PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 914, 6 September 1889, Page 23

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THURSDAY, AUGUST 29. The Speaker took the chair at 2.80 p.m. HANSARD. Captain Ballie moved that the debate upon Mr Shrimski’s motion,for the adjournment of the Council yesterday be not recorded in Hansard. _ Mr Shrimski seconded the motioD, which was agreed to. PUBLIC RESERVES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Stevens moved that clause 3 of the Bill be omitted and the following substituted: —“The Governor may, in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty .'exchange with any person or body politic or corporate the whole or any portion of any public reserve in classes 1., 11., and 111., for any other land contiguous thereto which the Governor shall deem of equal value therewith, and more suitable for the purposes of the reserve ; and the Governor and any such person or body politic or corporate may do or cause to bo done all such acts and things, and make, sign, or execute all such instruments aB may be necessary to effectuate any such exchange. All land obtained in exchange by Her Majesty, or by any person or body politic or corporate as aforesaid, shall be held by Her Majesty or by such person or body politic or corporate respectively for the same objects and purposes, and upon the same trusts (if any) as the land given in exchange by Her Majesty or by such person or body, politic or corporate was held. Whenever the estate in any public reserve is vested in any local body, or the control and management thereof ,is vested in any local authority, no such exchange shall be made or carried into effect without the written consent of the local authority representing such local body, or in whom such control and management is vested, for that purpose first had and obtained/' Xheamendments were, after debate, agreedto by 19 to 12. TRIENNIAL LICENSING COMMITTEES BILL, The following amendment, proposed by his Excellency as a subsection to section 5, was agreed to : such removal shall be an extraordinary vacancy, and the Governor shall appoint some other person to fill such vacancy, who shall hold office only until the next election.” CHINESE IMMIGRANTS ACTS AMENDMENT CONTINUATION BILL. Sir F. Whitaker, in moving the second reading of this Bill, explained that its provisions were exactly similar to those of the Act of 1888, which latter had only been passed for one year. The Bill would if passed, a permanent measure restricting Chinese immigration to one Chinaman for every 100. tons. The second reading was agreed to by 16 to 10. timaru harbour board land bill. This Bill was referred to the Local Bills Committee. The Council, at 3.30 p.m., adjourned to the next day. FRIDAY, AUGUST 30. The Speaker took, the chair at 2.30. native affairs. Major Wahawaha asked whether the Government will take into consideration the manner in which persons who are not the rightful owners cause premature and fraudulent surveys to be made of lands belonging to other tribes and hapus before such lands have passed through the Native Land Court. Sir F. Whitaker replied that the Sur-veyor-General was the person who ordered surveys. NEW BILL. A Bill to amend the Slaughterhouses Act was read a first time. CHINESE IMMIGRANTS AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was considered in Committee. Dr Pollen moved as an amendment to clause 2, that the Act remain in force until the end of the next session of Parliament and no longer. This being lost on the voices, the Bill was reported with a slight amendment, read a third time and passed. The Council, at 3.25 p.m., adjourned to Tuesday next. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS BILL. The Committee brought up their report, in which they recommend that the Bill should not proceed. CRIMINAL EVIDENCE BILL. Dr Pollen gave notice next day to move that the Council's amendments in this Bill be not insisted on,

NOTICE OP NEW BILL". Mr Stevens save notiso to move next day for leave to introduce the following new l Bills Rating Act Amendment Bill and; Licensing Act Amendment Bill. DOG REGISTRATION ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Walker moved the first reading this Bill, which was agreed to. CHATTELS TRANSFER BILL. Sir F. W hitaker moved the second readying of this Bill, which was agreed to on the voices. FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL. Mr Stevens moved that a Free Conference to consider the questions at issue between the Houses of Legislature on this Bill be held, the Council’s managers to consist of Messrs Oliver, Peacock, and the mover. The motion was agreed to. LINCOLN AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL BILL. Mr Stevens moved the second reading of this Bill> which was agreed to. JJ.ARAMU RESERVE BTLL. Thfe Bill was further considered in committee. Progress WS3 reported, leave being gl The t CouncfC l at 4.45 p.m., adjourned to next day. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. The Speaker took the chair at fcbe usual hour. LOCAL BILLS. A number of looal Bills received from the) House of Representatives on Tuesday last* and which, after being read a first time, were sent to the Local Bills Committee, A„ B. and C, were reported upon by the respective committees, who recommended that the Bills should be permitted to proceed. . Ihe second readings were fixed either for the following day or for Friday next. NEW BILL. Sir F. WhitaKEß gave notice to bring m the following Bill next day A BiL to Amend the Public Health Act, 1876. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were read a first time; _Public Works Act Amendment Bill, North Island Main Trunk Railway Bill, Rating Act Amendment Bill, Licensing Act Amendment Bill, and Election of Schools Committees Bill. WARD-HTSLOP CASE. The evidence taken by the Committee in this case was ordered to be printed. IN COMMITTEE. The Karamu Reserves Bill was again considered in committee. After a lengthy debate the Bill was reported without amendments and passed all final stages. The Wi Pere Land Bill and the Poututu Jurisdiction Bill were reported without amendments and passed all final stages. CRIMINAL EVIDENCE BILL. The report of the conference on this Bill was agreed to, on the motion of Dr Pollen, by 17 to 2, and the Council at 5.5 p.m. adjourned to next day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY, AUGUST 29. The House met at 2.30, Mr Hamlin taking the ‘chair in consequence of the indisposition of the Speaker. - LOCAL BILLS. The Premier moved that local Bills be postponed with a view to referring them to the Local Bills Committee to report which of those Bill3 were unopposed, which might without serious inconvenience be postponed till next session, and which were opposed. The Committee could report by Monday, and Monday afternoon (and, if necessary, the evening) might be devoted to the Bills recommended by the Committee. This was agreed to after discussion. INVESTMENT OF TRUST FUNDS. Mr MacarthUß moved the adoption of the report of the Public Accounts Cjmmittee in favour of taking the control of investment of savings bank funds out of the hands of the Government and giving it to a Board ; also, that the Government be asked to bring in a Bill this session to give effect to the report. . . Mr Allen expressed an opinion that the Government of the day, being responsible to the House, were more competent than a Board to deal with these funds. The Premier should not oppose the motion, and would, if it were passed, bring in a Bill to give effect to it, but he did not see that it would do any good. It would, however, take a great deal of trouble off the hands of the. Government of the day. He pointed out that no bad investment of these funds had ever been made. The question of a Board, he might mention, had engaged hiß attention for some years, the difficulty being to get a satisfactory Board without great expense. Mr Seymour pointed to the failure of the . Government Insurance Board. Mr Ballance said that was a political board. He expressed approval of the present proposal to appoint aboard, and said the House would still retain control. The motion was eventually carried by 34 to 24. Mr Rhodes moved the adoption of a further resolution passed by the Public Accounts Committee, to the effect that no loans should be made out of trust, Post Office Savings Bank, or public debt sinkiug funds, or in any way except under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, or in Government securities ; and that there should always be at least one-third of the amount to the credit of the Post Office Savings Bank account invested in New Zealand Government securities, the interest on which is payable in London, and that such securities be deposited in London, to be used in case of any possible financial emergency in the Colony. The discussion was interrupted by the 5,30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. The Public Accounts Committee’s resolution was further discussed. Iu the course of a speech on the subject, Mr Samuel said the resolutions were carried in committee by seven to four, namely Ayes : Messrs Larnach, Ballanco, Mos 3, Perceval, Rhodes, Turnbull, and Dr Newman. Noes, 4 : The Premier, Sir John Hall, Mr Samuel, and Mr Barron.

A motion For adjournment 1>? the debate, sraovcd by Captain Russell, was lost by 36 *to 34, and the Committee’s resolution was adopted by 38 to 31. OTR/E AND SS&.RINE INSURANCE COMPANY’SBIEL. The reasons for insisting on amendments to Kihis fieii were approved. TUSLIC WORKS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. T f ais Bill wa3 committed. 'Clause 3, particulars to be insetted in Adaim’to compensation—Mr Duncan moved v to strike this clause out. Lost on the voices. Clause 5, claimant not to recover for cuatters nob particularised in his claim.— This was struck one on the voices. Clause 7, liability of local authority over ■road to continue notwithstanding alterations, etc., in road. This clause was struck out on the voices, on the motion of Mr Kerr. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 11.15. FRIDAY, AUGUST 3^ The House met at 2.30-, 4 LAND SrrYtEIdENT. In answer to Mr Joyce, the Minister of Lands said it was known that many people, in oi-der to get exceptional opportunities for obtaining land, put in applications on behalf of themselves and members of their families. Under the ballot system of the Ant •of I'SS7, now in force, however, a deposit tos necessary in each case, which was not necessary under the tender system, which obtained before the ballot system, and, consequently, people could then, on 'One deposit, apply for as much land a 3 they liked. It was zioA true that people had to go away because there was n© land available. In this provincial district (Wellington) there were about 16,'000 acres oE settlement ian& ah the market, and about 70,000 aefeh Under the small grazing run system. Tub present «systern was being fairly tested in the district, where there was an almost unhealthy •kmaad for land. As to Mr Anderson, a Victorian farmer, that gentleman applied lor land, but did not get suited, because ho wanted specially good land easily accessible. Mr Makchant (who moved the adjournment of the House) expaessed an opinion 'that reform of the land laws was urgently needed. Ho regretted to see in that morning’s paper that a member -of this House had applied to transfer a section which fell to him by ballot. Major St»wakd also urged attention to thi*e question. The Minister of Lands, speaking in the course of a long discussion, said Wellington was the only district in which there was an unusual demand for land. He denied that dummy ism was extensively carried on, and said it was oniy in connection with the choicest land that there were difficulties under the ballot system. The discussion wan interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. ‘CHINESE IMMIGRANTS BILL. The Chinese Immigrants Act Continuance lßi’l was received from the Legislative Council, mad read a first time. PUBLIC WORKS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill w&3 committed. A number of small amendments were made, andathalfrpast 9 Mr Fish suggested, that as the Bill was provoking a great deal of discussion, progress should be reported and the Bill considered by a Committee. This was negatived, and the Bill was proceeded with. A great number of amendments were made, and eventually the Bill was reported with amendments at half past 1, and the House rose. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. The House mot at 2.30. LOCAL J3ILLS. The following local Bills passed their final stages : VVaimata Public Library Bill, Timaru High School Act Further Amendment Bill, Queenstown Athonasum Bill, Gisborne Harbour Act Amendment Bill, Napier Harbour Board Amendment andFurther Empowering Bill, Waitohi River bed Bill, VVaimate Public Reserves Sale Bill, Geraldine Racecourse Reserve Aot Amendment Bill, Geraldine Public School Site Bill, Wellington City Empowering Bill, New Plymouth High School Bill, Masterton Trust Lunds Bill, Nelson Foreshore Reserve Bill, Borough of Brunner Enabling Bill. TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD LAND BILL. The Bill was read a second time on the motion of the Premier. 7IAWKEA BOROUGH ENDOWMENT BILL. This Bill was read a second time on the motion of the Premier. LAND TRANSFER ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was read a second time on the motion of the Colonial Secretary, OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON BILL. This Bill was road a second time on the motion of the Minister of Justice. The Bill raises the age of consent to 14 years. Tha usual adjournment was taken at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. NORTH ISLAND MAIN TP.UNK RAILWAY LOAN - APPLICATION BILL. This Bill was committed. Cl a-.; so 2, additional sum of £120.255 allocated for land purchase- 1 . --Mr Bruce expressed a hope thac none of this money would be spent in the Taranaki district.— It was painted out in the discussion which ensued that the New Plymouth Harbour Board wers entitled to 25 per cent, of the land fund, which would apply to all Crown lands. On the other hand, it was suggested that. if the land fund was withheld from the Board, its bondholders would have a claim for compensation.—The Minister for Public Works said the Solicitor-General was of opiuion that the bondholders would have no such claim.—ln answer to a question, tha Minister said that probably about 000-sixth of tbo laud would be acquired in Taranaki.—Mr Perceval thought the safest course would be to strike out all mention of Taranaki. —Mr Seri don moved a proviso to tha effect that the lands acquired under this Act should not bo waste Crown lands within the meaning or for tha purposes of tiie New Plymouth Harbour Endowment Act. and that the proceeds should be applied as provided by the Noith Island Main Trunk

