PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5442, 5 September 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, September 4. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. ADJOURNMENT. It was agreed that the Council should at its rising adjourn to Wednesday next at the usual hour. NEW BILL. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE moved, — For leave to introduce a Bill intituled an Act to authorise certain Local Boards within the Provincial District of Wellington to make By-laws. Leave was given, and the second reading fixed for Wednesday next. PRICE OP GOVERNMENT LANDS. The Hoii. Mr. CHAMBERLIN moved,— That Council Paper No. 70, showing the price per acre received for Government lauds during the year ending 30th June, IS7B, be printed.— Agreed to. OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS ACT. The Hon. Mr. MENZIES moved,—That copies of the award of the commissioners appointed under section A 7 of the Otago Boys’ and Girls’ High School Act, 1877, and of all official correspondence arising therefrom, either with the chairman of the School Commissioners, Otago, the chairman of the Southland Education Board, and other persons, or any other public papers connected therewith, be laid upon the table.—Agreed to. JURIES ACT AMENDMENT. This Bill was read a third time and passed. DESPATCHES TO THE GOVERNOR. The Hon. Sir DILLON BELL asked the Colonial Secretary whether any despatches received by the Governor had been forwarded to the Government ? The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said his Excellency did mention that he was going to send certain despatches down. He (Colonel Whitmore) presumed that in the hurry of the Governor’s departure the matter had been overlooked. The Hon. Sir D. BELL would renew his question at a future dale. AMMUNITION. In reply to the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, who mentioned that the Customs had prevented him sending sufficient powder and shot to his station which he required for shooting, rabbits, the Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said be would look into the matter after the holiday. WELLINGTON CITY EESEIVES BILL. The Hon. Sir D. BELL moved the second reading. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Ha thought a very weak case indeed had been made out for the alteration proposed in the schedule. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE defended the Bill, saying that if it were not passed most likely costly litigation would ensue. The Hon. Colonel KENNY stated that the committee to whom the Bill had been referred had recommended the alteration of the preamble, the wording of which had been objected to. The Hon. Mr. SCOTLAND thought the Bill having been referred to a committee, and that committee having reported in its favor, effect ought to he given to that recommendation.

The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE supported the Bill.

The Hon. Sir D. BELL, in reply, said in the first place there had no doubt been a serious error in the survey last year. Secondly what really dispersed any suspicion was they had had Mr. Bunny before the committee, and he was surprised at the introduction of the Bill by the Chief Secretary. They found also that the plan attached to the deed of the Botanical Cardens was identical with that now in question. There had been mistake after mistake until the plan alluded to had been discovered.

