PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4485, 4 August 1875, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, August 3. The Council assembled at the usual hour. prayers. The SpEAKEP. having taken his seat, prayers were read. PAPERS. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN laid on the table a number of papers. RAILWAY COMPANIES. The Hon. Mr. MENZIES, pursuant to notice, asked the Hon. Dr. Pollen whether the Government propose to bring in this session a Bill to prescribe the conditions upon which nrivate persons or companies may construct railways ? The Hon. Dr. POLLEN, in reply, said that the subject would be considered in committee. REGISTRATION OP BIRTHS AND DEATHS BILL. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN, in moving the third reading of the Bill, said that the object of the Bill was to supply the deficiencies in the existing Acts, the unrepealed sections of which were incorporated in the new Bill. It would enable the Government to appoint Registrars. He would allude to a technicality in the present Bill. It provided that persons subject to registration must not only give notice to the Registrar, but such notice must be in the handwriting of the person applyingfor registration. The Bill was read the third time, and passed without amendment. MARRIAGE ACT, 1851, AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was read the second time, and passed without amendment. HANSARD. The Hon. the SPEAKER said that the hon. members of the Council would be entitled toreceive six copies of Hansard. He said that by this provision hon. members would be enabled to supply copies to the institutions in their various localities. He considered that the more the proceedings of the Legislature were circulated throughout the colony the better.

ADJOURNMENT. The Council adjourned till Thursday at the usual hour. * , HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, August 3. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. PAPERS. Sir DONALD McLEAN laid on the table a number of papers, amongst them the opinion of the Attorney-General relative to the date at which the present Parliament would expire by effluxion of time, stating that its existence commenced on the 25th November, 1871, and that it would expire five years from that date. Mr. CHARLES O’NEILL, member for the Thames goldfields, presented petitions asking for a railway from Waikato to the Thames, and for assistance to complete the Waiotahi road. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr. AVilliams, The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON said the revenue calculated to be derived from the extension of the telegraph further north to AATiangaroa and Mangonui was not more than £4O or £SO per annum, whereas its maintenance, if constructed, would cost £250. Taking into considex-ation that the outlay in the extension of the line in that direction had been £IB,OOO, he thought the hon. member might not ask for any additional expenditure at present. In reply to Mr. O’Neill, The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON said an advertisement for tenders for the construction of the Bay of Islands railway had been inserted, but it was withdrawn by the provincial authorities, owing to the non-completion of the agreement with the company. In reply to Mr. Pearce, as to whether it was the intention of the Government to construct a deep-water wharf, to connect shipping with the Wellington terminus of the Masterton x-ailway, * The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON said a statement would be made in the course of the evening, which he believed would give that gentleman ample satisfaction. In reply to Air. O'Conor, The Hon. Air. RICHARDSON said there would be no objection to lay before the House papers and reports showing the result of the geological explorations undertaken on the Mount Rochfort coalfield during the recess.

