PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5835, 11 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

legislative council. Wednesday, December 10. The Hon. the .Speaker took the chair at halfpast 2 o’clock. Alter the presentation of papers, reports, and petitions, the Napier Swamp Nuisance Act Amendment Bill was read a third time,—■ It was agreed, on the motion of Captain 8an. 1.1:- - ,—That the members of both Houses of Parliament residing in or near Wellington, with the Chairmen of both House Committees, be the recess House Committee —The Taranaki Cemetry Reserves Bill (Ur. I’ollen) was read a first time.—A number of notices of motion for leave of absence were withdrawn, as was Colonel Whitmore’s motion that no leave be given to anyone til! the end of the sessiou. Mr. Waterhouse was given leave from Saturday till the eud of the session.—Captain Fraser had given notice to ask if the Government is of opinion that the provisions of the Regulation of Mines Act, 1874, are sufficient to secure the proper inspection and control of mines, and. to insure due precaution against, accident ; but said, as a similar question had been satisfactorily answered in the Lower House, he would withdraw the question.— Colonel Whitmore had given notice to move, — That, in the opinion of this Council, the office of Agent-general should not be a permanent one, but should be held for a limited term, to he fixed by Parliament, but not being present when the motion was called on it lapsed. THE CASE OP MR. JACKSON. Upon the adjourned debate on the question that the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Henry Jackson bo agreed to, — Mr. Reynolds moved the previous question.—Mr. Hart spoke in support of the original motion.—Mr. G. R. JOHNSON thought Mr. Jackson had been dismissed in a very harsh manner—needlessly harsh considering his long and eminent services. He thought the Government would have to reopen and deal with tha w hole subject. Ho should support the original motion.—Mr. Scotland spoke in defence of Mr. Jackson and in support of the original matiou.—Mr. Whitaker said it was impossible for tbe Council to judge fairly on either side. He himself, and he was -ure the majority of the Council also, was very imperfectly acquainted with the facts of the case. No one had had time to read the mass of evidence that had been given. He hoped the Council would not vote on what it knew next to nothing about. In justice to both sides he should vote for the previous question. The previous question was then put, and negatived by IS to 17.—For the original motion (18) ; Messrs. Baillie, Brett, Buckley, G., Buckley, P. A., Dignan, Edwards, Grace, Hart, Henderson, Johnson, G. K., Lahmann, Mantel), Martin, Ngatata, N’urse, Scotland, Wilson, Wood.—For the previous question (17) : Messrs. Bell, Chamberlin, Fraser, Gray, Holmes, Johnston, Meuzies, Miller, Paterson, Peacock, Pharazyn, Pollen, Reynolds, Richmond, Whitmore, Williamson, Whitaker. SEATS IK RAILWAY CARRIAGES. The Hon. Mr. MENZIE3 moved, —That it is expedient that the railway by-laws should provide that persons who have taken seats for a journey in a railway carriage shall be entitled to retain the same seats throughout tha journey, in conformity with the rule that prevails iu other countries. The hon. gentleman having spoken at some length in support of hi« motion, it was agreed to. THE KINROSS CASE. On resuming the debate re the Kinross case the Hon. .Mr, Waterhodse advocated that, in justice to all parties, the matter should be dropped, with the understanding that if another action was brought against Mr. Kinross the officers and members of the Council should be allowed to appear. Ho warned the Council against being made a tool of by the Hawke's Bay Repudiation Party.— The Hou. Captain Fraser took exception to this caution, and used words for which he was called to order by the Speaker.—After a few words from the Hon. Mr. P. A. Booklet the Hou. Mr. Peter moved the adjournment of the debate for a fortnight, which was carried by 22 to 10. THIRD READINGS. The Registration of Electors Bill having been again passed through committee, and the Marlborough River Districts Union Bill, were read a third time. The Council adjourned as 5.50. ASHBURTON WATERWORKS BILL. On resuming at 7.30, speaking to the second reading of the above Bill, Sir F. D. Bell opposed the measure on the ground that the County Council were empowered to borrow money without the consent of the ratepayers.