PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5483, 23 October 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ' Tuesday, October 22. The Hon. the Acting-Speaker took the ehair at 2.30 p.m. reports, &c. Several reports were laid on the tablo by Colonel Whitmore.- The report* of committee on the Timaru Harbor Bill and Thames Harbor Bill were brought up. It was recommended that the flr.-fc should bo passed as amended, and that the other (the Thame* Bill) should nut bo proceeded with, # Reports were also, brought up on the Norsowood Mechanics’ -Institute Bill, a measure affecting Foxton, and the Newmarket Reserves Bill. The recommendation of committee was that all these should be proceeded with, with the amendments suggested. THIRD READINGS. .The Electoral Bill and the Public Revenues Bill were read a third time and passed. AMENDMENTS BT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Council took into consideration the amendments made by th* House of Representatives in tho Harbors Bill.—On the question of payment of harbor board chairmen, Colonel Whitmore moved that the amendment, with the object of paying them, should be agreed to. —This was opposed by Dr. Menzies, Mr. Holmes, Captain Fraser, and Mr. Miller.— CoL Whitmore, replying, said that popular opinion was in favor of paying these chairmen, and he thought great weight should be given to the opinion of the House of Representatives on this matter.—The amendment was disallowed.— On an amendment proposed by the House of Representatives altering a clause so as to make it read that all works should bo don* by tender, except in an emergency, the Hon. Dr. Menzies moved o, further amendment, which was lost by 13 to 11.—There was some further discussion on other points of difference, and ultimately managers were appointed to draw up reasons for disagreeing, which were adopted, and ordered to be sent to the other Chamber. Some amendments proposed in the Sheep Bill were agreed to, and on others it was determined to have a free conference, DEBTORS AND CREDITORS ACT AMENDMENT, The second reading was shortly moved by the Hon. Mr. Wilson, and after a few words from the Hons. Mr. Hart and Mr. Waterhouse, agreed to. LAW AMENDMENT BILL. This measure was read a second time on the motion of Mr. Wilson, who shortly explained its provisions. DISTRICT RAILWAYS ACT 1877 AMENDMENT. In moving the second reading of this Bill, Colonel Whitmore explained the amendments on the existing Act proposed by the Bill.— The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse pointed out defects in the old Act, which in committee he would endeavor to remedy by this BUl.—The Hon. Mr. Holmes and Sir D. Bell having .spoken, the mover replied, and the Bill was read a second time. OTAOO AND SOUTHLAND EDUCATION RESERVES LEASING BILL. , The second reading of this Bill was moved by tho Hod. Colonel Whitmore. The debate on the motion was interrupted by the dinner adjournment.. At the evening sitting the second reading was agreed to, and tho BUI referred to the Waste Land Committee, IN COMMITTEE. The Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Bill was committed, reported, read a third time, and passed. The Law Amendment Bill was also committed, reported, read a third time, and passed. District Railways Bill.—Clauses 1 and 2 passed as printed. There was a discussion on the 3rd clause, which was ultimately passed without change. The majority of the clauses passed as printed, no material amendments .being made. The measure was reported, and the third reading fixed for next day. GOLDiItNTNG DISTRICTS ACT 1876 AMENDMENT. The Hon. Mr. WILSON explained that this .Bill was simply an addition to the Act of 1873, bo as to enable the Thames district to be brought within the provisions of the Act.— The second reading was agreed to without discussion. LOCAL BILLS. The Milton Afchemeum Endowment Bill, and the North Otago Benevolent Society Bill were read a second time, Wellington College Acts Amendment Bill, —The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse moved the second reading. The bon. gentleman explained the way the Bill (which had been through tho Local Bills Committee) proposed to deal with the trust lauds of tho College, certain steps being necessary to improve its resources. The ' Board of Governors trusted under the Bill to be able to get an income of £IOO or £SOO a year, which would bo of vital importance to the College.—The Hon. Mr. Holmes supported the Bill as amended by the Local Bills Comm Ute, stating the reasons which had influenced the -committee.—The Hon. G. R. Johnson opposed the Bill, as diverting a reserve from the purpose for which it was originally set apart. He thought considerable retrenchment could be made in the College without impairing its efficiency, Wellington, more than any other city in the colony, wanted open spaces. He could not approve of allowing buildings to be put up ou these reserves.—The Hon. Mr. Mantell also opposed the Bill. He pointed out that it was on the distinct understanding that no building but the College should be pbfc on the laud that the Board of Governors obtained it. He thought more prudence should be shown in the management of the College, and trusted that the Bill would not pass.