PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 33, 11 December 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, Dec. 9, AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Mr. Fultor asked Government whether they would during the recess, devise some method for the more speedy apprehension and punishment of those who deserting their wives and children leave them a burden upon the charity of the public, and whether they would endeavour to secure the united efforts of the Australian Colonies in this matter.

The Hon. J. Hall promised that the proposition should be favourably considered by Government.

Replying to Mr. Swanson, The Hon. J- Hall said that the Chinese Emigration Regulation Bill was one they desire to see passed ibis session. Mr. Ireland asked if Government had succeeded in making arrangements for the completion of the Tapanui railways, and when the work was likely to be finished. The Hon. R. Oliver replied that Government had not attempted to make any arrangement, but intended to ask the sanction of the House for that purpose.

Major Te Wheoro asked what lands are given as security for the loans from England, and whether Maori lands ware included.

Major Atkinson said that Maori lands were not given any more than Europeans. Replying to Major Te 'VVheoro, The Hon. J. Bryce said that Government would not undertake to bring in a Bill to provide that, in future, roads should be enforced through Native lands that are Crown granted.

Mr. Shephard asked whether Government would make provision for paying the present rate of subsidies to local bodies, for the quarter ending June 30, 1880. Major Atkinson said he could not make the promise asked. It would be the duty of Government to bring down a general proposition on the subject next session. Mr. Reeves asked if it were true that no tender had been accepted for the conveyance of mails between Westport and Reefton ; also if it were true that tenders for a pack horse system had been called for between these two amportant towns. The Hon. John Hall replied that this was one of those cases to which it was felt that retrenchment ought to be appled ; henee the pack-horse system had been accepted. In renlying to Mr. Reeves, The Hon. John Hall said that at present Government would not be justified in undertaking a pack-horse m.iil service between the Waiau and the Ahaura.

Replying to Mr.‘Reeves, Mr. Rolleston promised to consider the necessity for the periodical removal of Wardens of Goldfields at least, once every three years.

Mr. Han is asked Government—(l.) Whether they were resoonsible for the damage to fences caused by sparks from locomotives on New Zealand railways. (2.) If they would cause enquiries to he made into several claims, made by settlers in Franklin, aeainst Government for compensation for damage done to their cattle by locomotives on the Auckland and Waikato Railway, with a view of redressing their grievances. (3.) If they will cause enquiry to be made into certain alleged unbilled promises in regard to fencing, slated to have been made by Government to settlers in Franklyn on their giving their land to Government for Jail way purposes. (4.) If they will erect fencing on the AucklandWaikato Raiway line, where settlers can prove that Government promised to do so. Mr. Oliver replied that they were advised that they wore not, responsble for damage so occasioned. When cases of the kind occurred they were strictly enquired into. When a well-founded claim was established, the repairs would bo made by Government. THE BEMAININO BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. Replying to a question put yesterday by Mr. Maoandrew. The Hon. J. Hall said that the following was the order of business proposed by Government .'—-They would pass before the close of the session, the following Bills ;—The Customs’ Duties, Tobacco Manufacturers, Revision of Statutes, Property Assessment, Land Tax Collection, Building Societies Act Amendment, and Electoral Acts Repeal. The other Rills set down would depend on the time of the 1 House. If time permitted he hoped to

