PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4770, 6 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

legislative council. Wednesday, July 5, ~ The Hon. Major Richmond, Chairman- of Committees, took the chair at two o’clock, at the request of the Hon. the Speaker, as part of the business on the Order Paper had reference to the latter personally, COUNCIL AND THE SPEAKER. . .r, . . Hon - Mr - MANTELL moved,—That the statement to the Council by the Hon. the Speaker, on the 20th June, be entered on the Journals of the Council. In speaking to the mobon, he remarked that the Speaker was not elected by the Council, and was therefore independent of the members so far as his high position there was concerned; and that should be sufficient to make him pause when tempted to give utterance to an opinion which he had ' reason to believe was not that of the majority of the Council, and he thought the hon. theSpeaker would not have spoken as he did at the soiree had other members of the Council been there. *-'°^ one l KENNY did not agree with the course taken by the Hon. Mr. Mantel!, and it was much to be regretted. The Speaker had been waited on with reference to> the subject under discussion, and he had made a statement, and as he (Colonel Kenny) conceived, the Speaker had said what should have been sufficient to allay any irritation which Councillors might have felt. The Hon. Mr. HAEE failed to see why the statement should be laid upon the table. The explanation already made by the Speaker appeared on the pages of Hansard. The Hon. Captain ERASER thought the. Council should be fully satisfied with the explanation of their President. The Hon. Hr, GRACE regretted that further discussion should have'bgeu raised on the subject. He thought that ar'* i '«ratter of taste it were beat left alone, that as- ’*®|jj K ,f feeling it had been amply condonetPu 1 -_-r, Wi that as a matter of judgment the Council should be amply satisfied. The Hon. Hr. POELEN, who had previously expressed his opinion on the matter, having spoken, The Hon. Mr, MANTELL replied, and expressed a desire to be understood as not having intended anything uncomplimentary in the course he had pursued. He should be quite agreeable to withdraw the motion. The motion was withdrawn. JACKSON BAY SETTLEMENT. The Hon. Captain FRASER moved, —That there be laid upon the table a return of the present state of the settlement of Jackson Bay; the number of persons who have been sent to Jackson Bay at the cost of the colony; also, the amount expended on the settlement up todate. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN replied that the Government would have no objection to give the return asked for. LAND AT RAGLAN. The Hon. Mr. CHAMBERLIN moved,— That a return be laid on the table of the acreage of all lauds sold, or otherwise disposed of, in the Raglan district, by the General Government, since 1852. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN stated there would be no objection, but the mover must define the boundaries of the land concerning which he desired information. As the Hon. Mr. CHAMBERLIN could not particularise without referring to papers, he subsequently gave notice that be would define the boundaries next day of sitting. IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. A message from the Speaker of the Lower House was received, accompanied by the Imprest Supply Bill. The standing orders having been suspended, on the motion of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, the Bill was read a first and second time, passed through committee and all its stages. ORDERS OP THE DAY. The third reading of the Building SocietiesBill was made an order of the day for the dayfollowing. The Friendly Societies Bill was further considered in committee. Clauses 9.15, 31, and 33, were slightly amended, and the Bill as amended having been reported to the Council, it was ordered to he read a third time to-morrow (this day). NOTICES. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN gave notice that he would ou the next day of sitting ask leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Jury Act. The Council adjourned at twenty minute? past three. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 5. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. Prayers were read. PETITIONS, ETC. Several petitions were presented, and notices of motion were given. ELECTION COMMITTEE. An extension of timeforoneweekwasgranted to the committee sitting to inquire into the petition of Mr. Morris against the return of Mr. G. E. Read for the East Coast District. PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Before the business of the House was proceeded with, Sir Julius Vogel, as a question of jirivilege, said he regretted to take the course forced upon him, as in doing so he had to refer to debates iu another branch of the Legislature; still it would he impossible for him, whatever might he Ills personal inclinations,'to overlook the feelings of those whom he rep r sented—the electors of Wanganui. had been made by the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse,,- * which was not so much an attack upon him as upon his constituency. The words he referred to were uttered in the Legislative Council by Mr. Waterhouse, on June 22. [Sir Julius here read an extract from Mr. Waterhouse’s speech, which has already