PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4167, 29 July 1874, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, July* 28. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at 2 o’clock. The Hon. Mr. CAMPBELL presented a petition from Christchurch, in favor of the Provincial College being erected in tbe Domain. In reply to a question by Colonel Brett, the hon, gentlemen said that the number of signatures to the petition was 14. EXPLANATION. The Hon. Mr. RUSSELL asked permission to make a personal explanation. There hod been rumors, of a painful nature, industriously circulated, that affected his reputation. About four years ago ho was iuterested iu the purchase' of a block of land on which a Native woman had a large lien. It was discovered that the property was not of the value that it appeared to be, in consequence of its being encumbered with a lease. His interest he could have disposed of at a profit, but it was discovered that the Native woman was a minor, and in consequence the proceeding was null and void. Then, certain parties sought to acquire this laud at a price much below its value, as it was not now encumbered with the lease.’ He, acting in the interest of the Native woman, obtained a lease of it, with a purchasing clause. The Native Minister had refused to'eertify to this lease, and the view had been upheld 'by the Supreme Court. This he thought he would be able to show was a-mis-taken view, and in the meanwhile he asked hon, members to believe, on his word of honor, that he had been engaged in no discreditable action—a fact which he intended to establish in a Court of law. If hon. members wished further information, he should be happy to afford them whatever was in his power. UNIVERSITY RESERVES. The Hon. Mr. MENZIES asked the Hon. the Colonial Secretary,—“Whether the Government is prepared to issue a Crown grant of the University Reserve iu Southland to the Superintendent of Otago, iu trust for the University of Otago; or whether it proposes to deal with the University Reserves iu terms of the draft Bill agreed to by the New Zealand University Council, on loth April, 1874, and forwarded to the Colonial Secretary.” The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said the Government had no power to do this. The Hon, Major RICHMOND asked permission to move without notice, —“ That his name be erased from tbe Chapman-Ward Committee, and that of the Hon. Captain Fraser substituted in lieu thereof.” Assented to, and motion carried. REGULATION OF BURIAL-GROUNDS. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL moved,—“Forleave to introduce a Bill intituled an Act to regulate Burial-grounds in the City of Wellington.” The Bill was very similar to one produced on a former occasion ; and if the Government Bill of a general nature should be of a satisfactory character, his might lapse. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN thought it undesirable to have two Bills of a like character before the House. He intended asking leave for tbe introduction of a measure which, beiug more general, might be preferable. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL hoped the permission sought might be accorded, as his Bill might be of assistance to the Government in showing what ’should and what need not be done. The motion was carried, the Bill read a first time, and the second reading made an Order of the Day for Friday. THE CONSTITUTION ACT. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN briefly moved for leave to introduce a Bill intituled an Act to amend the Constitution Act. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL thought that the Hon. Dr. Pollen should have given the Council the reasons which had induced him to introduce the measure. The Hon. Mr. STOKES said it would be desirable to indicate the direction in which the amendment was to take effect, and hoped the hon. mover would have no objection to gratify a reasonable curiosity on the part of the Council. The Hon. Mr. HART thought the Council was being treated with slight courtesy in no information being given respecting so importthe SPEAKER suggested that the Colonial Secretary might say what portion of the Constitution Act it was proposed to amend. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said the speech of His Excellency on opening Parliament was an index of the character of the Bill. Leave was given for the introduction of the Bill ; it was read a first time, and the second reading made an Order of the Day for Friday. REGISTRATION. The Hon. Mr. G. R. JOHNSON moved, — “ That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that a register of the births of Maori children should be kept, and that the necessary steps should at once be taken to carry out this object.” All civilised communities attached great importance to the registration of the birth of children. In the case of the Maoris he did not consider it should he made compulsory. Ho did not think there would be difficulty experienced in inducing