PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4168, 30 July 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, July 29. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at 2 o’clock. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN laid on the table various papers. The Hon. Colonel BRETT, by leave of the Council, moved, —“That leave bo granted to Mr. Rolleston, Sir Cracroft Wilson, C. 8., K..C.S.L, Mr. Reeves, and Mr. Montgomery, to attend in order to then- being examined before a select committee of the Legislative Council upon the Canterbury Public Domain Act Amendment Act, 1871.” Leave was granted. MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE moved,— “ That the second reading of this Bill be allowed to lapse." The Hon. tbe SPEAKER stated that unless tile mover were absent the usual course was tomove that it he discharged from the Order Paper. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE accordingly moved that the second reading of the Marriage Law Amendment Bill be discharged from the Paper. The Hon. Mr. ACLAND moved aa anamendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, observing that, in addition to its being objectionable to have two Bills of a similar nature, the one under consideration positively legalised bigamy. By its provisions a person might have three or lour wives under the Mahomedan rite, and when he came to this Colony consider himself legally married. Tiie Hon. Mr. MANTELL doubted whether,, when an hou. member suffered a motion to. lapse, there was any motion before the House, susceptible of amendment. The Hou. the SPEAKER explained that it. was only a mistake in the form of the motion made by the Hou. Mr. Waterhouse. The motion was not to allow it to lapse, but that it should be discharged from the Order Paper. The Hon. Captain ERASER hoped that the second reading would be allowed to lapse. By leave of the Council, the Hou. Mr. Acland . withdrew his amendment, and the motion for the second reading lapsed. CIVIL SERVICE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. On the motion of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, the second reading of this Bill was made an Order of the Day for to-morrow. WELLINGTON SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE,, in moving the second reading of this Bill, observed that it was one that would not meet with any opposition in the Council. By the Settlement Act of 1871, power was given to the Superintendent to set aside a block of land not exceeding 50,000 acres for sale on deferred payments. A large block of laud has been so set apart, and it was now found that a considerable portion of it was unfit for occupation, and there was. no provision for bringing it under the ordinary legislation; and, as there was only a small portion of land available for sale on deferred payments, the Bill had been framed to meet these requirements. There was no opposition, and the Bill was read a second time. CONVEYANCING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said that it was simply intended to remedy a defect in the Act of a former session. The original Ordinance had been amended by repealing the whole of one of the clauses, instead of only a part, thereby omitting to insert that the deed should be signed by the conveying party. The object of the Bill was merely to remedy this defect. The Bill was then read a second time. OAMARU HOSPITAL RESERVES BILL. The Hon. Mr. MILLER moved the second reading of this Bill, stating that its object was to endow the hospital with cei-tain lands. The Provincial Council had set apart this land as an endowment for the hospital; but, as doubts were entertained of the power of the Council and Superintendent to set apart more than sites only for public buildings, the Bill had been introduced. He need not say anything about so valuable an institution as the hospital in question. It had hitherto be m supported by voluntary subscriptions. In consequence of the severe accidents that had occurred at the public works that were being carried on in the neighborhood, there was need of further resources. The Provincial Council had given the land; hut it was necessary to pass this Bill to enable the trustees to deal with the land for which there had been made an offer, which, was approved of. The Hon. Captain ERASER asked whether the land mentioned in the schedule would have to go before the Waste Lands Committee. The Hon. the SPEAKER explained what questions affecting the allocation of land would have to he referred to that committee, and said that this was one of them. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE observed that before they could deal with the land, it was absolutely necessary for it to go through the ordeal of the Waste Lands Committee, as it was their duty to ascertain whether it was correctly described. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN observed that whenever land was reserved by competent authority, for a specific purpose, it was not necessary to undergo the ordeal, as it did not, strictly speaking', form part of the “waste lands." He was glad, however, to have had the opinion of the House, that the laud in question should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee, as it would form a precedent hereafter. • MESSAGES. The Hou. the SPEAKER announced that he had received a message from the House of Representatives to the Legislative Council, intimating that the House had agreed to the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Westland Loan Act Amendment Bill,. 