MESSAGE FROM LEGISLATIVE COCXCIL. A message from the Upper House asked the concurrence of the Assembly in the passing of the Registration of Births and Deaths Bill DECEASED WIFE’S SISTER BILL. This Bill was read a first time on the motion of Mr. Steward, and ordered to be read a second time on Thursday, ORDERS POSTPOXED. The Protection of Animals Act Amendment Bill, the Hawke’s Bay Volunteer Grants Bfil, and the Ann Hood Grant Bill, were made’ orders of the day for Friday. XEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY ACT. The New Zealand University Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, and ordered to he committed on Friday. MARINE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and ordereclto be committed on Friday. COMMITTEE OP WAYS AND MEANS. The Committee of Ways and Means will sit to-night. FORD AND OTHERS PENSION BILL. The committee having reported, the Bill was ordered to be read a first time on Friday. THE OTAGO UNIVERSS-r BILL. This Bill was read a second lime, and ordered to be committed on Friday. STAMP FEES BILL. This Bill, which provides for the utilisation: of stamps in the collection of revenue in'other departments, was read a second time, and to be committed on Friday. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. On the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Sir GEORGE GREY said he begged to take the privilege of stating that an Opposition had been formed in that Assembly, and they intended to act on two points: first, to inquire strictly into the general financial condition of the colony; and secondly, to oppose the passing of that Bill which provided for the abolition of the provinces—(hear)—until the people had been given an opportunity of expressing their opinions on the questions. He wished to be allowed to say a few words in relation to the course it was prepared to pursue; and firstly he would claim the indulgence of the House, in giving the most liberal possible interpretation to freedom of discussion. They were about to enter upon what had been designated a revolution. To meet a revolution, they must necessarily have recourse to extreme measures; and though he trusted that their views would always be expressed in becoming language, yet free liberty of speech must be accorded them under such circumstances, In illustration of his meaning he would first allude to the Imperial Legislature which had produced better effects and achievo greater things than any other legislature in th< world. But in defence of their rights and freedom men should have an opportunity of fairly criticising, and whilst admiring, they had a right to complain of shortcomings when they were distressing to themselves. He would call the attention of the House to the course pursued with regard to that Bill, under which an attempt was to be made to take away the rights and privileges of the people, but in which he firmly believed they would not succeed. (Cheers.) That Bill was sent Home from this colony some time in the month of May, 1868, being ultimately sent by the Governor to England on the 2Sth of May, 1863. The session of the Imperial Parliament of 1863 had been an unusually long one. Parliament met on the 19th November, 1867, and continued to sit at intervals until 31st of May, 1863. Some time early in July that Bill reached England, It was sent to the House of Commons on the 7th July, and was read, after midnight, for the li'-st time. It was read again on the 9th July, was passed through committee on the 10th, and, according to Hansard, without observa -

tion, good, bad, or indifferent being made with reference to the Bill; nor was there.any explanation made as to the momentous occasion to which it was intended to apply. It was then read a third time, and passedkthe House of Commons. The Bill was read in the House of Lords on the 14th, and ultimately passed through the House on the 23rd. During' the progress of the Hill through those iliiftu out stages, no observation as to its importance was made, it being treated as a trifling Bill, having reference merely to the province of ’ The Royal assent was given to the Bill on tue 29th July; and in that way a Bill of such vast importance to the people of the colony had been rushed through the Imperial Parliament, men received here, it was authoritatively stated that the sole intention of the measure was to declare the validity of the x o to proclaim the province of W estland. Looking at these facts, he maintained that they had a ri"ht to speak in terms which otherwise might not be justifiable, and his observations also applied to other bodies in this country. He felt with regard to that other branch of the Legislature which was sometimes called the Upper House, that they should be allowed to utter their sentiments freely, without being called to account, as he (Sir George) had been the other nivht. They had a perfect right to criticise the acts of the other branch of the Legislature. He desired on the present occasion that historical pictures of the existing state of the colony should be preserved, that posterity might know the nature of their Constitution, which would destroy those institutions which alone secured to the people of the colony the rights and privileges to which they were entitled. The other night the hon. member for Taieri made a speech in that House which produced a powerful impression on his (Sir George’s) mind, which would lorm subject matter for the comments of future historians, and the consideration of which he hoped would induce the Government to pause in the course they were about to pursue : for he believed that if they did not, the voices of the of the country would make them pause. The. hon. member for Taieri had told them in terms of congratulation that upon a recent occasion 7000 acres of land had been opened to settlers, to be taken up on tbe deferred payment system, at the same time that there were 500 applicants applying for an area of 140,000 acres, and then went on to tell thqax as to the Otago Waste Lands Act, that he desired to make that Bill so extensive that the wants of the people might be met, while he proceeded to say, with bated breath and due submission, that he dared not make proposals which were proper, because they had been rejected on suecesive occasions by the Upper House. The modest demand of these 500 settlers was for 200 acres each, and the answer they received was that they could have 7000 acres between them all, and more dare not asked for, though those 500 men were virtually the owners of the soil. The persons whose legislation had taken it from them were representatives of nobody. They had no right to legislate for their own interests, and take from their fellow countrymen. (Cheers from the Opposition benches.) And all the representative institutions which could prevent acts of this kind were to he trampled under foot, and swept away. That he contended was the case. He now passed on to the. third estate. He -was told that he must be cautious how he mentioned the name of the Governor. But the Governor had identified himself with a faction. (Hears and Noes.) The SPEAKER reminded Sir George that it was not competent for any hon. member to bring the Governors name into the question. The Governor acted on the advice of Ministers.

