GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 105, 14 July 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tuesday, july 4. At tie 'evening- sitting, The Imprest Supply Bill was read n third time, and passed without any distussios. After some formal business, Sir Julius' Yogel delivered the Financial Statement, which appeared in our last issue. Sir G. '<3rey said he disagreed, with n large "portion -of the Statement, though te would frot then reply to the speech in detail. But as to the resolution whicfh demanded their immediate attention, he wtfald say such a resolution should not have been obtruded upon their attention at so late an hour. %he honorable member then proceeded to argue against the injustice of fixing arbitrarily so high a price upon all the lands of the Colony, poor and rich alike. He would also ask why, a few days ago, the Government completed the sale of the 80,000 acres to the friends of the Government, an act which lie held would meet with universal reprobation. He protested in the name of the people of the North Island against the resolution, and moved as an amendment, " Provided always that snould the purchasers be dissatisfied with such increase they shall be entitled to •have their purchase money refunded with interest thereon." During this speoch Sir George Grey attributed corrupt motives to the Government in connection with their proposal to raise the price of land. Sir J. Yogel was certain the House was weary of this sort of thing, and •ought to expect something better from the leader of the Opposition. The object of the resolution was merely meant . to protect the interests of the Colony. " In asking the house to pass the resolution they did not ask it as an affirmation or otherwise of the proposals in the Financial Statement. He was not going to argue the point that night, because such a course would not be fair to the House. As to the hon. member's reference to the two Islands of New Zealand, he said that the House was there to represent and legislate for both Islands of New Zealand. Mr .Reid, vrhile agreeing* with much in the speech, believed the resolution would press heavier and more injuriously upon Otago than any other Province, because they had the greatest land sales. He utterly deprecated this hasty legislation. He did not believe if the resolution were passed that it would debar any one who wished to apply for the land— in fact, he thought it would place speculators in a better position than they were before. Mr Wood said it appeared to him that the resolution was very incomplete, inasmuch as the Government appeared to be ready to accept anj' amendment that was offered. Mr Stout said it was easy to see that whoever drew up the resolution knew very, little of law. It appeared to him that the resolution was aimed at Otago. Nine-tenths of the land in Otago belonging to the Crown was not open for sale, although all the land worth anything was open. The resolution was worthless, because the price of land must be raised by Act of Assembly. might have legal advisers ■as goud as those of the Government, and might go and purchase, and then -demand the enforcement of their contract, and the Government might say, : as in the case of the Piako Swamp, the agreement is morally, if not legally, ■binding. The honorable gentleman then cited how when the Ctago Provincial Council wished the price of their land to be temporarily increased to five pounds per acre, in order to put a check upon speculators, the Premier objected very decidedly to making any temporary increases in price, although he allowed it to be fixed at three pounds. The Premier would merely say that the Solicitor- General wrote out the resolution, and sent it to the printing office. Mr Rees said that for the Government to attempt to pass a resolution of that kind after the way theylhad affirmed the sale of the Piako Swamp at 2s 6d t per acre, was simply scandalous. The Hon. Mr Bowen said the resolution would merely bind the House to =any agreement that might be come to : afterwards. The Premier said he was willing to adopt an amendment making the price •of land -not to exceed £2 per acre, and •to insert the same in the amendment. Mr Reid wanted to know whether' 'the resolution would apply to land sold by auction. If so, it would paralyse 'the land sales of Otago, and lead to the •stoppage of their public works. If" "they increased the price of land, where were they going to get the subsidies [promised Jast year ? Mr Stafford pointed out that the resolution was merely a pledge in case something was done. Sir J. Yogel explained 'to the House that 'it was not the intention of the Government to fix the price of land to any particular amount. They clid not look ; upon a Vote from hon. members that 'morning as a pledge that they must "vote for any particular price. Mr. Masandrew thought the resolution ill-timed and ill-considered.- It should have been postponed till Abolition had been passed. It was very hard that. people from other Provinces should force upon the people something that would affect them so injuriously by

stopping their land sales. It was a great mistake. A considerable amount of discussion ensued, and numerous amendments were moved, and lost on division. Mr Bastings moved the addition of the following words — " Provided always that this resolution shall not affect lands leased or sold on deferred payments." Tho Premier announced there would be no opposition to that amendment, and he hoped that it would end the scene that had been exhibited that evening.