1874, the said amendments being in furtherance of the intention of the Act. Another message informed the Council that the following Bills had passed the House of Representatives, viz. :—Municipal Reserves Act, 1874, and Municipal Corporation Gas Works Act, 1874. These Bills were then severally read a first time, ordered to be printed, and their second reading made an Order of the Day for Tuesday next. CONVEYANCING. In Committee on tho Conveyancing Ordinance Amendment Bill, The Hon. Mr. HART moved an amendment to the second clause, to the following effect : “ Every deed heretofore executed by a married woman, affecting lands in New Zealand, having thereon a certificate endorsed under the hand of a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, that the execution of such deed had been acknowledged by such married woman, before him, shall be decided to have -been duly executed.” He stated that the object of the amendment was to dispense with certain expensive forms which have at present to be gone through. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN was quite sure that the House would treat any amendment proposed by the hon. member with the respect that it deserved. He should,, therefore, move that the Chairman report progress, and ask leave to sit again to-morrow, in order that the hou. member might give notice of his amendment. The House resumed, progress was reported, and leave granted to sit again. The Council adjourned shortly before three o’clock, until the usual time on Thursday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 29. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. PAPERS. Mr. Vogel laid, on the table the annual ropoi-t of tho Commissioner of Annuities, and papers relating to the observation of the transit of Venus. Mr. McLean presented a number of papers relative to Native matters. THE MILLION AND A HALF LOAN. Mr. VOGEL gave the House fuller information, in reference to the above, than had been received by cable. That information was to the effect that tenders were called for tho loan nominally at £9S per cent, but with certain allowances, which really made the

' issuing price equal to £96 9s. per cent. At that time £673,400 was disposed of, and on the balance of £826,600 a slight concession was made, equal to 1 per cent., which made the average price which the whole million and a half realised £95 14s. 2d. per cent., instead of £96 95., which the first portion realised. The sale of the second portion was made at a reduced average price of about fifteen shillings per cent. THE QUALIFICATION OF ELECTORS BILL. Mr. VOGEL took the opportunity (seeing the hon. member for Timani was in Ids place) of making a farther statement about the Qualification of Electors Bill, which was under discussion the previous evening. It was then understood that the adjourned debate should be taken the first thing on Friday, and, lest the hon. member for Timaru should come into the House on that day under the impression that the Bill would be placed on the top of the Orders of the Day, he wished to state that the Government having considered the state of the business before the House,, had come to the conclusion that this Bill was one which might be allowed to stand over till a later period —that it was not of sufficient importance to make it desirable to increase the length of the session in order to carry it through. Therefore, the course the Government proposed was to proceed with business of a most pressing nature, and next week he hoped to be able to bring down the measures necessary to give effect to the proposals contained in the Financial Statement. (Hear.) It would possibly be the latter part of the session before the "Government would be able to bring this Bill on again ; and it was quite possible that they might not be able to bring it on even this session. (Hear, and laughter.) Mr. IST AFFORD ; I am perfectly satisfied with the arrangement. (Laughter.) THE MEMBER FOR AKAROA. The SPEAKER read the following letter he had received from Mr. Montgomery : ■Wellington, July 20. Sir,—l have the honor to inform you that ray firm entered into an arrangement on the 9th of January last with the Minister of Public Works for the supply of certain railway sleepers, and that ray firm made such supply, and received payment for the same subsequent to the date of ray election for the district of Akaroa on the 20th April. I request you will communicate this fact to the House, and beg respectfully to assure you that I had no conception until yesterday that any disqualification thereby existed, and X regret very much that my ignorance of the Statute should have caused such mistake.