PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4847, 4 October 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, October 3. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. MOTIONS. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL moved,—That there be laid upon the table, copies of Mr. Land Purchase Commissioner Wilson’s report dated June, 1876, and of all correspondence, maps, and papers connected therewith.—Agreed to. The Hon. Captain FRASER moved, —That the report of the Surveyor-General on the state of the Canterbury surveys, made to the Superintendent of Canterbury by order of the General Government, be laid on the table. —Agreed to. THAMES DOMESTIC WATER SOPPX.Y BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. second readings. The following Bills, which have passed the House of Representatives, were read a second time:—Milton Municipality Extension Bill, Blueskin Recreation Reserve Bill, Dunedin Wharves and Quays Reserves Bill, Wellington College Act Amendment Bill, and Port Alolyneux Reserves Leasing Bill. The last-named Bill was referred to the Waste Lands Committee. CHRISTCHURCH DISTRICT DRAINAGE BILL. The following amendment, proposed by his Excellency the Governor, —in clause 4 in tho Bill as amended by the Legislative Council, line 4 between the words “ hundred” and “ thousand” to erase the words “ and fifty”— was agreed to. ROMAN CATHOLIC LANDS BILL. The Hon. Dr. GRACE moved the second reading of this measure. It was proposed to amend the preamble by striking out certain words and adding others. It was intended to strike out the words “in communion with the See of Rome ” wherever they occurred in the Bill. A couple of clauses would also be adder, indicating that the limits of each diocese should be registered in the district land office, whose certificate should be evidence at lav of the exact limits of its boundaries. After discussion the debate was adjourned till Thursday, to allow of the proposed amendments being printed. IN COMMITTEE. The Municipal Corporations Bill was taken up at the 101st clause. “ One year ” was substituted for “ two years ” in thgt clause. Clauses 1 02 to 132 were agreed to. On clause 133 the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse moved that it should be struck out. The motion was agreed to. The three succeeding clauses went necessarily with 133. Clauses 175 and 186 were postponed. Progress was reported on the 187th clause, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, October 3. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. protection op animals. ; Sir GEO K.GE GREY gave notice of his intention to introduce a Bill to amend the existing law as to the protection of animals. questions. Mr. PYKE asked the Hon. Major Atkinson, —lf the Government would take into favorable consideration the recommendations of the Goldfields Committee, as set forth in a “Report on the Otago Central Miners' Association Correspondence,” and appoint a commission to inquire (during the recess) into the question of the validity of water licenses granted under the Goldfields Acts in force, and the relations between licenses so granted and the ordinary riparian rights ot landowners and others ? Also, if the Government would further authorise such commission to inquire generally into existing goldfields legislation, with the view, ot having a complete and comprehensive measure prepared, dealing with the questions aforesaid ? The Hon. Major ATKINSON replied that the Government would consider the matter, but would not commit themselves to carry out the whole of the recommendations of the committee. Although they were anxious to meet the views of the committee, there had not yet been time to consider the matter, but during the recess the whole question would receive the consideration of the Government, and it necessary a commission would be appointed to carry out what was asked for. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS asked the Minister for Public Works,—lf he would inform the House when the public works estimates were likely to be laid on the table ? and whether provision would be made for carrying out the recommendation ot the Engineer-in-Chief with regard to wharf extension at Port Chalmers (page 35, Public Works Statement) ? stating that during last wool season great inconvenience was caused by the want of proper accommodation, numbers of vessels lying in the stream.

Tho Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON replied that on Monday he would make a statement as to the public works estimates ; and as to the second part of the question he could only say that, considering the endeavors which were being made to deepen the Dunedin harbor, so as to admit of large ships unloading there instead of »t Port Chalmers, some inquiry should be made as to whether it was advisable to incur a large expenditure in providing extra wharf accommodation. Mr. MURRAY asked the Government, — If they would lay the report of Mr. Wilson, Land Purchase Commissioner, before this House before the close of the session ?

The Hon. Major ATKINSON 1 replied that the papers asked for would be laid on the table during the evening sitting. The Hon, Mr. WHITAKER laid a report on the table as to telegraph extension to Catlin’s river, and the Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee tabled several reports. Mr. LARNACH gave notice that he would move the addition of a sura of £235 to the supplementary estimates, for the benefit of tho widow and children of the late Mr. Elliott, mail agent between Auckland and Sydney, Panama, and San Francisco. THE COUNTIES BILL. The Speaker then left the chair, and the House went into committee on the Counties Bill. —Some discussion ensued on clause 133, dealing with powers of counties to raise ordinary loans, and Mr. SEYMOUR moved that the clause be expunged. On the division which followed the clause was retained by 28 against 26. Clause 135 was amended so as to limit the amount of loans to twice the annual county fund, instead of three times as originally provided. Clause 136 was so amended that the first year’s interest on loans should not be paid out of principal. Clause 174, exempting the contracts of counties from stamp duty, was expunged on a division, 22 being for, and 25 against the clause. Sub-sections 2 and 3 of clause 183 were struck out, the application of sub-section4beingextendedtobriclgesand fer-ries.-—Mr. Barff proposed the addition of a new clause after section 185, giving power to the counties to levy tolls, &c.—Tho Hon. Mr. Whitaker explained that provision was made in the Public Works Bill in the direction indicated by Mr. Barff.—On Mr. Barff proceeding he was ruled out of order, the Hon. Mr. Whitaker stating that

