PARLIAMENTARY (From "Star" Reporter.) Wellington, August 6th to 9th.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 289, 11 August 1888, Page 6

PARL I AMENTARY (From " Star " Reporter.) Wellington, August 6th to 9th.

COROMANDEL OYSTER BEDS. Mr Moss tells me that he has received from the Minister of Marine (Mr Fisher) an official reply respecting the opening of the Corotnandel oyster beds, to the effect that the close season was extended to the 31st of March next at the requost of the Coromandel County Council, and the Government does not see its way to interfere now.

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY. Mr Moat intends to ask the Premier if he and the Minister for Public Works will, during the recess, visit the different districts north of Auckland, and be prepared next session to recommend to the House some practicable scheme for the construction of the North Auckland main trunk line of railway.

AUCKLAND PETITIONS. The following petitions from Auckland were presented yesterday : — From Martin Krippner, that he be remunerated for introducing German immigrants to this colony (Moat) ; from Hugh Gilmour and 29 Howick settlers, that the Contagious Diseases Act be repealed (La wry).

VILLAGE SETTLERS. Mr Moat is to ask the Minister of Lands whether it is the intention of the Government to grant to the village settlers on Dacre's Claim, Omaha, the relief sought for in the petition of F. Livock and others.

THE SERGEANT- AT- ARMS. All persons who have frequented the House during its sitting must be Jamiliar with the form of Captain Home, who, faultlessly attired in evening dress, daily ushers in the Speaker and removes the bauble •when the House goes into Committee. When the estimates wtre under consideration last night Sir Maurice O'Rorke, who was in charge of the Legislative Department, moved that this officer's salary be reduced from £250 to £200. Mr G oldie objected to Cuptain Home's continued employment, and drew a graphic picture of an able-bodied young man carrying in the bauble in the place of an old man who had been years in the Government service. Mr Moss protested against the criticism to which individuals were subjected, and said that if this state of things were continued no person with any delicacy of feeling would enter the public service. An attempt was made to retain the salary at .£250, bat was lost by 33 to 21. The estimates as submitted by the Speaker were carried.

REFORM OF THE COUNCIL. The proposal made by Mr o 'Conor in favour of making a change in the mode of appointments to" the Legislative Council was not debated at any very great length. Sir John Hall, while disapproving of the present system of making calls to the Council, said that he must oppose the motion just made, because he was opposed to the deciding and discussing of large constitutional questions without notice. Moieover, the motion was unnecessary, because ohere was a pledge from the Government madelastsession that they would notincrease the number of Councillors. It seemed to him that the proposal was directed against one particular individual (Major Campbell). Mr R. Thompson expressed the opinion that those Councillois recently appointed had not been called to the other Chamber on account of their own merits, but with a view to creating them life pensioners. He held that the number of Councillors belonging to the Provincial District of Wellington was disproportionate to the rest of the colony. The Premier said that a more inopportune time couid not have been chosen for the amendment, and there was no justification for moving it. The question of the reform of the Council must be dealt with by the House next session by a Bill, and personally he was against any appointments to the Council being for longer than seven years at the outside. Again, gieafc caution was wanted in limiting the number of Councillors. That was one of the powers of the Lower House. The amendment was then negatived on the voices.

MEETING OF FREE TRADERS. At the meeting of the free trade party, held yesterday forenoon, Mv Beetham presiding, it was decided to oppose the Harbour Amendment Bill which the Premier is in troducing, Mr Marchant alone dissenting. Mr Bruce will move that the Bill be read a second time this day three months. It was also decided not to accept ihe invitation from the protectionists to attend the banquet on Saturday night, and reasons were diawn up in reply to Mr Kennedy Macdonald'd invitation to the party to be present. The following are the reasons assig d : - That members of the free-trade party while acknowledging the courtesy of the promoters of the - proposed banquet, and expres&ing a warm interest in such local industries as have grown up under, sound economic conditions, are compelled to decline the invitation for the following reasons : (1) Because the banquet cannot be regarded as other than a celebration of the passage of measures to which the free traders have been strenuously opposed. (2) That these measures have been passed by means of a departure from the principles of party government", of which departure the free traders strongly disapprove. (3) That the presence of the freetrade party at the banquet would probably act as a damper upon the gathering, which they have no' desire should be in a social sense unsuccessful.