them to register. There must be a commencement of this sooner or later, and believing that it might tend to civilise them, he thought the present would be the preferable time. As a matter of fact some Maori women were not careful enough of their offspring, and did not care for the trouble of reaving them. The register, if kept, would be useful in telling their rate of increase or decrease, They were the largest landed proprietors in the North Island, and a register would show who was entitled to purchase or sell. But he thought most stress was to he laid on the argument that a register would assist in determining whether a Maori was a minor or in a position to sell. At present the Court had nothing but surmise to guide them in arriving at a decision. The Hon. Mr. ROBINSON suggested that the hon. member should make it a register of deaths as well as births. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL thought that all that was necessary was the extension of the Registration Act to Maoris, who, really, were not excluded from its operation. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN wopld have liked to have heard the views of the Hon. Mr. Wi Tako on the subject. He was afraid there would he great trouble and difficulty in procuring a Maori register—much more than any advantage that might accrue. The Natives did not see the advantages of registration as we did, and they were jealous of many movements, such - as taking the census, &c., because they did not understand the nature of them. The Hon. Captain FRASER quoted the experience in India in getting the Natives to register, as proof that there was not the difficulty the Colonial Secretary imagined. The Hon. Mr, WI TAKO believed in the registration of the births and deaths of Maoris, He had attempted it in Wellington, and he hoped with success. He approved the motion, and so would all those Maoris who imderstood it. Those who did not were foolish. The Hon. Mr, G.R. JOHNSON said, in reply, that there might he many laws, besides that for registration, theoretically in force amongst the Maoris, but not practically so. He had not contemplated making registration compulsory, and would leave it to the Natives to furnish the particulars of the proposed register. The motion was carried, BILLS. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN obtained leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the closing of burial grounds. The Bill was read a first time, and its second reading was fixed for that day week. The third reading of The Inspection of Machinery Bill was carried. CANTERBURY DOMAIN. The Hon. Mr. CAMPBELL, in moving the second reading, of the Canterbury Public Domains Act of 1872 Amendment Bill, said it only proposed to take five acres out of the Domain, in which a College should he erected, for the purpose of affording a high class of education to those young persons whose parents desired this for them. They only wanted five acres out of 500, and a resolution in favor of such alienation was carried in the Provincial Council by twentyone votes to thirteen, He believed some

people objected, saying the College was only wanted to give the sons of swells a high education ; and some even thought it was to be an English Church institution, whereas nothing of the sort was contemplated. He was aware that numerous signatures had been procured to a petition against the measure, but of this be thought little, as hon. members knew how easily signatures to a parliamentary petition were obtained. He thought the signers should pay one shilling each, the money to go to a charitable object. The Hon. Colonel Brett* had intimated, when asking the number of signatures to his petition, that he should like to hear the names read out. Nothing would be easier ; but those on the gallant Colonel's petition were in many instances unreadable. The hon. member also proposed to move for a select committee, but what was one wanted for ? The facts were in a nutshell, and if the committee were appointed it would mean a pleasant trip to Wellington for a lot of Christchurch people who must give evidence. It was said the alienation would close up access to the Domain, but this he denied ; and he anticipated the Council would agree to the second reading. The Hon. Col. BRETT described the case made out by Mr. Campbell for the second reading of the Bill as a most unjust one. He would do the hon. gentleman the justice of saying that he had made the best out of a very bad story ; but they must recollect that the petitions against the measure contained 2,600 signatures, many of which were those of leading men in Christchurch —■ clergymen’ brokers, magistrates, &c, (The hon. and gallant gentleman here caused some amusement by reading several of these names and apportioning to their owners a rung in the social ladder.) If there were to be a college, and ho believed in its necessity as much as any man, it should not be iu the heart of a large city such as Christchurch certainly would be. The majority of