J he would be glad to arrange the matter privately if Mr. Barff would ,call upon him.—A discussion arose on clause 193, as to the licensing of pedlars and hawkers, and whether a license would be required from each county, the clause being retained in its present shape without a division. A technical amendment was made on sub-section 2 of clause 6, and a discussion ensued on section 34, dealing with the voting qualification for ridings, the clause being struck out, on the understanding that it was to be amended and reinserted. .Clauses 46 and 94 were also considered, tolls from ferries and bridges being by the latter added to the county funds.—The Hon. Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Sheehan protested against the clauses being hurried through, the latter proposing that progress should be reported, which was however lost. Clause 99 was under consideration at 530 when Mr. O’Rorke left the chair. Mr. O’Rorkb took the chair at 7.30, and the House proceeded with the Counties Rill. The Hon- Mr. WHITAKER moved the addition bf new clauses as to alterations in the boundaries of counties, giving power to. the Governor in Council by proclamation to alter the boundaries of any .counties, and to declare that from and after a day to be named in such proclamation the new boundaries set forth in such proclamation be the boundaries of such counties. Also, .to re-divide the counties whose boundaries are altered into fresh ridings, and to dissolve the councils of such counties, and make provision for the election of new councils as thereinafter provided. When the boundaries of any counties are altered contracts then subsisting may be enforced against the original county, and councils may agree for a transfer of a fair share of property, debts, &o. If the councils do not agree, the Commissioners of Audit are to hold an inquiry and make an award as to the matters in question. All property transferred from one county to another is to vest iu the corporations of the new counties on and after the date of the proclamation by which the boundaries of such counties were altered. No such alteration of boundaries is in any way to affect the rights or interests of bondholders, creditors, &c.— The additions were agreed to ; and on section 34 coming before the committee, Sir Geo. Grey complained of being taken by surprise, and suggested that at least a day should be allowed to hou. members to consider the section and also the schedule.—Mr. O’Rorke pointed out that Sir Geo. Grey was anticipating the discussion of the schedule.—The Hon. Mr. Whitaker said that’the Government were only adopting the usual course.—Mr. _W. WOOD proposed an amendment virtually limiting each ratepayer to one vote. On a division the amendment was lost, 17 voting for and 35 against it. —Mr. De Lautour proposed an amendment limiting the number of votes to three; but this was also lost on a division, 23 voting for it and 32 against. The clause was then agreed to.—Sir George Grey asked the Government to postpone the discussion of the schedule until to-day.—The Hou. Mr. Whitaker said that the Government placed themselves entirely in the hands of the committee.—The Hon. Mr, Stafford supported Sir George Grey, saying that it was a most reasonable request, and a good deal of time and attention would have to be devoted to the schedule.—The Hon. Mr. Whitaker then moved that progress be reported with leave to eit again, and after some remarks from Messrs. D. Reid, Manders, and Button, the motion was agreed to. education boards bill. This Bill was further considered in committee, the amendments appearing in the reprinted copy being adopted proforma. — The Hon. Mr. Bowen, on the Bill being reported upon, moved its committal at once, which was carried on the voices.— Mr. Wakefield moved an amendment in clause 4, to constitute an Education Board for South Canterbury. He made some very strong remarks on the management of education matters by the Provincial Government of Canterbury.—Mr. Rolleston and Mr. Montgomery warmly denied Mr. Wakefield’s assertions. —The Hon. Mr. Bowen suggested the withdrawal of the amendment,! as the Government were not dealing with the matter permanently.—The Hon. Mr. Stafford supported the amendment, but would be prepared to accept the assurance of the Government that when they dealt with the whole question next session they would make proper provision.—Mr. Mandbrs and the Hon. Mr. Reynolds opposed the amendment. —The amendment was lost on the voices.—The Hon. Mr. Stafford and Mr. Rolleston moved that their names be excised from the Canterbury Board, and the former suggested the insertion of Mr. Bellfield’s name. (Cries of “ Timaru Herald"): —Some discussion then ensued as to the propriety , of placing clergymen on the Education Board.—Botli motions were lost.—The Hon, Mr, Stafford moved that Messrs. Hall and Bellfield’s names be added.—Mr. Barff asked, that the names might be put separately, Mr. J. C. Brown moving the omission of Mr, Bellfield’s name. Mr. Barff said that he knew nothing of Mr. Bellfield personally, but had heard or read something about one of his friends, and would support the motion. —Mr. Bellfield’s name was excised on the voices.—A division was taken as to the addition of -Mr. Hall’s name, 35 being for and 12 against it. The question of clerical aid on the Board was also tested by a division, the numbers being 16 for and 22 against. A few technical amendments were then made. Clause 20,' dealing with -the levying of education rates, was discussed at some length, and on a division being taken, the Government proposals were carried by 27 to 17* — Sections 21, 22, and 23 were struck out, with the view of adding new clauses. The provisions of section 24 were extended. The Government accepted an amendment by Mr. Rolleston in the next clause, taking the power of selling reserves from the Board, and providing that leases should he by public auction or tender on one month’s notice. The power of mortgaging under clause 26 was limited, the provisions as to powers ot sale being excised. The date of making returns to the Minister was altered from December to May. Clause 31 was amended by teachers being exempted from giving information, and the provisions of section 32 were extended to school committees. Major ATKiNSONproposed a new clause as to capitation rates, and the Hon. Mr. Bowen a clause as to reserves, which were read a second time. The Bill was then reported upon, read a third' time, and passed. The House adjourned at 1.15 a,m.