Tuesday's Business. Wellington, June 24.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 158, 26 June 1886, Page 6

Tuesday's Business. Wellington, June 24.

Decisions of Nautical Courts. Mk Fisher brought under the notice of the Government to-day a ca?e in which tho captain of the steamer Eleie was lined £1 38 and had his certificate suspended for a month for running a vessel ashore at Nelson through incapacity owing to tho effect of drink, and said tho punishment was wholly Inadequate. The Premier said ho intfrnut-d to bring in a bili giving the Government power to review tho finding of Nautical Courts.

Conveyance of Government Freight. Mi* Mosd, having 1 recently asked what was the amount of freight icceived by the railways from thß fublic Works Department for conveyance of material, has been informed by the Hon. Mr Kichaidt.on that for tho year ending March 31, 1885. tho amount was £li,SG(>, and l»sr year .Ck">,96S

Cardinal Ifforan s Visit. The following i 3i 3 the substance of the roport that has> been mads by the Fublic Petitions Committee, on the petition which originated in Auckland, complaining ot thy favours shown to Cardinal Moran. From the evidence adduced, ib appears that one railway pa«s was given to Cardinal ZVloran, it being rho usual practice to pieeent free passes over Government railways to people of distinction from neighbouring colonies. That although the steamer Ellen Ballance was allowed to be placed at the disposal ot the gentlemen who wished to meet tho Cardinal, no oitici *1 reception or special favour to the Cardinal wad intended by tho Government. That all the available policemen were sent to tho Auckland Wharf to preserve ordor, and the Inspector being compelled to leave before the Cardinal.* arrival, tho sergeant in charge, in the absence of explicit instructions to the contrary, thought he was justified in accompanying tho procession with his detachment through the streets to prevent an accident The Committee, therefore, had no recommendation to mako.

A Lobby Joke. The following amusing skit wa? put on the bulletin board in the membois' lobby yesterday, butwa3 removed by the* Chairman of the House Committee :•—Kfutei'* latest. " P.uas, Junu 21. —Upon rceaiptof the resolution pj^ed by the JJunedin Presbytery, a teltgram fiom Admiral Scott, and a copy of Mr Dow nie Stewarts speech, the French Premier immeaiately cabled to the Governor ot New Caledonia to at once haul down tho French flag at the New Hebiides."'

Recognition of Bravery. Mr Connolly asked theGoveinment whether they propose by vote on the Supplementary Estimates, or otherwise, to recognise the special services ot Messrs Dansuy, Gardiner and Macaulay, telegraphic <jt Itotorua, during the pas-t ten days" > The Po?tm icte» - General said he would bring down a vote on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose, but there were others who had shown «reat couia^o, and deserved the recognition of the department. The-b •were lineman, and they ought to be considered in tho matter. Mr Macau lay came ou the day following tho eruption, and although he'had worki-d wull his service* were not on a par with those of the other officer?.