appeared in the New Zealand Times.] This attack was one which it was impossible to avoid noticing. There was every reason to believe that the letter of Einhimore, referred to by Mr. Waterhouse, was not written to promote his (Sir Julius Vogel’s) candidature, hut rather to discourage it,byinsicuating there that his election would he made for the purpose of obtaining works in the district. There was reason to believe this was so, though whether or not it was the case, he was not able to say. Certain it was that Finnimore took no interest in securing his election, and, he believed, did not even record a vote, while he was not even sure if that gentleman were in the district at the time. Was a constituency to he branded with charges of this kind because of the conduct of one individual ? If a whole constituency were to he held responsible for a letter written by one person, what constituency could possibly hope to hold a fair position in the country. Observe, the ingenuity with which the accusation had been made. By bringing iu the name of his (Sir Julius Vogel’s) colleague, it was implied that that colleague had followed up the letter by remarks of some kind. Remarks made by Major Atkinson had been grossly exaggerated and caricatured by the description given of them in the speech under notice. Even it taken as they wore described, however, they would amount to nothing more than this, that, if elected, it would probably bo found that he would pay attention to the public works in the district being carried out. He did not think that Major Atkinson had done more than anyone might desire to do for an absent colleague. He was at liberty to say that Major Atkinson did not go to Wanganui expressly for the purpose, but at a public dinner there he expressed a hope that the district would return him (Sir Julius Vogel) during his absence. An accusation of the kind made by Mr. Waterhouse recoiled on the head of him who made it. Of course, he could not speak, of his own personal knowledge, of what took place before he came back to the country; but to his mind, the utter falsehood of these charges was shown by the conduct of the constituency when he visited Wanganui, where he was met with the greatest consideration, and was given to understand that anxious as they might be about local matters they recognised the position he occupied in relation to the rest of the colony, and -were quite willing that he should he elected to deal, not so ranch with questions of a local character, as with questions interesting the colony generally

He might say further that no application was made to him that he could recollect; indeed, he was certain none had been made for exceptional assistance for the district from the colonial funds. It was true a was made to him as a member for the districtto facilitate the passage of a Harbor Board Bill, which would enable the district to borrow money in the same manner as other districts, without fixing any liability on the colony. In conclusion, he felt it necessary to make these remarks, in justice to the constituency he represented, and he believed that that constituency would compare very favorably with any other constituency in the country for public spirit and a sense of duty. It seemed to him that the accusation was utterly untrue and exceedingly malicious. He could come to no other conclusion. If Mr. Waterhouse were a "" -member of this House, he should feel it his duty to express his opinion in much stronger language than he did now. Major ATKINSON also made a personal explanation in reference to Mr. Waterhouse s statements. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr. Fitzboy, the Commissioner of Telegraphs said that a section of land for a Post and Telegraph office at Leeston had been accepted by the Government, but that the office could not be opened at present without considerable public loss. In reply to Mr. Orjiond, the PostmasterGeneral said that the mail agent had reported that the captain and pilot of the s.s. City of San Francisco, on her last trip up to Auckland, had stated that owing to the weather the steamer could not have called off Napier. The mail contract provided that the steamer should call there, weather permitting. Captain Edwin, the best authority here on the subject, was to proceed to Napier to make inquiries into the subject, and report, so that the facts could be ascertained, asitappeared that there was conflicting testimony on the subject. No application had been made by the mail company for a coastal pilot. Mr. MACANDREW, in reference to the mail service, stated that there was no truth in the report that the City of San Francisco had touched either when going in or coming out of Port Chalmers. In answer to Mr. Walter Johnston, the Commissioner of Crown Lands said that up to the present Messrs. Douglas and Co. had done nothing towards locating a number of settlers on the'broua block. The company owning it had complained that owing to native interference their operations had been delayed. Should this on inquiry turn out to be correct, it might be a matter for consideration whether they should not be granted an extension of time. , . In answer to Mr. DeLacxour, the Minister for Public Works said that Government had been advised by Superintendents that it would be very undesirable to bring into operation the Goldfields Act Amendment Act, 1875, (No. 