—The Hon. Dr. Menzies would oppose the Bill,—Mr. Waterhouse replied, sayingmembers wereunderaome misapprehension as to the terms of the appropriation of the reserve. The Superintendent had absolutely appropriated this land to collegiate purposes. As to the remark about breathing spaces, he thought Wellington was all lungs. He read the report of the Committee on the Bill [the gLtr of which has been already published]. The Hou. Colonel Whitmore, though he confessed lie did not care much for the Bill, still would not oppose it.—A division was taken. For the second reading, 15 ; against, 8. The following is the division list;— Ates.—Sir F. D. Bell. Messrs. P. A. Bitbkley, Edwards, Gray, Hall. Henderson, Holmes, Lieut.Colonel Kenny, Messrs. Lnhmann, Ma'tin, Peter, Bobimon, Scotland, Waterhouse, and Colonel Whitmore, U.M.G. Noes.—Colonel Brett, Messrs, G. Buckley, Captain Fraser, Messrs, G. B. Johnson, J. Johnston, Man tell, Menzies, and Miller. Wellington City Boundaries.—On the motion for second reading, tho Hon. Mr. Mantell moved as an amendment that the Bill be referred back to the Local Bills Committee for the evidence of the City Solicitor, and in order to throw'further light on the matter.—The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse opposed the amendment. Tho matter had already been moat carefully considered by the committee.—Mr. ManTELL called for a division, with the result: — For the recommittal, 0 ; against, B.—The second reading, in the absence of Mr. Hart, was fixed for next day. Church Trust at Little River Exchange Bill, and Christchurch Boys’ High School Bill.— The second reading of these measures was moved by the Hon, Mr. Hall. The firat waa agreed to without discussion, and the second after a abort speech from tho Hon. Mr. Peacock. in committee. Tho Gold Mining Act 1873 Amendment, Milton Athenseum, North Otago Benevolent Society, and Church Trust at Little River Bills passed through without amendment, were read a third time, and passed. The remaining orders of tho day were discharged, and Tho Council adjourned at 11.20 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, October 22. The Speaker took tho chair at 2JJO p.m. PETITIONS, notices, etc. Several petitions were presented and notices of motion were given. Several reports were brought up from select committees, including one from the House Committee. On this a discussion arose as to the expenditure upon the Parliamentary Buildings during tho recess; but the whole matter was postponed till next day, THE LAW OP EVIDENCE. Mr, CURTIS asked the Attorney-General, —lf the Government will take into consideration, during the recess, tho expediency of so amending the law of evidence as to admit of the examination, under carefully considered restrictions, of persons on their trial for criminal offences ? Ilia reason for asking tho question was this ; Some three years ago, when tho Evidence Act Further Amendment Bill was House, he proposed an amendment which would, under certain circumstances, allow tho presiding Judge at a criminal trial to interrogate a prisoner. Ho withdrew that amendment on the promise of Mr. Bowen, the then Minister of Justice, that tho matter should be considered during tho recess; but by some means it was lost sight of. Ho had also observed that in the House of Commons a Bill had been introduced dealing with this

subject; but ho had not been able to find out what progress had been made with the BUI. Tho Hon. Mr. STOUT said the question was. a large one, and there were two sides to it. The Government would consider the whole matter during tho recess, and also the question of making some alteration in the mode of conducting criminal prosecutions. MARINE REPORT. In answer to Mr. Gisborne, Sir G. GRKY said tho marine report had been kept back in consequence of the press of work at the printing office. MR. CARTON. Sir R. DOUGLAS asked Mr. Barton,— Whether, in the event of a Committee or Commission inquiring into the grave charges he has made against Chief Justice Preudegast and Mr. Justice Richmond, he will have any objection to the same Committee or Commission inquiring whether he, as a barrister, had conducted himself as a barrister should do, and, if the charges made by him are found to be false, whether he should not be disbarred or suspended from practice 1 ■Mr. BARTONreplied, as to the firat portion of the question, that the honorable member assumed that charges of misconduct existed 1 against him, but he was not aware that any such charges had been or could be made. As to tho second portion of tho question, in which it was assumed he waa capable of making charges against the Judges knowing them to be fulae, and further asked whether if such , charges were false he should be disbarred or suspended from practising, he would reply that tho question waa unworthy of the honorable member, and equally unworthy to be noticed by him. Several other unimportant questions were asked and answered. NEW BILLS. The Waikato Crown Land Sales Bill, and Thames Water Supply Bill, were introduced. EXPLANATIONS. Messrs. Kelly and Barton made certain explanations in denial of statements contained in a leading article of an evening paper on Saturday. PRESS TELEGRAPH ARRANGEMENT. Mr. McLEAN wished to move, without notice, that the papers laid on the table with reference to the proposal to grant a special wire to