GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1392, 15 September 1885, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met 2.30 p.m, on Friday. The Goldmining Districts Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council went into Commiltee on the Public Revenues Bill and Public Works Bill. The former was read a third time and passed, and progress was reported on the latter. The Property Assessment Bill was then read a third time and passed. The Justice of the Peace Bill was committed, and reported with amendments,

The Auckland Harbor Board Bill was read a first time, A communication was received from the House to the effect that as a Committee of the Council had proposed to question Mr Bryce regarding words used in a debate in the House, the House revoked the leave granted (he hon. gentleman to give evidence before that Committee. The Council rose at 4.55 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Mr Bryce called attention to what he considered was a breach of privilege of the House. He explained that he had been summoned before a Committee of the Legislative Council in order to give evidence in the petition of Taiaroa. Finding, however, that the evidence desired to be given related to the power of the Crown over a sum of £4OO which was referred to in a speech made in the House of Representatives by Colonel Trimble, he had, with all respect to the Committee, asked to be allowed to withdraw, as he could not give evidence before it. H« now desired to leave the matter in the hands of the Speaker. After a few remarks by the Speaker and other members, the Bon. Mr Stout moved a resolution to the effect that the attention of the Council be called to the improper conduct of the Committee, and the leave given to Mr Bryce to attend before the Committee, bo revoked. This was carried.

Mr Dargaville gave notice to ask the Government whether they would take steps to remove the electric light from the House of Representatives, as it had proved so injurious to the eyes of the honorable members. The Hon, Mr Stout moved that the House at its rising adjourn till Monday, at 2.30 p,m., for Government business only.—Agreed to. Several questions relating to the North Island were replied to.

The Hon. Mr Ballance moved the second reading of the Special Powers and Contracts Bill. He asked that the Bill be referred to the Waste Lauds Coraanittee.—Agreed to. The Hon. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill.—Agreed to.

The debate on Mr Russell's motion and Mr Callaghan’s amendment was then resumed by Mr Barron. Messrs Harper, Kerr, Macandrew, Pyke, Turnbull, Hobbs, Duncan, Hitch, and Levestam having spoken, Mr O’Callaghan’s motion was put and lost on the voices. Mr Russell’s motion was put and carried on a division by 44 to 29. The following is the division list:—Ayes: Allwright, Atkinson, Barron, Beetham, Bevan, Bruce, Bryce, Buchanan. Buckland W. F., Conolly, Dodson, Garrick, Guinness, Hamlin, Harper, Hislop, Hobbs, Holmes, Hursthouse, Ivess, Johnston, Kerr, Luke, Lance, Levestam, Locke, Macandrew, McMillan, Menteath, Mitchelson, O’Callaghan, Peacock, Pearson, Richardson G. F., Ross, Russell, Samuel, Steward W, J., Sutter, Thomson, J. W., Trimble, Walker, White W, Whyte J. B, Noes ; Ballance, Bradshaw, Brown, Buckland J. C., Gudman, Cowan, Dargaville, Duncan, Filzherbert, Gore, Hatch, Macarthur, Mackenzie M. J. S., McKenzie J., Moss, Newman, O’Connor, Pratt, Wi Pere, Pyke, Richardson E., Seddon, Smith, Stewart W. D., Stout, Te Ao, Thompson T., Turnbull, Reid. Pairs. Ayes: Hurst W. J., Fulton, Hirst H., Rolleston, Wilson. Noes : Grace, Larnach, Joyce, Tole, Reese. Mr Macandrew explained that he had voted with the “ ayes ” because he had paired with Mr Montgomery and found himself located in the Chamber. The House went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Public Works Estimates.

Item ; Kawakawa Railway, £4IOO. Major Atkinson said the House had just passed a resolution affirming that the Estimates should be reduced by a certain sum. He hoped the Minister for Public Works would lead the Committee in the matter.

The Hon. Mr Richardson said he should only move the reductions as he came to the items.