the young people that would be educated at it were from 10 to 14 years of age, and were some of the most “ unlicked cubs ” in creation. At present the Domain was composed to a considerable extent of beautiful gardens, that would be rendered veritable bear gardens if these uncouth youths were permitted to run wild in them. There should be a college, but it should be a mile out of tbe city. In Sydney, tbe college bad 100 acres of recreation ground, in Dunedin it was to be removed outside of tbe town, and here they were proposing to bring it right bang in. The only exercise ground for pupils would be the roads, and there it was not fitting pupils should ‘be when uncouth men were riding furiously along them. Mr. Sewell had been communicated with respecting the project, and he had declared that it would he a breach of good faith. The promoters of the measure had not acted fairly and honestly, but had pushed the resolution through the Provincial Council, at the last moment, he might say with positive indecency. The Bill of Mr. Campbell was not in accordance with the resolution, and lie maintained that it should have been submitted to the Provincial Council before it was presented to Parliament. They should be very careful how they interfered with reserves, which were being granted to every town in the Colony. If they once tampered with these, they would open the door to numberless abuses. His resolution was framed in the interests of faith, justice, and houor. Many thousand pounds had been spent on the Domain; in it were trees of great beauty and variety, and persona had purchased property adjacent to it, believing that it would be continued as a reserve. Tbeir property would be depreciated in value by any portion of it being alienated. For himself, be would say, that as the father of four handsome daughters, he would not allow them to live near the proposed college. They would be in danger of receiving missives, that would be calculated to be offensive to tbeir dignity, and sense of propriety, from these very uncouth young men. The Council, he was proud to say, -would bear favorable comparison with any body of men out of Great Britain, and he would leave it to hon. members’ sense of justice and equity whether Canterbury should be robbed of a portion of its beautiful Domain. He should move that,- — “All the words after ‘ That’ be omitted, with a view to insert the words ‘ the Bill be referred to a Select Committee, with power 'to call for persons, papers, and records, and to report within a fortnight. The Committee to consist of the Hon. Major Richmond, C. 8., the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, the Hou. Captain Fraser, the Hon. Mr. G. R. Johnson, the Hon. Mr. Campbell, the Hon. Mr. Menzies, and the Mover,”’ Tiie Hon. Captain FRASER was surprised at the interest felt iu this Bill. Hon. members might fancy from tliis the whole Colony was at stake. Perhaps the people of Canterbury did not know what to do till told, but they had allowed the erection on the Domain of an architectural deformity in the shape of a Museum ; and the Museum must either go to the College, or the College to the Museum. He agreed with the amendment. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL thought the amendment a circuitous attempt to defeat the Bill. He saw no harm iu five acres being granted for the erection of a College, and he had been sorry to hear such an unfavorable account of the Colonial youth. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE thought that after the petitions presented they should not go on with the Bill. He suggested that it should not become law till assented to by the Provincial Council. The Hon. Mr. PATERSON likewise took this view. The Hon. Mr. CAMPBELL said he would agree to the insertion of a provision to this effect. The Hon. Mr. STOKES had been surprised at the deep interest felt in the Bill. A resolution in its favor had jjassed the Provincial Council, it had met with no opposition in the House of Representatives, but lie should agree on the course proposed. The Hon. Mr. ROBINSON assured the Council that the very greatest interest was felt in Christchurch respecting the measure, and but for tbe break in the telegraph line more would have been heard about it. He did not believe the site proposed for a College was a good one, but that it should be near a railway terminus. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said the Bill had received no opposition iu the Lower House from the members for Canterbury, and be thought under such circumstances it might bo read a second time, and then referred to a select committee. The Hon. Mr. ACLAND explained that the Domain, out of which five acres were proposed to be taken, contained only sixty-four acres. The resolution in the Provincial Council was carried to the surprise of the Canterbury people. The Hon. Mr. MILLER would vote for the second reading on the understanding that the Bill should not be law till approved by the Provincial Council. The Hon. Mr. HART believed that a clause should be amended subjecting tbe Bill to the Provincial Council, or it should bo referred to a select committee. The Hon. Mr. MENZIES agreed to this. The Hon. Mr. CAMPBELL agreed to amend the 3rd clause, so that the Bill might not be law without the approval of the Provincial Council. He thought they had nothing to do with the question of deterioration of private property. Ho hoped the second reading would bo carried, as otherwise there would bo eighteen months delay in the erection of the College. The Hon. Mr. ROBINSON said ho should move that the Bill be read that day six months. Ultimately, the Hon. Colonel Brett agreed to amend his resolution, to the effect that the committee should report in three days, and it was carried. The Council was then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 28. Tire Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. A large number of petitions were presented, but it was impossible to catch the purport of the explanations mado by hon. members presenting them. PAPERS. Mr. McLean presented a number of papers relating to Native affairs, including an approximate census of the Native population ; and the Speaker laid on the table the report of the Commissioner of Public Debts Sinking Fund for 1874.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL, Mr. VOGEL stated instructions had been sent to Otago to detain the out-going mail steamer for one day ; and there was reason to believe that the Cyphrenes would not leave Wellington till Friday. FOREST TREE PLANTING. Mr. THOMSON asked, —“Whether the Government are in possession of information as to the successful working, or otherwise, in Canterbury, of the Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Acts ; and in Otago of the 169th section of the Otago Waste Hands Act ; and if so, whether they will place such information in possession of the House, either by verbal statement or by laying papers on the table.” Mx-. VOGEL replied that he was not aware of the Government having received any information such as was referred to. TELEGRAPH TO STAFFORD TOWN AND GOLDSBOROUGH. Hr. WHlTE'asked, —“If it is the intention of the Government to extend telegraphic communication to the townships of Stafford Town and G oldshorough, in the Arahura District, Westland.” Mr. VOGEL replied that the engagements of the department were so heavy that he was not able to give the hon. member for Hokitika any assurance that the work would be carried on during the present year. Enquiry would be made witli the view of ascertaining whether it was expedient to erect a station at the places named. . LEAVE TO INTRODUCE BILLS. Leave was given to introduce the following Bills:—To Sir. Richardson : The Oamaru Harbor Board Land Bill, and A Bill to make better provisions relating to the construction of Works below High Watermark ; to Mr. T. L. Shepherd : A Bill to amend the “Goldfields Act, 1866,” and, amongst other things, to make better provision for the necessary fouling of Elvers and other Watercourses by Goldmining operations ; and to Mr, Cuthbertson : The Invercargill Gas Loan Bill. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. On a resolution from the Committee of Supply being reported to the House, Mr. THOMSON complained that salaries over £SOO were being increased, when the House was given to understand by the Financial Statement that such would not be done. Mr. VOGEL explained that the special gratuities referred to in the Statement, would be paid upon all salaries receivable by officers on the 31st of December last, and there would be shut out from participation in it, these officers who had been appointed or had received increases since that date. He could not by any means be understood as being taken to have said that there were to be no increases beyond the special gratuities ; on the contrary, at page 12 of the Financial Statement, he stated that the Estimates also included the usual increases of officers’ salaries. If the House shut out from the Government the opportunity of making advances on the salaries of officers who showed themselves able and had been long in the service, the effect would be to demoralise the whole service. There must be some such power in the hands of the Government. (Hear.) THE NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY BILL. Mr. VOGEL, in moving the second reading of this Bill, observed that members were aware that the New Zealand University had been a fruitful source of differences of opinion from year to year, and last year, when the subject was discussed, a general opinion was expressed that if a little time were allowed to elapse a satisfactory settlement of the question might be arrived at. That anticipation had been fulfilled and the consequence was the present Bill, the main feature of which was that the New Zealand University would no longer be a teaching institution but simply an examining institution. Upon that condition the other institutions had agreed to make common cause in