certain papers in the colony be printed. The Hon. Mr. STOUT said it could not be done. The,printiug office was so blocked that the ordinary departmental reports could not be printed. Besides, the motion for printing was out of order. Mr. McLEAN, to put himself in order, would move the adjournment of the House, and would say that the papers laid ou the table were of the utmost importance and should be printed if they had to be sent to a private office. Every hon. member ought to see those papers and consider them, for there was ou foot a scheme for the purpose of absolutely crushing the independent papers of the colony, and he was sure that arrangement became public the House would rise as one man to put a stop to such an injustice being perpetrated. He was surprised, after the denunciations they had heard from the Premier whenjin Opposition, that they should, so soon after he had got on the Government benches, be caught red-handed in one of th# most disgraceful. transactions he had ever heard. Privileges which it would cost the Government £4OOO to grant (according to the report of the head of the Telegraph Department) were to be given for half that sum to three papers which had been already subsidised to a large extent by Government advertisements—the Auckland Herald, the Lyttelton Times, and the Otago Daily Times. These three papers were to have an absolute monopoly, and the object was to strike down every independent paper in tho colony. He protested strongly against such action, because it was specially directed against certain papers, notably the Morning Herald in Dunedin, the Evening Star in Dunedin, the Press in Christchurch, and others ; and the Premier ought to be thoroughly ashamed of his action. He was going next day to introduce a Bill to prevent this sort of thing in future,- because he thought that like Customs duties and other revenue the telegraph charges should be regulated by -law. It was disgraceful that any Government should be guilty of such conduct, especially when one member of the Government, Mr. Stout, was a large owner of one of the papers, the Otago Daily Times. Mr. WAKEFIELD hoped the Government would make some reply, because his impression certainly was that an exceedingly wrongful arrangement was about to be entered into. Three or four papers were to get a monopoly of a special wire for two years. If all the newspapers in the colony were going to benefit he had no objection, bub he had great objection to certain newspapers getting such a monopoly, because a gross injustice would thus be committed. The Hon, Mr. STOUT denied that he had in any way interfered with the Commissioner of Telegraphs, and be declared there was no monopoly to be granted. The Press Agency or any paper could get the same terms. The warmth of Mr. McLean was to be accounted for by the fact that he was one of the principal proprietors of the Dunedin Morning Herald. The Hon. Mr. FISHER said he was surprised there was so much excitement about this matter, because really the Government had done nothing improper. The arrangement was with three papers, bub ho understood they represented eight papers, and there was not to be a monopoly. His object was to give every possible advantage to all the Press, irrespective of political creed, so that the public might be served. Another wire was about to be laid down, and as the arrangement would not come into force till the Ist January, no inconvenience to anybody would result. Mr. SWANSON wanted to know if the evening papers were not to participate in the benefits. The Hon. Mr. FISHER said that could not be dine at once. The evening papers were now allowed a thousand words, and more could not be given until the department had more facilities at its disposal. Mr. STEVENS did not think tho reply of* the Government satisfactory. M£jor ATKINSON said if there were suspicions the Government.were to blame, because their conduct in regard to the matter, by holding the documents back, and then refusing to allow the papers to be printed, had engendered these suspicions. And nothing had been said to dispel the suspicions, because tho Post-master-General had admitted that the arrangement was to come into force on Ist January next, when the monopoly would be granted, but it was hoped that another wire would be constructed by that time. There was no guarantee that that would be done. Members on tho Opposition side of the House would nob submit to have the telegraph wires prostituted to tho party purposes of the Government, like the advertisement'patronage had been, Tho Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON understood there was another paper which had not been laid on the table of the House. The Hon. Mr. FISHER said there was. Hr. ROLLESTON wished to know if it would bo laid on the table. After a pause,The Hon. Mr. FISHER rose and said it would be laid on the table. It waa a letter from the Press Agency. Mr. McLEAN, in the course of his reply, wanted to know whether Mr, Stout had not prompted Mr. Reed, the editor of the Otago Times, to make this arrangement. The Hon. Mr. STOUT : It is untrue; absolutely false. Tho SPEAKER called tho hon. member to order. He had no right to use such an expression. Tho Hon. Mr. STOUT submitted he had. The SPEAKER ruled the expression out of order. Mr. HoLEAN then