MEETING OF THE UNEMPLOYED AT DUNEDIN AND CHRISTCHURCH.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 701, 23 August 1870, Page 2

MEETING OF THE UNEMPLOYED AT DUNEDIN AND CHRISTCHURCH.

(Prom the Nelson " Colonist.") Dunedin", August 17. The Deputy-Superintendent had an interview yesterday -with the immigrants who recently arrived, and who were complaining of want of employment. They stated they had been led to expect work at eight shillings a day on arrival, whereas they found the place overstocked with men walking the streets, unable to find employment, adding that they were in danger of being mobbed by them. The Deputy - Superintendent said there would be plenty of work a month later.

Chbistchukch, August 18. A meeting of the unemployed was held yesterday afternoon in Cathedral Square, to receive the progress report of the Committee. That report stated that 110 persons had registered as unemployed. Resolutions, adopting report, also expressing sympathy, and appointing a deputation to wait on the Provincial Government, were passed unanimously. The deputation then waited on the Government, and was received by the Deputy-Superinten-dent, the Provincial Secretary, and the Provincial Solicitor. The deputation was informed that a survey party was engaged laying out the Northern Eailway as rapidly as possible. The funds were ample to allow of the carrying out of the line to Kaiapoi, but, probably necessary arrangements would not be made for a month. The work would be let in small contracts. Contractors coulu make the necessary arrangements with workmen. The Government would consult with the Mayor of Christchurch as to the providing of temporary employment.

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, August 11. The Select Committee on Savings Banks brought up a report, recommending that all the Savings Banks established under the Savings Bank Act should be summarily closed, and their business transferred to the Post Office Bank, the Burplus funds being applied to charitable and educational purposes. GOVERNMENT HOUSE. . In reply to a series of questions from Mr Reynolds, it was elicited that Government House would probably be completed about next December, and that, when furnished, its cost would be in all about £32,000. DISQUALIFICATION EESOLUTIONS. The debate on Mr Gillies's disqualification resolutions was resumed, when, after some talk and the adoption of two or three amendments, the whole question was negatived on a division of 26 to 22. MARLBOROUGH PROVINCE. After a variety of miscellaneous business had been got through, Mr Eyes managed to get his bill—providing that the election of the Superintendent of Marlborough should in future be by the electors of the Province instead of by the Council—read a second time without debate. The Escheat Bill was also read a second time, and the House went into Committee on the Payment to Provinces Bill.

WESTLAND, NELSON, AND GEETMOTJTH. Mr Hall took up the case for Westland, and urged that the capitation grant should be enriched by the addition of £SOOO. Mr W. H. Harrison pointed out the great injustice which would be done to Westland under the scheme as it stood, and urged its claims to a special grant. Mr Keynolds suggested that Westland should return to Canterbury. Mr Vogel announced that the Government had resolved to treat Westland in an exceptional manner—that they would increase the grant in addition to capitation allowance by £3OOO, would promote the annexation of the Grey District to Nelson, and would bring in a bill to make the Chairman of Westland County Council a nominated officer. Mr Fitzherbert agreed with what was proposed. Mr Curtis said it was necessary that the Nelson Council should have a voice in the matter before the Grey was received into the Province. Mr Vogel stated that Maoris were not to be included in the capitation grants, and, after a discussion on how the number of the population was to be arrived at annually, and how the £50,000 road grant was to be distributed, the bill was reported with amendments. Mr Birch protested very energetically against an amendment proposed by Mr Kelly, accepted by Mr Vogel, and carried, excluding Municipalities from all participation in the £50,000. Fbiday, August 12. Mr Stafford asked the Government what steps it proposed to take to secure the independence of Parliament. In doing so, he referred to the fact of the Government having voted against Mr Gillies's resolution. Mr Fox, in reply, explained that the Government had voted against the resolution, because, as amended by the House, it proposed to disqualify Provincial officers. The Government, however, intended to introduce a Disqualification Bill, and he asked leave to do so. Leave was granted, and the bill was read a first time. With the exception of the above preliminary business, the whole of the sitting was spent in committee on the Public Works and Immigration Bill. On the clause allowing payment for railway works to be made in land, there was a long discussion, which ended in a division, the clause being carried by 39 to 18. The minority were Messrs. Stevens, Wilson, Bichmond, Bolleston, Kenny, Kynnersley, Bradshaw, Hall, Stafford, Munro, Armstrong, Swan, Brown, Jollie, Graham, Peacock, Mervyn, and Webster. Various other amendments were negatived on the voices, and clause 24, by which the expenditure was to be spread over ten years, was, on Mr Voxel's own motion struck out. Progress was then rereported.