PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4481, 30 July 1875, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, July 29. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour, and prayers -were pronounced. papers. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN laid upon the table a despatch from the Secretary of State to his Excellency the Governor, a report regarding certain native reserves, and a number of other papers. RAGLAN COAL DISTRICT. In answer to the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, The Hon. Dr. POLLEN stated that the promised geological survey of the Eaglan coal district had been made, and would be laid on the table of the House so soon as it was received by the Government. ROAD FROM Yv'AIPA TO RAGLAN. In reply to the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said no steps had been taken to construct a road from Waipa to Raglan, for the best reason possible, that the Government had no funds to make such a road. TLEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION WITH RAGLAN. The Hon. Mr. CHAMBERLIN asked the Hon. Dr. Pollen if it was the intention of the Government very shortly to extend telegraphic communication to Raglan ? The Hon. Dr. POLLEN replied that the Government were desirous of extending telegraphic communication to all parts of the colony, but were limited in their action through want of funds, also by consideration of the fact that a great many of the extensions already made had been found to be of very little convenience to the settlers themselves, while their maintenance was a great charge upon the Government. If the hon. member was desirous of participating in the advantage which he so strongly felt would accrue from the extension of the telegraph to Raglan, in which district he was a large landed proprietor, and if he felt disposed to make some sacrifice in furtherance of that object, the Government would be happy to meet him on fair grounds. But asking questions in that House was, perhaps, not the proper way to accomplish it. THE MARRIAGE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN introduced a Bill, intituled, An Act to amend the Marriage Act 1854, and the several Acts amending the same. The Bill was read a first time, and the second reading was made an order of the day for Tuesday next. PRIVILEGE OP MEMBERS. The Hon. Mr. SCOTLAND moved that in the opinion of this Council any one of its members has a right to a passage in any steamer specially sent by the Government for the conveyance of members to or from any session of Parliament, and passing by the principal port of call in the province to which such member shall belong, unless such steamer shall be prevented from calling at such port by stress of weather or other impediment of an exceptional character. In moving this motion, Mr. Scotland said he would explain the reasons which had induced him to do so. At the close of last session, hearing that the Government steamer Luna would proceed from "Wellington to the Manukau, and merely dropping members at Taranaki, he made up his mind to avail himself of that opportunity of returning home ; but on the morning of the day before she left he received a message from a member of the Government requesting him, if he was not very anxious to return direct, to go by another steamer which would start at about the same time as the Luna, calling at Picton and Nelson on the way. He might state that the reason for this request was based on the great saving of coal that would be effected. He acquiesced, congratulating himself upon the economy of the Government in the matter of coals ; but in the course of the day it was admitted that the question of coals had nothing to do with it. The fact was that certain wealthy gentlemen had brought pressure to bear on the Government to make the Luna go direct to the Manukau. He had made arrangements to depart, when he was met by one of the Taranaki members, who told him that the Luna would call at Taranaki, and that he was going by her. He (Mr. Scotland) considered it rather strange that he had not been informed of the change. He went however. The Luna only stopped a few minutes at Taranaki ; and he hoped that the slight delay did not prevent the wealthy men from transacting any important business on the Auckland Stock Exchange. He admitted that members of the Government had a perfect right to worship wealthy capitalists ; but he thought he had a right to insist that they should conduct their worship in private and not in public. One of these passengers might have represented the Bank of New Zealand, and have had great influence wtth the Government, but that was no reason why he (the Speaker) should be snubbed. He thought he should be open to a charge of being actuated by feelings of mortified vanity. They had certain rights as members of that Council, and ought to do all in their power to prevent those rights being interfered with) He asked the Council to support him on those grounds. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said when he heard his hon. friend give notice of this motion he was at a loss to understand what could be the meaning of it; and when he had had an opportunity of considering it, he had not been able by a study of the words to obtain any further light. But his hon. friend had been good enough to explain that it related to what he should venture to call a personal grievance He thought that neither his hon. friend nor any other member had reason to complain of want of courtesy on the part of the Government, or of a want of consideration for their feelings as to the way in -which they were brought to Wellington, or in the arrangements made for their reception and return to their homes. He felt quite sure that the suggestion made to his hon. friend by a member of the Government had not reference to the cost of coals, but to his convenience. His hon. friend had also thought it necessary to import into this discussion the question of influence exercised by the Bank of New Zealand over the Government. He (Dr. Pollen) thought it necessary for him to deny the exercise of, or any attempt to exercise, such influence with this Government as had been just stated, and as had been stated on public occasions in other places. The relation between the Government and the Bank of New Zealand was one of mutual accommodation. He need not tell members that if the officers of the New Zealand Bank had attempted to exercise any such influence—and they were too much men of business to attempt it, or allow anybody to suppose such was the case—he (Dr. Pollen) would be the first to resent it. He hoped his hon. friend, having aired his grievance, would withdraw his motion. I The Hon. Mr. NURSE said Colonel Harrington, a gentleman long connected with the Government, had been refused a passage by the Luna this session, and one of the directors of the Bank of New Zealand was on board at the time. The Hon. Mr. ROBINSON thought the statement of the Hon. Premier was quite satisfactory to the Council. The Hon. Col. KENNY said they were travelling outside the confines of the motion. He thought the question of partiality should not have been raised. Colonel Harrington had no right to a passage in the Luna as he was not a member. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL hoped the motion would be withdrawn. He had seen a notice in one of the papers which stated that when the Luna put in to Taranaki the only thing seen was the explosion of a very weak skyrocket. The Government was therefore not wholly to blame. The Hon. Mr. SCOTLAND said, in movin* the resolution, he had simply done what he considered a duty. He felt no ill-feeliuo-towards the Bank of New Zealand. He was a .shareholder himself. He now be<*"-ed leave to withdraw the motion. REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS BILL. The second reading of this Bill was an order of the day, but the Hon. Dr. Pollen asked to have it recommitted, as he wished to make certain amendments. The House then went into committee, and the Bill as amended was passed, the third reading being made an order of the day for Tuesday next.

UNIVERSITY ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The New Zealand University Act, 1874, Amendment Bill was read a third time, and ordered to be forwarded to the House of Representatives for their concurrence. » ADJOURNMENT. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved, and it was carried, that the House adjourn till the usual hour on Tuesday next. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, July 20. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. A number of petitions were presented, one being brought by the Hon. Mr. Stafford from residents of Timaru, in favor of abolition of the provinces. FREE IMMIGRATION. Sir DONALD McLEAN laid upon the table telegrams referring to the continuance of free immigration. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL. Sir DONALD McLEAN laid upon the table the Local Government BilL The announcement was received with cheers by the Ministerialists. NOTICES. A number of notices of motion and intention to ask questions were given. Mr. MURRAY gave notice to the effect that he should move it was not prudent to proceed with the Estimates until the Finance Committee had reported on the subject. The SPEAKER reminded the hon. member that the committee was a non-political body and could not enquire into the matter. TELEGRAPHING BY CYPHER. Mr. G. McLEAN asked the Government whether in communicating with Europe by cable cypher was used; if so, at what date it was brought into usel He thought as banks and other bodies used the cypher the Government should also do so. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS said the plan of using cypher had been tried but was found to be inconvenient. BANKING ARRANGEMENTS. Mr. G. McLEAN asked the Colonial Treasurer at what rate the bank buy the Government drafts on London, and at what sight they are drawn between the respective periods of Ist October to 31st March, and Ist April to 30th November, respectively ? If the agreement with the bank set out on page 25 of the papers relating to the £4,000,000 loan is that which is now in force ? In reply, the Hon. Major ATKINSON said there had been no definite arrangement made, but the price differed from time to time. The last arrangement made by his predecessor in office in September, was § per cent., the drafts being drawn at 90 days sight. That arrangement was in force till March, since when the drafts had been drawn at 60 days, and J per eent was the amount paid. In reference to the second part of the question, he replied that the arrangements made by Sir Julius Vogel were still in force. THE APPOINTMENT OF THE POSTMASTERGENERAL. Mr. SHEEHAN enquired whether the law officers