Sir GEORGE GREY: Thentheirposition was -wretched indeed. The Governor had certain duties attached to his office by law, but no recommendation from Parliament could justify such cases as that to which he referred. In this case a great constitutional principle had been broken—he would say, had beeu_ broken by some person who had been advised by Ministers to do so. He (Sir George) felt that the words he uttered would be heard to some extent by the world at large. It was the ancient maxim of England that the Crown takes no right from its subjects ; that the Crown does not lend its name in the first instance to rob them of those rights. Here was a Bill to provide for the abolition of the provinces, which was a twofold Bill. One part provided for abolishing the provinces ; the other made certain provisions which there was no necessity to tack on to the first part of the Bill. Those who had fitted two Bills into one in order to trick members of that House ; those who had made her Majesty’s representative he the first person to take those rights from the people, had acted a most unworthy part. (Hear.) Why recommend the Queen’s representative to ask in his own person that the House should denude the people of the colony of their free-born privileges ? Why ask the members of the House to enact a law by which in reality they called themselves fools ? (Laughter). By which they said they could not tell whether they had made sufficient provision for carrying out their intentions, and if not to make up for their shortcomings. Where was ever such power placed in the hands of a despot ? Why not have brought down a perfect Bill at once ? He must contend that it was wrong that the Governor’s name should have been used to ask them to give him power to abolish provinces, which had elected governors up to the present time—men who had done much for their country, under whose directions the riches of the earth had been developed and mountain ranges pierced hy carriages, by whom a population of aboriginals had been civilised and peace secured to the country, and a great country added to the possessions of the Crown. What had these men done unworthy of themselves that the population should be told “You are no longer able to make such choice; allowustodoitforysu.” Eor such a purpose the Governor’s name should not have been used.

The SPEAKER again interrupted Sir George to rule him out of order. If he "believed that the Governor had acted in an unconstitutional manner, it .vould be competent for members to inquire irto such a question. Sir GEORGE ■ffilEY could not clearly see the diatixnA'on. He wished to speak with all aspect when he said that an unconstitutional act had been committed. He had, in the first place, claimed freedom of speech, and had expressed his reasons. He would now pass to other matters, and express the extraordinary regret he felt at the course of action which he was compelled to take with those who felt themselves forced to follow him. He felt that the Bill had been moat unfairly thrust upon the country at the time it was. It was introduced suddenly into the House with a great deal of theatrical effect. He saw a rush into the House, and heard it exclaimed that a message had been received from the Governor, suddenly and unexpectedly, and the whole thing was flashed over the country by telegraph that very night, and meetings had been got up to promote its popularity ; but no particulars were given for discussion. He looked upon the Bill as a series of bribes to appeal to the lowest motives that could actuate human nature. (A mixture of interjections from both sides of the House.) It held out nothing to posterity. For several years that House had had money at its disposal, and all these things might have been done years ago ; but now, when they had no money to carry out their promises, the Legislature made these offers to the people ; and they did so because they saw that a crisis was at hand, and wished to prevent the power they possessed from being wrested from them. He could only say, that he and those who acted with him were prepared to offer to the people of this country constitutional changes which would be greatly to their benefit, and were prepared to give them control over greater sums than were offered by this Bill. (Cheers and laughter.) Sums which would be raised by an equitable taxation. The men who made the bribes contained in that Bill offered nothing from their own pockets. He could only say that he looked upon it as extremely unfair that the people of Hew Zealand should not have been allowed to have their proposal placed before. It had been unfair at Home, and it was unfair to attempt to rush it through Parliament hero ; but he might tell them that something better was contemplated, and that the meetings instigated by the Government would dissolve into thin air, and their telegrams

