THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6382, 27 July 1882, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Thursday, 26th July. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE. Sir G. GREY gave notico that he would ask on what date the increase of wages promised to railway employes would be given effect to. ' . PETITION. Mr POSTLEHTWAITE presented a petition in favour of the reading of the Bible in schools. RKPLIE3 TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Tomoana, The Hon.. Mr BRYCK said the Oinaranui block had been placed under the Land Transfer Act, and in virtue thereof the Crown grant had been surrendered. It was therefore impossible to take the action suggested by tha Chief Judge in his letter dated 13th October, 1881. Replying to Mr Hobbs, Tho Hon. Mr DICK said Government was most anxious to promote local industry, and in pursuance of that desire inquiry would be made as to the propriety of offering a bonus of £1000 for the production of the first marketable 300 tons of the metal whereof manganese is a component part, said metal being steel, ferromanganese, speigelies, or manganese bronze. Reply to Mr Sutton, The Hon. Mr DICK said that it was not until a year after the conviction of the prisoner Longhurst that Government was made aware of the evidence of a witness tending in the direction of proving the prisoner's innocence. Tha degrading part of the sentence had been inflicted before they were made aware of such evidence. The purport of Dr Collins' evidence was known at the time of the trial both to the prosecution and the defence, but it was not at the time deemed to be of any great importance. Replying to' Mr Weston, The Hon. Mr DICK said that prior to the whipping inflicted on Longhurst Government had neither directly nor indirectly received any communication as to the innocence of the accused.

Replying to Mr Lovestam, The Hon. Mr DICK said that at the time of Longhurst's trial the evidence of Dr Collins was Known, but he (Dr Collins) did not seem to think it of sufficient importance to insist upon its being taken at the time. Replying to Mr Steward, Tho Hon. Mr ROLLK3TON said that further inquiry would be made into the recommendation of the Waste Lands Committee with reference to bush reserve No. 143, Waimate survey district, and in the meantime nothing would be done to prevent that; recommendation being carried out. Replying to Mr Weston, The Hon. Mr DICK said Government saw no necessity to alter the law so as to enable certificates of marriages being obtained in the district within which the celebration was "made.

Replying to Mr Weston, The Hon. Mr JOHNSTON said the lowest tender had been accepted for the construction of a bridge over the Inangahua River at or near the junction.

Replying to Mr Weston, The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said that a lump sum was voted for the construction of tracks on the goldfields, and the one running along the line of reef from Boatmans to Lyell would have to be provided for out of that fund. Replying to Mr J. C. Brown, The Hon. Mr JOHNSTON said that efforts would be made to improve the state of the Parliament Buildings so as to promote the health of members and others engaged in the buildings. Replying to Mr Feldwiek, The Hon. Mr JOHNSTON said it was necessary to concentrate the labours of the railway workshops, and in that case Government would not undertake to use the Invercargiil shops instead of enlarging the Hillsida shops.

Replying to Major Harris, The Hon. Major ATKINSON said inquiry would be made as to the cost of the removal of the obstructions to the navigation of Turanga Creek, with the view of making pecuniary provision for the same.

Replying to Mr J. O. Brown, The Hon. Mr BRYCE said inspectors of police with the advice of the law-officers of the Crown were responsible for determining whether the prosecution of suspected persons be proceeded with or abandoned. It was also the prerogative of the Attorney-general to direct or stay such prosecutions. Replying to Mr J. 0. Brown, The Hon. Mr JOHNSTON said that the planting of trees on railway reserves and the erection of cottages for platelayers, &c. had been already initiated. BILLS. The following bills were introduced and read a first time :—To Amend " The Public Health Act, 1876" (Mr Tole); Taumutu Native Reserves (Mr Bryce); To Provide that Affirmations shall henceforth be made in all cases in lieu of Oaths (Sir George Grey). On the motion for going into

COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY, Mr BARRON moved that the permission extended to members to absent themselves for a period of five days during the sitting of Parliament without any deduction from their allowance shall not apply to the last 10 days of the session, and that in addition to the proportionate deduction provided for, a special deduction of £5 5s per day shall be made from' the honorarium of any member who then absents himself. '.. ■

Question put that the original motion stand po*t-o£-thociuoßtion—Ayes, 48 ; noes, 21; Mr MOSS moved as a further amendment that it was desirable to defer, until next session the consideration of the question as to the propriety of adding to the funded debt of the Colony. He disclaimed all party purpose, and reviewed at great length the financial state of the Colony, concluding by stating that a serious conflict as to who would defray the cost of these burdens—whether the labour or the property of the Colony— must arise. Sir GEORGE GREY seconded the motion. The Han. Major ATKINSON expressed surprise that the point was not debated by those who he understood were opposed to borrowing. When the Loan Bill came down ho would be prepared to discuss the matter at length, and he would then be prepared to define the course proposed to be followed by Government.

