PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3564, 17 July 1890, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

EomofSoproßQntatlm

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16.

I The Speaker took the chair at 2.80, |. Mr Smith asked tho Native Ministor what steps he is. taking to carry i out his promises, made diitfiig tlio last aud previous sessions, to secure for settlement purposes the Waikopire and other Native blocks in the Seventy-mile Bush, as recommended in the. Crown Lauds Report of last year? ;■ - The Native .Minister said Mr Preece, : Resident Magistrate at Napier, had been provided ' with funds for this purpose, and liad. acquired some of the land, but found it difficult to deal with' the udSMa owing to the extraordinary high price thev asked. • •

Mr Smith moved the adjournment of the House, and warmly condemned the Government's inactivity in the matter, the consequence of which was tlmt settlers with capital had had to leave the district. He also acous'ed the Government of allowing a blook of 42,000 acres to fall into* private hands, ■

Mr Ballaiice thought some explanation on this matter was called for, the'42,ooo acres being, ho understood, suitable for small farm settlement The Nativo Minister said the Waikopiro question had teen delayed' in. consequence of-other Native matters being beforo the Court. For his part he could "not arrange tlio sittings of the Court, ; As soon as possible the'land would bo acquired. Tlio proclamation was, withdrawn from the blook of 42,000 acres at the request of tho Native owners, and the Government did not know into whose hands it had fallen.

The Minister of Lauds, in answer to Mr Hutchison, said there had been no expense inourred in importing sand-binding grass from California. There was no power to acquire certain sandhills near the Waitotara River. The Ministerfor Public Works, in answer to Mrß. Beeves, read letters from tho Railway Commissioners anil the Agent-General expressing approval of the appointment of Mr Blackett, Consulting Engineer, as likely to save money by good inspection:

Tlio Nativo Minister stated, in answer to Mr Joyce, that it was not intended to set up a committee to inquire into the condition of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, nor did the Government recognise the Colony's liability to the Board's bondholders. .

Tho Minister for Justice, in answer to Mr Fulton, said ho found that certain indecent papers now in though they were not suoh as any person would care about having iu his house, were of suali a_ nature that it would be vtry difficult to got a conviotion against the publishers. At tho same time tho Post-office officials would do all in their power to stop tho circulation of such papers. •

Tho Minister for Public Works promised to urge the Railway Commissioners to adopt a suggestion of Mr T, McKeiizie, that' railway carriages should be heated during tho winter months. In reply to Mr Joyce, the Minister refused to giva any further opportunity that would occur when the Estimates wore under consideration ofdisoussing a proposal to reduce tho railway revenue so- as to reduce rates. ,

Tlio Minister for Public Work 3 informed Dr, Newman that good progress was being made with'the Ashurst railway contract, and that efforts would bo made to have the Woodville- Ashurst platelaying contract finished as soon as possible. The Native Minister, in answer to Mr Moat, said the cost of collecting the primage duty was nil. The Minister for Justice declined, in answer to Mr Moss, to make tho honorarium annual.

The Ministerfor Publio Works said the Government had issued instructions that deck loading must bo stopped at any cost.

I The Minister of Education, replying to Mr Goldie, said tho Government had put £IOOO on tho Estimates in aid of a working men's college and technical institution at Dunedin, on the understanding that tho institution would be properly equipped, If similar arrangements could be made in the other three cities tho Govern- fl. ment would bo willing to treat them in the same way.

Die Colonial Secretary, in answer to Mr Goldie, said the item of £I6OO travelling allowance paid to Ministers during the last year, included travelling expenses and allowances, which wore two entirely distinct things, Tho Mining Aot Amendment Bill was read a second time after some, discussion,

-lie Auctioneers Bill was also reaj a second time, and the House rosa at 12,15,