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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 83. A bill for constituting native oouncili and dofining their functions, provides for bill to be permissive at tho option of a majority of tho natives, whore a majority or part of the inhabitant! of any diitnct aro nati/es whoso title to land is not extinguished. Th« Governor may alter or extend boundaries of district*. Jio m *y a.Uo define a district affected by the regulations under the A of . A mixed populution may resolve to bo brought under the operation of the Act. All land over whioh the native title has been extinguished to ceaae to be part of the district The counoil to oonsitt of not lets than six members, and not to exceed twelve. The term of office to be three years. The Gover. nor may at any tinjo prorogue or dissolve tho council The resident magistrates to bo ex officio members. AH native males who have attained their majority to bo qualified to vote. The rolls to be made up by a resident magistrate, and potted up. The resident magistrate to act as returning officer, but the Government may appoint others. The Council to elect a president, lubject to the Governor's approval. He may be •tthar a native or a European. The majority to decide all matters. The Councillors to be entitled to remuneration to be fixed by the Governor, the salary of the President to be paid out of the consolidated funds. The Council to have power to inquire into petitions regarding land disputes, and to facilitate amicable settlement. Adjudication in inch cases to be recognisable at Native Lands Court. The Counoil to report to the Govornor relativo to the observance of native rights'and customs. Tho Council may frame regulations for health, cleaning houses, nuisances, drunkenness, public property, prevention of fires, cattle, branding oattle, trespass, and boundary fences. Tho regulations may impose penalties. When the Act is brought into operation in native distrioti the Provincial Ordinances to cease to be in operation. Mr Pox asked the Government whether, in response to petitions, the Government intended to introduce a measure for amending the License Bdl. The Premier, in his reply, referred to Mr Fox's exertion in connection with the total abstinence cause. He went on strongly to condemn drunkenness, and criticised the Permissive Bill. The bill would jeopardise the property rights of the licensed victuallers, and would not improve the conduct of the houses alrea'lv licensed On tho contrary, by jeopardising the value of tlw property, it would render the character of the houses worse. The Government favoured an improvement in the existing licensing laws, but would prefer to prevent the adulteration of drink and sale of absoluto poison, and render more difficult the obtaining of licences for new houses. The Government recognised the iact that the present system of granting licenses by unpaid justices does got work well, and that the power of granting such licences should be taken from the justices A commissioner should be appointed to watch over and inspect licensed houses — to watch over their improvements, and instruct the owners to make such necessary improvements iv sufilment time. Ho should also have power to suspend licenses for misconduct, mid be instructed only .to grant fresh licenses w-heie really necessary. He should ! inspect the houses before granting hconses, and prescribe conditions upon which bars should be conducted. Encouragement should bo given to working-men's club*. Adulteration should be stringently suppressed by the imposition of heavy penalties, Deficiency in revenue (if any) to he made up by increasing the cost of licenses. The Government was not able to give any definite promise upon the subject raised by Mr Fox, but would consider the question during the recess, and draft u bill. The Native Reserves Bill provides that after a dato to be fixed by tho Governor, the following Acts shall be repealed : Native Reserves, 1858; Native Reserves Amendment Act, 1858 : Native Reserves Act, 1862; Auckland and Onehunga Native Hostlery Aot, 1867 i the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth clause* of the Native Lands Apt, 1867, and all other provisions in awy Act affecting native resertes repugnant or inconsistent with this Act. Knsting rights and contracts are guarded. Distriots are to be established, and commissioners appointed, with power to sue