—X have, Ac,, W. Montgomery. The Hon, the Speaker. Mr. Montgomery had waited on him that morning, to inform him of the facts summarised in the letter just read ; aud placed in his hands papers on the subject. He had looked into what course, according to precedent, should be taken on the House being made acquainted with a fact like this. The proper course would be for a select committee tq be appointed by the House to whom should be referred these papers, with a view of determining whether or not in the arrangement referred to Mr. Montgomery had vacated his seat. M> - . REEVES, in accordance with the Speaker’s ruling, moved that the House take the circumstances into consideration, and gave notice that at a later period he would move the appointment of the select committee. Mr. T. KELLY enquired If the committee arrived at a decision aud informed the House that the member for Akaroa was not disqualified, would that really settle the case ; because he understood that it was only in the courts of law that matters of this kind could be settled. The SPEAKER said two questions were involved in the point just raised. By the Constitution Act the House of Representatives was the body which determined without appeal the validity or otherwise of any election, but by the Disqualification Act certain penalties were imposed on any person sitting or voting after becoming disqualified from holding his seat. With respect to an action in a court of law, or any action which may be taken, it was not for the House to express an opinion ; neither was it for him to express an opinion as to whether or not Mr. Montgomery had vacated his seat. And whether after the committee had arrived at a conclusion on the subject the hon. member would or would not be subject to penalties was not within his province to offer any opinion upon. Mr. RICHARDSON stated that the member for Akaroa had called at his office that morning, and placed in his hands copies of all the documents relating to the transaction referred to. He thought the proper course would be to lay them pn the table. ALLEGED GRIEVANCES BY IMMIGRANTS. Mr. WAKEFIELD asked, —“Whether it is true a party of immigrants who had been some hours on board the Napier steamer, bound for Blenheim, or any of them, appealed to the Captain of H.M.S Blanche for redress of alleged grievances; and if so, whether the Government will furnish the blouse with full information relative to the circumstances referred to." Mr. VOGEL replied that he had spoken to the local immigration officer upon the subject, and had asked for all information. [The hon. gentleman here read the report.] The Immigration Department made every effort to give the immigrants the utmost possible accommodation. They should be prepared to accept a fair amount of hardships, just the same as persons who arrived here a great many years ago were prepared to accept if necessary. Mr. SEYMOUR, with the permission of the House, explained that a portion of the immigrants brought up from the South by the Phoebe had been forwarded to Picton by that vessel; and the rest had to be forwarded to Blenheim, the steamer Napier being chartered for that purpose. Her hold was entirely cleared and cleaned, and divided into two compartments, in order to separate the sexes ; and the immigrants were ordered to be in readiness to embark between the hours of six and seven in the evening of the day on which they arrived by the Phoebe, having reached Wellington at about eleven in the forenoon. The Napier was sufficiently victualled, and it was anticipated that she would make the run across about midnight. But owing to the inclemency of the weather the Napier was not able to get across the Strait. After being buffeted about in the Strait for some hours, the Captain found himself only five or six miles from land, and returned to harbor in the morning. Those whom he was able to accommodate in the Phoebe were immediately transferred to that vessel, and proceeded in her to Picton ; the remainder were sent to the Immigration Depot; and thence would be sent to their destination by the Phcebe on her next trip. He was perfectly satisfied that every arrangement possible for the care and comfort of the immigrants had been made. That they experienced most unpleasant hours while they were in the Strait, there could be no doubt ; but any member who had been buffeted in Cook Strait, especially in a small steamer, would be perfectly aware that there would not bo much personal comfort ; but, so far as the authorities were concerned, the greatest possible care was taken that proper accommodation should be provided, and due care taken of the immigrants. As to complaints heiu" made to officers of the Blanche, he was not aware that such was the case ; he simply gathered that from rumour. Of the immigrants who were sent to Picton, all the men were engaged within forty-eight hours of their landing. (Hear.) GRANTS OF LAND TO IMMIGRANTS. Mr, WAKEFIELD asked “Whether the Government contemplate the introduction of any system whereby grants of land shall he made to the heads or members of families reared in the Colony by parents whoso immigration has imposed only partial or no burthen upon the public revenue or estate ?’’ Mr. VOGEL replied that the Government did not at present intend to make any regulations such as the hon. member suggested. KOLLESTON-MALVERN RAILWAY. Mr. WAKEFIELD asked, —“To what distance from Rolleston the rails have been laid on the Rolleston and Malvern railway; to what station any traffic will shortly be open, particularising distance and probable date ; whether the information in the Hon. Minister’s statement, that the plate-laying will ho completed by December next, applies to the White Cliffs branch only ; and if so, when it may be expected that that last portion will be open for traffic,”

