HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4638, 12 June 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Fbiday, Jtjnb 11. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. W. Rollbsxon laid upon the table a copy of the correspondence re the death of John Wilson, a prisoner in the Inveroargill gaol. The Hon. Major Atkinson laid upon the table a copy of the instructions given to assessors under the property tax. He also stated that a modification of the form, of the schedules would be made and that, in all probability, the time for collection would be extended. questions. Replying to Mr Hirst, The Hon. Mr Olivbb said that he had reoeived a report on the subjeot, and in a day or so he would be able to state the intentions of the Government as to the erection of protective works at a place known as the Double Cabbage Tree, on Jaoob's River. Replying to Mr MoOaughan's question if it was Mr Woodward, as Publio Trustee, whoso - name was subscribed to an advertisement as manager of a Trust Company, and such being the case, could his time not be fully employed in the Government servioe, or his office d_eharged by some other functionary of tha Civil Service, ■ The Hon. Major Atkinson said he believed the two names were the same, but Mr Woodward had practically ceased being in the Government service on Ist of May last; but, as a favor to the Government, he had continued to discharge the duties in the meantime without salary. I*""":. ■ . -■ f Replying to Mr MoOaughd-C '^': The Hon, J. Hall said that the San Franoisco Mail Service contraot did not terminate until 1883, and that "it could not be terminated sooner unless a breach of contract should occur. • " ."■■." Mr Db Latttoub asked whether officers or other persons in the employment of the Government who have been and'are now with the defence force on the West Coast have received permission to aot as correspondents for the Press Association or for any newspaper, 2. Whether'any such officer or persona are now acting as such correspondents with the consent of the Government.

The Hon. J. Bbxob answered both questions in the negative. Replying to Mr J. B. Fisher, The Hon. Major Atkinson said that tha> Government had not and would not for a period of three months receive Sir John Coode's report upon the Buller Harbor. Replying to" Mr Hirst, The Hon. W. Rollbston said that the Government had no information that a ran in Otago had been leased by the Waste Lands Board of Otago for ths Bole purpose of breed, ing rabbits, and thereby not complying with the Act whioh -provides that lessees _ shall stock with either sheep or cattle, according to the carrying capacity of the country. Mr Bain asked the quantity and value of the Newcastle coal used on the Invercargill section of New Zealand railways during the fiuanoialperiod ending March 31st last.• The lion. B. Ouvbb replied 2515' tons, the cost being £3751. As soon as the engines were adapted for the purpose, native coal would be substituted, the same as on the other lines. Mr AJ-LWBIGHT asked if the Railway department collect the freight of the Union Steam Shipping Company at Dunedin and_Canterbury, and if so the amount of commission charged for suoh collection. The Hon. R. Oltvsb replied that an arrangement of the kind had existed since May, 1878, and it was found to be a publio convenience. No commission was charged. Mr G-kobgh asked at whose cost the pamphlet entitled "A Guide for the Property Assessment Act, 1879," by Charles_ M. Gromhie, Deputy Lancl Tax Commissioner, was printed, by whom, it is being sold, and who derives the advantage, if any, from the sale thereof. .

The Hon. Major AT-dNSON replied that it was a strictly private matter, andthe Govern, ment had nothing to do with either the cost of publication or the profits arising from the sale.

Replying to Mr Pitt, ... The Hon. Major Atkinson said that lights had arrived from England, and the Government were completing the necessary an—agemen— for establish-ig the leading lights for steamers in Tory Channel. MtDbLadtoub asked how many Natives were detained in prison at the present time awaiting trial for alleged disturbances on the West Coast of the North Island ; how long have they or eaoh of them been so detained in prison; how many, if any, have died during the term of their imprisonment; what is the cost per week of their maintenance and safe custody. The Hon. J. Bryob replied that 130 were detained for seven months; one prisoner had died, the maintenance cost per week being £75.

Replying to Mr Bowen, The Hon. R. Olivbb said that the cost; during tho quarter ending 31st March last, of working the Ohr_tohuro_ passenger station* was £1221; that of Dunedin, £971. The passenger traffio of the one was 45,070, ana the other 45,072.

