PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 23 July 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

7 \ v Wellington, July 22. In the Legislative Council; to-day,: On the motion of Captaln Fraser, all the papers re the Patere block were ordered to be laid on the table. On the motion of Mr. Menzies, a return was ordered of the number of petitions presented, with the total number of signatures, during the last two years, asking that the Bible be read in schools. The Maori Prisoners Bill was read a second time, after a short debate, in which Messrs.. , Whitaker, Waterhouse, and Col. Whitmore spoke, but advanced no new arguments. The Dentists Bill was read-a first-time, and the District Courts Bill and Bluff Harbor Foreshore Leasing Bill were read a second time. The Council adjourned at 5.30 p.m. In the House of Representatives today, Mr. Ricliardson presented a petition signed by 627 employes of the New Zealand Railways praying that the proposed reduction of wages might be reconsidered. Replying to Mr. Richardson, Mr. Oliver said the Railway Commissioners of the North and South Islands had communicated views on the proposal to reduce ; the wages of .railway' employes. They recommended that the reductions should be made in certain directions, and 'the Government would use their best endeavors to have these redactions • made so as not to cause the wages to be lower than those j paid for similar labor outside the Government service : /Mr. Ireland asked whether the attention of-the,Government.had'been directed to the hardships, inflicted on miners and others on the Otago Goldfields in the matter of surveys, residence areas, small gardens, etc., inasmuch as miners and others have to deposit" not only survey fees but travelling expenses of surveyors, no matter how small is the area required, The survey may be so that however large the number pf surveys, each applicant has to pay the whole of the travelling, expenses. - . : Mr., Rolleston replied that' in point of fact these charges were barely sufficient to cover the actual cost. The surveys involved the colony in a loss. Residence areas did hot require to be surveyed. The Government would give the matter their consideration, with a view of ascertaining what better arrangements could be made. Mr. McDonald asked if the Government were; aware that natives have erected a fence across the main road to Foxton, and what steps they intend taking ; also, if it is true that the Government have agreed to pay the coach proprietor the sums, paid to the natives by the coach proprietor for allowing the coach and passengers to pass along the main road between Foxton and Wellington. Mr. Bryce said the road in question was not a main line of road, but passed over sandhills claimed to be the property of the Maoris. The Government had undertaken to refund the coach driver the amounts levied by the Maoris, and in the meantime steps were being taken to lay off a permanent line of road, in another direction. r

. .Mr- Stewart asked leave to introduce I the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill, j. Exception was taken to the application, on the ground that the order paper was already overburdened with private Bills, and this was .a Bill which there was not the remotest possibility of getting passed. The Bill was introduced and read a first time. - Mr. Dick introduced the Town Districts Bill, that its object was to, give certain simple powers of local government to . towns ; ;of not- sufficient importance. The Bill was read a first time. Mr. Stewart moved the second reading of the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Land Act 1874 Amendment Bill. - After discussion 'the House divided : Ayes 34, noes 1,8. The Bill was read a second time, and made 'an order of the day for that day week. Mr. Levin was about to move the second reading of the Wellington .Racing Club Bill, when 1 Mir. Mason moved 'that the petition presented by him against the Bill be read. That course having been agreed to, the motion for the second reading was made. Mr. Mason objected to the Bill, as did also Messrs. Hall and. Murray. The debate was interrupted at 5,30, On the House resuming, Mr. Whitaker asked leave, on behalf of Mr. Sheehan, who was absent giving evidence in the Supreme Court, that his motion to take the West Coast - Native Commissioners' report into consideration, of which notice stood on the .'paper, might be postponed, and made' the first business for next Thursday. The Speaker, said nothing could be done with; No.'7 until it was reached in due course, excepting hy the unanimous consept of the House, On the question being put, Mr, Turnbull objected, and the Speaker called on "the liext order. The House then went into Committee on the Fire Brigades Bill. Mr. Speight said it would not do to give power to Corporations to strike a separate rate without' being .empowered to do so by the ratepayers. Far too much rating power was proposed to be given to local bodies in the Bills before the House; a,nd on clause lQ .he moved an amendment in accordance with these remarks. The House divided : Ayes, 32 ; noes, 23. The clause as printed was passed. Mr. Reid proposed a new clause exempting members of Volunteer Fire Brigades from! serving ofr juries. : The Speaker ruled; that the proposal could not be entertained in connection with this Bill; it was strictly a ; question to be dealt with in the Juries Act. ■ The Bill ■ was reported with amendments.

On the motion that the House go into Committee on the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Endowment Bill, Mr. Turnbuli moved that they go into Committee that day six months. . _ Mr. Hall said Government approved of the Bill, and would give it general support.: ' - After ; discussion,:, the amendment was negatived on' the voiceSj and the House went into Committee. - The Bill was reported, with amendments, and,-at 1.10 the ;House rose.