Mr. RICHARDSON replied that the whole of the works would be completed in September next, and .the line opened for traffic in December next. FOXHILL-BRCNNERTON RAILWAY. Mr. RICHMOND asked,—“ Whether Mr. Rochfort has made any report upon the survey of the Foxhill and Brunnerton railway ; and if so, whether lie would lay it on the table of the House ?” Mr. RICHARDSON replied that Mr. Rochfort had not made any report on this railway, but he bad just completed a very useful survey of a preliminary nature. The whole of the plans were now in the possession of the department. A report such as the hon, member alluded to would be made by the Engiueer-in-Chief, who had gone to visit the line as selected by Mr. Rochfort. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. Mr. FOX asked the Government, —“ To consider the propriety of appointing a commission to inquire into the terms on which the business of the benefit and friendly societies in the Colony is being conducted, and of ascertaining, by reference to some reliable actuary, what rates of premium may be safely adopted relatively to the amounts payable in the various events, against which it is the ostensible object of such societies to insure.” He instanced the condition of the M.U.1.0.0.F., which last year found itself with a deficit of about a million sterling. It was desirable that some investigation should be made into the position in which the various Friendly Societies in the Colony stood. That investigation should be of a friendly and not a hostile character. A commission of inquiry might publish some tables, or make some suggestions as to these societies which might give the qtublic something like a guarantee that the societies would not he found in such an awkward predicament as the M.U.1.0.0.F. had been a short time ago. He trusted the Government would give some consideration to the subject. Mr. VOGEL remarked that the hon. member had called attention to a very large matter, and one that had lately occupied the attention of the Minister who had charge of the matter to which it referred. He did not think there was any necessity for appointing a Royal Commission at present, but there was great necessity for looking into the subject. A couple of months ago the Colonial Secretary bad had his attention directed to it, and through some cause or other which he was not prepared to explain, the law had not been carried out. There was an Act in force which gave, as far as he was aware, sufficient power to the Government in the matter ; it was one of those Acts which in the pressure of other business had not been fully brought into operation. The Colonial Secretary had called upon the societies to furnish the retiums which by law they were required to furnish, aud it had been arranged tiiat those returns should be subjected to actuarial examination. If the powers in the hands of the Government were not sufficient to obtain the required information, the Government would adopt the suggestion made by the hon. member for Rangitikei, and appoint a Royal Com- . mission. In any case the hon. member might rest assured the Government fully recognised the importance of the matter, and that it would receive their earnest attention. TELEGRAPH TO OREPUKI. Mr. McGILLIVRAY asked,—“ Whether the Telegraph will he extended to the Orepuki Goldfield, now that the railway to that place has been commenced.” Mr. VOGEL observed that when the same question was put to him last year he informed the hon. member for Riverton that when the railway was completed or approaching completion, the Government would cause the telegraph to be erected. The Government recognised the importance of the work, but the demands upon the department at the present time were so very large, and besides it would be much more economical to construct the line as the railway approached completion, as the material could be carried by rail along the line. The Government would take care to have the telegraph line erected, in order to enable the railway to be properly worked. He hoped the hon. member would be content with that assurance. PURCHASE OF NATIVE LANDS. Mr. W. KELLY moved,—“ That all correspondence relative to the purchase or lease of Native lands on the East Coast between the Native Department and Land Purchase Commissioners be laid on the table of this House. Also, that the correspondence between the District Officers, the Land Purchase Commissioners, and Native Department, if any, ho laid upon the table.” His reason for moving for the production of these papers was, that there had appeared in the Auckland papers paragraphs and telegrams which commented most, strongly on the officers connected with the Native Department. The district officer at Poverty Bay was accused of interfering in the purchase of Native lands for private individuals, to the great disadvantage of the public interest. It was stated in a leading article, that appeared in the Southern Cross, that the sum of £SOO had been offered for a block in opposition to the Land Purchase Commissioners, and it afterwards appeared that another sum of £IOO had been offered for another block for which the Land Purchase Commissioners had offered. He believed the Native Minister intended to have the matter investigated; and that the officer referred to had asked for an inquiry into the charges made against him. He did not desire to have produced papers that would disclose pending negotiations. Mr. McLEAN, in agreeing to the production of the papers asked tor, said, it was only due to the officers referred to, and to the Government themselves, that inquiry should be made, and it was his intention to institute a full investigation into the whole matter. OAMARU HARBOR WORKS. Mr. STEWARD allowed his motion—“ That the