1). In answer to Mr. J. C. Brown, the Premier said that the Governor had duly approved of the Otago Appropriations for 1876. The Government would have no objection to lay on the table of the House all correspondence and papers relative to the appropriations under the Provincial Appropriation Extension Act of last session, if their production were moved for in the ordinary manner. AN EXPLANATION. In reply to Mr. Stout, as to what steps the Government had taken, if any, or what steps they intended to take to capture Winiata, the murderer, The Hon. Sir D. McLEAN replied that his hon. colleague, the Colonial Secretary, was in Auckland at the time the murder was committed, and he communicated with Mr. Mackay, who volunteered his services, and with the police. Search for the murderer was immediately made, and every effort put forth to lay hold of the murderer. From information which he (the Native Minister) received, but for the accuracy of which he could not vouch, he was led to believe that the murderer was actually in the vicinity of Auckland for four,., teen days after the murder had been committed. Further, he had been told Jhat Winiata was within five miles of Auckland city during . that time —a fact which would show hon. members the difficulty of capturing criminals of this class, even within the precincts of the town. He (the speaker) was in Hawke’s Bay when he first received intimation of the murder, and he immediately telegraphed to the various officers of the department, causing a search for Winiata to be commenced. Sir Donald McLean then read a number of telegrams, of which the following is a summary:—The first was a telegram to Major Mair, dated Napier, January 28, 1876, which acknowledged receiving information of the murder, and directed Major jMair to adopt measures in concert with Major Te Wheoro to take steps for the capture of the murderer, and communicate with the King in order to obtain their assistance. The Native Minister also telegraphed on the same date to Major Clare, in command of the Constabulary of Waikato, directing him to confer with Major. Mair and to use every possible endeavor to capture Winiata. He next received a translation of a telegram from Te Wheoro, from Alexandra, acknowledging receipt of instructions, and promising to do all in his power to comply with them. Te Wheoro said that he had despatched parties of native police to watch the river , crossings, and that he had . sent others to Mungawharo. The Ngatiraukawa were also on the lookout, and Captain Morrison was co-operating with the men under his command. Major Mair telegraphed to the Native Minister on the 31st January from Te Awamutu, stating that Winiata was the son of a Ngatimahutu ' native named Parenga, at Te Kuiti, and that Winiata had always had a bad character among his own people. There was no truth in the reported abduction of Morgan’s daughter by Kawhia natives. On the 4th February the Native Minister telegraphed to Te Wheoro, approving of the steps he had taken. Major Mair telegraphed to the Native Minister on the 9th February from Te Awamutu, stating that the natives at Wharepapa had promised, if they could capture Winiata, to hand him over to the Government. These natives were ail of opinion that Tawhiao would not shelter the murderer. On the 10 th February the Native Minister telegraphed to Major Mair, requesting further advices, and on the following day received a reply that Major Mair had visited Wharepapa, Tawhiti, and adjoining settlements, the natives of which were all of opinion that Winiata was still in the Piako country. Major Mair also said that the King natives strongly condemned the murderer, and would probably surrender him. On the 16th of February the Native Minister telegraphed to Major Mair, directing him, in concert with Te Wheoro, to arrange for intercepting Winiata at Piako. On the 14 th February Te Wheoro telegraphed from Alexandra, to the effect that he had carried out the above instructions, and was going to Tamahire. The next telegram received by the Native Minister was from Major Mair, stating that he was in receipt of intelligence from Te Kuiti up to the previous Friday, and from Aotea, Wharepapa and Takomui, that morning', that Winiata had not been heard of in those places, and that Te Wheoro's men, with Rahi’s, were engaged in examining the country between Waikato and Piako. Mr. Commissioner Kemp telegraphed on the ' 14th February to the Native Minister, stating that he had communicated with Taipari and Thames chiefs ; that it was believed Winiata had not reached Waikato ; that he (Mr. Kemp) had suggested to Mr. Brougham the advisability of translating into Maori the proclamation of reward, and that he had personally informed the natives that the reward would bo paid immediately on the capture of the murderer being effected. The telegram proceeded to say that Paul had done good service at Kaihu, and was of opinion that if ho had been at Orakei the murderer would not have escaped. On the 16th February Major Mair telegraphed to the NativeMinister that on the previous Saturday a man had arrived at To Kuiti with a letter to the effect that Winiata was at Rangamumu, a small village between Marerangi and Piako, and that the natives there did not know, what to do with him. Manahiri, when informed of the murder, had said “ Teni he kino,” meaning, “This is a crime.” Mana-.