of the Crown had been consulted as to the validity of the appointment of Sir Julius Vogel as Postmaster-General, and whether there was an intention to introduce an Act to validate acts done by him under disability ? Sir DONALD McLEAN said the Government considered such an Act quite unnecessary. IMPORTATION OP WEASELS. In answer to Mr. Andrew, The Hon. Mr. BOWEN said the importation and acclimatisation of weasels was not regulated by Act of Parliament that he was aware of. THE ROWE AND SCHOLEFIELD CASE. In reply to Mr. Swanson, who asked questions relative to an inquiry held at Waikato in March into the case of Captains Kowe and Scholefield, charged with certain offences, Sir DONALD McLEAN said the correspondence should be laid upon the table. PUBLIC WORKS AT GISBORNE. Mr. W.KELLY asked whatprogresshadbeen made towards the construction of the bridges across the "Waimate and Waipuna livers, and also whether the sum voted last session for public buildings in the district of Gisborne had been expended ? The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON in reference to the first part of the question said little had yet been done, but so soon as funds were derived from a sale of a block of land in the district progress would be made. The reply to the second part of the question was inaudible. P.OAD BETWEEN TAURANGA AND THE THAMES. In reply to Mr. W. Kelly, The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON said a dray road between Taurangaand the Thames would cost about £51,000 or £52,000, and the Government did not feel themselves justified in proposing its construction. LIGHT AT CAPE EGMONT. In reply to Mr. Carrington, The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS said it was intended to place a light on Cape Egmont Ehortly. FOXHILL AND BRDNNERTON RAILWAY. In answer to Mr. Curtis, who inquired whether any proposals had been received by the Government for the construction of the trunk railway between Foxhill and Brunnerton, The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON said there had been a correspondence, which would be placed before the House. BLENHEIM SUPREME COURT. In answer to Captain Kenny, The Hon. Mr. BOWEN said it had been decided to hold the sittings of the Supreme Court at Blenheim instead of Picton, because Blenheim had been represented to be the more central and consequently more suitable place, more especially as the railway would shortly be opened. COMPENSATION TO GREYMOBTH PEOPLE. Mr. HARRISON asked the Minister for Public Works the cause of the delay in the payment of the awards of compensation to the persons in Greymouth whose properties have been taken for public purposes? The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON replied that the cause was the defective titles to many of the holdings, but the Government would hand over the cheques so soon as the necessary forms were complied with. . municipal corporations act. In answer to Mr. Webb, The Hon. Mr. BOWEN said the Government would be willing to hear suggestions on the subject of amending the above Act. BILLS INTRODUCED. Bills were introduced as follows :—By Sir George Grey : The Auckland Institute Bill, second reading on Thursday ; the Auckland City Endowments and Reserves Bill, second reading Thursday.—By Mr. Cuthbertson : The New River Harbor Board Land Bill, second reading Wednesday; the Invercargill Gas Loan Act, 1874, Amendment Bill, second reading Wednesday. CIVIL engineers. Mr. O'CONOR moved for a return of the names and qualifications of persons employed by the colony as engineers. His wish was to secure information as to whether the Government had exercised a proper care in selecting officers. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS considered it unfortunate that such a resolution should have been made, because it would be very difficult to furnish the return. Mr. DONALD REID was opposed to it because of the difficulty in the matter. If the Government were employing persons unqualified, complaints should be made, but the House should not be troubled with the; matter ; and besides, it might affect very seriously the position of some really qualified men. Messrs. Fitzherbert Gibbs, and McLean followed, all of whom opposed the motion, after which Mr. O'Conor withdrew it. NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY ACT AMENDMENT BILL. A message wa3 received from the Council reporting that the New Zealand University Act Amendment Bill had been agreed to. The Bill was read a first time, and second reading fixed for Tuesday. WELLINGTON AND MASTERTON RAILWAY. ... Mr. WAKEFIELD moved a long motion standing in his name, for the appointment of a select committee to inquire and report upon the merits of two lines (described) as alternative or supplementary to the Wellington and

