HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3405, 20 November 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Last night. The House met at 2 30. LOCAL BUBSIDIE9.

Mr Pyke gnve notice he would more that this House will not consent to the abolition of local subsidies until adequate provision has been made for carrying on local works. RAILWAY CABS. Mr Pyke asked—(l.) Whether the Pullman cars, recently imported from America, are fitted with cast iron seats j and closed lamps P (2.) Whether the Minister for Public Works is of opinion that cast iron seats and closed lamps would add to the bodily comfort and safety of passengers in tho event of a collision or other accident involving a general smash ? (3.) Whether he will lay before this House a copy of the specifications of the Pullman carriages as sent to the New York agent, together with a statement from the Engineer-in Charge of the Middle Island of the height of each tunnel on the Christchurchlnvercargill E'ailway ; ai3o the height of carriages as imported ? Hon. Mr Oliver replied to the first question yes, but that the danger was very smull indeed. the 2nd question he did not think the House wished to get his opinion. The 3rd point was replied to in the affirmative. COLLIKGWOOD AND KAKAMEA. Beplying to Mr Gibbs, the Hon. Mr Bolleston said that Government was already in possession of sufficient information regarding the country lying between Collinpwood and the Karameu, by: way of Happy Valley, with a view of ascertaining the possibility of opening up an available road through that country; and also opening up of the land along the route of settlement

Mr Tole asked if the Government will make provision on the estimates for the equalisation of the salaries of gaol officials throughout the colony. The Hon. Mr Eolleston replied that Government was perfectly alive to the inequality of these salaries, and that provision would be made upon the estimates for remedying the defect. NATIVE LAND PURCHASE SYSTEM. Eeplying to the Hon. MrGisborne, the Hon. Mr Bryce said Government was afraid it was too late in the session to bring in a bill to amend the existing native land purchase system. FHOPEETY TAX. The Hon. Mr Gisborne asked the Colonial Treasurer to what specific American Act ho referred, when in his financial statement he asked the House to impose a property tax, upon the American model. Major Atkinson replied —to the New York Btatu3 Ordinances for the year 1859. Beplying to Mr Kelly, Mr Bryce said that the return had been laid on the table showing the blocks of native land purchased from natives in the Worth Island since 1870. YOLUHTEKR ARTILLERY. Mr Shanks asked what steps they intend to take with a view to supplying the volunler artillery batteries with a proper complement of field guns, and whether a sum will be placed upon the estimates for procuring the necessary guns ? Also if the Government propose any increase in the capitation at present paid to the artillery corps ? And if so, to what extent ?

Mr Hall replied that the Government had the matter under consideration. The Government recognised the importance of increasing the capitation paid, but in the present financial state of the colony no increase could be made.

CUSTOMS DUTIES,

On the motion of Mr Georße, the Government agreed to produce a re'urn in a tabulated form showing the value of and duty paid to the Customs on spirits, tea, and sugar which have been cleared from the various bonds in tho colony for the respective weeks ending 27th September," 4lh October, 11th October, 18th October, Ist November, Bi.h November, and 15th November, and also the value of and duty paid ou the above named articles for the corresponding period of tho year 1878.

beeves' petition. Mr J. B. Fisher moved—"That this House resolro itself into a Committee to consi-Jer the following resolution : * That this House concurs in the report of" the Goldfield Committee upon the petition of Richard Eeeves and others, of Charleston and Westport, Nelson, South west Goldfields, and recommends the Government to make provision accordingly.' " The motion wss put and carried. OUE BAILWAY AGAIN.

Mr Murray moved —" That tlie law officers of the Government be instructed to prepare and submit a euse to the judges to decide as to the legality, or otherwise of certain expenditure by-the Government upon railway and reclamation works at Graharastown, and between Graiianistown and Te Arabs. , Mr Macandrew suggested that the motion should be withdrawn. It would open up a party question, and lead to endless discussion. Mr Hall thought the motion would not lead (o anj practical result. At the same time he did not thiuk it would lead to any parly question. Mr Murray withdrew the motion, which was agreed to.