THE ESTIMATES. > . i The Estimates were again undej;. 'consideration for several hours yesterday, but the savings made were quite infinitesimal. In the Colonial Secretary's Department, Mr Goldie moved to reduce the vote for lunatic asylums by £100, but subsequently withdrew his proposal. Dr. Newman suggested that the plan of boardingout some of the able-bodied lunatics should be tried, and an hon. member suggested that they should be appointed to the Upper House. When theatem "printing and stationery " was under consideration, Mr Sutton suggested that reductions be made in the Government " Gazette " expenditure. Dr. Newman protested against the item £2,669, contribution toward the protectorate over New Guinea, and on Mr Peacock's suggestion the vote was reduced by £5 as an instruction that the payment fehould be discontinued. The item "compilation of Maori History, £200," was reduced by a like amount so that inquiries could be made as to how the work was progressing. Considerable discussion took place on the item £75, compensation to Mr Brent. It appeared that Mr Brent was a teacher at ' the Dunedin Hi^h School, and came out ! under a life agreement to the Provincial Government. The High Schools Board had reduced his salary, and the difference had to be made up by the colony. Several members vigorously denouhce'd* the item, which they insisted the Bo'£rd "was morally bound to pay, and, on Mr Fish's motion/ the item was struck out- by 38 'to '23.'" In the' Legislative Department, £150 was struck off

the Clork of the Legislative Council, and £50 cffthe assislantclerkThe motion tosti-ikeout the salary of tire second clerk assistant, £200, was lost by 36 to 31, and two attempts to reduce the amount failed. When the estimates for the House of Representatives 1 came on, Sir G. M. O'Rovke took charge of them, and explained that he intended to suggest some inductions as they had ap-s peared in , the Government estimates,' with the exception that he proposed to retain , both Maori interpreters. He accordingly moved the reductions, of which notice had been given. By 34 to 31, the salary of the Sergeant-at-Arms was reduced from £250 to £200. Wr Marchant moved, "Header, £150," be struck out altogether. This »vas lost on the voices.' Record clerk, £250, was retained by 36 bo 21. Mr Fish moved that one of the native interpreters be dispensed with. This was supported by the Government, but defeated by 35 to 29. An effort was made to reduce the salary of tho interpreter by £50, but was lost by 26 to 23. The provision for extra clerks and Committee was reduced by £250. Mr Fish succeeded in carrying a reduction of allowances for contingencies from £850 to £700. The salaries of librarian (£300) and assistant librarian ( fc'2so) were retained on the voices. The vote for Hansard reporters was reduced by £50, and the salar> of the custodian of Parliament Buildings from £275 to £250. Mr Monk moved to strike out the appropriation of £900 for members' passages, but withdrew the motion after some discussion. The Speaker's motion for a icduction by ±300 was agreed to. Other allowances were reduced a§ follows : — Water, gas and fuel, from £900 to £850 ; electuc lights, etc., £300 to £200; passages and expenses of witnesses, £250 to £150. The item of £60 for translation of Maori speeches was stiuck out on the Speaker's motion. The Departmental vote as reduced to £12,770 was then passed. The estimates for Crown Lands and Survey Departments were then revised. The Minister tor Lands in answer to Mr Hutchison said there was no provision in tho estimates for the New Zealand Hand-book. He promised that the House should receive due notice before any expenditure was proposed. Progress was reported on the motion of MrMoss by 27 to 20. and the Mouse rose at 1.10.

AUCKLAND BILLS. The second reading of the Ngaruawahia Cemetery Reserve Bill and the Auckland Harbour Improvement Bill was agreed to by the Legislative Council yesterday.

THAMES HOSPITAL. ]\Jr Cadmai' is lo move thab corre&poiulence between the Thames Hospital Board and the Government respecting Dr. MacGregor's remarks on the Thames Hospital Committee, in his report on the hospitals and charitable institutions of the colony, be laid before the House.

