PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2332, 6 September 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OCR SPECIAL REPORTER)

[BY KI.KCTIUC TELEUKAI'II.]

WELLINGTON, this day. MIDDLE OPPOSITION J'ARTY. At the meeting of the Middle Opposition Party, held in the Parliamentary buildings, nineteen attended, and seven others .sent apologies. Two others who did not attend are known to syinpattii.se. After a discussion, which lasted tally an hour an Executive Committee was appointed to take action. The party was entirely unanimous in its view as to the necessity of taking stops to ton,! an organised Opposition to the present Government M«st of the principal members present made speeches, but no leader of the party was appointed—the work of direction and control being left to the Executive Committee, which is small in number. Sir George Grey still retains seventeen followers, including MeswrH Di-man, Tolc, Pees, Header Wood. Sheehan Stout, Maeandrew, and others. Only three Auckland members attended yesterday's Middle Party caucus. live members attended from Otago. Lno attendance from the Middle Island was about equal. Mr Waketield was present, and this is regarded an significant of Mr Stafford's pre.lilictions. It is understood that two main points of the new party are localisation of the laud fund, and shelving the question of Separation for some time. Mrltowencnt »n apology, being sngaged on a conmiittoc. Mr Wakclield's Lend Fund resolution is to be moved on going into Committee of Supply. It. is generally understood to have been dratted by Mr Stafford. The middle party attempt to preserve a most impenetrable .silence about yesterday's proceeding*, and, when applied to by reporters, state that to divulge particulars would frustrate their objects. It IH understood that at the meeting .each member pledged himself to strictest SCISSwN GRANTS I'OK RESERVES A question was a.sked m the House by Mr Tolc of considerable importance to the Thames. The question was whether the Government would i-sue Crown Grants for the reserves which Mr Mackay made out of the lands at Whangamata, and other blocks purchased from the natives at the Thames. These reserves have been sold, and have passed through several hands on the strength of Mr Mackay's certificate of entitlement to Crewn Grants, which hare, as yet, not been issued: and it would assure confidence to holders to know that they are safo. Mr Reid replied that a bill would be introduced for the purpose in a few days. PURCHASING WAIROA RIVER. Mr Tole gave notice to ask the Government whether they intend to give effect to the petition in favour of buying the AVairoa "m KEES AND MRS McMANUS. Mr Recs drew attention to the evidence in Mrs JVlcManus' case, printed in the "New Zealand Times." He said imputations of misconduct had been cast upon him. He called upon the Petitions' Committee to vindicate his character. Mr Kelly, Chairman of Committee, said Mr Rees had completely cleared himself before the Committee from the imputations cast upon him. If the Committee had thought the evidence would be printed, they would have expressed an opinion in their report clearing Mr Rees. Several other members of Committee spoke exculpating Mr Rees. MR 110WE AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Sir George Grey read a telegram from Father Chastignoii, stating that much dissatisfaction had been caused amongst the Catholics of Auckland in consequence of Mr Rowe's speech, as telegraphed to the Auckland STAR.

CHANGE IN THE FRANCHISE. During the debate on Mr Woolcock's motion affirming desirability of change in franchise and electoral law this session, Sir George Grey said he could not trust the promise of the Government to introduce a bill on the subject next session. They had promised last session the same thing, and induced him to withdraw motions. He would therefore press his motion on the notice paper. Dr Hodgkinson referred to the hint thrown out by Mr Woolcock that there were rumours 'of intended dissolution. Dr Hodgkinson said he hoped that a dissolution "would speedily be granted, as the House in no sense represented the real opinion of the people at large. Mr Woolcock, who probably only moved his resolution for the purpose of wiring a speech for his constituents, then withdrew kis motion.

BAY LAND PURCHASES.

POVERTY On the motion of Mr Sheehan the Poverty

Bay land transactions and the circumstances attending the dismissal of Mr Wilson, Land Purchase Commissioner, were referred to a committee.

