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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 167, 14 July 1880, Page 2

Wellington, Tuesday night.

The House met at 230 p.m

Replying to questions, it was stated that the Government had made no provision for the wives and children of the Native prisoners, and did not believe they were in destitute circumstances. — The Government would take steps to recover from the Westport Colliery Company the expenses the colony was put to in consequence of the Company, through their manager, refusing to employ the miners brought to the colony at his request. — The main road through the Te Puke block at Tauranga would be taken in band at once.— The reduction of 10 per cent would ftpply to salaries undec the Permanent Act,

with the exception of the Judges, and of the pensions. — The South Island Railway Commissioner would be located in the place where he bad the most important duties to discharge, aud where he could best attend to the interests of his department. — The Rakaia Gorge bridge would be proceeded with at once.

On the motiou for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Ballance took exception to the statement laid on the table showing that the late Government had spent a sum of £1 1,239,527 during its term of office. It improperly included the expenditure uuder the Permanent Act, interest on loans, aud other expenditure, absolutely beyond the control of any Administration, together with those portions of the land fund which, before that fund was re-localised, was paid over to the local bodies. These different charges represeuted £4,322,457, and if that were deducted it would be found that their expenditure had been made on a much more economical principle than the expenditure of tbeir predecessors.

Mr Moss complained that it was unjust that no provision should be made for extendiug the franchise to leaseholders.

Mr Hall said that if Mr Moss thought the law on the subject was a hardship he ought to bring down a distinct resolution on the subject, and (hat 'the Government did not propose to make any alteration.

Mr Macandrew said they were indebted to Mr Ballance for having corrected a very erroneous impression produced by the statement by the Treasurer re the expenditure of the late Government.

Major Atkinson said that all that he had aimed at was to show to the colony that eleven million odd pounds had passed out of the public Treasury under the late Administration. It did not matter under what Acts it was disbursed, but it was spent, and that wa9 all he aimed at showing. In making the statement he was justified iv assuming that members were cognisaut of the fact that it included the expenditure under the Permanent Act. What was most to be reprobated was lhat the late Government had allowed the colony to drift into a critical state with liabilities becoming due aud no adequate provision made for liquidation.

The motion for going into Committee of Supply was then carried.

On the item " Electoral £3680," a motion for its reduction by £1000 was put and negatived. A motion for the reduction by £400 went to a division — Ayes, 29; Noes, 29. The Speaker's casting vote was given with the Noes. A further amendment that it be reduced by £240 was agreed to. The House adjourned at 5*30. Wednesday. The House oroceedod with the Estimates at 7.30. The Statistics Department was reduced by £7200, as it is not necessary to take a census this year. A long discussion took place on the Geological and Meteorological Department, Mr. Wood moving a reduction of £2000, which was negatived. The Government announced their intention to abolish the system of storm signals. The vote " Hospitals and Charitable Aid " passed. On the vote " Government Printing Department" Mr Dick intimated that.it was the intention of tho Government to appoint three experts to report on the Department. The vote was passed with a tr.'fling reduction moved by Mr Dick.

The Agent- General's Department was postponed.

A reduction of £1741 was made on the vote " Lunatic Asylums "on the motion of Mr Dick. A motion by Mr Andrews to strike out the Inspector's salary was rejected. > The sheep and cattle vote was passed. On Mr Macandrew's motion the vote £500 for the New Zealand Institutes was struck out. In the vote "Miscellaneous items" the 11 Introduction of salmon and white fish ova £800 " and " Botanical Gardens £1500" were struck out on Mr Dick's motion. The House rose at 2.40. a.m.