MINING EXHIBITS -AT MELBOURNE. Reference wa? made by Mr Seddon yesterday afternoon to the alleged paucity of raining exhibits from this colony at the Melbourne Exhibition. He declared that he had ascertained that tbe r-xhibits se it to the Colonial and India;) Exhibition were 3old for their mere maikut value, an error for which somebody should be made responsible. Either Inspector Gordon or Professor Black or both should, in Mr Seddon's opinion, be authorised to visit the Exhibition, and secure a better representation theieof of our mineral moducls. The Minister of Mine? declared that there had been no parsimony in the matter, and said that £3,500 had been voted to the Commissioners. Dr. Newman, as one of the Commissioners, said the mineral products of the colony had never been so well represented as at the present Exhibition, and that the unfavourable telegram to an Auckland paper was a gross exaggeration. About two hundred mineral exhibits had been sent from the colonial museum, and about sixty cases, containing the pick of the exhibits from the Coloni.il and- Indian Exhibition, had been forwarded by the Agent- General, irrespective of the exhibits of the Midland Railway Company and coal companies in the North and South Island. The Hon. Mr Fergus declined to accept the ip^e dixit of an obscure newspaper correspondent, and said he knew from an Otago gentleman that the mineral resoiuces of Otago were well lepresented. The Indian and colonial exhibits wete not sold, but those not resumed were presented to the Imperial Institute. The question was talked out.

AVONDALE ASYLUM. The Colonial Secretary was urged yesterday by Mr Thompson to cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances connected with the strained relations evifrtintr between the oificial visitors and the Medical Supeiinteradent at Axondale Lunatic Asylum. Mr' Ili'slop said both gentlemen s-eemed inclined to cany on their respective duties in a more friendly .manner than was the case some time ago. If, however, these relations continued of an unsatisfactory character, and such a course became nece&sa ry, he won If 1 cause an inquiry to bo n.ade. Mr Thompson expressed himself dissatisfied with the answer, but could not reopen the discussion.

THE NEGLECTED NORTH. The Premier lias informed Air Moafc that be hopes to visit the North Auckland district in the recess, in company with the Minister of Public Works. Me says he is very anxious to pee the country, and especially the village settlements ; at the same lime he "is" not prepared to promise* any scheme next session for the construction of the North Auckland railway.

STEPHEN SPALDItfb'S CASE. The Colonial' Secretary informed Mr Thompson that even if he were willing to ' transfer Stephen Spalding from the Avondale Asylum to the Auckland Gaol, the provisions ot the law would j prevent him from doing so. The law was, that as Spalding had been sent by the Supreme Court to the Asylum, ho could not, if he had since become sane, be sent to gaol, but vvould have to be discharged. He did not think the circumstances of the case warranted the expense of farther inquiry.

RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS. The Government have nob yet abandoned the hope of being able to obtain irom .England or America a suitable person for Chief Commissioner of Railways. The AgentGeneral is still making inquiries on the subject, but if he should not soon meet with a suitable candidate, the Government will consider the advisableness of appointing someone within the colony. Should euch an officer bo chostn, his salary will not exceed £1,500, and will probably be less ; and in such an event the Government will consider whether the Chief Commissioner's power of veto should be curtailed, as they do not consider that a local man should have such extensive powers as an expert imported from England.

POWERS OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR. The oilier day, the Hon. Mr Buckley asked the question whether the ActingGovernor was entrusted with legislative as well as administrative duties. The Speaker of th 6 Council yesterday gave his-ruling on the question. He thought thai with the ex-

ception of dealing' with a death sentence, the Deputy-Governor could oxevcise all the functions of the Governor.

EXTENDED LOCAL GOVERNMENT" The necessity of having some system of, local government is being pressed on Ministers by 'Mv Crawford Anderson, who is to ask whether fcho Premier will consider and deviso means whereby the functions of local bodies may bo oxtanded in this direction, and obviating the necessity for, discussing in this ilouso questions relative to roads, bridges and other local works which should properly and only be doalt with by local bodies.

HABTT LEGISLATION OBJECTED TOA motion carried by tho Legislative Council yesterday afternoon is likoly to extend the se&sion by about a week. " In accordance with n. notice given last sittingday, Sir George Whifcmore moved, "That this Council resolves that it will not suspend tho Standing Orders in order to admit any Bill to pass its several stages until twenty-four hours after it has been printed and circulated." Despite the Attorney-General's expression of hope that the Council would not tie their hcinds, as they inevitably would do by agreeing to tho motion, its passage was agreed to by 18 votes to 12.

