PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9117, 27 July 1888, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, DISQUALIFICATION OF members. In answer to Mr. Wilson, The Attorney-General said he would make a statement to-morrow relating to the alleged disqualification of certain members of the Council. KAURI TIMBER. Mr. Pharazyn moved, "That no fresh licenses be granted for kauri timber cutting until fresh legislation dealing with the same be passed." The motion was agreed to. • LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Lahmann through illness. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Middle Island Half-castes Act and Land Act Amendment Bill were read a first time; Imprest Supply Bill No. 2 ; Volunteer Drill-sheds and Lands Bill, and Oamaru Municipal and Education Reserves Exchange Bill passed. The Council rose at twenty-five minutes past three p.m. " V HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES, Thursday. The House met at half-past two p.m. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions it was stated that no steps had been taken to complete the formation of the National Park at Ruapehu and Tongariro ; that it was not intended to introduce a Bill affecting lands in the Maori King territory ; that the Government could not authorise expenditure for fencing the Bluff-Invercargill line, as it would cost a quarter of a million of money to fence all the lines in the colony, and the line in question was not treated differently from others in this respect; that a Bill would be brought in authorising the Property Tax Commissioner to take borough valuations as the basis of assessment for property tax purposes; that •it was the duty of the police to communicate with the j Commissioner of Police and coroner by telegraph in case of death by accident or foul play; that the Public Works Statement would not be brought down till some time next week ; that assuming there was no increase of letters, and a reduction of postage on letters for places beyond the colony from 6d to 3d, it would mean a loss to the colony of £9900, but the colony would gain to the extent of £15,000 by withdrawing subsidies, and paying to ships authorised to carry mails a rate not exceeding one-third of the postage rate charged on the colony for transmission of mails. LOCAL BILLS. Mr. Fisher introduced the New Plymouth High School Bill. Mr. Samuel resumed the debate on the second reading of the New Plymouth Hospital Bill, to authorise the vesting of certain education reserves and portions of a street in the Taranaki Hospital Board for the purposes of hospital. The motion was agreed to by 36 to 19. The Ngaruawahia Cemetery Leasing Bill,the Kaiapoi Drill Shed Bill, the Waikato Model Farm Bill, the Christchurch Rifle Range Bill, passed through Committee with slight amendment. On the Epsom and Mount Eden Recreation Reserve Bill being committed, "Mr. Turnbull moved that progress be reported on the Bill in order to ascertain the exact position of the reserve in question. Sir M. O'Rorkk, Mr. Thompson (Auckland), and Mr. Mitchelson pointed out that the reserve in question was absolutely valueless at present, and had been set apart for asylum purposes some time ago. It was now merely asked to convert the land into a recreation reserve. Messrs. Tanner and Samuel objected to the reserve being appropriated without any compensation being given. The motion for reporting progress was carried on the voices. The four Bills that passed through committee were then read a third time and passed. The House rose at half-past five p.m. The House resumed at half-past seven p.m. , OTAGO CENTRAL. The Otago Central Railway Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 3: Governor may enter into a contract. Sir G. Grey and Mr. Fish strongly opposed the Bill, the latter moving to report progress. The Premier supported the Bill. If the line was not made by the company pressure would be brought to bear to complete it out of loan. Ho thought it advantageous for the colony that it should be built, and begged opponents not to use obstructive tactics, but debate the provisions reason* ably, and allow them to be voted on. Mr. J. MoKenzie said bis opposition was to land grants, and because the railway would not pay if it was extended beyond Taieri Lake. Sir G. Grey also said his objections were based on the principle that he could not agree to the land of the people being alienated in the way proposed. He begged Mr. Pyke not to press the Bill further. Mr. Fish's motion was lost after some further discussion, including long speeches from Messrs. R. Thompson and Duncan. . Sir George Grey said he firmly believed it to be their duty to obstruct the Bill in every possible way, and he called upon those who sided with him not to give way. He was prepared to sit there till next evening if anyone would stay with him. Mr. Reeves (St. Alban's) said he did not see why the reporters need be kept there, even if members had to suffer in the cause of their country, and he called attention to the presence of strangers. The gallery was accordingly cleared. [Left sitting.]

The following is the conclusion of the report of the proceedings of the House after two o'clock on Thursday morning : — Mr. Feldwick called attention to the difficulty of making members go into the lobbies during divisions. As teller he professed - to be unable to vouch for the accuracy of the last division, After some discussion, the Chairman of Committee informed members that they must pass before the tellers properly. The Bill passed, with the amendments made by the Waste Lands Committee, including one retaining, but slightly altering, the constitution of the Land Boards. CROWN TENANTS AND RELIEF. Mr. Whyte said he hoped, if the Fair Rent Bill were rejected, extended powers would be given to Boards to deal with Crown tenants requiring relief. Mr. Bruce asked if the perpetual lease and deferred payment settlers could not be put on the same footing as to residence qualifications? ' .Mr. Richardson promised to consider the matter.

The Bill was read a third time and passed, and the House rose at twenty minutes to three a.m.