Friday, 28th July,

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 5 August 1882, Page 10

Friday, 28th July,

The "Mining Companies Act^ 1872," Amendment Bill was read a third time.

To-day's sitting has been noteworthy for the disposal of the most serious stumbling-block in Ministers' way — the Native Reserves Bill. You may remember I explained recently that through the absence of a sufficiently distinct statement on the part of Government that the bill must be taken as a Ministerial question, several Government supporters exercised their right of independent judgment, one of them even moving that the bill be read that day six months. I also predicted that the bill would pass its second reading if a call was made on the party, but not otherwise. The result has come out according to my forecast. The events which have supervened since the debate was ad journed more than a month ago impelled Government to take a firm stand on the question, and having demonstrated their strength by recent defeats of the Opposition and forcing through Supply, it was determined to take the Native Reserves Bill to-day and call on the party to rally in its support. The result was that at 9 o'clock to-night a division was taken, which gave Ministers a majority of six. The only Ministerialist who voted with the "noes " was Mr Stevens, of Rangitikei, who .holds very strong opinions on the question.' This was another signal triumph for the Government, and proved their ordinary majority to be eight at least. Mr Pilliet and Mr J. Buchanan (Napier) both voted with Ministers. Another struggle, but a brief one, took place on the Leaseholders Qualification Bill, which Sir George Grey, although formerly a ■warm supporter of a similar measure, now turned round against and strenuously opposed. A still more signal defeat for him and his side was the upshot, Ministers securing an overwhelming majority. To-day's events have apparently given the coup de grace to the Opposition for this session. Sir George Grey's bill for the imposition of a land tax in lieu of the property tax and customs was ruled out of order by the Speaker, on the ground that the consent of the Crown was necessary before private members could introduce a taxing bill. Sir G. Grey looked daggers and struggled hard, but the Speaker stood firm, and the bill was not allowed to be introduced.

The Public Petitions Committee report on the following Otago petitions :— (1) Sargood and others, of Dunedin : That the proposal of the Harbour Board' to alter the method of paying dues from tonnage to an ad valorem rate may not be given effect to. (2) Joseph Rogers and others : That Kingston Riding v of Lake County may be included in Southland County. (3) Andrew Thompson, of Waikouaiti: That he be compensated for losses through Government not building a jetty in Waikouaiti Bay. The Committee in each case decline to recommend that the prayer be acceded to.

The Colonial Tresurer presented a return to-night showing the cost for the Colonial Government offices in London, forwarded by the Agent-general. The comparative totals are as follow :— Canada, £6093; New South Wales, £4250; Victoria, £4775; South Australia, £4198; Queensland, £4833; New Zealand, £3395. Of these totals the Agents-general (or in case of Canada the High Commissioner) are paid as follows :— Canada, £2800 ; New South Wales, £2250; Victoria, £2000; South Australia, £1500 (and assistant, £500) ; Queensland, £1500 ; New Zealand, £1250. The Public Petitions Committee have declined to make any recommendation on the petition of the Dunedin Freethought Association that no alteration be made in the present unsectarian system of education in public schools. 4 With reference to the petitions of the 1 Licensed Victuallers' Association of Auckland, ' and of several other petitioners, who pray respectively— (l) That the Licensing Act may be amended ; (2) that it may have afair trial, and remain for a time unaltered ; (3) that it be not amended ; (4) That it be amended ;— the Committee state that as the matter is under the consideration of the House, they deem it unnecessary to make any recommendation, The same Committee also reported to-day on petitions (1) of Auckland brewers, (2) of Otago brewers, (3) of Nelson brewers, all praying that the beer duty may be repealed. The Committee consider that as the question is one of public policy it would not be proper that they should make any recommendation to the House on the subject. An important return was presented to-night by the Minister for Public Works (it having been moved for by Sir J. Hall), showing the apportionment between the respective Provincial Districts of the amount appropriated out of the loan for the last financial year. These amounts are a3 follow (shillings and pence, omitted) :— Auckland .. .. .. £381,725 Hawke'sßay .. .. 54,976 Wellington .. .. .. 162,628 Tavftnaki .. .. .. 120,999 ffelson „ .. „ 76,418 Marlljorough .. .. 41,022 Canterbury.. .. .. 273. 911 WesUftiid „ „ „ 73J42 Ptego „ v t, »WW