Mr MONTGOMERY also spoke in favour of the discussion being postpones until tha lioan Bill oame down. In that case they would only have one instead of two discussions on tha same point. Mr HURST supported the amendment, but expressed his strong conviction that it would not be carried.

Captain MACKENZIE supported a similar view.

Mr GEORGE spoke in support of the amendment. **.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

Evening Sitting, The House resumed at 7.30,

Mr GEORGE resumed the debate on the amendment moved by M» Moss. Mr MACANDRKAY urged the necessity of delaying the debate until the Loan Bill had made its appea.ra.nce, Replying to remarks made by the previous speaker, ha said that there wove two or three companies ready to Undertake the construction of the Otago Central railroad. It was, however, too good an undertaking to leave in the hands of any private company. ' Mr LEVESTAM supported the amendment, contending that the loan proposals as put forward were manifestly unjust to Kelson, which was left wholly ant of the programme. Sir GEORGE GREY had seconded the amendment, as he looked upon the subject as one which, ought to be fully discussed. No nation OJf people could be truly great unless it borrowed money for reproductive works. Ha would, however^ reserve bis remarks until ha had tb,e whole of. tha Government proposals before him..

The motion for going into CommittM was then put—Ayes, 28; noes, 11. The division-list was as follows:—«

Ayes (28): Messrs Atkinson, Beetham, Buchanan (Wairarapa South), Dick, Drive*, Fuidwick, Fereus, J-itzgerald, Fulton, Green (\Vaikou»lti), Hall, Johnston (Manawatu), Joyce, Levia, Mason, Mitohelson, ♦ O'Calbglian, Pearson, \Virie, Posfclethwaite, Rolloston, Suttcr, Tritnhle, Wilson (Kaiapoi), Wright,

Noes (11)^ Messrs J. O. Brown, George, Hamlin. LereshuQ. Tfaokenzio, Moai, Shephard, Shrimski. Swar.aon, Turubull, and White (Sydenham) Pairs. Noes: Mejars Dunuw, Sutton, Barren, Steward, Allwright, Hurst, M'Millan, Ilursthouae Westou, Dorgaulle, Daniel, J. Buchanan, aud Cadmao. Ayea: Messrs Hoblu, Kelly, Peacock, Morris Pyke, Wynn WiUUim, Watt, YVhuaW, J. K. Brown' Con .lly, C. Johnston, SJieehaa. and Stevens. ■■ llr Weston paired against tno Governniont, but being locked in by mistake he recorded hia veta with the (xoveruniiiit. W COMIIITTEE. Yoie—Property Tax Departmeat, £5005.— Passed. Miscellaneous services, £26,101. —Passed. Class o.—Commissionoy of Customs. Vote— Customs offices and service, £4984. In reply to a, question put by Mr Shrimski The Hon, Major ATKINSON said that ho undersold Mr Seed was about to, vetire from the. public service. Ha made that announcei meu.t with regret, as ha was a most efficient : officer. The fact was that the salaries paid these oncers wore so small, and the feeling so - precaripus, that the most efficient men were disposed to seek other employment of &. more remunerative nature.

Mr'LtVLSrAM asked if it was not a fact that he was about to accept it loss salary than he had in order that ho might get his pension, which would make the. total; income more than he was getting at present. He was getting £800 just now., and h.O was going to accept a. situation, worth. £500, so that ho might claim hia pension, which would make the annual; income something like a. total: of £1100. Mr SWAjNTSOX thought it wrong to. pay these pensions when men could go into other employments and earn large wages. It was an abuso of the pension systcaiv

The vote passed as printed.. Miscellaneous sai-yi.ees, £250.—Passed. Marine and. harbours, £3301. Item,—Seal fisheries protection, £310, Mr JOYCE, moved that it be struck out, contending that tho seal trade was not of sufficient' nnpoi-timoo to warrant an expenditure ■of tins kind. He also urged the importance of the Auckland Islands being visited regularly in search of shipwrecked persons, and that the provision stations orected and maintained some years ago should be again brought into operation. The Committee divided—Ayes, IS; jnoes,, Item—Wages and maintenance, Kehene, £050. The Hon. Mr BRYCE moved that it ba struck out, arguing that the money could baspent to better advantage in getting one of the. Government steamers to visit thu islands..

The Committee divided—Ayes, lo; noe*, 25. The vote then passed without debate. Lands and deeds registry, £17,580.—Passed without discussion. . Miscellaneous services, £107^'.—Passed as Public trust office, £2800.—Passed without discussion. Mr J. C. BROWN moved that progress bo reported, but did not press for a division. Insurance, £25,410.—Passed without disMinister of Justice—Class 4, £075.—Passed. Crown Law Office, £2275.—Passed. Supreme Court, £7215.—Passed. District Courts, £4703.—Passed. Resident Magistrates' and Wardens'- Courts, £43 250 At 1.30 a in. tho House adjourned for five minutes.

(Left sitting.)