"WEDNESDAY, JULY 5. The Premier made a personal explanation. He referred to a statement made by Mr Waterhouse in the Legislative Council. The substance of the statement was that a 'ending- and very | influential citizen of Wanganui told the electors of Wang-anui that if they elected Sir J Yog-el and Mr Bryce, especially without opposition, they would secure £100,000 for harbour works. This Mr Waterhouse considers to He the worst kind of corruption. This statement Sir Julius denied. After some explanation with reference to the San Francisco mail service, The Premier, in reply to Mr J. C. Brown, said the Governor had approved of the Otago appropriation for 1876, and that the correspondence relating to the same would be laid upon the table. Some information with reference to the endeavours to capture the murderer Winaiti was given by the Native Minister. The following- Bills were read a first time :— A Bill to enable Wellington Corporation to deal with lands belonging" to them, Fraudulent Debtors Amendment Bill, Waiuku Church of England Site Crown Grant Bill. The Premier moved that a select committee be appointed to consider and report to the House what alterations or modifications, if any, where it is desirable, should be made in the contract for the Californian Mail Service, such committee to consist of 13 members, — viz , Messrs Carring-ton, Curtis, Sir G. Grey, Hunter, Maeandrew, Ormond, Reynolds, Seymour, Stafford, Rolleston, Whitaker, Woolcock, and the mover, five to form a quorum, to report in a month. A number of motions for returns upon various subjects were read and agreed to. Mr Reynolds obtained leave to read the correspondence between Mr Reid, returning* officer at Port Chalmers, to show that, however uninten'ionally, that officer had not acted impartially on that occasion.

At the evening- sitting-, Sir George Grey's resolution for placing .£4OO upon the Estimates for an essay on all grasses and forage plants likely to prove useful to New Zealand was passed. The Premier moved the second reading- of the Registration of Electors Act Repeal Bill. The introduction of the Act, he said, was caused by the Act of last session not having- been sufficiently considered. It appeared that the Act created a new qualification — one that had never been contemplated. They therefore thought it desirable to remove the Act from the Statute Book. Mr Sharpe called the attention of the House to the great injustice done to his constituents. Under the Act soug-ht to be repealed by the Bill under consideration, a g-reat many of these people were disfranchised. Mr Wakefield pointed out several defects in the Act, and expressed the utmost astonishment how an -Act containing- so many palpable blunders could have been passed through that House. Mr Pyke thoug-ht the House would do a wise thing by wiping out all these small qualifications, not even excepting the g-old-fields qualifications, and givingthem manhood suffrage at once. Mr Thomson considered that the Government ought to remove any impediments to the working- of the Registration Act of last session. Mr Howe pointed out that the g-reatest possible confusion resulted from the different intepretations g-iven to the Act by different electoral officers. ! The Bill oug-ht to be repealed altogether. Mr Joyce thoug-ht the Reg-is tration Act a mere piece of fancy legislation not worth preserving-. Sir J. Yog-el announced that they had no objection, if the House would allow the Bill to be read a second time, to postpone any further stage for a fortnight, in order to consider the advisability of introducing- certain clauses to remedy the faults of the present Bill, . and give greater facilities for registration. They could not well overlook the very strong- expresion of opinion by the House in that direction, and all the objections raised by the hon. members would receive careful consideration before the Bill would be brought down ag-airi*. The Bill was read a second time. THURSDAY, JULY 6.