MODEST YOUNG WHITAKEIt. Mr Wllitttker moved that this llouie

will to-morrow resolve itself into a comtuittee of the whole to consider a respectful address to be presented to His Kxcellency the Governor praying that he will cause the sum of £200,000 to be placed upon the Estimates as a grant to the Provincial District of Auckland for the formation of roads and bridges.

Mr Murray moved the adjournment of debate. The House divided —Ayes 33, noes 20. Motion for adjournment wai carried.

KATIVE LAND I'UIiCHASEBS. The interrupted debate on the question that there be laid before this House a return of all persons who have been employed since Ist January, 1870, on matters connected with the purchase of nativo lands, or any other native matters, whose salaries have not been voted by this House, siiowing tho amount of salary or allowance paid to each officer since that date, the amount due to each, ami whether tin; payments have been made out of loan or general revenue.

The motion was put and carried. "mistkk kees." Mr Button moved there be laid before the House—(l) Copy of voucher for £400 or thereabouts paid Mr W. L. Itees in July or August last on account of legal advice on some matters on the' West Coast; (2) a copy of any correspondence that might hare taken place between Mr Kees and the Government in reference thereto, and any legal opinion supplied to the Government. '■--■, Jh-

Mr Kelly argued that the. question involved the application of the Disqualification Act. Mr Itees, at the time, the payment was made, having been a mem* ber of the Honse. ■ \ '-.

Mr Tole moved the previous question. The correspondence asked for might involve the confidential relations which ought to exist between solicitor and clieut.

Hon. Mr Bryce said that, so far as he knew, Mr Eees had supplied the Government with no legal opinion, and no correspondence had taken place such as that referred to. . ;

Mr Bowen said that he gathered from what had been said that payment had been made, and he thought it was per* fectly right (hat full information should be given as to the purpose for which that money had been disburs- d.

Mr Sutton said he had good reason to believe that the sum indicated had been paid. He considered that circumstances justified him in demanding the fullest information.

Mr Sheehan said that money had been paid through the Maori member in the Cabinet for the purpose of defending the Maori prisoners. . These were the facts of the vase, and as regards the policy of the payment, that was a matter for the House to decide. He reminded them that the prisoners were entitled to hire counsel retained under certain circumstances at the expense of the Crown. Considering the question of policy involved in the apprehension of these Maori prisoners, he concluded the Government was quite justified in defraying the cost.

Mr McLean thought the motion.a rery proper one, and pointed out that if it was deemed necessary to defray the expense of counsel for these prisoners it ought, to bavo been considered first by the House.

Hon. Mr Hall considered that the House had a perfect right (o inquire into the nature of this payment, more especially seeing that it was to gentlemen when members of the House. He thought Government was justified in incurring the expense although he was aware that the prisoners themselves were opposed to the debt being incurred. In fact, they did not wish legal assistance to be retained for them. He hoped that no effort would be made to bury the question. ■ - . Hon. Mr Gisbornc i>aid that when the matter was spoken of in r the Cabinet nothing was said as to the particular c^uusul to be employed. All that was done was to agree that the money be advanced for defence of the Maori prisoners, and it was left with the prisoners themselves to select their counsel.

Major Atkinson said that the Maori prisoners knew nothing whatever about this matter, and they had repudiated it altogether. He produced and read a letter from Mr Buller, counsel for the Maori prisoners, stating that they declined from the first to accept any assistance from the Government towards defraying the cost of their defence. They had provided a fund for that purpose, and that from the first they declined to allow Mr Eees to have anything whatever to do with their defence. ;

Mr iVfacandrrw said it was very plain that the whole thing had arisen in cousequence of Mr Eees having been retained instead of Mr Buller. ' .

The previous question was put and carried on the voices.

