HEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.,

Otago Witness, Issue 1855, 10 June 1887, Page 15

HEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.,

Wednesday, June 1. TILLAGE SETTLEMENTS IN THE NORTH.

A return was laid before the House to-day ■showing the items of expenditure in connection with the formation of village settlements in the Auckland district. From this it appears that the total cost so far has been £5932. The survey cost was £2994;, the amount paid for house, £607; and remuneration and travelling expenses, £138 ; miscellaneous, £1286. The sum of £34 9s has been paid to John Lundon as travelling expenses, and Mr Lundon has sent in another account for £50 2s 4d, but this was returned to him for explanation on 18th January last. This return, or rather the fact that it had not been produced at an earlier date, provoked a lot of discussion this afternoon, causing the whole afternoon to be wasted. Some of the items under the head "Miscellaneous" are of a peculiar nature. 1 A lady's saddle was sent up to one of the settlers, having been bought in Auckland; and there is a special memo, that this item would be charged against the settler.

PETITIONS.

As the pig was introduced in the colony before horses, cattle, or sheep, the Natives think they should be' particularly looked after, and are petitioning that Europeans should make thefr fences pig-proof, as they say that their porkers are killed when they wander. In the petition they have sent into the House on that subject they give a diagram showing how a fence may be made proof by barbed wire. INSURING GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.

The Government are make inquiries with the view of insuring Government buildings, and are inviting insurance companies by circular to tender for the insurance of all buildings over £5000 in value, the Government being their own insurers up to that amount. The insurances they propose on the buildings in Wellington amount to £152,000.

THE MEMBER FOR DUNSTAN.

I mentioned two days ago that Mr Pyke was very indignant at some libellous remarks, which had been made by a labour agitator in Auckland named Hodge, appearing in at least one of the Auckland papers. That paper was the New Zealand Herald. As soon as their attention was drawn to tho fact a handsome and ample apology was tendered to the member forDun6tan for that matter having been allowed to appear. In view of this apology Mr Pyke will withdraw the writ which has been issued, desiring nothing but to vindicate his character.