Mr Swanson asked whether it is the intention ofthe Government to amend " The Bakers and Millers Act, 1871," so as to more effecually prevent fraud in the sale of bread ,• and if, in the opinion ofthe Government the present Act is sufficient, whether they are prepared to strictly enforce its provisions. The Hon. Mr Bowen said that the Government had too many important questions to deal with tiiis session to

promise that they would legislate upon the question indicated. Tue Premier moved that a Select Committee be appointed to enquire and report whether aoy of the provisions of tho Disqualification Act operated as a disqualification to thoso to whom it was inexpedient to extend it; and, if so, to recommend what alterations should bfi made. Mr Murray moved an amendment, to the effect that the Committee enquire into and report upon the Disqualification Act* altogether, and decide what alterations be made in it. Mr Thomson strongly supported the amendment. It \\jhs extremely desir- ! able that the whole question of disqualification should be gone into, and it was impossible to do that under the motion tabled by the Premier. It appeared to him as if the Government had made up their minds to' a certain course, and meant to follow it. Tt was only fair that any Committee of Enquiry into disqualification should be empowered to enquire whether a member was entitled fco his seat. It had several times been mooted in the House as to whether the member for Waikato was entitled to sit there, and yet he found that gentleman was one of the Committee. That, at least was not right. Mr Rees took the same view. Mr Ormond did not think an enquiry into the ~vhole nature of the Disqualification Act was a fit subject for a Committee to inquire into. That was in fact more a question of policy. The motion was agreed to on the voics. The amendment was negatived. Mr Watson moved that some necessary repairs be made to the Rangitoto bridge, the cost to be charged to Canterbury. A discussion ensued, in the course of which it cropped out that the local bodies — the Road Board, and the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, could not agree about the matter. Mr Stout pointed out that the case of this bridge was an excellent illustration of what was being derived from Abolition. The Hon. Mr Atkinson replied that under the honorable member's system the probability was that no such motion would have been introduced. Mr Reid regarded this as an instance of what might be counted upon when the country was cut up into little divisions. Each would then care for nothing but what was within its own boundary, ignoring the great arterial works. He thought the objections raised by the districts interested in the bridge was the merest quibbling. The day, he feared, would come, which would show the dangers of the step they were taking. The motion was agreed to. fcir George Grey moved that the correspondence between the Native Minister and others relating to the apprehension of the supposed' murderer named Henry Winiata, be laid before the House. Tho hon. gentleman complained that the Native Minister, in affording the House information upon the subject, merely dealt with the political aspect ofthe question. Sir Geo. Grey went on to say that the late meeting botween the Native Minister and Tawhiao had not been sought by the Natives, but had been brought about by overtures from our side, ancl he believed the meeting had beeii got up with political objects, such as to have an effect upon this House, as well as upon ouv creditors abroad. The honorable gentleman denied that the meetings of Sir D. M'Lean and Tawhiao had been anything like as satisfactory as was sought to be made out. He thought that the action of the Native Minister was calculated to endanger our prestige with the Natives, and affix a stain upon the honor of the Colony. The honorable member complained of what a reporter attached to the Native Minister, while in the King Country, had written about him in his capacity cf reporter for the ' 1 Cross,' as well as confidential reporter to the Native Minister. He thought he deserved the protection of the House from such attacks. He further believed that that gentleman had since been appointed to an importune office by the j Native Minister. He also stated that | the reports that had been referred to .so derisively by the Natives had been explicitly denied by them. The honorable gentleman, in conclusion, said he had reason to believe that the Government could have arrested Winiata, and that it was the general opinion of all good Natives, that until the Native Office ceased to give presents to murderers and other bad characters, the relations between the two races must continue to .be unsatisfactory. The Native Minister indignantly repelled all idea that anything he did in ! the King Country had compromised the honor of tho Colony. The policy ; pursued for the last seven years had been highly beneficial, and the decision might be left "to the settlers on the borders of the-, King Country. It was incorrect that any known murderers appeared at any meeting he attended — he would not have attended if they had. Nucea did make his appearance before a meeting, but Tawhiao ordered him off. From, all he had seen of the action ofthe member for Auckland West, he could come to no other conclusion tlian that he was envious of the success of the Government in dealing with the Natives. It was wrong of honorable members ' to prejudice delicate negotiations pending with influential chiefs. Mr Stout said there was one question

lm would like to put to the Native Minister, viz., did he ask Tawhiao to give up an}' murderers harboied in the King Country ? The only result of the meeting appeared to be this : Tawhiao asked for VVaikatv), and the Native Minister said you can get it, and the meeting then adjourned/ Mr Burns having said that if murderers were present at the meeting, the Native Minister ought to have seized tl.em, ihe PTon. Mr Atkinson pointed ont that the Native Nintster did not visit King Country in the capacity of a police officer.

