PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3628, 12 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Peb Peess Association.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Last Night's Sitting.

Wellington, Tuesday. The House resumed at 7.30. THAMES AND WAIKATO EAILWAY.

Sir George Grey to-day introduced the Thames and Waikato Railway Bill, which was rrad a first time.

Mr F. A. Whitaker obtained leave to introduce the Hamilton and Omaha Bailway Bill, and Hamilton and Cambridge Railway Bill. He withdrew the Cambridge and JNapier Kail way Bill, and was refused leave to introduce the Tukekoke and Waiuku Eailway Bill.

THE EAILWAY COMMISSIONEBS' BEPOBT

• On the motion for going into.Supply, Mr. Fyke moved that this house is of opinion that the report of the Royal Commission on Railways in so far as it deals with lines which hare never been submitted to or sanctioned by Parliament was unnecessary and uncalled for. That in so far as it condemned railway lines constructed, which have, after due consideration and careful enquiry, been sanctioned by the House, the said enquiry has no sufficient foundation, and should be regarded as a mere expression of individual opinion hastily formed without any special knowledge or experience on the subject. That it would therefore be unwise and highly detrimental to the best interests of the colony for Government to shape its public work policy upon the opinions and recommendations embodied in the said report. He spoke at considerable length, showing, that the Commissioners' report on the 61ago central line was entirely unjustified by the evidence, and that do personal inspection was made. Mr Shrimuki defended the report on that line. Mr Levin protested against the report as affecting the Fox ton Wellington line. Mr Fulton supported Mr Pyke's protest against the report on the"Central Otago line. Mr Stewart spoke to the same effect. Dr Wallis thought the report was an admirable, honest, and straightforward one. EBTIMATEB. The House was occupied till early this morning on the Estimate*. On the railways vote, £68,918 4s 8d f Mr Oliver proposed to reduce the item to £48,889. Mr Speight asked if it was meant that cleaners, set down at 6s Cd and 6s per day, were to be reduced 10 per cent. Mr Oliver replied that they did not undertake to make 10 per cent, reductions on any item. On some they might make more, and on others less. A number of items w*re passed with various reductions.

This day. The debate being continued, Mr Oliver said while the Government were not prejudiced to accept all its recommendations they regarded the report of the Eailway Commissioners as a most useful one, for which a debt of gratitude was due to the Commissioners.

Mr Whitaker defended the report and its author's. Sir W. Fox, while not agreeing with Mr PykeV motion, conourred in the report ou the Fox ton-Wel-lington line.

Mr Reeves condemned the report in toto while Messrs Hurstand Harris defended the report, the former quoting a quantity of figures to show how Auckland had not received its fair share of the public works expenditure as compared with other parts of the colony. On Mr Wright's motion the debate was adjourned, and the House toss at 12.20.