PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 13 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, Au'guSt 12. In the Legislative Council to-day, In moving for a report of the New Plymouth Harbor Board illegal expenditure, Mv. Waterhouse stated that it was high time Parliament should provide better audit, and that local bodies acting in direct contravention of law as to the handling of money should be punished. -The Otago Road Rates Validity Bill and other Bills were read a second time. The Diseased Cattle Proclamation Validation Bill and Sydenham Borough Council Empowering Bill were read a third time.

The greater part of the sitting was occupied in Committee on a number of small Bills. The Council rose at 5 p.m. In the House of Representatives today, Replying to Mr. Fisher, Mr. Oliver said that if possible they would during the recess cause the survey and estimate to be prepared of the pack track from Lyell by New Creek and Seatonville to Makihinui, so as to enable the country to the eastward of Mount Rochfort to be prospected. u

Replying to Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Oliver said that a survey had been begun and carried on for forty miles of a line of railway across the South Island from Canterbury into Westland, With a view of discovering a more practicable route another survey would be made by way of Wliitcombe, but the nature of the country in that direction prevented it being carried on during the winter season. In reply to Mr. White, Mr. Bryce said Government would make inquiries about the sum of L2OO which was promised by the late Government to Mr. George Harcourt and another', of Grahamstown, for prospecting part of the Thames goldfleld, and which has been expended by them. It was thought they had not complied with the regulations. Replying to Mr. Pitt, Mr. Hall said Government had taken the opinion of the Crown law officers on the Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill, and when the Bill was before the Ho.use, Government would be prepared to take action in accordance with the opinion given. Replying to Mr. Seddoji, Mr. Hall said the salary of the Governor could not be interfered with during the incumbency of the gentleman lately appointed to the Governorship, and in that case it was not desirable that the time of the House, should be taken up this session with the consideration of a Bill to reduce the salaries of future Governors,

Replying to Mr. George, Mr. Oliver said Government would not undertake to place the sum of L4BO upon the Supplementary Estimates for opening the Pakiriri Block of 7800 acres, in the County of Rodney. Replying to Mr. M"Donald, Mr. Rolleston said he was not aware that on the 22nd July last certain land was advertised by the Commissioner of Crown lands at Wairoa, and that two applications being made upon the same day a preference was to one applicant over the other, and that without assigning any reason upon an explanation heing required or the deposit money, which was paid, being returned. He pointed out, however, that anyone who might feel himself aggrieved by" the decision of the Board had a right of appeal. In reply to Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Hall said, in accordance with the resolution passed by the House, Government had priven notice of an all-round r;:t>ncrion of 10 per cent, upon all salaries alike.

In reply to Mr. Bowen as to whether or not the property tax is to be relieved in the Chatham Islands, where the inhabitants are not represented in the Legislature, and have received no benefit from the Public Works expenditure, Mr. Hall said, if they admitted an exception in this instance, they might just as well exempt a great many other parts of the Colony, which had not benefited by the expenditure. He admitted, however, that the Chatham Islands were entitled to some consideration on the part of the Government, and as it was not at present in* eluded in any electoral district, they proposed joining it to the electoral district of rhe m -mber for Akaroa.

The Auckland College and Grammar School Bill was read a second time, committed, read a third time, and passed: In reply to a question put by Mr. Brown, Major Atkinson said the local Finance Bills would be brought down when the Estimates were passed. On the motion of Mr. Levin, that the House go into Committee on the Welling-, ton Racing Club Bill, Sir Wm- s'os. moved that the House go inr.o Committee on the Bill that day six months. The Committee motion was carried—2B ayes, 17 noes. In Committee, on clause 2 being put, Mr. Mason moved that progress be reported. The House divided, and the motion was lost. Mr. Mason moved an amendment on the clause, repeated calls of "no quorum" being made. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30.

Mr. Moorhouse moved the third reading of the Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Bill.

Mr. Hutchison spoke against the Bill. He denounced the passing of the Bill as a blunder—one of those blunders that would be worse than a crime.

Mr. Pitt had hoped tha.t the Bill would have to be repompiitted in order to remove certain defects which appeared on the face of it. In its present form he believed it would not receive. the Royal assent.

Major Atkinson said that the opinion of the law officers was that the Bill was not exactly what it would have been had it been introduced by the Government, still those objections were not of suqh a cha* racter as would warrant the Government in opposing its passage. After some discussion, the House divided : Ayes, 32 ; noes, 13. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.

The House went into Committee on the Mining Company's Act, 1872, Amendment Bill. The Bill was reported with amendments, Clause 13 being struck out. The amendments were agreed to, and the Bill read a third time and passed.' The Members of the General Assembly Expenses Bill was considered in Committee.

Major Atkinson hoped the member in charge of the Bill would see his way to agree to progress being reported. There was no chance of the Bill passing, and there were other measures' before the Hoijse which members were anxious to see gone on with, Mr. Moss hoped the course proposed would not be followed, but that an opportunity would be given to record" their votes on the subject. He was most anxious to see this much vexed question finally settled. Mr. Turnbull supported the proposal that the Bill should be-gone on with. It would save a great deal of trouble in the future.

Mr. Seddon said he was in the hands of the House. Government had refused to bring in a measure of this kind, and it was in view of that fact he had brought the measure down.

The motion for reporting progress was then put and lost on a division of 26 to 20.

In Committee, Mr. Shepard moved that L2lO per annum be struck out, and the amount be fixed at LlO5,

A discussion followed, after which a motion was made that the Chairman leave

the chair, which was put and carried on a division by 25 to 20. Mr. Hutchison moved that the amendments made in Committee on the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill be agreed to. Mr. Dick hoped the Bill as reported would not be accepted. Some of the amendments were inconsistent, and others were incorrect. The Bill was so bungled that if it passed as it stood, it would be a disgrace to their Legislature. He moved that the Bill be re-committed. The proposal for recommittal was carried. The Friendly Societies Act Amendment, Bill was discharged. The Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The House then went into Committee on the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, which was passed through Committee, reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The House adjourned at 2.30. TO-DAY'S SITTING. The House met at 11 o'clock to-day. The following Bills were passed through Committee, reported without amendments, read a third time, and passed : New Zealand University Reserve, Canterbury Rivers Act Amendment, Dogs Registration, Brands and Branding, and High Schools Reserves. The fencing Bill was partly considered and leave granted to sit again.