PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 446, 23 July 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

In the Legislative Council on Friday last, the Hon Mr Hall asked the Hon the Colonial Secretary-—Whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce, during the present session, Bills to amend the law relating to Road Boards, fences, and cattle trespass ?—The Hon Colonel Whitmore said that the amount of other business to be dealt with this session prevented the Government moving in the matter at present. The Hon Mr Robinson called attention to an article that appeared in a local paper, stating that members of the Council van op scores at Bellamy’s, and left without paying them,—The Hons Colonel Brett, and Messrs Waterhouse and Scotland having addressed the Council, the subject dropped. In the House of Representatives, Mr Carrington asked the Government—lf it be true that certain reserves of land were promised to be made and given to the natives within the confiscated boundaries of the Provincial District of Taranaki ; and if so, when the promise was made, and under what authority ; also, if such promise was made, why it has not been carried out ?— I The Hon Native Minister said that the present Government, on taking office, had found that a multitude of promises made by previous Governments had not been fulfilled, many of which it had been impossible to as yet carry opt. Mr Carrington asked the Government —What are the intenlions in regard to remuneration or pay to be given to Yolunteers (during the unsettled state of native affairs on the West Coast of this island) for loss of time, unavoidable neglect of their farms, and expenses incurred, consequent on attending to those duties which require their time and services ? —The Hon the Native Minister was understood to say that the subject was under consideration, and that works were contemplated which would prove of advantage to the district, and remunerative to the settlers. Leave to introduce the following now Bills was granted—

The Hon Mr Thomson—A Bill to amend “ The Land Act, 1877.”

The Hon Mr Gisborne—A Bill to regulate the control and management of Public Hospitals and Charitable Institutions.

The Hon Mr Gisborne—A Bill to make better provision for the regulation and inspection of mines. The Hon Mr Gisborne—A Bill to regulate and restrict the immigration of Chinese. The Hon Mr Gisborne—A Bill to extend the operation of laws relative to goldfields over the Kumara Education Reserve.

Mr Curtis —A Bill to amend the Licensing Acts. Mr M‘Minn moved—“ That a return be laid on the table of this honse, showing (1) The number of miles of railway which have been opened for traffic during the past financial year; (2) The number of miles which have been under contract, but not completed, during the same period ; (3) The number of miles which have been contracted for during the same period; specifying in each case the localities of each section, and the cost or approximate cost of the same.”—The Hon Minister of Public Works explained that the whole of the information asked for would be contained in the Public Works Statement to be laid before the House.

It was moved by Mr Shanks, and seconded by Mr Reeves, •'* That a respectlul address be presented to His Excellency, in reply to the speech which His Excellency has been pleased to make to both Houses.” The Address was then read as follows:

“To congratulate His Excellency upon his appointment to the Governorship of New Zealand. To thank His Excellency for the speech he has been pleased to make, to both Houses of Parliament. To assure his Excellency that we have heard with pleasure that he has.been much gratified at the loyal and cordial reception which has been accorded to him in every part of the Colony he has yet visited ; and that he has been impressed by the evidently great resources of the country, and by the industry and energy of its people. To thank his Excellency for informing us that measures relating to the electoral law and to the representation of the people, as well as with reference to dealing with native reserve lands, will be submitted to us; and that it is under consideration how far the principle of public auction may be fairly and beneficially applied to such native lands as now remain unsurveyed, or the titles to which have not been investigated by the Court. To express our regret at the growth of fanaticism amongst natives on the west coast of this island; and our

earnest hope that a peaceful solution of the difficulty which has thence resulted may be found. To express the gratification with which wo learn that the behaviour of the native people generally lifts been loyal and peaceful; and that the position taken by the wcll-knowd. chief Rewi id a guarantee for the continuance of peace in the Waikato district, although negotiations with sections of the natives there havejiad td be suspended. To express out pleasure at learning that very great progress has been made in the acquisition of native lands as public estate, especially in localities through which the proposed trunk lines of railway in the North Island are likely to pass. To assure His Excellency tliat we heard with satisfaction that the revenue for the past year had,, under nearly all heads, exceeded the amount estimated as receivable ; and that it was especially gratifying to ns to learn that the estimated gross revenge from railways for the current year is £950,000. To express our regret that the falling off in the Land Revenue, past and prospective, should reader requisite additional taxation; and to offer the. assurance tha\ measure for imposing a tax on income,as well as any others affecting, through taxes, the revenue of the Colony, shall receive our most careful consideration.To convey to His Excellency an expression of our belief that the results of expenditure upon railways is such as to encourage ns in extending works of the kind; and to assure him that the proposed Loan Bill shall be considered with an anxious desire to promote the permanent welfare of the Colony. To thank His Excellency for informing ns that modifications in the county system of local self-government are necessary and desirable; and to give to His Excellency the assurance that measures calculated to place that system upon a better footing, as well as the various other measures promised, shall receive attention from us as early as is possible after their introduction, and shall be earnestly discussed. To add, that we reciprocate His Excellency’s desire for union in carrying ont the wishes of our Most Gracious Sovereign for the welfare and happiness of Her Majesty’s subjects of both races in New Zealand ; and toexpress onr hope that Divine Providence may bless our endeavours- to attainthose beneficent ends.”