PARLIAMENTARY. (From "Star" Reporter.) Wellington, July 18.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 283, 21 July 1888, Page 6

PARL I AM ENTARY. (From " Star " Reporter.) Wellington, July 18.

GETTING THROUGH THE BUSINESS. The House was in capital working humour after the supper last night, and agreed without debate to second readings of the Middle Island Half-caste Grants Bill, the Fencing Act Amendment Bill, the Regulation of Local Elections Act Amendment Bill, the Volunteer Drill-sheds and Lands and State Forests Act Amendment Bill, Ellesmere Lake Lands Bill, and Puhoi Settlers Bill.

OBSTRUCTING! BUSINESS. Fresh proof of the farce of colonial legislation is afforded by the present session. Parliament is now in its tenth week, and practically the ouly business done has been the tinkering up of the Loan Act of last session and the passing or the Customs Duties Bill. Yec, in lace of these fact; 1 , members were content to waste Wednesday night in blocking the Native Land Bill, although it was to be referred to Committee ; Thursday night in obstructing the Otago Central, and last night in stonewalling the Mining Bill. Tins is very singular, seeing that there are 106 Bills on the Order Paper, and only three or perhaps four weeks in which to dispose of the whole of the remainder of the business.

PROPERTY TAX VALUERS. The Colonial Secretary informed JSlv Coldie yesterday that it. "was the custom to advertise for ptoperfcy tax valueis, the applicants to statG terms. They were appointed with regard to experience. K. Thompbon said tliis meant, chat the cheapest men wei*e appointed, and T. Thompson said one objection to the present system was> that men were appointed who were also collectors, and who were paid a percentage on the rate-s which they collected.

COMMITTEE ON NATIVE BILLS. As an outcome of the Opposition mcetinge the lollowing weie appointed a Commictclo consider the native Bills : Sir H. Atkin, fcon, Messrs Ballance and Carroll, Sir G. Grey, Mesbrs Graham, BMop, Hutchi.^on, Kelly, Monk, Ormond, Samuel, Whvtc, Piatfc, Taiwhanga. Taipun, and Hon. E. Mitchelson. Exception .v.as taken by Colonel Eraser and others to the names ot Ormond and Granam bein<^ on the Committee, and as they were interested in nathe lands it \\as thought the Bills should be referred to the N.iti\ c Affairs Committee. Both these gentlemen were, however, also on that Committee, and the objection was not pressed.

MINIXCJ LEGISLATION. Several hours weie occupied ye&leulay with the Mining Act Amendment Bill, stonewalling tactics being carried on by the native and goldfields? members with reference to the clause providing 1 for the constitution of Compensation Courts for goldtieids. Finally the clause pa^&ed as printed and the lemainder oi the Bill was agreed to without amendment. The motion to read the Bill a thii d time was eventually agreed to without dhision.

NATIVE AFFAIRS. The remaining native Bill.- of the Government passed theii* second readings last night, and were leferied to the Committee set up in the afternoon. The Native Land Fraud Prevention Amendment and Maori Real Estate Management Bills were agreed to without debate, but the Native Land Court Amendment evoked considerable discussion. One clause of this measure enables the Covernment to secure land byway of compensation for advances made on purchased which cannot be completed, and it. was opposed strongly by Sir Geoige Gre;y, who made a characteristic speech, in which lie declared that itfc object was to legalise shady puiclfabes by huge land - owners, and his only surprise was that there was no provision for pardon of their crimes. The Colonial Secretary regretted the proneness of certain gentlemen to look with suspicion on all natne legislation, and fcaid that all the pi-esent Bill did was to allow those who had a perfectly good title to register the same. Mr Taipua thought ib a great reproach that the law regarding native lands had to be amended every year, while Mr Carroll was of opinion that if Government officers had made mistakes Government ought to sailer.

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR. The recent loss of the llawea has induced Mr T. Thompson to put a que&tion on the Older Paper with a \ie\v Lo knowing ■whether, in the interests of the tia*>clling ])üblic, it is the intention of the Government to cause a thorough examination to be made of the bottom ot the harbour at Kew I'lymoutli with a view to ascertaining if any dangerous obsti action to naugation e.\ibl& there.

THE XO-COINJFIDEXCE TUJCK, A minority of the Opposition arc still agitating in the direction of a no-conhdence motion, bat the proposal does not meet with much favour horn the majority, who consider that it is futile to attempt tv shift the Government beiore next session. Some prominent Oppositionists canvassed the lobby last night with a card of a new Ministry which they proposed. ] t included Captain Russell, Messrs Walker, Lance, Seddon, Withy and Hutchison. Whatever might have been the object of the promoters of thin move, the result w ub that they were considerably laughed at.

