PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7416, 26 August 1885, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[1* TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL COBRWONBKNT.]

Wellington, Tuesday. THE DELIVERY OF THE STATEMENT.

At one time to-day it Was feared that Mr. Richardson would be unable to doliver the Public Works Statement to night owing to a slight accident he met with while viewing the machinery department of the Exhibition yesterday. Later in the afternoon, however, it was kuown that ho would bo able to make the Statement as arranged, and the House was accordingly very full at half-past seven. At the dinner adjournment it was in committee on the Land Transfer Bill, so this was of course resumed at the evening sitting, but progress was immediately 'reported ; and, on the Speaker taking the chair, Mr. Richardson, amid applause, rose to move for leave to introduce the Railway Commissioners' Bill, it being understood that he would take this opportunity of making his Statement. This proved to be the case, .and the Bill was used merely as a peg to hang the Statement on--in fact, he announced that the Bill would not be proceeded with this session. You will recollect I warned you some months ago that the Bill would be merely introduced aud dropped. This was strongly desired at the time, but I knew my information was well founded. As for the Statement itself, it was almost entirely inaudible owing to the low tone of voice and vague delivery of the speaker. Members could just catch, however, that the expected £150,000 for the East and West Coast Railway was to be put on the estimates. The Statement occupied an hour and a quarter in delivery, and Mr. Richardson was applauded on concluding.

THE GUMFIELDS. Replying to Mr. Hobbs, what policy the Government intend to adopt in reference to the Northern gtnnfields ; do they intend to re-let on lease the right to dig gum on those blocks the leases of which have expired, or do the Government intend to issue gum licenses to gumdiggeis as desired by many, Mr. Ballance said the matter was now under consideration of Government, and steps would probably be taken in it before the close of the session.

[BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wjllinoton, Tuesday.

SCHOOL AGE. The managers of the free conference with the Legislative Council brought np their report this afternoon. The conference related to one of the provitions in Major Steward's School Committees Eleotion Bill. The subject in difference is whether the proper school age of a child should be seven years or five years. The members of tho Upper Chamber are evidently of opinion that five years of age is too young. Certainly a great many friends of education will agree with them. The managers of the House of Representatives reports that after a long discussion with the managers for the Legislative Council they had been unable to come tt> an agreement.

MR. H. H. LUSK'S PETITION. The Public Petitions Committee brought up their report oi» this petition this afternoon. The natnre of Mr. Lusk's petition has been wired to you. The committee report that in their opinion Mr. Lnsk has not established his claim.

< PATENT LAWS.. 5 Mr. J. B. Whyte presented a petition this afternoon from W. A. Murray, Piaka, and Geo. Fraser, jam, of the Auckland Phcenix Foundry, the inventors and patentees of the automatic signal block for preventing collisions. the law in New Zealand they are both to Work their invention within two years from tho date of the patent, bat in this case they can only proVe the efficacy of their patent by applying it to the use for which it was intended. With this view they asked permission of the Public Works Department to apply their invention to a section of the railways. This was refused. They now pray either that the law may bo amended, or that the House will giro them some redress.

WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. The Chairman brought up the report of the committee this afternoon on the petition of Joseph Rudd, of Mangatawhiri. It appears that the .Paparata Road Board insists upon him shifting the boundary peg of his property, which they said encroached upon the public road. Mr. Rudd insisted that the peg was his proper boundary line. The Waste Lands Committee seem to be of the same opinion, for they refer the matter to the Government for settlement. This is as good as a favourable recommendation, but there is another question how far the Government will acknowledge its liability. Perhaps the best form of settlement would be an amicable arrangement between the Board and Mr. Rudd.

LAND DEPARTMENT. Mr. Peacock presented a petition to-day from 'i'hos. Kennedy, jun., late of the Crown Lands Department, in Auckland, where he, «as employed as draughtsman. It appears that there, was some difference between the. petitioner and the Commissioner. The petition has been referred, in the usual manner, to the committee.

CITY ELECTORATES. Mr. TKotapaon presented *a;petition this afternoon against the- amalgamation of city electorates. It is a remarkable petition in several respects. One would suppose that the signatories were all residents within the boundaries of the Auckland city. It may be so in this case, but nearly every name ha; " farmer " under the head of " profession or trade," and " Pukekohe " or "Tuakau" under the residential column. There is no doubt the welfare of the good city of Auckland concerns all people, in country as well as town, but it is hardly likely that the South or the North Ward of Auckland would ever go so far a* Pakekohe to seek its representative in the City Council.