PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2984, 7 November 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OLE SPECIAL CORRESPON-

DENT.)

WELLINGTON, this day, AUCKLAND FIELD DAY.

The Auckland members had a field day in the House last night over the Onehunga Reserves Bill which Mr O'Rorke engineered , through Committee with consummate skill and great determination, in spite of much opposition.—On the preamble Mr Tole desired to postpone the bill.-Mr O'Rorke objected.—Mr Hurst desired to postpone it until tbe arrival of the Chairman of the Board of Ediicatioii.-Mr ORorke said they could not keep the business of the country waiting for these distinguished foreigners.-Mr Hurst said there was more important business in tho colony.-Mr Hislop, however, anxious to listen_ to the eloquence of the last speaker, desired to know the question that was before tbe Com-mittee.-The Chairman called Mr Hurst to order.—Mr Hurst said a great principle w_is involved iv the bill. He cast the responsibility upon the Government—Mr lnmbull wanted to know why Messrs Swansonand Hurst did not include thU iewive in their commit with Mr Ila'l.-Mr Seddon supported tho bill nnd objected to Mr Hursts stylo. lle supposed he was giving a epecimen of his future conduct on the Government benches.—Mr Swanson contended that the springs were the properly ol tlie whole people of Eden.-Clause one passed -On the next clause, Mr Tole moved an amendment reserving a prior light only <r the springs to Onehunga.-Mr i.undo.i o; - posed the amendment, and _ accused other members of exaggerating :tue value ot the spring;.-Mr Wood thought the bill should be referred to a committee.-Mr Gisbornc said it was con-fiscation.-Mr Pykc supported the bill.-Mr Hurst said the Education Board would be satisfied with compensation.—The Premier promised, on behalf of the Government, to give full consideration to the claim of the Board. Clause 2 passed. On clause 3 Mr Hamlin suggested that the Government give the Board the slaughter-house reserve. —Mr Speight advocated referring tlie-billlq the Waste Lands Committee.— Mr Wlntaker said that would be a polite way of killin"- it.—Mr Sheehan supported the bill. —The' discussion showed the want of a local tribunal to deal with these subjects. —Mr Swansou moved an amendment providing that Onehunga borough do nothing to interfero with the free use of the wate for general purposes. The amendment was negatived on division by 34 to 27.- Mr Tole moled a further amendment, that local bodies should have free use of the water, the borough having a prior right in case of drought or failure of supply. Mr Pyke said Mr Tole ought to use the phrase local boards shall have the right to take, steal, and carry away. 'lhe amendment was negatived on the division by 34 to 23. The bill then passed its final stages in spite of the sticugth of the resistance by Mi- Swanson. Mr O'Rorke s knowledge of the forms of the House principally eonti United to this result.

THE PRODUCTION OF G. B. WORGAN,

All aftcrnoou was occupied with a discussion on the question of producing George Bucklaud Worgan as a witness before the Native Ail'airs Committee in the case of Geort'c Davie. Nearly two whole days havo been wasted over this matter. The expense of Worgau's attendance is estimated at £10, whereas the House costs £30 per hour. During the course of discussion Mr Hamlin read a petition and Mr DeLautour followed with a statement. The allegations which came out in the debate are "to this effect: The petitioner, George Davie, is executor under the will of late Paora Nonoi, who was a large land owner in Hawkc's Bay. Davie is also guardiau of Nonoi's two surviving daughters. Paul Nonoi was a grantee in a valuable block of land woith some tens of thousands of pounds. Mr Sutton began negotiations for the purchase of this land, but could not obtain Paora's consent. Davie alleges that on the 13th of August,lß7o,he (Davie), who resided near Paora Nonoi's settlement, off the main road, and held a power of attorncv from him, went to bed at twelve o'clock "at night, putting out his light. He was aroused by the sound of wheels, and getting up, saw a buggy passing, and by the aid of lights in the buggy discerned Messrs Sutton and Worgan. Next morning he found that Worgan and button had vi3ited the pa during (the night and endeavoured to induce him to sign a deed, but failed, though he left the paper, alleging that Paora Nouoi had consented, and that iv consideration of his acquiescence three hundred aud fifty acres would be reserved for natives. It is now alleged that Paora Nonoi's name was forged to the deed.