GAMBLING The Government promised compliance with Mr Fox's resolution that, " Instructions be given to the police regarding the suppression of sweeps, gambling, rattles, &c, and sales of spirituous liquors to natives ; also,the (prosecutions and convictions for these offences." Mr Rowe spoke very warmly in support of the necessity for putting down these very immoral practices. CROWN LANDS DISPOSED OF. A return of the Crown Lands absolutely disposed of for cash, scrip, or under native grants from the date of the first sales \o the 30th June, 1876, has been laid on the table. The lands sold in town amount to 1,520 acres ; suburbs, 0,05S ; country, 1.055,471. The consideration in cash was £314,456. Hcrip — New Zealand Company's old land claims, Government scrip, or debentures, £41,075; for public -works executed: amount, 271 acre*! ; value of work done, £371. Lands disposed of without sale to immigrant*, £446,671 ; naval and military settlers under New Zealand Settlements, Act, 78,632 acres ; reserves granted for public purposes under Public Reserves' Act, 1854, 36,500 acres ; to Europeans or natives under Waste Lands' Act, 1858, Crown Grants' Act, 186'2,and Native Reserves' Act, 1865, 1,448,563 acres; in satisfaction of land scrip or otherwise not specified, 540,380 acres. Summary of extent of Crown lands absolutely disposed of for cash, scrip, or under native or other grunts from June 30th, 1870, to June 30th, 1577, in Auckland:— Country lands, 4,642 acres ; consideration, £359. Scrip, £2,482 ;to natives by grants, £4,255 ; acres, land scrip, SO acres ; Total of land selected in Auckland district up to 30th June, 1876 : Homestead selections : applications, 62 ; area selected, 6,790 acres ; average in each selection, 109 acres. Land forfeited for breach of conditions, 665 acres. Selected up to June 30, 1877 : Auckland, homestead selections applications, 70 ; area selected, 15.305 acres ; average to each selection, 218 acres. Summary of particulars of applications to convert leaseholds into freeholds, for the year ending June 30, 1877 : Applications, 1,985 acres ; lease, other than agricultural leases, Auckland. areas leased, 73,660 acres ; rent, £368. A^Tegates of lands sold or otherwise disposed of ; lands absolutely disposed of for cash, scrip, or under native or other grants from date of first sales to June 30, 1$7(; : —Lands sold in town, 13,354 acres ; suburban, 70,451 acres ; country. 7,833,753. Consideration cash, £7,506,702 ; scrip, £210,235 ; for public work* executed, 286,451 acres. Value of work done, £85,171 ; to immigrants, 447,417 acres ; naval and military settlers, 155.79S acres; reserves for public purposes, 576,415 acres ; under Waste Lands' Act, Crown Grants' Act, No. 2, and Native Reserves Act, 133,444 acres ; under Native Lands' Act. 1865, 2,289,51S acres ; in satisfaction of land scrij), 551,352 acres. Summary of extent of Crown Lands j absolutely disposed of for cash, scrip, or j under native or other grants from 3033 June, 1576, to 30th June, 1877 :—Lands k O I,1—Town, (122 acres; suburban, 1,220 acres ; country, 495,821 acres. Cash received, £-875,520 ; scrip, £3,078 ; for public works executed, 3,326 acres; value of works, £2,387 ; lands disposed of without sale to immigrants, 925 acres ; reserves for public purposes, 13,110 acres ; under Waste Lands' Act, 7f>2 acres ; under Native Lands' Act, 34,0"7S acres ; in satisfaction of laud scrip or otherwise not specified, 3,100 ; lands selected up to June 30, 1576 :—Applications, 7,517 ; approved. 4,075 ; area selected, 322,113 acres; average for each selection, 79 acre* ; fees, yearly, £30,810 ; rents, £77,012. Laud granted in fulfilled conditions, 44.750 acres. Lands forfeited for nonfulfilment. 30,134 acres. During the year ending June 30, 1877 :—Applications, 1,585; approved, 569, area selected, 89,253 acres ; average selected, IM9 acres. Fees payable yearly, £12,128 ; rents paid, £2(1,581 ; land granted for conditions fulfilled, 15,017 acres; forfeited, 10,142 acres ; agricultural lease exchanged for leases deferred payments for the year ending June 30, 1877 : — Applications to exchange, 47 ; extent, •!,.")G(; : applications to convert leaseholds with freeholds : number of applications, 15; extent, 20,789; cultivated, lOacres. Area i of pastoral leases issued during the year I ended June 30th, 1877 : Holders, ii ; area, 2(13,115 a-cies ; rent, £1,424; license fees,

■ PASTORAL LANDS. Summary of lands held under pastoral license or leiise on 30th June, 1577 :— .Auckland: 14 holdings; total area, 109,:i!H) acres ; average of each holding, 7,813 acres; total stocks, not known; rent, £162. Efawkes' Bay, 15 holdings ; total area. 147,1KK) acres; average each, 19,900 awes; stock depastured, 35,700; rent, £414. Wellington: 1 holding; 3,000 acres ; stock, 800; rent, £52. Nelson : 04 holdings ; 602,266 acres; average, (>',407 acres ; rent, £4,236. (In this return are included all leases over 500 acres, this being the nearest possible approximation to n return of lands held for pastoral in distinction from agricultural purposes). Marlborough : 7*2 holdings; ,1,076,509 acres ; average each, 14,951 ; stock, 151,000; rent, £4,406. Canterbury: 537 holdings ; 1*27,645 acres; average each, 7,686; sheep, .1,010.SOS; cattle, etc., not known ; rent, £38,553. Westland :36 holdings ; 429,670 acres ; average each, 11,935 acres; rent, £990. Otago : 221 holdings; (>,472,71S acres; average each, ' 29.98S ; stock, 2,017,421 acres ; rent, £59,734. Southland district :24 holdings, 710,965 acres ; average each, 29,623 acres ; rent, £6.005. Total for colony

holdings, 1,014; total acres, 13,667,363; average each, 127,603 ; rent, £124,490. Leases and licenses other than agricultural and pastoral during the year ended June 30th, 1877—area, 107,215; rent, £1,559. Licenses revoked during the year ending Juue 30th, IS77—extent, 146,074 acres.