HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5158, 29 July 1885, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. The Hcuse met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions, it was stated that Government did not see their^way to put any further sum on the Estimates for the importation of salmon; that the total cost of the Wellington Exhibition, after deducting the amount for sale of buildings and the admission money, would be between £3000 and £4000,—the total cost of the music would be £1,000.

Mr Richardson moved the second reading of the Public Works Amendment Bill. He explained that the bill was to enable the Government to take land for the erection of fortifications in various parts of the country.—Mr Hirst considered that, however great the urgency of the matter, the. Government should have sent some officer to inquire as to the best means of acquiring the land, and not have taken it in the manner proposed in the bill.—After considerable discussion the second reading was agreed to. Th« House went into committee on the Whitmore Enabling Bill.—A long discus* sion ensued as to the nature of the appointment and the terms of the agreement. —Mr Ballance said Col. Whitmore was to be commander of the forces, but no time was fixed for the duration of the appointment.—SirG. Grey thought the Government were creating tin expensive office, I which would be difficult to do away with. —Mr Macandrew would not object to the bill.—Mr Buckland thought the appointment unnecessary. What was wanted was a drill instructor for the volunteers.—Me Hurst said the Committee ought to pass a bill remunerating Col. Whitmore for services rendered the colony, but beyond that they ought not to go.—Major Atkinson would not oppose the bill, but wished it to be clearly understood that be did not commit himself to any vote of money.— Mr Locke supported the bill. —Mr Barron said as the position was not a permanent one, they might as well pass the bill.—Mr Bolleston suggested the postponement of the bill until the defence estimates were before the House.—Mr Ballance said it was evident some officer of experience should go round the colony to organise the forces. The whole question was one of administration. —Sir George Grey denied that it was a question of administration. He had a great respect for Col. Whitmore, but there were other men in the colony as good .-is he. He proposed as an amendment that the clause be struck out with a view of insertiog another clause.—Mr Stout defended the bill, and hoped the House would allow it to pass in its present state.—Dr Newman thought Col. Whitmore was entitled to the position, but then the House should consider whether the falling revenue could bear the expense.— Mr Wakefield was opposed to any large increase of expense for an appointment of the nature under discussion, but at the same time was adverse to giving his vota in such a manner as to reflect on the gallant officer.—Mr Peacock thought Col. Whitmore should have resigned his seat after accepting the appointment. He would, however, support the Bill as | amended, as it provided that Col. Whit* more should not sit or vote in the Council during the time he held the appointment.—Mr Hobbs considered the Bill quite unnecessary.—Mr Fraser defended the appointment, and thought that during the Russian scare it had given con. j fidence to the people of the colony.—Mr Fitzherbert also supported the Bill, and said His Excellency the Governor had himself recommended that a commandant of New Zealand forces should be ap> pointed.—Mr Holmes generally disapproved of any interference with the Disqualification Act, and he thought the circumstances at the time demanded the appointment, and be would therefore support the Bill.—Clause 2 was then put and carried on the voices.—Sir Geo. Grey moved a new clause to the effect that the Disqualification Act should not apply to members of either House who might be called upon to save their country.—Clause negatived by 41 to 24 —Mr Barron moved that the Act remain in forca for one year and no longer, UDless otherwise determined by Parliament.—Negatived on the voices. —The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The Souse weut into Committee on the Public Works Act Amendment Bill, and clauses 1 to 6 were passed without amend* ment.

This day. The Public , Works Act Amendment Bill was agreed to without amendments. —The House'went into Committee on the Charitable Aid Bill. On clause 6, Sir Julius Vogel moved an amendment that a

Borough or County Council might elect a member instead of that member being the County Chairman or Mayor. After a brief discussion, the clause was postponed. In clause 20, re the eleotion of trustees, after a discussion the whole 'portion of this cause was struck but, and the clause amended to read as follows :—• " That incorporated institutions should be governed by not less than six, nor more than nine, trustees, to be elected by the contributors for the time being to sach. institutions, together with not more than five other trustees appointed by the local authorities.' 1 Progress w,g reported, anil the House rose at 2 o'clock a.m.