I get through the Special Powers and Contracts Bill, the Counties Bill, Public Reserves Sale Bill, and Regulation of Elections Bill. They saw no hope of proceeding with the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill. The other Hills on the order paper would be dropped, including the Representation Bill, Electoral Petitions Bill, Gaming and Lotteries Bill, and Alienation of Maori Lands Bill. If members would condense their speeches as much as possible Government hoped to be in a. position to have the House prorogued not later than Tuesday. EVENING SITTING. The House re-assembled at 7.30 p.m. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Public Works Bill, 1879, was introduced and read a first time. After the Public Works Statement had been read, • - Mr. Macandrew said that the Minister for Public Works was to be complimented upon the clear and businesslike statement he had just made. He was glad to find the policy as originally' initiated was to be carried out in its entirety. . The Bill was ordered to bo read a second time on Thursday. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT BILL. The House then went into Committee on the Property Assessment Bill. A motion was made to include steam engines in the exemption clauses. The House divided—Ayes, 37 ; Noes, 38. The motion was lost. Sir George Grey moved an amendment— “ That the words ‘ and machinery of every description,’ be inserted.” Tiie House divided—Ayes, 35 ; Noes, 40. The amendment was lost. It was moved, as a further amendment—“ That the following he exempted: Steam-engines used for manufacturing purposes, steam Vessels, and machinery for mills and agricultural pursuits or timber industries.” A division resulted as follows :—Ayes, 31 ; Noes, 37. The amendment was lost. The next amendment was by Mr. Seddon, for the insertion of all properly belonging to or vested in persons for mining other than gold mining. This was lost on the voices. The next amendment was for the exemption of draught horses employed for farm purposes, and dairy 7 cows, the division being—Ayes, 22 ; Noes, 37. The remaining clauses of the Bills were passed through Committee without substantive alteration. The House rose at 2.10. Per our Special Wire. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, Dec. 10. In the Council to-day a large number of notices for leave of absence were withdrawn on the understanding that the session was soon to end. motion to appoint the colony’s Agents-General for short terms lapsed through Colonel Whitmore’s absence. Dr. Menzies’ motion that persons taking railway seats should hold the same seats all through the journey, was carried. The Jackson and Kinross cases again came up for discussion, and were finally disposed of—the first by the Committee’s report being adopted by 18 .to 17 votes ; and the second by being shelved with the proviso that the Councillors and officers might appear as witnesses in any future action against Mr. Kinross. The Registration of Electors Bill was read a third time. The Council adjourned from 3 till 7.30. At the evening silting, the second reading of the Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bill was passed..

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House resumed at 2.30, HANS'RD. Mr. De Latour brought up a report from the Reporting Debates Committee to the effect that the cost of translating “ Hansard ” into the Maori language, so as to he available forthe native race, would he L 750, and recommended Government to make provision therefor if they see fit to do so. THE KAMA AGAINST MR. SUTTON. The Report of the Native Petitions Committee, on the petition of Geo. Davey, making certain imputations against the character and dealings of Mr. Sutton, M.H.R., in the acquisition of nativelands, was brought up and read. The Report recommended that no action be taken in the matter.

Sir G. Grey moved that the report be referred back 1o the Committee. There were persons on the Committee who had never been present until the vote on the report was taken. As a member of the Committee he had moved aresoluiion that these members be not allowed to record their votes on that motion. An amendment was moved by Mr. Ormond, which had the effect of burking all further discussion. That amendment was carried, which, under the circumstances, was most unfair, and prevented him from putting his viewsbefore those members who had not been present when the evidence was taken. What he now wanted was the report to be sent back, so as to afford him an opportunity of placing Iris views on record.

Mr. Ormond explained the action he had taken in the matter. After sitting for about a month, a determination was come to, the effect of which is embodied in the report. Upon that Sir G. Grey proceeded to move a number of resolutions, embodying his particular views on the subject. All that he did was to move a resolution ‘ that these views of Sir |George, which in his opinion, were erroneous and calculated to mislead the House, should not be embodied in the report. Mr. Rolleston, a member of the Committee, also made an explanation of the facts of the ease, as they transpired in Committee, defending the report as made. Sir G. Grey, in reply, stated that his resolutions could not have come before the House, and thereby have, as alleged, produced an erroneous opinion. Unless these resolutions had been adopted by a majority of the Committee, it was monstrous that a member of Committee, who had attended all the meetings, and listened closely to the evidence should pot ho allowed to bring his viewshef f >X<> the Committee. The resolution was carried by the Committee and the amendment treated with unseemly merriment.

