HOUSE AND LOBBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8090, 3 November 1887, Page 5

HOUSE AND LOBBY.

[by telegraph.—SPEClAL correspondent. ] Wellington, Wednesday. PETITIONS. Petitions were presented by Mr. David (Joldie, from William George Garrard, for grant of land; by Mr. R. Hobbs, from native», oomplaining of Registrar charging marriage fees, which they allege they are not required to pay by law; by Mr. Cadman, from James McCormick, praying relief as perpetual lease settler ; by Mr. Hobbs, from Robinson Spencer, of Mangakahia, for grant of land ; by Mr. Monk, from W. F. Mane, for grant of land ; by Sir George Groy, from George Watson, late sSth Regiment, and Daniel Hutchinson, late 65th Regiment, for grant of lands ; by Mr. Hobbs, from natives, Hokianga, against Native Lands Administration Act; by Mr. Kelly, from Te Korowhiti Tuataka Douglas, Oripi Bush, relative to land claim; by Mr. Moss, from Thomas Mills, of Parnell. THE HALL CASE. A return laid on tho table to-day shows the costs of the prosecution of Hall and Houston and the second case against Hall, as totalling up to £2210. This amount includes the whole of the costs paid by the Crown in both cases. AMENDMENT OF CEMETERIES ACT, ISS2. Mr. Mosa contemplates bringing in an Act to amend the Cemeteries Act. ISS2, and he is at present making inquiries to see that proper safeguards aro secured for the public before doing so. The Bill has been sent down from Auckland for introduction into the Assembly. The Government, however, refuse to introduce it. The object of the Bill is to enable tho private promoters to lay out private public cemeteries, tocouping themselves from fees, and enabling boroughs to contract with such private promoters or companies. Mr. Goldio has been enquiring into the matter, and is now in communication with the Auckland municipal authorities. The measure, though intended as a general one, will receive his persistent opposition. He is averse to speculators being enabled to cut up land , as cemeteries as dangerous from a sanitary point of view, and as giving a chance for pollution of city water supply. It will also be their interest to wring as much as possible in fees from the public which, while the cemeteries are in control of corporations, is effectually prohibited by forco of publio opinion. Parliamentary gossip says chere is a grave suspicion that the present Bill is to enable some speculators to bury the public in a block not many miles from Remuera, GENERAL 3CHAW. The scope of the mission accorded by the Government to General Schaw is to make a thorough inspection of the New Zealand fortifications and defence works, and to furnish a detailed and complete report upon their condition and suitableness to the requirements of external defence. Such a report from so distinguished an officer shsuld bo of great value, as satisfying the country whether it has got value for the immense sums expended in fortifications. There is no truth in the rumour that General Sahaw is to bo the successor of General Whitinore. DUTY ON FOREIGN COAL. The motion for the imposition of a duty of 5s per ton has been postponed for a week. It is proposed now to lower the duty to 2s 6d. SYDNEY TAIWHANOAAND TE WHITI. Ta Whetu left Wellington to-day for Pari* haka, and is the bearer of a letter from Sydney Taiwhanga to Te Whiti in relation to their late interview, and the native legis« lation he is bringing before the Assembly. THE MOKAIT COUNTRY. Mokan Jones is hero, and interviewing members. It is presumed his business is in connection with the Mokau coal deposits, and hia land claims. LOCAL BILLS COMMITTOR. Mr, Downie Stewart was unanimously elected chairman at a meeting to-day. THE FAIR RENT COURT, The Fair Rent Court is likely to have its work cut out for it, as the arrears of rent of Crown tenants amount at present to nearly £50,000. GOLDFIELDS COMMITTEE. Mr. Seddon has been elected chairman of this committee. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, M. U.R., who has been laid up with an attack of diphtheria, left last night in the Wanaka for Auckland. Mr. Fitzherbert intends spending about ten days at the Te Aroha hot springs, to recruit his health. He has been granted a fortnight's leave of absence. CIVIL SKrIVICB REFORM ACT. Mr. Goldie was moving in this matter, but as the Premier intimated to-day he would bring in an amending measure, he has ceased taking further action. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. Mr. Fulton's Bible Reading in Schools Bill contains only one operative clause as follows :—" It shall be lawful for any sohool committee already, or which may hereafter be, constituted under the provisions of tho Education Act, 1877, if it shall see fit, any thing in the said Act contained to the contrary notwithstanding, to direct that a por« tion of the Bible shall be read aloud by the scholars every morning at the opening of the school. Such reading shall not exceed twenty minutes, and no child shall be compelled to attend such reading if the parent or guardian of such child shall in writing inform the committee or teacher that he objects to such attendance." COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO THE EDUCA-* TION SYSTEM. A large portion of tho afternoon was taken up by a discussion over the appointment of this committee. Mr. Sydney Taiwhanga caused a flutter by declaring that the money spent upon native schools was practically thrown into the sea, Mr. Blake saidhe had made inquiries into the matter, and found that the cost of Maori children was about ten guineas per head per {year. I understand further names are to be added to the committee. The result will be a party report, and a party vote, if, indeed, after all the waste of time and money there is any report at all this session. Mr. Pyke has, it is said, convened a meeting of members for Friday as to giving denominational aid to Catholics, and is interesting himself in the matter.

