GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2084, 12 August 1890, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOO3E OP RBPafiaBNTATIVES,

On Friday, A motion that the House sit on Monday at 7.30p.m. for the consideration of Major Steward’s (Waimate) motion relating to the elective form of government was shelved, owing to the House resolving to proceed to the Orders of the Day.

THE HONOBAEIUM.

On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Stewart (Dunedin West) moved as an amendment—- “ That having regard to the reductions which the House had been making in the estimates, and especially in the salaries of Civil Servants, with a view to further retrenchment, the House should resolve to reduce the honorarium paid to members by £SO, and that the Government be requested to bring in a Bill this session te give effect to this proposal.” He remarked that if members were not prepared to sacrifice themselves, they had no. right to reduce the salaries of Civil Servants as they were doing. The amendment, after having been discussed for a long time, was rejected by 49 to 19 votes. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House went into Committed of Supply for consideration of the Estimates. Mines and Lands Department — Inspecting Engineer, £SOO. Mr Grimmond had previously moved that this irem be omitted.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The- House resumed ai 7.30 in Committee on the Estimates.

Mr Seddon spoke at great length condemning the administration of the Mining Department generally. Mr Reeyes (Inangahau) accused the Government of gross carelessness in the management ©f the mines. Mr Fish thought Mr Fergus had clearly shown his unfitness for official life, and he hoped when the number of ministers was reduced Mr Fergus would give himself happy despatch by being the minister who should retire from the cabinet voluntarily without being asked by bis colleagues to do so. After a lengthy discussion the motion to strike out the item inspecting engineers’ salary £SOO was lost, as also was the motion to reduce it by £SO.

The item Inspector of Mines, £325, was reduced by £25. Geological and Meteorological Department—£33so. Mr Thompson (Auckland Worth) moved to reduce the total vote. Mr Fish moved to reduce the vote by £675. Carried on tho voices.

After a scene the miscellaneous vote, £12,540, was cut down by £IBSO on the motion of Mr Thompson (Maraden). Mr Fish accused Mr Hislop of saying to Mr Fergus “ don’t give way to that bully ’* (referring to Marsden Thompson) and Mr Thompson bore him out in his statement, but several of the occupants of the Ministerial bench declared that the words used were “don’t be bullied,” with no personal reference to any particular member.

Progress was then reported and the House rose at 8,15 a.m.