PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5823, 27 November 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, November 20. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o'clock. A small amount of formal business was disposed of.—Mr. TaiauOA moved, —That all Bills which have been translated in' < the Maori language, during each session, be hound in a similar manner to the general Statutes, and that they be placed in the General Assembly Library as a means of reference for the Maori members. — Carried. —The Primitive Methodist Temporal Affairs Bill was read a third time and passed. A Bill for compiling an Edition of the Enactments in force in New Zealand of a Public and General Nature, and a Bill to amend the Otago Road Boards Ordinance, IS7O (Hon. Mr. Whitaker), and the Te Aro Reclamation Bill (from the Lower House), were read a first time. The District Oon-ts Act Amendment Bill passed through committee without amendment. The Mines Act Amendment Bill, the Lawrence Athenionm and Mining Institute Bill, the Hamilton Volunteer Hall Site Act, 1878, Amendment Bill, the Hokitika Harbor Board Endowment Act, 1878, Amendment Bill, and the Masterton and Greytown Lands Management Act, 1871, Amendment Bill were read a second time. The Christchurch Drillshed Bill and the Fencing Bill passed througli committee. PATENT ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The lion. Mr. Whitaker moved the second reading of this Bill, briefly explaining its objects.—The Hon. Colonel Whitmore was strongly averse to patent fees being imposed for the purposes of revenue as being a heavy cheek to the making of inventions. He thought the patent fee should be as low as possible, on the American model.—The Hon. Mr, Reynolds thought it a perfect farce to reduce the enormous patent feus now existing by only ten shillings. The great success attained by the Americans in manufactures and sciences was due in a great measure to their low charges for patents.—The Hon. Sir F. D. Bell having endorsed the views of the two previous speakers, the Bill was read a second time. The Council rose at 5.10. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, November 26. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. general. The usual general and routine business was gone through. QUESTIONS. Mr. REEVES asked the Minister of Mines, —lf, during the recess, he will institute inquiries with a view to establish a School of Mines in the colony ? The Hon Mr. ROLLESTON said that the report of the Commissioners would shortly be sent in, and the Government would institute further inquiries. Arrangements had already been made to have a School of Mines established in Canterbury and Otago. Mr, GISBORNE asked the Minister in charge of the Marine Department,—lf he will allow the white light on the Flagstaff at Okarito, West Coast of Middle Island, to be continued ? The Hon. Major ATKINSON replied he was informed that the light was practically useless, but he would make further inquiries. Sir GEORGE GREF asked the Government, —If they will make provision on the Supplementary Estimates for a drill hall for the Thames Volunteers, in the same manner as they have made for similar halls for volunteers in other parts of the colony. The Hon. JOHN HALL stated that it would not be possible to place more than £3OO on the Estimates for the purpose required. Mr. ANDREWS asked the Government, — If there are any Government papers or correspondence bearing on the subject of the manufacture of ammunition and war materials in this colony ; and, if so, will the Government lay such papers before this House ?

The Hon. JOHN HALL said the correspondence would be laid upon the table, Mr. RFKE asked the Premier, —What amount has been paid by the Government to Dr. Duller within the present year, and up to date, for services ; also, what is the nature of such services, and whether that gentleman’s services are still retained by the Government, and upon what terms and conditions. The Bfon. Mr. OLIVER said the amount paid bad been £621. The gentleman had been specially retained as council in native lauds cases, which were actually going on.

Subsequently, Mr. PYKE gave notice that he would ask the Government if the services of Dr. Duller could not be dispensed with without any very great loss to the community.

Mr. SHRIMSKI asked the Government, — Whether the W. J. Hurst, mentioned in the Estimates for the present year, Class 1., iu the Colonial Secretary’s Department, as entitled to £B4 for services rendered as Chairman to the Auckland Hospital Committee, is a member of this House ; and when these services were rendered.

The Hon. JOHN HALL explained that, in 1877, there was a Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the working of the hospital, the gaol, and the lunatic asylum, of which commission Mr. Hurst was chairman and was to receive the sum of eighty guineas. Mr. BAIN asked the Minister of Lands, — Why the Crown grants of sections 1,2, 3, 20, 21, and 22, block 49, town of Invercargill, have not been issued to the Invercargill Benevolent Institution, these sections having been permanently reserved for the purpose by proclamation iu the New Zealand Gazette of 18th July, 1878 ? The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON replied that certain preliminary steps had to be taken which had not yet been done, hut when the society was incorporated the grants would issue.

