THURSDAY, JUNE 26. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE MANAWATU RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1900, 3 July 1890, Page 17

THURSDAY, JUNE 26. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE MANAWATU RAILWAY.

Mr SAMUEL asked the Minister for Publio Works if the Government will consider whether it is desirable that the colony should acquire the Wellington and Mnnawatu railway, and whether it is advisable that the necessary notice should be given to the company owning that railway. The Hon. T. FERGUS eaid the matter had been in the minds of the Government for a considerable time, but he regretted to say that the information yet at their disposal did not warrant them in giving the requisite notice. The matter woul f, however, still receive the earnest attention of the Government, and if they thought it desirable the necessary steps would bo taken to acquire the railway. V REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Wilson, The Hon. Captain RUSSELL said the Government were extremely anxious to promote the flax industry, and would be happy to receive any suggestions on the conditions for a bonus for improved machinery from hon. gentlemen. Replying to Mr Beetham, The Hon. G. F. RICHARDSON said the Government were not prepared to appoint inspectors at the chief ports of the colonyfor the purpose of ensuring the adequate classification of produce such as phormium tenax and dairy produce, but there was no objection to refer the matter to tho committee already set up. Roplyiogto Mr Seddon, Tho Hox T. FERGUS said proposals would be made shortly on the question of abolishing the export duty on gold. A bill was in preparation with the object of amending and consolidating the law relating to mining for gold and other minerals. NEW BILLS. The following bills were introduced :— The Mining Aot 1886 Amendment Bill; bill to amend the Municipal Corporations Act ; Timaru Charitable Aid Institution Vesting Bill; Gold Duties Abolition Bill. Major STEWARD (Waimate) moved the

second reading of the Dog Registration Aot Amendment Bill, providing that sheep dogs should be registered upon the payment of 2s 6d each. Mr CARROLL moved that it be read that day six months — This was negatived by 33 to 26 and the bill read a second time. Sir G. GREY moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill to regulate the admission of persons to practice in the courts of law. Tha bill, he said, was the same as he had previously introduced in several sessions. He spoke at some length in support of the bill. Mr SAMUEL upposed the bill, and hoped that the notiou that a man had only to be admitted as a lawyer to gain a good living would be exploded as quickly as possible. Mr SAUNDERS was sorry the bill did not promise to go much further. What they wanted was to do away with all protection in these matters. The motion for the second reading was carried by 35 to 22. A COSTLY RETURN. j A sensation was created in the House this afternoon when Captain Russell laid on the table a return relating to the Publio Trust ! Office and announced that it had cost £359. Some debate arose ou the subjeot, and Sir Geo. , Grey said the accounts of the office must be | kept on a very bad system when the return had cost so much. The return shows the number of wills, estates, &c. administered, and their value, , for each year since 1872. It occupies four pages of foolscap, and shows that the offioe has been steadily growing ever since it wa3 started, but otherwise the figures given are of little pnblio interest. THE PROBATION ACT. ' Mr Peaoock is urging on the G<v n;nient the 'desirableness of amending the Fn>t> Offenders [ Probation Aot in the dircoti jii rccotnuiuuded by . the inspector of prison <— -namely, that tho mere ! issue of a warrant of arrest followed by acquittal 1 shall not prevent the party from being eligible for probation if subsequently convicted; that the operation of the principle of probation should bo extended to those prisoners whose ' exemplary conduct iv gaol for a reisonablo time, combined with their previous history, will ' warrant such a course. I' PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. Among other papers laid on the table to-day are the report of the Crown Lands department, report on the lunatic asylums, .report on friendly societies, and imnaigratiou 'returns. The last report shows toat 82 irami- ! grants arrived during the year. The Asylums I report is an important document, and speaks Jvery strongly on the necessity for increased ; asylum accommodation. The inspector says, ! " All our existing asylums are full." The Crown j Lands report gives copious details showing tho jlarge increase during the year of settlement on it he land. The chief point of special interest iin the report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies is the comparison between the sickness (among abstainers and non-abstainers. This i shows that the 'sickness among Rechabites is 'considerably higher than for the Oddfellows and jForesters up to the age of 45, but at subsequent 'periods of life considerably less. He suggests that this excess of sickness among the younger Rechabites is due to inadequate care as to the jstate of healuh of those admitted to the order. } The inspector of lunatic asylums states that the •total number of lunatics in the colony is 1731, 'an increase for the year in the proportion of j2 84 per 1000. « THE SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. i Mr Valentine is'drawing the attention of the 'Minister of Lands to the. fact that the Sohool iCommissioners of Otago contemplate the eviction of a number of their settlers from their farms, and have given notice that they intend to 'confiscate the land which has been partially paid for, and also sell up the settlers' stook and implements for non-payment of arrears of interest. He urges the Minister to take steps to delay the commissioners' action, and cause an independent inquiry to be made into the circumstances of the case, with the view of affording the same relief as has been extended to Crown tenants and others holding land under School Commissioners. ; SEACLIFF ABYLUM. ! Referring to Seaoliff Asylum, the Inspector in his report cays : — "The asylum is working harmoniously in all its parts, and the administration is vigorous and careful. In none of the three asylums is there the same fresh and healthy look about the inmates." Ho is convinced of Dr King's eminent fitness for his position. ! WARDEN HICKSON. ■ A petition was ptrsented to Parliament today from John Smith Hickson, of Naseby, Otago, resident magistrate and warden of the Dunstan goldfields, setting forth that the petitioner, who had been 40 years in the colony and had been for many years in tho service 6f the Government, is compelled to retire owing to loss of eyesight, due to congestion of the liver; that the compensation he will receive will barely support himself and his family for two years; that his life insurances will also lapse, and he and his family will faU into want ; that he at 60, thus incapacitated, will be unable to obtain other employment. He attributes failure of health and sight largely to constant exposure through travelling in all weathers in pursuance of bis official duties. He therefore prays that the House will grant him such pension as compassionate allowance to an old and faithful servant as will preserve him and his family from want. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr T. Mackenzie is urging the Government to consider daring the present session the necessity of amending the Pateuts, Designs, and Trade fltark« Act as applied to manures, by providing that all artificial manures sold within the colony 8h Ul have on or affixed to every ba^, box, or other parcel of the manure a chemical attested analysis setting forth the component parts of such manure. This, Mr Mackenzie informs me, is a necessary amendment demanded by the farmer.