HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3183, 10 September 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. OSTRICH PARMINO-. Sir George Grey gave notice to ask if the Government would give a bonus for the introduction of the first fifty ostriches, with a view of encouraging ostrich farming in the colony. THE GOYEBXOB'S ABSENCE PEOM THB 0010 NT. On Mr Hall's moving that the House on risin* adjourn to 11 o'clock on Monday, Mr Gisborne suggested for the consideration of the Government two points connected -with the Governor's absence from the colony. The first was that by the Constitution Act the General Assembly was constituted as consisting of the Governor, the Legislative Council and tlie House of Representatives. It was also provided that the three estatee named should meet for business at a place to be appointed by proclamation. Wow, c Wellington was the place so named, and the first point, therefore, was whether the absence from Wellington of one of the estates did not terminate the sitting of the General Assembly. The second point was that the letters patent constituting the office of Governor of New Zealand provided that in the event of the death, incapacity, or departure of the Governor, the dormant commission of the Chief Justice should, coino into operation and remain in force until Her Majesty's pleasure was otherwise signified. The word "departure" wa§ evidently not synonomous with temporary absence. Other clauses of the letters patent provided for temporary absence not exceed- i ing one month, with leave, and during such, temporary absence the dormant coTamissio* of the Chief Justice was not to come into force, but the Governor was to appoint a Deputy or Lieutenant- Governor, with such powers as were necessary. In the , present case the Governor's absence would exceed a month, therefore the provisiorii at to temporary absence did not apply, but if ope* the Chief Jmfciw'i doym»nt poq*

mission came into force he would hold ofßco until the signification of the Queen's pleasure, and the Governor could not on his return resume his position. Mr Pyke urged that it was highly inconvenient for the Governor to hold the dual offices of High Commissioner and Governor of New Zealand. The former office would take him away at least three months in the year, and if he could be spared for so long a period then he thought they might make other provision for the discharge of the Governor's datios altogether. Sir William Fox contended that the presence of the Governor in Wellington during the sitting of the Legislature was not indispensible, and that 100 much distinction was sought to be made between the words absence and departure. To his mind they were one and the same. Mr Hall said he did not attach much importance to the points so ingeniously raised by Mr Gisborne. The effect of the Governor's absence had been sarefully oonaidered by the Ministry, with the assistance of the Solicitor-General, and they had decided that they might consent to it without oausing inconvenience. The Governor was quite willing to remain had the conclusion been diffei'ent. The special points raised had not of course been considered, but they would be, and if necessary the Governor could be telegraphed to before he left Auckland. Mr Hall referred at some length to the letters patent and instructions, nnd contended there were precedents for the Governor's leaving Wellington during the session. He did not concur with Mr Pyke's remai'ks, and he might say that his Excellency had intimated to him that if the 10 per cent, reduction was to bo continued this year he desired it might be applied to his own salary. The discussion then dropped, and the motion to meet on Monday at 11 o'olock was agreed to. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions it was stated that the Government expected to be in a position to say on Monday what measures •would be dropped, and to give other information regarding the order of business ; it was incorrect to say thnfc the reduction of pay to engine-drivers and other railway employd3 was consequent upon the 10 per cent, reduotion—jb had been made so as to re-adjust the rates of pay in acoordance with the rates paid for similar work in the outside labor market j the Governor drew half-salary durjng his absence and the Acting-Govern or the other half, as well as half-salary as Chief Justice ; excepting when the services required ■were trifling, repairs to Government buildings were always done by public tender ; the subject of reducing the salary of future Governors was under consideration, but the Government did not expect the question would be settled by the end of the session. MB PHAEAZYN'S LITTLE BILL. Mr Bunny called attention to the fact that of a total of £619 for the Civil Service Commission £338 had been been paid to Mr Pharazyn, one of the members of that Commission, a large amount being set down as special allowance, He desired to know the reason for this special allowance being paid. Major Atkinson promised that the infor« aaation asked foi would be given. SECOND HEADINGS. The following bills were read a seoond time:—Bailway Authorisation Bill, Thermal Springs Bill, Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Bill, Special Powers and Contracts Bill, Public Health Act Amendment Bill, Towns Districts Bill. BILLS PASSED. The Public Domains Bill was read a third time and passed. The Timavu Water Race Bill and the Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill were passed through committee, and read a third time and passed. The House adjourned at 5.30, and resumed at 7.30. TOWNS DISTEICTS BILL. On the question for committing the Towns Districts Bill on Monday, Mr Seddon moved that it be committed that day week. Mr Pyke moved that it be committed that day six months, contending that encouraging small districts to appropriate their own rates would operate as an injustice to the counties. On the question that the bill be committed on Monday the House divided —Ayes, 45 j noes, 15. BAILWAT CONSTETTCTION AND LAND BILL The House went into committee on the Railway Construction and Land Bill. Mr Hall wished to strike out clauses 11 and 12 as printed, but after discussion it was agreed on the voices to retain clause 11, and the retention of clause 12 was carried by 30 to 20. Clause 48 was struck out by 28 to 21. In clauses 54 and 55 the date of debentures was fixed at 25 years, and the interest reduced from V to 6 per cent. Mr OUiver tried to amend clause 90, to provide that not over 30 per cent, of the cost should be given to any company whether in land or works partially done, but his amendment to that effect was rejected by 28 to 16. A large number of amendments as proposed by the Government were made in other clauses, and certain new clauses were added. On the consideration of the schedules Mr Jones moved to include the line Kenrow to Newcastle, but the motion was lost by 17 to 12. Mr Lundon proposed to include the line Kawa fCawa to Hokianga. Ayes, J2 ; Noes, 19. Mr Pyke moved to include the line Kelso to Roxburg. Ayes, 10 ; Noes, 21. Mr Lundon moved to include the line Pukekote to Waiuku. Ayes, 11; Noes, 19. Mr Seddon, after some altercation with the Chairman about having to confine himself to speaking on the schedule, moved to include the Hokitika and Greymouth line. Mr Pyke called attention to Mr Seddon having voted after he had paired with Mr Rolleston. The Chairman said he could not take notice of the fact, as pairs were only a matter of honor between members. Subsequently Mr Pyke complained that Mr Seddon had called him a liar. The Chairman declined to take notice of anything said privately. Mr Pyke then said the matter would have to be settled in the lobby, to which Mr Seddon replied that he was agreeable. The schedules having passed, the bill was reported, when Mr Thompson moved that clause 15 be not agreed to. Mr Murray moved the adjournment of the debate till Monday, which was lost by 21 to 8. Mr Thompson's amendment was lost by 21 to 8. On the motion that the bill be read a third time, Mr Shrimski moved that it be read that day six months. After some remai'ks from Mr Lundon, Mr Shrimski'e amendment was negatived. The bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 4.25.