PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5710, 18 July 1879, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TjU URSDAY, J ULT 4 7. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at halfpast 2 o'clock. NOTICES, PAPERS, Several notices of questions and motions were given, and a number of papers were laid on the table by the Government. VOTE OP THANKS. It was agreed, on the motion of the Hon. Sir F. Bell, that the vote of thanks passed to the late Chairman of Committees should be properly engrossed, and presented by the Speaker to the Hon, Major Richmond. EDUCATION RESERVES. The Hon. Sir P. D. BELL asked the hon. the Colonial Secretary, What steps have been t;;'-:n to carry into effect the resolution of the Council of the 29th October, 1878, for the preparation of a report by the Ministers of Land and Education on the subject of lands set apart as Education Reserves ? The mover related the action taken by him last session, and hoped that the great importance of the subject would be his excuse for bringing it forward again thus early in the session. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said the Government had done their best to comply with the resolution of tho Council. Returnsfrom nearly all the districts were to hand, and when all had been received they would be placed in the printers’ hands. THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL COMPANY. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE moved, — That there bo laid upon the table a copy of all telegrams that have passed between Mr. Larnach and any member of the Government in reference to the contemplated sale by Mr. Larnach of estates in Otago and Southland. The mover detailed the s'eps taken to float a company in London to buy a large tract of country in the southern part of the South Island, and severely condemned'the action of the Agent-General in being connected with the undertaking, and also censured Mr. Larnach for being interested when, from his official position as one of those to whom the raising of the loan was intrusted, he should have held aloof from all transactions of this nature.- Mr. Waterhouse also blamed the Lands Commissioner in Southland and the late Colonial Treasurer for having sent information to England in reference to the land, and expressed his earnest hope that the Council would signify its strong disapproval of anyone having any connection with the Government of the colony being mixed up with private enterprises of the nature of the one alluded to. Sir D. BELL seconded the motion, and endorsed all that had been said by the mover..

The Hon. Colonel BRETT considered Sir J. Vogel had done nothing whatever deserving of censure, nor had Mr. Larnach, but, on the, contrary; they had interested themselves in the promotion of an enterprise likely to be of great importance to the country.