continued his address, and said his interest in the Dunedin Morning Herald was £75, so that would not account for his warmth. The motion for adjournment was then negatived. RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION SILL. The Hon. Mr. MAOANDREW moved tho postponmenfc of fcho firat seventeen orders pf the day, in order to move that tho House might proceed with the Railway Construction Bill at 8 p.m. Mr. SAUNDERS strongly objected. Members never knew what was coming on. They supposed they were going to discuss tho Fencing and other Bills of that character. Subsequently the hon. member explained that he did not understand the motion was to bring tho Bill on at 8 o’clock. The motion waa agreed to, and it waa decided to proceed with the Railway Construction Bill at *8 p.m. SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. Tho Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN moved that the following eleven orders of the day bo discharged, as there was no time to consider them now Fencing Bill, second reading ; Fine Arts Copyright Amendment Bill, second reading ; Fisheries Preservation Bill, second reading; Publicans’ Licenses Bill, second reading ; Babbit Nuisance BUI, second reading ; Brands Registration Bill, to bo committed ; Impounding Bill, to be committed ;

Bribery Bill, to be committed ; Dog Registration Bill, second reading ; Wanganui Harbor Board and River Conservators Bill, second reading ; Dunedin Botanical Gardens Bill, second reading, A long discussion arose on the subject; Mr ■ Fox and Mr. Rowe expressing regret that the Publicans’ Licenses Bill was to be discharged, and Mr. O’Rorke with regard to the Fisheries Bill, and Mr. Hursthouse, with regard to the Fencing and other Bills, expressed a similar opinion. Ultimately the motion was agreed to. DISDUALTFXOATION BILL. The amendments made in this Bill by the Legislative Council were considered in Committee. After a considerable time had been wasted in fruitless discussion, progress was reported. IN BE MR. BARTON AND THE JUDGES. In reply to Mr. Fitzroy, Sir G. GREY said the only statement he could now make with reference to Mr. Barton’s case was this, that Mr. Barton desired to be allowed to put iu a corrected copy of his speech, but as yet he had not been able fca send that in. The Premier then laid papers on the table. . After a short discussion on a point of order as to the printing of the papers, the matter dropped. « RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION BILL. The Hon. Mr. MAOANDREW did not think, in moving the second reading of this Bill, that it was necessary to say much, because it merely gave legal effect to the proposals of the Government. It was said the weak point of the Bill was that the order of precedence in which the works were to be proceeded with was not set out, but the proposal of the Government was to go on with all us soon as possible—-as soon as the necessary surveys could bo made, and - all would be completed within five or six years, it was hoped, except the line from Amberly to Cook’s Straits. The engineer in charge of the Middle Island would get a survey of this during the recess, and the Government would bring down proposals next year. The Nelson and Marlborough people had got up an excitement because the Government were not going on with the Amberly and Hokitika lines, but the Government Fad at present no data to go upon. Certainly both lines could not be constructed yet, and there was no doubt that the line to Hokitika presented great difficulty. He hoped next year that they would be able to make more definite proposals to extend the line from Amberly to Cook’s Straits, and so restore the faith of the Nelson and Marlborough people. To carry out the proposals of the Government would require great labor and trouble, and he was inclined to think there should be two responsible Ministers—one for the NorfchjXaland, and the other for the South. Of course, when he said they were going on with the works at once, that was speaking generally, because it was at once admitted that a great deal of information must be obtained before some of the lines could be started. As to the expenditure, lie believed the lines set out in the schedule would cost less than the estimated ■ amount. There had been some misapprehension in regard to the Bill. It was supposed the Government wanted to get all this money into their hands at once, but such was not the case; indeed the provisions of the- Public Works Act, incorporated in the Bill, were opposed to this. The Government proposed to take an annual appropriation, commencing this year with a vote for £400,000. To remove all doubts, in committee he would move an amendment to make that more clear. He explained that the Government proposed to* continue immigration at an annual expenditvre of £157,000. It had seemed to him an unavoidable flaw iu the Public Works policy of the past that it did not secure agricultural settlement, but as the lines proposed were to be taken through agricultural land the Government were going to make provision against this • evil in future, by offering for sale blocks of agricultural land on the lines for purposes of small farms and townships. In fact, they proposed to follow the example of America, and try and get men to take up this laud in blocks of 