East and West Coast Railway. Nearly the whole of the afternoon and evening pitting was occupied with the debate on the t swt and Wesr Coa=t Railway Bill, the second leading of which waV eventually carried on division by 5:2 to 14 The old argument-, pro and con hvio thrashed out agai'i, and very iitf.'e new matter was introduced. Mr Onno»d feared the Government mieht nor bu able to rind euihcienfc lnnd at 10-3 pei acre, wbiifcfc ot'ier spc-iker-, urped that the, to .ehtions should stipulate a time for tne cum- 1 pletion of tho line. Sir Geo. Grey op;vj-cd j The system of land gJkint- for sueli pui pu^e*. Sir Juliu* v'ogel a-serled that if the oo'ony j undertook tlio work the\ cou'd notcom;«leve it in le=s than a do/.on years. The only Auckland members uho voted for the second leading wera Mr Dargaville, Col Fraser, a;,d Mr Tole. A " motion for ! reference of the bill to a committee ■was 10-t by ,17 to 9, and tlio bill *wa« ordeieri to bo committeJ to-mon :.w. Opposition to the concession-- «as wai\£d in consequence of th<> honour of thf> colony being pledged by the Act of ISS4 Mr Seddon deliveitd ,\ violenc d:atribd iuaiiist tbo action of the (Jjvernnifr.t it) rc^p ct to thi3 work. lie Mid tlr»t though he would not be a p^rry io repadiatiun. he threw on Mi'ii-torj the onus which v. c.ul'i i arise should tho Compdtiy cxerci-u tho prero«ativ> of taking" auuicnm landa on tha V.'e?t Coa-t Mr Dow nie Stewast condemned the proposal as one of the mo«t suicidal That had ever been ente."«d into. He was convinced that some day the colony would have to pay a vat-t sum (o take tho line over again. It would be a-> great a political qu<if-tiun in some year° af it wa? now. Ho characterised the corituict as the greatest .slipshod pioduotion ho hud ever &coD, and one ,*h:ch had evidently been framed by the Govein merit under t'.v^ impression that they would have to face a hostile majority. TLe debate unexpected!}. took a rather ncri.nomou3 tone, bat it was nor without it* hu me i; irons side. Mr Keir, ol Waircca, v. ho proceeded to ca'itigat') various opponent. of the measure, called the momb<.i for TAT A akatipu " a blaUiorskite," for v.hk-n he was promptly cillci on to apologi-c tnr ■uping unparli-imentaiy languaue." The member for Dunclin West (conlinucd AVrti- j mea'a choice) seemed to think ho 1> _. 1 a! monopoly of law, and the only surpri-e wa- | that he had not been appointed chief ju'jgo long ago. In conclusion Mr Kerr charged all those oppcoincf the bill with showing a *" ficHtiou^'' opposition. The P-eadjustmeat of Representation. The intentioii3 of the Government Avith regard to representation, concerning which some curiosity haj lor some days been excited, was di?clo&od by the Premier ye=tciday afternoon ; but tome di-iappoititmept was expressed at the want of oeHniiene =«. in the announcement. The Fremiei'a rftato menfc was to the effect tust when it \va% iiist brought before tho House earlier in the session ho had expressed the opin-on that when the cen=us returns were completed it would be tound that thediffererice of population between the North and South Islands would not be so great as was expected, and he btill adhered to that opinion. He found now, to king population as a ba?is, that about three members •should be subtracted irom the Middle Island and given to th-i North Inland. This was on population alone, but if other thing?, such as rateable value, were considered, the alteration would not be so great. He pointed rut, however, that alttiough tho Government had received the census returns of electoral districts, ti,ey had not received the returns of the various wards and sub division?, and he held it wouid be impossible for the Government to introduce a bill on the representation question before those returns were re j ceived. He had, however, himself felt for many years that this mutter of representation should be dealt with automatically after each census waa taken, and that something should bo done taking tho power away

from the House. Government also felt that if the public business allowed,, they might introduce a bill of that character thia Beasion, but if they could not do so this year, that a bill might bo prepared, ao that it could bo discussed by members and the country beforo n« xfc session. He would point out that this was not the last session o* tho present I'mlimnenb. It might be necessary to hold a ses-ion next year, and after that; there Mould be a dissolution, the elections taking place in October or .November next, One session would bo auiteonough for next year's business, >vnd also to deal with the question of representation. That perhaps would bo the bt. fat course to adopt Iv order, however, that tho bill ho had referred to miuht receive full consideration, he would iiiticduco it and have it circulated. In the dismission which followed most of tho North Inland members urged that a redistribution of fr-oats fahould be forced thia session. Major Atkinson plainly showed his tooth, and on the Houeo going into Committee ot Supply, affirmed that the question should be pio»sed, Sufficient (.ccuried to warrant the belief that an animated ciscussion would follow. Captain huicsell was ot opinion that even though the se-feion were? prolonged six months it w«« encumbent on members to deal with tho matter. The Proinier was diawn out sufficiently to satisfy hon. mem bcr3 tiu.t personally he piofetrtd the ques tion being bnldly tackled immediately, and further that ho was of opinion that a reduction should be made in the number of members of tho House. Replying to Major Atkinson, tho Premior c-uid tho House could express an opinion whether the bill fhould be introduced this session on motion for t^oing into Committee of supply, and the Oovernment would not 'ako it as a want ot confidence motion. Tho House might also discuss whether the number of members might not also be reduced. Mr Dargaville wanted the Premior to give an assurance that lie would not apply for a dissolution till tho bill was pao^ed, but, Sjir Robert Stoiit refused. Replying to Mr Johnston, tho Premier added that tho question ot amalgamating city electorates would be doalt with in the biU A lengthy discussion followed, tho majority of opeaktus objecting to tho que^ tion of representation being taken this s-ession, and Mr Moes urging that it would be a miftake to reduce the number of members, unless some larye sehemo of local government weie given to the country.

Portraits of Celebrities. Tho House Committee have agreed to request the Speaker of the two Houses to take step;? to have Parliamentary portrait?, and the portraits and busts of other eminent coloni-ts, procured from various part.* of the colon y, with a viow to their being placed in the lobby of Parliament Buildings.