Tha following was the respective expend tine during the year :—

The liabilities on 31st March were :—

Some of Mr Pilliet's constituents wrote t ihim remonstrating with him for having givei in his adhesion to the Government^ whereupoi he replied:— "The Opposition is in a lamen tably disorganised state. Of cohesion there 1 none. There is no leader, although it is incon testable that Grey holds the game in his owi hands, and that no Ministry could just nov be formed without him being its head. Hi has a following of 23 men ; then comes Mac andrew, with the Otago contingent. Mont ffomery is temporarily utilised as a figure-head The other day Grey's Constitution Bill, whicl had been on the order-paper for weeks past came for second reading. Most of the Oppo eition looked upon it as an outrageous pieci of lunacy, one of Grey'a many meaning loss eccentricities : why, it meant, if carried the greatest possible political convulsion. . determined to oppose it tooth and nail fron the outset, and declared so. And, of course when the question of adjournment was put ti division, I voted to squash the measure. Woul< You believe it, but the Opposition desire t< turn the Government out without having evei agreed among themselves as to who should b who, and as to what cardinal points of polic; should guide them. A leading member tol< me that should they succeed to turn the Go vernment out ' they would ballot among them selves for the portfolios !' Now this is an un warrantable way of doing things, inasmuch a the new Ministry would not stand for a singl week, and the other side would re-enter wit) flying colours stronger than ever, , It is not mi intention of making a fool of myself. Wha is worth doing is worth doing well. Wai until we can form a compact, cohesive, am well-assimilated party, cemented together 01 main questions, and let that party be led by i unanimously reoognised leader, then I shal move' 'mountains and earth to dislodge th< present Administration." The electors of Stanmore are getting up i requisition to Mr Pilliet to resign.

Replying to Sir G. Grey, The Hon. Mr JOHNSTON said the increase of paj£ to railway employes would take effect from the 81st inst. ' ■ Replying 1 to Mr J. M'Kenzie, ofThe'Hon. Mr DlCK 'said that with the view s obviating the necessity of removing prioners on trial from Naseby to Lawrence, it was proposed to' make arrangements for the trial of, such prisoners at Oamaru. Replying to Mr Fish. The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said that the propriety of planting the Sandhills reserve at Dunedin with forest trees, and making it otherwise suitable for recreation purposes, had engaged the attention of Government. The work -was delayed in' consequence of the dispute in connection with Pritchard's contract, but the proposal would not be lost sight of. Replying to Mr. Cadman, The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON said Government had been attending to the work of replanting forest trees. < Provision would be made in the Supplementary Estimates to enable local bodies to take the matter in hand and prosecute the work with energy.

The following bills were -introduced and read a first time:— Roads and Bridges Construction and Counties Act, 1876, Amendment (Hon. Major Atkinson) ; Resumption of Lands for Gold-mining Purposes, and Goldmining on Public Reserves (Hon. Mr Rolleston). The following bills were read a second time : —Mining on Harbour Board Reserves ; Mining on Education Reserves ; Mining on Water-race Reserves; "Canterbury Rivers Act, 1870," Amendment.

Auckland . . lawke's Bay VeiKagton .. townaki . . ffileon larlborough Janterbury . . Pestland . . »tago £201,5:04 15,352 84,335 82,054 29,045 14,592 124,423 53,424 181,761

Auckland . . lawke's Bay Wellington .. 'annaki . . Jelsoti larlborough 'anterbury . . Vestlaud „ )taL'O 26,27« 64,231 29,680 30,775 12,792 68,769 15,532 187,719