PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY TELECBAPH — I'ABLtAMKXTAEY

KKFOIITER.)

Wellington, tins day ■ BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

Okce more the Council, by a bare major- ' ity, has pronounced against Bible-reading in schools. By 16 to 15 they yesterday defeated Dr. Menzies's motion, "That in the opinion of this Council the reading of the Bible in public schools should no longer be prohibited." : ENTITLED TO PENSIONS. A return was presented to the House last night, on tho motion of Mr Goldie, giving tho names of all persons who, in fche event of rei^jnaentfrom tho public service, i would be entitled to receive pensions, with ! the amount each would be entitled to if his \ services were dispensed with during the present financial year. Tho principal Bums are as follows :— Legislative Department: Major Gampbell, Clerk of Parliament, £466; (J. Friend, Clerk's Assistant, £335 ; L. Stovre, Clerk to Legislative Council, £214. Colonial Secretary's Department: G. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary, £533. Audit— J. G. Anderson, Chief Clerk, £193 4s 3d ; C. J. Batkin, Assistant-Controller and Auditor-Genera!, £533. Treasury Department: N. Livingstone, Local Auditor, £244; J. Ollivier, Local Auditor, £250. . Justice Department :A. S.-Allan, Kegistrar of the Supreme Court, £195 ; H. McCulloch, R.M., £255. Postal and Telegraph Department: h. Cook, Timaru, £252; R. Kirton, Nelson, £265; E. D. Butts, Dunedin, £220. Customs and Marine Department :G. B. Cooper, Collector, £353 ;H. S. Mclvollar, ■Secretary and Collector, £433; W.J. Rodgorson, Collector, £242; T. (Till, Collector, £400; J. D. Luudon, £180; J. T. Hart, Landing Surveyor, £176; C. M. Ward, Tide Surveyor, £IS6; It, Johnson, Nautical Adviser, £176. Lands and Deeds Registry :A. If. King, District Registrar, £193 ; F. G. Morgan, District Registrar, £123. Minister of Lands Department (geological and meteorological)': Sir J. Hector, director, £361; W. Skey, analyst, £180; R. B. Gore, clerk and curator, £187. Crown Lands Departments: H. G. It. Elliott, Under Secretary, £292. Public Works: J. Blaoketb, Engineer-in Chief, £483; J. D. Steward, District Engineer, £300. DUTY ON UMBRELLAS. Mr Moss has received letters complaining that the duty on materials for covering umbrellas is 25 per cent., if less than 44 inches, whilo the duty on the umbrellas imported is only 20 per cent. He has represented this to the Premier, who thinks there will be no difficulty in remedying the matter by tho regulations which the Tariff Bill gives Government the power to make in such matters, as tho intention of the Tariff itself is clear. EPSOM RECREATION RESERVE. The attention of tho House was devoted for some time on Thursday afternoon to consideration of the Epsom and Mount Eden Recreation Rescivo Bill in Committee. The measure seeks to transfer some 34 acres of land now held as a reserve for asylum purposes into that of a recreation reserve. The Colonial Secretary gave the history of the land from IS6B up till 1874, when it ■was sob apart for the purpose named. Objection was taken to its being alienated from its original purpose by Mr Turnbull—who has so far been the bitter ' opponent to the Auckland Girls' High School Bill—on the ground that) provision must be made for those who were mentally dead. He said the fact was, as stated by the Minister of Public Works, that the population in the immediate neighbourhood was a strong proof of the great value of the land, and as it was for asylum purposes that it had been reserved, it might bo used as a site for an old people's refuge instead of the wretched buildincrs in which they were residing when ho was last in Auckland, I recommend his suggestion to the Charitable Aid Board. who, from the reports that have reached here, are casting about for a site on which to erecfc a refuge. Mr Tanner, of Waipawa, also opposed tho Bill, claiming that an equivalent must be given before allowing its diversion. Mr Samuel, of New Plymouth, and Mr Bruce, of Rangibikei,also opposed, and aa it was their evident intention to stonewall the measure until the 5.30 adjournment, it was decided to report progress and pub the other local Bills which had passed through Committee to their third reading, and thus provide work for the Council. This was done, occupying the remaining time until 5.30, and so preventing the Auckland Girls' High School, which^was the next order of the day, from coming on. The Epsom Recreation Reserve _ Bill, which was talked out on Thursday, is not likely to come up again, as the Government have taken all future Thursdays. Mr Mitchelson, who had charge of the Bill, had agreed to introduce Newmarket as one of the managers of the gravel pit on the representations of Sir M. O'Rorke and Mr Moss, who usually act together in matters affecting Newmarket, of which each represents a portion. Mr Goldie thinks that it is quite possible the reserve, which is 35 acres and near Mr Justice Gillies's house, could be gob as a site for the Old Men's Refuge, and thinks the question of whether it is suitable is worthy of consideration by the Charitable Aid Board. BONDING WAX VESTAS. Messrs Howison, Hogg, and Nicol, of Dunedin, having written to Mr Ross asking thab in view of the heavy duty on wax matches, viz., 5s 6d per gros?, almosb half their original cost, they be allowed to be bonded. The matter has been brought .under the attention of the Government, and the Secretary of Customs has replied thab this is a matter of law, sinco 1806, nob of regulation ; bub the Premier lias instructed him to prepare a Bill to^ amend the law so as to give effect to the wishes of the applicants and others. THE ROSS COMPENSATION BILL This measure has been introduced to give effect to a promise made to Mr Archibald H. Ross, an Opotiki settler, thab certain land, 60 acres in extent, should be given to him as compensation for about 16 acres taken for a road from Opotiki to Waiotahi. THE NATIONAL PARK. Nothing is being done at the present time to complete the formation of the National Park, as a law suit is pending respecting certain of the lands concerned. The Government have, however, secured the summits of fche mountains of Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe, and Tongariro, so that there is no fear of competition from speculation. NGARUAWAHIA CEMETERY RESERVE BILL. Major Jackson succeeded in getting this measure through all stages yesterday afternoon. He said the object was to lease a portion of the reserve in terms of 14 years, the proceeds being devoted to the improvement of tho other parts of the cemetery. The second reading was carried on the voices. The Bill passed through Committee without amendment, was read a third time, and passed. WAIKATO MODEL FARM. The Bill introduced by tho Colonial Secretary to vest certain lands at Kfrikirxroa of a total area of 137 acres in the Waikato fiewty Council for the purposes ot a model