Mr. Rolleston denied such was the case, and the accusation was reiterated by Sir G. Grey. The motion for re-committal of the report was lost by hi to 36. On the motion of Mr. DeLautour, it ’.viii agreed the m : nutea of the evidence should be printed. eoahs ix h,okxi:y. The adjourned debate on the question “ that thiivHouse resolve itself into Committee to consider an address to the Governor, praying that ‘JO,OOO acres of land in Rodney County be set aside for the purpose of constructing roads in said County,” was resumed. The motion was carried on the voices. OTAGO HAHBOK, Mr. Dick moved the second reading of the Otago Harbor Board Endowment Bill. ■ . Mr.'Macandrew opposed the motion as it now stood. He was prepared to give them the endowment asked, but was opposed to the extensive borrowing powers proposed. There were great differences of opinion as to the beneficial expenditure of the L 250,000 already expended by the Board. His opinion was the money to a large extent had been misapplied. They had no legal claim to the land asked for. To settle the disputes that had arisen, he was willing to concede. He hoped the Bill would be withdrawn. What was asked was 88 acres of water to be reclaimed from the sea, and at present they had not the means for carrying on reclamation works. In fact they would be as far forward next session as they could possibly be if the Bill passed this session. Practically speaking the Board consisted of one man, who was left to do much as he liked.

Mr. Oliver said that originally L 600,000 expenditure was contemplated, and at present not half that amount had been spent.' The work already done was practically speaking no use until further expenditure had been undertaken. The railway ran along the line of small bays proposed to be reclaimed, and the sooner that was done for the benefit of the railway the better. Mr. Stewart explained the reason the Bill had not been brought up at an earlier period of the session was the difficulty of getting the Committee together to agree as to the provisions of the Bill. The grant was required in respect of land taken from the Board for railway purposes. The position of affairs was this— If money was not available for carrying out the proposed works, then money would have to be provided to bring the harbor back to its original state. To stop the work at the present stage would be most disastrous to the district. The gentlemen who constituted the Board were all gentlemen who had devoted a large amount of time to the work. These gentlemen thought it was wrong for Mr. Macandrevv to cast imputations on their bona tides.

Mr. Fulton said a great deal of dissatisfaction existed, both in Dunedin and elsewhere, with the proceedings of the Board. He had no objection to the tndowment, but in common with many others, he objected to the borrowing clause. Mr. McLean thought the Bill would not be carried at this late period of the session. Mr. Macandrew’s election fer Port Chalmers depended upon the opposition he gave the Board. It was to be regretted he had gone the length of stating that the members of the Board were not equal to the occasion, and that the work was left in the hands of one man. That was not the fact of the case.

Mr. Barron spoke in opposition to the borrowing powers. They had commenced operations at the wrong end. The proposed reclamation operations were judicious in respect that it would enable the Port Chalmers and Dunedin Railway to be improved in a vai iety of ways. Mr. Dick replied, and the motion was put and carried on the voices, and ordered to be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. MINES. The amendment proposed by the Legislative Council on Mines Act 1877 Amendment Bill were not agreed to, and Messrs Reeves, Finn, and De Lautour were appointed t'? draw up reasons for dissent. EVENING SITTING. The House met at 7.30 p.tn. MISCELLANEOUS. A resolution to be reported from a Committee of the House on the Charleston Water Race was considered. Mr. M'Lean moved the adjournment of the discussion. The House divided—Ayes, 27 ; noes, 34. A motion that the resolution be agreed to w’as carried on the voices. The Slaughter-house Act 1867 Amendment Bill was passed. Onamofionto gointocomniitteeon Taranaki Iron Smelting Works 1876 Amendmentßili, awarding the company 8000 acres of land, a lengthened debate ensued- The House divided —Ayes, 34 ; noes, 24. The Bill passed through Committee, was reported, read a third time, and passed. On the second reading <>f the Civil List Act, 1873, Amendment Bill a division was taken—Ayes, 25 ; Noes, 35. sib geoege’s pets. The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Elective Legislative Council Bill was brought on. The House divided —Ayes, 24 ; Noes, 35. The Bill thrown out. On the motion for going.into Committee on the Prevention of Corruption Bill a division took place —Ayes, 28 ; noes, 29. The Bill was thrown out. ° The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, Amendment Bill was also thrown out on the motion for committal.