House of Representatives. Wellington. September 2. WEDNESDAY. The House met at half-past two p.m.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 119, 12 September 1885, Page 4

House of Representatives. Wellington. September 2. WEDNESDAY. The House met at half-past two p.m.

Newspaper Advertising. Itx reply to Mr Ormond, who asked the Government if the circular issued by the Colonial Secretary in May last to managers of newspapers, requesting them to state the scale of rates at which they would insert Government advertisements, the Minister of Justice said the circular] was issued with the sole object of checking the accounts sent into the department. He did not think that an advantage would be gained by giving the advertisements to the lowest tenderers. Errors in the Hospital Report.

In reply to Mr Guinness, who drew attention to the fact that while the inhabitants in the Greymouth district had contributed the sum of £889 17s during the financial year towards the support of the Greymouth Hospital, Dr. Grabbam's annual report stated the amount as nil, Mr Tole said he would have the report amended. Friendly Societies Bill Discharged.

Sir J. Vogel moved that the Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill (!No. 2) be discharged from the Order Paper. Agreed to. Auckland Railway Land Compensation. The House went into committee on the Auckland Railway Land Compensation Bill, which passed without amendment.

Counties Act Amendment. The House went into committee on the Counties Act Amendment Bill. A lengthy discussion ensued on clause 2, providing that new countieß are to be created by special Act. Several members opposed the clause, and contended that it was too late in the session to proceed with the bill. Mi Hurst moved a further amendment in the clause, to strike out, "But nothing herein contained shall prevent any union of existing or future counties." The amendment was lost on a division by 43 to 21. Clause 2 was then carried on a division by 43 to 22. 0.1 clause 5, providing that the operation of the Act is not to be suspended in future, Mr Hurst moved that the Chairman leave the°chair. After some discussion the motion was negatived on the voices, and the clause was carried by 36 to 32. In clause 6, providing that the counties of Eden, Manukau, Raglan, Orua, Marlborough, Ashley, and Peninsula shall be suspended from the operation of the Act, Mr Hurst moved that the clause be struck out, which was lost by 50 to 30. In Clause 11, providing that the Chairman of counties be elected by county electors annually, Mr Stout said he had received a large number of letters from County Councils on this subject, and he was bound to say they nearly all opposed it. He was prepared, in consequence, to eliminate this provision. After discussion, the clause was eliminated by 52 to 24. In clause 34, providing that councillors shall be liable for moneys illegally borrowed, it was resolved that the penalty for which councillors shall be liable for this offence shall be £120 instead of £200 C lause 35, limitation of bank overdraft, was struck out on the voices. Several other clauses having been passed, progress was reported, and the House went into committee on the

Property Assessment Bill. Clause 13, providing for property subject to taxation, and Clause 18, property exempt from taxation, and other clauses were postponed. The remaining clauses were passed without material alteration. Progress was reported on the bill. On Sir George Grey's question coming before the House yesterday as to the Maun gatautari block, Mr Ballance stated that he considered an inquiry should take place as to the accusation of bribery brought against the assessor, but he could not admit the principle of Parliament interfering with rehearingB. The Chief Judge was the proper person to decide on the advisability or otherwise of granting a rehearing. Interests might have arisen Bince the rehearing was refused, and it would be laying the country open to a claim for compensation to legislate upon the sub ject. Sir Geo. Grey then moved the adjournment of the House, in order that a discussion might take place. Wi Pjsre and Parata gave it as their opinion that a rehearing ought to have been granted. Mr Bbyce, Colonel Trimble, and Mr Holmes spoke, the two former warmly supporting Mr Ballance's view. Dr. Newman made a sneering little speech reflecting upon the Judges of the Court, but was promptly sat on T>y Mr Moss, who defended them as gentlemen of integrity and ability. The adjournment of the House was then negatived. As far as I can learn, the facts of the case are briefly as follow :— A block of land called Maungatautari was passed through the Native Land Court, the judges being the Chief Judge, Judge Puckey, and an assessor. After a hearing, lasting five months, judgment was given in favour of certain hapue, and generally against the claim of the Ngatiraukawa. A rehearing was applied for by the latter +ribe, and in support of this application it was alleged that the assessor was bribed. The rehearing was refused, and a petition was thereupon presented to the House, and heard by the Native Affairs Committee, who reported that they saw no reason to interfere with the ordinary operation of the law relating to rebearings, but added that an inquiry should take place into the allegation of bribery against the assessor. The Chief Judge had written a long and elaborate judgment on the matter, and it was a clause of that judgment, wired to you yesterday, as apart of Sir Geo. Grey's question alleging a payment of £200 by Mr Moon to the assessor that was relied on to urge a rehearing It was stated that vested interests had actually arisen under the judgment, and the feeling seems to be that, while the strictest scrutiny should take place into the conduct of the assessor, no substantial difference would result in the ownership of the land ; and further, that it would be establishing a dangerous precedent to take action in ' any case to upset the deliberate judgment of the lawful authorities under which persons might probably have acted. Witn reference to this matter I may meation that Mr Ballance yesterday presented a petition from Te Wheoro, praying for a court of inquiry into the manner in which the judgment re the Maungatautari - block was arrived at, with a view to the granting of a rehearing. The matter of the Waimea Plains railway is at present in a very much involved condition. During the present session, two petitions regarding the line have been received—the first, which has been referred tothePublic Petitions Committee, is from the ratepayers, i. c.; persons liable to contribute to the 7 per cent, guarantee! asking to be relieved

from payment of such rates. This petition .vas received in July. The second petition, which is before the Public Accounts Committee, is from the directors of the vVaimea Plains Railway Company, stating that owing to the action of the Minister of Public Works in 1884 in having assessed the rates on an over-estimated valuation of the line, they are not able to levy any rates at all. They fear that unless the House, by statute, enables them to levy rates on a lower account, they will lose last year's rate, amounting to £5,000. The New Zealand Agricultural Company— the largest landowners —is liable for £3,000 of this, and the balance are divided amongst about 150 small holders. Yesterday, Major Wales and Mr Leary, Secretary to the Company, gave evidence before the Accounts Committee. It is predicted that still greater complication will come out of this matter, more especially as the Company still refuse to sell their railway to the Government, preferring the investment together with the present guarantee."