PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5484, 24 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, October 23. The Hon. the Acting-Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. PAPERS &0. Some papers were laid on the table, aud a report from the Public Petitions Committee was brought up HOUSE COMMITTEE. The Hon. Captain BAILLIB moved, — That the members of both Houses of Parliament residing in or near Wellington, with the Chairman of the Joint House Committee, be the House Committee during the recess.— Agreed to. HARBOR BILLS. The Hon. Mr. MILLER enquired what had become of the Hokitika Harbor Bill, which he had been requested to look after by Mr. Bonar.—The Hon. J. Johnston said that to the best of his knowledge the Bill had not been reported upon, because Mr. Bonar had promised to send certain information which it was thought essential to have. Mr. Bonar had not sent such information.—Mr. Mantell mentioned that ho had found a certain paper in Mr. Sonar’s drawer (to which he had succeeded), and possibly that paper contained the information sought for. Not knowing anything abeut the paper he (Mr. Mantell) had directed the Clerk to frank the document to Mr. Bonar. (Laughter.) Tho Hon. Col. WHITMORE inquired as to the fate of the Thames Harbor Bill. Ha would like to see the evidence on which the committee had founded its report. [The report was adverse to the Bill.] —It was explained that tho evidence was in the hands of the printer, and the second reading of the Bill was made an order for next day. DISTRICT RAILWAYS ACT AMENDMENT. This Bill was read a third time aud passed. LOCAL BILLS. The Poston Reserves, Newmarket Reserves, and Norsewood Mechanics' Institute Bills were read a second time without discussion i Wanganui High School Bill.—The Hon. Mr. Hall moved the second reading, explaining the Bill—The second reading was agreed to without opposition. The Patea Harbor Bill was road a third time and passed. IN COMMITTEE. Tho Poxton Reserves, Newmarket Reserves, Norsewood Mechanics’ Institute, Timaru Harbor Board, and Wellington College, passed through with slight amendment. Christchurch Boys High School.—Tho Hon. G. Buckley moved that tho second clause, — Board of Governors to manage lauds for Boys high sohon',—be struck out. A division was called for (after considerable discussion), with this result—For the clause, 15 ; against, 11. Tho remaining clauses were passed aud the Bill reported. The Wanganui High School Bill . and Oamaru Harbor Bill were amended and reported. On the Now River Harbor Board Bill, progress was reported with tho view of referring the Bill back to the Local Bills Committee. The Napier Harbor Board Bill was then considered, amended, and reported. The Wellington College,Act was re-com-mitted for the purpose of inserting a proviso in clause 5, which was done. The proviso was published in these columns last week, SHEET BILL. A message was received from the House of Representatives, insisting on their amendments in the Sheep Bill. The points of difference were referred to a free conference, to be held next day. The Council then (5.30) adjourned till next day. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, October 23. The Steaker took the chair at 2.50 p.m. NOTICES OB’ MOTION. Notices of motion were given by Messrs. McLean, Xole, Rolleston, and Beethara. PETITION. •” A petition was presented by Mr. Hislop. REPORTS. Mr. BARFP brought up a report from the Petitions Classification Committee, which was ordered to lie on the table, Mr. CURTIS brought up reports from tho Waste Lands Committee, which were read. Mr. KELLY brought up several reports from the Public Petitions Committee. The Hon. Mr. PISHBR laid on the table further papers referring to the granting of a special wire to Messrs. Holt and McCarthy. Papers were also laid on the table by Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr. Ballance. THE HINEHOA. Mr. HOBBS asked the Government, — Whether it is true that the officers and crew of the Hinemoa have been ordered to wear uniform, and whether they are required to pay for the same out of their own pockets ; and, if so, if tho same rule applies to the other departments of the public service of the colouy ? Sir GEORGE GREY said that no representations in this matter had been made to the Government, and if any complaints existed, it was only fair that they should have been brought under the notice of the Government. (Hear, hear.) He might say that tho uniforms were supplied by tho