HOUSE AND LOBBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8089, 2 November 1887, Page 5

HOUSE AND LOBBY.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. At the afternoon sitting of the House an immense number of motions were tabled and petitions received. Members evidently in* tend to eat their Christmas dinner in Wel« lingtou. PETITIONS. Petitions were presented by Mr P. Lawry from Roman Catholics in Auskland, praying that Roman Catholic schools may bo put on the footing of the public schools of the colony. By Sir George Grey, from Mrs Catherine Coolahan, widow of tho late Hugh Coolahan, praying for compensation for land at Pokeno; by Mr. T. Thompsou, from James Canley, waterman, praying for compensation for watorraau's boat stolen by three boys from Kohimsirama Sohool, and never heard of; by Mr. J. B. VVhyte from William Miller, Taupiri, in relation to aland order; by Mr. David Goldie, from George Hardy, of Karaka, late attendant; at the Avoudale Asylum, praying for relief or compensation for loss of office ; by Sir G. Grey, from Henry Croas and others, Bay of Islands, relative to land ; by Mr. Withy, from William Henry Wakeham, praying inquiry into his treatment in Auckland Gaol; from James I'ouug, late warder Auckland Gaol, asking for consideration of his case ; from Ileury George Baker, inmate of Avondale Asylum, praying to be released ; by Mr. T. Thompson, from Edward Latiiner Clark, praying inquiry into bis case. WANTED TO KNOW. Sydney Taiwhanga is turning his attention to banking matters. He has given notice to ask the Premier what amount of notes aro in circulation in this colonyby the various banks carrying on business in it, and especially the Bank of New Zealand ; also whether the Government have any control over these vast ! institutions of money lenders, and if not, whether it is intended to propose any measure to deal with the matter in the interests of the public, who might suffer by the bankruptcy or failure of any such financial institution,; also, for a return of the names of all members of the Council who have a pecuniary interest iu native lands ; and also of tho names of all loan companies or banks that have mouey advanced on the security of native lands iu either island, and the names of the shareholders in suoh loan companies or banks. Mr. Thompson has moved for a return of each Minister's travelling expenses from 31st March to titli October last. Major Jackson thinks he has a good thing on in VVaitcitara. lie moves for a return of public works done there during the last three years, tho Ministers who authorised them, iho names of contractors, or whether by contract or otherwise. Mr. Monk has moved for a return of the cost of Government cablegrams re Midland Railway ; also of persons appointed in the Civil service since 1886 who have not complied with the provisions of the Civil Service Reform Aot. PUBLIC PETITION'S COMMITTEE. This session it baa been determined to submit public petitions to two committees instead of One. The following have been elected to deal with petitions:—Messrs. Allen, Blake, Fisb, Goldie, Marchant. Moat, Seymour, Uurnbull, Hon. G. Fisher, Messrs. Anderson, Bruce, Joyce, Rbodei, Tanner, T. Thompson and Hon. Hislop. The names of the Government supporters were withdrawn—namely, those of Messrs. Withy and McGregor—and two names from tho Opposition party will be submitted tomorrow. Mr. Turnbull's name was withdrawn, at his own request. Lie has fulfilled the duties of chairman efficiently for some years past, and a high compliment was paid to him on retiring. RABBIT PEST. A committee has been appointed to deal with the rabbit pest. Mr. Seddon created great amusement by suggesting that the name of the Hon. H. Chamberlin should Da added to the committee. LOCAL BILLS COMMITTEE. The following have been appointed : — Messrs. Buchanan, Fitzherbert, F. MacKeuzie, Percival, W. P. Reeves, Seymour, Downie Stewart, Valentine, Ward, and Hon. G. F. Richardson. NORTH ISLAND TKU.VK RAILWAY. It was generally understood in the lobbies that there was to be a meeting of Auckland members this morning with regard to the preliminary steps to be taken in introducing to the House the proposal* to alter the Main Trunk North Island Railway route so as to go via Stratford. No such meeting, however, taok placet, but a baton, of petitions was presented to-day from Auckland, praying for the diversion of line to Stratford. The petitions were distributed among the various Auckland members, and as each got up and repeated the prayer in succession, the subdued titter of amusement broadened out into general i laughter. This culminated in a scone when Mr. Marchant (Taraaaki) got up and endeavoured, while convulsed with laughter, to state that John Abbott and 61 others wanted the North Island Trunk Railway diverted to the Stratford route. I understand that the Hon. E. Mitchelaon, Minister for Public Works, ia quite agreeable to the appointment of an independent commission, the members of which to go over both routes, aud report thereon for the information of Parliament. Ho states he is quite certain what the out , come will be.

