PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4775, 12 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, July 11. The Council met at two o’clock. PETITIONS (AND NOTICES. Several petitions were presented and notices of motion given. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN gave notice that he would move for the appointment of a committee to enquire into, and report upon, the provisions of the Disqualification Act. THE CENTBAL GAOL. The Hon. Captain FRASER moved, —That, in the opinion of this Council, it is inexpedient that the erection of the proposed gaol at Taranaki be proceeded with until the matter has been further considered. He characterised the proposed gaol as an intermediate or associated gaol, not a central gaol proper, and he compared it unfavorably with the central gaol of Ireland. It was proposed to build it of timber and corrugated iron, so that there wasnothing toprevent prisoners communicating with each other from one end of the building to the other, and he felt no doubt there would occur some serious outbreaks there. He gave the Minister for Justice credit for good intentions generally, but he had no hesitation in saying that in this case the Government were under the powerful and malign influence of Taranaki. Further, he saw no reason why the gaol should be situated at Taranaki. He did not think prison labor should be concentrated there, while it might prove so useful elsewhere, Westport to wit, where the labor could be employed in developing the coal land still in the hands of the Government.

The Hon. Colonel BRETT gave his idea of the proper site for a gaol, which should be to a certain extent isolated, and he agreed with much of what had been said by the mover. The Hon. Mr. CHAMBERLIN would support the motion. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE thought a mistake had been made in not giving the matter sufficient consideration. There should have been the fullest inquiry made before it was attempted to initiate a new and general penal system. We should learn by the experience of other countries, in which way only we could avoid making grave errors. He should support the motion, in the hope that it would lead to the appointment of a commission to inquire into the matter further. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN, in replying, said the mover of the resolution was in error as to the Government having been influenced by pressure from Taranaki in the course they had taken. The site had not been determined on without the largest possible consideration. Two other reserves had previously been made, but on examination they were found to be unsuitable, and finally it was considered, under all circumstances, that' the site at Taranaki was the most convenient. Moreover, there was a large work to be undertaken there, the performance of which had been sanctioned by the General Assembly, and for which one-fourth of the land fund of the province had been allocated. He denied that information as to the practice of other countries had not been considered. As to the objection to the character of the material of which the gaol was to be constructed, he said the building was not to be built entirely of timber and corrugated iron, part of it was to be composed of concrete. It was a notorious fact that the gaol system of the colony was a disgrace. The impossiblity of classification, for instance, had simply been a a scandal to the colony. This central gaol would at least give an opportunity of eliminating one class, and also give opportunity of employing the prisoners on the work to which he had alluded, namely, the construction of a breakwater. The future would form itself, and in the meantime the Government had taken what they considered the best means to provide for the present want. He would not say more, but hoped that the mover, having heard the above explanation, would not press his motion. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE pointed out many reasons why the building should not be constructed at Taranaki, and should have been glad to have heard the Colonial Secretary say the Government would delay the erection of the proposed gaol until the arrival of the competent officer from England. The Hon. Captain ERASER having replied, said that unless the Colonial Secretary would give him the assurance that delay would be permitted, he should press his motion. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said the erection of the gaol was an administrative action for which the Government were responsible, and’ he (Dr. Pollen) having no authority, was not called upon to give the assurance asked for. On the question being put, the Spkakee declared the noes to have it, and Captain Eraser called for a division, which resulted as follows: —Noes, II; ayes, 7.

HOUR OF MEETING. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved, —That until ordered otherwise this Council do meet at half-past two o’clock. Carried. CONFISCATED LANDS. Mr. Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE, on behalf of the Hon. Mr. Hart, moved, —That a return be laid upon the table of the quantities of laud in the province of Wellington, and in the confiscated lauds district, respectively, sold upon terms of deferred payments by the Government of New Zealand and the Provincial Government of Wellington ; the number of the original purchasers thereof, and the number of the present owners thereof, so far as the same can be ascertained. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN stated that there would be no objection to afford the information asked for, Motion carried. WELLINGTON RESERVES BILL. A message was received from the House of Representatives stating that the above Bill had passed that House. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, who acted on behalf of Mr. Hart, absent, the Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. BILLS. The Juries Act Amendment. Bill was read a second time, passed through committee, and was ordered to be read a third time on Wednesday (to-day). The Coroners Bill was dealt with in the same manner. The second reading of the Census Bill was postponed for one day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 11. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. PETITIONS , AND NOTICES OP ’MOTION. Several petitions were presented and notices of motion given. PRIVATE BUSINESS. On tho'motion of Mr. RoLLESTON,theTiraaru Gas Coal and Coke Company (Limited) Bill was read a second time. On the motion of Mr. Dignan, leave of absence was granted to Mr. Rees for a fortnight. QUESTIONS. Mr. O’RORKE asked the Colonial Treasurer, —Whether the Government will, in com-