— Mr. Gray spoke in support of the Bill, alluding to the urgent necessity of a water supply for Ashburton. People had to sink 200 or 300 feet for water.—Mr. Peter opposed the Bill through the manner in which it proposed to raise money, and also because the district proposed to be supplied was not defined. Ho suggested the shelving of the Bill for the session. —Mr. Waterhodse opposed the financial part of the Bill. It could not be put in a fit state this session. It could not be got through the Lower House this year.—Dr. Menzies, Mr. Holmes, and Mr. Peacock advocated the Bill, after which the second reading was carried on the voices. THE MINES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. A message was received stating that the Lower House dissented from the amendments made by the Council iu the above Bill. The Council resolved to insist on its amendments, and managers were appointed. READINGS—COMMITTEE. The Wellington Harbor Bill was passed through committee, with amendments. The Rating Act Amendment Bill, the Onewbero Grant Empowering Bill, and the Awatere Shearing Reserve Bill, were committed and read a third time. The Kaitangata aad Wangaloa Athenaium Reserves Bill, the Land Tax Collection Bill, and the Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Bill, were read a second time, committed, and the two latter read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 9 50. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, December 10. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o'clock. The usual routine business was transacted. THE SUTTON LAND CASE. The report of the committee on this case wm laid upon the table. It stated that the committee would not recommend the House to take any action in the matter. Sir GEORGE GREY moved that the report he referred back to the committee, and in doing so he wished to make a statement to the House. All the native members were on the committee. A great part of the evidence was not printed, and some members of the committee knew very little about it, although they voted. He (Sir George Grey) had moved a series of resolutions, but before he had finished reading them Mr. Ormond had moved a resolution to the effect that the resolution be reported to the House. The hon. member for the Thames proceeded to say he was prevented from putting hia views before the committee, and that all discussion was burked. He hoped, therefore, the matter would be referred back to the committee, so that be might place his views before them. The decisions were very equal, there being nine against nine often, the matter being decided by the casting vote of the chairman. Under all these circumstances he hoped the report would be referred back. Seconded by Mr. Shkimski. Mr. ORMOND explained that the case had occupied the attention of the committee for nearly the past month, and the country had been put to an expense of £6OO. Colonel Trimble had moved that the committee saw no reason to make any special report to the House. Upon that the hon. member for the Thames moved a series of resolutions which were a precis of the evidence which had been given, but was in such a form as to suit his own particular views. The committee proceeded to deal with a number of those resolutions, and then he (Mr. Ormond) moved a resolution to the effect that if those resolutions were laid before the House they would create an erroneous impression, and that resolution was passed by the committee. He had then moved that the committee report to the House, and this was the resolution which the hon. member for the Thames took exception to. The whole matter had been fully dealt with, and no attempt whatever had been made to burke discussion, as had been stated by the hon. member for the Thames. The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON hoped the motion of Sir George Grey would not be pressed, although he must confess the report had not taken the exact form which he (Mr. Rolleston) had anticipated. The hon. gentleman proceeded to state what had taken place durin" the course of the sitting of the committee referred to (the Native Affairs Committee). Sir GEORGE GREY having replied, Tbe motion was pat, and declared to be lost on the voices. Sir George called for a division, which resulted as fellows; —Ayes, SI ; noes, 36. Ayes, 31. Andrews, Ballance, Barron, Brown,’l)e Lautonr, J. B. Fisher, J. T. Fisher, George (teller), Gisborne, Grey, Hialop, Hut-