report of Mr. Carruthers, C.E., on the Harbor Works at Oarnai-u, be laid upon the table of this House; and that the said report he printed for reference in the appendix to the Journals”—to lapse, because the information he required was appended to the Public Works Statement. REPORT ON NATIVE RESERVES. Mr. TAIAROA withdrew bis motion “That any report which may have been received by the Government from Mr. Alexander Mackay on the subject of the subdivision of Nativo Reserves in the southern portion of the Middle Island, or any new allotment of land for Natives in that district, be laid upon the table the Defence Minister having laid the report asked for on the tabic. RETURN. Mr. CURTIS moved, —“ For a return of all moneys paid to each Provincial Government during the year ending 30th Juno, 1874, for rent of premises occupied for the purposes of the Supreme, District, and Resident Magistrate’s Courts, Registration of Land Titles, Customs, Post Office, Telegraph, and other departments of the Colonial Government.”' Agreed to. RANGITATA BRIDGE. Mr. STAFFORD moved,—“ Fof a return of all correspondence, reports, and departmental memoranda, relative to the construction of the Rakaia Bridge. Also, a statement of all sums paid, or liable to be paid, by the Colonial Treasury on account of the said bridge.” There would he no necessity for putting the latter part of the motion, as the information asked for was supplied in the Public Works Statement. Mr. RICHARDSON replied that both the General aud Provincial Governments were fully satisfied that a searching enquiry into the whole of the matter was necessary, and were at present in communication on the subject. It had not yet been decided what the exact nature of the enquiry should be, but the hon. member might rest assured that it would bo a full one. As to producing the papers, there was no objection, but they wore very voluminous, and would require a groat deal of copying/ Whatever enquiry did take place, the fullest account of it would bo given next session. Ho hoped the motion would not he pressed. Mr. STAFFORD would bo satisfied if the report of the enquiry wore published in the QazelU. Mr. ROLLESTON said he had copies of all the correspondence, which wore at the disposal of’lhe member for Timaru.

Mr. RICHARDSON having agreed to adopt the suggestion of the member for Timaru, The motion was withdrawn. ■WARDENS ON GOLDFIELDS. Mr. HARRISON moved—-“ That, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that all the Resident Magistrates of- the Colony and their officers should be placed solely under the control of the General Government, and their salaries paid by appropriation of this House.” Mr. VOGEL opposed the motion. If the House wished to give the authority asked for, it should do so in a proper manner, when it was in Committee of Supply. As the forms of the House did not permit resolutions of this kind to be brought on, everything should be done to discourage them. Even if carried, the Government would take no action upon this resolution, and it would not be right for them to do so. With regard to the question whether or not wardens’ salaries should be paid out of the ordinary revenue, there could be no two opinions in the minds of hon. members that the goldfields revenue should be primarily responsible for the salaries of goldfields officials. The literal meaning of the resolution was, that the salary of the Mayor of Auckland, who was also a Resident Magistrate, and those of his officials, should be chargeable on the Consolidated Revenue. In some cases it had been found convenient to appoint - as Resident Magistrates, persons holding other positions, and it would be ridiculous to say that their salaries should be paid by the House, when the gentlemen were not under the control of the General Government. The real question the hon. member wished to raise was whether the Consolidated Revenue should hear the cost of gold-fields officials ; and ho had before said that the clear intention was that their salaries should bo a first charge on the gold-fields revenue. For the rest it was quite competent for the Government under power possessed by Act, which would override any resolution which might be come to by that House alone, to require that these salaries should be paid out of gold-fields revenue. Even if the House voted the salaries the Goverment would have to see them paid out of the gold-fields revenue. It was also competent for the Government to require gold-fields officers to fulfil the duties of Resident Magistrates, without attaching extra salary to their office. He was, therefore, not able to assent to the motion, and if it had been brought forward in another shape—and without meaning any offence, he might he allowed to say it was not brought forward in an honest shape—he would not have been able to agree to it. Mr. O’CONOR, in replying to a charge made against him by the member for Grey Valley, said, the reductions in the goldfields staff of the Nelson South-West Goldfields, referred to by that hon. member, had beeu made with the consent and concurrence of the Provincial Government of the Province, As to the main question, it was burdensome anil unfair to the goldfields that while the Provinces had to pay the salaries of the officers, the fees and fines were not handed over to them. Mr. CURTIS was also of opinion that tho fees and fines should be returned to the Provincial chest. With respect to the recent dismissal