PARLIAMENT

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 787, 19 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

Wellington, October IS. The House met at 5.30 p.m. A report from the Goldfields Committee was brought ivp, 'recommending that the petitions of the Hon. K. Campbell and qthers, and of the miners of Maerewhenua, be referred to the Government. Mr. Pyke asked the Government whether they will promise to bring down a Bill next session to make provision for placing all the hospitals in New Zealand on an ecpual footing.

The Premier replied that the Government would endeavor to prepare a measure that would do justice to all the hospitals in the country. The Native Minister stated that he was in receipt of a telegram from Tito Kowaru in reference to disturbances at Pariaka. Tito said that the disturbances arose from an attempt to capture Hiroki, the murderer. Te Whiti was holding one of his quarterly meetings. The natives unadvisedly dismounted from their horses and searched the houses instead of waiting. Tito said that if the natives had waited until they had had food, and then gone to the Runanga house and asked a plain' question, there would have been no trouble, The House went into Committee on the Sheep Bill. On the motion of Mr. Seymour, a new clause was inserted, enabling sheep where, properly, dressed to the satisfaction of the Inspector to be driven through runs owned by persons holding clean certificates, with j permission of the owner.

The House went into Committee on the Harbor Bill. In the discussion on clause 51, providing that no member of the Board shall hold any paid office of the Board, The Attorney-General advocated the payment of the Chairman.

Mr. Murray-Aynsley said payment of the Chairman would destroy piiblic spirit and prevent gentlemen accepting responsible positions from the honor attaching thereto. Mr. Swanson thought when only officials of the Board were paid the whole power would be placed in their hands. Major Atkinson thought the matter might be safely entrusted to the Board, in order that it might have the opportunity of selecting the most competent men. A division took plaee on the question of inserting the amendments limiting payment I of salary beyond travelling allowance to the Chairman—ayes, 23 ; noes, 22. The amendment was carried. A further amendment was inserted limiting the travelling expenses to those incurred to and from the meetings of the Board. Clause 52 was postponed. : At the evening sitting, on the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr. Barton made a lGng speech with reference to the letter from Judge Richmond, which had previously, been laid on the table, of the House. He stated the whole facts of the dispute between himself and the Judges, against whom he brought several specific charges. Mr. Fox asked the Attorney-General what action the Government proposed to take with reference to these strong charges advanced by Mr. Barton.

The Attorney-General said the Goverment could not be expected, under any parliamentary usage, to reply to a mere speech on going into Committee of Supply. . Mr. Rolleston expressed astonishment that . the Government had not taken some action ■jupoii^speech/which contained some of the ■ strongest- charges he had heard against the Judicial Bench.

Mr.; Gisbome challenged- the member for Wellington to move a resolution. After some further discussion, .; Minister of Justice said th€t x aspect of "the question had entirely "altered since the introduction of the Judicial Commission Bill. Distinct charges were now alleged, and the Government would therefore thoroughly consider the matter, and would endeavor to state on Monday the course they would adopt. The matter could not be allowed to rest where it was.

Mr. Fox said he quite concurred with this view of the matter, and had no wish to hurry Government into a decision on the question. His only desire was to have some assurance from the Oovernment that the matter would vni hi.- .ill- >vod to rest where it was. The debate was adjourned till Monday.