chiton, Harris, Ireland, Lundon, Macandrew, Montgomery, Keeves, Iteid, Seddon, Shephard, Shrinnki (teller), Speight, Swanson, Tainui, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Tolo, Toinoana, Turnbull, and Walli*. Noes 36.—Atkinson, Beetham, Bowen, Bain, Bryce, Colbeck, Dick, Fulton, Gibbs, Hall, Hirst, Hurst, Hurathoune, Kelly, Kenny, Masters, MoCaughan, McLean, Murray, Ormond, Oliver, Kichinond, Kichardson, Krillciton, RuFuell (teller), Saunders, Stevens, Studholme, Seymour, Shanks, Trimble (teller), Wakefield, Whitaker, VVhyte, Wood, and Wright. Mr. DE liAXTTOUR moved that the report and minutes of evidence be Motion agreed to without discussion. QUESTIONS. Mr. HUTCHISON asked the Colonial Treasurer, —If he will take into consideration the amount of work and overtime given by the Government messengers, and place on the supplementary estimates such a sum as will equalise, the salaries of these officials with other,! of similar position in the employment of the Government.

The Hod. Mr. HALL did not quite understand the question, but would answer it to the best of bis ability. No overtime would be given, and he begged to say they were as well paid as the messengers ia other parts of the colony. With regard to the last part of the question he did not consider that the hours of work—twelve hours—were excessive. The Government had received no complaints on the subject. Mr. HUTCHISON asked the Minister of Justice, —If his attention has been called to a decision of the Resident Magistrate, given at Keilding, Manawatu, by which an information charging a person there with arson, in so far as on some day last month he set fire to a house and burnt it down —the charge not being denied —had been dismissed on the ground that the person so acting alleged that he was the owner of the land on which the house was erected, and that he had no malicious intention nor purpose of perpetrating a fraud in burning the said house ; and, whether the Minister of Justice considers such a decision one likely to arid to public security ? The Mon. Mr. ROLL ESTON replied that he had received no information whatever on the subject, and did not feel competent to pronounce an opinion upon a mere ex parte statement. Mr. THOMSON asked the Government, — Whether they intend placing any sum on the Estimates for roads in deferred payment blocks, disposed of prior to Ist January, 1878, as was done last year ? The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON said so far as he was aware the sum of £IO,OOO was set upon the Estimates last year for the purpose, and it was intended by the Legislature that that sum should be final. Mr. McCAUGHAN asked the Minister of Lands, —If he will cause to be reserved 3000 acres in the vicinity of Mount Nightcap as an ■endowment for Riverton harbor ? The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON said he would make inquiries into the matter. Mr. FINN asked the Minister of Justice, — If he is aware of the fact that the public gaol at Arrowtown has been condemned by the Government inspector ? The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON replied that he tad no official information on the subject. Sir G. GREY asked the Minister for Public Works, —If any change of route has been made by which the Thames-Waikato railway is not to strike the Waikato River at Hamilton, but near Taupiri, or any other point ? The Hon. Mr. OLIVER said no change had ever been contemplated in the route of this line. O AMARU WATERWORKS BILL. A message was received from the Governor, covering an amendment to this Bill in reference to the day and method of polling of the ratepayers. The amendment was agreed to without discussion. BAND FOB RODNEY COUNTY. Adjourned debate on the question,—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.—The motion was originally brought forward by Mr. George. It was now pat and agreed to on the voices. BILLS. Mr. TOLE moved the second reading of the Knwskasva Incorporation Bill, and after some discussion it was agreed to. Mr. DICK moved the second reading of the Otago Harbor Board Endowment Bill. This elicited a very considerable amount of discussion, and ultimately the Bill was read a second time. The Appeals from Justices Act 1867 Amendment Bill, and the Married Woman’s Property Bill, were withdrawn. THE MINERS ACT 1867 AMENDMENT BILL. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in this Bill were considered. M r. DE LAUTOUR moved that the House d» not agree with the amendments, and gave his reasons. • The resolution was agreed to. The reasons were then embodied on paper, and Messrs. De Lautour and Beeves were appointed a committee to submit the same to the Council. Dr. WALLIS moved that the Auckland Improvement Commissioners Transfer of Powsrs Bill be recommitted. The motion was lost, and the Bill was then read a third time and passed. CHARLESTON WATEB-KACE. . A report was received in reference to this work. The committee reported that a distinct promise had been given for the completion of this work, and recommended that the sum of £II,OOO should be paid. The Hon. JOHN HALL spoke at some length against the recommendation of the committee being given effect to by the House. The debate was interrupted|by the hourifor adjournment. On the House resuming, The Hon. Mr. HALL continued Phis remarks, and strongly urged upon the House the undesirability of adopting the recommendation of the committee in the present straightened circumstances of the colony. He would recommend the mover to accept the sum which had been placed on the Estimates for the purpose. After Mr. J. B. Fishes had {addressed the House, ■ Mr. McLEAN moved the adjournment of the debate. After some discussion, a division took place on the motion for adjournment, and resulted as follows Ayes, 27 ; noes, 34. The debate was then continued, and on the original motion being put it was carried on the voices. BUM. The Slaughter-house Act, 1867, was passed through committee, read a third time, and passed. Mr. BALLANCE moved that the House go into committee on the Taranaki Iron • Smelting Works Act, 1874, Amendment Bill. The Hon. Mr. ROLLESTON hoped the Bill would not pass this session. It was a measure which ought not to be dealt with as a party question at all. Discussion ensued, and Colonel Thimble moved that the Bill be committed that day three months.