Railway Loan ,&£'pYitia.tion Aot of 1886. The MinkshAr skid ns could not, in the face of th.o 'opiuion of the Solicitor-General, 6rice\>t that amendment; and as to the second part- of the amendment, it would, if carried, prevent the lands being dealt with under the land laws of the Colony. Eventually MrSeddon withdrew hie amendment* and the clause was carried* Clause 4.—How lands and proceeds thateof shall be disposed of. l —This Was athenderi by a provision that 5, instead of 2‘|- per cent, of the land shall be sot apait ibr primary edu- , cation purposes. An amendment was also made, on the motion of the Minister, defining the deductions to bo allowed frobi railway endowment funds as such .affibuhts as may be payable under the L'&’ffil Act to County Council and Road Boards. The M.1N13X3& moved a new clause preyenfcig ‘l3m acquisition by-private persons of along the line for five years.—Mr fiThipua and Mr Taiwhnnga objeoted to this clause,' on the ground that the Natives ought to have had time to consider it. —The Minister agreed to make the period two years, and the amendment was carried. The Bill was reported with amendments. Sir John Hall protested. against that part of the Bill which provided that_ the only payments to be made on account of the land should bo those to County Councils and Road Boards. He asserted that the deprivation Of the New Plymouth Harbour Board of its right to 25 per cent of the land fund was neither more nor less than an act of repudiation, and contended that the Board’s bondholders would have a good claim for compensation. Mr Samueb said he supported the portiori of the Bill deferred to because he considered that the money borrowed for this line should be devoted to that and no other purpose, and that none of it should be diverted to the New Plymouth Harbour Board or any other body. He denied that anything in the nature of repudiation would ensue. Mr Fisher moved the adjournment of the debate, stating that he did so, though he had voted for the amendment mentioned, because after the speech of Sir John Hall he thought time should be given for consideration of the matter. This was agreed to by the Government, and the debate was adjourned till next day. THIRD READINGS. The Timaru Harbour Board Land Bill aud Hawera Borough Endowment Bill, having been agreed to in Committee, were read a third time and passed. The Offences Against the Person Bill and Savings Bank Bill were also read a third time and passed. PROGRESS. Progress was reported on the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill. SECOND READ'NG. The Port of Thames Definition Bill was read a second time. The House rose at 12.10. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3. The House met at 2.30. KUMARA SLUDGE-CHANNEL BILL. This Bill was introduced and read a first time. THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY- LOAN APPLICATION BILL. This Bill was rend a third time and passed. PUBLIC WORKS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was recommitted for considerafcion of Clause S, which empowers local bodies to compel landowners to remove gorse from the roads or streets frontiug their properties. A proviso was added, “ provided such local authority has reasonable grounds for believing that such plants have spread from such adjoining land or fence thereof.” The Bill was then read a third time and passed. NATIVE BILLS. The Certificates of Title Empowering Bill, Waipa Order in Council Validation Bill, Orimakatea Title Empowering Bill,- and Auckland and Onehunga Native Hostelries Bill ware read a second time and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL. Sir John Hall, Mr Perceval, and the Minister of Lands were appointed to reDrepreaent the House in a conference with the Council on the subject of this Bill. NGARARA AND WAIPIRO FURTHER INVESTIGATION BILL. The Native Minister moved the second reading of this Bill, which provides for a rehearing of Ngarara and Waipiro blocks cases in pnrsnanoe of the report of the Commission which sat dming the recess. Mr Turnbull said that if Bills of this kind were to be passed there wonld be an end to all finality in Native Land Court proceedings. This matter had been disposed of three times. He considered the Bill oppressive and unworthy of the House. Mr Ballance thought it was to bo regretted that the Bill had been brought down so late in the session. He suggested that it should be referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The Bouse resumed at 7-30. Mr Carroll, continuing the discussion of the Ngarnra aod Waipiro Further Investigation Bill, expressed approval of the measure. Mr Taiwhanga vigorously opposed it, and said h© should bo compelled to stonewall if the Bill were proceeded with. Major Jackson strongly condemned Wi Parata for his share in the Ngarara Bloob affair, and said the real owners of the land lost it because the block—the real name of which was Waikanae—was dealt with under the name of Ngarara, that being property only the name of a very small piece of it. The second reading was agreed to, and the Bill referred to the Native Affairs Commit, tee. SELECTORS LINDS REVALUATION BILL. This Bill was recommitted and several formal amendments made. A new clause was moved by Sir George Grey, providing that occupation conditions shall be held to be complied with if the selector occupies the land for three years in the manner prescribed by the regulations, "’his waa lo3t by 3§ to 19.