50 to 100 acres, .or less. He believed the smaller quantity would be sufficient for Laboring men to start on. Their policy was a means to an end, and that end was the settlement of a stout yeomanry on the land. He had hoped to be able to submit proposals for a direct steam line between New Zealand and Great Britain, but was afraid that the recent commercial failures iu Glasgow might damp the enfcerpiae, though, as hon. members would remember from the Agent-General’s telegram, that*'negotiations were pending between the Government and a Glasgow firm. Perhaps the House •* would adopt some resolution authorising the Government to proceed in the matter within prescribed limits. He would refer to theTapanui railway. (Mr. Fox : Hear, hear.) Yes, the hon. gentlemcan might say hear hear, but he wished there were 50 Tapanui railways proceeding. The object of that railway was to open up land for settlement on deferred payment, and ho believed that other lines could be constructed on the same terms, which would result in land being opened up, and railways constructed, without any expense to the State. What might bear upon the order of procedure with lines would be special circumstances, tending to prove that the construction of certain sections would lead to the immediate profitable opening up of lands, and formation of feeders to main lines. The works under progress in the North Island would be proceeded with vigorously, but the new works would depend a good deal upon the acquisition of native land, especially that running through the King country and the Foxton line. The line between Wanganui and New Plymouth would probably be finished within three years, and alarge quantity of valuable land opened up. In the Middle Island, where there wereno such contingencies, the works would proceedatonce. luthefirstyear£l 80,000 would be spent in addition to the estimate now set down on the estimates ; second year, £510,000 ; third year, £585,000 ; fourth year, £902,000 ; fifth, yeai*, £680,000 ; sixth year, £670,000. He went into further particulars as to the expenditure on particular lines during the next two years. Of course, in submitting such figures he had not bound himself absolutely to the precise figures, but merely to show that the scheme was carefully considered. The whole of the North Island lines, with the exception of the two specified Jn connection with which native land had to be purchased, could be completed within three years. He believed the whole of the lines could be constructed for the money set down, and he further believed that the scheme would be productive of great good—would at a slight addition to the public debt greatly diminish the public burden. He hoped whatever debate might follew that the matter would be looked at more front a practical point of view than in a mere party spirit. (Applause.) The Hon. Mr. RlCHAßDSONregretted that a debate on public works generally, and on the proposals of the Government in particular, had come so late. It seemed to him that this Bill was quite unnecessary. It was to bo modified in several particulars, he was aware, but he was sorry that the precise amendments had noL, been printed. He confessed he could not understand from the speech of the hoc. member what amendment he was a going to propose, but still ho considered the Bill was unnecessary, because tho proposals might more properly have been clothed in practical form under the Public Works Act. The Bill seemed to reintroduce the most objectionable feature of the scheme of 1870, iu that under such a mode of procedure the Minister for Public Works was continually worried to press on the works which the House had authorised. He had adopted fcho plan of taking appropriation under the Public Works Appropriation Act for the year, and it would be very much better to return to that plan instead of tho one now proposed. As to tho railway between Te Awamatu and Taranaki, the Government in 1874 had made definite proposals to the natives, but Sir D. McLean had always been of opinion that it would- be long before the natives would consent. He believed Sir D. McLean was right, and could not recognise that they were much nearer getting that consent now than they were in 1874. He understood that the Government could not go into the money market till next September, owing to an arrangement with tho banks, and that they were advised it would be very inadvisable to go there for another two years. If that*was. so, then these lines were to bo pushed on with tho money from tho sale of land. The Minister for Public Works seemed to like selling land, and took credit to himself for proposing that ; but when Sir Julius Vogel first proposed that plan in 1873 there was a perfect storm raised, and the first to complain was Mr. Macandrew himself, Tho Opposition was so strong that tho scheme had been wifchdraivn. He was glad tho hon. member had come round to that view. Ho could not agree with tho Minister for Public Works as to the desira'bilifcy of getting more railways constructed on the Tapanui railway principle, because tho contractors having to find the money charged pretty dearly for it in making up their contract ; and he also objected to deciding at tho present timo what amount should bo spent after the present year, because that unduly fettered tho-House.