be wasted, and that from their effort, paltry as it was, great good would result to this country. Every effort of his and those who acted with him would be exercised to place the Government of the country on a firm basis, which would prevent all revolutionary attempts such as the present, to deprive the people of the rights which they enjoy. (Cheers.) Sir DONALD McLEAN said he was pleased to hear the hon; member declare himself. Nothing could be more gratifying to the Government than that a strong Opposition should be formed, because he believed no country could be well governed without a good Opposition. Sir Donald McLean then referred to the remarks which emanated from Sir George regarding the Abolition Bill, stating that the Constitution Act had boon despatched with a memorandum from the then Premier iu 18GS, when Sir George was Governor of the colony, when it had his -concurrence ; and referred to the opinions expressed by Earl Grey and other Ministers as to the desirability of a provision for a change such as that now proposed to be made. He denied that the change was revolutionary, or contrary to the wishes of the people, who in every part of the colony had felt the necessity of this step for the last fifteen years. The time had now come when that change was inevitable—all the outlying districts felt that it must be effected. He was sorry that Sir George, who had for a long time held the office of her Majesty’s representative, should have deemed it necessary to make allusion to his Excellency the Governor. He thought also that his reference to the Legislative Council was uncalled for. Many of those gentlemen had done the colony good service, and had taken a distinguished part in debate ; and he looked upon the attack made upon them as extremely unfair. Finally, Sir Donald repudiated the accusation that the Government were offering bribes in the proposal before the House.

Tbe SPEAKER reverted to the question of privilege raised during Sir George Grey’s speech, as the latter gentleman had stated that ho failed to see the distinction pointed out. If the Governor refused to grant a dissolution of Parliament to his Ministers when they asked for it, he would come to that decision entirely ofhis own will as representative of the Sovereign, and although not responsible to that House, yet the question as to whether or not he acted constitutionally might become a subject of discussion ; but when the Governor performed an Executive Act by the advice of his Ministers, he was not responsible. The Hon. Mr. FITZHERBERTthenspoke at some length on thequestionofprivilege,upholding the position taken by Sir George. The Government had added the weight of the Crown in taking away the rights of the people, who were liable to pay for interest and sinking fund on debts imposed upon them by the Govern’ir.eut without giving them the power of a voice in the matter.

The House then went into Committee of Supply, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow. WELLINGTON CORPORATION OFFICES LOAN BILL. The above Bill was read a second time, to be committed to-day. MARKET RESERVE SALE BILL. The Hon. Mr. FITZHEKBERT moved the second reading of the Wellington Harbor Reserve Sale Bill. Mr. PEARCE did not intend to oppose the Bill, but desired to point out that under it the general assets of the Corporation were made liable for the debt incurred by taking over the reclaimed land. He thought that the debt should have been incurred on specific security. Mr. BUNNY remarked that the hon. member, who was also a member of the Provincial Council, should have taken this objection when the Ordinance was before the Provincial Council. Mr. PEARCE explained that when the Ordinance came before the Council the matter he complained of did not appear. After some further discussion, the Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-day. OHINEMGBI MINERS’ RIGHTS. Sir DONALD McLEAN moved the motion standing in his name, for a committee of members, named, to inquire into the alleged illegal issue of miners’ rights at Ohinemuri. It was carried. REVENGE OP WAITAKI. Mr. STEWARD moved for a return, showing the amount derived from sales and leases of Crown, lands within the electoral district of Waitaki from Ist January, 1860, to 31st December, 1874 ; also amount derived from live stock from same district within the same period. The House then adjourned. On resuming at half-past seven, PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON made his Public Works Statement. Instead of entering so fully into detail as formerly, he drew attention to the maps, tables, and reports from the various engineers aud others that would be attached to the printed statement. It was only then for the first time that he was able to speak with any degree of certainty as to the cost of the various railways.

The appropriations taken iu 1872 had in many cases been only approximate, but during the past two.years detailed surveys of nearly all the railways had been completed, and he was now in a position to place reliable estimates before the House.

Before doing so, he referred to the past action of the Public Works department, with a view to show how satisfactory are the results of the large railway works undertaken by the colony. The Railways Act of 1872 appropriated £3,886,900. This was then supposed sufficient for constructing 764 miles of railway, of which 278 were in the North Island, and 486 in the Middle Island. Further appropriations were taken in 1873, amounting to £1,680,000, and additional small appropriations in 1874, the total being £5,777,900 for the construction of 1010 miles, of which 372 were in the North Island and 640 iu the Middle Island.

