HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3785, 1 September 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday. Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. TUB CASE OF GEORGE LONGIIUEST. The Public Potitiona Committee reported

that they had not had time to fully enquire into the case of George Longhurst, a prisoner undergoing sentence for rape, but they recommended his petition to the consideration of the Government. Mr Shaw, in a long speech, revioAving the whole case, moved that the petition bo referred to the favorable consideration of the Government.

Mr Conolly did not object to the alteration, a.s it simply meant that the Government should carefully reconsider tho ease, with a disposition to give Longhurst the benefit of every reasonable doubt. Ministers had already very carefully considered the question, but he would undertake that they should do so again, Avith every desire to show mercy. Mr Slic.-hfi.il, Mr Fitzgerald, Mr jstns<, Mr Scddon, Mr Stewart, Mr Kelly, and Mr Fish supported the amendment", urging that the case was one in Avhich the preroga • live should bo exercised. Mr Rollcston pointed out that Ministers had to consider jusjico a< avoll as mercy. Mr Bryeo pointed out that members Avcro expressing strong opinions Avithout a full knoAA-ledgo of the facts.

The motion us amended was then agreed

Mr Hutchison moved, as a further amendment, to add that the doubt of Longhurst's guilt i.-; so great that the Royal prerogative should bo at once extended to him.

Mr DeLautour protested against the llouso beinu- swayed by (lie passions of members interfering witli the administration of justice I)}- those who were responsible for it.'

Mr Montgomery considered the House could not decide 'fairly as a jury in Ibis matter, for it had not and could not have all the fnefs before it.

Mr Fulton quite agreed that they were fiked to establish a most dangerous precedent. After further debate Mr Shaw asked Mr Hutchison to withdraw hi.s amendment, which was done. Mr Conolly said Ministers would reconsider the whole case, with every desire to release Longhurst if they could possibly do it, consistent with justice. The matter then dropped. SATURDAY KITTIXO. On Major Atkinson's motion the House agreed to sit on Saturday at 2.30. QunsTio.vf?. Replying to questions, Ministers said ihi.-v would r-niiuiro as to th<) necessity for calilo stoppings at road crossings on tho line from Kopua to Makatoku': if the contractors between Kopua, and Tahoraile failed to p;iv their workmen fortnightly they were liable to a line of ..CoO ; the Wellington mails for Napier could not reach Woodville the same night they left Wellington, owing to the danger of crossing tho Manawatu river in the dark. COUXCIL AMENDMENTS. Tho llouso disagreed with the Council's amendments in the Mining Companies Bill. SKCOXI) HEADINGS. The following bills wore read a second time and passed through committee : — Auckland Harbor Act Amendment, Expenses of Members of General Asssmbly Bill, Rating, Crown and Native Lands, Property Assessment, Rating Act Assessment, Railways Construction and Land Act Amendment, Roads and Bridges Construction Act Amendment, and Property Law Consolidation. EXPENSES OF MEMBERS HILL. On the motion of tho third reading of t-ho Eqionscs of Komliors of the (Juiieral Assembly Bill, considerable discussion took place, several members saying it, had got through the previous stages Avithout debate entirely by .surprise. Mr Scddon protested against tho bill. The Council should not be paid by statute. The llouso should A'oto their payment, and it should not lie loss than the House received. This bill actually gave Wellington members £70 a year more than they now got, Avhilc the Wellington councillors wore to get nothing. Mr Peacock- opposed the bill for tho same reasons. Mr Shcohau, Mr Whitaker, Mr Moss and others thought tho bill a very mean way of attacking the Council. Captain McKonzio thought the members of each llouso should got only one hundred guineas. Mr Swansou thought tfcc Council Avonld make short work of the bill, and the experiment of sending it to them avus Avorth trying. Mr Turnbull moved the recommittal of the bill, but this Avas negatived by 30 to IS, and the bill Avas read a third time. On the motion that the bill pass, Major Atkinson replied. He repudiated the idea that the bill Avas an attack on the Legislative Council, but members of tho House _ had expenses councillors had not in visiting their constituents. He Avould like to see both Houses' honorarium reduced one-half, but; it Avas impossible to carry that. The bill Avas then finally passed. KILLS PASSED.

The following bills were also read a third ime and passed: —Crown and NntivcLand Sitting Act, Amendment, Property Assessment Act Amendment, Kutiiiy Act Amend-

ment, Railway Construction and Land Act Amendment, Property Law Consolidation. The "West Coast Peace Preservation Act Continuance Bill was read a third time and passed, but on the question of passing its title Mr Hutchison wished to protest against the mcasur?, and accordingly divided the House, the title being carried by 33 to 8. The House rose at 2.10.