At the evening' sitting', Mr Hurstliouse said if Sir George Grey could sheet home the charges he made against the Native Minister, he for one would support him heartily. Mr Keid defended Sir George Grey, and failed to see anything- to call down upon him such severe animadversion. His own opinion was, that while it would be unwise to alfcer our present policy, it would have been better for the Colony if the House had granted means to enable them to have made the Natives respect them, but not with a view of extermination. Mr Wakefield said the Native Minister complained of the meddling- o f Sir George Grey with the Natives, and the injury he did to the Colony, and yet did he not act in a similar way hi :r. self, and was it not a matter of notoriety that during the time Mr Richmond was Native Minister, and .while he was an officer of the Government, he had to be dismissed on account of his disloyalty to the Government, by endeavoring to induce Ropata and other Arawas to break their agreements after they had been sworn in. The hon. member read from the Blue Book in corroboi"ation of the statement. He only mentioned this to show how careful any person should be before imputing motives to those who,_ from whatever cause, meddled in Native affairs. Having had some experience in the North Island, he felt perfectly certain that this Maori doctoring was the greatest humbug in the world. He was perfectly at a loss to^ understand how Parliament could bring- themselves to appropriate such enormous sums of money annually for the Native Department when the country was at peace. If the department were abolished altogether and the money usually devoted to it applied to reducing the loans, he believed no ill effects would ensue. Mr Russell said that if there was one thing more than another that entitled the Native Minister to the gratitude of the country, it was that very act so stigmatised by the member for Geraldine. That very action, he firmly believed, had spared the Colony worse tragedies than that of Poverty Bay. He differed from' the view that it would have been better to have conquered peace; it would have irretrievably ruined the credit of the country, and have for years prevented the inauguration of the public works. Mi- Lusk looked upon the remarks of the Native Minister as a lame apology, and quite wanting in argument. It was no reply to the speech of the member for Ancklancl West. Mr Wood said all the malicious reports complained of by the Native Minister emanated from his own special reporter, who gave him one report and gave the ' Cross ' another. As to the arrest of Winiata, it was known where he was — aye, even the very hut in which he reposed, and yet, although we had a large armed force near that place, not a man dare place his foot upon the other side of the imaginary line, even if a murderer was making faces on the other side. He denounced such a success as that as but anything for congratnlation. He must say the House had for years be en hoodwinked into granting- immense sums of money to be disbursed nobody knew how, but he made bold to say large portions of which was scattered broadcast to the natives recklessly and needlessly. The Hon. Mr Bo wen said the expenditure on native matters was made a point of, but was it anything like what would take place in six months if war ensued 1 Sir George Grey said what he objected to was that Tawhiao should have been oppor tuned to allow the Governer to meet_him. This question of native management was a sort of Alsatia where Queen's writ did not run. Even if he (Sir George Grey) had done wrong, that would, be no justification for the conduct of tltB; Native Minister. Had he been placed irfcickmtrol of Auckland police, as he ought to; have been, he could have captui-ed Winiata with ease. Touching the present position of the native race, he believed that they were in a most unsatisfactory state. He even. believed that drunkenness was encouraged. When he left the Colony he left it with schools in every direction. When he came back he found that the Native Minister and his friends caused war in Taranaki, and it could- scarcely be said to have ever ceased since. He was in no way responsible for the Chatham Islands prisoners' war, but could inform the House that the agreement come to with these men had not been kepi. ... Motion agreed to. - " . FUJDAY, JULY 7.