of a number of officials on the goldfields in the Province of Nelson, he wished to state that the hon. member for Buffer was scarcely correct in saying that the Provincial Government had arrived at the conclusion that these officers should be done away with. That conclusion was certainly not arrived at by the Superintendent. Under present arrangements in the Province, an ordinance having been passed by the Provincial Council at its last session, what was called responsible government had been brought into operation, aud therefore there was no actual power on the part of the Superintendent with respect to the dismissal or appointment of officers or generally as to the administration of the affairs of the Province. Everything was done by him with the advice and consent of his Executive Council. So far as he could see, the Superintendent had no more responsibility in matters of this kind than the Governor had for tho acts of the Coloitial Legislature. His opinion of the reductions made, or about to take place, in the officials on the Nelson Goldfields wex - e not consistent with the public good and not conducive to the cause of economy, because he felt certain that for every pound saved by these reductions at least two pounds would be lost to the Province. Mr. C. PARKER was understood to say that the reductions in the goldfields staff were agreed to before the member for Buffer took office in the Provincial Executive, and before the Executive Bill was passed. Mr. ROLLESTON observed that the remarks of the member for Nelson City were exceedingly instructive as to tho relations of Superintendents to their Executives. The lion, member said the Provincial Government of Nelson, i.e., the Superintendent and Executive, was not responsible for a certain course of action, because the Superintendent disagreed from the action of his Executive. -Ho wished the House would realise what that position was. He for one could not admit that a Superintendent was justified in putting his name to any paper that was wrong—(hear) —or to a wrong action by bis Executive, and no Executive could force a Superintendent to do what be considered to be wrong. A Superintendent had power to remove his Executive, aud certainly the power of declining to take action which his Executive advised him to take if he believed that action to be wrong. This was really becoming a serious question. It was one that had been thoroughly discussed, and had been the cause of a certain amount of public difficulty in another Province. He should be glad if the attention of the Colonial Government were called to the matter on account of its relation to the work that had been undertaken by the Provinces. Sooner or later great difficulties would come out of it. It bad been his (Mr. Rolleston’s) good fortune to have an Executive to work with which had tho same objects, the same interests and feelings as himself, and they were not likely to be brought into conflict. But he was quite certain that the present state of things could not continue if doubts arose about immigration, &c. Mr. O’CONNOR, in explanation, said the Superintendent of Nelson was a consenting party to the reductions, he having acquiesced in the proposal. Mr. REID could not allow tho remarks of the member for Avon to pass without drawing attention to them. That hon. member seemed to be sorely exercised about the position Superintendents occupied at the present time, and said some action must be taken in order to place Superintendents in a position of entire independence of their Provincial Councils or Executives. (Mr. Rolleston: No.) If the position were assigned to Superintendents which he claimed for them, they would he virtually beyond Provincial Councils. He claimed for them that they could sign their names for only such salaries as they thought fit ; and that consequently if they do not apapprove of the salaries, they would not be voted.. He could not think for a moment that the member for Avon was seriously in earnest. Because a Superintendent represented the votes of tho majority of the Province it did not always follow that he was in many respects a superior man to some of those who were elected to the Provincial Council. They knew that in these matters personal popularity went a long way sometimes. Assuming that tho Superintendent was superior to those in the Provincial Connell, he (Mr. Reid) did not think for a moment that it would be conceded that if it were determined that tho system of Government should be carried on by means of an Executive, who should advise tho Superintendent, the Superintendent, although elected by the majority of the Province, should bo placed in a position to override and set tho Council at defiance. He was at a loss to imagine what position tho member for Avon wanted to place Superintendents in. In tho position claimed for them under the Constitution Act, he could not look upon them other than as autocrats, which was a position they were not in this nineteenth century prepared to concede to any individual. Tho hon. member laid groat stress on Superintendents acting with the advice of their Executive Council. It was always understood that the action taken was that of the majority of those who consulted on these matters. For his part, he could see no bettor system cither for Superintendents, or for tho public service, than that

