PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5159, 4 October 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, October 3. _ The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at half past two o'clock

PETITIONS. Several petitions wore presented by _ the Hon. Dr. Quack from the Catholics of Wellington, asking assistance with their schools. NOTICES Ob’ MOTION. The Hon. Mr.' MaNtell gave notice of motion for next sitting day, and the Hon. Mr. Hall for Friday next.

lIEPOUT3. The Hon. Sir F. D. BELT, brought up the report of the managers appointed to draw up reasons why the Council should insist on its amendments in the Canterbury Fivers Act 1870 Amendment Act, 1877. —The report was read and adopted. r TT , A message was received from the House ot Representatives,' stating that that body . greed to the recommendations made by the Council in the Oamaru Athemeum and Mechanics Institute Reserves Bill.

MOTION WITHOUT NOTICE. Before proceeding to the business of the day the Hon. Major Richmond moved, and it was carried,—That as several hon. members do not wish to sit this evening, the Council at its risin" do adjourn till, the usual hour next sitting day ; but that, as there is a large amount of business on the Order Paper, the Council do sit this afternoon till 5.30 p.m.

QUESTIONS. The Hon, Mr. BONAR asked the Hon. the Colonial Secretary,—Whether the Central Board of Health have received any commumcation from the Local Board of Health at Hokitika, relative to the existence and spread of scarlet fever or scarlatinain that town; if so, what action has been taken to prevent the spread of the disease, and what regulations (if any) have been issued under section 20 of the Public Health Act, 1376 ?—The Hon Dr. Pollen replied that the Central Board of Health had received no communication from the Local Board of Health on the subject, neither had he, except what he had heard privately from the Hon Mr. Bonar. An application had been acceded to by the Government for the use of the immigration barracks as a hospital. He believed the drainage and water supply were both very defective. The Government and the Central Board would do all that was proper, but they must abstain from interfering with the action of the Local Board of Health. MOTIONS. The Hon. Mr. BONAR moved,—That, in the opinion of this Council, it is in order to obviate the necessity for separate Bills being introduced into the General Assembly for each local body, a Bill amending the Public Libraries Act, 1875, be introduced, embodying the following provisions;—(l.) Power to transfer to trustees, to be appointed by each such body coming under the said Act, all reserves and endowments at present set apart and vested either in the late Superintendents or in the Governor of the colony, in trust for such societies. (2.) Power to borrow, without power of sale, with the consent of a majority of the members of such societies, in meeting assembled, after due notice given. . (3.) Power to lease for any term not exceeding twenty-one years, with similar consent. —The Hon. Dr. Pollen said he quite concurred in the resolutions, but nothing could be done this session in the way of introducing a measure of the sort.—The motion was then carried. _ _ The Hon. Mr. HALL moved,—That it is desirable that persons having claims against the Minister for Public Works, in respect of losses sustained by them through the management of the Government railways, shouW be enabled to prosecute such claims in the districts in which they reside, and not have to do so in Wellington.—Carried. The Hon. Mr. ROBINSON moved,—That it is desirable that this Council should be informed—!. Whether the Government have taken any action upon the memorial (laid upon the table of the Council) from the visiting ogntlemen of the Christchurch Hospital, re Dr, Campbell; and, if not, whether it is the intention of the Government to institute an inquiry, and when they intend to make such inquiry. 2. Whether the Government are aware that Dr. Campbell has, on his own account, taken any legal proceedings in this matter, as stated by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary he intended to do ?—The Hon. Dr. Pollen stated that it would be at least fair to hear both sides of the question before any decision was arrived at. The cause of the delay in taking steps in this matter had arisen from the mislaying of certain papers which could not be found. He had informed Dr, Campbell that charges had been made against him without his knowledge, and had asked him what he intended to doin the matter. Theprevious day hehad received an answer from Dr. Campbell, a very full and explicit one, asking for a full inquiry not only on this matter, but also as regarded statements made against him in a letter which had been partially read in that Chamber bythe Hon. Mr. Robinson ; and he should advise his Excellency to concur in Dr. Campbell s request and grant an inquiry into both, subjects. He trusted the motion would he withdrawn.—This was subsequently done. ORDERS OF THE DAY. The second reading of the Fine Arts Copyright Bill was moved, by the Hon, Captain Baillie, and carried, its committal being fixed lor Tuesday next.—The Masterton and Greytown Lands Bill was postponed till Friday, in the absence of the Hon. J. Johnston.—The Dunedin School Reserve Billisecond reading) was subsequently postponed till to-morrow on the motion of the Hon. Sir F. D, Bell, who was absent when it was first called on, m consequence of which it had been discharged from the Order Paper on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Buckley.—The Shipping and Seamen’s Bill was further considered in committee up to clause 265. —The Port Chalmers Mechanics’ Institute Incorporation and Reserves Bill was recommitted, reported to the Council with amendments, and on the motion of the Hon. Sir F. D. Bf.ll ordered to be read a third time next sitting day.—The Cromwell Athemeum Reserves Bill was further considered in committee, reported to the Council with amendments, and ordered to be read a third time next sitting day.