farm, passed through all stages in the Lower Housa yesterday. The object of the farm is to impart knowledge in practical farming to the inhabitants of Waikato and adjacent counties. The Bill will bo introduced in tho Council to-day. INTERCOLONIAL RECIPROCITY.

Mr Joyce continues to urge this matter on the attention of tho Government. He is now moving that the Commissioner of Customs be requested to communicate with the Commissioner of Customs of Victoria and ascertain if the resolutions upon intercolonial free trade which appeared on the order paper of tho Victorian Assembly of the 4fch l insb., had been considered, and if so with what result 'i

DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS.

The necessity for precautions against tho •reckless destruction of our forests has ennviged the attention of Mr Monk for some ■bimo, and he is having a Bill prepared •which will probably be introduced by the ! Government next session, and will legislate \ fully in tho direction desired. One clause ! will provide thab gum-diggers may work without payment of license fees, but will bo bound to 'take special care to prevent danger from fires during the four warmest summer months. NOT A ROSY BILLET. 11; would appear from an Auckland cartoon that is engaging attention here that an impression exists in Auckland thab Mr T. Thompson is paid £100 as Chairman of tho Public Petitions Committee. Such is nob the case. Mr Thompson took office after tho payment to the Chairman was stopped, and though the duties are very onerous, ho doe 3 nob even receive a courteous thank you for his services, although a good deal ox abuse falls to his lob. VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS. Mr T. Thompson is endeavouring bo get his clause providing for the continuance of the village settlement scheme inserted in the Land Bill during its progress through the Legislative Council. Ho spoke to Mr Swanson yesterday concerning this intention, but that gentleman said ho did not sufiiciontly understand the matter to take it in hand.

There lias been a good deal of talk relative to tho absence of so many Auckland members when tho division on the village settlement clause took placo early yesterday morning. Some of them were present till a lato hour, bub stonewalling being in progress bhey did nob think Mr Thompson's amendment would come on, and went homo. In addition to bhe members already named, Mr R. Thompson had taken tho precaution to pair for the amendment, hi r Monk was present, bub did nob yobs, his reason, I suppose, being thab w'hilo hs is nob altogether in favour of this system, he respected the feeling in Auckland iv its favour and would not vote against ib.