Mr De Lautour, iv his speech, told the story of Messrs Sutton and Wersan driving iv a busrgv to Nonoi's pa at midnight and of Davie observing them in the buggy. Mr Sutton here interrupted with "That is totally untrue." Mr De Lautour replied, " I am referring to a persoD called I'redk. Sutton, and not the member for Napier," whereat many members laughed. Another member here said that the petition referred to the member for Napier, and the Speaker said Mr De Lautour would be out ot oider in retening to a member of the House.

Mr De Lautour pulled a paper out of his pocket, aud read as follows : —" In consideration of Paora Nonoi having oxocnted a conveyance of the Awa te Tnia Block I agree to a reserve of 350 acres being made. —F. Sutton."

Mr Sutton here rose aud asked whether that was the oiiginnl document.

MrDe Lautour: "That is the original paper, and one of which the person petitionee! against will hear more before long." The allegation made by the natives in evidence before the committee was stated by Mr De Lautour to be that about one o'clock iv the morning, Messrs Sutton and Worgan arrived at a whare where Paora Nouoi was lying at the point of death. They were anxious to see him. A few Maoris were up who had been playing cards. Xhoy were asked to procure the twq Europeans an interview with Paora Nonoi. They conseuted. Tho Europeans entered, aud, after some conversation, asked him to sign away his interest iv the block of laud. Paoia became angry, rose from his bed and went away to the further end of the whare, wherp he could lie down unmolested. That Messrs Suttou and Worgau then bright spirits from their, buggy and gave some' io Pnora Nouoi, Pacini's dr^ugh^er, a girl of fifteen, and hsv sister, 'and asked them to uso tlieir influonce with the old man to sign. Paora, the daughter, said " Give us more spirits aud wo will sign." Neither of the girls had any iutercst in the land, not being in the grant; Paora. l\Q\vi4ver,sigucd. Evidence went distinctly to show that the old man's signature was not obtained. They gave a cheque aud notes to Paora,who handed, them to, her niflther. next day, and the mother gave the money ia Paora Nonoi, who kep^ it till the Euy«poans came back. Ihe cheque had not since been traced. Mr Sutton left a paper promising to give the reserve of 350 acres in consideration of having got Paora Nonoi's signature. The iesorve would now bo worth from £SOOO to £10,000, but it had never been ma.de. Shortly afterwards a conveyance was made' and Paora Nonoi soon afterwards died' Shortly afterwards tho hind wits transferred to Mv Watt, Mr Suttou : Not by me. Mr DcLautour: I don't allude tfi the member for Napier-I dou't fcn«w him in this business. Niknvf\ was attesting witness to Paora Nonoi s signature, whicU wns never signed, There was some smart passage of arms during Mr DeLautour's speech. Mr Ormond hail reforred to Mr Uees's office as " the repudiation office," but Mr DeLautour emphatically stated that no case had ever been taken by Mr Lees except nt the earnest solicitation of natives. He said solicit^s were averse to taking native business for fear of injuring their conveyancing for European^, and ow Wellington Wvyer?who was tdpm-aphed to appear and ask for a formal adjo,umnn,,H in a native case.refused to do so until twenty-five pounds were wired him from Napier! Mr De Lautour also defeneled Davie, the. petitioner, from Mr Ormond's insinuations about his being a bad character o» being employed by Mr R o es. " Mr Mum- hero asked where Davie got thivo mindretl pounds from r 3i D?£ au'°«'»plfcd,not for any services wX i [° r Mr llef s- If the ll0»- ™m\m wants to know gentlemen's piivate business Wm, "S* Ri G '* from mP< Tlle h°»- "'ember.nay doub n,y word, but lam content to let the, matter rest there. At one stage Mr Murray said -. » I rise to m», °£P CKOnal explanation." J \l BJ, Laut°ir: The h0... member can speak after me. I will civo way to gentlemen who treat mo honorably, but as to Dav.es' character, Mr De Lautour, he thn of Uher take iii 3Wd than C *& * l»T«tff .who aamittod beloie ihe (fommisaion that ho nave l^a^ana. a thousand pounds as a bribe. Referring \_ the oomplicitv of Mr Kinross in certain Hawke's llay land ma«e:s M De Lautour said it would be wrong to as»or_ja

Mr Mosi made on appeal oil bihalf of natives who had been barred by the ordinary courts from just.cc. Mr Moorhou-e, who protested that he did not like giving gratuitous legal opinions, proceeded to give half-a-dozen on the points of the case, which another speaker shrewdly paid were worth only what they cost.

