PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5145, 19 September 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, September 18. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. The Hon. Sir. F. D. BELL brought up a numerously signed petition from residents in the Taranaki Provincial District, regarding the opposition offered to the New Plymouth Harbor Bill.— The Hon. Mr. Campbell brought up a petition from runholders in Southland, relative to the rabbit nuisance, which was read, and set forth that the nuisance was increasing to an alarming extent, and that unless immediate steps were taken to repress it, when the leases fell in they could not be renewed on their present terms. papers and reports. Various papers were laid upon the table.— The Hon Major Richmond brought up an interim report of the Joint Library Committee.—The Hon. Mr. Hall brought up the report of the Select Committee on Privileges. NOTICES OP MOTION. Several notices of motion for next sitting day were given by the Hons. Messrs. Hall and Mantel!. MOTIONS. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL moved, —That there be laid on the table a return setting forth any arrangements which may have been made during the recess between the Government and the natives in the matter of certain reserves in the city of Wellington, originally set apart for the natives under the scheme of the New Zealand Company, but afterwards granted by the Crown to certain public trusts and private persons.—Carried. The Hon. Mr. HALL moved, —-That there be laid on the table a return, showing,—(l.) The account of land bought from the natives by means of the expenditure of the £533,580 9s. sd. stated in the Financial Statement to have been expended for this purpose. (2.) The amount spent up to the 30th June, 1877, on the survey of such laud, and on any other expenses connected therewith, and not included in the sum above mentioned. (3.) The extent of such land which had been already sold, granted, or reserved, and the amount of purchase money received by the Government to the same date. (4.) The extent of such land remaining unsold and available for sale, to the same date, distinguishing the provincial districts in which it is situated. (5.) The extent and position of any blocks of land on which payments have been made to the natives, but of which the Government has not yet acquired a complete title.—The Hon. Dr. Pollen remarked that the information asked for under aub-seotions 1,2, and 5 was already prepared, and would be in the hands of the Council in a day or two. As to the information ashed for in sub-sections 3 and 4 of the motion, it would not be possible to obtain it so quickly.—The motion was then carried, with the addition of a few words to the 6th sub-section, suggested by the Hon, Mr. Mantell. ORDERS OP THE DAY. The Hokitika Gas Company Bill was read a second time on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Bonar. —The debate on the Auckland Grammar School Site Bill was further adjourned till Tuesday next, on the motion of Col. Kenny.— On the second reading of the Canterbury Domains Act Amendment Bill being moved by the Hon. Mr. Hall, considerable discussion ensued, during which the Hou. Mr. Buckley moved that the Bill be read again that day six months. Eventually, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Phabazyn, the debate was adjourned for a fortnight.—The Himatangi Crown Grants Bill was, on the motion of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, read a third time and passed.—The Hon. Mr, Holmes moved the second reading of the Tapanui Agricultural and Pastoral Exhibition Reserve Bill; but the Hon. Captain Fraser moved that the Bill be read again that day six mouths. Subsequently, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Buckley, the debate was adjourned for a fortnight.—The second reading of the Port Chalmers Mechanics’ Institute Incorporation Reserve Bill, moved by the Hon. Sir F. D. Bell, was agreed to, and the Bill was then ordered to be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. —The Hon. Captain Eraser moved the third reading of the Dunedin Drill Shed Reserve Act 1876 Amendment Bill, which was carried, and the Bill passed.—The Port Chalmers Waterworks Act Amendment Bill was, on the motion of the Hon. Sir F. D. Bell, read a third time and passed.—The Hon. Captain Fraser moved the second reading of the Cromwell Athenamm and Mechanics’ Institute Bill. Subsequently, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Buckley, the debate on this Bill was adjourned till next sitting day. The Council then (at 5 p.m.) adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, September 18. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. PETITIONS. Mr. ROWE presented a petition from a number of natives, praying for the individualisation of their respective interests in lands already adjudicated upon by the Native Lands Court. Mr. SUTTON presented a petition from a number of Eoman Catholics in Hawke’s Bay, relative to the religious clauses of the Education Bill. A number of other petitions were presented. Several reports upon petitions were laid upon the table by the Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee (Mr. Kelly). NOTICE OP QUESTION. Mr. HOANI NAHE gave notice that he would ask the hon. the Attorney-Gone l al on Thursday next, —Whether, under the existing law, Maori lauds held under Crown grant, and occupied by Maoris, are liable to highway or county rates 2 WANGANUI GAS BILL. This Bill passed the third reading. LEAVE OP ABSENCE. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Richardson, leave of absence was granted to Mr. Hurathouse tor a period of ten days on urgent private business. QUESTIONS. Mr. SWANSON asked the Commissioner of Telegraphs,—What steps it is necessary for a person to take to obtain the exclusive use of the telegraph poles for advertising purposes ■within a given district ? It was stated on behalf of the Government that the best mode of utilising the telegraph poles for the purpose named was under consideration. Mr. WAKEFIELD asked the Minister of Justice,—Whether he proposes to take any steps with regard to altercations between the Bench and the Bar in the Resident Magistrate’s Court at Tirnaru 2 The Hon. Mr. BOWEN in reply stated that the Resident Magistrate at Timaru had been communicated with with a view to obtaining further information on the subject. Mr. MURRAY asked the Premier, —If the Government intend to- continue the office and department of the Agent-General after the expiry of Sir Julius Vogel’s twelve months’ engagement 2 The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER, in the absence of the Hon. Major Atkinson, replied in the affirmative. Mr. MURRAY asked the Premier, —If it is true that the Government have permitted Mr. E. A. Whitaker to acquire Hunia Blocks

No. 1,2, 3, and 4, extending to several thousands of acres, on the Waitoa River 1 The Hon. Mr. ORMOND in reply stated that no such permission had been given. Mr. REBSasked the Government, —Whether they have, or have had dnring the last twelve months, any contract for the supply of coals with the Brunner Coal Company, or any other mining company at the Grey. The Hon. Mr. ORMOND replied that no such contract had been entered into by the Government.

Sir XI. DOUGLAS asked the AttorneyGeneral, —If it is lawful, under the Counties Act, to pay any salary or mileage to county councillors?

The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER replied in the negative. Mr. TAIAROA asked the Premier,—(l.) What action the Government propose in reference to the demand of Tawhaio and his people, that their lands in Waikato may be given back to them? (2.) Whether the Government have given anv effect to the request of Rewi Maniapoto, made on behalf of himself and his people, to the Native Minister, for the return of their lands which were confiscated? (3.) Whether the Government see their way to the proposing of some fair and reasonable settlement of the land claims of these people? The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER, in the absence of the hon. Major Atkinson, replied,—(l.) The Government had no intention of returning the Waikato lauds. (2.) The Government had no intention of giving effect to the request made by Rewi Maniapoto. (3.) Every facility had already been offered for the settlement of these claims. Mr. SHEEHAN asked the Minister for Public Works, —Whether any provision ismade in the proposed public works expenditure for the year for the construction of a bridge across the Port Ahuriri harbor? The Hon. Mr. ORMOND replied that the sums on the estimates were not yet definitely settled. Mr. BURNS asked the Government, —If effect has been given to the recommendation of the Public Petitions Committee in the case of Mrs. McManus ; and whether the House will be informed of the result at an early date? The Hon. Mr. BOWEN replied that the justices of the peace who dealt with the case had been communicated with, and when their answer was obtained, the Government would consider what steps it would be necessary to take. BILLS INTRODUCED. A Bill to provide for the exchange of a portion of the school glebe of Waiwera (Mr. Thomson) ; the Oamaru Reserves Bill (Mr. Hislop ; the Lawrence Athemeum Site Bill (Mr. J. C. Brown) ; the Havelock Athemeum Endownment Bill (Mr. J. O. Brown). hr. Kennedy’s disqualification. Mr. REES moved, in accordance with notice, and it was agreed to, that a select committee be appointed to consider this matter. Such committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Bowen, the Hon. Mr. Gisborne, the Hon. Mr. Whitaker, Messrs. Stout, Macandrew, Hunter, and the mover. Three to be a quorum. IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. The House went into committee to consider his Excellency’s message forwarding the Imprest Supply Bill, No. 3, for £250,000. The resolution authorising the introduction of the Bill was passed and reported. The Bill was introduced, and read the first time ; the second reading to be made an order of the day for Friday next. DISTRICT RAILWAYS BILL. The Hon. Mr. ORMOND, in moving the second reading of this Bill, stated that the Government had, during the recess, carefully considered the question of extending the railways, and they came to the conclusion that lor a while the railway operations should he confined, to the main trunk lines. The Government were fully aware of the necessity of the branch lines, but did not at present see the way to undertaking such lines. The Bill before the House was intended to give districts which desired to avail themselves of branch lines the opportunity of so doing. The different lines