In reply to Taiaroa, y The Native Minister said the matter' of appointing a minister of the native

race to a seat in the Executive was under the consideration of the Government. Tn answer to Mr Murray, The Minist.f of Public Works said he expected to deliver his statement, about the end of the month. • Some discussion ensued ay to whether the Financial Statement should be debated at once or postponed to Tuesday. Mr Stout wanted to know whather they were to debate the Government measures as a whole or piecemeal, and would the County Bill be distributed before Tuesday. Mr Montgomery wished tbe discussion postponed until they had more information in the way -of bills at thoir command. Mr Reid wanted the Public Works Statement, as well as all the bills, before they were asked to debate the finances of the Colony. He believed all the bills were printed. Ihe Premier, replying to the questions asked by Mr Stevens, said with regard to the amount ofthe four million loan not in the hands of those who might be supposed to hold them permanently for investment, that any information he had was not of an official nature, and could be scarcely depended upon as accurate. Replying to another question by the same hon. member, the Premier said the question of whether a sufficient amount had been kept in the Bank to entitle the Government to receive the quarter per cent., there was no exact stipulation except, an indication to the Bank that probably the amount would vary. Respecting the dissenssion of the Financial Statement the House ought to know that the Government was usually allowed a good deal of latitude as to the mode of conducting business. He thought it would be most convenient for all parties to take the discussion in Committee of Supply on Tuesday, but it the House wished it deferred to Friday he would offer no objection. It was agreed to go into Committee of Supply on Tuesday. The Premier moved the second reading of the Local Elections Regulations Bill, and explained that it provided inexpensive forms and machinery, so that he who had the longest purse would not gain the advantage. Mr Swanson objected to several of its! provisions, particularly that nf conducting elections in the day time, which would practically disfranchise mauy. Mr Stafford thought the introduction of the system by ballot was altogether too cumbrous for local elections. Mr Eees said to pass the bill now would be legislating for something not yet in existence. He would ask the House was it right to legislate by .anticipation. It was therefore clear the bill was subsidiary to the main bills to brought down. Mr Whitaker pointed out that everything was being postponed day by day, and the session was slipping by. Objections to the bill could only be to its details. He hoped the bill would be read a second time now, even if its consideration be postponed. The Premier failed to see anything that could be gained by postponement. The BiU was read a second time. The Premier moved the second reading of the Bill for making and levying rates. Mr Stout cordially supported the Bill, but took exception to the exemption of churches and schools established by religious bodies being exempted from rates. He was opposed to this indirect way of getting aid for religious bodies. i Mr Watson suggested that the valua- | tion rate should be made oftener than once in 10 years. There should be some protection to property holders who improved thair lands. Mr Reid pointed out the unfairness of an acreage tax. The Premier answered briefly the principal of the objections, but pointed 1 out the inadvisability of discussing provisions of the bill then, when they would have to do it over again in Committee. He announced that the Counties Bill would most probably- be brought down before the end of next week. ; j | Bill read a second time. I

At the evening sitting, k ■ The report of the . Committee appointed to enquire into Sir George Grey's election for the Thames declared that i t was perfectly valid, and according to law. Mr Stout immediately gave notice that, on Tuesday, Sir George Grey be called upon to make, his election as to which constituency he will sit for.. The Premier moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Act, and explained" its principal, provisions. It repeals all previous Acts/ which shall remain in force in so far only as relates to anything done, appointment or instrument made, right or privilege accrued, money borrowed, debenture's issued, contracts made, or work authorised. Mr Stout, took exception to votes for j property being allowed. He saw no ! objection to the female franchise, but the borrowing provisions, he thought, j would be found to be unworkable. Ifc would be far better for Parliament to fix the limit to which boroughs might go in borrowing. Mr Ballance thought the "provision | that any candidate for the office of Mayor should deposit LIO was a good

