Tuesday, September 23.

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 532, 26 September 1873, Page 3

Tuesday, September 23.

Mr Yogel moved the question as to the remission of Webb's penalties, and explained that Webb was originally liable, but had sold bis interest to a company. However," he admitted his liability now, but said that he was not in a position to pay the penalties. It was not usual to inflict the penalties excepting in cases of fault. The new contractor wa« not Burnside, but was in some way connected with Hall. If a pressure were put npon Webb, it would prejudice the new contracts, The j penalties amounted to LIO,OOO, and it became a question whether they should either exonerate Webb or leave the matter for some time. The latter would risk the amount. The Government would do what the House wished, but would suggest that a discretion ghould be given to Ministers. Advices i'rom New York said that, while the money was recoverable, Webb would resist. If the House should so decide, the fear of law-suit would not stop the Government.—Mr Maoandrew thought the penalties should be remitted. He moved the previous question.— Mr T. B. Gillies quoted Mr Vogel's letter to Webb complaining of the conduct of the service, and urged the infliction ot the penalties. — Mr Kolleston expressed similar srifiKs.=-Mr Fox spoke at length in favor of the reminion,—Mr Steward supported enforcing the penalties. Any other course would establish a bad precedent for future contractors. Afterwards, perhaps 1 , Webb might be recompensed for extra services, if such bad been performed.— Mr Stafford said that, the Government haviog brought the matter before the House, the House was entitled to the expression of its opinion. If all Webb's letter could be believed, it might be thought fit to remit the penalties. Probably Webb had started the service bafore be was ready, thereby incurring loss. This might establish a claim. There might be reasons outside the actual question why jt

I would be advisable to remit the penalties. 1 Ht? would move that the House was not at present aware of reasons why the whole p9na!iies should be remitted,- but wss den ions o( waiting' further information before deciding. —Mr Johoston said that, except during, the last few months of the service, Webb had not tried to carry it out. He preferred the motion by Mr Stafford.— Mr Macandrew expressed his willingness to withdraw his amendment, if the Premier were willing 1 to accept Mr Stafford's amendment.— Mr T. B. Gillies thought that; the House should express a definite opinion. He therefore moved that the penalties be enforced.— Mr Rolleslon said that Mr Stafford's motion inferred more than be said, and yet gave no answer to the question before the House. He would support Mr Gillies' amendment. — Mr Cuthbertson supported the enforcement of the penalties. — Mr Sheehan urged that the matter had better be let alone, which would be the more' prudent course. Mr Wilson thought that Webb was the lust contractor to whom consideration should be shown, and who should be treated leniently. — Mr Brandon supported Mr Stafford's amendment. — Mr Reid explained that he wns not in favor of the remmission of the penalties, though he was not prepared to go to the length of Mr Gillies' amendment. He would, at the proper time, propose as an amendment-, that the matter be left to the discretion of the Government.—Mr Webster was in favor of the matter being left to the Government — The Premier said that the House should decide as to the remission of the penalties, The course proposed by Mr Stafford was a good and wise one. Mr Webb hid had many expensive misfortunes. The contract w»s originally a bad one for him. — Mr Stafford's amendment was eventually carried. On the question that the House in the evening should take up the Provincial Loans Bill, Mr Tolmie said that the Colony and provinces were going too fast. It was not probable that they would get money. Loan companies would not take the debentures whilst the colony was borrowi&g in London at the same time. If the banks bought, it would be for selling in London and the same power would be used as was brought to bear before to effect a consolida- j tion. The amount of borrowing, provincial and colonial, for the year, would be L 3,500,000. — Mr Rolleston concurred in the remarks of the last speaker, and dwelt, upon the dangers following upon reckless borrowing and an extravagant policy. — The motion was carried. Mr Tolmie gave aoiice of motion that during the recess the Government should make" the preliminary arrangement necessary to secure a modification ofthexisting laws, with a view to their consolidation during the next, and following session. Mr Miller moved, "That on account of Canterbury and Otago receiving such large land revenues they should construct their own railr/ays." After a discussion the motion was withdrawn. The Treasury Bill Extended Currency Bill was read a second time. The Colonisation Company's Bill was discharged. A caucus of Government supporters was held to-day at which over forty members were present. A resolution was passed to support the Government in carrying through the old Provincial Loan Bills in a modified form ; the rating clauses to be loft out, and the Bills to be otherwise so framed that previously to the Ist of January, 1875, all the provinces together cannot borrow more than L 285,000. Bills embodying this principle will go through the House of Representatives tonight. 5 p.m. The result of the caucus is that Mr Yogel promises that before the Ist January, 1875, the expenditure shall not exceed L 380,000, to be distributed as follows :— Auckland £127,500 Wellington 87,500 Marlborough 10,500 Taranaki 15,000 Otago 10,000 Westland 35 > 000 Seven Loan gills were introduced today. The total amount authorised to be raised by them both before and after 1875 is L1,07G,000, distributed as follows :— Auckland £245,000 Wellington • 170,000 Marlburoiigh 21,000 Taranaki.. 75,000 Hawko'sßay 210,000 Ota<'o 300,000 Westland : 50,000 The Standing orders about reference of the Land Bills to the "Waste Lands Committee were suspended for the remainder of the session. — The Hawke's Bay Loan Ordinance Empowering Bill was read a first time. — Mr Ormond moved its second reading, which, after a discussion, was carried by i% to 14 votes. — The following Bills were read a first an 4 second time and committed, and progress reported im- ' mediately without discussion :— The Loan ! Ordinance Empowering Bills for Auckland Marlborough, Wellington, Qtago, Nelson, and Taranaki. The Legislative Council have abandoned i the amendment made by them in the Floatage of Timber Bill. further correspondence from the Agent- Qr.en.eral has been just published.