Criticising the administration of the Minister for Public Works, ho cntjjd not Approve of the change made by getting rid of tho enginner-m----chief and appointing one engineer for each island, and stated at some length what his own (Mr. Richardson’s) experience had been when he tried a similar plan. G veat loss and inconvenience had arisen from that plan ; and lie was extremely sorry that so able and painstaking a man like Mr. Carrufchers had been lost to the colony. He believed that until the claims of Messrs. Brogdeu had been settled, it was the absolute duty of the Government, iu the interests of the colony, no matter what the cost, to have kept Mr. Curruthers and one or two other officers, for no other men could so assist the Government as they could have done. The only other point he wished to deal with was the declaration of the Government that no works should be proceeded with except it was clear they would pay. There was a great deal in that. Why, the House did not know that the lines which the Government now proposed would pay, and iu the nature of things the House could not ascertain for certain what lines would pay, and the Government practically had the decision of the matter. It was fashionable to cry out about past expenditure, but he believed the colony in the past had got as much for its pound as it would get in the future. There would be very little difference, because there had been slight changes iu the price of labor and material. With respect of advertising, he was not going into the question of subsidising papers; but he wished to say this, that the scheme lately adopted would result iu great loss to the colony. For instance, the Tapanui railway had only beep advertised in the Southern papers ; but if it bad been advertised in all the principal papers in the colony, and plans and specifications exhibited in all the principal engineers’ offices in the bolony, he believed the cost would have been less, because there were capitalists all over tho colony who would have been glad to tender. He believed the plans were only exhibited in Dunedin. (Mr. Macandrew : No.) Well, he challenged Che hon. gentleman to point to an advertisement which showed otherwise. He believed that money spent in advertising was well spent, and that it was a penny wise and pound foolish poliy to adopt the present plan of the Government. (Cheers.) Air. CURTIS opposed the second reading of the Bill, because it left unprovided for the extension of the great trunk line, and also left unprovided for the wants of the two most northernmost provinces of the South Island. When the Minister for Public Works made his statement; he seemed to be unaware of the existence of any country north of the Hurunui, but he now seemed to have got some glimmering of their existence, but wanted information. It was said no surveys had been made. But there was a record showing a survey had been made of the line from Nelson to the Grey, and an estimate of the cost formed. And it must be remembered that although the hon. member had no information whatever about tho line from Te Awamutu to Taranaki, he still had no difficulty in arriving at an estimate of the cost of that work ; and so with the line from Amberly to Cook Strait. So that it was clear the honorable gentlemen might have made some proposal if they had chosen. He claimed that the line from Nelson to the Grey was of national importance, and to show it had long been contemplated, and always considered of importance, he traced the course of events iu the Nelson Provincial Council and in the GeneralAssembly with respedt to its proposed construction. la 1873 they were asked to wait five years for this line, and now when that period had elapsed, they were asked to wait another five years, while in the meantime main lines and branch lines were being pushed ahead vigorously in every other province in tha colony. It was not to be expected that the oeople of Nelsou would sit down under such i njustice. He quoted reports and statistics to show the value of the land through which the line would pass and open up, viz., at least £750,000, to say nothing of the mineral wealth which formed the most valuable part of the country to be opened up. It was rich in coal —not brown coal or lignite, but good steam coal, gold, and other minerals. The Brunner and Greymouth line was the best paying line in the colony, because it was a mineral line, and there was every reason to suppose that this line, if constructed, would be equally payable. But commercial success was not all that was to be aimed at. In England, where companies constructed railways, that might be so, but not here, where railways were made for the general good, and took the place of roads. Out of £7,000,000 of money spent, £150,000 had been spent in Nelsou, and it was now proposed to spend £6,000,000 more, without spending an additional .penny in Nelson. Ho and those who acted with him did not want a large expenditure this year, but they wanted an earnest that they were not going to be shut out altogether from the benefit of railway communication, or see the main trunk line thrown overboard, which would be done under the present proposals, and he warned tho Government that it was not wise to treat with contempt any portion of the colony, however small the population. It was to be hoped that the Government would reconsider their proposols.