LATE PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 249, 18 October 1894, Page 5

LATE PARLIAMENTARY.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY,

(BY TELEGRAPH.

— PARLIAMENTARY RE PORTER.) '

Wellington, this day. THE LITTLE BARRIER. .

At this morning's sitting, aftor preliminary business has been disposed of, Mr Houston brings up the reporb of the Native Affairs Commibtee on the Little Barrier Purchase Bill, recommending that it should pass with certain alterations, and moves that ib do lie on the table.

• Hone Heke takes great objection to the Bill, and proceeds to state his grounds. Ib is not fair, he holds, to bring down the Bill at bhis late stage of bhe session to bake away the interest of those natives who dissent to the sale without paying them something like the price they demand. Ho urges that the measure should be delayed till nexb session, and warns the Bouse thab if this not done he will oppose tho Bill in every stage.

The Minister for Lands explains the circumstances under which the, Bill has been broughb down. The whole trouble, he says, has arisen through the conduct of ODe native chief (Tenetahi). The Government are quite prepared to pay for the ißland, and the only question is to pay money to the parties who are entitled to it.

Sir R, Stoub reminds the House that there has been much native litigation over this island. Ib has been through; bhe Native Land Court seven or eight times. The native chief referred to by the Minister tor Lands spent some £200 in order to secure the island for his hapu, and if the island is sold he wishes to be repaid his expenses. Doubtless be will give way if concessions are made.

Sir R. Stout adds that tho title to this island has been one of the hardest fought in New Zealand.

Tbe Premier says ib is merely an attempt on the paiD of tho native chief to levy blackmail. We havo boughb the island, says ho. " Yes," interjects Sir Robert Stout, "but you bought it from those .who had no claim to it."

The Premier, amid laughter, says that he fears such has been the case with regard to other native lands.

Mr Mitcbelson considers that Tenetahi having signed the deed of sale is out of Courb, but he points out thab thero are two other, who have not signed the deed, and the case of these should be considered.

According to Marsden Thompson all the trouble has been caused by' Tenetahi, and the general opinion in Auckland is that too much money has boon paid for the IslandMuch of the complication is due to the action of those who broughb firewood from Tenetahi.

Notwithstanding a second attempt on the part of Heke to oppose the report it is laid on the table of the House.

Mr Houston then presents the report of the Committee on the petition of Mr Campbell, asking to ho heard at tho bar of bho House on behalf of the dissentients-to the purchase. The Committee recommend that Mr Campbell be heard.

The Speaker intimates thab al) the House can do in the matter is to refer thequestion whether Mr Campbell shall be heard to tbe government, and they shall decide.

The Premier, amid some laughter, says "That is the position I think, sir," and W6 era oo to other business, the general feeling being that Mr Campbell will not be heard.

MORTALITY AMONG SHEEP,

A lengthy discussion arises on the report of the Stock Committee, brought up by Mr Lawry, which deals with' the greab mortality amongst sheep, and especially young sheep throughout the colony. The Committee strongly recommend that the Stock Department during the recess have a full investigation by the besb experts obtainable.

Captain Russell and others point out the . greab necessity for the besb veterinary experts being engaged, ao aa to keep out contagious diseases from flocks. Captain Russell remarks that if it costs the colony ten or even twenty thousand pounds it will be money well spent. Tho Minister for Lands says bhe Government bas nob been neglecting the'matter, but that it would mean a large expenditure to engage tho best experts. He thinks the whole matter should be discussed by the House, and if the House .decided a sum should be placed on the Estimates for the purpose of keeping out contagious diseases from flocks in this colony the Government would of course comply with tbe resolution. THE SECOND SLAUGHTER. On the motion of the Premier the Order Paper is cleared of the following. Bills: — Employers' Private Society Bill (Hon. Mr Reeves), Distillation Acb, 1868, Amendmenb Bill, Betberment Bill. Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion Bill, Supreme Courb Acb Amendmenb Bill. Public Reserves Sale Bill. Animals Protection Acb Amendment Bill. Newspaper Libel Limitation Bili. Debts Recovery Limitation Bill. Shearers' Accommodation Bill. A division takes place on the point thab the adjourned debate on the question " that the report of the Railway Committee do be laid on the table, and be referred to the Government," should be allowed to proceed, and results in the order being struck off by 41 to 28. Tbe following local Bills are also struck off:—Patea Foreshore Vesting Bill, Wairoea and Inangahua Counties Boundaries Alteration Bill, Dunedin Public Abattoirs Bill, Invercargill Racecourse Trustees Empowering Bill,