Now that the actual lengths and cost can be correctly estimated, it is found that to complete the lines in the North Island there will be required an additional appropriation of £142,000 for some of them, while on the others there will be a saving o» the appropriation, of £50,000. From this calculation is excluded the 24 miles from Featherston to Masterton, afterwards separately alluded to. For the completion of the Middle Island lines additional appropriations will be required on some of them, amounting to £265,000, while on others there will be a balance of £43,319. Omitting the length from Featherston to Masterton, there will, therefore, be required to be newly appropriated £407,400, with a balance of excess of votes of £93,319, thus only really increasing the present appropriations by £314,081. The total appropriation will be £6,091,981 for the completion of this mileage fully equipped, 100 miles of it being of a heavier rail than previously contemplated. With three exceptions, the lines will bo constructed at an average cost of £SOOO per mile, the exceptions being the Wellington to Featherston, the Port Chalmers, and the Dunedin to Moeraki, these costing£lo,ooo, £27,000, and £9OOO per mile respectively. There are open for traffic 278 miles ; 17-‘i miles more will be ready within three months, and 116 by the end of the year. The excess of cost is attributable to the rise in labor and material, the still greater rise in price of timber and heavy cost of transhipment. This rise will be more readily understood when it is borne in mind that the rise in Home prices forced a large portion of the permanent way to be contracted for at rates no one could possibly have anticipated in 1872, that circumstances have necessitated £120,000 in fencing beyond the original estimate, and the high prices that in some cases have had to be paid for railway lands. The estimates of the traffic on various lines, submitted in 1871 and 1872, was at the time considered to be far in excess of what was likely to be realised when the lines were opened. But the result has been so much in

excess, that soon after the close of last session orders for additional rolling stock, amounting to .£96,000, had to be sent Home. The Engi-neer-in-Chief in the face of this larger traffic had recommended 100 miles of 521 b. rails to be ordered for curves aud steep gradients, instead of the ordinary 401 b. rails. While on this subject it is thought well to refer to the charges which have been very freely made during tbe past year as to the bad quality of the material. As far as experience has shown at present, there is very little to complain of. The orders sent Home have been very well executed on the whole. In addition to the inspection which takes place in England, everything is so closely examined in the colony, that wherever there is any room for complaint it is at once made, and claims for remedying the evils are sent Home. In almost every instance the amounts claimed have been at once recognised and paid, or fresh material sent out free of cost.

Although many of the works have not proceeded as expeditiously as contemplated, yet a large amount of work has been done. Delays have in most eases arisen iu a greater or less degree from want of labor, aud there has scarcely been a locality where contractors have been able to procure a sufficient supply. Urgent demauds have been received from almost every district to press ou the works faster, but Government have been careful to avoid further forcing up the rates of labor, aud where necessary have extended the time for completion. The House is urged not to enter upon extensions or new lines until proper surveys have been made aud reliable details procured. The extra cost is attributable to a departure from this rule.