A long discussion then arose, several members contending that Mr Richardson distinc'ly slated a few nights ago that he would not move the reductions himself if the motion for reduction were carried. Mr Rolleston said that the Government having accepted Mr Russell's motion it was their place to see that the reductions were properly made.

The Hon. Mr Stout said he had distinctly stated that the Government would not take back the Estimates. He contended that the Oppoaition .were pursuing a very unfair course.

Major Atkinson said the Premier had slated that he would resign his position if Mr Russell’s motion were carried.

The Hon, Mr Stout gave this statement an absolute contradiction.

Major Atkinson said it was not unreasonable in the Committee asking what particular votes were to bo reduced. The Hon. Mr Richardson said the reductions would amount to about £430,000.

Major Atkinson asked whether that amount was in proportion to the £500,000 ordered to be taken off by the House. The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel said the Member for Egmont had mistaken the position. The Government had said that in obedience to the will of the House they should not make Mr Russell’s motion a party question. The Minister for Public Works had also stated that he was prepared to point out where reductions were to be made, but he would vote against them. The Hon. Mr Richardson said the following reductions could be made in the votes for railways, without impairing existing contracts:—Hunt.ley branch, £7500 out of £12,000 ; Helensville northwards, £20,000; Hauiilton-Grahamslown, £11,000; Palmerston, £55,000 out of £114,000 ; Main Trunk line, Marten to TeAwamutu, £48,000 out of £178,000 ; East and West Coast Railway, £149,000 ; Picton, £BOOO out of £25,000 ; Livingston branch, £BOOO out of £17,400; Otago Central, £25,000 out of £151,600; Waimea, £10,000; and in additions to opened railways, £20,000. This would make a total reduction of £375,000. Item : Kawakawa Railway, £4IOO. Passed.

Item : Whangarei-Kamo Railway, £3200. —Carried. Item ; Huntley branch, £12,100. —Reduced by £11,500. Item ; Helensville northwards, £20,000, —Struck out.

■ - ' —- Item : Hamilton-Oambridge, £I4OO. Hamilton-Graliarastown, £40,000. —Reduced by £II,OOO. Item • Napier-Woodville and Palmer■ton North, £114,000.- Red need by Wellington-Woodville, £46,500. Itein ; NewPlymouth-Foxton, £26,500. —Carried. „ . Item : Wellington-Foxton, £IOOO. — Carried. . Item : Main Trunfc line, Marton to le Awamutu, £178,000. Reduced by £48,000. Item : Bast and West Coast line, £150,000.— Bedueed by £149,000, by 70 to 12* and a vote of £IOOO was carried. Item: Greymouth-Hokitika, £15,100. —Reduced by £BOOO. Item : Hurunui, Southwards, £25,500. —Reduced by £BOOO. Item : Hurunui, Northwards, £7200, Carried. Item ; Hurunui - Waiapara, £9200. — Carried. Item: Upper Ashburton branch, £7900. —Carried, Item : Lincoln River, £ls,9oo.—Carried. Item : Albury branch extension, £3OO, —Carried. Item ; Oxford and Sheffield and White Cliffs extension, £4100,--Carried. Item ; Livingston branch, £17,400. — Reduced by £BOOO. Item ; Palmeratßn-Waihemo, £BBOO. — Carried. Item : Gatlin River branch, £II,BOO. — Carried. Item : Waipahi-Heriotburn, £I2OO. — Carried. Item: Edendale-Toitoi, £sooo.—Carried. Item; Otago Central, £151,600. — Reduced by £25,000. Item : Lumsden-Mararos, £SIOO. — Carried. Item : Waimea, £IO,OOO.- Struck out. Item: Seaward branch, £71,000. — Carried. Item: Riverton-Orepuki, £5200. — Carried. Hem : Additions to open lines, £172,000. —The Minister for Public Works suggested that the. item be reduced by £15,000. —Agreed to. Item : Permanent Way and Rolling Stock, £26B,ooo.—Carried. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 4.50 a.m.