- He moved that the Bill be. read a second time that day six months. (Applause.) Dr. HODGKINSON should vote for the second reading of the Bill, although he objected to so much expenditure, reserving to limself tho right of voting against the Bill in committee. Mr, SEYMOUR questioned whether any Legislature of any country looking to its revenue and position had ever been asked to tie its hands to so large an extent. It was an enormous appropriation, and it waa a matter for surprise that any Government could propose such an expenditure when they know so little of the lines on which it was proposed to spend the money. The Minister for Public Works had complained he had no information with regard to the line from Amberly toCookSfcraifc. But had heanyinforraation with regard to other line* which had been scheduled. For instance, the Wellington and Foxton lino. That line had never been traversed by a surveyor. So with the line from Te Awamutu to New Plymouth. Then why should these lines be specified ? He supported the appeal of tho hon. member for Nelson for consideration, and pointed to the fact that this part of the colony was to be taxed under the land tax just as heavily as the rest of the country, and yet was not to derive any benefit from the expenditure of taxation. Ho urged the necessity of extending the Picton and Blenheim railway into the producing country, by which means it would be made payable. Mr. RICHMOND thought no Government who had the progress of the colony at heart could resist the arguments put forward by Mr. Curtis and Mr. Seymour; and he asked hon. members to consider the injustice sought to bo imposed on Nelson and Marlborough. There were in those provincial districts neither roads nor bridges, nor any of the facilities usually afforded to the inhabitants of the colony, tho consequence being that people would not settle or buy land in that part of the country. Ho quoted certain reports to show the agricultural and mineral wealth which awaited development in the province of Nelson by railway construction. In answer to the Minister for Public Works, he pointed out that there had been two surveys of the Nelson to Grey line. Mr. BAIGENT supported the amendment. Mr. WOOD complained that the Seawood Bush line, 12 miles long, was not included in the schedule, seeing that land had been purchasediythore at a high price on the distinct understanding that a railway should be built. He hoped tho Edendalo and Forfcrose line would bo constructed on the same plan as the Tapanui line had been, He thought a case had been made out in favor of Nelson being considered, and complained generally of want of information in regard to the Government proposals, Mr. SHARP agreed with all that had fallen from Mr. Curtis, and further urged that a population of 42,000 which resided in that part of tho country deserved eomo little considei’ation at the hands of the Government, especially as hitherto only some 4s, fid. per head of population had been spent in that district, while over the colony generally 12e. Cd. had been spent. Hr. HURSTHOUSE supported tho amendment in a forcible speech. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN moved the adjournment of tho debate, to give members a chance of speaking at an earlier hour and under more favorable conditions. After a few remarks from Mr, Sharp and Major Atkinson, tho motion was agreed to, and at 1.25 a.m. The House adjourned.

THE WELLINGTON CITY TRAMWAY. . The directors of the 'Wellington City TramwayCompany met yesterday, and considered the applications for tho balance of shares unallotted in the company. All shares at par were refused, and allotment notices were directed to bo issued to those who applied at ft premium. Several applications for shares at a premium have been received from other parts of tljo colony. Wo understand that there aro several hundred shares still-open for allotment at tho premium, and that private application to the xnanugcr can be made for those shaves. ; 'The directors at their Inst meeting refused an offer from responsible parties to lease tho Hue for nine or ten years at lifteon per cent, per annum ou the capital of the company. The Tramway Company seems therefore likely to prove a commercial success. The number of passengers during the week ending Saturday, 19th, was 10.440, representing about C 240 of cash receipts. This satisfactory result is arrived at with only four engines working, and a large increase in tho takings is antscipatcd as soon as the new engines arrive, ami are taken into use. It is with some regret that wo mention that yesterday morning a piece of iron piping was found placed in the grooves of tho rail, evidently deliberately put there with malicious intent to injure the engine. Wo understand that but for tho fact that the lino is carefully examined every morning by a man specially deputed for tho work, the trains would have very likely met with some accident ere now. This is a matter that calls for some attention at the hands of tho police. Iron bolts, nuts, &c.» have been found upon the rails on several occasions. Tho Tramway Company has rendered a service to the public, but has at tho same time unavoidably injured the business prospects of a considerable section of the community, and thereby made many enemies. We behove that the animosity created will bo as shortlived as it proved to be in the case r of railways when they were first introduced into England, In tho meantime tho property of the company ought to be specially protected from wilful injury.