and be sued without personal liability, except in cases of neglect. The liability in actions is limited to six months. The bill also provides for pleudmg and tendering, amends the jurisdiction in causes, costs, &.c Native reserves are to be invested in comtnis sioners. Existing commissioners or delegates to account for the re^encs to commissioners appointed under the Act, and on failing to so aexount may bo sued. Native committees, of a'lviee are to nssist the commissioners. Trusts not to be altered The commissioners may sell, exchange, or lease, with the Governor's approval, any reserves, the proceeds to be re invested in land, the proceeds to be trust money. The Governor in Council is to make or alter regulations under the Act. The commissioners are to report to the Governor, and re] orts are to be laid before the Assembly. The cost of management is to be derived from the reserves, the yearly proceeds of the re-serves to be invested in surveys and schools, farming implements, fencing, drainage, house repair, supply of food at public meetings, salaries, school masters, tooks, &0., for aboriginal natives, Where the liutn e title has not been extinguished the land may come undei the Act. Investigations regarding title may be referred to the Native Land* Court, Natives may oonsont to the extinguishing of title, so as to come under the Act. Lands may be set apart for special, educational, religious purposes, native hostclries, hospitals, and other elementary Institutions Endowments may bo vested in trustees Native« may convey land to the commissioners as reserves. Where there is no specification of trust by the natives, the Governor In Council may specif \ the purpose where lands are granted under the Native Lnuls Act in trust for the benefit of large sections of natives, and no declaration, grant, or Crown grant may be surrendered where the Crown trust is efficiently administered by natives. The Governor may resume trusts with the consent of the grantee or trustees. A European trustee may be appointed, *ho may extinguish the native title. Certain of the New Zealand Land Company's titles defined in the schedule are brought under the operation of the Aot. The Commissioner is to ascertain the rights under Colonel McCleverty's awards After the Act is in operation Native reserves are to be removed from the jurisdiction of the Native Courts. It is understood that Mr J. Williamson has requested Mr McLean to communicate with tho Volunteer captains at Auckland respecting the Volunteer Land Scrip Bill introduced by Mr Gillies. Mr McLean will telegraph to the captains, as suggested. On the motion of Mr Gillies, the Volunteer Land Scrip Repeal Bill was read a second time. Mr Gillies proposed nn amended bill in committee, so as to leave tha option of issuing scrip to the Provincial Councils. He said that in the province of Auckland persons who bought up icrip bought up blocks at auction at half-a-crown an acre. The Defence Minister promised to introduce a clause in committee protecting existing rights, In reply to Mr Rolleston, Mr McLean promised to produce despatches from the late Governor to the Secretary of State, relative to the native meeting at Ngaruawahia and change of Ministry ; also a despatch from the Acting Governor, relative to Tlioma* Reid, Kawliia. Richardson promised a return of the amount paid owners pf private property for land, taken for railway purposes. Bills read .i first time : — Juvenile Offenders' Bill, Bill Disqualifying Holders of Publicans' Licenses for Justices of the l\aee. Marine Surveyors, Native Reserves, Wellington College Bill Passed second reading j — Joint Stock Companies, Canterburj Water Su jij ly, Prisons Bill With regard to the Prisons Bill, Mr Bathgate explained that it was simph a consolidation bill, except the clause which empowers tlio Governor to appoint a place for a penal estll.llli3llm.ent. Mr Steward asked the Native Minister for information relative to (Jolt lau'o Maori lexicon. Mr McLean replied tli'it -61180 had bpen exnended, but the work was not complete J. Colei^o ulU'Ki'd that illness had presented him from co:npletiiijj it Nothing ha I been paid since 1870. A largo amount of matter wn« now jn Colenso's hands A week\ leave of r bsence has been gr.wted toMrSheehan upoii urgent private tifiairs. On the motion of Mr Luckie, Mr McLean promises to produce i ho correspondence from Mr BecMnm relate? to the defence of the North Island.

