PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1144, 15 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, December 15. In the House of Representatives to day. Replying to Mr. Macandrew,

The Hon. Mr. Hall said the Government did not think it would be expedient to lay the correspondence re the loan on the table.

On the question of going into Committee of Supply, Sir George Grey moved that the names of all shareholders in district railways proposed to be purchased by Government be supplied for the information of the House.

On being put, the motion was lost on the voices. The House then went into Committee of Supply, and the following railway votes passed : Kawakawa, L 10.500 ; Whangarei-Kamo, L 40,000; Kaipara to Waikato, L 202,000 ; Waikato-Thames, L 115.600 ; Waikato to Taranaki, LSOOO ; Wellington-Napier, LG5,000; WellingtonWoodville, with -branches to Greytown, L 228.000 ; Wellington-Foxton, L 55,000 ; Foxton to New Plymouth, L 148,000; Carlyle to Waitara, L233,00Q ; Nelson to Greymouth, with harbor works, L 147,000.

On the item Port of Nelson to Roundell, construction and land, L 55,215, an amendment was moved that the amount be reduced by L 41,000. A division was taken—ayes, 28 ; noes, 28 ; and the Chairman gave his vote with the noes.

Mr. Shrimski moved a further amendment that the vote be reduced by L 40,000, and a division was taken, the result being—ayes, 23 ; noes, 30. The following items were passed ; Greymouth to Hokitika, L 46,500 ; Westr port to Ngakawau, L 1400; Picton to Hurunui, L 37,500 ; Hurunui to Waitaki, with branch lines, L 361,000 ; Canterbury main line, L42,G00.

On the vote, "Waitaki to Bluff, with branch railways, L 498,000, and the item compensation to Otago Harbor Board, L 25,000, Mr. Macandrew spoke in strong terms against it. He had no doubt but that he would displease the Board and its members, still he felt he was doing nothing more than the duty he owed to the district and Colony. Mr. Dick defended the grant, and said the amount had been fairly arbitrated

between the Board and the Government, and this was the sum awarded. Mr. Macandrew said the arbitrators had gone outside their instructions in the matter. Mr. Hutchison moved that the item be reduced by one-half. On being put, the motion was carried on the voices. The vote as printed was then put and carried. The following votes were passed : Otago Central, L 120,000 ; InvercargillKingston, L 18,000; Western railways, L133;400. Class 4—Survey of new lines : North Island surveys, L 600 0; Middle Island surveys, L 14,900. Class s—Roada : North Island, L 165,900, and aid to Councils. Mr. Shrimski moved that the item Roads and Bridges in unsettled districts (Patea and Taranaki), L 50,000, be struck out. The House divided—Ayes, 18 ; noes, 45—and the vote passed as printed. Nelson South-west Goldfields Roads and Bridges, L 12,264 ; Westland Roads and Bridges, L9OOO ; Hokitika-Christ-church construction, supervision, and damage by floods, L 12,000. Mr. Fisher moved that the sum be reduced to LGOOO.

The motion was withdrawn, and the vote passed. Roads to open up land before sale, L101,G42 ; amount required for present financial quarter, L71,G42. —Passed. Waterworks on goldfields, water-races, North Island, L 10,386 ; Middle Island ditto, L 29.50 Miscellaneous public works, L 239,812 ; required for present financial year, L 200,312. Mr. de Lautour moved that LIO,OOO be struck out. At 11,45 Mr. Macandrew moved that progress be reported, and the House divided—aye 3, 26 ; noes, 37. Mr. Macandrew said that although not a Sabbatarian, sitting on a Sunday morning was most disgraceful, and he would ask all of his opinion to leave, and allow the Government to get through the Estimates as best they could, Dr. Wallis said it was doubtful when Sunday began. By some it was asserted that it began at sunset; by others —a small section—at midnight; and again by others at sunrise.

Mr. Macandrew and one or two others then left.

Mr. Hall said if they had not obstructed the business as they had done, there would be no need to encroach on Sunday. It was perfectly childish to object to go on with the business because it was a quarter past 12 on Saturday night. They had hoped, in deference to wishes of members, to get on with the business, and so close it on Monday. That would be rendered impossible. Mr. Stewart, Mr. Moss, and Mr. Tawhai objected to the House sitting on Sunday. Mr. Tawhai protested against sitting being prolonged to Sunday morning. It was eventually agreed to report progress, and the House adjourned at 12.25 a.m. till Monday at 11 a.m. December 15. The House met at 11 a.m.

Mr. Ireland asked the Minister for Public Works if, in the event of the five million loan being obtained, they (the Government) will cause a survey of a railway line from Lawrenoe to Ettrick and Roxburgh to be made. Mr. Oliver replied that inquiries would be made, and if it was found to be a desirable work for construction, and if funds were at the disposal of the Government, then the survey would be ordered. Mr. Speight asked the Minister of Defence—(l) Whether he has been informed that the Thames Naval Brigade's boat, the property of the company, lies rotting useless in consequence of the want of repairs and new sails, the material for which would cost about L7O. (2) Whether, in the event of such being the case, he will cause the necessary sum to be provided to render the boat of service on the condition that the members of the Brigade do all the work of repairs and sailmaking free of charge. Mr. Hall said an application on the subject had been made. The Government would not be justified in placing any sum on the estimates for the purpose, but they would cause inquiries to be made, and, if found necessary, other provision would be made.

Mr. Speight asked what action is intended to be taken upon the report of the Public Petitions Committee in the case of the petition of James Dempsey, contractor, Auckland, Mr. Oliver replied that the Committee of Enquiry had recommended that local inquiries be made into the matter, and the Government would cause that to be done.

Replying to Mr. Allwright, Mr. Oliver said the Union Steamship Company have made application for Government officers to work on Christmas Day at the Port of Lyttelton until 9 o'clock of that morning. Mr. Acton Adams asked whether the Government will take into consideration the desirableness of promoting the establishment of a National Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and whether they will place a sufficient sunt on the supplementary estimates for that purpose. Mr. Hall replied that the Government fully appreciated the importance of the question, and recognised that ifc would be their duty to encourage such an institution. No association of the kind had yet been organised ; such being the case, he would not be justified in asking the House to vote any money for the purpose. Replying to Mr. Tole, Mr. Hall said the Government did not intend taking any further action with regard to the report of the Electioneering Telegram Committee.

Replying to Mr. Swansan, $Jr, Hall said it was contrary to the civil service regulations for a general government relieving officer to act as chairman or member of a county council or a road board.

Replying to Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Hall said the Government would give effect to the recofnmendatjoji of the Public- Petitions Cojnmitte last session in t ;e case of Mr, It. O'Donovan, and permit the case to be taken to a court of government waiving any technicalities that would prevent the matter in dispute being decided on its merits.

Replying to Sir G. Grey, Major Atkinson said steps would be taken to examine the entrance into the Waipu River, to ascertain what improvements can be effected in its navigation. Replying to Mr. M'Donald, Mr. Hall said that the Government would not promise at present to extend the telegraph line tg the township of Ormond, in the Poverty Bay district.