LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 220, 27 September 1901, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

TauBSiUY, 26th Seftekbbb. The Council met at 2.30. p.Ol, The Charitalle Gifts Bill and Trot* tee Amendment Bill were read a second time. 1 h The Exportation of Anus Bill and Promissory Oatl's Bill parsed tbeir final stages without amendment, and the Council rose at 3.15 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thubsday, 26th Skptsmbb*. The Hr uno nitt a', 2.30 p.m. Mr. Napier gave notice to ask tba Government if it will introduoe legislation (his siiKion to provide that New Zealand be designated a State instead of a colony. The Acting-Speaker, in reply to a point raited by Mr. Seddon, aaid that as the session was approaching within measurable distance of completion ha would give facilities for parsing Bills through a'l stages at one sit ing. This would only apply to Bills which nert reported from committee. In reply to Mr. Pirani, tbe Acting* Speaker siid it had been decided not to make a permanent appointment this session to the Hansard staff in plaoe of Mr. Crow. A temporary appointment had been made Several application! had been made for the vacant position of Sergeant-at-Atmf, but no recommendation bad yet been made. The Canterbury College Empowering Ac', 1900, Am<ndnunt Bill (Mr. G. W. Russell) was introduoed and read a first time. A Bill to make provision for re-im-ibur»ement of certain expenses incurred by his Excellency the Governor in counce'ion with tbo R >yal visit to New Zealand was brought down by Gov.rccr'ft taeta^ge. Mi. Seddon explain d that tbe Bill was brought down because exception bad been taken to certain items appearing on tbe Estimates. After a lengthy discussion tbs Bill

-was re>d a first time on the voices. At 4.45 p.m. the House went into Committee of Supply for further ccnsideration of the Estimates, The vote for Miscellaneous S*rv:ces of the Colon'al Secretary's Department Items of expenses connected with the Royal visit were first condde>ed. On the motion of Sir Joseph Ward, the item " Grant to Governor in reimbursement of expenses incurred by him in connection with the Royal visit, £2,250," was struck out. Mr. Pirani asked explanation of item "Grant to Mr. Rhodes, Miyor of Ohristchurch, reimbursement of expenses incurred by him, £249." Mr. Seddon said this was in payment of liabilities (tradesmen's Bccounts, etc.) incurred by Mr. Rhodes on behalf of (he Government daring the stay of the Royal pirty in Chriscchurch. Considerable discussion ensued, which, was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment,

Evening Sitting,

Too Howe resumed at 7.30 p.m. Items of expenses connected with Hie visit were further discussed, and eventually the Rhodes item was passed without alteration. Mr. Maney moved to omit tbe jtem " grant to "MinisUre and their secre- j tariea, in reimbursement of expenses incurred by them (including XISO for Ordinary travelling allowance) £360, The motion was lost by 36 to 19. At tii* item " reviews and massing of troop) and cadets at various centre?, with freights, parage*, and incidental expenses connected therewith, £20,000," Mr. Pirani condemned the taogjing tbat had occurred in connection with the transport troops at the fthnn of the Royal visit, and complained that same of the volunteers had not yet received the allowance promised

them. Mr. T«nnnr strongly oondemnpd the administration of the Defence Dapaitnent, nying it was the minaged v.«od most scandalously extravagant departeent in the colony. Tbe British War Office was a fool to it. Mr. Bddon said that as to the payment ot.tbe. men be bad cn'y to-day received vouchers for Otago, whic. should have been in weeks ago. If his officers did not sharpen dp in thesmattam he would bave to look for a fraah lot. The men should not bave been kept out of their money so long A 8 to the Christchurch review, general satisfaction had been expressed at its management. As to the Newtowi. camp affair, it was sub jvdke, as the evidence of the Committee of Inquiry i had been, foiwaided to officers concerned, and they had baen asked to report on it. He cocsideied, howevf r, Newtown Park should never have been selected %sa site for the camp. The <nterer for the camp had not yet been p-iid. Mr. Wi'Jis thought it was extremely | unjust to attempt, to put all the blatn' for the Newtown Park muddle on the shoulders of the officer in charge of t b* camp - lieutenant-Colonel Somerville. He' believed- when the proptr time came that officer would ba able to vindicate himself. The heads of the Defence Department should bear the blame.

Mr. Symes defended Colonel Somerville, and pointed oa* that his repeated suggestions to the officer in command of the district had been ignored. Sir Joseph Ward said the whole cost of the Soy&l Gommfrsioneero and their expenses was £467. Mr. fi. J. Smith considered the (Jhristchurch review reflected great | credit on the Defence Minister. Some I exception had been taken to the cost,| bat sorely if the thing was worth doing at all it was worth doing well. Mr. Pira'l moved ti r»duc» th> itim by £5, a' iudic'ting tbe dsapproval of the H u«5 rt the arrangein nts.

Af'er roan di'cmsion (be nrotio wa« loit, aad tbe item bb a'.ter d.