HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 421, 21 October 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Mr Sheehan, after a sharp attack upon the management of the Native Department, moved that the vote be cut down by £lO,OOO. The Premier pointed out that each year a large reduction had been made in that vote, and that this year a reduction of between £5OOO and £6OOO had been made and that, no doubt, next year, a further reduction would be made. He argued it would be an imprudent step to make large and sudden reductions. Mr J. C. Brown asked if the Government were willing to 'sell the Ministerial residences, and if not, why they do not consider it advisable to do so. The Premier said Government did not propose to sell them as they considered these buildings necessary. Mr Macfarlane gave notice to move that the Ministerial residences be sold. Mr Murray moved a resolution to the effect that the Agent-General, or any gentleman associated with him in the negotiation of loans, should find substantial securities. The Premier opposed the motion, on the groundthatit was not necessary, and if acted upon would lead to considerable extra expense in the way of increased commission. The motion was negatived on the voices. The L»gislative Council in committee on the Counties Bill, threw out all the borrowing or special loan clauses, leaving the counties only power to anticipate their revenue by one year. In the Legislative Council the Public Works Bill was read a third time and passed. The House resumed on the debate on Mr Whitaker’s resolutions regarding the San Francisco Mail Service, which were passed in the following amended form : — Ist. “ That the Service be direct from San Francisco to Sydney, calling at Honolulu and Auckland, or Bay of Islands, at the option of the contractors.” 2nd. “ That the Coastal Service be performed by ten knot boats, to be approved of by the Government.” 3rd. “ That the share of New Zealand’s contribution be reduced by £7.500 if calling at Auckland, and £lO,OOO if calling at the Bay of Islands.” Mr Macandrew is canny and uncanny ; he prefers possessing two strings to his bow. On the one hand he sends to the Ministry supplementary estimates of the Provincial expenditure, and on the other he communicates with the Otago members, asking if they will support him in retaining Provincial establishments, and seizing the Government, the propriety of carrying on the Provincial administration, and resisting the Abolition Act, or any of its consequences. This high and mighty proposition has been the subject of the subdued talk of the lobbies. What answer has been given has not transpired, but one Otago member said that he declined to look at the proposilion, to the reply, or anything in the shape of suggested rebellion. He is, however, one of the minute abolition minority in Otago. The calculation now made as to the continuance of Session is, that it will close on the 26tb, but there are contingencies numerous. Mr Richardson has not brought down his Public Works estimates, and thereare many uneonsidered trifles which are not so easily brushed aside. An item of £4OO intended to cover the cost of the Waka Maori (newspaper) was struck off by 29 against 21.