EDUCATION BILL. On the motion o£ the Hon. Ur. Pollen this Bill was committed; but after the 11th clause had been agreed to, progress was reported, awd leave obtained to sit again next day. The Bth clause was postponed for further consideration. The Council then (5.30 p.m.) adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, Octobbb 3. NOTICE OV QUESTION.

Mr. BALLANCE gave notice that he would ask the Government next day whether, in the event of Sir Julius Vogel being willing, the Government would continue to avail itself of his services as Agent-General ? If not, whether the Government had directly or indirectly promised the appointment to any one else? QUESTION. Mr. SHRIMSKI asked the Government, — What action they intend to take in reference to the report of the Public 'Petitions Committee upon the petition of James Carroll, of Oarnaru ? The Hon. Major ATKINSON replied that the Government did not intend to take any action in the matter. DISQUALIFICATION. The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER, as a matter of privilege, moved that the House do concur in the resolution to the following effect That, in the opinion of the Disqualification Committee, Mr. Kennedy had not forfeited his seat under the provisions of the Disqualification Act, 1876. Mr. MAC ANDREW moved as an amendjnentj—That the House do concur in_ the' entire report brought up by the Disqualification Committee in the case of Mr. Martin Kennedy. 1 Mr. J. E. BROWN moved as an amendment, and it was carried, —That the debate bo adjourned. Mr. J. E. BROWN then moved that the House on its rising on Friday do adjourn until Saturday.

This motion was subsequently withdrawn at the request of the mover, when the Hon. Major Atkinson moved, and it was agreed to, that the debate be adjourned until Friday at half-past two. LEAVE TO INTRODUCE A BILL. Leave was granted to Mr. Bastings to introduce a Bill to vest certain lauds in the district of Roxburgh in trustees. OTAGO RAILWAYS. Mr. PYKE moved the resumption of the debate on the motion, —That in the opinion of the House the recommendations contained in the report of the Otago Main Central Railway Committee should bo given effect to forthwith.

Mr. LUMSDEN supported the construction of a line from Kingston to Cromwell, as it would go to open up a large amouut of available land, besides being the most economical line that could be established. He moved as an amendment that in the opinion of the House the interior of the provincial district of Otago should be opened up by a main central trunk line of railway, and with that view plans and necessary surveys should be made during the recess.