Masterton ; also, to consider and report as to any means by which the Government might encourage a private company to construct either or both of the said lines. He referred to the difficulty of the country on the present line, and said if an alternative or supplementary line could be constructed, it would surely be well to collect evidence on the subject. The matter was well worthy of consideration, because it would open up a large extent of fertile country. After a few remarks by the Hon.. Mr. Richardson, who failed to see any utility in the motion, as the House was not likely to sanction an appropriation for a second line, and said if a company was willing to undertake the work they should make proposals to the Government ;' Mr. Brandon, who believed that much valuable information might be obtained if there was no other result, and it would not require much time or trouble from the committee to gain it,—Mr. (Wakefield replied, urging that the Government should first assist in getting evidence before expecting to receive proposals. The motion was negatived. TAIRUA AND PAKIRARAHI BLOCKS. Sir GEORGE GREY movedforacommittee, consisting of Sir Donald McLean, Hon. Major Atkinson, Messrs. Bradshaw, O'Neill, Rolleston, Richmond, Thomson, Reid, Wood, White, Sheehan, and the mover, to inquire into the circumstances connected with the acquisition and transfer to Provincial administration of the Tairua and Pakirarahi blocks, province of Auckland, and of all dealings therewith by either the Colonial or Provincial Governments up to the present date. He said certain matters had come to his knowledge which satisfied him that there should be an inquiry into the circumstances attending the sale of land. Sir DONALD McLEAN agreed to_ the motion, and expressed a willingness to assist in obtaining the fullest information on the subject. The motion was agreed to. MR BRISSENDEN AND COLONEL MCDONNELL. Sir G. GREY moved that there be laid upon the table of the House, copies of all i coiTespondence between Colonel McDonnell and the Government, having relation to the ! employment of Mr. Brissenden as Land Purchase Agent in the North of Auckland, or to the removal of Colonel McDonnell, and of all correspondence and papers showing the nature of the instructions given to Mr. Brissenden, and of his proceedings thereunder. After some little discussion, in which the Government made no opposition to the proposal in the main, but wished the House to promise the papers should not be printed, because the correspondence would contain certain matters affecting negotiations pending, the papers were ordered to be placed on the table without any reservation as to the ultimate disposition of them. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. Mr. ROLLESTON moved that it be an instruction to the Public Accounts Committee to inquire into and report Upon the conditions under which the banking business of the Government is conducted by the Bank of New Zealand, and whether these conditions imperatively require that so large a sum as between three and four millions should be deposited with one institution ; and further to report whether, in such case, it is not in the interest of the colony at large that other arrangements should be made for the future. The mover said that the motion had suggested itself to him after a perusal of the papers respecting the negotiation of the four million loan, which had been laid upon the table of the House, but he did not intend to go into a discussion of these papers any further than was necessary for the purposes of his motion. He brought the motion before the House so that he might obtain an inquiry into a subject in which the public took a vast interest, and he had considered it best to endeavor to get an authoritative report from a committee appointed by the House to examine into finance, and who were capable of dealing with the question. He had no need to raise the question as to the banking interests of the country and the House, but he felt that the confusion in the present banking arrangements called for enquiry, and trusted that anything he might say would not prejudice the case, which he wished to be referred to the committee, who he believed would give the subject their very best consideration. The Speaker had stated a little while since that the Finance Committee did not enter into political questions. He (Mr. Rolleston) recognised that in the course he had taken, for if he had wished to raise the question of party politics in connection with the matter, he should have effected that object better by proposing a select committee. He trusted that in moving the matter be referred to this Finance Committee, he should be understood correctly, and that the House would see he was moving for an inquiry into facts affecting the public interest, and with no intent to mix up with it party considerations of any nature whatever. (Cheers.) His motion consisted of two parts, one part being for an inquiry into existing arrangements, and the other regarding future arrangements. Of course, what had gone before was to a certain extent done with ; but with future arrangements the Committee on Public Accounts could do much, as the suggestions framed by the committee generally met with approval. He asked them first for an inquiry into the present arrangement, because, judging from what had taken place, as detailed by the papers before the House, a conflict between the intentions of the law and the acts of the representatives of the Colonial Government had taken place during the past few months. With reference to future arrangements, he had taken some little pains to find out what were the banking arrangements existing in the other colonies, and he should venture to trouble the House with some few of the facts he had learnt. He believed these would show there was good reason for such inquiry as he asked for, and good reason for the House to ask that there should be better arrangements in the future. _ In Victoria the Government account