PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5455, 20 September 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. > ■ Tuesday, September 17. The Hon. the Acting Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. PAPERS, EIO. Some papers and reports were laid on the table, and notices of motion given. A message was received from the Governor recommeudiDg some alterations in the Civil Service Bill. On the motion of Colonel Wmi'MOitE, Colonel Kenny was appointed to act as Chairman, of Committees during the absence of the Speaker. TAPANUI AND WAIPAHI RAILWAY. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE asked the Colonial Secretary,—Whether or not contracts have been entered into for the construction of the Tapanui and Waipahi railway ; and, if so, under what legislative authority such contracts have been entered into ? The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE answered that there had been a contract entered into. With regard to the second part of the question, the Government acted upon two resolutions of the House of Representatives. In the schedule to the Railways Bill authority would be asked for this railway. There was no money to be j paid on account of it for something like two year*. . _ WE3TLAXD RAILWAY COMMUNICATION. The Hon. Mr. BONAR moved,—That the petition of the inhabitants of Westland, regarding railway communication with the East Coast, be printed.—Agreed to. MR. MARAZYN'S COMPLAINT. The Hon. Mr. PHARARYN moved,—That there be laid upon the table copies of all correspondence which has taken' place with the Honorable the Premier and the Honorable the Colonial Secretary relative to a complaint made by the Honorable Mr. Pharazyn against Mr. Ebenezsr Baker, actiDg as clerk of the Assessment Court; together with all documents connected therewith.—Agreed to, COUNTIES MAP. The iron. Mr. HALL moved,—Thai it is desirable the Council should be informed what steps have bean-taken by the Government for .the distribution of the map showing the division of New Zealand into counties which has been ordered by the Government from lingland. •■*■-•• The Hon. Colonel WHITMOKE said the I map could be procured in all the chief towns of the colony. ' Motion withdrawn. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS DILL. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE moved the second reading of this Bill, shortly explaining its provisions. Clause 15 repealed endowments to municipalities. That system of endowment could not possibly continue, and should be done away with as soon as possible. The Hon. Mr. Bonar and another hon. member spoke briefly, and the motion was agreed to, and the Bill read a second time. REPEALS DILL. This measure was committed, but almost immediately progress was reported. ADMINISTRATION BILL. „ This Bill was further considered in committee, when the 34th clause was reached with but little discussion. The three last clauses—--35, SOj and 37—were postponed, and progress was reported. COUNTIES ACT. The adjourned debate on this measure was farther postponed till next day. DOG BEGISTRATION BILL. There was a discussion on the subject of the ' employment of policemen to collect the tax.— Colonel Whiimore very much disapproved of the time of policemen, which ought to be devoted to the repression of crime, being spent in such a manner.—The Hod. Captain. Phaser strongly opposed the county authorities having anything to do with the policemen at all. The discussion was interrupted-by the dinner adjournment. At-the evening sitting the amendment for the police to collect the dog tax was lost bv 21 to 5.

The Bill was then proceeded with, no further amendment of any importance being made. The Council adjourned at 10 p.m. •Wednesday, September 18. The Hon. the Acting Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. PETITION, ETC. A petition was presented from certain natives of Kniapoi. ' i Reports were brought up on the Te Aro Reclamation Bill and the Napier Swamp Bill. The committee considered both private Bilk. SHAG POINT COAL COMPANr. The Hon. Captain FRASER asked the Hon. the Colonial Secretary,—lf he will lay on "the table copies of all correspondence, by letter or telegram, between the Shag Point Coal Company and the Government ; and alao between the Messrs. Allen, of Dunedin, their solicitors, and the Government, on the 3ubject ? The Hon. Colonel WHITMOKE had no objection. PiiOI'OSED RAILWAYS. The Hon. Mr. WIGLEY moved,—That there be laid upon the table maps showing-the liue3 of railway proposed in the Public Works Statement; those surveyed under Mr. Montgomery's Bill of last year ; also, the land withdrawn from sale for railway purposes ? Agreed to. CLYDE ATHES.KUM. The Hon. Mr. WILSON moved,— For leave to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to ve3t part of Block XXIII.j in the town of Clyde, in the Clyde Athenasuin ■ aud Public Library, for the purposes of the said body." Leave given. STANDING OB.DEUS. The Hon. Colonel KENNY moved,—That a, joint committee on standing ordere on private bills be appointed. The committee to consist of the »Hon. Major Richmond, C. 8., Mr. G. Buckley, and the mover. Agreed to. : WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOLS. The .Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS moved,—That the second reading of the Waitaka High School Bill be made an order of the day for Thursday. The Hou. Colonel WHITMORE could not agree to give precedence to the Bill. The motion was amended by substituting Friday for and agreed to. CIVIL SERVICE ACTS'AMENDMENT. The amendments proposed by his Excellency in this Bill were agreed to as follows : —ln clause 8, line 3, to strike out the words " said Act," and to insert after the word " operation," in same line, the words " of the Act last mentioned." Als», in line 4, to strike out the words " the said Act," and to insert in lieu thereof the words "the Civil Service Act,1866." The clause, as amended, now reads: —No person who wa3 a provincial officer on the coming -into operation of the Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875, and transferred to the Civil Service on the coming into operation of the Act last mentioned, shall be entitled to any retiring allowance under * the Civil Service Aot, 1860, or any Acts repealed by such Act. INTEUWtETATION BILL. On clause 5, Mr. Mantell moved to strike out the latter part of the clause, which validates past Orders in Council which may have been irregular. The motion was pressed to a division—for the amendment 0, against 18. The motion was therefore lost. The remaining clauses were got through without any very material amendment, and progress was reported. . LANDS CLAIMS SETTLEMENT. This measure,was reported without any progress having been made, to admit of alterations proposed being printed. At the evening sitting the committee proceeded with the Jtepeals Bill and other measures. Thursday, 18th Septemdeii. The Hon. the Acting-Speaker took the chair at 2 30 p.m. WELLINGTON LOCAL BOARDS. The Hon. Sir F. D. BELL asked the Hon. I tho Colonial Secretary,—What number of local boards have been established under the Wellington Local Boards Act, 1873, and foi what districts 'I The Hon. Colonel WHITMORK: Twelve, Bulls, Lethbridge, and Marton (County of Raiigitikoi) ; Foxton and Palmcraton North (Manawatu) ; Johnsonvillo, Kaiwarra, and Lower Hutt (Hutt) ; Carterton, I'eatberston, and Greytowu (Wairarapa West) ; Ma'sterton (Wairarapa East.) OTAGO EDUCATION DISTRICT. The Hon. Dr. MENSSIES moved,—That il is expedient that there bo laid on tho table 0 copy of any legal opinion to tho effect stated in tho letter.of the Secretary of tho Education Department, of 12th July, 1878, to the. Chair, man of tho Southland Education Boardnamely, " Government has been advised that the Otago education district, mentioned in tho Otago Boya' and Girls' High School Act, 1877, could only mean tho Otago education district in existence at.tho date of the passing of the Act;" and of any other legal opinions it may. have received upon tho subject, In moving _ the motion "Dr. Menzies recapitvv latcd tho circumstances connected with.this matter. He thought it 'desirable that tlit

Council should be-informed what were the reasons that actuated the Government in overriding what was clearly the intention of the Legislature. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said the advice of the Law Officers was confidential, and could not be produced to the Council. If the hon. gentleman would bring forward a substantive motion impugning the action of the Government they, however, would not shelter themselves under a confidential memo, but would be prepared to deal with such a motion. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS was sorry that Dr. Menzies should have taken up the time of the Council with such an unimportant matter. —The Hon. Mr. Holmes supported Dr. Menzies, and said if he would accept the challenge of the Colonial Secretary he (Mr. Holmes) would support him, and so, he believed, would the Council.—The • Hon. Mr. Hall also supported the motion, and Sir D. Bell opposed—The Hon. Dr. Pollen enjoyed the satisfaction on the present occasion which was supposed to be experienced by the Cassandra tribe when they had an opportunity of saying"l told you so." (Laughter.) Parliament had done wrong, very wrong, in allowing particular districts to appropriate . that which was set apart for the country ; —that was where the wrong was done. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the opinion of the Law Officers not being produced, no doubt the Colonial Secretary was right, but the custom was more honored in the breach than the observance. He (Dr. Pollen) would suggest the reference of the matter to a select committee.—The Hon. Mr. MaNtelC considered that to refer the Bill to a select committee would be the best course. The Hon. Dr. MENZIES would withdraw the motion, and accept the suggestion as to a committee. Motion withdrawn. BLLLS FROM THE OIHEI! CHAMBER. Several Bills were received from the other branch of the Legislature, read a first time, and date of second reading fixedWELLINGTON LOCAL BOARD 3 EMPOWERING BILL.The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE moved the second reading.