REFRACTORY ORES. Mr Caclman is to-day urging the (!o\ernmenbto immediate action with respect to the bonus for ref i actory ores. The Minister oi Mines has now completed the conditions on which the bonus is to be offered.

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BILL. There is a feeling in the Legis>lati\e Council that the Auckland Harbour Improvement Bill is a private BilJ, as it deals ■with Catholic jjroperty at Mount St. Mary. Opposition is feared on this ground, and there is a probability that the Local Bills Committee of the Council may report adversely.

SIR JULIUS VOGEL. No word has been received from Si r Julius Vogel by the s.s. Rimutaka and the impression is gaining ground that he wil^ not return to the colony.

ANOTHER OPPOSITION CAUCUS. The greatest secrecy is being observed as to the result of this morning's Opposition meeting, and most of those who were present say they are unable to divulge what took place beyond that a number of matters of public interest were discussed. From one source, however, I learn that it was decided to oppose both Mr Withy's and Mr Beethams amendments, on the ground that doing so would compromise members with their constituents, because the effect of accepting .either amendmeiiG would be supporting a proposal to reduce the wage& of working men. Tbe feeling of the meeting was that in the eveut of a

direct issue being tabled on the Government policy, most of the seceding freetraders would support the Opposition, but for my own part J do not think they would bo likely to do so.

SUPREME COURT RULES. Edward Latimer Clarks petition for an alteration of the rules of the Supieme Court was considered to-day by the Public Petitions Committee, who docidod they had no recommendation to make. Efforts are being made from the (>overnmentsideof the House to secure fche withdrawal of Mr Withy's lesolution, tho reason given being' that if it were debated such action would be taken as an indication that the House did not desire further retrenchment. It is very uncertain what will be done, but the opinion is that tho resolution ■v\ill be defeated.

OPPOSITION CAUCUS. It now transpires that at tho Opposition caucus this forenoon Mc&sis Lance and Walker were appointed a committee to decide finally whether a vote of no confidence should be tabled, and in what direction it should go.

NATIVE LANJD LEGISLATION. The first meeting of the Committee appointed last Meek to consider the native policy Bills was held this morning, and Mr Samuel was appointed permanent Chairman. The Committee's suggestions having been invited a^ to the manner in which the Bills should be amended, Mr Hutchison brought forwaid a &eiieb ot amendments -which ho pioposes to mo\o in the Native Land Bill and Nathe Land Committees Bill. Their effect would bo to make the founer to apply only to p'ist transactions, to excise provision for taking native lands, and to repeal tho "Native Land Frauds Prevention Act, 1871, substis.titutiug other provisions in its stead. On the motion of Mr Oimond, it was decided that the two Bills in question should be printed in the form in which it i-i pioposed to amend them before the amendment* are conbideied. The question oi taking nath c lauds was discussed at somo length, but no decision had been arrived at hen the meeting adjourned . till tomoriow.

PLANS OF MINING LEASES. Representations me being made by Mr Ftvifccr to the Minister of Mines regarding the vexatious delay which has taken place in the Survey Office in forwarding to the Thames approved plans of mining leases. In a letter to the Minister, MrFia^cr pays the delay is causing great confu.^ion, and entailing adjournment of cases in the Warden's Court fiom month to month. The reason assigned is that there is so much work in hand that the ottice s*ta(t is unable to overtake it, Mr Fra&er points out that when Mr McLaren, late Mining Inspector, prepared plans, he gave the greatest »atibfaction by his correctness and promptitude. The Minister has promised to consider the matter.

AUCKLAND PETITIONS. The following petitions trom Auckland were presented yesterday : \\ illiam Watts, for giant of land for military services (Sir George Urey) : John Isbister and others, that the Hating Act may be amended (Air .Moat) ; John Lillewall and 19 other?, for abolition of totalizator (Mr Monk) ; Andiew Jack, relath c to claim nnder the Foiesb Tree Tlanting Encouiagcment Act (Mr M^onlc).

MARKET RAILWAY TICKETS. The Mini&ter of Public W'ork^ rcinses to grant the request made by Major Hamlin and Mr Y. Lawry that they should grant the i^-siie of market tioCet< for the bi-weekly markets held at Pupakura, Drury, and Pukekohe. He 6ay» that whenever reductions have been made there has been a decrease in there\enue, and in no cose h is the number of people \\ ho travelled subsequently justiiied the change.

