HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4636, 10 June 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, Jttnb 9. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICES 07 MOTION.

Sii W. Fox gave notice that he would, on consideration of the Licensing Aot, more the insertion of a clause giving relatives the right of action against anyone supplying persons to, their injury. : A report from the Local Indnstriee Commission relative to the sale of New Zealand wines was produced by the Hon. T. Dice. Mr Button gave notice of motion to the effect that subsidies be payable to looal bodies as before during the next six months, pending the ohange proposed by the financial statement being, carried into effect. Beplying to Mr Bain, The Hon. Major AxQKSOKsaid that there was no difference between building sooieties and other companies as to this basis upon which the former are to pay the tax under the Property Assessment Act, 1879. The charge ie provided for by section 13 of the Act.

Dr.WAITiIS asked if the Government intend during' the • present session to introduce a Bill to prevent theatrical representations of an indecent or immoral kind, or to extend the provisions of the Otago Ordinance to the whole colony, , . The Hon. T. DIOE replied that the provisions of the Otago Act were found incomplete for the purpose aimed at. The Government recognised the importance of the subject, but had not time to prepare a Bill of the kind. If the hon. member would undertake the work, he could rely upon every possible euistance being given him by the Government.

Replying to Sir G. Grey, The Hon. J. Beyob eaid that if any good reasons were shown, the sale of the Hannah Mokau, advertised for the 17th met., would be postponed for another month.

Replying to Mr JEleid, The Hon. T. DiOK said that a sum amounting to £50 would be placed on the Estimates with a view to fulfilling a promise made by the late Government to the Literary Society and Fire Brigade of Hokitika, to hand over the rent which was received from Government House in that town as a eubsidy to the above bodies.

Replying to Mr Thomson,

The Hon. B. Oiivbe said that a report had been prepared, and would shortly be produced from the Biver Commissioners regarding the floods on the Incholutha.

Replying to MrTurnbull, The Hon. E, Oeevkb said that plans were being prepared for improvements at the Timaru railway station. .

Mr Baeeok asked whether in view of the repeal or modification of the Property Assessment Act 1879,the Government wul, inaoeordance with the 92nd section, grant an extension of time for furnishing statements required by that Aot. The Hon. Major Aronrsonr replied that Government would make no modification whatever as to anticipating the repeal of the Act He had the question of extension of time, how-

JTJVfc " consideration, and if they thouehfc that the circumstance, of the cue ncSft they would exercise the authority «"«ftJ* by the section of the Act. • &Ma Replying to Mr Montgomery, The Hon. J. Bbtoh said that Government had nofc the information required question-" If before the second reading of th 2 Native Lands Contracts Act Validation Bm 1879, the,: will to before the HouaTa ,£ showing the number of blocks of land which will be affected by this Bill, the area VS blook, the amount paid and\to-be paidc>th* Native owners of eaoh block, with the nainea of the Europeans who have entered into such alleged agreements." Replying to Mr Montgomery, The Hon. J. Hail said that in a day or two he would lay before this House all cone. sponderce between the Government and the Agent-General, and between the Government and the loan agents, relating to the raUim* o! the £5,000,000 loan, and the conversion of loans.

Mr Fikh asked if the Government intended making any provision towards con tinning the granting of land eotip to volunteers for lone service, and if not, did nofc they consider volunteers entitled to any remuneration for their lervioee. The Hon. J. Betcb replied that the grant* of land had long been discontinued. That was done with the consent of Parliament Speaking for himself he thought it was more likely that reduotione would be made instead of an inoreaee, by way of remuneration. Mr Stkwaet asked whether the Government intend to introduoe a Bill for the pur* pose of validating all probate and letters of administration granted by Dietriot Courts, He explained that, aoting under misappreheneion, probate has been granted "by a number of Distriot Courts within district! where dietriot Judges of the Supreme Court resided. The Hon. W. Koi/lbston said that a Bill would be introduced to remedy the defect in the Act, and the whole matter would be brought before Parliament at an early date. Replying to Mr Finn, The Hon. W. Rollbston said that he understood that tenders had been called for the erection of a Court-house at Arrowtown, and the ereotion of a gaol at Queenstown would be prooeeded with shortly. HBW BIELS. The following new Bills were introduced and read a first time:—East Coast Native Lands Settlement Bill (Mr MoDonald). To Perpetuate the Recognition of the Public i Services of W. S. Moorhouse, Esq., in the late Province of Canterbury (Sir G. G-roy). To amend The Crown Grants Amendment Aot, 1870 (Hon. W. Eolleston). THE SPEAKER KNIGHTBD. The Hon. J. Hall laid upon the table a. message from the Governor, containing & despatch from the Secretary of State for fchj. Colonies, forwarding an intimation that her Majesty the Queen had conferred the honor of Knighthood on the Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives, G-. M. O'Borke, Esq. In moving that the despatch be ontered on the journals of the Houee, Mr Hall congratulated the Speaker on the honour oonferred on him, whioh to a great) extent refleoted to the credit of the Houso. Mr Hull made a few eulogiitio remarks upon the conduot and dealings of the Speaker, and concluded by expressing a hope that he would long be spared to enjoy the honor conferred on him. Mr Maoandbew, in a few complimentary words, seconded the motion, whioh was put and carried. The SfEAKBB briefly acknowledged the compliment. KATIYB PBIBONBRS. On the motion of Sir G. Gbhz it was agreed that a return of the namea of all Natives discharged from Mount Eden Gaol during the months of April and > May last, showing the dates of their committal to prison, the offences for whioh they were com* mitted, the periods for whioii they were sentenced to imprisonment, and the date of their release, should be laid upon the table. THB AQBNT-GBNBBAI» '~ The Hon. W. Gisbobhb moved for copies of correspondence, telegraphio and otherwise, with the Agent-General of the colony, on the subject of his being a candidate for..a seat in the House of Commons, and also on the subject of his being & director of the New Zealand Agricultural Company. He commented on the foot that the late v well as the present Government had expressed etrong opinions that tbepoeMona referred to were incompatible with his duties as Agent-General, but still Sir J. Vogel seemed to do as he liked, to aot in the most contumacious manner, and to treat the Govern* ment and.the wjth hie own strong hoped thalif (he papers might show that neither Sir Julius £or the Government were as muoh to blame v both certainly appeared to be. Sir W. Fox seoonded the motion. He said both he and the mover had been colleagues of Sir Julius Vogel, and it was in no hostile spirit that this m&vfcer yr&a brought up. Tha position taken up by Sir J. Vogel had been a good deal commented on, and he hoped that the Government would give a full exglana* (ion of all the faots of toe case. -

