HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXI, Issue 230, 2 October 1895, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions it was stated : That during the recess the Government would consider the advisability of holding morning sittings of the House. That the question of establishing a Home for incurables m the Colony would receive the consideration of the Government. That m future the weapon for Mounted Corps would be MartiniHetry carbines, and new weapons had been ordered, and would be issued as soon as they arrived m the Colony. THE VACANT JTJDGKBHIP. Captain Russell complained of the delay m filling the vacancy on the Supreme Court Bench, and said it was becoming almost a public scandal. The Hon. Mr Seddon said he could not make a definite statement on this matter until he received the return he had asked for relative to the distribution of work amongst judges m the different districts of the colony. PUBLIC WOBKS STATEMENT. In reply to Captain Russell, The Hon. Mr Seddon said he ! could not bring down the Publi Works Statement till the ordinary Departmental Estimates were passed, j as till those were disposed of the | Government would not ,know how much money would be at their disposal for public works. THE ESTIMATES. The House went into Commi .tee of Supply for consideration of the Estimates. Audit office, £6,865,— Mr G. J. Smith moved this vote be'reduced by £1 as a protest against the total vote being increased from £6,381 to £5,865. Several members protested agains l < any increases being made m the Estimates. Mr G. W. Russell said the Audit Department was at present most ineffectively administered, and some change was necessary. The Hon Mr Seddon agreed with that statement, and said that whilst he had every respect for the AuditorGeneral, he was convinced that a thoiough reorganisation of the Audit Department was necessary, as it was at present m a very unsatisfactory position. He thought the systems of Audit should be brought under one Department. After a lengthy discussion, The Hon Mr Ward said his impression was that the Audit Department was at present undermanned. Sir Robert Stout regretted that any reduction had been moved m the Audit Department. Mr McLachlan moved that all salaries over £200 be reduced by 5 per cent, and all over £400 by 7£ per cent. 1 This was lost on the voices. I Mr McLachlan moved to reduce the item £320 for one clerk by £21. Lost by 51 to 2. Mr G. J. Smith then withdrew his | amendment to redxioe the total VOte by £1, and moved instead that the item contingencies, Audit Department, £2500, be reduced by £1. The Hon. Mr Ward pointed out that this item was £150 less than "last year. The, amendment was lost by 31 to 24. The House rose at 5.30.