AUCKLAND HARBOUI! IMPROVEMENT BILL. There appears to be n cli- portion on the paifc of the Legislative Council to treat this meatine a-s a piivate Bill, because it deals vvith tJie Ilonian Cntliolic pioperly at Pon&onb). M"r Pencock is, ho\\e\er, to be examined befoie the Committee to-day, and will probably take the precaution to remove any mwippiehension that may exist on this point.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCJ L.LOKS' HONORARIUM. Some of the Lords me determined that the diiboulty whicli avoie during the receo s regarding the refund of £25 paid in etro 1 ' to certain Councillors lesident in Wellington shall be discu&sed in and out of season on every possible occasion. Yesterday afternoon 3.1r Alan tell moved to Hie effect that a message be tent to the House ot Representatives asking that body to amend the Parliamentary Honorarium Act of last session, substituting House of Representatives for the tip " ' Icneral Atbembly," bo that no difference of opinion may again arise a=« to the pi opcr interpretation of the proviso. Objection wa^> taken to the motion by the Attorney-General, who said thai there was no precedent for the step proposed to be taken, and that its adoption Mould be likely to be not only harassing to botli chambers, who would lo&e dignity thereby ; and by Dr. Pollen, who urf;ed that it was the duty of the Government to take the init!ati\c in amending the Bill, but if they declined to do f-o, the Council should, out ot respect to themselves, w ait patiently till a change of Government took place. After this expression of opinion, Mr Mantell withdrew his motion, and gave notice to move on Friday next for lea^e to bring in a Bill to amend the " Parliamentary Honoraiium Prhilcges Act, 1887."

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AMENDMENT BILL. The object of the Indu?tiial School Act, 1882, Amendment Bill, the second reading of which has been moved in the Council by the Hon. Mr Stevens, is to clear away certain obscurities which are apparent in the present Bill so far as relates to the recovery of the cost of maintenance of children who may be kept in the schools aftor the age of fifteen years — such, for instance, as the case of imbecile children. In the opinion of the Cabinet the cost of the support of these children should be thrown upon the district from which they are sent. In the discussion which ensued, Dr. Pollen admitted that the present Act had become somewhat complicated, but the Bill now before the Council was to amend not only the existing 1 Act, but also the Charitable Aid Act, and this being so, he thought it would have been far better if a con&olidatory measure had been brought in. Other hon. gentlemen having spoken in favour of the boarding-cut system rather than the Industrial School system, the second reading was agreed to.

BOOTS Y. BANK CLERKS. In speaking in the Council yesterday afternoon, Dr. Pollen was very severe on the present costly education system, the effect of which, he said, was that our boys were beinj; brought up to the office stool, and he failed to see where the artisans and bootblaoUs were to come from. The hon. gentleman, in the course of his remarks, said that many years ago he

had been able to obtain tho services of boys twelve and thirteen years of age, bub of late years the boys were all undergoing a course of oducation to fit them for matriculation, or as bank clerks, or to adupt them for positions in the Government servi» c. In fact, now the youth of the colony were being educated for gontoel situations, and none were left to clean tho boots. The Hon. Mr Water!) o use also protested against boys being turned out bookworms, instead of being taught to be seltrcliant and to oarn their own livelihood. The opposition of these gentlemen is a fair sample of the objection raised to the education of the " lower orders," and indicates the class of men who aie the chief opponents of the Education Acb.

LOCAL ELECTIONS. The Bill introduced bo amend fchc Act vhich regulates local elections passed through Committee last night without amendment. The Colonial Secietary promised to consider a suggestion made by Mr Buchanan that something should be done to prevent double voting, and to insert a clauso for the purpose, if necessary.

I INVOKING THE LAW. A new clause, given notice of by the Hon. Mr Fergus in the Justico ot the Peace Act Amendment Bill, will prevent people setting the criminal law in motion simply to bring a per&on back without any intention of proceeding furthei. Cases are known of husbands who had travelled to distant places and lacked the mean-? to rctuin Miiting to their wives, to lay an information tor desertion so that they might lie aricsted and bi ought back at the public expense, the wife, ot course, then refusing to sjive <my evidence. It is to stop proceedings of this kind that the new clause is intended. It provides that when any person is airebted and brought betore a Court for any offence, and the complaiuant or intormant fails to give evidence in support ot the charge, the Court may order the com plainant or the person on whose behalf the information wa& laid on the defendant, to pay all expenses incurred in making the an eat and bringing the person charged betore the Court. The now claute hao been drawn at the suggestion of the Under- Secretary for Justice. NATIVE SCEOOL SYSTEM. The Minister of Education considers that the native school .system is not wholly satisfactory, and he intends during the recess to institute an independent and thorough inspection, with the view of making it more eilcctive, or at all events more economical. Mr <!oldie and many othci members consider that the native schools should bo under the Boards ot Education.