THE NOTE CIRCULATION OF BANKS. In reply to the question of Mr. Sydney TaiwhaDgaasking if the Government had no control over the banks issuing notes in New Zealand, and, if so, did the intend to propose a measure dealing with the subject? —the Premier said the Government had no control over the note issues. That was done by Act. It was true the Bank of New Zealand had not declared a dividend, and he thought very wisely. It would strengthen the bank and the colony. The Government had no intention of assuming the duties of bank directors. Sydney explained that he had heard of the loss by the Glasgow Bank failure, and the suffering it had caused. He desired to protect the interests of both Maoris and Europeans, and that was the object of his motion. THE SAMOAN QUESTION. Mr. Taipaa has given notice of the following resolutions 1. "That, in the opinion of this House, the treatment by Germany of King Mslietoa and the friendly Samoau people, is oppressive and ungenerous, and unworthy of a great nation, and is in contravention of treaty obligations. 2. That the Government of New Zealand be requested to communicate with the Governments of the Australian colonies, with a view to making a combined and urgent representation to the Imperial Government on this matter." THE YOUNG NEW ZEALAND PARTY. Tie Young New Zealand party will hold a banquet to morrow evening in Bellamy's to celebrate the formation of the party. About twenty are expected to be present. NOTICES OF QUESTIONS. Among the questions given notice of by Auckland members are the following :By Mr. R. Thompson : When Government will call for tenders for another section of the North Auckland-Helensville Railway? By Mr. T. Thompson : Whether, in dealing with railway reform, the Government will try Vaile's system on the Waikato line, or such line as Mr. Vaile will suggest, and make provision with a chance of the success of the experiment, whereby Mr. Vaile could personally supervise the traffic for a definite period? By Sir George Grey For correspondence, etc., in connection with the purchase of insurance buildings in Dunedin. By Mr. R. Thompson : As to whether the Com" missioner of Crown Lands sent a surveyor to inspect and report on Hukenui survey distriot in accordance with his instructions from the Government ? GOLDMININIG. Mr. Fenwick has given notice to move, "That this House will resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider an address to the Governor, requesting His Excel|9uoy to recommend .the appropriation for

the ourrent year 1887-83 of the sum of £5000 as a reward for the discovery of a payable goldfield in the North Island, and a sum of £5000 as a reward for the discovery of a new goldfield in the Middle Island on the following conditions:—(l) That the discovery must not be less than 40 miles from any existing goldfield, or any existing workings; (2) such reward not to bo paid unless 50,000 ounces of gold has been prodnced from the new field within three years from the date of its being announced; (3) any discovery made upon native land without the consent of the native owners and the permission of the Native Minister, or some authorised person on his behalf, shall have no olaim to the reward."