the proposals embodied in the Bill, and notable was the fact that those in charge of the Otago University had agreed to these proposals. Although it did not appear in the Bill, tile understanding was that endowments which had not been made, but which had been set apart as subject to future legislation by the House, were not now to be applied to the new examining institution. He would bring down a new clause by which it would be made clear that the reserves which hitherto had been made would be unreserved, with the exception of some reserves in the Province of Otago, which had been set apart for, and would he applied to, the University of Otago. Notably the present Bill was different to the last one, in that it made no provision for the election of professors and made a change in the constitution of the University. Under the Act of 1870 the University consisted of a council and senate. The council was composed of twenty members, and vacancies were filled up by the senate, which consisted of graduates. Under the present Bill the University would consist of the senate and convocation, the senate to consist of twenty-four members, vacancies to be filled up alternately by election from the senate and the convocation ; hut inasmuch as the number of the senate was at present four less than what it was intended to make it, it was proposed that the Governor in Council should fill up the four vacancies that would occur in the first year. The convocation was to consist of graduates of two years’ standing ; the chancellor and vice-chancellor of the existing institution were to he chancellor and vicechancellor of the new University ; the affairs generally were to be conducted by the senate ; and certain defined powers were given to the convocation, principally on the nature of expressing opinions on questions, but it was not to have absolute management of the affairs of the University. By adopting this measure the House would be getting rid of a vei-y troublesome subject—one that had occupied a groat deal of attention in the House, and was very difficult to deal with. The Government were consulted about this measure by the representatives of the present University, and by those who represented the Otago University and the Canterbury College in the negotiations for union. The Bill as handed to the Government was submitted to the AttorneyGeneral for alteration, and the present measure was the result. On looking over the Bill, however, there would be found embodied in it the clause to which he had referred, and which, as he had said, would set' at rest the question about the reserves. It would be well if those gentlemen who took an active interest in the subject were to communicate with the University authorities in reference to the proposed new clause. So far as the Government were concerned there was a distinct understanding, as he understood it, that the reserves should lapse. Hon. members would recollect that the hon. member for New Plymouth Town (Mr. Kelly) earned a resolution last year by which the Government were directed not to apply these reserves to the New Zealand University, hut to apply them to Universities to be estal> lished in such Provinces. When the New Zealand University applied to have the reserves handed over, it was found that the Legislature had no power to make them applicable to that University, but had simply directed that the reserves should ho treated as endowments, to be dealt with as the Assembly should hereafter direct. So that, in fact, the New Zealand University had never been in possession of the endowments. The condition on which the Council took charge of the Bill was that these reserves should lapse. It was not introduced into the Bill at first, because the University had not any endowments, and it was not necessary to make the point clear, but doubts having arisen on the subjects, and been brought under his notice, it was thought hotter to make the point clear in the Bill. Hence his proposed amendment to unreserve all the reserves except those in Otago. Mr. T. B. GILLIES, remarked that it must he gratifying to the House that the disputes that had so often occurred between the Now Zealand University and the Otago University had been amicably arranged, and in a manner that would he satisfactory to the country generally. Considering the position in which the New Zealand University was now to ho placed — ; viz., that of an examining body, it would be manifestly out of place that there should be large laud cndowxuents for it; and, so far, he agreed with the clause intended to he inserted. But he did not see why the reserves made in the North Island for the purposes of higher education in the future should be unreserved, and bo no longer kept applicable to the pur-

