GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1069, 30 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[by telegraph. pee press agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, November 29. QUESTIONS, The House met at 2.30. In reply to Mr Fitzroy, Sir Q-. Grey said the Government would introduce a Representation Bill next session, and, with regard to asking for a dissolution afterwards, they would pursue the usual constitutional course. Mr Stevens asked the Minister of Justice whether there is any truth in a report appearing in the public papers that a man incarcerated in the Lyttelton Gaol, and pronounced by the district officer to be a dangerous lunatic, was still to remain an inmate of the gaol, although the medical officer had advised his immediate removal to the Asylum, and repeated representations had been made to the authorities in Wellington to that effect. Mr Sheehan replied that the case was one of shamming. Two medical men had certified that he was insane, but two others pronounced it mere pretence; another doctor concurred in this, and so did Dr. Skae, the Inspector of Asylums. The prisoner, therefore, had not been removed. In reply to Mr Sharp, Mr Fishee said he would endeavor to arrange for the Wanaka to wait the San Francisco mail in Auckland. BILLS. New Bills introduced—Stamp Act Amendment Bill (Sheehan) ; West Harbor Borough Mayoralty Election Validation Bill (Sheehan). The Standing Orders were, on Mr Sheehan’s motion, suspended, to enable him to introduce the Napier Swamp Nuisance Act Amendment Bill, which was afterwards passed through all its stages. The Waste Lands Boards Continuance Bill was read a second time, and passed through all its stages. TARANAKI IRON SAND. Mr Burns moved that the Council’s amendment in the Taranaki Iron Sand Company’s Land Bill bo adopted. The amendment was to reduce the quantity of iron to be smelled from 100 to 50 tons. Mr Kelly opposed this, as the matter had been very carefully enquired into by the Petitions’ Committee, Mr Reynolds was opposed to agreeing to the amendment. Mr Teavees strongly opposed the reduction in quantity. He denounced the proceedings of the company in regard to experimental smelting as an abominable trick. Much of the ii’on smelted was ore from Nelson, not Taranaki sand. Messrs Stout, Murray and Reid strongly urged agreeing to the amendment, contending 1-hat the company deserved consideration, as they had spent all their money in experiments, having practically fulfilled their agreement, although they had been unsuccessful. Major Atkinson opposed agreeing to the amendment. The company had merely put machinery,‘cn the ground, but had never made a real attempt to use it or get advice or practical

men. The company had not acted fairly to the colony or to its own shareholders. The only reason for promising the land was to get the iron-sand smelted. This the company had never really attempted. Mr Burns, in reply, contended that the sand had been smelted, as the ore from Nelson had proved an utttor failure. On division the Council’s Amendment wa c disagreed to by 30 to 20; on a second division by 27 to 25. Managers were appointed to draw reasons for disagreement. ministers’ salaries. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Civil List Act Amendment Bill, the object of which is to reduce Ministers’ salaries. The second reading was agreed to. On the motion to go into committee, Mr Shrimski opposed the Bill, as he did not think the pi’esent salaries excessive. He moved that the Bill be committed that day three months. Major Atkinson thought the Bill mere affectation of economy. It. was all very well for gentlemen receiving large Imperial pensions and of large private means to propose such a measure, but no gentleman conld properly fill office as Minister without spending more than £IOOO a year. To reduce salaries would be to reduce the already too limited choice of men to become Ministers.

Mr Stout moved the adjournment of the debate, in order that some compromise might be arrived at. He thought the Premier should have a higher rate of salary than others, and he thought at least one more Minister should be appointed. Adjourning the debate would also allow the Land Bill to be disposed of at once. Mr Reynolds opposed adjournment. He also opposed the reduction of salaries proposed. He spoke from experience in condemning such a step. He thought another Minister in the Legislative Council necessary. Sir George Grey, in reply to Major Atkinson’s statement about Imperial pension, said that while he lost half his pension instead of £IOOO a year pension he would only draw £SOO, and if the Premier’s salary were reduced to £IOOO he would, with his pension, receive less than the present salary of Premier.

The debate was then adjourned till nine o’clock.

The Land Bill was then further considered in committee.