House of Representatives.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 200, 20 August 1873, Page 2

House of Representatives.

Wellington, August 19. When the discussion took place to-day on the proposal to increase the Governor's salary, it was stated by the member for Wairarapa, in a good speech, that Sir George Bowen had had things from the Government which he himself should have paid for. Mr Fitzherberfc said some of these articles were ofjboo peculiar a nature to be recapitulated. Cradles, saddles, linen, &c, &c, had been so obtained. Mr Fox alluded to an article which bad appeared in a newspaper, which was untrue, as having originated the rumor. Mr Stafford said the newspaper was the Nelson JExaminer and the Wellington Independent had not contradicted the Examiner's assertion, but only evaded it, as Mr Yogel was now doing. He stated that when he was himself ft Minister, Sir George Bowen sent in requisitions to siga for ordinary domestic articles, which he had to refuse. The House went into Committee, when the Premier said that the proposal was to increase the salary by £.500, and reiiuce the allowances for his Excellency's establishment by .£SOO. A circular had been received from the Home Government, stating that the Colonies were only expected to bear the expense of furnishing re-ception-rooms. Accordingly, the furniture of rooms other than reception-rooms, would be valued and paid for out of the Governor's salary, interest on the amount being payable until the amount was paid. This arrangement would not refer to the present Governor. It was proposed to increase the salary of the Clerk of the Executive by £50, anof to* spend [no more?] money on Lowry Bay estate, as it wat found the accommodation was insufficient for the Vice-regal establishment. The Government had taken on itself to spend money on the erection of new rooms at Government House.

Mr Bunny said the House desired to deal liberally with the Governor, but they also wished to know what the vice-regal establishment coßt ? The House had voted £4,500, and £1,500, and was told afterwards that the real cost was £9,000. A rumor had been circulated that the excess had been for liveries, harness, archery, and sundry ather things. The House might not object to pay these bills, but he desired to know if the vote had all been spent. Mr Fox said the rumors were canards, without foundation. Mr Bunny replied that he knew the liveries had been paid for by the Treasurer, and he believed other accounts were also. The assertion of Mr Fox was not sufficient. The Premier said that after the late Governor had left, newspaper correspondents had stated his allowance had been exceeded as a bribe to the Governor. Ministers did not trouble themselves to deny such statements; neither he nor the late Premier know anything of any excess of allowance. He read a statement showing that the allowance had been exceced systematically for the past three years. Mr Stafford said it was good that the question should be discussed, both us regards the past and the future, as Mr Yogel had not answered Mr Bunny's statement, and Mr Fox was evideutly misinformed. He personally knew that payments had been made on account of articles not contemplated by the House. Doubtless others had been paid for. The Queen's regulation would simplify matters. He knew something of the question, having served under three Governors. Colonel Gore Browne's reception rooms were furnished by the colony, but not the other rooms. When Colonel Browne left, his furniture was sold, and some of it was bought by Sir George Grey. When the removal of the Seat of Government took place, in consideration of the want of accommodation, certain allowances had been made, and since then the system had grown up t lll even blankets, linen, and clothes had been paid for, and thus grounds existed for the rumors. He knew it was so, for he, while in office for a short time, had refused requisitions for saddlery. There should be no doubt on the question of what should be paid, for their responsibility should be stated plainly, and Ministers should not be placed in the position of having to refuse to comply with requisitions. He, perhaps, was responsible for allowances in a lump sum, as he had in 1865 proposed such a, course. He had read in the Nelson Examiner an article on the subject, and knew it was well founded. He had also read a general denial in the Independent, which wa3 not satisfactory. There was a wide-spread feeling that improper expenditure of the public money had taken place The Premier had taken the proper course in facilitating discussion on the subject. Mr Yogel said he had admitted the votes had been erceeded, but he had had nothing to do with it. Mr Fitzherbert was glad Mr Stafford had brought forward the matter. If not, Mr. Fox's statement would have put him in the wrong. It waß already < stablished thai; the newspaper article referred to was not unwarranted. They hnd got that out The Government Buy they do not fix it on the House, but, that was the time to discuss the question. Charges had received eubstance except that which no one in the House had referred to, but which had been nevertheless denied by Ministers, namely, of Ministers having allowed excesses with the view of swaying the late Governor. He suggested that the House should vote a lump sum for the Governor and his establishment. Mr Buckland said that the Lowry Bay estate was a white elephant, which ahould be given to the Governor. The billl was read a first time. Tbe report of the Committee on the National Bank Bill was read. It stated thht the Committee had considered the petition of J. L. Coster, and also the suggeslion of Mr Bathgate that certain clauses of the (Jingo Bank Bill shall be introduced. Regarding the petition, the Council had heard evidence for and against, and decided to pass the preamble of the bill unaltered. The committee did not consider it advisable to introduce the proposed clauses into the National Bank Bill, but considered the introduction of the general measure to the sar.*e effect was worth the consideration of the Government. Mr Stafford stated that the petitioner against the bill had withdrawn opposition. The bill was ordered to be read a third time. Mr O'Conor to-morrow moves, that the House will resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the propriety of giving leave to introduce a bill to authorise the raising of a loan for the purpose of constructing works of public utility in the Province of Nclcoj, charging the sums borrowed against certain lands in the province. August 20. The estimates were considered last night, and the following items passed without amendment: — Public Departments, £54,950 ; Law and Justice, £57,103; Postal and Telegraph services, £141,813; Customs, £47,200; Native, £26,532. When the Electoral vote was under discussion, Mr W ood said that only one vote was asked for the Returning and Registration Officer at Nelson, while others were mentioned in different parts of the estimates. This must clearly be, a mistake. He suggested that the consideration of the Estimates be postponed. Mr Collins drew attention to the fact that only one vote was asked for the Returning Officer for the Nelson Province. Regarding the Mail Services, Mr Richmond asked whether it was proposed to introduce any special plan for the relief of Nelson and Marlborough, which were to receive their Suez mails last. Mr Yogel replied he was sorry that be could not propose to subi-idise a special steamer to each port, as only that would satisfy all the provinces. In the House to-day, the National Bank Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Tairoa gave notice of motion to ask the Government whether they were going to call to the Legislative Council a Middle Island Maori.