Mr FINN asked the Government, —If they intend to erect a public gaol at Queenstown ; and, if so, when ? The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON said, from inquiries that had been made, the Government had come to the conclusion that no such gaol was required, but they would look more closely into the matter.

Mr. BARRON, in the absence of Mr. Fulton, asked the Minister for Public Works, —Why the sum of £3OOO voted under the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Act, 1878, being vote No. 87, item 34, road North Taieri to run No. 75 (Boyd’s), and bridge across Taieri Eiver, six miles, to open up 28,000 acres, has not been expended ; and whether the Government are prepared to place that sum on the Estimates for the same purpose, for the current financial year ? Mr. OLIVER was understood to answer the latter portion of the question iu the affirmative; his reply to the first part was quite inaudible in the gallery. Mr. REEVES asked the Minister of Mines, —lf it is the intention of the Government to appoint an Inspector of Mines for the West Coast of the Middle Island ? The Hon. Mr. OLIVER replied that an inspector visited the coal mines of the West Coast once a year.

Mr. REEVES said he did not want an inspector of coal, but an inspector of gold. The Hon. Mr. OLIVER said it was not the intention of the Government to appoint suoh an inspector this year. Mr. BEEVES asked the Commissioner of Telegraphs,—When he will cause the wire to be again worked from Parliament Buildings ? The Hon. JOHN HALL replied that there was still one operator left in the Buildings, and ail messages marked urgent were sent down at once. There was very little delay, and the Government did not anticipate having to restore the former state of things. Mr. SHANKS asked the Government,— What steps, if any, have been taken to have the laud at Mataura—reserved and set apart for the purpose of paying for construction of Edendale and Fortrose railway (being about 43,000 acres) —surveyed into suitable sized sections, and thrown open for sale ? Also, if they will be prepared to place a considerable portion of the described laud iu the market under the deferred system ? The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON said he understood this land was not to be sold until the railways had given it additional value. This they had not done, but when they did no doubt the land would be sold. Mr. MoCAUGHAN asked the Minister for Public Works, —If the Otautau and Nightcaps railway was let to a bona fide contractor, if any deposit was paid, and if he will lay the contract before this House ; no progress having yet been made with the contract J

The Hon. Mr. OLIVfiK replied that the contract was let to Mr, Innes, who had previously done work of this kind. He had been a sort of an annoyance to the department, and steps would be taken to compel him to get on with the work. Mr. FIXX asked the Minister for Lands, — The cause of delay in the throwing open of certain agricultural land at the head of Lake Wakatipn ? The Hon. Mr. EOLLESTOX replied that there was no intention to delay the work after the passage of the present Land Bill before the House. The present high price of land deterred purchasers from buying it.