officers themselves, with the exception of the badges, lace, and. buttons. The same rule applied to officers of the Customs Department. NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL ANTHEM. Mr. SWANSON asked the Minister of Education, —Whether he will give instructions for the New Zealand National Anthem to be sung in the Government primary schools ? • The Hon. Mr. BaLLANGE replied that a largo number of copies would be printed at the expense of the Government for circulation in public schools, Tho Hon. Mr. POX: What is tbs New Zealand National Anthem ? The Hon. Mr. BALLANCE : The composition of a Mr. Bracken, of Dunedin, I shall give tho hon. member a copy of it. Ths Hon. Mr. POX ; I should be very much pleased, if you would. (Laughter.) COUNTY OF COLLINGWOOD. Mr. GIBBS asked the Minister of Lands, —Whether he will take immediate action, by providing a sufficient survey staff, to enable the numerous applicants for land under the deterred payment system in the Comity of Collingwood to settle on those lands ? The Hon. Mr. BALLANCE requested the hop. member to postpone his question until next day, when his hon. colleague (tho Public Works Minister) would reply to it. , KELSON DISTRICT. Mr. GIBBS asked the Minister for Public Works, —(1.) Whether he will lay before this House a copy of the engineer’s report aud estimate of cost of tramway in Aorere Valley, Nelson District, made in accordance with a resolution of this House on the 29th November, 18/7 ? (2.) What he intends to do toward carrying out the order of the House, os expressed in that resolution ? (3.) What the Government intend to do, in the event of the views as expressed by the Minister for Public Works in his Statement (tg., not to carry out such work) being adhered t», with the land which he says has been reserved for the purpose of carrying out the work ia accordance with tho abqyo , named resolution ? (I.) Whether it is intended at once to proceed with tho building of the bridge mentioned in his Statement, and if be has satisfied himself that tho amount placed ou the Estimates ia sufficient for the work ? The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW replied that ■ he had not yet had time to consider the report sent in, 20,000 acres of land had been reserved, but if it was determined, after considering tho report sent in, to construct a road instead of a railway, tho reserve would ho taken off, and the land thrown open to settlement. With regard to question No. 1, the estimate sent in for a horse bridge was £2OOO/ OAMARU CREEK, ETC. Mr. SHRIMSKI asked tbe Minister for Public Works, —What amount of money has been spent in diverting tbe Oamaru Creek and other works, including the concrete dam, necessary to the construction of the railway over Herslpt's claim: also, the nature of the agreement entered into between the Government and Messrs. Lees aud Moore, as to the exchange of tho land mentioned in clausa 15 of the Public Works Act Amendment Act, 1876, and the relative value of the parcel of land to be exchanged : The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW replied that the details of these works were not kept separately, and therefore there were no means of ascertaining whqt amount had been expended. Xfie agreement entered into with Messrs. Lee and Moore by his predecessor was considered to bp a satisfactory one, COUNTY BOUNDARIES. The Hon. Mr. FOX asked the Government, —.Whether it is their intention to taka any steps towards rectifying the boundaries of the Rangitikei County, in accordance with tho wishes of the Council ? The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN replied that it was not tbe intention of the Government during the present session to take any action for the purpose of altering the boundaries of this or any other county. ■

ir> <:TV..» MJACKSON 1 81 DAT. ' ' - ? Mr. BARFF naked the Colonial Treasurer, —lf ho will lay before this House a return showing the amount of goldfields -revenue col* looted at JacksouVßay during >the past financial year ? , Tlie Hbri; Mr. BALL ANOE rTho amount of goldfields revenue i collected in Jackson s Bay was £5 ss. • ; RAILWAY WAGGON COMPANY. J- i . The Hon, Mr. RICHARDSON asked the Minister .for. Public Works,- — any* proposals have been inado to the Government by tbo Railway Waggon Company ; ami, if so, whether the Government made any agreement with it, or have held out any inducement to; tho or any persons connected with it, to proceed with their works ? THa’Hob. Mr.MAOANDREW replied‘that proposals had been made to' the Government -by. this.; company,' and- the correspondence • which had taken‘place was' now being copied,. would :be laid on the table; as’sooff as it was ready. The correspondence would show .the whole thing.