referred to by the hon. member for Dunedin City could be easily brought within the operation of the Bill. The lands through which the lines would pass would have to contribute to the construction of those, lines, at the same time it left to the people themselves the power of deciding whether or not they would have a railway. This would be necessary, as the approval of the County Councils should be first obtained to any proposed line before the construction of it could be undertaken. When their sanction was secured, the vote of the ratepayers would be taken. And after the consent of the Governor had been given, a company could proceed with the works, every facility being accorded them by the provisions laid down in the Bill. In order to secure uniformity, the Bill provided that all the railways constructed under it should be of the narrow gauge. An alteration had been made in the Bill to enable the Government to purchase the railways from the private companies after a period of five years from the time of opening, 10 per cent, being paid, over and above the actual valuation of the line, as determined by arbitrators. The Government would not ask the House to affirm clauses 67, 68, and 69. He anticipated leaving to the companies themselves the power of fixing the rates, and having the general management of of their concerns. It was, however, proposed in the commencement of the Bill to define the maximum of rates to be charged, and the minimum of trains to be run. Providing such matters as these were complied with, the Government would cause no further interference with the companies. The next important part of the Bill was with regard to the aid proposed to be given by the colony to those undertakings. The rate to be imposed upon the property through which a line would run was limited to five per cent. The Government proposed to supplement the sum so raised by contributing two per cent, from the Consolidated Fund. He would also state that the county councils and ratepayers would have plans furnished them of such Hues as would be proposed, and if it were found on examination that any of those lines would work prejudicially to the interests of such districts, the Government would avail itself of its position, and guard against anything of the sort.' After explaining at considerable length the main details of the Bill, Mr. Ormond concluded by stating that he trusted the Bill would be allowed to pass at as early a date as possible, as companies were already prepared to take up the matter. Mr. TRAVERS would support the second reading of the Bill. He trusted that the hon, member in charge of it would consider the expediency, while the Bill was in committee, of altering the terms by which the Government could purchase the lines, in order that persons embarking their capital should have every advantage commensurate with the risk they incurred. Mr. MACANDREW agreed with the general principle set forth in the Bill, and trusted that the amendments which were necessary would be made while the Bill was in committee. The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE would vote for the second reading of the Bill, and was prepared to give it his full support. Mr. MANDERS, by the direction of his constituents, would follow a similar course. Mr, STOUT thoroughly approved of the main features contained in the Bill, and pointed out certain alterations that should be made in committee in order to make the Bill a more workable measure. Messrs. Rolleston, Bastings, Kelly, and Murray-Aynsley addressed the House upon the Bill before it. Generally, they all concurred in its main principles, and suggested alterations that should be made in committee. The Hon. Mr. ORMOND, in reply, acquiesced in the suggestions made by hon. members for the Bill to undergo certain modifications while in committee. The Bill passed the second reading, the third reading having been fixed for Friday next. EDUCATION bill. The House then went into committee to further consider the Education Bill. Mr. CURTIS moved an amendment to the effect that the opening of public schools with reading of the Lord’s Prayer and a portion of

the Holy Scriptures be left to the option of the Board, He also moved a new clause that whenever twenty-five or more householders shall signify their desire to be constituted into a separate body for educational purposes, it shall be the duty of the Board to convene a meeting of such householders for fche election of a school committee ; and it shall be lawful for the Board to grant aid to the committee, the schools to be open to all children, and subject to the provisions of the Act. A division was taken on the amendment, with the following result: Ayes, 18 ; noes, 31. Mr. Harper moved a new clause providing that the committee of a school may set apart one or two half days in a week, when religious instruction may be imparted.-—-The amendment was negatived on the voices.— Mr. Sheehan moved to the effect that the compulsory clause should only come into force with the consent of the school committees. —The Hon. Mr. Bowen accepted Mr. Sheehan’s amendment. That was the principle of the compulsory clauses in England, and in framing the Bill now before the House it was intended that the local committees should deal with the matter. —The amendment was carried without a division. The House adjourned at 12.45 a.m.