The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE defended the late Colonial Treasurer. He had not seen the telegram from Mr. Ballance alluded to, but •was certain from the high character of the sender that it would contain nothing whatever that could be disapproved of by any hon. member. The Government had, on learning that Sir Julius Vogel was connected with the company, requested him to withdraw as soon as possible. They had no control whatever over Mr. Larnach, who had gone to England primarily for the purpose for which he had been blamed, and had been asked by the Government to assist while there in floating the loan. 1 The motion was passed. COMMITTEES. The following were appointed a Wast Lands Committee ;—The Hons. Sir E. D. Bell Captain Fraser, Dr. Pollen, Messrs. Buckley Hall, Robinson, Waterhouse and Wilson. The following Standing Orders Committee was appointed;—The Hons, the Speaker, Cob Whitmore, Major Richmond, Sir F. D. Bell, Messrs. Mantel], Hall, Waterhouse, Menzies, and Captain Baillie. NATIVE MEETINGS. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved, That there be laid on the table copies of the official reports of the proceedings at the meetings with the natives, held at Alexandra, in Waikato, by the Honorable the Native Minister, on the 31st January and the 16th February, 1877. The mover, in the course of some fremarks explanatory of his motion, blamed the present Native Minister for using and publishing through Hansard at the close of last session telegrams of a confidential nature which he (Dr. Pollen) had written when in office as Native Minister. ' After some observations from the Colonial Secretary, in which he condemned the'natire policy followed from 1869 till the appointment of Dr. Pollen as Native Minister, the motion was agreed to. ' THE SPEAKER OF THE COUNCIL. The Hon. Mr. HALL moved, —That there be laid upon the table a copy of any’official correspondence between the Government and any member of the Council on the subject of the appointment of the Speaker of the Council. The mover read a report which had appeared in a newspaper to the effect that the Government had written to Major Richmond saying they wanted some one as Speaker of the Council who would support the Government measures. If this was true there had been a great abuse of the power given to the Ministry by the Constitution Act, and it would tend in the direction of subverting the independence of this branch of the Legislature. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said there was no correspondence of the kind asked for in existence. The paragraph quoted by Mr. Hall Had never come to his notice, and if it had he should have deemed it beneath contradiction. __ The Hon. the SPEAKER said the offer of the Speakership of the Council had been made to him by the Premier of the colony in the most handsome manner, and he need not say with what soom he would have received any offer accompanied by any unconstitutional propositions. He thanked the Hon. Mr. Hall for giving him the opportunity of making this statement. (Loud cheers.) The Hon. Sir. F. D. BELL thought the statement of the Speaker would give the utmost satisfaction to the country, which bad been filled with all kinds of rumors in connection with this matter. CURE OP DRUNKARDS BILE. . TheCnre and Control of Habitual Drunkards Bill (Hon. Colonel Whitmore) was read a first time, and the second reading ordered for the next sitting. ADMINISTRATION BILL. A Bill to amend the law relating to the administration of the estates of deceased persons (Mr. Wilson) wjs read a first time ; second reading ordered for next day. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, July 17. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. GENERAL. Several petitions were presented, notices of motions given, and papers laid upon the table. THE LICENSING LAWS. Mr. CURTIS asked the Government, —If they would introduce a Bill this session to amend the existing Licensing Acts so as to equalise the license fees throughout the colony 1 The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said the Government would decline to interfere in the matter, but would not object to the local bodies making such provision as they might think fit. THE LAND TAX. Mr. GEORGE asked the Colonial Treasurer, —(1) The total estimated value of land in the colony, as valued by the -land-tax valuers under the Land Tax Act, 1878 ; (2) the total estimated value of land in the colony taxable under the Act; (3) the number of persons who hold land in the colony, and are taxable under the Act, and the total amount of tax payable by them ; (4) the number of persons who hold laud in the colony, but are exempted from the land tax, under the exemption" clause of the said Act J Sir GEORGE GREY said the information would be laid upon the table in a few days. ADDINGTON GAOL. Mr. STEVENS asked the Minister of Justice, Why the promised completion of the Addington gaol extension had not been made! Mr. SHEEHAN stated that the delay bad occurred through reasons over which the Government had no control, but the work would be pushed forward with. It was intended that the gaol shduld be a prison for females. JACKSON BAY. Dr. HENRY asked the Government, — When the report of the Royal Commission concerning the Jackson Bay and Karamea Special Settlements will be laid before this House ? Sir GEORGE GREY replied that both reports were in the hands of the printers. The reason of the delay was in order to have certain evidence embodied in the report. LIGHT IN TORY CHANNEL. Mr. REEVES asked the GomrnLsioner of Customs, —When the leading light, promised last year to be placed at the entrance of Tory Channel, may be expected i" Sir GEORGE GREY replied that the lights

were ordered in March last, aud would probably arrive in time to be erected in the Channel by February next. COAL JUNES. Mr. MURRAY asked the Government if they would appoint a commission to'inquire into the working and management of coal mines ? Also, if they will bring in a Bill to secure the satisfactory working of coal mines and the safety of the miners ? The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE said that during the recess the Government had brought the Mining Act of 1 1874 into operation, aud had made inquiries into the subject of working coal mines. The report would shortly be laid upon the table. When the Bill was brought forward ho would state the object and the effect of it. BELLING LIQUOR ON THE BOYNE.

