Friday, September 4,

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 11

Friday, September 4,

The Minister for Defence has reported to the House that the total amount required for defence purposes to the 31 st March next will be £260,000, the details of proposed expenditure being as follow : — Guns and material, £166,500 ; cost of, works, £72,815; submarine defence, £22,160; torpedo stores from the Admiralty, £8525 ; total, £260,000. The balance of £60,000 is not required to be paid this year. The estimates of expenditure on submarine defences not required during this financial year are as follow:—Cable and electrical gear—Auckland, £1310 ; Wellington, £1310 ; Canterbury, £110 ; Otago, £100. Brennan torpedoes — Wellington, £5000; Canterbury, £5000 ;— total, £12,840. Total estimate for submarine defence — Auckland, £7700; Wellington, £13,050; Canterbury, £10,600 ; Otago, £3750 ;— total, £35,000.

The Railways Commissioners Bill, which was introduced by Mr Richardson on the evening on which he read his Public Works Statement, has been circulated. As has been already stated, the Government do not propose to pass it into law during the present session, and it has only been printed in order to give publicity to the scheme. The districts, to be established are (1) the Northern District, comprising the whole of the Provincial District of Auckland ; (2) the Southern District, comprising the whole of the Provincial District of Otago and Canterbury, as existing at the time of the passing of the Abolition of Provinces Act 1875, together with so much of the Counties of Cheviot and Amuri, in the Provincial District of Nelson, as is comprised within the River Waiau, and its tributaries the Hope and the Kiwi, and the Hurunui River ; and (3) the Central District, comprising the entire remainder of the Colony. For each district there is to be a board of three commissioners appointed by the Governor in Council, with full charge of the railway officials and of the lines generally. The boards may from time to time make, alter, nnd repeal bye-laws for fixing the amount of fares for the conveyance of passengers and the charges for the carriage of animals, goods, and parcels, and the circumstances and conditions under which special rates for the carriage of goods in quantities may be made. But no bye-law relating to the matters aforesaid shall have any force until the same is approved by the Governor-in-Council. The auditing of railway accounts is to be done in a manner to be prescribed from time to time by regulations made by the boards and approved by the Governor. It is not to be done by the Audit Office unless the Controller and Auditorgeneral shall be appointed under the provisions of the bill.

On the 24th of June Mr M'Millan moved that there be laid on the table a return of all the money granted and expended during the past three yea*s on toads and bridges in each

