PARLIAMENTARY

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2309, 11 August 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, August 10. Notice of motion for a return of the cost of Sir Julius Vogel to the colony since 1860 was given. The fact of his Excellency’s departure was communicated, Mr Whitaker, adding that Sir A. Gordon, who was now on a cruise among the islands, might shortly ho expected.

The Public Health Act Amendment Bill, Oamaru Waterworks Amendment Bill, 'were read a third time and passed. The Hon, F. Whitaker gave notice to bring in a Bill to amend the Debtors and Creditors Act. HOUSE OE IiEPHESEATAT IVES. Ministers in reply to questions said there was no truth in the statement in one of the Christchurch evening papers that a now office had boon created in Dunedin, viz,, that of Assistant Paymaster on Hallways. The sum of £OOO equal to a year’s salary had been paid (o the widow and children of the late Judge Young. Proposals hud been made for obtaining land on deferred payments, by the men employed at road works on the Waimatc Plains, and the land would be opened for selection by everyone. The petitions of certain Auckland leaseholders to obtain plural votes would be considered during the recess. mr.r.s ui.schakokd. The following Bills were discharged from the order paper—Town District Fisheries ; Education deserves Amendment ; Public Entertainments Prohibition ; Cemeteries; Fire and Marino Insurance Companies; Claming and Lotteries ; Hawkers and Pedlars ; Peace Preservation. LOCAL GOVLUXMKXT. Mr Turnl.mil resumed the debate on the motion for going into Committee of Supply. Mr Lundon moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr Moss, speaking to the question of adjournment, blamed the (lovcrnment for attempting to suppress the question of local administration, but cautioned them that the outside public would not be so easily silenced. Mr Swanson considered the proposal unworkable. Mr Dick thought the people should be consulted before such a proposition was brought forward. Mr Beeves thought the question an important one, and compared the general Government to a 40-horse power engine driving a mangle. Mr Fyke suggested a return to provincialism.

Mr Hall accused the Opposition of obstructing progress with impracticable proposals.

Mr Sheelian said that abolition bad been a failure. Half of the time of the House was taken up discussing parish business. They had just seen a number of important measures slaughtered, while their time was being occupied with questions of roads and bridges. He did not think they could go back to provincialism, but they could do this—they could adopt a modified system of provincialism, and thereby relieve this House of a deal of business that was not only keeping the really useful business back, but was actually demoralising the House. The Hon W. Gisborne was disappointed with the character of the Public Works Statement. Ho had expected to see a document with a broader grasp of the subject, and one which dealt more fairly with the different parts of the colony. The Hon J. Hall replied that the Government had to retrench and he was not astonished that the statement was received with disfavor. What was urged on them was to shut their eyes and go ahead. It was not denied that there were breakers ahead, but what they were counselled to do was to go on, and all would come right. That was not the policy of prudent men. It was a financial crisis through which they were passing, and ho did hope that members on the opposite side of the House would assist them in the emergency. They were told it was not a statesmanlike Public Works Statement. Had it

scattered money broadcist then it would have been a statesmanlike production, before sitting down lie would refer to (he remark made by the member for Cheviot. He had described Mr Blair’s letter as disgraceful. There he differed From his hou. friend. What Mr Blair showed was that these wagons had not been made by contract, for which he was responsible. Ho believed that his hon. friend had done a great injustice to a valuable servant, and he could not agree with him in the conclusion arrived at.

Mr Saunders said the report itself simply left * the blame on the dual system, and there could be no doubt that he (Mr Blair) was responsible for the the slovenly way in which these wagons were turned out. The motion for going into Committee of Supply was put and carried on the voices, no division being called for, THE ESTIMATES. The following votes were passed : Mines—£22,Bso, reduced £l5O. Railways—£ooß,9lß 4s Bd, reduced £47,889. Arch i tccts 0 ffi ce—£ 1485. Government Domains—£ll9l 4s. Public Buildings—£2o,sßs. Inspection of machinery—£l9oo. Progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 1.5 a.m. THIS DAY. [By Telegraph.] The House met at 11 o’clock, and went into Committee on the CountyAct Amendment Bill. Mr Sutton said the measure was a paltry trifling with important subjects, on which comprehensive legislation was required. He moved that the chairman leave the chair. Mr Mall said no doubt the whole subject of local government would have to bo considered at some future time, but the present Bill was required to amend patent defects. The motion was negatived and the Bill was reported wilh amendments, read a third lime, and passed.

Mr Rolloslon moved the second reading of the High Schools Reserve Bill. He stated it was based on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on higher education. Mr Tole thought there was no necessity for the Bill. Mr Hurstlmusc also hoped the Bill would not be passed. Mr Rolleston stated that the proposal to withdraw the Bill involved the stop page of secondary education in many districts. The House divided—Ayes, 40 ; noes, 9 0 Oi)* The Bill was read a second time.