was divided between the banks, and was allowed interest at the rate of 3 per cent, upon weekly balances ; there were no fixed deposits, and interest was allowed on the proceeds of loans floated by the associated banks, at the rate of 4 per cent. In Queensland the arrangements were rather different, this being the only colony in Australia which did not have an account with more than one bank ; the Union Bank was the sole depository of Government money. In South Australia the Government had an account at each of the local banks, and no fixed deposits. In Tasmania there were accounts at two banks, the Bank of Van Diemen's Land and the Commercial Bank. In Sydney the position of the arrangements was somewhat complicated, and lately had been the subject of a very great debate. Up to a recent period the bank account had been kept exclusively with the Bank of New South Wales; but a strong effort had just been made to put an end to that monopoly, and within the past week or two a resolution had been carried through the House, to the effect that the Bank of New South Wales should no longer be the only Government bank. Some . time since the Sydney banks had applied to the Colonial Treasurer, asking for a distribution of the Government account amongst all. In making that application, they had put before the Treasurer a number of very conclusive reasons why the claims they advocated should be acceded to, and the reasons they gave were very applicable to the case of the Government of New Zealand and the Bank of New Zealand, so that he felt justified in giving the House a sketch of them. They had said first, that the Government would gain this advantage—that they would obtain the support of the whole of the banking interest, and on any occasion of necessity they would not bo compelled to rely upon one institution, an extraordinary strain upon which might weaken its resources to such an extent that possibly it might not be able to meet the requirements of the Government. Secondly, it would be an advantage to get the co-operation of the banks to float loans. Thirdly, the Government would enjoy the | advantage of facility in transacting business, because of the numerous agents of the banks. Further, that it was not prudent of the Government to place such large balances in tho I hands of one bank, when by dividing the

account better security would be obtained, and also the interest of all the banks. Mr. Parkes had recently taken the Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Forster, to task because he had removed from the Bauk of New South the sum of £250,000, and placed it in the City Bank, and in consequence a committee was appointed to inquire into the whole subject. The committee did so, and reported against Mr. Forster's action, but the last telegrams were to the effect that the whole House had affirmed the conduct of the Treasurer. Coming to the case of New Zealand again, the hon. member said he had no sympathy with the principle which had been established within the last year or two in the colony, that the Government could only work with the bank which had its headquarters in New Zealand, and so soon as the telegraph connected with Australia, it would do away with every shred of an excuse for such a policy. He hoped the Government would receive the motion in the same spirit in which he had brought it forward. Ho had to request that the words " to report within three weeks" should be inserted, and that the words " in such case " be taken out. The amendment was agreed to. The Hon. Major ATKINSON referred to the fair manner in which the matter had been argued by the hon. member, and said the motion appeared to the Government to be perfectly reasonable and right. They were, however, of the opinion that it would be very difficult to make arrangements which would be more beneficial to the colony than the present arrangements with the Bank of New Zealand. That bank had been of very great service to the colony, and had at all times met the Government in a very liberal spirit, but had the Government been of opinion that better arrangements could have been made, it would have been their duty to have invited competition, and they should have done so. They felt that a matter of such very great importance should be considered without reference to party interest —(hear, hear) —and should therefore agree to the motion. The motion was then agreed to. TAURANGA AND ROTORUA ROAD. Mr. KELLY moved a motion affirming the desirableness of the above-mentioned road being put in a thorough state of repair. The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON made a few remarks, in which he was understood to express the opinion that it was not the province of the Government to construct the road. Mr. WHITE opposed the matter _ very warmly, because the House knew nothing of the matter. It was merely a local board matter, and should not have been brought before the Parliament. It was an evidence of the fallacy of the cry for the abolition of the provinces, as the Provincial Council was the only body capable of dealing with the subject. Messrs. Sheehan, McGlashan, T. Kelly, O'Neill, O'Conor, and the Hon. Major Atkinson having addressed the House, the motion was withdrawn. REPORTING DEBATES COMMITTEE. On the motion of Mr. Steward, Mr. Harrison's name was added to the Reporting Debates Committee. NATIVE RESERVE 31, GREYMOUTH. Mr. HARRISON moved