The principal additional appropriations required on authorised works are £20,000 for Auckland to Mercer; £20,400 for Napier to Waipukurau ; £24,000 for the conversion of the Manawatu tramway (thereby making a total of £84,000 for twenty-five miles of railway); £59,000 for Wellington to Featherston; £50,000 for the branch line and terminal accommodation connecting the main line on the north and south of the River Wanganui with the Wanganui township—this branch is necessary for developing the traffic on the portions of the main line now under contract; an alternative line has lately been suggested, which, it is hoped, will greatly reduce this almost prohibitive cost—£l3,ooo for Nelson to Foxhill; £25,000 for Picton to Blenheim—principally owing to the extra bridging—and £15,000 for continuing the line to centre of Blenheim; £37,000 for Greymouth to Brunnerton ; £19,000 for the Waimate branch ; £16,000 for other Canterbury branch lines ; £IOOO for Waitaki bridge ; £37,400 for Moeraki line ; £40,000 for Dunedin to Clutha; £39,500 for Mataura to Invercargill. The railways open for traffic worked by the General Government have all, as soon as completed by the contractors, been placed by the Engineer-in-Chief under the immediate charge of Mr. Passmore, who was selected on account of the large practical experience he possessed in connection with the working of railways in other countries, and particularly with the narrow gauge and working of heavy gradients. This officer has had anything but an enviable task ; but thus far the Government have every cause to be satisfied with the way in which he has carried out the important work entrusted to him. The Wellington to Masterton railway has yielded during the fourteen and a half months it has been opened £lß9l 13s. Id. over and above the working expenses. This is a result which must be considered highly satisfactory, when it is remembered what a fragment of a line is open, that the present temporary terminus is inconveniently distant from the city, aud that the line is so short as almost to preclude goods’ traffic. The Napier aud Paki-Paki line has yielded during eight aud a half months £2028 9s. Considering how shoi’t a length of this line has been opened for traffic, the results are very encouraging. The Auckland and Onehunga line has during the past year yielded £2X49 ss, Id. The line from Penrose to Mercer had only been opened a few weeks, and could scarcely have been considered to have been iu working order. This profit, amounting to £6069 7s. 2d,, shows the annual yield by these three lines of railway on the capitalised cost to bo, therefore, a fraction over 2 per cent. For a few months the Auckland and Onehunga line was not worked in a satisfactory manner. The cause is explained. It is now removed, and there is no reason to doubt that the traffic will henceforth be carried on with due regal’d to economy and public convenience. There have been complaints as to the rates charged both for passengers and goods. But the House is informed that the passenger rates for first class are very slightly in excess of those charged ou many of the English railways away from the large centres of traffic, and that in the second class they are below those similarly charged in England, and the inference is that there is very little just cause for complaint. The loudest complaints have been made as to the scale fixed for the line from Auckland to Mercer. Whether these complaints are justified, honorable members are left to judge for themselves from the following facts:—The length of the line is forty-three miles, and on it there are several miles of very steep gradient. The first class passenger fare for the whole distance is lis., the second class is 7s. Cd., and the rates charged for goods vary, according to description, from 15s. Bd. to 12a. per ton. The coach rate for passengers between Auckland aud Mercer up to the opening of the railway was 155., and the waggon rate for goods from 60s. to 655. These facta speak for themselves, and will, I think, be admitted to be a complete answer to the complaints that have been made. With a view to assist in developing the Waikato mines, it is intended to fix a special haulage i ate for coal from Mercer to Auckland at 7s. 2d. per ton. Ou the Canterbury and Otago lines the profit for the provincial year ending on 31st March last is given as £19,641 6s. lid. and £22,323 9s. 6d. respectively. The only road calling for special attention is that between Masterton and Manawatu Gorge. £28,622 has been expended thereon daring the year. The metalling will be proceeded with in the spring. The bridge over tbe Manawatu Gorge, opened lately, is 428 ft. in length, and is one of the largest in the island. It is suitable for both road and railway traffic. The total length of road in North Island, completed or in progress, is 1888 miles of dray aud 526 miles of horse roads, at a cost of £478,073 Us. Bd., viz. —in Auckland, £168,364 ; Hawke’s Bay, £70,214 ; Wellington, £164,074 ; Taranaki, £75,422. The maintenance of many of these roads, more especially those in the unsettled districts, is a matter which, involving as it docs considerable annual outlay, will require to be provided for. It is proposed to utilise as far as possible tbe services of the constabulary for this purpose, aud when those are not available, other provision will have to be made.

The total amount expended on roads in Nelson South-west goldfields has been £03,283, and the length completed, or in progress, 114 miles. The total amount expended on roads in Westland is £112,009 11s. 5d., and the length 135 miles. The three large water-races for supplying water on the goldfields, have all of them proved much more costly undertakings than was anticipated. A further sum of £41,000 is required to complete them. The excess is caused mainly by the large expenditure necessary to secure the stability of the head works of the Nelson Creek and Waimea races. The same result has occurred on the large water-race at Naseby, which is being supervised by the Provincial Government of Otago, for which £IO,OOO additional is required. It would appear that, with all the precautions which have been taken to obtain reliable data previously to the commencement of these four great works, the same unsatisfactory results have been met with as have occurred in respect to similar undertakings in other parts of tho world, and more particularly in India, California, and the adjoining colony of Victoria.

