WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2048, 28 July 1875, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Tuesday. Parliamentary. In the House of Representatives— Leave of absence for a week was granted to Mr Tolmie. . : Mr Inglis asked what steps had been taken- for the erection of a bridge over the Clarence river. ; Mr Richardson was understood to saythat there had been some difficulty about the site, bat that the matter would be attended to as soon as possible. In'reply to Mr Inglis, ,as to whether it is the intention of the Government to take any action with re gard to carrying out th 6 provisions of the .Diseased Cattie from districts between the Clarence and Con ways rivers ? He would suggest that if any competent veterinary surgeon were sent down, he should not be a person resident in New Zealand." The Native Minister explained what had' been already done by the Government in the matter, but said they would take the case into consideration, with a view of obtaining some properly qualified persons to report on the subject. In reply to Mr O'Neill, the Native Minister said the Government" would be glad to co-operate with the Superintendent oi Auckland with regard to introducing a bill during the present session, providing for handing over the foreshore at Grahamstown and Shortland to the Thames Municipality. Mr O'Neill introduced plans of the Towns Regulation Bill, which was read a first time. ' ' .

Mr Atkinson moved the second-reading of the Waste Lands Act Amendment Bill; the principal object of-which is to enable the Governor in Council to withdraw land -from reservation under the Waste Lands Act of 1858. It was read a second time* and referred to the Waste Lands Committee.

Upon the Minister of Justice asking leave to introduce a bill to amend the Stamp Duty Act, Mr Macaudrew asked for. some further information regarding the bill before going any further. Mr Bowen said there were papers laid upon the table which .afforded all the necessary information regarding the measure.

Mr Luckie said that such an Act was one that was exceedingly required.

In reply to the Speaker, the Minister of Justice said the bill did contain one or two small alterations from Acts- now in operation. The Speaker said it would then be necessary for him to see the Bill before being submitted to the House, to ascertain whether they would not have to go into Committee of Ways and Means on the Bill.

Upon leave being asked to introduce an Immigration Indemnity Expenditure Bill, the object of which is to indemnify the Colonial Treasurer and all others for the expenditure of £'84,000 for the service; of the financial year ending June 30, 1875, and. for charging the same on the accounts of the said year, Mr Macandrew objected to the consent being given until some sort of explanation was accorded the House.

Mr Reader Wood said he too wanted a little more information with regard to the bill. The' House would no doubt recollect how they had been assured by the Colonial Treasurer, how utterly impossible it was for any Government, under the present system of audit, to spend a single shilling that had not been sanctioned by the House, and how this eighty-four thousand pounds was spent. How this coach and horses was driven through one of their Acts was something that he would like to know.

, Mr Atkinson said if he had been in his place earlier, he would not have required an explanation of the circumstance. It arose in this way:. Shortly after coming into office as Minister of Immigration, he found, through a mere technicality in the> Ac!;, the appropriation of £200,000 had expired last session of Parliament. It was supposed before," ■ that the power was continuous, but the auditors thought differently. The question then presented itself, either Parliament must.be called together to vote the necessary funds, or immigration must be reduced, or some other steps must be taked to "enable immigration to be kept up, which it was wise should be. so kept up. The course he adopted was only to explain the circumstances of the case to the auditors, and he told, them he believed that Parliament was not desirous of being called together just then; but they were desirous of securing immgration to go on, and he would take upon himself to order the Agent-General's accounts not to be brought to the public accounts until the end of the financial year. Mr. Sheehan suggested that, as the bill related to a breach of the law, it should be referred to the Finance Com-, mittee. Considering the vigour the Government displayed in this instance in driving a coach and four through an Act of Parliament, he could not help contrasting the scrupluousness they displayed when dealing with a few hundred pounds claimed by the Auckland province.

Mr Atkinson said he had no objection to submit a bill to tho Finance Committee. Without further remark the bill was read a second time. Mr Rolleston gave notice of motion regarding the desirability of enquiring into

the mode in which the Government busi- ] ness with the Bank of. New Zealand was conducted, and whether it would not be expedient to alter the present system. Sir G. Grey gave several notices of motion, first for any report or correspondence relating to alleged illegal issue of miners* rights at Ohjnemuri; second, for Sf committee to inquire into the whole circumstances of the acquisition and transfer to provincial administration of the Tairua block ; third, for as copy 3>f all correspondence between Colonel McDonald and the Native Minister and Mr Brissenden. Mr Sheehan gave notice that he would, ask whether the Government had consulted the Jaw officer'-as^t'q the legality of the appointment of Sir .Julius Vbgel as Postmaster-General; also as to the exact date at. which the, .present Parliament expired. The Native Minister gave notice that he would ask for leave of absence for Sir J. Vogel for the remainder of the sessions':.. . . - ■'•;• % V. ;. . The House adjourned at 430 p.m.