TUESDAY, AUGUST 25.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 27 August 1891, Page 3

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25.

The Speaker took tlie chair at 2.80 p.m Mr Wilson asked the Minister of Public Works if he would advise the Railway Commissioners to obtain a lease of the Wellington-Manawatu Bailway. The Minister's answer to this was that the Railway Commissioners were inclined to discuss the question of leasing the line, but he thought it would require an alteration Of the law, besides which they thought the first advance- should come from the company. The Hon Mr Bryce said he was exceedingly anxious tp know when the Publfci .]W° r ks Statement was likely tb be brought down. Also, had the Government arrived at any definite conclusion as to v who was ,to he -A gent, General? i* uch a question was not;,, impertinent, because the appointment would- have to be made in a couple, of months, besides which the House had a perfect right to be put in possession of the views of the Government. The Premier had never denied the right of the House for one moment to such knowledge, but he-could only repeat his former statement that the Government had not yet decided who should be Agent-General, but when they arrived at' any decision they would take the House into their confidence. As. to the Pubhc Works Statement the Minister tor the Department said, there did not seem much anxiety among members to have the Statement brought down, but he informed the House that he was doing his best to prepare it, although there was very little money to spend, and he hoped shortly to be able to lay it on the tabie.. The Native Land Bill was read a second time. The Mining Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Duthie, on behalf of Captain Russell, said he wished to withdraw the , amendment moved by that gentleman to the resolution removing Mr Hamerton from the position of Public Trustee. The amendment waa allowed to be withdraw^. . Sir .Joyce then' moved ah amendment that a Bill ha brought in authorising the payment of a pension ; of £250 per annum to Mr Hamerton. on his tendering his resignation of the offioe of Public Trustee, if Mr Hamerton, he said, had served his fiilHertri -'itf bffice he would have been entitled to a pension of £400 a year, and even if he was retired now he was entitled to a pension of £350 annually. He had been guilty of mistakes, but he believed it would iv tine bo ackowledged that he was not so had as he was painted. The department was beyond the powers of^ohe man' to manage, and the outcome was not entirely his fault The Hoiise would do well to make some slight acknowledgement of the services he had rendered by accepting theamendmen. he had just proposed. -jMr Duthie seconded the amendment! .;-y ■ ■ •-■-••-■' t- :.:-., .v . After considerable discussion Mr Jcyce r sA^dment was carried. On its ben^Hbtr tis the. substari tive motioD^Ppuncfin moved an amendment reducing the pension irom from £ l myo was lost by 21 td J lß, ; •fc'ira _dft v ij#jrce , s amendment wag therefore oarried. / 'i^ieHon's'tf rose 'it ,2.25 aim.