Fortunately the works entered upon in New Zealand are not on such a large scale as in those cases above referred to, and the water-

races we have undertaken will, if the House vote the necessary funds, be completed, and within a few months be made remunerative. But Mr. Richardson is ready to admit that the late Government, of which _he was a member, made a grave error in yielding to the pressure which was brought to bear upon it, and entering upon the construction of these races without more reliable data.

The new survey of the Mikonui water-race is finished but not yet to hand. It will be dealt with late in the session. A large number of buildings have been erected under the direction of the Colonial Architect, but the high prices of labor and material of all descriptions have compelled the Government to hold over all those winch the requirements of the public service permitted. The coal exploration of the Buller field has been proceeded with as rapidly as possible, and the plotting of coal outcrops has been going on contemporaneously with it. The survey of the country between Ngakawau and Mount Rochfort, and between Mount William Range and Cascade Break, has been completed. A rough estimate of this area gives as much as 110,000,000 tons, in seams of 20ft. and upwards, attaining at one point a thickness of 03ft.

The brown coal of the Kupa Kupa mine, Waikato, is being steadily worked, the seam holding about 18ft. in thickness. At Raglan the coal formation again appears, at Miranda Redoubt it occurs varying from 16 to 18ft. Coal is reported in Shakespero Bay, Picton, but examination of country does not give any prospect of its being found there in workable quantities. The almost inexhaustible coal fields in Otago are now being worked to a comparatively large extent; and with the facilities that will be immediately offered by the railway in course of construction, the development of these mines will be rapidly extended. The same remark applies to the coalfields in Canterbury and the neighborhood of Greyraouth. The inspection of machinery has been brought into force, and machinery in 351 establishments inspected, and 513 steam boilers. The fees amounted to £903, the expenditure to £824. The Government consider that while no attempt should be made to create a revenue from this source, the fees should be made to pay all the necessary expenses of carrying out the Act. As a rule, the owners of machinery of all classes have signified their approval of the Act, and there is no doubt that the inspector’s recommendations have been of much service ; and if the provisions of the Act are carefully carried out in the future, very great benefit must accrue to the public. The Government consider the railway appropriations to be taken this year out of loan should be only those which will tend to render the railways already authorised more complete, and that further extensions should be postponed until, at all events, the greater proportion of the railways now in course of construction are open for traffic. They feel convinced from the satisfactory results shown by those already opened, that there will be no difficulty in raising whatever funds may be necessary to further extend the main trunk lines.

The Auckland workshops have cost £12,000, and £3OOO more will be required. The experience of the Manawatu tramway having shown the waste occasioned by laying down wooden rails, the Takapau tramway will be converted into a railway, for which £27,000 is required. The line from Hauawatu to Wanganui is, on completion of plans, five miles longer than anticipated, requiring £30,500 to finish it. The line from Featherston to Maaterton, twenty-four miles, being practically unprovided for, will require £120,000. The Wellington terminus, including the reclamation, will cost £35,000, and the estimated cost of the railway wharf is £25,000. £SOOO will also be required for a small workshop, built so as to be capable of easy extension. The inland line from Waitara to Inglewood £3500. The Government hope next session to be able to submit estimates for completing the main trunk line between Taranaki and Wanganui and Masterton, through Manawatu to Napier. Survey parties are now engaged on these routes, and although the cost of completing these railways will bo very large, still the Government are satisfied there will be no difficulty in raising the necessary funds when the railways now in hand are finished, and the extension can be undertaken with economy. Westport and Mount Rochfort is so far advanced that provision must be made for shipping coal and for protective works, for which £30,500 will be required. The plans are prepared. £IO,OOO is absolutely required for now passenger station at Port Chalmers, including refund of coat of reclamation. About £OOOO has been spent on Dunedin workshops. They will cost the same as at Auckland £15,000. . . , _ t A survey has been made, to join the Past and West Coasts of the Middle Island, by Mr. Foy. The Engineer-in-Chief from thi»_ data recommends that the best route for a railway north of Hokitika is from Greymouth via the Kiver Ahaura to the Tutaikurae over the Hope pass, thence along the Hope and the Waiawauto where that river would be crossed by the extension northwards of the main trunk lino. Other routes have been traversed and found impracticable. The Government are not yet in a position to recommend any action to the Assembly,