one, because frequently persons of no character or standing contested Mayoral elections . with the view of bringing municipalities into disrepute. Mr Pearce thought the Bill would interfere with the proper utilisation of Corporation property. Mr Bastings, while agreeing with the Bill in the main as one likely to be acceptable to municipalities throughout the Oolony, though it was likely. to suit a large town like Dunedin. Ho objected to the plurality of voting for Mayor. As to candidates for the 'office of Mayor depositing LIO, he would be prepared to make it LSO. Mr Button threw out the suggestion that it was ..unfair to tax the expenditure of capital or labor. He thought the yearly unimproved value of "he land should be made the basis of assessment. The Premier said tho suggestion made by the member for Hokitika might fairly be considered in Committee. He understood him to- mean that the basis of assesmenfc should be the selling price of the land without improvement. In reply to Mr Pearce, The Premier said the Bill was only intended to place as great a power as possible in the hands of the ratepayers. He was' not prepared to say what' course the Government would take with regard to. plurality of votes. Mr Reynolds suggested that the Bill should not be committed before the different corporations throughout the Colony bad been supplied with copies, so as to make themselves acquainted with it and offer suggestions. Mr Rees took fche'same view, though he considered the Bill fairly drawn up. Messrs Tole, Murray, Rowe, ..and Wm. Wood also urged delay. Mr Lumsden said there had been plenty of time to forward copies ;of the Bill. He believed his constituents had the one he forwarded them. Still, lie thought '.a little delay now would rather facilitate despatch in dealing with the Bill. Sir George Grey asked for a delay of a fortnight, and took occasion to mention the reporting in Wellington was not so full as it should be, and people had no opportunity of being informed of the doings in Parliament. ! The Premier said it' the reporting ! was not all that could be desired, it was not the Government's fault; they only wished that the hon. member was fully reported all over the country. He fully agreed as to the advisability of circulating the Bill, but it was nofc likely to pass through committee before the oountry was made acquainted with its scope. The Bill was ordered to be committed for Tuesday next. The Hon. Mr Bowen moved the. second reading of the Coroners Act Amendment Bill, and explained the reasons wliich induced the Government to bring down such a Bill. It provides that the Resident Magistrates shall be Coroners, and that Juries shall consist of from tour to seven, and where a Jury cannot be obtained (and it is very difficult to obtain one in thinly-settled districts), the Resident Magistrate may hold the inquest without the Jury. It was the generally expressed opinion that Coroners should nofc be medical men, some of the" reasons being that medical men when Coroners often had to superintend inquests upon their own patients, and sometimes upon the bodies of those who had been the patients of professional rivals. Ifc was, consequently thought better to have any medical opinion needed to bo obtained, as the opinion of experts. Mr Pyke only accepted the Bill as a compromise — a partial instalment of justice. He would like to see the system of coroners' inquests abolished. It was very. well in feudal times, but was not in accordance with the advance of the present . day. What they required was the assistance of the judicial mind. The honorable gentleman quoted, from eminent men to show that the Scottish system was better adapted to detect crime than that in vogue here. Mr Hodgkinson. was opposed to destroying an <old institution, venerable by its antiquity, from , motives of economy or any other reasons alleged. Mr Rowe said he had been brought into contact with a great many Resident "Magistrates. Ele never; came across one of them that had a legal training, yet they were told that what was wanted was a legal mind,- .and the Resident Magistrates were to be the men. Mr Rees thought great public harm would result from carrying out this Act. Mr Baigent gave as a reason a case in which a man was crushed by a tree in ihe presence of witnesses, ' was attended to by a doctor, made his will,, and died days after. When the Corj oner heard of the death, he insisted upon disinterment, although several witnesses and the doctor assured him the death was accidental. V i Mt Wakefield thought the' Act entirely unnecessary. It appeared to him as if there was a dread that medical men would - poison their patients, and put them out ofthe way by a 'coroner's authority fbr burial. It was a most unfortunate selection to throw, : ,the duty upon the Resident Magistrate. . Mr Macfarlane said that this Act had; been urged upon : the Government for yeai-s by gentlemen interested in Insurance Companies, ahd thatit was due to .the unsuitableness of medical men fo ._ „ -..- ■' --p . _. . * .■'*.-■