Mr. BASTINGS supported the original motion, and strongly spoke against the spirit that prevailed amongst the Southland members. He supported the report brought up by the committee as a perfectly fair aud honest one. If he were to consider his personal interests he would vote against the motion. An immeasurable benefit would be conferred by carrying out this railway. He contended in 1303, "in the Provincial Council of Otaf'o, that this should be the first railway in Otago. He would strongly support the motion of the hon. member for the Dunstan. The Hon. Mr. McLEAN would support the amendment of the hon. member for Invercargill (Mr. Lumsden). The construction of that line would go to advance what was desired by Mr. Pyke more so than the motion of that hon. gentleman. Mr. Pyke had dragged him (Mr. McLean) into the matter in a manner unjustifiable, aud without the slightest grounds for the statements that had been made, Respectin" the telegram forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin, he (Mr, McLean) wished to say that the statements contained in it were altogether untrue. If it could be satisfactorily shown that the Strath Taieri lino was the best he would vote for it. That had not yet been proved. What he desired was that the whole question should be fairly investigated. He was quite willing to support any line which was calculated to best advance the public interests. In many instances he thought the Shag Valley line much the best, aud that line when made would confer as much advantage to Dunedin as Strath Taieri. He wished to put himself right in respect to this matter with the people of Dunedin and his constituents, who had been holding meetings on the subject. It was perfectly right for him in his position as a Minister to look after the interests of his constituents, but it had never been known of him in that House to have ever asked anything that was unfair. The amendment was a reasonat" one, and calculated to advance the interests of the country to a far greater extent than the line proposed in the motion of Mr. Pyke. Mr. M ACANDREW considered the amendment was merely a staving off of the question for another year. If the Government would sell a portion of the land along the line, there would be no occasion to "o into the money market at all in order to construct the line. Private parties were quite willing to carry out the work if the Government °had no intention to go on with it. It was, however, manifestly the duty of the Government to construct this line. The Hon. Mr. REID supported the amendment of the hon. .member for Invercargill. The amendment would lead to the construction of the Strath Taieri line as speedily as would the motion of the hon. member for Dunstan. It would take at least six months to perform the surveys in the careful and accurate manner necessary before anything, could be done. The construction of the line proposed in the amendment would amply repay the colony the outlay incurred. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS supported the motion, and deprecated the jealous feeling existing between the Southland and Otago members °with respect to the Strath Taieri line. Even if the necessary surveys would take six months to execute, the work could then be commenced, if the motion were carried, without causing delay till after next session. Mr. WOOD (Mataura) would support the amendment. Carrying out the line proposed was best calculated.to do justice to all parties, and promote the general interests of the colony. Mr. J. C. BROWN would also support the motion. He would like to hear the opinion of the Minister of Public Works on the matter. Mr. CARRINGTON supported the original motion. He had been a member of the Railway Committee that drew up the report, and he was satisfied that the Strath Taieri line could, if reasonable concessions in the shape of land were granted, be constructed without costing the colonyja penny. Mr. DE LAUTOUR was not aware that the constituents of the Hon. Mr. Reid were at all desirous of having a railway made through that district. He considered that carrying the amendment would go to stifle private enterprise in the construction of the railway, which private parties might be ready to undertake. Mr. MONTGOMERY would agree to the motion if the making of the line would not involve any charge on the Consolidated Revenue or loan account. The expenses of constructing the line should be defrayed from the sale of lands. Mr. BURNS hoped the Government would withdraw their opposition to the motion. It was a scandalous thing that this line had not been made before. If it were constructed it would open up a large extent of rich agricultural land.

Mr. JOYCE deprecated the tone of the Otago members in charging Southland with ingratitude because it did not agree with the larger number of members who came from Otago. The tone assumed by Otago was too dictatorial. Otago inferentially threatened Southland for having an opinion of its own with respect to the construction of a railway. Dr. HOD6KINSON would support the motion, providing the terminus were made at Clyde instead of Cromwell. Mr. STOUT supported the motion. The Hon. Mr. ORMOND said that if the amendment was affirmed the Government would give effect to it, and come down next session with proposals for the construction of the line. Mr. HISLOP should like to see the Strath Tnieri line opened up. He saw no antagonism in the construction of the Strath Taieri line to the Duutroon line. Sir ROBERT DOUGLAS thought the motion should be postponed to another time. He believed that even if the motion was agreed to the Bill would not pass. BILLS. The following Bills were read a second time ; —Tokomairiro Farmers’ Club Reserve Bid, Clyde Reserve Grant Bill, Lawrence Municipal Reserves Leasing Bill, Wanganui Harbor Endowment and Borrowing Bill, Otago Girls’ and Boys’ High School Bill, Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill. The House then went into committee on the Otago Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools Bill, which was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill was also considered in committee, and reported with amendments. The Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Bill was then read a second time, and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. BEET SUGAR. In committee Mr. MACANDREW moved, —That the committee recommends to the House that a respectful address bo transmitted to his Excellency the Governor, requesting that he may bo pleased to place upon the Supplementary Estimates the sum of £IO,OOO, one half of which amount to be paid, by way of bonus, to any person or persons who may first produce not leas than 500 tons of sugar from beet in the Middle Island ; the other half to be paid in respect of the same quantity of sugar manufactured from beet in the North Island. The payment of such bonus to be subject to

such terms, conditions, and regulations as the Governor in Council may prescribe. —Carried.’ OTHER BILLS. The Oamaru Reserves Bill was read a second time, reported from committee, read a third time, and passed. The Municipal Corporations Act 18/b Amendment Bill was road a second time, and ordered to be committed the following day. The House rose at 12.35.