there should be consultatiou on all these matters, Mr. ROLLESTON said his remarks had been misinterpreted. What he said was, that Superintendents should not be forced into doing anything that they believed to be wrong. After some remarks by Mr. Shephard, Mr. Luckie, Mr. White, Mr. Tribe, and Mr. Sheehan, the motion was negatived on the voices. THE NATIVE LAND ACT. Mr. W. KELLY moved, —“ That all reports upon the provisions and working of The Native Lands Act, 1873, by the Native Land Court Judges, be laid on the table, for the purpose of being referred to the Committee on Native Affairs.” Mr. McLEAN could see nothing to be gained by the production of the reports asked for. It was his intention to bring in a Bill on Tuesday to amend the Native Lands Act in certain directions, and he believed it would meet many of the difficulties complained of in regard to the operation of the existing Act. The Government would be glad of the advice of the Committee on Native Affairs, in reference to proposed amendments, but he hoped the motion would not be pressed. Mi-. TAIAROA said if the Government approved of doing away altogether with the Bill of last year it would be a very good thing. By it and the Native Reserves Act the Maoris were treated like dogs. They should be brought under the same laws as Europeans. When the Native Lands Act was before the House he pointed out that great evils would result. Mr. KATENE said it was not for the judges to make any recommendations in regard to Native lauds. It would be better if the Land Court could bo done away with altogether. On Mr. T. B, Gillies’s motion the debate was adjourned. NEW PLYMOUTH EXCHANGES VALIDATION BILL. Mr. CARRINGTON, in moving the second reading of this Bill, stated that every Bill with reference to Taranaki had passed that House, but had been rejected by the Council. The object of the Bill was as follows : —The plan of the town originally laid out was a mile and a-half long, and it was thought desirable to concentrate it, and it was proposed to give parties allotments in the new township - in exchange for those held by them in the original one. The Provincial Council had passed a Bill with that object, and it was now sent up to the Assembly to validate the same. After a slight discussion the debate was adjourned till Thursday, the Bill not being in the bauds of members. CLUTHA TRUST RESERVE BILL. The second reading of this Bill was postponed for a week. NELSON WASTE LANDS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. On the motion of Mr. CURTIS, this Bill was read a second time and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. ADJOURNED DEBATE. The adjourned debate on the question, “ That a select committee be appointed to inquire into and report on unfulfilled promises to Natives in the Middle Island,” was resumed. Mr. VOGEL said the Government could not entertain the motion for the appointment of a select committee. If the Natives had any grievance they had ample means of approaching the House by petition, and therefore the Government felt bound to discountenance appointing a select committee. Mr. MACANDREW suggested that if there was any case of grievance it should be settled in a Court ef Equity. The deed of cession had been complied with, and he could see no ground of complaints. The Government of Otago, besides carrying out the deed of cession, had paid the sum of .€SOOO as a settlement in full of all claims by Taiaroa. The bon. gentleman read a former memorandum from the Superintendent of Otago on the subject, deprecating reopening the question. Mr. W. KELLY suggested that the subject should be referred to the Public Petitions Committee. Mr. J. L. GILLIES hoped that the bon. gentleman would -withdraw the motion. Yet be could not help thinking that the motion had been met by the Government in a most cavalier manner. • The objection taken by the Government was that the claims were of a garbled character. He hoped the hon. member would adopt the course suggested by the Premier. Mi-. TAIAROA said that the committee appointed last year suggested that two arbitrators should be appointed, but this had not been done. The claim was quite just. The land had not been properly purchased. In Colonel Wakefield’s agreement one acre in ten was to be reserved for the Natives. In proof of this he referred to the 13th clause of the constitution given to the New -Zealand Company. Ho considered this agreement had not been fulfilled, but was agreeable that the matter should be referred to the Public Petitions Committee, as it seemed to be the wish of the House. Original motion withdrawn, and the subject referred to Public Petitions Committee. NELSON LOAN BILL. The orders for the second reading of the Nelson Loan Bill and the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Bill were withdrawn, and made orders of the day for Wednesday next. HAWKE’S BAY WASTE LANDS BILL. This Bill was read a second time on the motion of Mr. Ormond. WELLINGTON WATER WORKS LOAN BILL. Mr. PEARCE moved the second reading of this Bill. Mr. VOGEL said that it was a Bill that required to be looked into, and should not be dealt with so hurriedly, and ho suggested that the Bill should not be committed for a week. Mr. PEARCE said that after what bad fallen from the Premier lie would move that the Bill be considered in Committee on Wednesday next. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday. WELLINGTON TE ARO RECLAMATION BILL. Mr. BUNNY, in moving the second reading of this Bill, explained its object, which was to obtain a loan for the purpose of reclaiming land at Te Aro. The land so reclaimed would bo the sole security for the loan. The Bill did not involve responsibility on the part of the Province or the Colony. Mr, BRANDON considered the Bill a private one, and that it should be dealt with as such. Mr. VOGEL said that as the Bill was for a loan of the very large sum of €150,000, it should not be passed without due consideration, especially as they had not been afforded any particulars regarding the operations proposed to be carried on, and none as to the probable cost or the probable value of the land when reclaimed. He suggested that the Bill should be submitted to the consideration of a select committee. Mr. BUNNY, in reply, said that the seventy acres of ground were held under Crown Grant from the Government, and there were no private rights to be affected by it. Ho had not the least objection to its going to a select committee, and if the second reading were passed would move that it be committed on Wednesday next. The Bill was read a second time. Mr. BRANDON moved that the Bill bo referred to a joint committee on Bills to determine whether it was a private Bill. Mr. PEARCE observed that it was no now matter, but one that had created a great interest in the City. It, was most important in a sanitary point of view that something should bo done with the fore-shore, which was most offensive. The Bill was then referred to a select committee to be named on Thursday. WELLINGTON ELECTION OP MAYOR BILL. Mr. BUNNY, in moving the second readding, explained the object of the Bill, which was to have the Mayor elected by the burgesses instead of, as at present, by the town councillors. Mr. SHEEHAN moved ns an amendment that the Bill be so amended as to make it a general measure for the whole Colony, as it appeared to bo the wish of most of the municipalities of the Colony that the Mayor should be elected by the burgesses and not by councillors^

Sir J. C. WILSON said, so long as the Bill affected only the City of Wellington he did not care to interfere, but when it was proposed to make it a general measure he must object to it. In Christchurch he believed the Mayors were elected by rotation, and they might object to having that plan altered. Mr. WAKEEIELD personally was in favor of Mayors being elected by the ratepayers, but deprecated legislating on the subject until the wishes of the various municipalities were ascertained. He hoped therefore that an opportunity would be given to citizens to express their opinions on the subject. Mr. MACANDREW hoped the Bill would be treated in its original form. It was time enough to alter the law when such alteration was demanded. Mr. FITZHERBERT observed that because the citizens of Wellington wished to have the election of the Mayor conducted in a certain manner, it did not follow that Christchurch or other cities should wish the same. It was exceedingly inconvenient when a measure of this kind was brought forward to endeavor to make it general. Mr. JOHN WHITE thought it was the general desire of municipalities to have the Mayor elected by the ratepayers. As a general Bill bad not been brought forward, however, he would not oppose this little Bill. The Bill was then road a second time and ordered to be committed next day. SOUTHLAND WASTE LANDS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr. MACANDREW moved the second reading of this Bill and explained its object, which was to remove all doubts as to the power of the Waste Lauds Board. Mr. McGLASHAN suggested the desirability of simplifying and assimilating the land laws of Otago and Southland. After a few remarks from Mr. T. L. Shepherd, the Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. NELSON WATERWORKS LOAN BILL. Mr. CURTIS moved that this Bill be committed. The PREMIER said that this was one of those Bills which showed the necessity of the Government looking closely into them. The Wanganui Bridge, which had been constructed with borrowed money, without security, was a bad case, but this was still worse. He should like to see a schedule appended to the Bill, showing distinctly to what purposes the money was to be applied, and hoped the lion, member would not proceed further with the Bill ; and moved that the consideration of this Order of the Day be postponed for a week. Mr. CURTIS concurred in this course, and the amendment was agreed to. PROVINCIAL FENCING LAW EMPOWERING BILL. This Bill was committed and its third reading fixed for Friday, to give Mr. Sheehan an opportunity of moving a clause to make the Bill harmonise with other existing Acts on the same subject. PLANS OF TOWN REG ELATION BILL. Mr. O’NEILL moved the committal of this Bill, which was opposed by Mr. Richardson, who moved, —“ That the Chairman do leave the chair.” A division was called for, when there voted ayes, 20; noes, 12 ; so the amendment was declared carried. EXEMPTION OF FIREMEN FROM JURY SERVICE. Mr. MACANDREW moved the second reading of this Bill, and intimated that be would extend the period of service to entitle a fireman to claim exemption to twelve months. The second reading was then agreed to. other bills. The Marlborough Waste Lands Amendment Bill was committed, and the Goldfields Act 1806 Amendment Bill read a third time and passed; The Merchant Shipping Act Adoption Bill was read a second time ; The Otago Presbyterian Land Bill was committed, read a third time, and passed. The House adjourned at midnight.