Gold Duty Abolition. The (,-Jold Impoi t Abolition Bill and the Mining Companies' Bill La-so both been read a third time, and pas-.-ed by tho Lower Hou.-e, and hivo gono to tho Legislative Council.

Privilege. The breach of privilege arising out the neglect ot tho Cork ot Legislative Council to appear byfore a Ccnmitteo and give evidence was turther discu-.^ed yestmday atternoon, ar.d it v. as re-olved that a respectful mos^-ago be sent to tho Legislative Council directing the Clerk to <£ive the intora>ation lequired.

Mount Eden Hesorvoir. Mr Thompson has received from Auckland plans of the proposed reservoir in Mount Eden crater. Ho ad\ised that the consent of the bodies interested be obtained, arid yos.terd.iy a telegram came to hand giving the consent ot the Mount Eden Domain Board Mr Thompson will therefore ecu the Minister on the subject without ncluy.

I Petitions. The following Auckland petitions were presented ye^teiday . Fi om E. Jones, praying for grant ot l-md f,.r military services (Him Ho) From Mark JDixon, piaying for consideration, a* ho did not nceivoland l^cnp (ll.imlin). Fiom W. H. Garrard, j P 1 ' 1 }" 1^ {or n lanri gwint (Dargavillo) 'i he c.i-o of Samuel Aloxumiei, A\ho claims a reward Jor having hv-t p-oved the Thames 4 o bo a quill/ -ami not alluvial— goldiield has been under co'isidsiation of the Committee, v. ho icport th.it the period for ! claiming jeward-* tor jioi 1 discoveiies having I been limited to 1 1 Months from the date of such discoveries, the chvin c.uiuot be recog-m-td ° In the Legislative Council, on the motion of Mr Ch iMjbmlin, it vas agreed that a roturn iel .tive \o the nl.erod rabbit pest in thfj K:ng County shorn*! bo furnished. Mr Buckley rem.uK.d ihot Government had dc^p-itched an oiheial to the country indicated, who was authoiiced to deal with the lunHer, Tne adjourned debite on the motion of Mr AVhitakor, rebuxo to hid proposition that a tionty should bo niLido between Eugl\!»dand Franco on the subject of the New Ffobride s',5 ', wa- u-sutnoil by Mr McLean. Notttithatandiu^ thepto'e^t of Mr Buckley,the deb do, on the motion of Mr Stevens, was adjourned for a uck. On the motion for iho third reading of the Bible reading in £rhoul-i Bill, "Mi \Vhitakcr moved tiiit the bill bo read that day mx months Ho took this coiuve a^ he believed tho Bill would, if passed, prove tiubveisivo of the Education Act Aiterdis-cu-:-ion the araendmono ior adjournment of tho debate wax* 10-t on the voices, and the motion forthothhd leading waa negatived on a divisiot' : A yep, JO ; noes, 17. The amondmt nt tint the bill be read this day six months win canied on the voices. The Post-offiro Amendment Bill, the Jujtirea of tli3 Poice Bill, and the Municipal Coipoiation? Bill wererond a lir.^t time. Colonol Fra-?cr and Mr UnJman were oxaruined beloio the Legislative Council today relative to L'io potuion to divide Piako County into a separate district. Tho evidenco of both gtntlcmen wa3 opposed to the change at present. The Treasury Popai trr.cn t havo leferred to the Public Accounts Commit.toe a claim by Dr. fur 3 jotira' ponsion, viz., fiom 1573 to 1576. The pension began in 1876, and petitioner claims that ho was entirled to it tn.tu the Hrat-mentioned date. A ?nra of jfc'J ,200 ( C42h p?r y ear) is involved. The Commifue app. anted, on Mr Ormond's motion, to*oon3ider purchases made by Govemmenl In-:ur.inco Association have taken Mr Luckio'* evidouce, and are now consideiirg tho question of tho future control of tho Association. There is a Ptrong feeling among )ha members that the Government should resume the managemonr, and os the controlling minds in Cabinet are favourable to this course, the Government will in the event ot tho Committee so recommeudiog at onco introduce a bill revesting the management in its former control. "Thomas, spell 'weather,'" said the master. 4 W-i a-e-fc h-i-a e-r, weather." "You may sit down, Thomas; you've given us the worst spell of weather we ye had thi« year." "See herr, you scamp," said an irate Irish gentleman to a tramp j "if I were only as near as you aie to me I'd break your head."