After a good deal of further discussion, a division was taken, and resulted as follows : —Ayes, 84 ; noes, 24. Ayes, 84.—Andrews, Ballance, Barron, Brown, De Lautour, Dick, Driver, Fisher, J. 8., Fisher, J. T., Gisborne, Grey, Hamlin, Harris, Hislop (teller), Hutchison, Lundon, Macandrew, Montgomery, Moss, Murray, Oliver, Seddon, Shanks, Sheehan, Shephard, Shriinski, Stewart (teller), Tainui, Tawhai, To Wheoro, Thomson, Tole, Tomoana, and Turnbull.

Noes 24.—Adams, Bain, Beetham, Bryce, Colbeck, Fulton, Gibbs, Hall, Hursthouse, McLean (teller), Ormond, Pitt, Reeves, Rolleston, Russell, Saunders, Seymour, Stevens, Sutton (teller), Swanson, Wakefield, Wallis, Whitaker, and Wright. The House then went into committee, and the Bill was read a third time, and passed. Mr. SHEPHARD moved the second reading of the Civil List Act, 1875, Amendment Bill. In doing so, he said that in the straightened circumstances of the colony, Ministers would not object to have their salaries reduced. He believed occupants of the Government benches would not object to the Bill, and he disavowed hostility in bringing this measure forward. The Hon. JOHN HALL did not think tho Civil Service was overpaid as a rule. At the same time he considered the cost might be reduced, though not in the manner indicated by the mover. He considered the Bill as a direct condemnation of tin.* Government, and he hoped the House woub’ not pass it. It bad been proposed at an :y date to bring down proposals for the reduction of Ministerial salaries, and he trusted that, in face of this pledge, the hon. mover would withdraw the Bill. Mr. TURNBULL supported the Bill. * - ■ Mr. MOSS would like the Government to indicate what the proposed reductions were.

Mr. SHEPHARD replied, and denied that - the Bill was introduced through the reduction of the honoraria of hou. members. He declined to withdraw the Bill.

A division on the second reading resulted in—Ayes, 25 ; noes, 35. The Bill was consequently thrown out. The Land Claims Arbitration Bill was thrown out on the debate on the second reading. The debate on the second reading of the Elective Legislative Council Bill was resumed. The Bill was thrown out on a division, which showed the ayes to be 24, and the noes to be 35.

The House went into committee on the Forest Trees Planting Bill, but Mr. Thomson, who was in charge of it, asked leave to withdraw it, and permission was given. On tho motion that the Napier and Meanee Recreation Bill be committed,

Mr. ORMOND opposed the Bill, and moved that it be committed that day six months, and on a division the Bill was lost. The Prevention of Corruption Bill was also thrown out on a division, the numbers being 29 and 28. The Wellington Provincial Districts Highway Bill was committed, read a third time, and p.-tssed. A number of private Bills were then committed, and the House proceeded to their consideration. [Left sitting.]