POST-OFFICES IN HOTELS. The Premier informs Mr G oldie that ther* are many instances of post-offices being in hotels in country districts and out-of-the-wa} r places, and the offices would have to be shut up altogether if they wero not there. The rule was that no post-office shall be opened in an hotel if othor accommodation can be found.

THE RABBIT PEST. The joint. Committee of the two Houses who have been considering this question have reported at somo length. They note with alarm that 12,743,452 rabbit skins hnvc been exported frcim the colony during the last year, being an mci ease on the exports of the previous year of ,C 419 7s lOd. The evidence before the Committeo is conclusive | hat the Department has hitherto piovcd altogether incapable of arresting the spread of this scourge over an annually-increasing area, and that, therefore, the enormous losto the colony is steadily increasing year by year. The South Otago and Wairarapa districts, ho-vever, offer a p'easing exception to this dismal picture, the rabbits in that locality having been reduced during the last three or four years to compaiath ely moderate numbeis. The bladder worm mentione 3 in tho evidence of Mr Coleman Phillips has al*o, probably in a minor degree, assisted in diminishing the pest in a portion of the Wairarapa. This is one of the diseases which is being investigated by Professor Thomas, who has alieady mado an interim report thereon. Until that gentleman has completed his investigations the Committee do not consider ib desirable to make any recommendation regarding it. So far, the laying of poisoned grain in winter and the turning out of the natural enemies remain unquestionably the best means that can be adopted. The Com mi dtee recommend thatthe several inspectors be instructed to enforce the forme.- \\ ifch great strictness, and to encouiage the latter as much as in their power, and that inspectors be empowered to continue the purchase and liberating on Government land of feriets, stoats and weasels — preferably the two latter — in a> large numbers \as possible. The Committee"recommend that the Rabbit Act should be amended in order to provide that imprisonment should be an alternative penalty for removing live I labbits from one locality to another, and that rewards should be offered for infoimation Hiat will insure conviction for such offence. Officers in charge of districts should h,u-o the appointment of or dismissal ot their rabbit agents entirely in their own hands, and should be held strictly accountable for the conditions of their respective distiicts. The report is gi^en with a protest by four members of the Committeo against- the finding of Committee that the erection of rabbit-proof fence should be continued for 40 miles from YVaitaki towards Lake Tekapo.

CHINESE COLONISTS. It appears from n return presented yo=teid.iy that up to March, 1886, .there were 51 Chinese manicd to Eurppean women, and these liavo 101 half-caste children to their credit. _, ,

„ J KEEPING UP THE TAXES. The Otamatea County Council have been petitioning, through then-Chairman, that the Rating Act may be amended, so that the smallest collectable rate may be made one pbilling. The Petitions Committee, having considered the petition, have referred it to the (tov< rnment for consideration.

EXPENSIVE LUXURIES. Some light was fcH'own yesterday on bho metliod by which money is wasted on West Coast harbours. It was shown by u paper submitted to the House that the cost and charges to date of the hydraulic cranes on the dreymouth wharf amount to £12,297.

t NATIVE OUTBREAK. - The ("Government were advised last, nijyht that a complete and final settlement q{ the native difficulty in the North had been arrived at. The natne Eiuhiri. on whom sentence of banishment had been passed, harl been sqnti *to Hokianga

•NEXT SESSION OF PARLIAMENT. Supply Avas intercepted last night bY a motion by Mr Taylor thai ne.\t session o* Parliament bhould be bold at Christchurch. Ib is understood thai the proposal was planned by the Government to avert a motion by Mr Macarthur dealing 1 with a readjustmenf of the oountn quota, which question is looked upon as nn awkward one for the <jJovernmen. L . Mr Taylors motion was lost by 34 to 21.

RAILWAY COMMISSION. A movement is on foot in the lobbie 5 to have the Hon. E. Richardson, Mr Hannay, and the Minister for Works appointed railway commissioners, and is meeting will) a good deal of favour among members. In that case, of course, a short Disqualification Bill would have to be passed in favour of Messrs Mitchel&on and Ttichnrdhon. For my own part, Ido not think that either of these two gentlemen is likely to bo appointed. Nothing will bo done in the matter till tho session closes.

