PARLIAMENTARY. Wednesday, 23rd August.

Evening Post, Volume XIV, Issue 47, 24 August 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY. Wednesday, 23rd August.

The first business before the House, after petitions, notices, and some questions of no consequence, was the proposed introduction of two Harbor Bills, of which about a score had already been introduced. Tue Speaker, who

had previously referred to the subject, repeated his opinion that the bills had been irregularly introduced, as they should be dealt with in committee of the whole, and he intimated that he had obtained on the subject a high legal opinion, which opinion (Mr. Whitaker's) was read to the House in the evening. Sir Julius Vogel subsequently intimated that it \ as the wish of the Government to give every facility to members in charge of the bills, who were placed at some disadvantage by the delay, and would bring dow a by message such of the bills as dealt with revenues connected with the Crown. The first motion on the paper was one of Mr. Macfariane, affirming that all persons*? receiving pensions in the colony should only be paid the same on personal application within the colony. A long discussion ended in the motion being negatived on the voices. The remainder of the afternoon sitting was monopolised by Mr. Sheehan, or by the discussion which he raised by two successive motions. The'llrst. urging the undertaking of the Riverhead and Auckland railway, was ultimately withdrawn. The second was being discussed when the hour of afternoon adjournment came. It stated that the provision made for roads and works in the districts north of Auckland was inadequate, and in support of tliis Mr. Sheehan gave some interesting details of the requirements,, resources, and revenue of the districts. The*. motion was not favored by the Government,* who adhered to their estimates. During the evening sitting the House dealt with as mauy as twenty -two bills, and either discharged them from the paper, or advanced them a stage. Debate was resumed also on the motion introduced some time ago by Mr. Murray :— " That the tenders should not be accepted for the i Central Gaol at New Plymouth till this House has had an opportunity of reconsidering the question of the site of a central penal establishment." Mr. WMtaker proposed an amendment that tenders should not be accepted till tiie subject be considered in the next session of the Assembly. He opposed the work on the ground of its expense, and the necessity for economy. Mr. Andrew did so on the same grounds. The Hon. Mr. Bowen referred totori A repeated opinions of the Judges, and hoped the matter would not again be thrown lK.ck. Mr. Stout, who saw no harm, but possibly good, in postponement, discoursed on the difficult'es which surrounded the subject of discipline, and the questionable merits of this particular project. Mr. Pearce. in reply to theory, quoted facts, as found in Wellington gaol, and as illustrating the necessity for something being done, whatever it was. The Hon. Major Atkinson, in further reply, said there were certain material elements In every system, and one of these was the necessity for sufficient cell accommodation. All the evidence was in favor of some change being made, and soon. Mr De Lautour would liefer spending their thousands, if they had them, on technical education, to pampering criminal prisoners by any scientific system of classification. Sir George Grey was shocked by the description of the state ot their prisons, and regretted that the prevailing extravagance otherwise prevented refoi in. The.c was not sufficient for education and for prison discipline, but there might be if they lived in plain and (simple style — if there were a smaller civil service at smaller salaries — if there were not such enormous buildings as that on the reclaimed land — if there were not such oxtravagaut expenditure on Ministers' houses and Ministers' tva\elling expenses. Mr. Rolleston suggested the postponement of the question till another motion on the paper came up. He considered the matter of better accommoda* tion most urgent, but thought that mcantimi they might diffuse improvements rafher than concentrate them, by extending local- g&ola where required. Mr. Wood, i-eierring to the kindred subject of a harbor at Taranaki, suggested that soundings should be taken, and the couiKry examined, so as to ascertain the existence of an eligible site and of the necessary material. Sir Julius Vogel quoted the repeated opinions of the Judges, the attention given to the subject by the Minister fo/ Justice, and the patent facts as justifying the Hoase in initiating some reform. He deprecated the matter being looked at from the narrow one of a particular site, and expressed his disgust at the insinuations that the proposal had been made with the propose of gaining votes — insinuations which members should stamp with abhorrence. He suggested that it would be better to disci'ss the subject on the Estimates, the Government meantime giving their assurance that no tender for tho work would be accepted. The motiou was discussed by a number of other members, and Mr. Murray replied, repudiating having had any idea or intention of implying that the proposal was one to procure Taranaki votes. On a division, Mr. Whitaker's i-.otion, to which M?. Murray assented, was carried by 38 votes to 25. The next question on the paper was Mr. Woolcock's motion, nfflrmi lg the desirableness' of relieving the gold-mining industry from the present exceptional burdens. Mr. Pyke suggested that the motion should be passed with*, out further discussion, as the whole subject would be practically renewed when his Goldfields Duties Bill and the Goldfields Committee's report came on for discussion. Mr. Woolcock briefly replied, and the motion was affirmed on the voices. For several hours afterwards the House was engaged in short discussions on each of several bills of purely local interest.