exnmine into -the causes of fires, -owing to,, their inability to direct the police how to proceed. '-. „. Mr Henry said ir w ns simply proved in cnsMS of life and dantlj, that medical inn» were the most suitable coroners, though probably sis ivo-arded fires other, men njig-lit lie better mlnpted. Air Button said medical men were not always coroners. In tha old time of " coroners' quests" the only : medical men were barbers. There was then no College of Surgeons. It appeared to him that if the Resident Magistrates had power to take evidence of a medical man, that would meet all the requirements of the caso. Mr Swanson said the best change to make would be to adopt the Scotch plan of having- a fiscal. He instanced a case where the coroner happened to be an, attendant on a lunatic whose death was caused by the coroner, and he had been on a great many inquests, and never saw any gnoi come from them. He was extremely glad to see the duty about to be taken out of the hands of medical men, who he had frequently seen force their views down the throats of the juries. As to fires, it was an impossible thin^ to obtain an inquest unless the coroner chose, no matter what evidence could be ; given. ' ' The Eton Mr Bo.wen would remind the House that oven in England, where medical men not in practice could be obtained as coroners, the system was as largely condemned by those whose opinions were entitled to 1 respect. The second reading- was allowed on the voices. TUESDAY, JULY 11.

Mr Do Latour asked — I. What items of revenue are "included" in "ordinary goldfiolds revenue from each field," exclusive of gold duty, to be handed to local governing bodies for expenditure ? 2. Is it the intention of the Government to create local governing bodies for mining districts within counties, or are the' local governing bodies to which the goldflelds revenue is to be paid the County Councils 1 The Premier referred the hon. gentleman to clause 15 of the Abolition Acfc of last session, and said- that, in any such revenues, moneys received under agricultural leases' would not be included. In reply to the second question, The Premier said that the Government did not propose to create any local governing hodies other than thoso of Counties. Mr Seaton asked if the Government was aware that many claims under the Volunteer Land Act, 18.05, are still un-' satisfied ? If so, if they intended to take any steps towards the. settlement of tho same ? The Hon. Mr Atkinson replied that the General Government had nothing whatever to do^with the matter. Upon the Abolition 13 Bill taking effect, those persons would bo in exactly the same position' as they were before. He was not aware thatethe Provincial Government was in the habit of buying up these certificates. The Government had made no protection for the purpose indicated,Ynor were they likely to do so. ' He would, however, bo hapyy to confer with the honourable gentleman on the matter. Mr /Burns asked — 1. What further steps have been taken by the Government towards erecting a. light and signal station on the Snares ? 2. If the Government are aware if the relative positions of various islands and rocks called Snares are not correctly laid down on existing charts ? . 3. When is there a probability pf the erection of the lighthouse on" Gape Saunders being proceeded with ? Mr G. M'Lean said when the matter had - been discussed previously, it was agreed that New Zealand should not be asked to construct that lighthouse alone, and a resolution was- passed affirming the Home Government and Australian Colonies should be asked to contribute. There was no doubt whatever that the lighthouse would be of far greater benefit to the Australian Colonies, and also to Great Britain, than New Zealand. The Sydney Conference had been written to to move in the matter. Nothing, however, could be done during the year. According to the report of the Marine Engineer, the lighthouse would not be as gbod : as anticipated, because during his visit,, when, the weather was fine, the site! was under a cloud. As regarded the position ofthe Snares, that had been laid down by Captain DruryY and as-his' surveys had been generally found to be accurate, the Goverhm'ehif were quite satisfied. The third question -he answered a day Or two ago when asked as 'to-the erection of a lighthouse at Akaroa. The 1 House "went* into" comihittee on the Regulation of'LocaL.Elections BiU. Some discussion ensued npon clause 15, which fixed the poll to, commence at S» and finish at 6, Several members urged that the poll be kept open till 8 or 10, so as to give I w °rking men .in the country an opportunity to vote after working hours. It was contended, on the' other hand that keeping the poll, open . so, late only would lead to scenes of disorder among voters, and could only benefit' the publicans. V . ■'-;•'"-, Another amendment was made, that the hour in tlie morning be 10 instead -of 9 j but this was negatived, on the voices;, and on a division being taken, the original motion was carried by M' against 26. Y-.Y--- y"y ,'