AILING MEMBERS. Leave of absence for the remainder of the session is being asked for Mr Brown, member for Tuapeka, on account of ill-healfeh ; Mr Dodson, member for Blenheim, is away at hi& own home suffering from an attack of pleurisy ; while the Hon. Mr Reynolds is still confined to his room, euffering from erisypelas in the face. .

DEATH OF A NOTED CHIEFTAIN The Hon. Major Ropeba has received telegraphic notice of the death of Wyairernu King} Te Kawau, of Opofciki and Whakatane, a chief of high standing. He took an active part during the disturbances on the Ea^b Coast, rendering great assistance to the Government. He has always been a staunch friend of the Euro peans, and was highly respected by all. who know him. „<<<,',

OPPOSITION CAUCUS. ' At a moetfng of the Opposition, held immediately before tho House assembled yosfcerday afternoon, there were present 24 gentlemen, and several others were accounted for. Mr Lance presided. An Executive Committee, t consisting of Messrs Lance, McKorizie (Waih'omo),' Samuel, Moss, Ballanco, , Sedd'on, and Major Steward, together with the whips of the party (Mr Walker and ,Dr. Fitchett), was appointed. A resolution was .also carried to oppo3o any suggostlon or motion coming from the Government in favour of increasing the number of members in tho Upper House. This resolution was arrived at in consequence of the proposal to call Major Campbell, Clerk of Parliament, to the Legislative Council. Nothing further is now likely to be heard of tho matter.

NATIVE LAND COURT REFORM* Strong criticism was passed last night upon the delays ot fche Native- Land Court .system and the general working of the Courts. The Native Minister, replying: to some of ' the objections raised, said thai there was ' now sufficient work on hand to keep all the judges fully employed for 12 months, even if no new business came forward. The Premier also announced that the Government were dissatisfied with the present system, and intended to take more complete control for the future, as king' authority todhect feiltinsjs ot the Courts and to direct business generally. If there wete judges who wore not fit for their duties, the Government would have bo got rid of them. They would certainly do so and got better men. Mr Bruce had moved to reduce the judges' salaries by £100 each, hut upon receiving this promise he withdrew it.

ESTIMATES. The Opposition were so much .annoyed at the success of the Government in averting the quota resolution on going into Supply that they obstructed tho estimates all (/he evening, and practically no progress was made. The vote? of £15,912 foi the Crown Lands Depai tmenfc, £2,585 tor Thermal Springs expenses, £1,646 for miscellaneous services, and £200 for coalfields wero parsed untouched. In the estimates for the Survey Department, -£65,702, Mr VValkei called attention to the extent of the reduction oi the Surveyor-General's salary, which foimerly stood ufc £900, and is now l-educed to -C 750. Ho asked why this particular officer, rather than other heads of Departments, had been singled out for such an enormous reduction. Alluding to the anomalies in tho estimates, the hon. gentleman «aid he looked upon them with a feeling ot great disuse, and with almost selfcontempt, at being a party to passing them. Mr "R. Thompson considered the Surveyor-General as one of the most capable men in the service He had been unfairly ! reared, his salary being altogether out of propoition with those of other officials, whose salaries of £600 or £700 had been readily voted. Several other members spoke to similar effect. The Minister of Lunds endorsed the testimony to the Survey or-General's high abilities, and explained that in classifying the Civil Bervico all the Under Secretaries and heads of departments, excepting the officers of working railways, had been bet down at £750. Mr Ormond expicpsed the hope that, in carrying out retrenchment, due provision had been made for the surveyors under the Land Act. The Minister for Lands said that the supply ot land was keeping pace with the demand. Messrs Peacock and Fulton claimed that highclass professional heads of departments like the Surveyor-General ought not to be placed on the same footing as mere secretaries. The di-ciission was extended to a gicat length, Mr Walker expressing very strongly the ooinion that the detail ) eductions in the department %vere altogether disproportionate, which made the estimates very unsatisfactory. The Minister for Lands contended that only reasonable reductions had been made, but the debate was continued until some time after midnight, when the vote was agreed to. Class 15, votes Oi Crown Lands, C 2,400. This vote wa^ passed without debate, but Mr Moss at once took objection to the way in which the question had been put, complaining that it had been passed before members really kflew what they -were voting upon. He therefore moved that progress be reported. This was lo^t on the voices. State Forcsf s and Agricultural Department, 1*2,830, agreed to.

