(Daily Southern Cross Special Correspondent.)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 358, 29 August 1874, Page 2

(Daily Southern Cross Special Correspondent.)

Among the reports of tke Petitions Committee presented to-day, appears the following : — William Swanson : Petitioner stated that, in 1869, he took an important deed to the Auckland Stamp Office to be stamped, and was informed that it had to be sent to Wellington, for stamping. Repeated applications wei^e made for the deed, but«he did not get it uirtil more than a year hail eliips^d, causing very great, loss. The corajnittee report that after careful en-^ quiry they find that no proper register had been kept of how or when the deed had. been received or disposed of, other than by the looae requisition sheets. That under such circumstances it is difficult to individualise the responsibility' of any case of neglect. In this case the committee are of opinion that gross neglect in the department has been proved, but ai'e not prepared to confine the blame to tiny officer, but they are of opinion that primarily the blame rests with the chief clerk of the Wellington office. It was not much that he must, be held responsible for the proper conduct of the "business of the office. They also find that the petition has instanced loss by the detention of the deed, and recommended the Government to make inquiry during the recess to ascertain the loss, and take steps to arrange for a settlement of petitioner's claim. The Committee on Native Affairs reports on the petition of Mere Taihiha, praying for an inquiry into the matter of the Matukawau block, and that they recommend the Government to consider the petition.

Wellington, Thursday. The Auckland Improvement Act Amendment Bill was in peiil, if it is not still so. The committee of selection of the Lords have declared it to be a private bill, which at this period of the session, with the forms requisite in conducting private bills, means simply shunting the measure. I learned that the committee had only so decided this evening. Efforts have been made to remove the obstacles. At 7.35 the subject is being discussed in the Lords. Dr Pollen urged on the House the importance of the measure passing, and was aided by various members. Mr Miller supported Dr Pollen, as did also Mr Chamberlin, who pointed out the necessity of having the bill passed. Mr Watex'house declared the bill private, and argued against doing away with the conservative character of the House, and complained that the bill was not introduced earlier in the session. To the lateness of introduction was due the position of the measure. Mr Mantell felt sympathy with the unfortunate cripple, but he felt bound to support the decision of the committee. Mr Williams pointed out the great importance of passing the bill to the town of Auckland, as the Commission could not get the money. Colonel Kenny said that the first bill was a public bill, and now there is a thiixl bill. He also said that obtaining the money from the bank was not in accordance with the proper procedure. The debentures should have been issued. Mr Taylor pointed out that the debentui-es could not be negotiated because the bill was incomplete, and did not afford sufficient security. He urged the importance of the bill passing this year. Mr Ackland opposed the proposal to make it a public bill. On a division the measure was lost by a majority of 16 to 8, by which majority the finding of the committee was agreed to, and this destroys the bill for a year. (Jnfortunately, no one said that the delay in the bill was duo to the late debate in the Lower House,' which interfered with the bu.sin.tss and kept back the bill. The throwing out of the Railways Bill by the Lords last night, by the small minority of one, caused considerable sensation, and among Auckland men anxious for the growth of their railway system, it was felt to greatly delay the Kaipara extension. There was, however, no objection to the scheino of railways, but to the clause tacked on to the bill for purchasing certain lines in Otago and Canterbury, which purchase would represent about another million and a half in the aggregate. To this the Lords are strongly opposed, although the majority was the narrowest possible. It is believed that se\ eral who voted aye, did not approve of the measure., A new Railway Bill, without the obnoxious railway purchasing clauses, was brought into the House to-day, passed all stages, and will be passed by the Lords. At the earnest appeal of the Otago and Canterbury, and other members, the Premier agreed to bring dowii a bill far the payment of £GO,()00 on account of *t*ie purchase of the railways referred to. Tins I will likely pass all stages to-night, and be sent up to tlio Lords, where, I fancy from all I can learn, it will share the fate of the former proposal. Business is almost ended, and members are preparing to leave. One steamer, to-morrow takes sway a lut of Southern men. The Northern men go chkifly.'by the Luna on Hufcurday, though some go hy the next steamer..