poses for which they were reserved until the North Island had a teaching University. Any such proposal would meet with his strenuous opposition. He trusted that the spirit of the resolution moved last session by the member for New Plymouth Town would be carried out. Mr. T. KELLY agreed with what had fallen from the member for Auckland City West. He understood from the Premier last year that the intention of the Government was to make over the University reserves to the Province of Auckland to assist lower education there until such time as a University was established in the Province. One of the reserves had been handed over, and a number of immigrants settled upon it. He understood the intention was to make the reserves of smaller size, dividing the blocks into txvo or. three parts, or making that number of small reserves in different parts of the district. He was alluding to the Kapiti Block, leading to Tauranga, which consisted of 20,000 acres. Thei’e was another reserve of 10,000 acres at the Bay of Plenty, which was not utilised in any way at present. If let, it might bring in a small income, bxit after a few years it would bring in something handsome. He should like to see something done with the reserves. He was sorry to hear the Premier intimate the intention of the Government to take them away. Mr. SHEEHAN understood that as the Nexv Zealand University was to be merely an examining' body, such Provinces as thought proper could provide higher education, and that being the case, the North Island was fairly entitled to have those reserves maintained. He was also of opinion that the creation of such large reserves as 10,000 acres practically shut them up from settlement. He hoped the Premier would consider his decision. Mr. T. KELLY remarked that 50,000 acres had been sot apart in Auckland, 10,000 acres in Taranaki, 10,000 acres in Southland, and 30 acres ill' Westland, for the purposes of the New Zealand University. He thought it very unfair that these reservations should be made for Colonial purposes, and last session moved a resolution, which xvas carried, that the reserves should be set apart far the purpose of higher education in the Provinces. Ho perceived now that it was not the intention of the Government to give effect to that resolution, except in regal’d to the 10,000 aci'es in Otago. The proposal was an unfair one, because Auckland and Taranaki more essentially required the assistance of the Colony in the matter of education than Otago. He also disapproved entirely of large resei'vations being made, and would sooner have the reserves sold and the proceeds set apart for educational purposes. He hoped the Premier would reconsider the question, deal with Auckland and Taranaki in the same liberal spirit as Otago had been dealt with, and sell the reserves, setting apart their proceeds for the purposes of higher education. With those exceptions, he entirely agreed with the plan the Government had brought down. Mr. VOGEL, in reply, said that the only point about which there laid been much discussion was as to the policy of unreserving those reserves to which he had alluded as it being the intention of the Government to propose. In considering the matter, he found himself confronted by a considerable amount of difficulty ; and he was prepared to listen to the suggestions of hon. members if they could see any way out of the difficulty, which he confessed he did not. The reserves were three blocks of 10,000 aci'es of confiscated land and 354 acres of other land within the Province of Auckland ; 1300 acres in Westland ; 10,000 acres in Southland, which might be dismissed from consideration. Besides this there were 20.000 acres of confiscated land in Auckland set apart but not gazetted, and 10,000 acres in Taranaki, similarly situated. Then the Superintendent of Canterbuiy had promised 2000 acres, but had done nothing more than promise. Such being the position of the reserves, the question arose ■what was to be done with them. The uni'eserviug of lands which had been set apart but not gazetted was nnnecessai'y. It was only lately tbat the Government found that they were able to deal with the education reserves in Tai-anaki without going to the House for assistance. It was not too much to say that to all intents and purposes to have dealt with the matter in an imperfect manner would not have been likely to have promoted settlement. The same remark applied to the 10,000 aox-es of confiscated land set apart but not gazetted, which it was not necessary to uni'eserve. The only land which required to he dealt with were the 30,354 aci'es in the Province of Auckland, and the thirty acres in Westland. To keep up the reserves might possibly lead to great embarrassment in promoting settlement within those lands. At the same time, if it was the wish of those in charge of Auckland’s interests, and he was an Auckland membei', and would state bis personal opinion, that these reserves should bo subjected to an indefinite reservation for a purpose not yet constituted, he did not think the Government would offer any objection. For Ins own part it appeared to him that when Auckland had a University it would bo time enough to make reservations for it. Ho agreed with those members who thought the reserves should be of smaller dimensions; and that the reserves should be sold in the ordinary way, and the proceeds applied to educational purposes. Mr. GAKKINGTON inquired if the land in Taranaki reserved, but not gazetted, would be set apart, and the proceeds set apart for education purposes. Mr. YOGEL replied that he only proposed so to deal with lands which might be considered to have been reserved. But if the 10.000 acres referred to were desired to be reserved the Government would have no objection to do so. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Tuesday next. BILLS. The Municipal Eeserves was read a third time and passed. The second reading of the Merchant Shipping Act Adoption Bill and the Naval Training Schools Establishment Bill was postponed till to-morrow. the estimates. In Committee of Supply the Estimates were further considered, and passed. On the item “Conveyance of Inland Mails,” under class 3, postal, Mr. ROLLESTON asked whether the Government had had under consideration the desirability of establishing a daily mail between the Ashburton and Timaru as soon as the railway to the first-mentioned place was opened. Mr. VOGEL replied that the question was under consideration at the present time. The Government recognised the importance of a daily mail to Timaru, and would take advantage of the railway extension to establish one if they could arrange with the contractor on satisfactory terras. Sir J. C. WISON suggested that private letter boxes at Christchurch might be kept open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m., and Mr. VOGEL promised to have it done. Mr. J. E. BROWN complained that through the neglect of the officials in the head Provincial offices country postmasters were so badly supplied with stationery that they wrote their communications on blank forms. He also wished to know whether the PostmasterGeneral had issued a circular ordering postal officers not to speak to members of the Assembly in regard to postal matters. Mr. VOGEL the newly-appointed Inspector of Post Offices, who seemed to be thoroughly acquainted with postal matters, would shortly visit the various Post Offices, and would (he hoped) introduce many reforms in the smaller districts. It was intended to assimilate the Postal Department as nearly as possible to the almost perfect system of England. With regard to the member for Ashley’s question lie (Mr, Vogel) thought it would be well if postal officers forbore to communicate with members of the Assembly. (Hear.) Mr. BROWN said his question had not been answered. Mr. VOGEL was not aware of any such circular having been issued ; but it would have been a very good tiling if it had been. (Hear). In reply to Mr. Thomson, Mr. VOGEL said an endeavor would bo made, so far as the clerical work of the Post and Telegraph Offices was concerned, to bring them under one head, as was formerly tho case.

Mr. LXJCKIE inquired if it was not the fact that Mr. Lemon, General Manager of Telegraphs had established a duplex system of telegraphy, which would increase the business that could be conducted through the cable, and had so saved the department from running into considerable expense. Mr. VOGEL was glad of the opportunity of stating that the General Manager of Telegraphs, to whose zeal and ability lie testified, had been the means of adding very much to the power of the cable and of the lines throughout the Colony. As members were probably aware, experiments had been made with the view of transmitting two currents of electricity in opposite directions on the same wire. Mr. Lemon had worked out, on a plan of his own, what was known as the duplex system. The discovery had already been applied to one of the cable wires, and on the line on part of the way to Napier; and no doubt in the future it would be a most valuable means of increasing the business of the Telegraph. The Government had recognised the value of the discovery by forwarding to Mr. Lemon a special vote of thanks agreed to in Cabinet, which would appear attached to the annual Telegraph report for the year. Mr. Lemon’s services to the Colony had been most valuable, and to him we were very much indebted for the efficiency of the telegraphic system, and for the economy with which it was carried on. Mr. CARRINGTON hoped the Government would use strenuous endeavors to connect telegraphically Taranaki with the rest of the Colony. Sir E. X). BELL concurred in the testimony borne by the Premier to the value of the services of the General Manager of Telegraphs. He regretted the Government had not seen their way to propose a somewhat larger increase in that gentleman’s salary, because he thought there was no department of the Government—and speaking as an old Minister, he might say almost without exception—which required such peculiar qualities of management. Mr. Lemon’s discoveries were of considerable value, and should be marked by some special recognition. He threw out this suggestion for the consideration of the Government, and hoped they would