PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1821, 23 October 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

[Br Telegraph.j In the Legislative Council Mr Chamberlain moved—That it is desirable that New Zealand should recognize by suitable means the horoism of those distinguishing themselves by saving the lives of fellow-colonisfe, This was agreed to. The Kowai Domain Board Bill, Thames Recreation Reserves Bill, and Sheep Act Amendment Bill were read a second time, The East and West Coast Railway Rill was adjourned until to-day, The Cruelty to Animals Bill was read a third time, and the Gisborne Harbour Bill was reported with amendments.

In the House the Government said they would give ut small increase to country telegraphists and postmasters where the hours of duty were increased by the new regulations, Where two or more officers were employed no allowance would be made. There was a rule in the Railway Department by which officials should not be employed Over a certain age, this did not refer to labourers, If the motion tabled by the Treasurer for Friday was carried it would give relief to deferred pay. meut settlers, • The Government Insurance Association Bill, Public Works Amendment Bill, Drainage of Mines Bill, Waikalo Confiscated Land Bill, Supreme Court Registrar Bill, and the Taranaki

Empowering Bill-were read a third time and passed.

The West Coast Settlement Bill was read a second time. ■ The.Police Uffenders Bill was considered further in Committee.

The House was interrupted 'by >lh'e ( ' 5.30 adjournment. The Minister of Public Works moved the adoption of the North Island Main Trunk, railway report. ■ The committee have made the fullest enquiry in taking all available-evidence, and he believed the House woiildsagree with the Committee that the Central line was the best route by which tlie 1 'settlement of the country could be attained. The committee considered that the Napier route did not possess essential; points which were requisite for a. trunk line. The Stratford line possesssed several elements winch should be taken into consideration when fixing upon a Central Trunk Line. There was a scries of difficulties from an engineering point of view, the grades being comparatively heavy. The cose of the Central route would be one million, three hundred thousand, and the Stratford nine hundred and seventy-nine thousand. In conclusion he moved that the central route be adopted, subject to deviations in detail, if found necessary during the construction. Mr Montgomery, as one of the Committee, could say that the Committee had gone into.the question with the single idea of doing was best for the country. He hac] differed from the Marton route, the country was fairly settled for several miles, but beyond this distance there was no good land'for settlement, Asforthe Stratford line it had been stated that for' fourteen miles from Stratford, land was magnificent, but beyond that poor and broken. It should be borne in mind that the Taranaki line had always been agreed upon as a rich district and had been settled on the understanding that a railway should be constructed.

Dr. Newman thought the central route was incomparably the better of the two, being thoroughly well

timbered, and with land exceedingly fertile. 'He hoped the House would adopt the Central route. Mr I\ 0. BucifLAND believed that if an impartial opinion wero outlined it would be in favor of the Stratfoul route. Mr Fergus intended to vote for the central line, as he believed a much larger area of fertile country would be opened up by the Marton line than by the other,

Mr Peacock said the chief difficulties of the Stratford line had been overcome already by a portion of the line being already constructed, He would vote for the Stratford route, Sir G, Grey movod as an amendment to strike out the word " Central" and insert the word" Stratford." He spoke strongly in favor of the Stratford route, and said it would cost four hundred thousand less than the Marton line,

Major Atkinson said bespoke under several disadvantages partly from his connection with ftew Plymouth district and also because the Committee had taken great pains to come to their decision, He would not condemn either route as he believed both were good ones, and that both would be made ere long, There was quite as much good land to be opened up by the Stratford line as there was by the Centra), He intended to vote for the Stratford route. ■ Mr- Stout said the Government never sanctioned a line to Auckland via Stratford, but the Parliament had sanctioned a trunk line to Auckland. He would ask the honorable member for Egmont why if he thought the Stratford line best his Government had surveyed the central line, Personally he had no feeling in the choice of the route, but maintained that the shortest should be adopted, also the one easiest of construction. He thought everything wes in favour of the central route. My Hops said if the central line were adopted it would be a direct breach of faith, as the Taranaki line was surveyed and constructed as a main trunk line. Mr HußSTiiousEdid not see why the Colony should be called upon to construct a line of railway exclusively for tourists, which argument had been used against the Stratford route, He would support the central line, Mr Joyce thought the House should accept the report qf tho Committee which was in.'favor of the central line, Mr J, C, Buokland and Mr Bruce said they would givo lukewarm support to the central line.

Mr Smith pointed out lliat the House completely ignored the Napier line.

,!,'Sir Browne said lie would vote for itlie central line, seeing that the report virtually ignored the Nanier rqute. Mr Samuel moved the adjournment of the debate,

Oapt, Russell seconded, but suggested the debate be adjourned till that day six months, Mr Grigg opposed' botli routes as the colony could not at present afford the expenditure,

Mr Moss did not care which line was adopted, but as a central route would not benefit Auckland he should like to see the Stratford line constructed.

The debate adjourned on division to 2,30 on Friday next, Ayes: 51; Noes: 8.

The House adjournod at 1 o'clook.