—The Hon. Mr. Wateriiouse said the object of this Bill was to place the Wellington local boards in a. different position from those in any other part of the colony. He could not agree with* this. He saw no sufficient reason why the practice of submitting by-laws for the sanction of the Gove'rnor Bhbuld be departed from.—The Hon. Sir D. Bell opposed the Bill for the Baine leasons as Mr. Waterhouse.—The Hon. Colonel Whitmore, in reply, said the Law Officers of the Crown approved of the Bill. He hoped that the Council would allow the measure to be read a second time, and he promised that he would go no farther with the Bill until means were taken to amend its objectionable features.. IN COMMITTEB. The Council then went into committee. In the Interpretation Bill clauses 4, 20, and 22 were slightly amended, and the Bill reported. The Dog Registration Bill was re-com-mitted, clause" 25. amended, and the Bill reported. - The Brands Registration Bill was also recommitted.— A. division was taken on the question that clause i stand part of the Bill.— Ayes, 8; noes, 16.—The Hon. Colonel Whitmobe moved that progress should be reported. The principle of the Bill was destroyed iiy the excision of- the 4th clause. The Government would abandon the measure. At the evening sitting, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore 'said he would withdraw his motion for reporting progress on the Brands Bill with a view to its abandonment. He would let tho measure* go on and take its chance. — Clauses 5, C, and 8 were postponed, and 18 struck out. The remaining clauses w.ere passed with amendments, the obligation to brand being confined to sheep. Progress was then reported. The committee then proceeded with the Sheep Bill, which was slightly amended, reported, and the third reading fixed for next day. ADMINISTRATION BILL. The Bill was read a third time and passed,' The Council adjourned at 25 minutes to 0 o'clock. . HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, September 19. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. petitions. " Petitions were presented by Messrs. Olliver, Bryce, Morris, and J. C. Brown, . NOTICES OF MOTION. Notices of motion were given by Messrs. Richardson, Barff, Ifeldwick, Macandrew, Stout, Macfarlane, and Gisborne. reports. * Mr. BRYCE brought up several reports from ;the Native Affairs Committee. . The reports were ordered to lie on tho table. STANDING ORDERS. Mr. BARFJb' called attention to the fact that the copies of standing orders circulated among3t honorable members did not contain the amendments that bad been made from time to time. He presumed that as Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee the Speaker had power -to order a new edition to be printed. The SPEAKER was much obliged to the honorable member for calling attention to thu subject. Prior to the present session copies o£ standing orders were printed, and these contained all the amendments that had been made, except those made since the opening of the present session. He should take steps to have these furnished to honorable members in a printed form. WAIKATO TO TABANAKI. M. ORMOND asked the Government,— Whetlrer Rewi Mauiapoto, and the owners of the lands through which the proposed. railway from Waikato to Taranaki would run, have consented to the construction of that railway, or have undertaken to give laud to provide for its construction ; and, if so, will the Government lay before this House particulars of such promise or undertaking ? The hon. member said he had no _ idea o£ embarrassing the Government by "placing this question on the Order Paper, but before the House could proceed with the public works of the Government it was absolutely neceßsary hon. members should have some information as to what the position of this railway would be. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN replied-that the placing of the information at the disposal of the Government on this subject might have a Very unfavorable effect on the negotiations now pending. (Hear, hear.) CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

Mr. PYKE asked tho Colonial Treasurer, — If he will lay before this House the correspondence between the Government and the Chairman of the Vincent County Council, respecting the future maintenance of charitable institutions ; aud, further, if the Government will cause the same to bo printed for the information of members ? The Hdd. Mr. BALLANCE laid the correspondcnce on the table. MAORI REPRESENTATION. Mr. TAWITI asked the Native Minister,— When lie will introduce a Bill to increase the number' of Maori representatives in this House ? ■ ■ ' • The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN replied that if the House did not agree to the proposals" contained in the Native Affairs Statement he would bring in a Bill this session for increasing the number of Maori representatives. WAIMATB FLAINS. The Hon. Major ATKINSON asked the Native Minister,—lf he will lay before this House copies of all telegrams to or from Major Brown, Civil Commissioner, relating to the stoppage by the present Government, upon their accession to office, of the survey of the Waimate Plains! The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN complied by laying telegrams, reports, &c, on tho table. ELECTORAL BILL. This Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 112.