SELECT COH—ITTBB. Mr Bbt_otj_ moved that a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to whom all local Bills shall stand referred after their first reading, the committee to consist of Messrs Ballance, Bowen, J. B. Fisher, Fulton, Ormond, Shepherd, Stewart, Tole, MoOaughan, and the mover. Mr McOAHaHAN objected to bis name being E laced on any committee in this way, having een studiously kept off committees by the Government when appointing committees » the ordinary way. .< ■.'■•■-£ •_ The Hon. J. B__t, Gove»£ ment had done so. B_i_-£ie h-DVoeen omitted, as they nndoratood that he objected to committee work.

On the •question for expunging Mr VeOaujchan from the committee being put to tile House, it was carried on the voices. new bills.

rfbe Evidence Amendment Bill was introduced by Mr Stewabt, and read a first time. BXCONB ——LDINSS. _he Hoc. T. Dice moved the seoond readj_j- 0 f the PHfflrmaoy Bill. J)t.~ that the proposal was premature!*! - -8 Government should have in the first ins—nee made an effort to secure a oombination on the part of the medical profenion, and then a subsidiary movement of tjjii kind might follow. He also complained •that no opportunity had been allowed for gjjenlation among those who were more inroediately interested in it. He suggested that the measure should be postponed. Mr Bowen said that the Bill was very urgently demanded, and no one acquainted —itb the position of affairs in connection with the trade at present could doubt its importance. There was something in the objection that they had no information as to where the examinations provided for in the Bill should be held. That, however, could be got over by these examinations being held at different places throughout the colony. jSx Macandbbw did not see that there was gny pressing necessity for the BQL Why did •tbay not seek to establish Boards to examine into and report upon the competency of the brewers or bakers. If this thing went on the» would very soon be unable to move •without first being judicially examined as to their competency to do so. Mr J. B- Pisheb supported the BUI and imported a proposal made by previous ipeakers to the effect that the examination should not be confined to men, but that women should be also competent for the qualification. The Hon. T. Dick replied. It would be competent for the Board to provide examiners throughout the colony. It would sot be necessary that a c_id-date should go to Wellington as some speakers appeared to apprehend. If for instance Otago had the largest number of registered members, they might have the Board to sit in Dunedin. The objection that women were not provided for by the Bill ins a good one-and he would be prepared to admit an amendment in that direction readily. If bakers and brewers were in the habit of mixing poison with articles they supplied, then it would be as nece—ary to see that they were duly qualified, as they proposed to do with' the druggist. , . , The motion was put and carried. The Hon, J. Halt, moved the second reading of the Election Petitions Bill. It was identical with the BQI of last session, and the speaker detailed its provisions at length. Dr. Wallis denounced the Bill as most tmconstftutio—_, The proposal to remit petitions to the Judges was an adaptation of the English law on the point. He contended, however, that the conditions in this colony wen different from those existing at Home. Here the majority of the Judges were politicians of very recent date. Mr Justioe Gillies, for example, had had a seat in'that House, and at that time he was known aa one of the most violent partisans in the House. Then, again, the petition may be presented at any time,. and at a place coterminous to the place where the offence is alleged to have been committed. That state of things placed members in a very unfair position. Members present at Wellington might be called upon to defend a petition of this kind at a time when it might be highly inconvenient for them to leave their legislative duties. The defect of the Bill was that while they weie the legislators for the people, the Judges were to be their legislators without any appeal whatever.

Mr Toi— was of opinion that it would be well to relegate questions of this kind to a tribunal outside of and altogether independent of the House. The defect of the Act, however, was that both questions of fact as well se of law were left to the decision of the Judges. What he would suggest was that questions of fact should be left for the de-' rision of the jury. Then, again, he would suggest that an appeal on points of law should be reserved for the Court of Appeal.

Mr Tu_hbui_ thought that the corrupt practices provided against by the Bill should be defined by the Aot itself, and not left for tie interpretation by another statute. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjtixnment.