HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3427, 16 December 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Last night. The House met at 11 a.m.

Mr Ireland asked the Minister for Public Works if in the event of the five million loan being obtained, they (the Government) will cause a survey of the railway line from Lawrence to Ettrick and Boxburgh. Mr Oliver replied that enquiries would bo made, and if it was found to be a desirable work for construction and the funds were at the disposal of Government then money would be ordered. THAMES M4.TTEES. Mr Speight asked the Minister of Defence (1) whether he has been informed that the Thames JSTaval Brigade boat, the property of the colony, is rotting and useless in consequence of the want of repairs and new sails, the materials for which wonld cost about £70? 2. Whether, in the event of such being the case, he will cauie the necessary sum to be provided j to render the boat of service on condition that the members of brigade do all the work of repairs and sail making free of charge?

Mr Hall said an application on this subject had been made. The Government would not be justified in placing any sum on the Estimates for the purpose, but they would cause enquiries, to be made, and if it was found necsssary-other provision would be made. THE AUCKLAND COKTHACTO*. Mr Speight asked what action was intended to be taken upon the report of Public Petitions Committee in the case of the petition of Jamts Dempsey, contractor, Auckland, reported upon the 11th December. Mr Oliver replied that the Committee of Inquiry had recommended that local inquiries should be made into the matter, 1 and the Government would cause that to be done. PROMOTION OF AOBICVLTXTBE. Mr Acton Adams asked whether the Government will take into consideration the desirability of promoting the establishment of a .National Agricultural and Pastoral Assocation, and whether they will place a sufficient sum on the Supplementary Estimate for that purpose. Mr Hall replied that the Government fully appreciated the importance of the question, and recognised that it would be their duty to encourage such an institution ; but, as no association of the kind had yet been organised, he would not be justified in asking the House to vote any money for the purpose.

COMBINATION OF OFF/CKS. Reviving to Mr Swansoh, Mr Hall said it was contrary to Civil Service Regulation for a General Government Relieving Officer to act as cha'rman or member of a County Council or Road Board.

Replying to Mr Gitborpe, Mr Hall said the Government would give effect to the, recommendation of the Public Petitions Committee of last session in the case of Mr R, O'Donovan, and permit the ease to be taken to a court of law, the Govern*

taent waving any technical forms that would prevent the matter in dispute being decided on its merits. THE WAIPU niTEB. Replying to Sir G. Grey, Major Atkinson .said steps would be taken to examine the entrance into the Waipu river to nstertuin what improvements can be effected in the navigation.

CLAIMS OVEB THE NATIVE WAS. On going into Committee of Supply, Mr Tole moved the claim of Mr Edinondc, respecting a boat belonging to him which had been captured in the year 1865 and destroyed by the hostile natives. The total value of the loss was estimated at £1280. V Mr Bryce said this was one of a num* her of similar claims, and the Government deiired to see the whole of them dealt with on a general basis. These claims in many instances were based on. a most exaggerated estimate, and this one was no exception to that rule. Still he thought there was some basis for these claims and he would like to see some general scheme adopted for adjusting them. His opinion was that the total amount of these claims would be found to be between £50,000 and £60,000.

Mr Kelly moved as an amendment that all claims be inquired into by the Government, aud provision made for their dis* cbargc.

Sir G. Grey thought it would be better that each claim should be decided upon its own merits, and as it came before them. For that purpose he would sup* port a sum being placed on the Estimates.

Mr Tole asked leare to withdraw hit motion which at first was refuted, bat afterwards agreed to. THOSE TELKGBAMS. Replying to Mr Tole, Mr Hal! taid the Government did not intend taking any further action with regard to the report of electioneering telegrams committee., v Mr Speight then mored that the Hoate do now proceed to consider the Election Telegrams Committee's report. Sir . George Grey alluded to the telegram sent by a mistake ef hit ■ecretary at a public telegram, he ought to hare been atked to pay that telegram before it was produced, and the Premier having neglected doing so riolated every principle of honor between gentlemen, as, when he tried to briug on the matter of these telegrams, the Premier tried to slink away, he tried to debar him from bringing on the matter. It was true he afterwards thought better of it, still that did not change the fact that ia the first instance he tried to burk _ the. point [Mr Wakefield: Ha! ha! ha!] 1 The member for Geraldine might laugh. That hon. gentleman invariably laughed at what was wrong, and sneered at what was right. What he complained of was that an attempt had been'made to jnjure others;, for himself he did not care if .erery telegram and private letter'he wrote had been produced. He hoped the House would pass a strong censure on the Government for its action in the matter. :*.

Mr Hall said he had day after day to submit to insult and slander at the hands of the morer and his followers. This wM only a repetition of these insults? but be left his character in the hands of the country as an answer to these assertions. He quoted from the evidence given before the committee to show that the telegram referred to had been written "on the public service only," in the handwriting and imitated by Sheehan. So much then for Sir G. Grey's sense of honor! Th» country Itnrw wli«t. tOe charges or slanders of the hon. member was worth. H« suggested that the telegram whisk had been improperly produced shodd b« returned to the office and the others laid on the table.

Mr Macandrew said the proceeding! from the beginning to end had actuated by party spirit, and in thin ease part spirit had over-reached itself. The whole bother had arisen out of a paltry question of £30. He was perfectly satisfied in hie own mind that the previous Government had made use of the Telegraph Depart* ment freely although from the nature of things,. facto cannot now be dearly established.

Mr Saunders said the question was not ■bout whether or not the colony had lost £30, but what was wanted was to ascertain the nature of the influence brought to bear on the late elections by Ministers* Two of these telegrams were directed to editors of newspapers asking: them to support one particular class of candidate to the prejudice of others. That was the nature of the influence they desired to arrive at, and not the mere question of a paltry sum of money. . , The debate was adjourned at 5.30.