VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9452, 24 August 1889, Page 5

VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

THE UNEXPLAINED EXPENDITURE. MESSRS. R. THOMPSON AND HOBBS. [BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. In answer to a question by Mr. R. Thompson, the Minister of Lands sa id the Government would see that an inquiry was held into the expenditure of £1753 which has been authorised by the Waste Land De-

partment in Auckland, as shown in return No. 164 cin connection with the vil-

lage settlements of Hcrekino, Motukaraka, and Punakitere, and for which the Waste Lands Department is unable to account. At the same time the Minister said a good deal more had been made out of the matter than was justified. The sums for which there was no account were sums which might have been paid by cash or order. It was very difficult to keep the various services in account, but nearly all the receipts had been obtained. Mr. Hobbs moved the adjournment of the Houso, and protested against the insinuations of Mr. K. Thompson that money had been paid which could not be accounted for. Mr. R. Thompson said he had not made any charges, but had simply stated what was the fact, that large sums had been paid which could not be accounted for. Mr. Smith commented upon the spectacle of Messrs. Hobbs and Thompson fighting thoir little differences out in the House, and said Mr. Thompson had apparently forsaken his enquiries into the number of scrubbing brushes and knives and forks used in the Ministerial residences, in order to devote his attention to the village settlers. He hoped the village settlers would not be allowed to suffor in consequence. Mr. Larnach ironically suggested that the matter bo referred to the Public Accounts Committoo. Mr. Taiwhanga likened the two members to two dogs fighting over a bono belonging to somebody else. This land belonged to him. (Laughter.) The Minister of Lands could not see that there was any insinuation to be made against anyone. No detailed account had been kept as to whether different amounts had boon paid by cash or by order. Mr. Ballance asked what officer in the Auckland district was responsible for these payments. Some officer must have the responsibility, and ought to bo able to give an account. He thought the Commissioner of Crown Lands must be the officor. He

referred to an assertion by Mr. Thompson, that the truck system was in force, and urged the Minister to mako enquiries into that matter.

The Minister was not quite sure who paid tho money to tho village settlers, bub he was aware that full receipt had been received in Auckland. The only question

regarding which an enquiry was necessary, was in his opinion as to whether or not the truck system prevailed. Mr. Hobbs said the truck system originated when the settlers first went there.

This onded the discussion.