pliance with the report of the Petitions Committee last year, take steps toward paying the award made by the late Mr. Beckham on the claim of John Fahy, for losses sustained during the war of 1863 1 The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said that the Government did not consider the claim one that could be entertained by the House and therefore they were not prepared to take’ any steps towards paying it. Mr. E. WOOD asked the Native Minister whether it is the intention of the Government appoint a commission to inquire into the feasibility of the suggestions made by Mr. J. C. Soall, of Auckland, upon the subject of Musketry Instruction, as requested by him in his letter received by Colonel Moule, at the Native Office, Ist June, 1870 ? The Hon. Member said he was unaware of the date of the letter. The Hon. Sir DONALD MCLEAN said the letter had been acknowledged by the Under Secretary for Defence, and the matter was under the consideration of the Government. He was aware that Mr. Soall took a deep interest in volunteering, and the Government was anxious to give his suggestions a fair trial. The matter would be dealt with in due course. Mr. DE LAUTOUR asked the Minister for Lands, —(1.) What items of revenue are included “in the ordinary .(goldfields) revenue from each field,” exclusive of the gold duty, to be handed to the local governing bodies for expenditure ? (2.) Is it the intention of the Government to create local governing bodies for mining districts within counties, or are the local governing bodies to which goldfields revenue is to be paid the County Councils 1 Mr. KENNEDY asked the Native Minister, —(1) If his Excellency the Governor, as trustee for the native reserves, Greymouth [l] has power to sell any portion of such reserves? [2] to grant leases for a period of 66 or 99 years ? (2) If so, if he will recommend that lessees be enabled to participate in such provisions ? (3) If no such authority exist, if he will at an early date introduce a Bill with the view of conferring on hie Excellency the Govern,' power as above referred to ? The hohr gentleman said the matter was regarded in Greymouth as one of great importance. Threefourths of the town was built on the native reserve, and upwards of £4OOO was annually paid in rents. It was several years since the buildings had been erected, and the inhabitants were therefore anxious to secure a permanent tenure. In 1872 Major Heaphy had reported that the Government had power to sell the reserve, and that the leaseholders should have power to purchase, subject to certain conditions. The leaseholders desired to treat the question in the same manner as if the land belonged to European proprietors, and he trusted the Government would give such an answer as would assure the lessees of some prospect of a settlement of the question.

The Hon. Sir DONALD McLB AN said the Government was quite aware of the importance of the Greymouth reserve. He could assure tile hon. gentleman that the question would be thoroughly considered during the session, and the matter would also be considered with the view of introducing such a measure as would meet the requirements of the settlers and the native owners. Mr. THOMSON asked the Colonial Treasurer whether he has any objection to prepare, with the view of being printed, a table similar to the first table on page 8 of the Financial Statement of last year, showing the exact condition of the loans as they stood on 30th June last. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said the table should be prepared. Mr. SEATON asked the Minister for Lands if the Government are aware that many claims under the Volunteer Land Act, 1865, are still unsatisfied ; and, if so, if they intend to take any steps towards settlement of the same ? The Hon. Major ATKINSON said that this was a matter with which the Government had had nothing to do hitherto. When abolition took place the Volunteers would in law be in the position they now occupied. Mr. BURNS asked the Commissioner of Customs:—(l.) What further steps have been taken by the Government towards erecting a a light and signal station on the Snares ? (2.) If the Government are aware that the relative positions of the various islands and rocks called the Snares are net correctly laid down on existing charts ? (3.) When there is a probability of the erection of a lighthouse on Cape Saunders being proceeded with ?

The Hon. Mr. G. McLEAN said that at the Melbourne conference it was agreed that New Zealand should not be asked to maintain the Snares lighthouse, and the Imperial Government had been communicated with, without, however, receiving much encouragement. Should all Australian Governments refuse to contribute, it would be time for New Zealand to take the matter into consideration. Attention had been drawn to the discrepancies in the “New Zealand Pilot” as to the position of the Snares. The positions on the charts were up to present knowledge correct. So soon as the lights now in course of erection were finished, that on Cape Saunders would be proceeded with. WELLINGTON HARBOR BOARD BILL. Mr. HUNTER introduced this Bill, and it was read a first time. OTHER HARBOR BOARDS, The North Otago Harbor Board Bill, and that to constitute a Harbor Board for the Patea river, were introduced and read a first time. ORDERS OP THE DAY. The House went into committee on the Regulation of Local Elections Bill, which was considered, in places amended, the ck)i£eregulating the hours during which the poll at elections should be taken giving rise to considerable discussion and two divisions. Ultimately the clause was passed so as to provide for the polling hours being from nine to six inclusive.

