LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 266, 15 August 1872, Page 3

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Per New Zealand Press Association. ■■ ' 0 PARLIAMENTARY. DEBATE ON REMOVAL OF ASSEMBLY TO DUNEDIN. BBOGDEN’S RAILWAY PROPOSALS.— MR CURTIS’S MOTION REGARDING POWERS OVER PUBLIC WORKS. —THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT READY. . 4 WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The Highway Boards Empowering Bill has passed through Committee, a clause being inserted to compel all rating to be on the annual or selling value. Mr Sheehan gave notice to move the re-committal of the bill for the purpose of authorising an acreage rate. Mr . Wood moved a resolution expressing regret at the present session not being held in Dunedin, as resolved by the House last session. The Government explained that,

finding that the resolution had been carried in the then House, and as it appeared from the debates, under the belief that the expense would not be above £2,000. They had, on finding the cost really to be above £5,000, thought it advisable to give the House an opportunity of re-considering the matter. The removal would also have interfered with the proper organisation of the Public Works Department, and with negotiations with Mr Brogden. Messrs Reid, Brown (Canterbury), Reynolds, and Bathgate thought that the reasons were insufficient to justify a refusal by the Government to carry

out the resolution of the House. Messrs Harrison, McGlashan, White, and Wakefield expressed their approval of the course taken by the Government. The motion was then withdrawn. The Tramways Bill was strongly opposed in the Legislative Council by Messrs Waterhouse, Campbell, and Holmes. The second reading passed, however. In reply to the motion by Mr Gray, Mr Hall explained the reasons for the Government refusing to entertain Brogden’s Railway Company proposals. He said that they would disturb all the arrangements already sanctioned by Parliament, and would cause delay in the construction of public works, and also remove almost all control from the hands of*the Government and increase the liability of the colony. At present 187 miles of railway were contracted for at an average cost of £4,808 per mile. The Company required permission to expend £BOOO per mile, which on the proposed 1480 miles here represents nearly twelve millions. The colony might have to pay per cent on this, which, long before, 40 years, would be a very high rate of interest.

The proposals, if accepted, would shut opt all local enterprise and competition.

The Government were ready to entertain any further or new proposals likely to be for the benefit of the colony. In reply to a question by Mr Sheehan, Mr Gisborne said he would appoin. a resident Returning Officer for Rodney, if any suitable person residing in the district would take the office.

Mr Healey stated that Mr O’Neill’s survey of the extension of the Kaipara Railway to Auckland was under consideration, but no decision hqd been arrived at,

Mr Creighton’s motion for printing papers relative to the claim of John Kelly for compensation was carried. Mr Fitzherbcrt again tried to obtain a second reading of the Wanganui Bridge Bill. Fox opposed, but the motion was carried by 24 to 23. Curtis’s motion comes on to-night.

The Government announced that they will not proceed with further business till it is disposed of. The Treasurer is ready to deliver his financial statement immediately that question is settled—probably on Friday or Tuesday, Hall has given notice to bring in a bill to limit the number of paid Ministers entitled to sit in Parliament. It is said that a bill will be brought in by the Government shortly to unite Westland and the south-west Nelson goldfields under County Government. GREYMOUTH. Wednesday. The first crushing of the Golden Fleece, at Reefton, gave 2,5000zs of amalgam from only 400 tons stone. NELSON. Wednesday. Another resolution expressing disappointment in Government regarding the Foxhill railway has been passed at a meeting called by the Deputy-Superin-tendent. There were about 400 persons present. HOKITIKA. Wednesday. At an influential meeting held to-day it was resolved that, in the opinion of the meeting, Westland and Nelson sonth-west goldfields should be united pnder one local Government, under the present form if possible, and that the Assembly be memorialised on the subject. Greville telegraphs ns follows to the Evening Star — WELLINGTON. Wednesday. In the House last night, in reply to Mr Shepherd, Mr Reeves said that the Government intended to distribute £300,000 in water supply to the goldfields, between the Otago, Coast, and Thames goldfields. The labourers on the Picton railway knocked off work on Wednes-

day last, and have done no work •ince. They expected piece work, but the prices the men will not take. Large numbers of the men are walking about the town without money or food. A public meeting of the inhabitants was held last night, at which a resolution was unanimously condemning the action oT Gwynneth, the engineer. A committee was appointed, headed by Connolly, the barrister, to communicate with the Colonial Secretary and the Superintendent of the Province, to insist that Brogden should provide work or support the men.