OFFICIAL INFLUENCE IN ELECTIONS. Tn the discussion on the estimates of the Working Railways Department, Mr Fish called attenOioirto the notion of Mr Hislop, f-tation-master at Mo»giel. in influencing the election as being conduct that called for hi.s dismissal. Mr Hislop had, he said, inserted in the " Otago Daily Times " an advertisement inciting railway surfacemon to vote against Mr J. McKeiuie in the Waihemo election, and had distributed copies amOng the amployees. The Premier and Ministor lv Public Works abated that they hud not heard the circumstances of the affair until they woie mentioned in the JJouse. They agreed that it was a flagrant breach of discipline and promi&ed an exhaustive inquiry, and that the man should at least bo heveroly icprimanded. Mr Mclvenzie explained that he had not reported the matter to the Oo\ ornmenfi as he believed the man was not the real culpi-it, and that his action was only part of a deep-laid scheme to oust him from the scat. Other members stated that the Government employees often tookja very prominent part in elections.

UNPOPULAR RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. An attack was v ed on the General Manager of Railways this morning by Mr J. McKonzie, who moved that (.hat officer's salary bo reduced by C 250 a,s an instruction to tho Government that he should be dispensed with The Minister of Works strongly defended tho General Manager, whose unpopularity was, ho said, due to his peculiar manner, and to the fact that lie had to refuse applications made by members and the public. His management was far more economical and efficient than thafc of any \)ve\ ions administration. In two items of oil and tarpaulins alone, }<c had saved tho colony £5,000. The discus sion was carried on until 5 20, when the amendment was negatived by 32 to 21, Another amendment by Mi 1 McKenzie, reducing the total vote by ,ClO,OOO, wa,s carried iiem. con. The House till on adjourned till 7.30 p.m.

MANAGER MAXWELL. Tiieke is some feeling manifested to-dny al the failure ot Mie attempt to rod u re Mr Maxwell's salary with a view to getting 1 rid of his management of the railways. The Auckland members who voted for a reduction of his salary were — Mopsra G oldie, Lawry T. Thompson, Monk, and Sir G. M. O'Rorke. Those who voted against the reduction were — Messrs Carroll, TTra&er, Graham, 1 Jlobb?,' Jackson, Ke'ly, Mitchelson, Moat,' Peacock, R.T hompson, Withy.

THE CD. A. DECISION. An attempt will be raado at the meeting of the Petitions Committee this afternoon to upset yesterday's decision in favour of' the repeal of the, Contagious DiseaFG3 Act. There were five members out of the

ten present yostoi'day, and, three voted in favour of the repeal and two against. A full meeting iB expe ted this afternoon.

' VILLAGE .'SETTLEMENTS. It is very, probable that the Villag c Settlement .agitation will be ( successful. Major , Steward is drafting a series of resolutions on the subject, to intercept Supply. Tho Cabinet have not yet decided to mako any vote for the purpose, but tho Premier has in T formed a deputation that ,he hopes to make a proposal that will be satisfactory to them. There is money that would be available for this purpose without a special voto.

THE COUNCIL. In the Council, the Slaughter-house Act Amendment Bill has been read a eecond time, and the Middle Island Half-casoes' Gran's Bill and bhe State Forests Act Amendment Bill have been read a third timo and passsed.

RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS. Neither Mr Mitchelson nor Mr E. Richardson are likely to be appointed Railway Commissioners. The movement for iheir appointment emanated with Mr Joyce member ior Lyttelton. As 1 stated some weeks ago. Mr Maxwell and Mr liannaf are likoly to be two of the Commissionsrs and the third mey not improdably be some gentleman with large commeicialcxpeiience outside of the service. The Commissioners will be set up directly Parliament prorogues. The Cabinet have under consideration a number of alternative ocean mail service proposals, one of which is a, fortnightly service via San Francisco. They will probably make a recommendation to the House that they find so far that the cheapest service would be a weekly one via Brindisi on the principle of payment of matter by weight. This would uave JL'26,000 annually, and would bo proposed if the San Francisco Service is abolished.