GENERAL SCHAW. The Government, 1 learn, are contemplating taking advantage of General JSohaw's presence here to get him to report on the fortifications of the colony. THE NOAKES PAMPHLRT. The Minister for Defeace has intimated that the Government have not come to a decision on this pamphlet, but the discipline of the volunteer force will bo maintained. THE HDKKUJNITI INCIDENT. I called at the Snr7eyor-General'« Department to-day in reference to the Hukerenui incident. He courteously gave mo all the information in bin power. His explanation put » somewhat different complexion upon Che correspondence, and seems to indicate the existence of a good deal of misunderstanding. The satisfactory outcome of the whole affair /»■; this stage is that the Surveyor-General has personally communicated with Mr. Percy Smith, Assistant Surveyor-General, furnishing him with a list of applicants available for block No. 15, Hukerenui Survey District, and requesting that Mr. Simpson, surveyor, will proceed to the blook with them or t> deputation of their number, sec what land they really'want, and report thereon to the Crown Lands Department, with a view of deciding what can be done in the matter. The bald fact remains that for over six mouths a party of intending Betters applied for land in order to settle, and applied in vain. ELECTORAL ROLLS. The Government intend to bring in a measure providing machinery for the purification of the electoral rolls. 81-DAILY POSTAL DELIVERY, PCNSONBY. In reply to Mr, Peacock, the .PostmasterGeneral said inquiries would be made, aud if no additional expense was incurred, an afternoon daily delivery of letters would be carried out iu the Ponsonby district beyond the Three Lamps. TAHIKE AND WANGAP&. Mr. Hobba has interviewed the Minister of Lands in reference to getting a small storage shed erected at each place for settlers' goods landed there to protect them from exposure to the weather and from pillage. At present the goods are thrown on to the beach and left there to their damage and the loss of the settlers, WORTHLESS VACCINE LYMPH. Mr. Hobbs' motion relative to the correspondence relating to the supply of worthless vacoine lymph to the Public Vaccinator, Bay of Islands, led to the second division of the eesaioa. The motion was rejected by 36 to 30, on the ground that the information could b3 got from the departments of the Government. EH.EOTI-'.JI ?3TITION AGAINST TUE PREMIER. Appar**tly the threatened petition against the rion. Major Atkinson'* election has been it the time (28 days) within wtiicVi it was squired to be lodged has now passed. BwrH and irvine's contaot, hikutaia. 'the Minister -A Public Works, in reply to a question by Mr. Gadman, stated that insanctions had been given to the Crown Solicitor, Auckland, to investigate the claims of wages men to the money impounded from them by order of the R.M. Court, Thames. Those entitled would get their money in a few days. ' ; NATIVE DEPUTATION TO THE NATIVE MINISTER. ' A deputation of chiefs of.the Ngapuhi tirifye, headed by Sydney Taiwhanga, waited on the Native Minister (the Hon. Mr. Mitchelson) to make several requests and representations to the Government in regard

to native affairs. They, in the firet place asked the Government to repeal the 20th clause or tha Native Land Administration Aot, which empowers native landowners, or the Native Committee, to convey or devise land to the Crown. With this exception, they wore content that the Act should stand as it is. The Hon. Mr. Mitcheleon agreed with the opinion expressed, and promised that the Government would proposo to amend the .Aot in the manner proposed. The deputation th en drew attention to the Bill given notice of by Sir G. Grey, to make the ofliae of Governor elective. The natives, it was explained, had no objection whatever to such a change, provided the 71st clause of the Constitution Act, which guarranted the maintenance of the laws, ouatoma, and usages of tho native inhabitants of Now Zealand, so far as they are not repugnant to the general principle* of humanity, was not in any way interfered with.

THE BUDGET. When the House met at half-past; seven, the galleries were crowded with anxious and excited occupants. The ladies were in great force, every inch of room being occupied. The Press Gallery was also fully occupied. As soon as the door of the Strangers' Gallery was opened it was filled up instantaneously. The Speaker's and the Peers' Galleries were equally packed. Throughout the day the lives of members and officials of the House had been made miserable by the continual dunning for tickets of admission. The Ministry kept their State secrets well, and although Home good lone; shots were made as to the features of the Financial Statement there remained an element of doubt and uncertainty till the denouement. The prevailing characteristic of the galleries when tho boll rang was one of hushed and anxioua expectancy. Shortly afterwards the Premier rose in hie place, and, amidst some little applause from the ranks of the Ministerialists, commenced tho delivery of his Financial Statement. Major Atkinson seemed almost oppressed with a sense of his responsibility, and spoke with a gravity bofitting tho occasion to au attentive, demonstrative House. Hie delivery of the budget was unbroken by a single interruption for the first forty minutes, save by a couple of interjecfcional " hear, hears." almost apologetic in their timidity, when he referred to the House meeting the present crisis in a befitting spirit, and that it demanded a spirit of self-sacrifice from the whole community. The allusion to the revi»ion of the tariff elicited another "hear hjar," but the statement that the Government had come to the conclusion that the question should not be dealt with this session evoked "Oh ! oh'a! " and laughter from the Opposition, but cheers from the Ministerialists. Hid announcement that the difficulties arose from the lavish expenditure of borrowed money, which must be stopped, that the pruning knife must be applied, while at the same time local industries must be encouraged, was greeted with a chorus of "bear bears." Similar signs of approval were given to his statement as to amplifying the land laws, and making land revenue a special fund for promoting settlement, and to the intention of tho Government to constitute a non-political Board of Management for the railways. The reduction in the Legislative and Executive expenditure, the reduction of honorarium and the number of members of the Legislature, were well received, though the Lords did not look over well pleased at being invited to devise a plan "whereby they might perform the happy despatch" till their numbers were reduced to 35. The assurance that no country schools should bo closed in consequence of the educational reduction was £rc?tsd with applause, as was also the notification ef the classification and limitation of the number of members of tho Civil Service, and the reduction of excessive travelling expenses to Civil servants. The taxing of Maoris, and placing them on an equal footing with Europeans in what are called "settled districts," received signs of approval. The proposed increase of property tax to one penny elicited some manifestations of a conflicting character. Th» passages referring to the tapering off of public works and raising a new loan, were not received with niuoh demonstrativeness. On concluding his Statement, the Colonial Treasurer sat down amidst eotne cheers, but the depressing facts he disclosed deprived members of anything approaching enthusiasm. After the leader of the Opposition had endeavoured to "draw tho badger," but vainly, regarding the Public Works Statement, the House adjourned. The Financial Statement is regarded as a very able one, as J stating some very wholesome truths, and as indicating a determination to make a new departure on the style of living in the colouy, public and private.