PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2310, 12 August 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, August 11. In reply to a question the Hon F. Whitaker said the New Plymouth Harbor Board had, previous to January last spent about £4OOO of their land fund iu an unauthorised way, but the illegal expenditure bad since been stopped.

Leave of absence for the rest of the session was granted to the Hons Acland, Peters and Reynolds, and for three AveekstoDr Mcnzies, opposition being considered useless, as the Members if not granted leave would take it. A Committee was appointed to consider Mr Taiaroa’s disqualification and report. The Hon, J. N. Wilson moved for a return of all money paid in every way to Sir J. Vogel since 1879. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds opposed the motion. Colonel Whitmore said ho believed it would he very useful and instructive when Sir J. Vogel was making a claim for £20,000 or so, to find that he had received £40,000 or £50,000 in the last ten years.

Colonel Brett thought the motion an indelicate one concerning so distinguished a man who ought not to be spotted out in this way more than others, It would bo humiliating to the

Council to pass such a motion, and he must express his indignation at it. The Hon. W. Robinson tliought the Council should know what everybody received, so that if they were to wind up, everybody should get his due. Perhaps they might even find Sir J. Vogel bad not received as much as be ought, aud they would then be able to do him justice. The motion was carried. The amendments of the Lower House in the District Courts Bill and Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill were agreed to. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. I!All,way commissioners' eetoet. Mr Pyke moved the motion standing in his name regarding the report of the Bailway commissioners. He said ho was not disposed to allow it to go forth that this House even in part approved of that report. The report was unreliable, vmworlhy*of consideration, and ought to bo relegated to the waste paper basket. He concluded by moving—“ (1.) That this House is of opinion that the report of the Royal Commission on Railways, in so far as it deals with lines which have .never been submitted to or sanctioned by Parliament, was unnecessary and uncalled for ; (2) that in so far as it condemns railway lines, the construction of which has, after duo consideration and careful enquiry, been sanctioned by this House, the said report has not sufficient foundation, aud should be regarded as a mere expression of individual opinion hastily formed without any special knowlcgc or experience on the subject ; (3) that it would therefore bo unwise and highly detrimental to the host interests of the colony for Government to shape its Public Works policy upon the opinions and recommendations embodied in the said report. Mr Hhrimski disputed the statement made by the previous speaker that the Livingstone line would not he an acceptable one. The Hon. R. Oliver spoke of the abb; and el'licicut maimer in which the Bailway Commissioners devoted themselves to the work. Although owing to the heavy expenditure they were unable to push on the Otago central line, lie did not agree with the Commissioners that any further survey of the OamaruNasehy line should be made, as the line was impracticable. The debate was adjourned till 2.30 on Friday.