Another new clanse was then moved by Sir George Groy, empowering a selector who has lived on bis laud for three yearn to sublet or subdivide it. , Lost by 32 to 15. Mr HoSbs moved a now clause, giving Village homestead settlers the right to acquire a freehold oh the saiiie terms as perpetual lease sfettlers-. Lost by 36 to 25. The Bill was reported. CERTIFICATES oi?_ 'tITLE 1 SUE EMPOWERING IBILL. This Pill passed through committee without amendment, and was read a third time And passed. WAIPA ORDER-IN-COUNCIL VALIDATION BILL. This Bill passed through- committee without amendment, and was read a third time . and passed. CHINESE IMMIGRANTS ACT CONTINUANCE BILL. This Bill passed its final stages. NATIVE LAND FRAUDS PREVENTION BILL. This Bill was committed. Several amendments being Cioved to clause 3, progro33 Was reported at that stage. The Heme rose at 12.25. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. The House met at 2.30. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time : The Minister of Lands— The Education Endowments Bill; The Premier The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Ameadment Bill, a Bill to amend the Public Revenues Act, 1878, the Public Debts Sinking Fund Act Amendment Bill; Minister for Public Works—The WestportNgakawau Railway Extension Bill. LOCAL BODIES LOANS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Treasurer moved the second reading of this Bill. Agreed to. The Bill passed committee without amendment, and was read a third time and passed. NATIVE LAND FRAUDS PREVENTION BILL. This Bill was further considered in committee, A Dew clause was added, On the motion of Mr Carroll, providing that all lands which passed the Council before 18SS should be free from the restriction limiting tbo number of owners in a deed to 20 if it is sold in areas not larger than 5000 acres, or leased in areas not exceeding 10,000 acres. —Clause 5, enabling the Trust Commissioner to refuse a title if the consideration given does notjappear to be sufficient, evoked a long discussion, and was eventually lost by 37 to 31.—The Minister then moved tc report progress, to which Mr Ballance and others objected, on the ground that it wonld kill the Bill. The Minister said he intended to move a new clause, aud the motion for reporting progress was carried. LAND TRANSFER ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill being committed, Mr Samuel strongly protested against its being proceeded with, on the ground tbat the Bill was one of considerable technical difficulty. He moved to report progress. This was agreed to by the Minister and carried. The House, at 5.10, adjourned, to 7.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. •Estimates. The House went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates. Mines Department, £ls2o.—Agreed to. Geological and Meteorological, £3205. Mr Goldie moved a reduction of £395 as a protest against the increases of salaries over £2OO (the increases amounting in the aggregate to £95) and the addition of £3OO to contingencies.—Lost by 45 to 20. Stock branch, £29,289. —Mr J. McKenzie asked for an explanation of the reasons for making changes in the Inspector’s district last year.—Mr Kerr complained that in consequence of tho late Chief Inspector giving a clean certificate to a contaminated flook in Marlborough, bis (Mr Kerr’s) flocks had become infected.—The Minister said the office of Chief Inspector was now done away with, in accordance with the recommendation of the Stock Committee last year.— Mr Buchanan expressed an opinion that Inspectors Drummond and Simpson (Wairarapa and West Coast), were entitled to higher salaries than £2OO a year.—The Minister said they got £225 a year each, and £IOO a year travelling expenses.—Mr Bruce asked whether it was not a fact that Inspector Simpson had been in the service for a quarter of a century, and had always berne a good character, privately and officially; and that a Mr Clifton, with a four years’ record, who came up from the Minister’s own district, was put over Mr Simpson ? The Minister answered affirmatively to all these questions, and said Mr Clifton had been in charge. <Sf the Otago district. It did not follow that Mr Clifton was not an able officer because he had only been in the 1 service a short time. Mr Bruce asked whether it was not true that Mr Clifton had clerical assistance which was refused to Mr Simpson?—The Minister deprecated this form of catechism, and said he was not aware that any advantage waa given to Mr Clifton. He pointed out that the Government were endeavouring to divest the Stock Department of all political tone, in accordance with the wish of the House.—Mr Bruce assured the Minister that the action of the Government in this matter had done them more harm on the West Coast than anything else, not excepting the tariff.—Mr Dodson (expressed approval of Mr W. Bayley’s work at Marlborough, and said the fact waa that the Inspector had been away nine months, and scab had now broken out on Mr Kerr’s own run. Dr Newman said Mr Clifton had proved himself a most capahle officer.—Mr J. McKenzie challenged the Government to appoint a Commission to inquire into the management of the Rabbit Department in Wellington, and undertook to pay all expenses if the charges of favouritism and general mismanagement were not proved.—A motion by Mr Ward, to reduce the vote by £3OO, was lost on the voices, and the vote was passed. . Crown Lands Department, £15,940. —Mr Ward moved to strike out the item £450 for three forest rangers at Auckland. After a long discussion this was lost by 31 to 18. The item £l2O, for expenses in connection with investigation of grasses and other agricultural matters, was reduced by £5, as an indication that the item should be discontinued, This vvas done on the motion of Mr

J. McKenzie. The Crown Lands and survey Votes were then passed. The other land votes were agreed to. The Native votes were balled oh at a quarter to 2-. Mir J. McKenzie aid Mr Soddou Urged the Minister to report progress. Eventually it was agreed to go on with the Estimates, the Minister stating that he was willing to report progress if the Committee wished it. Native Affairs Department, £17,397. —Mr Buchanan complained that there had been great delay in passing land through the Court in his district. —The Minister said the Government endeavoured in every possible way to open land for settlement.— In answer to Mr Ballance, he said it would take two years to get through the work of rehearings now awaiting investigation. The vote waa passed, after further discussion. The House rose at 2.10.