The Hon. Mr, MANTELL withdrew his amendment because a division would be taken on a wrong issue. His objection did not apply to the error in the plan, but he considered public bodies should not be allowed, in a schedule to a Bill, to override an Act-of the Legislature. It was giving them too much latitude. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday next. RABBIT BILL. This measure was committed, reported with amendments, and the third reading fixed for Wednesday next. DANGEROUS GOODS BILL. This Bill was further considered in committee, reported with amendments, and the third reading fixed for Wednesday next, CIVIL SERVICE BILL. This Bill was further considered in committee, reported without amendment, read a third time and passed. HARBOR BILL. The committee then proceeded with the unopposed clauses of the Harbor Bill, The 95th clause had been reached at the adjournment hour. The Council, at 5 p.m., adjourned till 2.30 on Wednesday next. HOUSE OB REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, September 4. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. Petitions were presented by Messrs. J. 0. Brown, Bar if, and Taiaroa. NOTICES OP MOTION. Notices of motion were given by Messrs. Pyke, Richmond, and Thompson. REPORTS. Mr. BRYCE brought up two reports from the Native Affairs Committee, which were referred to the Government. NATIVE LANDS COURT. Captain RUSSELL asked the Native Minister, —Whether he can furnish this House with any information as to the total acreage Of land taken for roads out of lands to which title was ordered by the Native Lands Court, between Ist July, 1867, and 30fch June, 1868, and the right of taking which lapsed during the year ending 30th June, 1878 ? And whether the Government will introduce or facilitate the introduction of a Bill to prolong the term during which land for roads may be taken under the 76th clause of the Native Lands Act, 1865, from lands over which the right of taking land has not yet lapsed ? The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN, in reply, read an official report on the subject from the Survey Department, and said the hon. member would have another opportunity of referring to it when the Native Land Bill came down, MIDDLE ISLAND ROAD BOARDS. Mr. PYKE asked the Government, —If they will lay before this House a return showing, in detail, the amounts (if any) standing at the credit of the Road Boards in the Middle Island on the 3st March, 1878 ? The Hon. Mr. BALLANCE replied that the return would be laid on the table. HALF-CASTE NATIVES. Mr. TAIAROA asked the Native Minister, —When the Government will appoint an officer under the Act of last session to make arrangements for the issue of Crown grants to certain half-caste natives in the districts of Otago and Southland ? The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN replied that an officer had been appointed, and the work would be undertaken before the close of the present session. COUNTY OFFICERS. Mr. PELT)WICK asked the Government, — Whether they have obtained a return from the several counties in New Zealand similar to that obtained by them from municipalities, giving particulars regarding the officers employed by such counties, and the salaries paid to each ? The Hon. Mr. BALLANCE replied that the information would be obtained and laid on the table. LITTLE RIVER EXCHANGE ACT, 1877. Mr. MONTGOMERY obtained leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Church Trust Property at Little River Exchange Act, 1877, The Bill was read a first time, and the second reading fixed for Monday next. POSTAGE. Dr. HODGKINSON obtained leave to postpone the following motion until to-morrow week :—That, in the opinion of this House, the rate of postage for sealed letters should be reduced from twopence to one penny, and for postcards from one penny to one halfpenny, for all places within the colony. CANTERBURY. Mr, PYKE moved, —That a return be laid before this House showing the amount expended by the Provincial Government of Canterbury, from the date of the settlement of that province to the date of abolition and the inauguration of the county system, on roads, bridges, and other public works within that portion of the said province which is now comprised within the counties of Waitaki, Vincent, and Lake ; also, the amount of land revenue received by the Provincial Government of Canterbury during the same period. The Hon.- Mr, BALLANCE said the Goverument would endeavor to procure as good a return as possible, and lay it on the table.

ENDOWMENTS OP CROWN LANDS. The debate was resumed on the question,— That it is expedient that this House should bo informed whether the Government will introduce a measure this session dealing with the subject of endowments of Crown lands for counties and municipalities, as promised last session. And the amendment proposed thereto,- —That the debate be adjourned, The motion was agreed to. ALIENATED CROWN LAND. Mr. WOOLOOCK moved, —(1.) For a return of the total area of land that has been alienated from tho Crown during the past year, for which the sum of £1,440,824 4s. sd. has been paid, as set forth in table F of the Financial Statement; (2) the amount of the area thus disposed of that has been purchased by persons in quantities exceeding 369 acres ; (3) the number of purchasers up to 360 acres inclusive, together with the number of purchasers above that quantity. The motion was agreed to on being amended so as to set forth the area in each provincial district. MURDER AT WAIAPU. The Hon, Mr. SHEEHAN announced that on the previous night a telegram was received by the Government stating that a Maori woman had been murdered at Waiapu. He caused inquiries to be made, and another telegram was received to-day to the effect that a Maori woman had been murdered by two Maori men. The murder was an ordinary one, and had no political significance, and he had given instructions to have the murderers arrested and brought to trial. (Hear, hear.) SOUTH OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday next. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Mr. Curtis’ motion re the constitution of tho Legislative Council was postponed for a fortnight. HOKITIKA HARBOR BOARD AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and a date fixed for its oomittal. NAPIER HARBOR BOARD BILL. This Bill was considered in committee, reported to the House, read a third time, and passed. • LAND TAX BILL. The Hon, Mr. BALLANGE, in reply to Mr. Sharp, stated that it was not proposed to proceed with the adjourned debate on the Land Tax Bill until after the short recess. GREYMOUTH RACECOURSE RESERVE BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday next. NEW RIVER HARBOR ENDOWMENT BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. WELLINGTON COLLEGE ACTS AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN, the House adjourned.