county, to include grants under 'the Roads and Bridges Construction Act; special vtites of Parliament* votes for public works, roads to open up lands before sale, and roads on goklfields. This return has since been prepared at a cost of L9l, and was laid on tho table to-day. The totals are as follow : — The total granted under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act was L 431.787, and the total expended was L 298,968. The amount for public works was L 255,700; for the Survey Department, L 230,67 1; Mines Department, L 644.094. The total expenditure under all heads was L 942,162, which with balance of grants current under the Roads and Bridges Con* struction Act (L 133,700), gives a grand total expenditure and balauOe df grants current ' of L1i075,88i. This sum has been divided as follows among the undementioned counties: — Mongonui, L 16,115; Hokianga, L6',750; Bay of Islands, L 13.29 9; Wangarei, L2l,l7o;Hobsous, L 16.284; Rodney, L 13.963; Waitemata, L 20,22 3; Eden, L 4,734; Manukau, L 15.99 9; Coi omandel, L 6.85 9; Thames, L 25,97 7; Piako, L 27.775; Waikato, L 9.703; Waipa, L 12,990; Raglan, L 8.860; Kawhia, L 7,689; Taranaki, L 23.907; Patea, L 4.798; Hawora, L 28.275 ; Taurauga, L 36.680 ; Whakattme, L 9703; Cook, L 36.284; Wairoa, L 19.323; Hawkcs Bay, L11,1G8 ; Wanganui, L 23.943 ; East Taupo, LG,322 ; Rangitikei, L13,41G" ; Manawatu, L 27.620; Arouha, L 38.62 2; Waipawa, L 23.306; Hutt, L 2715; Waiarapa West, L 14.635; Waiarapa East, L 43,10 0; Sounds, L 357; Marlborough, L 268,044; Kaikoura, L 14,944; Waimea, L 24.147; Collingwood, L 6805; Buller, L 29,362; Mangahua, L 3392; Amuri, L 15.24 5; Cheviot, L 17 8; Grey, L 35.22 8; Ashley, L 17,73 2; Selwyn, L 749 3; Akaroa, L 1875; Ashburton, L 5203; Geraldine, L 4131; Mackenzie, L 939; Waimate, L 12.01 5; Westland, L 48,76 1; Waitaki, L 691 8; Waihemo, L 649 4; Waikouaiti, L 10,50 3; Maniototo, L 732 9; Vincent, L 14,759 ; Lake, L 18,54 1: Peninsula, L 7273; Taieri, L 20.443; Bruce, L 6018; Clutha, L 18.004; Tuapeka, L 24,685; Southland, L 40.282; Wallace, L 950 5; Stewart Island, L 250. BILLb. In the Legislative Council, The Gold-mining Companies Bill was read a second time without debate. The Mines Act 1877 Amendment Bill and The Mining Companies Act ] 872 Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed. PRIVILEGE. In the House of Representative*), Mr O'CONOR brought up a question of privilege. He called attention to the fact that an hon. member stated that evidence given by a petitioner before the Goldfields Committee was untrue. The SPEAKER said that in such a ca*,e it was customary to proceed with the utmost severity against the offender. Major ATKINSON said he hoped that in future ample notice would be given to witnesses of the consequence of their making false statements before committees. After some discussion, ' The Hon. R. STOUT said he would take steps to have the offender brought before the House. Mr O'CONOR said he had no wish that steps should be taken in that direction. The matter then dropped. TIIE WAIMEA PLAINS RAILWAY. A lengthy discussion ensued on a report brought up by Mr Moss, the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, on a petition from the Waimea Plains Railway Company. The report was to the effect that legislation should be effected this session, in order to enable the company) to levy their rate. Mr DOWNIE STEWART moved an addition to the report — " and that the Government be requested to give effect to the recommendation this session." Mr COWAN considered that the ratepayers should be consulted in this matter. He moved that the report of the committee be referred back for consideration. He hoped that the House would not sanction retrospective legislation. Mr MONTGOMERY contended that no injustice would be done by the report of the tommittee being acted upon. Mr MACANDREW suggested the adjournment of the debate till the report had been printed. Major ATKINSON said the whole thing was a technicality. He explained the circumstances, and said! that a mistake which was quite natural had prevented the company getting their rates. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said he had no doubt that the House was asked to sanction retrospective legislation, and he thought tho. Public Accounts Committae had considered the matter with undue haste. Several other members addressed the House on the question, after which the motion that the report be laid on the table was carried on the voices. , REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Duncan, if the Government do not consider that the time has arrived when the importation of cattle from England may be resumed without enforcing such stringent regulations as are at present in force. The Hon. J. A. TOLE said the Government had already taken steps for the removal of the restrictions. Replying to Mr J. B. Whyte, if any reports have been made to the Government by officers of the Public Works Department upon the scheme / of railway management advocated by Mr Samuel Vaile, and in favour of f wlrich many thousands of persons have signed petitions to this House. The Hon. E. RICHARDSON said reports had been received on this question, and he intended referring it to a Select Committee, but it -would be impossible to do anything this session. Replying to Mr J. Thompson, what steps, if any, are being taken by the Government for the purpose of dealing with the claims of late members of the defence force, militia, and volunteers, to grants of land for military services rendered to the Colony. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said that an investigation was now being made into this matter, and it was hoped the Waste Lands Committee would be able to deal with it shortly. SECOND READINGS. The Hon. E.RICHARDSON movedtheseeond reading of the Public Works Amendment (No. 2) Bill. He said the bill contained some useful amendments suggested by county councils, which he would explain in committee. He explained briefly the other clauses of the bill. I Agreed to. The Hon. R. STOUT moved the second reading of the Public Revenues bill. Agreed to. THE ESTIMATES. The House went into Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates. Working railways, £719,000. The Hon. E. RICHARDSON moved—" That the vote bo reduce'"'' by £20,000." He explained that a large saving had already been made in this department, and he could aec his way to make this reduction.