hiri had told a messenger -to remain at Te Kuiti till Tawhiao returned from Kawhia. The natives and constabulary were stationed on all roads from Piako upwards, and a party of men were secreted in the Mungawhare river, to intercept Winiata if he should attempt to come down the Mungawhare and cross the Waikato to the ranges. On the 16th of February Te Wheoro telegraphed to the Native Minister that he had despatched natives to assist the Europeans and constabulary in watching the Mungawhare river, and that other natives were being selected to assist the Europeans in watching the main tracks. ■ Search was also being made in other places where the murderer was supposed to be concealed. Major Mair next telegraphed to the Native Minister, recommending that the reward for the apprehension of Winiata should beincreased. Major Mair also telegraphed on the 18th, that there were sixteen constables andnativeswatchingthe road leading from Manangi southward, besides a detachment from the Thames and another from Mercer. Major Mair telegraphed to the Native Minister on the 21st, to the effect that a native called Karere had met the murderer at Wakiri on the previous day, but the report was considered untrustworthy. On the 22nd February the Native. Minister telegraphed to Te Wheoro from Hastings, approving of the steps taken. The Native Minister said, in reference to Winiata being concealed in Piako, that actually the murderer was supposed to have been concealed in. the swamp about which there had been so much said of late. He then went on to show how difficult had been the task of capturing the murderer Winiata, and instanced the experiences of other countries to prove that there had been nothing extraordinary in the fact of Winiata not having been captured. At the same time he believed that no great time would elapse before the murderer was brought to justice. He then concluded his remarks by observing that it must be apparent from the evidence he had produced that the Government had done all in their power to capture the murderer Winiata. On the motion of Sir George Grey, it was resolved that the telegrams just read be laid upon the table. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: By Mr. Pearce —A Bill to authorise the Municipal Corporation of Wellington to deal with lands belonging to them. By Sir D. McLean —Waiuku Church of England Site Crown Grant Bill. By Hon. Mr. Bowen —Fraudulent Debtors Act 1875 Amendment Bill. RESOLUTIONS. Mr. SHARP moved—That there be laid before this House a return showing the quantity of land sold in the settlement, and subsequently province, of Nelson, together with the amount paid to the late New Zealand Company out of the funds of the same up to the date of the extinguishment of the company’s claim by payment of the half-million loan. Carried. Mr. O’RORKE moved,—(l.) That Mr. Moorhouse, in accordance with his request, be relieved from serving on the Committee of Selection on Private Bills. Carried. (2.) That Mr. D. Reid be added to the Committee of Selection on Private Bills. Carried. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL moved,— That a select committee be appointed to consider and to report to the House what alterations or modifications, if any, it is desirable should be imide in the contract for the Californian mail service; such committee to consist of thirteen members, viz., Mr. Carrington, Mr. Curtis, Mr. J. S. Macfarlane, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Seymour, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Woolcook, and the mover ; five to form a quorum ; to report in a mouth. Mr. REES moved for a return showing the number of persons sentenced to death in each .of the years from June, 1861, to the end of 1867 ; the names of each of such prisoners, crime, and date of sentence ; if carried out, date of execution. Carried. Mr. REES moved for a return showing the number of warrants for the exercise of the Crown’s prerogative of mercy, issued in each year, from 1861 to 1867 inclusive, with the date of the issue of each of such warrants. Carried. Mr. REES moved for a return allowing the number of the Orders in Council issued in each year from 1861 to 1867 inclusive, with the date and place of the issue of each of such Orders in Council, and the object thereof. Negatived on the voices. Mr. BEES moved that a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Governor, requesting that he will cause to be laid before this House copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, containing a statement of the number of days during which the Governor had resided upon his own private property, from 1861 to the date thereof. Carried. The Hon. Major ATKINSON moved, — That the members of the Waste Lands Committee be increased to eighteen, and that the name of Mr. Bastings be added thereto. Carried. Sir GEORGE GREY moved for copy of any correspondence between the Colonial Government and the Superintendent of the province of Auckland, regarding the construction of a road from the Waipa to Raglan. Carried. Sir. G. GREY moved, —That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Governor, requesting that he will cause to be laid before this House, copies of all correspondence between the Governor of New Zealand and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, from the years 1845 to 1853 inclusive, relating to the annexation or abandonment of the Fiji Islands, the Friendly Islands, New Caledonia, or any other islands in the Pacific Ocean. Carried. Mr. STOUT moved, —That there be laid before the House, copies of all correspondence between Mr. Reid, late Returning Officer at Port Chalmers, and the Government, in reference to the late election at Port Chalmers. At the time of adjournment for dinner Mr. Reynolds was speaking to the motion. ORDERS OP THE DAY. The Wellington Reserves Bill was read a second time, also Wellington Rivers Bill; Sir George Grey’s motion in respect of native grasses was carried ; the Registration of Electors Act, 1875, Repeal Bill was read a second time, the Government promising to consider the adyisableness of bringing down some new clauses in committee. The House then adjourned.