The' Hon. J. Hah said that the paper* would be in print and laid on the table in ft few days. It would be seen from thus papers that it was a mistake to suppose tint Sir Julius had in any way attempted to act in defiance of the Government; - .- : ■

The motion was .put and carried. MISOBLI/ANEOUS.

Mr Bpbight moved for a return showing (1) the total number of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors issued during the lut oomplete licensing year, distinguishing between the various kinds of licenses. (2.) The amount ; of revenue by way of license fees, setting out the separate amount* received on account of each ohus of license.

The motion was agreed to. Dr. WAiiiia moved -" That there be laid before thie House a return of the amounts for advertisements, and for printing to newt* papers severally, from the Ist October, 1879, to the 31st Maroh, 1880, the return to be similar to the return 89, appendix to the journals of the House of Bepreeentative«, 1879 session II."

The Hon. Joss Hale promised that tha return would be forthcoming, and denied an insinuation made by the mover that earn* plaints had been made about favoritism in the distribution of their advertisements.

The motion was put and carried. Mr Bailahoh moved—-"That there be laid before this House efll papers and correspondence and the copy of any contract relating to land at Murimotu." The motion was agreed to. Mr MoOauqhan moved—"That there be laid before this House all correspondenoe relating to the treatment and death and the inquest held on the body of John Wilson, who;was found dead in H.M. gaol at Invftfcargill." In doing bo he entered at some length into the history of the case. The motion was seconded by Mr StewaST, and supported by Messrs Tcbkbttll and ToiE. i

The Hon. W. Bolkbstok said that he agreed in the remarks that it was necenary that care should be exercised to see that no cruelty was done to persons deprived of their liberty. On the facts being known to him he called for the depositions taken by the Coroner, and they had been sent to him. The objection to the constitution of the jury was that it was composed one-half of prisoners and the other of free men, and this objection . was a valid one. Snob, a jory was certainly contrary to law. The flret question the. Government had to consider waa as to whether another inquest was likely to lead to further results or a different decision. The depositions were I examined by the Government and referred to medical gentlemen in Wellington for their opinion, and they were asked to report as to the cause of death, and as to whether or not the death had been accelerated from negleot The reply was that they were quite agreed as to the C3use of death, which was that found by the coroner's jury, and that death had nee been hastened by neglect. The Government had determined that a further enquiry should be made by a Royal Commission astothe conduct of officers on this oooaaion. They had decided upon that course so that tne offloers whose conduct was under suspicion might have an opportunity of being fainy judged in the circumstances. .. Mi-BArarsaid that he had madeinguine* inV> the facts of this case, and he foundl thM the visiting juetioee were very muon w blame. They had not visited the prison for at least three months. He hoped that tne Commissioners to be appointed would be nsw from all local influence and bias. ' Mr McOATOHAsr, in reply, contended W& it was possible to discover disease in the deoeased hajL 4S pe t tt S-, been taken by the mediosl these men with cruelty, and it was *}*™l** the Minieter of Juetioe to have called opo*

these very-men for an explanation. Was it . «t a& Hk«ly tbat tnese men toblgL criminate " -flmneelveg f At the inquest the coroner diseoantenasced the evidence adduced as to the jrtatment- that the deceased had received at (jje hands of the officers. Hβ complained tjjafc the Government had neglected their duty jjj the matter. He hoped that the Commiewould be composed of men who would ■ire a, fearless verdict on the whole case. The motion was put and carried, jjhe House adjourned at 5.30.