Agrewl to. Government domains* £1200.— Carried. Public buildings, £83,700. Mr HURST moved that the item be reduced by £10,000. He specially condemned the large expenditure on ministerial residences* ga's, &c. The Hon. E. RICHARDSON said the item '•gas" covered all the public buildings in the Colony. He defended the expenditure on the Ministerial residences as being necessary. Mr FERGUS pointed out that the Colony had to pay during the last four or five years no less than £500 per year for each of the Ministerial residences. He contended it would be better to do away with the residences altogethei', and allow the Ministers rental allowance to the same amount as those which were not furnished with residences'. After considerable discussion Mr HURST withdrew his amendment to reduce the amount by £10,000, and proposed instead a reduction of £3700. The amendment was lost by 36 to 28. Mr TURNBULL moved to reduce the amount bj' £1500. The amendment was lost "by 38 to 30. Miscellaneous services, £2G91. Captain SUTTER moved that tho item £1900 for roads north of Auckland, and expenses of collecting tolls, be struck out. Along discussion resulted, and Mr WHITE moved that the item be £200, upon which Captain gutter withdrew his amendment. Major ATKINSON suggested that the Ministry should take the sense of the House on a nominal reduction — say, £5, and Mr White's amendment was lost by 31 to 30, and M£.or Atkinson's carried on the voices. Treasury Department, £5717.-- -Carried. Property Tax Department, £23,195. — Carried, Friendly Societies' Registry Office, £1456. — Carried. Miscellaneous services, £20,050. Mr MONTGOMERY asked if £3000 would be the total amount required for the Wellington Exhibition. He would like to know how the £6000 was to be expended for the Colonial Exhibition in London. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said the net cost of the' Wellington Exhibition would be about £4000. The total expenditure was estimated at £10,000, but it was anticipated the amount realised from the sale of tickets and the sale of the buildings would be about £6000. Further, if tho proposal that was entertained of converting the Exhibition Buildings into a printing office were carried out, the real cost of the Exhibition would be very little indeed. As to the Colonial Exhibition in London, probably £3000 or £4000 extra would be required next year, in addition to the £6000 on the Estimates for tho present year. Only one gentleman, Dr Yon Haast, had been sent Home to superintend all the arrangements in connection with the New Zealand exhibits. It was not proposed to send any other person Home in connection with the Exhibition. If any other persons went home it would be at their own expense. — Vote carried. External Defence, £24,968. Mr DONALD REID protested against such a large force of gunners being maintained. He contended that it was not necessary to keep such a standing army, and thought the Volunteer Force would be willing to do the work if required to do so. The Hon. J. BALLANCE said no Volunteer force could manage the torpedo service that was required for the defence of the Colony. The Government proposed that during the next 10 years the chief portion of the fortification work that would be required should be executed by the Armed Constabulary. He explained the arrangementsmadewithrespecttodefence,andsaid he hoped to be able to effect considerable savings in the Department in the future, and to reduce the force to about 300 men in all, .which, he maintained, would be sufficient for the requirements of the Colony. He explained that he intended proposing a reduction of about £10,000 in the total vote. Referring to recent defence preparations, he said it was the duty of the Colonies to help to defend themselves, and not to depend solely on Great Britain. Mr W. F. BUCKLAND moved that the item, £700, for commander of the Colonial forces be struck out. Mr BRYCE said, speaking with some experience, that it was very little use in the committee endeavouring to alter the Government Estimates. He would not propose any change, although he did not approve of all the arrangements that had been made. He was quite prepared to admit, however, that the Government had been forced into taking the steps they had adopted in the matter of defence preparations. A long discussion ensued. Major ATKINSON said they were arranging for the organisation of the future, and he was prepared to support the Ministry for what they had done in past emergency, but as the Government wore now bringing down a scheme for the future organisation of the forces, the House was entitled to have more information than had been placed bofore it, and he thought the Ministry had not thoroughly thought the matter out. The amendment to strike out the vote of £700 was lost on the voices. Mr CONOLLY moved to, reduce the vote to £500. Lost on a division by 34 to 12. Mr MACARTHUR moved to reduce the item by £100, and that the appointment should not last more than one year. Lost by 30 to 14.