for a return, showing the amounts separately received as rental on account of the Native Reserve No. 31, at Greymouth, from the Ist January, 1865, to the 31st December, 1874 ; and the sums paid from these amounts towards public improvements. BREAKERS OFF CAPE FAREWELL. Mr. O'NEILL moved for all papers and information relating to rocks and breakers, the existence of which have been reported to the Government, between Cape Foulwind and Cape Farewell. Mr. REYNOLDS stated that the Government had been aware of the breakers, which reached five or six miles along the coast, since 1872, when a report concerning them had been sent in. As soon as a steamer was available one would be sent out to ascertain the exact locality of the breakers referred to. COMMITTEE OF SUPLLY. A resolution was reported from the Committee of Supply, and it was decided to go into Committee of Ways and Means next day. HIGHWAY BOARDS EMPOWERING ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was postponed till next day, to enable members to become acquainted with its provisions. SOUTHLAND WASTE LANDS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr. REID moved the second reading of the Southland Waste Lands Act, 1865, Amendment Bill. The Bill provides for giving increased facilities for bona fide settlement, and conferring greater powers on the Waste Lands Board. Mr. CUTHBERTSON expressed his approval of the Bill. Sir DONALD McLEAN said the disposal of Crown lands was a subject of such considerable importance, that members should be allowed opportunity of becoming thoroughly .acquainted with any Bill in which it was propused to deal with the matter ; but he would not stand in the way of the present motion, which he believed to be a step in the right direction, and it could be considered in committee. Mr. McGLASHAN said the Bill introduced a principle which, in his opinion, was wrong. It carried out the evil of the Waste Lands Act of 1872. Mr. THOMSON delivered a short address, in which he referred to the progress made by Otago in different industries, and thought the changes proposed to be effected in the administration of the law relating to Crown lands was requisite. The Bill was then read a second time. OTAGO WASTE LANDS. Mr. REID moved the second reading of the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872, Amendment Bill. In doing so he set forth the arguments in favor of the Bill, the necessity for an extended area of land being set apart on the deferred payment system, with intermediate sections, to be sold by public auction, so that while settlers who had obtained the laud under the deferred payments Bystem were expending their time and money in improving their own sections, the intermediate sections would be increasing in value ; and many settlers (not being without money, and feeling the want of a larger extent of land) would be induced to take up these intermediate sections when offered for sale at public auction. Those terms were the best that could be secured for the country. Mr. McGLASHAN thought it unfair that land on deferred payments should be sold at so much less than that obtained from cash purchasers, and the land fund was diminishing. Mr. McGILLIVRAY thought the Act too stringent, but since the mover was satisfied that 100,000 acres was sufficient, he would support it. Mr. MERVYN supported the Bill. Mr. CUTHBERTSON referred to the extreme popularity of the deferred payment system in Otago and Soutland, and the general opinion was that it should be extended. In connection with the Bill he wished to remark that as it had three times passed this House, and three times been rejected by tho other branch of the Legislature, he thought no blame could be attached to Otago members, or those who sympathised with them in desiring to settle people on the land, that the Bill should reappear session after session, until some good reason (not yet disclosed) should be given for its rejection. In speaking to his motion in reply, Mr. Reid stated, as to the limitations of the area, that he did not desire to place any limit upon it. but that he had left that with a view to remove any objection which might be raised to the granting of larger areas. The Bill was then read a second time, and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. PENSION BILL. The House went into committee to consider the giving leave to bring in the Ford and other pensions, and reported. CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS OF THE ASSEMBLY. Sir DONALD McLEAN laid on tho table the opinion of the Solicitor-General re the abolition of provinces, and papers in connection with natives reserves at Tairua. The letter of the Solicitor-General was read, as follows: MEMORANDUM FOR THE r-REMIEB. I have carefully read and conaldorod tho Act of the Imperial Parliament (31 and 82 Victoria cap, 92,) de-

daring the powers of the General Assembly to abolish any province in the colony. , . , I think that the power to abolish provinces is absolute, and that the General Assembly is empowered to abolish any and all ot the provinces. (Signed) W. S. Reid. "Wellington, July 29, 1875. CIRCULATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT. lii reply to Mr. Harbison, The Hon. Major ATKINSON stated that a telegraphic summary of the Financial Statement and Constitutional Bills would he sent to the different newspapers in the colony. The House then adjourned.