HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 974, 1 September 1868, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Ffom the • Independent.') TUESCAt, At/OftfST" 25. Petition. The Hon. Mr. Hall said he iiad a petition to present from the electors and inhabitants of Wangatmi. [The lion, gentleman unrolled the petition— which covered several yards of parchment — amidst ironical cheers.] He could assure hon. members that the petition came to him quite unsolicited. The petition recited tnat the population of Wanganui numbered, according to the last census^ 39(58 ; that the Customs duty raised at that port amounted to £21,000; that the district was divided from Wellington by a wide tract of barren country. The petitioners expressed their disapproval of the large expenditure of the province of Wellington, and said that their district Was destroyed; and they also complained that public works were mismanaged. They added' that their local boards were administered economically; and if they were relieved of the incubus of the Wellington Government their condition would be improved, and_ they pray the Assembly to pass some measure by which the district of Wanganui may be formed into a-, county. The petition was signed by 760 electors and inhabitants. The Front. The Hon. Colonel Haultain wished to inform the House that the Government had received despatches on Sunday evening . from Wanganui. Hon. members were already informed of the contents of those despatches, but he wished to take that opportunity of giving unqualified contradiction to reports which had> been circulated with respect to supposed disorganisation and dissension. He could state that this was absolutely incorrect. The officers were all working together most efficiently. He might also inform the House that the state of discipline and regularity of the camp would do credit to any portion of her Majesty's troops. Nothing could he more satisfactory than the spirit both of officers and men. Agricultural Statistics. Mr. Campbell asked the Government whether they intended to collect agricultural statistics during the coming season. The Hon. Mr. Staffoed said it was the intention of the Government to continue the collection of those statistics. The Government had no discretion ; they were required by law to collect them. The only question was, what sum of money should be appropriated for that purpose. Distillation. Mr, Macffaelane (on the motion for going into committee on this bill) said that he had asked the Commissionerof Customs to postpone the committee on the bill until the return mail from the 'North. Ho expected to hear from the North in a day or two. After conferring with the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, the hon. gentleman withdrew his request for a further postponement, and the House went into committee on the bill. Mr. Dignan moved that the duty should be ss. instead of Bs. He believed the lower sum would have the effect of preventing a great deal of the smuggling that was going on. It would also have the effect of preventing illicit distillation. Mr. Macffaelane thought Bs. too high, and probably ss. might be considered too low ; 6s. might probably be the fairest sum. Mr. Bunny thought that the sum might be proportionate to the. duty on the imported article. The import was at present 125. ; that upon the colonial distillation would be 6s. He would agree to that. Mr. Macandeew thought that declaring the duty- upon colonial distillation to -be a sum proportionate to what was charged on the imported article would be desirable, as affording to the person who might enter upon the business of distillation a fixed basis upon which to make his calculations. On the motion that the words (eight shillings) proposed to be left out stand part of the question the House divided :— r Ayes, 22; JNoes, 30. The Hon. Mr. Richmond said he would not object to a fair compromise if the House would allow an Bs. duty on spirits distilled from sugar. The Government would consent to reduce the duty to sis shillings on spirits distilled from grain. The Chaibman reported progress, and asked leave to sit again without the committee coming to a decision. Leave was given to sit again on Tuesday next. Lunatics Bill. — Private Asylums. — In Committee. Mr. Macffaklane said he would test the feeling of the House with respect to private asylums. He believed there was no probability of such establishments being established in the colony with the requisite appliances that were had by public establishments. Besides in public establishments there could be a portion of the building set apart for the treatment of private patients, and the money paid for them by their friends would go to defray the cost of the establishment. He was aware that in Great Britain a great many abuses had been exposed in connection with those establishments. He also believed that there was a greater chance of recovery and more successful treatment in a public establishment. He would move that the clause (27) should be struck out. The Hon. Mr. Staffoed believed that the clause providing for private asylums was the very best clause in the bill. He would be sorry if the clause should be struck out. He knew that the friends of many persons would object to send their relatives to a public asylum, but would not object to entrust them relatives to -tHe medical man who was at the head of such an establishment. There would not be many such establishments in tbe colony for years to come, perhaps not more than ohe. At all events no great harm could be done, for upon the slightest suspicion of ill treatment or bad management, the Governor or the Colonial Secretary could revoke the license. Mr. Bunny would second the motion of the hon. member (Mr. Macffarlane) that the clause be struck out. It was well known that those private asylums were greatly abused, that persons were improperly confined and their estates alienated. But, independently of that, the keepers of those private asylums were interested in keeping the patients in confinement for as long a period as possible. Mr. J. O'Neill said that he had previously been opposed to the establishment of those private asylums, but he had spoken to a gentleman well acquainted with the whole subject, who was of opinion that they would do a great deal of good. He would therefore support the clause. ■ > > »j, . Question put, the House divided* with the following result — for the clause 24, against it 12. Clauses from 99 to 185 inclusive were postponed. Progress was made and reported, and leave given to sit again. Mr. Maclcay. Mr. Caegill moved for all correspondence between the Government and James Maclcay, Esq., late Commissioner at the Thames, relative to his resignation of that or any other offices held by him. The Hon. Mr. Richmond said the only correspondence was a letter from Mr. Mackay communicating big r.es.igna.t'iQn.