Mr. WOOLCOCK asked the Government, —Why the captain of the immigrant ship Boyne, who, in defiance of repeated remonstrances from the surgeon, persisted in selling spirits to the immigrants during the voyage, whereby great disorder and mismanagement appear to have ensued, and by which he incurred penalties to the amount of several thousands of pounds under the Passengers Act, was not prosecuted ; instead of which he was only deprived of tho trifling gratuity of £25, which must have represented but a very small part of the profit of his sales. The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE explained the circumstances of the case. He said that when the Boyne arrived in harbor she was boarded as usual by the health aud immigration officers aud doctor. They made a report to the effect that there had been irregularities on the part of the captain in the sale of spirits, but it was very doubtful if evidence could be obtained to that effect. The Government duly considered the report, and thought it would be more advisable not to prosecute under the circumstances, but to deprive the captain of the gratuity, which was done. THE NATIVE QUESTION. Sir WILLIAM POX asked the Government, —If they will lay before the House, at as early a day as possible, a report of the interview between the Native Minister, Te Whiti, and Hiroki, at Parihaka, on or about the 22nd of March last ; also, a report of the great native meeting at ICopua in April and May last, and the events connected with the visit of the. Premier and Native Minister thereat, including any invitations received by them to be present at such meeting ; also, a report of a late interview at Taranaki between the Premier and any deputation of settlers at that; place relative to tho recent disturbances ; also, copy of all telegrams aud letters sent by the Premier and Native Minister to any body of settlers in the Taranaki district relative to the recent disturbances. The mover said his reason for- asking the question was that it was of great importance that the appendix, of'the records of that House should contain suph information as that which he now asked for, and which formed a part of the, history of the country. The Hon.’ Mr. SHEEHAN stated that the Government would be prepared to give every information in their power, and a report would be laid upon the table at the earliest possible moment, as well as copies oLielegrams and all the information sought, so far as the Government could give. With regard to an interview between himself and Te Whiti aud Hiroki at Parihaka, no information could be given on the subject, as no such meeting had taken place. THE STATUTES. Mr, TOLE asked the Minister of Justice, — If the commissioners appointed under the Reprint of Statutes Act, 1878, have prepared the new edition of the statutes required to be prepared by that Act, aud whether the same is now arranged for publication ? Also, if the said new edition is not now ready for publication, ; if he will explain why the matter has been delayed ?

The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN stated that an interim report would be laid on the table in a few days. Mr. BOWEN asked the Government, —On what terms the Supreme Court buildings at Wellington were disposed of ; whether any modification of those terms has since been made, and if so, what: alteration has been agreed to ; what rent is now paid for the Supreme Court buildings by the Government; and whether any steps liave been taken for building a new Court house and offices ? The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN replied that the building had been disposed of for £16,371, £3456 of which had been paid in cash, and the remainder in bills at. six, nine, and twelve months. One of the bills had been met. The right to occupy the buildings .had been extended to the Government, who would make arrangements for erecting a new Supreme Court as soon as possible.

VOLUNTEER FIREARMS. Captain MORRIS asked the Government, — How the Volunteers recently enrolled on the West Coast are armed, if with breech-loading arms or otherwise ; and, if with muzzle-loaders, if the Government will communicate with the officers commanding Volunteer corps removed from the scene of disturbance, with a view of their corps handing over their breech-loading arms to the Taranaki and West Coast Volunteers ? Sir GEORGE GREY stated that the Volunteers were divided into two classes—those who remained near their homes and those who went from it. Those who stayed near their homes were furnished with Sniders, subject to’ the control of the commanding officer. ■ PARCEL POST. Captain RUSSELL asked the PostmasterGeneral, —If, in conformity with his promise on the 9th August last, “that the matter should not be lost sight of,” any have been made during the recess to introduce a system of “parcel post ?” The Hon. Mr. FISHER replied that negotiations were in progress, and would probably lead to some practical result. NEW BILLS. Leave was given to introduce the following new Bills, which were read a first time The Oamaru Town Lands Exchange Bill (Mr. Shrimski); A Bill to amend the Oamaru Harbor Board Act, 1876, and the Oamaru Harbor Board Ordinance Amendment Act, 1878 (Mr. Shrimski) ; A Bill to amend the Mining Companies Act (Mr. Beeves) ; the Kaitangata and Wangaloa Athenaeum Trusts and Reserves Bill (Mr. Murray) ; the Local Option Bill, in committee (Mr. Feldwick). REPORTS ON NATIVE AFFAIRS. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN moved that a select committee, to consist of twenty members, be appointed to consider all petitions, reports, returns, and other documents relating to affairs specially affecting the native race that may be brought before the House this session, and from time to time to report thereon to the House, with power to call for persons and papers ; five to be a quorum. The committee to consist of Sir W. Fox, Sir G. Grey, Messrs. Acton Adams, Bryce, Carrington, Fisher, Hamlin, Hobbs, Nahe, Ormond, Rees, Reeves, Rolleston, Tawiti, Wakefield, Wiliams, and the mover. The motion was agreed to without dissent. ■ THE PUBLIC WORKS. Dr. HENRY moved, —That in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that the public works in Nelson south-west goldfields should be under the direction of the Public Works Department, Wellington, instead of Dunedin. The mover spoke about the difficulty of managing the public works from Dunedin, and the time that elapsed before they were able to obtain any particular information when it was often hurriedly required. It was for the convenience of the Government that he drew attention to the matter. Mr. WOOLCOOIC seconded the motion, and referred to the difficulty which the West Coast people also found in obtaining information on the question of public works from Dunedin. The Hon. Mr. MAG ANDREW, although he did nut agree with the motion, still thought the Government might feel inclined to give effect to it. So far as matters had gone they had worked satisfactorily, and had there been a responsible Minister for each island it would have no doubt been advantageous to the whole colony. Mr. HURSTHOUSE supported the motion and said he felt convinced that great delays occurred through the head of the Public Works Department being resident at Dunedin. He hoped the change would be made as suggested by the honorable member for the Buffer. The motion was then put and agreed to unanimously. HOUSE COMMITTEE. *Mr. FELDWICK moved,—That the number of the House Committee be increased to eighteen, and that Mr. Reeves be added thereto. The motion was agreed to. THE ELECTORAL ROIL INQUIRY. . Mr. WILLIAMS moved that the report of the Royal Commissioner on the Mongonui and Bay of Island electoral roll inquiry, together with the minutes of evidence, be laid before this; House. The mover thought any report would bo incomplete without the minutes of evidence. ‘ When they were furnished he should take an opportunity of expressing himself more fully on the subject.