—Nominations.—Mr. Saunders' motion for public nominations was rejected. Clause 117.—How candidates to be nominated.—Mr. Moss moved an amendment to allow of persons out of the colony to be nominated, or to allow of nominations by telegraph. Tho Government accepted the amendment. Clause 136.—Public-houses to be closed on day of poll.—Mr. Stout mo\?ed an amendment to moke tho clause apply to retail sales only, aud to cloao all houses within a milo of the electoral district during an eloction. —Mr. Barff hoped the clause would be struck out. People could not be made sober by ■ Act of Parliament, and it was a slur on the people : of the colony to pass such a clause.—Mr. Stout said the principlo worked well in tho United States, aud there could be no harm iu closing public-houses one day in three or, live years, as the case might be. Public-houses were closed on Sundays. Tho moral effect would be good, because people would come to look upon voting as a most sacred act.—Mr, Moss said if they closed public-houses for moral effect then they should be consistent and open the, churches. (A laugh,} He disapproved of the people, of the colony being treated as" children. They Would get drink at the back door if tho front was closed.—Mr.. Gisdorne Baid if the practice of the United States led to. orderly elections 'it did not seem to improve the character of tho reprciscntaUYeß.—Mr. McBKAI sup-

ported the' clause,' and Mr. Ptkb hoped it would be withdrawn. It would be a premium to hypocrisy, and a dngiMce to the Statutebook. The clause was not necessary, because drunkenness was not a practice at colonial elections.—-Mr. Saunders, from what he had seen in America, believed the law would act well.—Mr. Swanson pointed out that in cases like those of Parnell, Newton, Eden, and the various city constituencies where the elections did not take place all on the one day, the whole of the public-houses in the .city would be closed day after day.—Sir Robert Douglas said if visitors came into a constituency while an election was going on they would be able to get no food.—Mr. Saunders pointed out that only the sale of drink would be prohibited by the Bill.—Mr. Stout said if members desired it provision would be made to prevent inconvenience to travellers by an addition to the clause. The word “retail” was inserted on the voices. Other amendments of the clause were, agreed to, .and on the question that the clause as amended stand part of the' Bill a division took place. The ayes were .22 ; the nbes 31. The clause was struck out. The following is the division list; —. Ayes, 22. Baigent Hodgkinaon Stout Brandon - McLean Thomson Bry.je McMinn Wakefield Douglas Montgomery Wallis Feldwick Murray (teller) Whitaker George llees Wood Gibbs Saunders Woolcock Hobbs Noes, 31. Barff (toller) Joyce Seaton, Barton Kelly Seymour Beetham Kenny Sharp Brown, J. E. Macandrew Sheehan Bunny Moss Stevens Cuctis Murray-Aynsley Swanson Dignan Ormond Taiaroa Gisborne Pyke Tegchemaker Hamlin Reeves (toller) Tolo . Hursthouso Rowe Turhbull Johnston Pair: Ayes, Mr. Richardson; Noes, Mr. Fox,Clause 136.—Commencement and close of poll ; opening 9 o'clock, close at 8 o'clock! Mr, Barton thought the poll should commence at 8 o'clock, and that officers should get an hour for dinner. —A long discussion took place on this.—Mr, Rees thought if the clause was to stand as at present the poll should not be declared till the following day,—Mr. Stevens thought 8 o’clock in the evening too late.Mr. Stout would'accept 7 p.ra., but did not approve of the poll being opened earlier than 9 o'clock.—Mr. Barton said working men complained they could not vote. The poll should be opened from .6 to 6 or 7 to 7 ; —twelve hours at any rate. Mr. J. E. Brown said the hours proposed in the BUI would do very well id the country, but people in towns complained that they had no time under the present arrangement. He thought In the‘cities tho hours should be 7 to 6.—Sir. Joyce, after great experience, thought the present hours quite suffiqient. A great deal of rubbish had been talked about increasing the facilities for a working man voting. If the principle was fully carried out then every election day should be made a statutory holiday.—Mr. Tole said the whole matter was discussed last year in reference to the Municipal Corporations Act, and it would be well for the House to accept the decision arrived at last year, as expressed in the Act— Mr. Wakefield supported 4he clause, and hoped the Government would not give way,— Nine o'clock was fixed as the opening hour on the voices,—On a division the word “ eight,” in reference to the closing of the, poll, was struck out by 26 to 20, and on another division the word “ six ” was inserted in. its place by 27 to 20. The poll therefore closes at 6 p.ni. The clause as amended was passed. Further clauses were passed without amendment, and at 10.5 progress was reported, and the House adjourned.