-: ” ' - 1 " The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON’ would like j to: know, whether the: Government 1 ;’ had ; made ’ any. agreement with the company t - ' j Tlie Hon. Mr. MAOANDRIiW: [t is better to wait for thecorrcspondencc.,, It gives .com-' »pleto ■ information, on the matter. ; - .-i'.-iiUt ■' BLUfF- TO INVimCAIIGILti.' ] Hr. FEBDVVIOK asked the -AYKethcr'theyV will direct that restituiioir be made to Messrs. G. H. Maitland and Co. ofau overcharge made by the Railway Doparfcmeut for carriage of an engine and threshing?) machine-from vhe“Bluff to Invercargill ? ■ ’ The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW said there: ■%yas 'ho"doubt 'a; great discrepancy in the ■'wuomife ;'6f.'ediarges * levied. He was looking ,iuto the matter, with a view to the rates being ihiulo more equal than they are at,present, VOLUNTEER “I>EiION3XBATIOK.I. * • - ~SIiTF£XjI)WICK asked the Government, —* If they will grant railway passes to the. Southland volunteers attending .the volunteer I demonstration to take place at Dunedin on. the 9th November ; and, as Mr. Proudfootoffers the use ot the railway ’ho.basTunder con-; tracts as far as Kaituku,..whether the Minister for Public Works can grant the us© of .carri'iges’to run over the same ? a The Hon. Mr; MAC ANDREW replied that; it was not the intention of the Government to; grant free parses to volunteers on this occasion, but excursion fares would be charged, and a refund made by the Government on vouchers being presented by the commanding officers, jv - .. GAOL, COMMITTEE. ■ Mr. BOWEN brought up thejreport of the committee on gaols management, and the charges made by Mr. ; Barton • against the Police Force. The report and evidence were ordered to be printed. • v. ’ ; - riEPOUT. - - , iyi r '-BKyCE.brought-up. the .report of -the> .•Native Affairs- Committee' on the'petition'-of - ! Mn‘ -Harnsj Of-Ppyerby report was. 'referred; to .the Government, :-S.' - -».:j ■? [ STANDING ORDERS- **«'■ Sir GEORGE GREY 3 moved that, sov,much of-Standing Orders as prevented Bills passing c through.aU .their, stages at one.sittiug, and' the taking of new business after 12.30 n;in., bo suspended. After some discussion, the SPEAKER ruled that notice of tbo motion would have to bo given, and Sir George'GilßY gave notice accordingly, - _ 1 ORDER or BUSINESSOn the motiou/of. Mr. -D C. BROWN, it was ordered that ordeis of the day should take precedence of notices of motion. DANIEL JAKES 3IOOHE. ; The adjourned debate on the question, that effect be given to-the recommendation of the Goldfields Committee, in this case, was further adjourned till to-morrow. EDUCATION BILL. On the motion of Mr. OTiORKE, this Bill was discharged, r - . * IV COMMITTEE. The House then went into Committee on ’ The discussion on the Regulation of Private Towns Bill was continued at great length. : At r 9.G0, Mr. , Sheehan suggested that progress should be reported, t» allow of other business being proceeded with. It might come on again before half-past 12, and then be discussed' at length. He urged this course because, unless gome Bills were gob through, the Upper House would nest day have nothing to do. If-the hoa. member would, withdraw the Bill, he would pledge the Government to bring down nrBIII dealing with the whole aub- . jeeb nest year. Dr. HODGKINSON hoped the hon. mem* • her in .charge of the BUI would remain firm, and’ildt give way to a factious minority, who -.Jjads been wasting the time of. the House, not :fqr. thei piiblic; benefit, bub.to: serve interests best known to themselves. ‘ -* ' Mr, BARFF supported Dr. Hoclgkiiison’s view, and .said, good government would bo, at an’end if two or'three members'were to'cockce the House. It waß : a farce to pass Bills to preserve tho purity of the Parliament when suoh cpndqct as they had;witns6sed.thnt afternoon was to be tolerated. The debate then .proceeded.,... Ultimately the Bill was shelved by 35 to 34. Tho Onebunga Grammar School Bill was then considered in committee, and progress reported- Subsequently the Bill was shelved by S 3 t> 12. * The DLstrict-Law.Societies Bill, the Camara 'Miwkcfc Reserve Bill; the Thames High School Bill, and Ashburton High School Bill, were passed through all fstagsp. The House adjourned at 1 a.m.