Mr Ormond moved an amendment that Ihe Speaker's warrant do not issue until after the committee has reported whether lliey are satisfied that ihe pctitiou was antlio'rised by the natives concerned, also that it be an instruction to the committee to postpone the enquiry until after reporting to this House whether the petitioners are in a position to prosecute their case in the ordinary courts of law. After a long debate this amendment wag negatived, and the motion for the prnduc. lion of Worgan as a witness carried in division by forty-four to twcnly-one, all the Ministers voting against it.

RAILWAY WORKSHOPS AT NEW

MARKET.

Mr Tole gave notice to ask the Minister of Public Works, "If the Government have accepted any tender sent up for tho drainage and "preparations of tbe site of the workshops at Newmarket, aud, if not, what is the cause of the delay ?"

THE TIMBER DUTIES,

Mr C. A. Harris is here working in the interest of re-imposition of timber du'iai. He luw had several interviews with Minia'tcis. 1I<: has also introduced the subject of preventing foreign ships from carrying cargoes between intermediate ports of tho Colony. It is understood that technical difficulties exist and that the repeal of the - ct at present would have the effect of enabling all foreign vessels to carry cargo's batween New Zealaud ports. The Govern, mc-nt promise to ascertain whether there are any Imperial Treaty obligations with America which would prevent special legislation by the Colony to prevent American vessels trading in the Colony.

FINANCIAL PROPOSALS

A complaint ia made by Opposition mem. hers relative to the Government caucus of their supporters on financial proposals, as it may enable them to forestall others in mercantile matters and make large profits out of their exclusive information. The usual course is to bring new duties secretly.

WOMAN'S RIGHTS,

Colonel Trimble gave notice of a new clause in the Electoral Bill to confer the franchise on every woman whose name ap-pea-s on the latepayer's roll.

QUESTIONS,

Mr Tole gave notice to ask the Govern, rnent whether it will place a sum on the estimates for the erection of a post office at Newmarket in connection with the telegraph office.

Mr Wright gave notice to ask the Government whether they would take steps to lender the services of public analysts throughout the colony more practically useful.

Mr Seddon asked the Government what is the cause ot the delay in not enforcing payment of the first moiety of the Land Tax.

The Premier said the present Treasurer was not responsible for the delay. The late Government did not give suilicieut lime necessary for Parliamentaty operations to be taken before the first instalment became due. 'Ihe consequence was that the first instalment of lax could not ba collected at the appointed time. The Government was not advised that the Governor has no legal power to collect the first half-year's poition. The Government had the alternative of returning tho lirst half-year's portion or initiating fresh legislation. Whenever Ihe Government arrived at adrc:sion on that point it would communicate it to tho I_ouse.

COUNTIES ACT AMENDMENT.

The Counties Act Amendment, introduced by Mr McCaughan, gives power to County Councils to construct tramways on roads, streets, &c, or authorise any conipauy or persons to construct them, but the Act does not abridge public right?. Road distiicls included iv two or more counties may merge in such counties, and the County Councils may ageee as to the division of property, and apportion the liabilities. If no agreement is made, actions, contracts, &c, may be enforced against either of such counties. Public pounds heretofore established may be brought under ejunties, &c.

GOLD DUTIES ACT,

The Gold Duties Abolition Act proposes to reduce the duty on the Ist of January next by Is 6_t; January, 1881, by Is; 1832 byGd.

MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT.

The Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill contnius twenty-eight clauses. It provides for a mode of severance of wards from the borough ; appointment and duties of inspector of nuismces, gives power to the Councils to declare private streets "public, to abate uuisances on private lancU, and recover the cost; where theowneiis unknown to sue for unpaid rates. The Council may L-equiro private lands to be levelled to a permanent level of the street, to control the construction of cellars on private lands. The Council is not to be liable for forming streets according to levels fixed; may ameiul the rate book, may lease lands by public tender, make bye-laws regarding the sale of meat, prevent tho growth of dangerous hedge?, recover from adjacent local bodies for wo^k and in contract. The Town Clerk may represent the Council it. theR.M. Courts.

[PER PKKSS AGENCY.I