was retained by 31 to 11. Mr Maoarthur moved to strike out £450 subsidy of £1 for £2 for auriferows cement crushing machine. The voting was—Ayes, 24; Noes, 24. The Chairman voted with the Ayes and the vote was struck out. * The House then went into Committee and passed IheO whaokoaud Kaimanawa Lands Bill. August 17. The Legislative Council, under pressure reinstated the Special Powers and Contracts Bill in Committee. The clause empowering the Borough of Koss to rate sections held under miners’ rights was struck out. Seven other clauses dealing with local matters were also struck out, and the bill passed as amended. Xu tlie House of Representatives, on the motion forgoing into Committee of Supply, the Stark Purchase io Auckland was fully debated. In considering the Supplementary Estimates, J Ou the motion of Mr Seddon, the vote for the Insurance Department was reduced by £IOOO. The vote of £ISOO for Hokitika Harbour created considerable discussion. Mr Macarthur moved that the vote be d-rnck out. Mr iO’Conor and the Marine Minister defended the vote. Messrs Rolleston, Macarthur, Beethatn, and Trimble opposed it. The Premier said this was tbe last vote asked. Mr Seddon Was surprised at the 1 miner; tho works required to be finished. So.no fifty thousand pounds 1:1(1 , ’ • s l ,onb 0,1 these woiks, and 1 iovv, vv.ieu they were proving beneficial ' ; u:y were stopped. The money asked or was absolutely necessary to' protect, the pile work from being scoured and

carried away. It was unfair to take advantage of the absence of the member for Hokitika, he having left for home on Saturday last. Ultimately the vote was passed on the voices. The House finished the Estimates at 2 o’clock this morning. The House met at 12 this day to pass the Appropriation Bill. The prorogation takes place at noon to-morrow. The South Island Native Reserve Bill, so far as Greymouth is concerned, is down amongst the slaughtered innocents.