Mr. RolliEst.on said! that he had seen it stated in the public prints that Mr. Mackay Was dissatisfied with reference to the Government. •The Hon. Mr. Richmond said that Mr. Mackay had made no complaint. The Hon. Mr. Stafford said that Mr. Maekay was greatly overworked. He had had an. opportunity of seeing Mr. Mackay in Auckland, and he. knew that he was greatly overworked, and had suffered. But Mr. Mackay's principal trouble was that the Government awards had not been paid. Land had been taken from both parties — natives and Europeans — and yet for want of means those awards could not be made. He (Mr. Stafford) thought that a very disgraceful fact, and one that he was thoroughly, ashamed of when he heard of it. Mr. Rolleston said he had seen it stated that it was in consequence of the interference of the Government with Mr. Mackay in respect to native matters. He was, from his own knowledge, able to say that there was no inteference with Mr. Mackay in his dealing with the natives. He felt assured that the Government had the highest confidence in Mr. Mackay — indeed, such an amount of confidence that they would not be likely under any circumstances, except such as were not at all likely to occur, to interfere with Mr. Mackay. Miscellaneous. ■ The report of the committee on the Provincial Audit Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. The bill was ordered to be recommitted on Friday next. . The Weights and Measures Bill was read a second time without further discussion. „ The Law Administration Amendment Bill, sent down from the Legislative Council, was read a first time. The Goldfields Act Amendment Bill was considered at some length in committee. The Bakers and Millers ' Bill was further considered in Committee. The Hon. Mr. Richmond announced that the Government were prepared to abandon what were called the " branding" clauses, viz., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, also 12, 14, and what was known as the Sunday clause, viz., clause 20. The bill passed through committee, and the report was ordered to be considered on the following day. The Bills of Sale Act Amendment Act was postponed until Thursday. Mr. Caegill moved for a tabular return, similar to that laid on the table of the House last session, showing the number of cases referred to and disposed of by the Native Lands Court during the year ending 30th June, 1868 ; also, any reports received from Judges of that Court during that period. Agreed to. Mr. Cableton moved that the interim report of the Standing Orders Committee, laid on the table the 21st instant, be agreed to. The report recommended that an interpreter should be admitted to the House to interpret the speeches of native members, and that certain accommodation should be provided. The motion was agreed to. Mr. Russell moved that the petition of the Ngapuhi be printed. The motion was agreed to. Mr. Dillon Bell moved that the report of the Printing Committee as to the printing of Parliamentary papers, be adopted. The motion was agreed to. The House adjourned at twenty minutes to eleven o'clock. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26. Petition. Mr. Yogel presented a petition from a large number of the inhabitants of the Pokupoku District, expressing their alarm at tlie probability of being included within tho proposed county of Oamaru, which they look upon as a scheme to expend a large sum of money on a project for making marine works in the port of Oamaru. Financial Statement. The Hon. Mr. Staffobd announced on behalf of the Hon. Mr. Hall that on Friday next the Acting Treasurer would make his financial statement. Tho hon. gentleman said Mr. Hall was at present indisposed, and that, the financial statement would be made on the day mentioned unless Mr. Hall should be prevented by indisposition. Native Lands Court Act. Mr. Fos asked the Government whether it was its intention to introduce this session any Act to amend the Native Lands Court Act, and the Execution of Judgments against Real Estate Act, so far as the latter bears on lands held by aboriginal natives ? The Hon. Mr. Richmond said the matter was under the consideration of the Government. Imprisonment for Debt. Major Atkinson asked the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce, this session, any measure altering the law relating to imprisonment for debt ? The Hon. Mr. Staffoed said the Government had had the whole question under consideration. The difficulty was to say where fraud began. A variety of circumstances might leave a man without goods. Major Atkinson said his question pointed to a case where a man sought to evade payment by ridding himself of his goods. The Hon. Mr. Staffoed would prefer to give assistance to the hon. member if he would bring in a bill to effect his object. Desertion. Major Atkinson asked the Hon. the Colonial Secretary whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce, 'this session, any measure to make better provision than at present exists for the punishment of men who desert their wives and families, leaving them a charge upon the local authorities ? He said a great many persons preferred spending their earnings on themselves, and abandoned their families, leaving them chargeable to the local authorities. He would be disposed to make such an act felony. The Hon. Mr. Staffoed said the question was one of tho greatest difficulty. A man might be attracted to a goldfield in. a different province, and a man's motive might be to aid his family rather than desert them. There was an old law in existence making a mau guilty of desertion amenable to a fine of £5 for the first offence, and other penalties for more offences than one. That law did not appear to bo acted on. An Hon. Member : It is constantly acted upou. Mr. Williamson : It requires amendment. Lowry Bay Estate. Mr. Hepbxjkn asked the Colonial Secretary what was being done with the Lowry Bay estate; and whether present improvements are being carried on with a view to its becoming the future residence. of the Governor? The Hon. Mr. Staffoed said the matter was under the consideration of the Government. He might be able perhaps the next clay to ask leave to bring in a bill to enable, the Government to sell the estate. University ScJwlarsJiips. Mr. Dillon Bell moved that the House will on Friday next resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider resolutions to give effect to the report of