encourage, in every way they could, further experiments, Mr. LXJCKIE said, if Mr. Lemon had been wise in his generation, he would have patented his discoveries in this and the other Colonies, when it would have been worth a considerable sum to him, while, as a matter of fact, he had given them to the Colony for nothing. Mr. VOGEL had already expressed strongly his opinion of Mr. Lemon’s great services and the value of his duplex system. He had himself on Mr. Lemon the advisability of patenting his plan; but his reply was that he did not desire pecuniary advantage. When the estimates for his department were submitted, he did not put himself down for any-increase, or suggest anything of the kind, and on his (Mr. Vogel) speaking to him on the subject, he replied that he had an increase last year, and did not want an increase this ; but he (Mr. Vogel), on his own motion, put down an increase of £SO. He considered the remuneration Mr. Lemon received, was not on a scale in harmony with the payments made to other officers in the service, and would bring down on the Supplementary Estimates for the year, an additional sum. On the item “ Naval Training School at Kohimar ama,’ ’ Mr. MAC ANDREW asked for an explanation of the vote. Mr. REYNOLDS replied that the offer had been made to the Government of the Mission buildings and the Mission schooner Southern Cross, for the sum of £IOO a year, as a training school for seamen. As this would become a maritime Colony, it would be advisable, subject to provision being made by Parliament, to initiate a system of naval training schools. It was proposed at this initial school to train a large number of boys from different parts of the Colony ; and in the course of a day or two a Bill would be introduced to make the neceseary provision. Mr. LXJCKIE enquired if it was intended to purchase a certain ship, and what was her name. Mr. REYNOLDS replied that there was no intention of purchasing a ship. It was intended to apply to the Imperial Government for a vessel to be used as a training ship for other parts of the Colony, and he hoped that before long a large number of boys in 'the Colony would be trained for the sea. It was well to make a commencement when they had the opportunity of doing so, at such a little cost to the Colony. Mr. J. E. BROWN thought the ship should be stationed in Wellington, where it would be under the supervision of the Government. Mr. MACANDREW proposed that the item be withdrawn. Mr. SHEEHAN suggested that the boys might he kept ashore and instructed in the art of navigation. Mr. WAKEFIELD thought it was but fair that the House should know all about the Bill before being asked to pass the vote. Mr. WALES did not see the necessity of purchasing or leasing buildings, and proposed that the vote be withdrawn until further negotiation had been carried on with the Home Government, with the view of obtaining a suitable vessel, which should lie in different ports three months at a time, and the youths be taught navigation during that period, after which the vessel should proceed to another port. The discussion was proceeding when time was called, and the House adjourned. Mr. MACANDREW moved that the item be struck out. Mr. VOGEL hoped the experiment would be allowed to be tried ; because, if successful, it might with'equal justice be extended to other ports of the Colony. The Government did not seek out the Province of Auckland ; the offer came from there, and it was a very reasonable one. The amendment was negatived on the voices. On the item “Volunteers in the South Island,” Mr. Gibbs, Mr. J. E. Brown, and Mr. McGillivray condemned the continuance of the vote. Mr. McLEAN promised that he would shortly bring down strict regulations dealing with the volunteers. He admitted the force was not in a satisfactory condition ; but if the vote passed this year he would endeavor to make the force efficient, or else disband them. (Hear.) WESTLAND LOAN BILL. The amendments of the Legislative Council were agreed to. QUALIFICATION OF ELECTORS BILL. The adjourned debate on the second reading of this Bill was resumed by Mr, Andrew, who concluded by moving that it be read that day six months. Mr. Reader Wood gave notice of his intention to move in committee a series of amendments, affirming that the electoral laws should bo consolidated ; that the franchise should be extended to all male persons of twenty-one years of age who have resided six months in the Colony, special provision to be made for the Natives ; that members occupying seats in the Executive should go to their constituents for re-election ; and that the Parliament should be triennial, Mr. Steward gave notice of his intention to move that the residence qualification should be extended to two mouths. Mr. Vocel, in a lengthy speech, expressed his willingness to extend the residence qualification to twelvemonths. After some further discussion the adjournment of the debate to Friday evening was moved by Mr. Stafford and agreed to. The House then adjourned.