Clause 16, providing for the appointment of poll clerks by the Returning Officer, was passed as. printed. Clause 17. Mr. STOUT suggested that voters should be allowed to use any kind of pencil they pleased, and not be limited to the use of black lead. On a proposal to introduce voting by prosy, a discussion arose. —Sir Julius Vogel opposed the introduction of such a principle.— Mr. Reader Wood earnestly supported it. The latter speaker put a supposititious case. He was one of the largest ratepayers in one district, yet if an election took place while Parliament was sitting, he would be disfranchised because of bis public duties.—Messrs Wakefield, Gibbs, Montgomery, Baigent, and W. Wood took part in the discus, sion, and eventually it was decided**#*!to leave the matter for further consideration. The words “ black lead” were omitted from the clause. Clauses IS to 26, dealing with the duties of scrutineers, deputy returning officers, &c., passed with slight amendment. Hr. STOUT moved that clause 26 should be postponed, on the ground that it assumed the principle of plurality of votes to have been adopted, and would therefore interfere with the discussion of voting power in the Municipal Corporations Bill and Counties Bill.— Sir Julius Vogel said it was' not desirable that the discussion on plurality of votes should be taken now, that would come much better after. —Mr. Button thought it necessary to discuss the matter, because the Bill was iiitended to apply to all elections, and to some elections the clause would apply. Mr. BURNS moved the excision of clause 27, which has reference to the initialing of the voting papers by the Returning Officer, on the ground that it was liable to defeat the object of secret voting.—Mr. Stout, Sir. Mason, and Mr. Lumsden supported the suggestion. —Sir Julius Vogel pointed out that initialing was the only check there was upon fraud by putting into the ballot-box an unlimited number of voting papers.—Messrs. Swanson, Reynolds, Montgomery, Joyce, Bowen, Murray-Aynsley, Sharp, 3?yke, and others took part in the debate which followed, and eventually the" amendment was rejected on a division by a large majority. An amendment was made in clause 39, by which, at the option of the Court, a fine could be substituted for imprisonment. Mr. STOUT moved an addition to clause 41, intended to prevent treating at elections.

Section i was amended so as to provide a penalty for any elector carrying his ballot paper out of the booth. Mr. Stout’s amendment was carried, and the clause as amended adopted. Mr. STOUT moved the insertion of a new clause, to prevent the sale of any s'piiitous liquor on polling day within a certain distance of the polling booth, thus closing for that day any hotels situated within the prohibited distance. On a division the clause was rejected by a large majority. An additional clause, proposed by Mr. Whitaker, which prevented the jurisdiction of the-Supreme Court shutting out that of the Resident Magistrate’s Court, was carried o’nr the voices. ... The House having resumed, the Bill with :-.aV< .hi-ivuts was reported, and it was agreed "En:Ai‘ the further consideration should be taken on Thursday next. THE THAMES ELECTION. Sir GEORGE GREY, in a few words, proposed that the resolution compelling him to elect whether he should sit for Auckland City West or for the Thames, _ be rescinded, in order that what he maintained was the English practice should be followed ; and he should be allowed a further time—one week —to make his choice. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL pointed out that to do what Sir George Grey proposed would be to virtually disfranchise the Thames constituency during a most important portion of the session, and said that Sir George should see the desirability of coming to a conclusion at all events not later than the next afternoon sitting. Messrs. Tribe, Rowe, Nahe, Stout, and Tyke having spoken, The SPEAKER having been asked for his opinion, thought that in a case like that of Sir George Grey’s seven days should be allowed from the time that the committee on the petition against his return had reported. Mr. PYKE said those seven days would expire on Thursday next. The Hon. G. McLEAN drew attention to the hurry with which Sir George Grey’s party pressed on the issue of a new writ for Caversham last year, before the late member was in his grave. , , , The Hon. Major Atkinson, Messrs. Wood, and Wason having addressed themselves to the question, Sir George Grey replied. Sir George Grey’s motion was carried on the voices, and the Speaker announced that he would be required to give his decision on or before Friday next. The House adjourned at 1 a.m.