THURSDAY, JULY 24. The papors relative to the proposed mail service by McMeckan & Blackwood are to the following effect: — Mesais McMqokap, Black wood <&. Co. will establish a service to and fiom MelbonniP and Wellington, landing and receiving mails at the Bluff, Port Chaluieia, Lyttelton, .md up and down, the coast for three yeais. at a subsidy of £3000 per annum The down inuls were to be delivered at Bluff v.v bour in seven da} s. and at Port Clmlmeis in eight days, at Lyttelton In nine and a-half days, at Wellington in ten and a-half days from the arrival of the P. and O. boat in Hobaon's Bay. Hut should the mail steamer arrive more than two days before her due date, an equivalent in time is to be added to tho time-table named. The steamers were to remain in Melbourne two days beyond the due date of the mail, but no longer, and tho mail will be sent on by the uext available steamer. The steamer with the mails from New Zealand to Melbourne would be despatched from Wellington eleven days before the time of the dopartui pof the P. and < ) boat from Hobson's Bay, to call at Lyttelton, Port Chalmers and the Bluff, not less than six and cloar days bcin^ s^iven from the Utter port to tranship mails at Melbourne, the steamer carrying the English mail to be free from pilotage, harbour, and light dues, A supplementary offer was made to convey the mails to and from Neldon, Greymouth, and Hokitika, landing and receh ing at the two latter ports (weather permitting) freo of extra charges. Mr John Williamson presented the petition of Iloterene Tnipari, praying for a re-hearing in the case of tho Karaka nnd Hape blocks. A debate took plncp on t lie District Courts Act Amendment Bill. Mr Bntlitfutp explained that the bill was intended to increase tlio jurisdiction of the District Courts up to £300. This would decrease the cost of litigation. Mr B-amlon opposed tv» b> 1 Mr Luokio supported tho mean

Mire Tho lattor hoped the power of prolonged litigation would bo prevented m the now bill Mr Gillie* oon»idered the bill retrogressive and not a legal reform. It was drawunder the orronoous impression that all ohange was reform. It would render the offico of Judaea of tho Supreme Court a stivcure To ombiiiL' in District Courts part of tho work of Resident Ma,'isti>itex and Supreme Courts, would rondor ih- appointment, of m>r L ' Dutriot Judgei nere^ary Tho District Judges were overworked, and lnigiitratet hal scarcely anything 1o do The b\ll would make provision for lawyers requiring to be provided for. The hill raiiod a distinction between law and oquity, which it had always been sought here to amalgamate, Tne distinction as to what would corao within the jurisdiction, under tho new bill, and what was boyond would be difficult to define. He objected to a now and expensive machinery while the existing machinery was not fully worked. Thorn were already too many Courts. What was wanted was tho New Zealand Court. Reform should discourage litigation. He would not oppose the second reading, but hoped the objectionable points would be out out of the bill. Mr Reader Wood laid the bill, instead of appealing to the broad-minded in the House, did the opposite Thpre were no petitions from persons desiring alteration. It was better to let well alone. Mr Bathgate, instead of floundering in efforts to become a, legal reformer, had better find something useful to do. The tecond reading was earned on the voices. A select committee was appointed to consider the Civil Service Amendment Act and the Permanent Officers' Salaries Bill. Mr Batbgate replied. He said tho reports and petitions showed that the Courts in Auckland were not satisfactory. Referring to Mr Ghllies'a speech, he laid it would be well for New Zealand when the Supreme Courts were abolished. The proposed bill only aimed at cheaper litigation, and |did not affect the Supreme Court, which would •till have to settle large and important questions. In the Legislative Council yesterday, Mr Waterhouse, in moving the appointment of a seleot committee to report upon the proposed reconstruction of the Council, said the Lower House had no power to abolish the Council. The matter was settled by the Constitution. A second Chamber was h'g'ily necessary for good government. The existence of one Chamber, wherever tried, had proved a failure. Reviewing the measures from the Lower House was not so important as preventing ono class from domineering over another. He showed the difference between the House of Lords at home and the Council here ; nominations here were dependent upon the exigencies of party. The Council could not offer resistance to popular pressure ; it cjuld not maintain itself against the electne body. He was in favor of an elective Chamber similar to the United States Senate. The qualifications should be the. same for both Houses, the duration for tho Council being ten or twelve years. After further di&pusaion the motion was postponed.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18730726.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 189, 26 July 1873, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,273

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 189, 26 July 1873, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 189, 26 July 1873, Page 2

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