THE VENGEFUL MCLEAN. . Mr McLuau moved that respectful address be presented to His Excellency the Governor praying that he will cause to be laid before the House all correspondence between the Marquis of Normanby and the Premier relative to the refusal to grant the use of tho Hinenioa to conrey His Excellency and family to Melbourne, together with copies of all enclosures therein. The motion was carried. • ■ LAND BETUBX. Mr Ormond racved for a return of all lan Js disposed of on deferred payments in each provincial district since the passing of " The Land Act," 1877, such ret^a to specify the acreage of each selection/pMce » paid and where situate ; also what expenditure has been incurred (if any) *in opening each laud up for occupation. The motion was carried. AUCKLAND DEFENCE VOBCE. Mr Hatalin moved that a select com* mittee be appointed to inquire into the claims of members of the late Auckland Defence Force and report to this House • within 3 weeks. The motion was carried.

OTAGO HAEBOE IJOABDMr Stewart moved that the petition of of tho Otago Harbor Board presented on Bih August last bo referred to a select committee of ten members, consisting of Montgomery, Dick, Brown, Oliver, Hirst, Ballance, Ormond, Driver McCaughan, and the movor, five to bo a quorum, to report within three weeks. The motion was carried.

HOKITIKA GBEYMOCTH BAILWAY. ; Mr lleid moved that a select committee consisting of Messrs Maeandrew, Gisborno, Ormond, Masters, McLean, Wood, George, Seddon, Bunny and the mover, three to form a quorum, be appoiuted to inquire and report to this House upon the expediency of diverting the proposed line of railway between Hokitika and Greymouth, in order that it may pass through or bo connected with Kumara, Goldborough and Staffordtown, the committee to have power to call for papen M)d

persons, and to ivport in a fortnight. Tho motion was carriod.

MESSAGE FKOM HIS EXCKLLESCY

The House went into Committee on a message from the Governor recommending that the payment of member*' expenses bo provided for by the Stato. The recommendation was adopted, and ou resuming, a Bill to that efF ot '.ras introduced, providing for the payment of members ou the scale at present in forco.

SECOND HEADING*. On the motiou of Mr Seymour, tho Mnrlborottgh Hirers Uuion Bill was read a second time. Ou the ma! ion of Mr Macandrow. t!io Olago University Leasing Bill was read a second time. COUNTY OF TIMAUU. The adjourned debate ou the question that the proposed new County of Tirnaru should not be constituted was resumed. Mr Hall moved that the proposed county should not come into operalion until the close of next session. On a division the amendment was carried—Ayes '14, noes 25. THE BATING ACT AMENDMENT. The Eating Act, 1876, Amendment No. 2 was read a second time, considered in committee, and reported without amendTHE MAORI EPIDEMIC. Mr Tomoana drew the attention of tho Government to the epidemicragi"}? in his district, and hoped something would be dontf for its abatement.

Mr Bryco promised that enquiries should be made for thnt purpose.

AUCKLAND MATTEBS,

The Auckland Improvement Commissioners Transfer of Powers Bill was further considered in committee. Mr Tole moved that it be referred to a Select Committee.

Tho Bill passed, and on resuming it was reported without amendment.

LICENSING- LAWS.

The Licensing Further Amendment Bill, (No. 2) was further considered in Committee, nnd after a short discussion, a motion that progress be reported aud leave granted to sit again was carried. The High School Endowment Investment Bill was read a second time. The motion for the second reading was carried. DISTBICT COURTS. The District Courts Acts, 1858, Amendment Bill was farther* considered in Committee. The Bill passed with amendment, and on being reported was read a third time and passed. 3IINEBS' BIGHTS. The Miners' Eight" Fees Reduction Bill was committeed. It wns agreed that the Bill should not affect the native lands. The Bill was reported as •mended, and read a third time and passed. LAND CLAIMS. The Land Claim Arbitration Bill was brought as far as the second reading and the debate was adjom'n-'d for a week. HAMILTON.VOLUNTEER HALL. The Hamilton Volunteer Hall Site Act Amendment Bill was committed. The Bill was reported with amendment to title. MINES ACT AMENDMENT. . The Mines Act Amendment Bill was committed and reported with amendment. '■