FREIGHT ON MANURES. The laic < •'overnmenb reduced the railway freight on manures and lime for farm u->e, and the le&ult was that while the levenue decreased the quantity of manure and lime carried did not mci ease. The present (.Jovernment, therefore, do not see their way to make a further reduction to the actual co&t of haulage.

CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL. A message from the Deputy Governor was recehed last) night, transmitting the Customs Duties Bill u ith an amendment placing machinery and appliances for electric lighting on the free li.st. Dr. Newman called attention to an ambiguity in the item of "tinsmiths' furniture," which evoked a reply from the I'remicr that theie was no ambiguity, and in any ca-^e power was given to the Commissioner ot Custom^ under the Act to free all articles to be used for the purposes of manufacture. Advantage would be taken of this power to render all such article^ free. Consideration of the amendments were adjourned till next day.

FAlli RKNT BILL. "J^he feeling of the Hou^e appears Lo be againsc accepting the amendments made in th'p measure bj' the Waste Lands Committee, the oflect of which has been to completely emasculate the Bill. On the motion yesterday for its committal Major Steward, Messrs Valentine. Fish, Cowan, and Seymour urged the Government to adhere to the Bill as ib was originally brought down, while Mr Whyte defended the action of the Waste Lands Committee, who, he said, were desirous of making the Bill a reasonably acceptable one, a\ hich would be likely to pass both Houses. En Committee the second clause was amended .so as to provide that the Bill should be brought into opention on a date to be ii.xed by pioclo.mation. Pi ogress \va-> then reported, and leave given to .-it again next day.

INDIAN HORSE MARKET. At/ the beginning of ilio pic&cnfc year a, requisition was marie from the (iovcrnment of India to be supplied with all available infoimation as to the breedeis of horses in this colony, with the brands., etc., which was fOlf 01 w aided in Apiil. In supplying the re((uired intennation, it was pointed out by the Under-Secrelary thatliithcitothe biceding of horses buitable for India had been small owing to the limited demand. If, however, there weie an available market in India, and information as to description ol iior^e lequired were given, the taimer& would breed them, providing catibfactory priceh were offered as an inducement to breed. However, it would be necessaiy for the Indian (lovernmont to undcitake to purchase a certain number of hordes yearly at a lixed pi ice, conditionally on their reaching the requited, standard and being otherwise suitable. Any information which is supplied on the .subject) would bo published. To this lnst communication no reply has been recei/ed.

DECLARATIONS IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS. Mr Moufc intends to ask the Minister of Justico-whefcher he does not consider it desirable, in the interests of country settlers lesiding in districts where there are no resident Justices ot the Peace, that postmasters or other persons of repute should bo appointed Lo take declarations, and if lie does, will he Lake the necessary steps to procure by legislation authority to make such appointments.

THE LUVERTOK NUCGET. J)r. HoJgkineon has received a telegram from the Mayor of Riverton stating that a nugget has just been brought in from Longwood, weighing 360/. sd\vO, and suggesting that it should be securod for the Melbourne Exhibition.

MR WITHY'S RESOLUTION. It now transpires that the agreement between Mr Withy and the Premier was reduced to writing, the document being as follows: — "I shall be prepared to withdraw the motion if the Premier will give the House an assurance that he will, during the recess, still further retrench to the utmost possible limit."

JOTTINGS. Mr Pyke con vened a meeting of supporters of the Otago Central Railway Bill for half-pasb four yesterday to consider what action should be taken. The opponents of the measuro lay stress on the fact that no public meeting has been held in Dunedin, and say this inactivity on the part of Otago merchants is a proof of the indifference of the people there as to the fote of the Bill. When Mr Pyke brings this

matter before the House Sir Goo. 'Grey will submit, a scheme for the construction of the Otago Central and other railways on a, principle which ho considors will be satisfactory to the House and country. The Minister for Lands has drafted a new clause in. the Amending Land Act providing for the continuance oi Land Boards* on the present nominative system. Tt is undcrhtood that the Govern men 0 will redraft the District Railways, Purchasing Act Amcnnment Bill, accepting the amendmonts recently made in the House, excepting that exempting ratepayers who&o annual rates do not exceed £5. In theSur\oy Department by the classification of officers it is estimated that a further saving of £10,000, extending over threo years can be made, the annual reduction oi the vote being about £300.