PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 161, 10 July 1890, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN REPORTER.) Wellington, this day. THE RETRENCHMENT ARRANGEMENT. When the House assembled yesberday afternoon, Mr Seddon returned to the attack by asking whether bhe Government were yet prepared to give an answer to bhe question asked by Mr Guinness yesterday* as the to arrangement entered into between them and the party represented by the member for Waitemata. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson in reply said he did not think theGovernmenbwould be justified in stating to the House any negotiations entered into between them and any member of their own party. The Premier would be pleased to receive deputations from either the Opposition or Government side of the House to show where retrenchment could be effected. The question pub by Mr Guinness would be answered when Mr Monk's amendment was broughb before*the House. The Hon. Mr Ballance urged that if the Government had nob made up bheir minds bo agree bo bhe motion of Mr Monk they should state so at the earliest possible moment. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson said tho Government had nob agreed to anything at the present time. When Mr Monk's motion was moved in Committee, he would be prepared to state whab action the Government would be prepared to bake upon ib. Mr Cadman asked for a ruling as to whether Mr Monk's motion was in order. The Speaker replied thab so far as bhe motion gave expression bo opinions thab < would be used in debate, ib was not in i order to be moved in Committee of Supply. Mr Seddon then gave notice of hie intention to move in Committee of Supply a reduction on bhe firsb item as an instruction to the Governmenb thab supply should only be granted to the end of September, with a view to an early dissolution. The matter was then allowed to drop. The financial debate was resumed. Ib assumed a decidedly livelier tone than ib had been invesbed with for some time previously, one of the best speeches being that mnde by Mr Goldie on the subject of retrenchment. CONSTITUTION OF THE UPPER HOUSE. I undersband bhab a call of bhe Legislative Council for bhis afbernoon is bo secure a full abbendance of members for the discussion of Sir G. Whitmore's Bill dealing with a proposed alteration in the constitution of the Upper House. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. The Industrial Schools Act Amendment Bill was considered in Commibtee by tho Legislative Council yesterday afternoon, when the following new clauses were inserted :—The cost of maintaining ab an Industrial School the vagrant and indigent children found wandering in the streets shall be defrayed by the Board of the Hospital Disbricb wherein such place is situate, or the Board of bhe united disbricb wherein such Hospital District is comprised, out of moneys available for charitable aid in such district, bub no such cosb shall exceed a rate of eighb shillings a week, and in bhe case of any such mainbenance the money shall nob be paid by bhe Board aforesaid. The manager of bhe school of which such child is an inmabe may recover the sum from the said Board as a debt due to the said manager. .. CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT. Tho Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act was furbher considered in Committee by, bhe Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. Clause. 6 was amended by adding bhe words ** Crewh Solicitor or Crown Prosecutor," the effect being that these officials may institute prosecutions under the Act as well as the Attorney-General. The Bill was reported with amendments and bhe third reading was set down for next day. ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLONY* A matter of special interest to Auckland was discussed in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon,, when bhe Hon. Dr. Pollen moved, ** Thab in bhe opinion of bhis Council ib is desirable bhab the day now set apart as A public holiday for tho celebration of the anniversary of the foundation of the colony should be altered from the 29th January to 30bh January, in order that it may be in accord with historical.fact." The hon. gentleman referred .to the rivalry which had existed between Wellington and the city of Auckland, and said thab singularly enough the dates claimed by the disputants were both erroneous. He held in his hand data by which he could prove thab the real foundation of the colony took place at bhe Bay of Islands on bhe 30bh January, 1840, when.Captain Hobson, LieutenantGovernor, read Her Majesty's proclamation. The deed of allegiance was drawn up on bhat memorable day, and was signed by 45 colonists -who were present. He therefore thought it right thab the Government should set aparb 30th January as the anniversary of the colony. Sir Fred. Whitaker said a great deal of unpleasantness had arisen through the controversy as to whether Wellington or Auckland was enbibled bo the honour of being bhe birthplace of the colony, and therefore he thought it would be unwise to again sbir up sbrife in connection with bhe mabter. Feeling strongly upon this point, he moved the previous question, which was losb on the voices, and the original motion by Dr. Pollen was agreed to. PETITIONS. Mr Moat presents a petition from the residents cf the North Auckland disbricb asking for bhe consbrucbion of a main brunk road north from Devonporb, including grading and metalling, and Mr R. Thompson presents a petition from Russell Bates, of Kai-iwi, Auckland, praying for relief in respecb bo a cerbain land purchase. JOTTINGS. TheEducabion Reserves Amendment Act, 1890, has been read a firsb time in the Legislative Council. The Oaths Bill was read a third time in bhe Legislative Council yesterday and passed. . The Dentists' Bill has been referred by the Legislative Council to a selacb commibtee. Coroners' Inquosb Bill was read a second time in the Legislative Council ye3berday, and ordered to be committed on Friday. Wellingbon School of Design Bill and Napier Harbour Boards' Empowering Bill have been recommended to be allowed to proceed by the Local Bills Commibtee. ' Mr Taiwhanga asks for leave of absence for one week on account of illness. MrR. Thompson asks the Government if ib is bheir intention to make any provision for assisting small counbry libraries. Mr Taiwhanga moves for all correspondence between the Native Minister and agenbs, Howarbh and Sidney Taiwhanga, for the Roborua natives, concerning the purchase of bhe Rotorua township. Mr Kelly inbends to ask the Minister of Native Affairs if it iscorrecb thab the Government are finding funds for cerbain natives ab Rotorua bo carry on an appeal against the decision of Judge Conolly in the will case in which one Edward Robertson is interested. Mr Joyce proposes to ask the Premier if an early opportunity will be given the House bo discuss proposal to reduce.the Railway Commissioners' revenue estimates by £50,000, so that the Commissioners may lower rates on all colonial products.