the University, Scholarships Committee of last Session; , • .:,..,: . The Hon. Mr. Staffobd said he would give the motion precedence of every other Government motion except the financial statement. The hon. gentleman the Post-master-:General being ill it was possible tie^ might not be able to make his financial' statement on Friday. Printing Books and Papers. The Hon. Mr. Richmond moved for leave to bring in a bill intituled " An Act for preventing the ' Printing and Publishing of Books and Papers by persons not known." ..He said the House would possibly be -disposed to give admission to the little bill he proposed to introduce. He thought it was only reasonable that a system of registration should be allowed to exist, by which the responsibility of the press would be fixed. Mr. Haughton suggested whether it might not be desirableto compel authors to affix their, names to their articles. • The Hon. Mr. Richmond had no objection to discuss the question. Leave was given to bring in the bill. The hon. Mr. [Richmond and Colonel Haultain were ordered to prepare the bill. Goldfields im, Native Districts. The Hon. Mr. Richmond moved, for leave to bring in a bill to provide special regulations for goldfields in Native districts. The rise. of the Thames Goldfield had made it necessary for the Government to deal with a condition of things which had not previously existed. Leave was given to bring in the bill. Gold Duty. Mr. Haughton moved that, in accordance with the unanimous expression of: opinion oibjju the Provincial Council of Ofcago, it is desirable that the duty upon gold should be gradually reduced and eventually extinguished in that province, and that the Government be requested to bring in a bill to effect this object. Mr. 0. O'Neill seconded the motion. He thought the industry to which the motion referred was one of the greatest importance. He thought the same privilege should be given to the miners' right as in other colonies, where it was available on different goldfields. Question put, the House divided — • Ayes, 21; Noes, 23. The motion was negatived. * The Front. Mr. Teavees moved for the production of any despatches received from Colonel Macdonnell relative to the operations against and capture of Ngutu-o-te-Manu. He said no information had been received except what had appeared in the newspapers. The Hon. Colonel Hattltain said thai. the Government would lay on the table such despatches when it received them. It was not a matter of. surprise that accounts appeared in the newspapers before the Government received . such information. The fact was the Government did not keep "special correspondents" at the scene of those operations. But the important duties which Colonel Macdonnell had to discharge might have prevented him having the opportunity of writing at once. He did not doubt despatches would be received by the next mail respecting the operations referred to. ' Mr. Teavees said he did not desire to censure Colonel Macdonnell. As. the papers would be laid on the table, he would withdraw his motion. East Coast Land Titles Investigation Act Bejpeal Bill. Mr. Caeleton, in moving the second, reading of this bill, said the subject was most intricate. The Act, he thought, was . an afterthought and a sham. The hon.. gentleman spoke at great length. He 6b- . jeeted to the act because the Native Lands Court was brought into contempt by it. The Hon. Mr. Richmond moved the adjournment of the debate. He said he had in his hand a bill proposing to repeal the act and enact other provisions in lieu thereof. He moved that the debate be adjourned for a week. Mr, Caeleton, said he would take the sense of the House on the repeal of the act. If the object of the hon. gentleman (Mr. Richmond) was to supplant his bill by one of his own then he would accept the adjournment to next sitting day. Mr. Teavees said the question at issue was one of the most important brought forward during the session. The House could not master all the facts upon so . short an adjournment as that to next sitting day. ' The Hon. Mr. Richmond said he would himself be in favor of the repeal of the act; but the question he would ask the House to consider was, whether other provisions should be enacted in lieu thereof. The debate was adjourned to "Wednesday next. Miscellaneous. Leave was given to Mr. Travers to bring in the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill. Tho bill was read a first time, and the second readin^erdered for Tuesday next. On the motion of Mr. Reynolds the .report of the Petitions Committee upon the petition of Mr. Osgood was referred to the House Committee. On the motion of Mr. W. H^ Haeeison, tho Westland Representation Act Amendment Bill was read a second time without discussion, and ordered to be committed on Tuesday next. On the motion of Mr. Eyes, the Marlborough Reserves Bill was read a second time without discussion, and ordered to be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. ' On the motion of Mr. Cableton, the Land Claims Arbitration Act Amendment Bill was ordered to be read a second time on Wednesday next. The second reading of the Dunedin Water-works Bill, which purposed to authorise a loan of £15,000, was adjourned. On. the motion of Mr. Boelase, the Joint Stock Companies Bill was read a second time. The object of the bill is to enable joint stock companies to reduce their capital. On the motion of Mr. Fox, the debate on the distribution of charges on public debts was further adjourned for a week. The order for going into committee on the Libel Bill was adjourned for a week. The further consideration of the Weights and Measures Bill in committee was postponed until next sitting day. The House rose at half-past eleven o'clock.