The statement concludes as follows ;

During the past year the expenditure on roads has been £123,958 15s. Bd., in addition to a total expenditure to 30th of June, 1871, of £508,787 10s. 4d.; on railways the expenditure for the year has been £1,997,165 3s. 9d., in addition to £1,994,256 10s. sd: previously ; and on water-races there has been £113,335 18s. 2d. expended, in addition to £101,352 18s. 3d. ; the total expenditure to the 30th June last for each of the above classes of works being, on roads, £032,746 125.; on railways, £3,991,421 14s. 2d.; and water-races,£2l4,6Bß 16s. 5d., giving a total expenditure of £4,838,857 2s. 7d. The liabilities on these respective works were, at the same date — Boads, £23,132 2s. 7d.; railways, £1,620,365 ss. lOd. ; and water-races, £137,072 Gs. Id., making a total liability on those works of £1,780,570 14s. Gd., and of expenditure and liabilities £6,619,427 17s. Id. I should add that the greater portion of the expenditure of the liabilities above mentioned, together with the amount of the new I have laid before you this evening, will ho distributed, as stated in my honorable colleague's Financial Statement, over a period of two years. But we have not only the expenditure side of the question before us to-night, we have also the beginning of the return which the larger portion of 'the expenditure on railways will produce. I have stated that on all the lines open for traffic a very gratifying profit has been received, more especially when the fragmentary character of some of those linos is taken into account. Now, Sir, with tho working of those short lengths before us, I think there is no room for any gloomy forebodings as to the financial success of the railway system adopted by tho colony. Even _ at present the easy and certain communication the railways afford has greatly assisted settloment in the country districts, and this constantly growing element of settler population must furnish a corresponding increase of traffic, as the lines in course of oomifietion open up country hitherto out off from a market by reason of the cost or difficulty in communicating therewith. If further evidence of the probable paying results of our railway expenditure should be needed, I ask the House to turn to the table appended hereto, as reprinted from tho annual report of the Commissioner of Kailways in Victoria, for tho year 1874 ; X have had that table reprinted because I think it is calculated to inspire great confidence in the minds of honorable members. It shows that in tiro year 1874 there were open in the colony of Victoria 441 miles of railway, the total cost of which was £11,657,484 ; the average cost per mile was £26,207; tho gross receipts from all sources wore £851,042 ; the working expenses wore £374,715 ; and the net income was £476,327, being interest at the rate o£ 4T2 per cent on the total capital. Now, Sir, we in New Zealand shall have 991 miles of railway for tho total cost of £6,091,931, or at the rate of about £OOOO per mile. After making

full allowance for the difference in the population of the two colonies, and the extra expense involved in the working by our having three or four great centres of traffic instead of one as in Victoria, 1 cannot but think that Iron, members will agree with me in believing that the comparative difference in cost, which is more than at the rate of £20,000 per mile in favor of New Zealand, leaves such a margin as will insure very satisfactory results to the railways in this colony. The House will have already judged from what I have said, that the policy of the Government is to complete all the lines now in hand, and get them into thorough working order. It will then be seen where extensions are most wanted to further open up the country. Meanwhile, large as the liability is which has already been incurred for railway construction, I am sure that if the railways are but prudently managed, the result will be such as to make it very easy for succeeding Governments to raise whatever further sums may bo required for any railways it can be shown will help the settlement of the country —the one main object which has been kept in view since the commencement of what has been styled the Public Works and Immigration policy. Sir, I have trespassed on the time of the House very largely on two similar occasions in previous years, and I am sure I have to-night sorely tried your patience and that of hon. members, but the importance of the occasion is such as to warrant me in extending my remarks to the length I have done. It now only remains for me to thank you, Sir, and the House, for the consideration you have shown to me. The House then adjourned.