THE NEW ZEALAND CONSTITUTION. Leave was given to Sir George Grey to introduce a Bill to amend the New Zealand Constitution Act, 1852. Mr. BOWEN thought it would bo as well if Sir Cb-orge Grey would give some idea of what the general purport of the Bdl was. '1 he.lfou, Mr. H.'.LL expressed a similar view. •Sir GEORGE GREF sail he would explain it to the iiou-e when it was brought forward. M-. BOWEN thought ids request a very reasonable one, Mr. MACANDREW hoped the House would not waste time iscusdug the matter. After some discu.-sion, the Bill was read a first time, and the second reading ordered fer Wednesday next. THE FINE ARTS COPYRIGHT ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill (originally introduced by Mr. Sheehan as the Dramatic Authors Copyright) came back from the Upper House with amendments, the principal of which was as follows: — “Any dramatic work produced or published within the colony may bo registered by the proprietor thereof, under the provisions of this Act, in the same manner as it such proprietor were a person entitled to register under the provisions of section 3 of this Act : Provided always that wheneverany dramatic work, registered under this Act, shall have been printed by the authority of the proprietor thereof, a copy of tire said work shall be deposited in the library of the General Assembly of New Zealand ” In the absence of Mr. J. Sheehan, The Hon. JOHN HALL moved that the amendments of the Upper House be at once agreed to. Sir GEORGE GREF objected most strongly to the amendments of the Lords being accepted, and proceeded to characterise the amendment printed above as oppressive to authors, and as being the thin end of the wedge, which would press very heavily by and by. After several members had spoken, the matter was adjourned until next Wednesday. MONDAY SITTINGS. The Hon. J, HALL moved,—That for the remainder of the session, the House do sit on Mondays, at half-past seven p.ra , for the transaction of Government business only ; and that on Thursdays Government business shall have precedence. Mr. MACANDREW thought some days ought to be fixed for private business, an immense amount of which was now absolutely blocked on the Order Paper. The motion was agreed to. BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS. Mr. DICK moved, —That in the opinion of this House provision should be made, subject to a time table and conscience clause, whereby the Bible shall be read daily in the public schools without comment. The mover feared at this late stage of the session that this important measure would not get full justice done it, and he should therefore ask permission of the House to withdraw it, and bring it forward early next session. Withdrawn accordingly. ENCOURAGEMENT FOB OOLDMINING. Mr. FINN moved, —That this House will, on Wednesday next, resolve itself into committee of the whole to consider of a respectful address to be presented to the Governor, praying that his Excellency will cause the sum of £IOO,OOO to be placed on the Estimates for the purpose of encouraging goldmining industries within the colony of New Zealand. The motion was declared to be lost on the voices. Mr. FINN called for a division, which resulted as follows : Ayes (26). —Messrs. Adams, Barron, Beetham, De Lautour, Finn (teller), J. B. Fisher, George, Gisborne, Grey, Harris, Lrndon, Masters, McCaughan, Montgomery, Reeves, Reid, Seddon (teller), Sheehan, Shephard, Shrimski, Speight, Stewart, Tainui, Thomson, Tomoana, and Whitaker. Noes (32) —Messrs. Allvvright, Andrews, Atkinson, Bain, Ballanoe, Bowen, Bryce, Colbeek, Dick, Gibbs, Hall, W. J. Hurst, Hursthouse, Mason, McLean, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Pitt, Richmond, Richardson, Rolleston, Saunders, Sfcudliolme, Sutton (teller), Swanson, Trimble, Turnbull, Wakefield (teller), Wallis, Willis, and Wood. THE PUBLIC SERVICES. Mr. MURRAY moved, —That a commission of five persons be elected by this House, by ballot, to investigate the manner in which the public services of this colony are conducted; to summon witnesses, and to take evidence upon oath ; and to report to Parliament at the next session how, in their opinion, the administrative and departmental business of the colony may be so systematically organised and conducted as to secure efficiency and economy suited to the requirements and means of the colony. Mr. Murray spoke at some length on the motion, which he said he only moved pro forma, in order to give the House an opportunity of expressing their views upon it, after which, with the permission of the House, he would withdraw it. Several members having spoken, the motion was withdrawn. RODNEY COUNTY. Mr. GEORGE moved, —That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider of an address to his Excellency the Governor, praying that 20,000 acres of land in the Rodney County be set aside for the purpose of constructing roads in the said county. Mr. SEDDON moved as an amendment, that this House will, on Wednesday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the question of granting endowments to the County Council. Several members of the House supported the amendment of Mr. Seddon, and Mr. George said he would withdraw his own motion in favor of it. The Government hoped neither of the motions would be pressed, for though they might find a place on the Order Paper, they would have little chance of being carried this session. The Government during the recess would take the whole matter into consideration. Ultimately the debate was adjourned for a fortnight. PETITION OF ALEXANDER STITT. Mr. J. B. FISHER moved,—That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the following resolution, namely,—That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Governor, praying that a sum of £IBO be placed upon the Supplementary Estimates in order to give full effect to the recommendation of the Public Petitions Committee upon the petitions of Alexander Stitt, presented to this House in 1877 and 1878, and also to the votes of this House, item 57, class VI., of the Public Works Appropriation Act, 1877, and item 77, class IX, of the Public Works Appropriation Act, 1878. The Government opposed the motion, which was withdrawn. HOUR OP ADJOURNMENT. Mr. MACANDREW moved,—That it be an instruction to the Committee on Standing Orders to consider and report as to the expediency of adopting a new standing order, which shall provide that, in the event of this House not being adjourned before the hour of midnight, it shall stand adjourned at halfpast twelve, without question put ; the business under consideration to stand adjourned to the following day. In the event of the House being in committee of the whole, the committee shall stand adjourned at half-past twelve, without question put ; the chairman to report to the Speaker at the next sitting of the House. The Hon. J. HALL said if the motion was carried they would be in the House for six months in the year. After some discussion the motion was agreed to. CIVIL servants’ salaries. Mr. ANDREWS moved,—That, in the opinion of this House, all salaries of Civil servants amounting to £2OO and over per annum be reduced by 5 per cent., and that the salaries of Ministers and members' honorarium be reduced by 10 per cent. After a short statement why he had brought the motion forward, Mr. Andrews asked leave to withdraw it. Mr. GEORGE moved that the number of the Civil servants be reduced by 10 per cent. Seconded by Mr. Seddon. The debate was interrupted by the hour for adjournment. (THE CHARLESTON WATER-RACE. The House went into committee of the whole to consider the question,—That this House doth concur in the report of the Goldfields Committee upon the petition of Richard Reeves and others, of Charleston and Westport, Nelson south-west goldfields; and recommends the Government to make provision accordingly. The Hon. Mr. HALL hoped the matter would not be pressed, as the Government was noi in a position to expend the funds required to conclude the water-race in question, which would take some £/000. Mr. REEVES urged the House not to make this a party question. The Government was pledged to the Duller County Council to go on with the work, and votes had been placed on the Estimates year after year. Mr. J. B. FISHER strongly supported the motion, and went at great length into the

