PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1096, 23 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, October 22. The Legislative Council sat to-day for twenty-five minutes, the business being only formal. On the motion of Mr. Waterhouse, a return was ordered of the probable cost of all railways now unclcr contract. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. Shanks, Mr. Hall said the Government was not yet prepared to say whether or not they will introduce a Bill to grant endowments to county councils similar to those which have been already allocated to municipalities. Replying to Mr. Sutton, Mr. Bryce said thai the outrage at Ohinemuri was traceable to some dispute about the alleged sale of lands. The date of the purchase was the 10th March. Replying to Mr. Murray, Mr. Oliver said that no definite response had been made to the advertisements calling for the manufacture of steel rails in New Zealand. Replying to Mr. Murray, Mr. Rolleston said that at present no regulation existed for the revision of the list of Justices of the Peace, and against bankrupts continuing to sit on the bench, or act as Justice of the Peace. The Government, however, recognised the importance by some such provision being made. Replying to Mr. Reeves, Mr. Oliver said the Government was considering as to the best mode of transit for facilitating the export of coal from Greymouth. Mr. Sutton asked whether a sum of L 240, or thereabouts, has been charged against the Government for cab hire in Wellington, and, if so, by whom it was expended. Mr. Hall said he was not in a position to furnish a complete reply. The information in his possession was as follows : Between Ist July, 1878, to 30th September last, for Sir George Grey, 10s ; Mr. Shechan, L 319 lis Od. Since then vouchers had been sent in, but not paid, Sheehan, LB4 Is 4d. Of that sum only L2O had been paid. Further 'claims of a similar kind amounting to Ll4 18s, L 5 6s, and Lll 18s respectively had been made. Replying to Mr. Stevens, Mr. Bryce said there could be no doubt that the Government was responsible for the amount required to complete the native land purchases mentioned in his statement as L 1,121,000. Instructions had been given to the Government agents to prosecute the purchases with vigor, but no actual liability was to be incurred without the sanction of the Government being first obtained. Replying to Mr. Fulton, Mr. Oliver said a letter from the Chairman of the Henley River Board, of date 22nd September, had been received and steps had

been taken for obtaining a complete report on the .question referred to. Replying to Mr. Fyke, Mr. Hall said a sum of L2OOO was proposed to be placed on the Estimates for the construction of the Cromwell-Wanaka telegraph lino. Replying to Mr. Richmond, Major Atkinson said the question of ascertaining a site for a lighthouse on Stephen's Island was a most important-question, and would be dealt with by the Government as early as possible. Replying to Mr. Studhohne, Mr. Hall promised to enquire into the expediency of causing a telegraph station to be opened at Makikihi. Replying to Mr. Tainui, Mr. Brycc said enquiries would be made as to the appointment of a doctor tu attend to the natives at i loiie. Mr. Fulton asked whether the sum of L' 25,000 voted for school buildings in the Colony was a frdr adjustment, considering tile population and school attendance. Mr. llolleston said the Government would bring down proposals in regard to education, in which fair regard would be had to the question of population and school attendance. It was absurd thatone district should be fully equipped with buildings, residences, i£e., while another district was left wholly neglected.

Mr. Hall moved tile adjournment of the debate on the second reading of the Education Bill until to-morrow, when he would be in a position to state what course the Government proposed to pursue with regard to the no-conlidenee motion. A number of Bills were then introduced and read a first time. Mr. Stevens moved that a Select- Committee be appointed to consider and report on the question of what relief can be afforded to the manufactures of the Colony by lessening or abolishing the duties at present levied on articles used in their respective manufacture, such Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Oliver, Messrs. Acton Adams, Andrews, Balhuiee, Dick, Hurst, Levin, Moss, Wright, and the mov-er, to have power to call for persons and papers, and report in three weeks. In the course of a lengthened debate which took place on the questiji of fostering local industries, Mr. Macandrew said that it was subject for congratulation that after this year the Colony would not require to make use of Newcastle coal, as the colonial product would be quite equal to the colonial demand.

All amendment was moved that the following be added to the motion, and other means by which the establishmentof oolonial industries and manufactures can be promoted." The motion, as amended, was carried, and the House adjourned till 7.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr. Shvimski moved the second reading of the Qamaru Harbor Board Bill, which . was carried. Several other Bills were read a second time, Mr. Hutchison moved the second reading of the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill. He said that as the matter stood the law on the subject had been rendered one law for the rich and another for the poor. They never heard of a man owing a few hundred pounds being imprisoned. Such an one was enabled to file his schedule. Ir was the poor man who was liable 10. oe imprisoned. Then a'_ f aiu, bv some tienou ot ibis law the *;x'cie:i oL" inipn.sniru.i".;'; was eoiiM.ruoit 'to be coui:i■ ;>v ui court. Ti-o speaker l-i-lk-llVd th-i u'U'.a of a in;,:i w!lo was uiKibl.j r ,; t.-iv' Vi.Mii>; I ivah it in 1h '■ way. The Bill v>:w eventually read a second time. The second reading of the Local Option Bill was moved by Mr. Saunders, and the House rose at 12.30.