The Hon. JOHN SHEEHAN said the Government would endeavor to have the evidence laid on the table as required. 'idle motion was agreed to, PETITION OF PATRICK BRENNAN AND OTHERS.

Mr. REEVES moved, —'that the petition of Patrick Brennan and others, presented by the mover on the last day of last session, be referred to the Classification Committee. The motion was agreed to. ACCOMMODATION FOE THE PRESS. Mr. REEVES moved, —That it be an instruction from this House to the House Committee to provide for the better accommodation of the reporters of the Press. The motion was agreed to. The Hon. the SPEAKER stated that steps were being to give increased facilities for the Press. DUTY ON COAL. Mr. REEVES moved, —That in the opinion of this House, it is desirable to impose a duty of ss. per ton on all coal imported into this colony.—By consent of the House the motion was adjourned for a week. THE NATIVE PAHLIAJIENT. Mr. SUTTON moved, —That a copy of all vouchers for money expended in connection with Paora Tuhaere’s Parliament at Orakei be laid before this House aud printed, together with the papers on the same matter that are already on the table. In moving the resolution, Mr. Sutton said the papers on the table on the subject were written eo badly that it was almost impossible to read them. They ought, therefore, to be printed, so that every member might make himself acquainted with them. The Hon. JOHN SHEEHAN said the Government would give every information in its power, and was quite willing to meet the wishes of the House on the subject. The motion was then put, and agreed to. PAPERS TO BB LAID ON THE TABLE. Mr. SUTTON moved, —That the following papers be laid before this House : —(1) A return of all agreements in respect of the occupation of native lands for railway purposes between Napier and Kopua ; (2) a return showing what amounts have been paid ; showing in each ease the names of the natives claiming, and the names of Hhe persons who received payment. The Hon. Mr. MAO ANDREW said the Government had no objection to the motion, which was then put aud carried. WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. Mr. BARPP moved, —That the name of Sir Robert Douglas be added to tho Waste Lands Committee.—-The motion was agreed to. TELEGRAPH COJIJIITTEB. . Mr. MAOPARLANE moved,—That the number of the Telegraph Committee be increased to fourteen, and that Messrs. Cutten, Pisher, Feldwick, and Pyke be added thereto. —This motion was also agreed to, without dissent. The House adjourned at 3.30 until 2.30 today. ___________