whole question, showing that the people of the West Coast had fu]!evoeefed the work to be done, and on the s'r<;;.g.h of the agreement with the Government they had remained in the district under the most disadvantageous circumstances, hoping that the race would be completed. Mr. Fisher pointed out how the population would increase if the Government carried out the contract which they had begun by an expenditure of some £65,000, which might he looked upon as thrown away unless the Work was completed. The Government denied that they were in any way bound by the actions of their predecessors If they had the money they would be very glad to carry on the work, but in the present crippled state of the finances it was impossible to give them the required assistance. A long discussion ensued, and ultimately the matter was carried to a division, which resulted as follows :—Ayes, 31 ; noes, 26.

Ayes (31). —Andrews, Ballance, UeLautonr, Finn, J. B. Fisher, J. T. Fisher, George,_ Gisborne, Grey, Hamlin, Harris, H. Hirst, Hislop, Hutchison, Kenny, Lundon, Macandrew, McCaughan, Montgomery, Moss, Fyke, Reeves (teller), Heid, Seddou (teller), Shrimski, Speight, Stewart, Tainui, Tawhai, Tomoana, and Wakefield.

Noes (’26).—Atkinson, Bain, Bowen, Colbeck, Hall, W. J. Hurst, Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kevin, Mason, McLe in, Murray (te ler), Oliver, Ormond, Pitt, Richardson, Rolleston, Saunders, Stevens, Sutton (teller), Swanson, Trimble, Wallis, Whitaker, and Willis. Mr. WAKEFIELD rose to make a persona! explanation. He had promised the hon. member for the Buller before the debate commenced that he would vote for the motion, but had he known all the circumstances of the case he should not have done so. However, having given his promise, he had carried it out, though he had voted against his conscience. Mr. SHRIMSKI suggested that, as the Government had been defeated, the House should adjourn, and time be given them to consider their position. (Laughter.) Mr. SEDDON, who was sitting immediately behind Mr. Shrimski, arose from his seat, and said with great indignation, addressing the hon. member for Oamaru :—“This is really going too far." ORDERS OF THE DAT. The Slaughterhouse Act, 1867, Amendment Bill was then committed. After considerable discussion progress was reported, and leave given to sit again. Mr. BALLANCE moved the second reading of the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Act, 1871, Amendment Bill, and explained its object at some length. The Government did not think the Bill ought to have been brought down this session. After a- considerable amount of discussion, the motion for the second reading was carried on the voices, and the Bill was referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The House then went into committee to consider the Marlborough Rivers District Union Bill, which was afterwards read a third time and passed. The Speaker then left the chair in order that the Rating Act, 1876, Amendment Bill (No. 2) should be committed. It was afterwards reported with amendments, and the report was ordered to be considered on Wednesday next. The House then adjourned, it being one o’clock.