N.Z. PARLIAMENT. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4.

Otago Witness, Issue 2215, 13 August 1896, Page 23

N.Z. PARLIAMENT. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4.

Both Houses of Parliament adjourned this afternoon as a mark of rtspsob to the late Mr J.E. Fitzgerald, Controller and Auditorgeneral. The uo-corifidence debut? was continued »in tbe House of Representatives in tte eveniag, but was not concluded. THE NO-CONFIDEJNCE DEBATE. The uo-confldence" debate was continued tonight by Mr F. R. Fiatman, the member for Paeroa, who begau his speech by deploring tho great waste of time, and iramedi»tely proceeded to waste further time himself and to rival the exploit* of the chartered jtster of the House, Mr E. M. Smith, in the realms of political o.'fttory. * He twitted the Oppasition with being weik in their Sctipfcure history, and sooa had the House and the galleries in roars of laughter with a modern application of the sbory of Joseph and Potiphar's wife »s applied to New Zealand politics. Mr Saunders, who followed, male a good spseoh and received an attentive hearing. Mr SAUNDERS said whether thss dtb*te was a waste of time or not they might profitably occupy their time in diseasing the flnanoss of the colony. In his opinion there w*s nothing at all to compara with the consideration of our financial position at the present ticne. He had watched the progress of the colouy for many years, and he hud never felt more th»u iuw the necessity of the colony making an honest attempt to meeb its engagements and not go recklessly on from bid to worae as wo were doing at present. He could not agree with C»ptain Russell's motion, as he saw no reason for comparing the lata prudenb Premier, Mr Ballance, with what he mighb Call the very fa?t younff nun who had succeeded him on the Treasury benches. Ha saw in the present Financial Statement many things that were vary muoh out of phc9, and he found from it that we had an almost unlimited amount of wealth in the colony • but if they were to go on borrowing as they were asked to do in the Statement they would be adding about £50,000 a year, to the burdens of the people, which would m*ke it absolutely impossible foe our people to be employed. He had always opposed borrowing since he bad been in the House, aud said if our publio works had been constructed out of the Und fund we should have saved saved some millions of maney which bad r,ow to be sent out of the colouy for inteivsli. If they coald no* meob their engagementJ now they would not bs able to do ifc when £50,000 a year was added to the burdens of poople. It was nob right that £200,000 should be borrowed for gold diggers. £50,000 for tourist accommodation, and £250,000 for railways, whilsb they did nothing for the aged and iofirm among'jb them He thought it unjust to associate the name of John Ballance with the«e who had lately added so largely to the debt of the colony. He could never understand what was meant by a surplus while they were getting into debt to the extent of a million every year, aud he strongly protested against this eternal borrowing that was going on. It wan impossible to squeeze more taxation out of the psople, aa the colony was already tho most heavily taxed in the world. He should strongly opposo the increased expenditure proposed by the Government, and he condemned the Government in that, whilst the men who went befora them were nob pledged against borrowing: the present Government were distinctly pledged against ib, and he quoted from a speech made by Mr Ssddon to that effect. He should oppose both Captain Russftll's motion and Mr Maslin's amendment, and he would move his own amendmeut as follows :— •• That tbe administration of the Seddou Government has bsten unsatisfactory aud their fiical policy the reverse of the policy distinctly adopted io the Financial Statement of tho Colonial Treasurer on the eve of last geueral election ; as that policy was adopted on the hustingi by a large mhjnity of members returned to this Hov e, and almost uoanimously endowed by the electors of New Zaaland, no Government could be justified in reversing it without appeal to the constituencies of the colony ; that notwithstanding a dittinob profesiion of economy, prudence, and lelf-roliaacei whiob bad boon

adopted b7 Mr Ballance, and which Mr Seddon so distinctly pledged* bimeelf to oontinue, and whioh wm strongly supported at the last genera] eLction, no economies hare been tffeoted, the coat of administration has been enlarged, cosily and unnecessary officials have | heen multiplied, and the national debb hu been ; increased ad a rate exceeding £1,375,000 a i year— a rate which, in proportion to the popala- : tion of the two countries, would exceed an inI creaae in Great Britain of £72,875.000 a year." ; He only wish'sd that anything he could say ! would urge on the House the necesrity of discontinuing the present system of b-nrowiug. In view of the amendment already moved by Mr Maslin, Mr Saander* was, ot ! course, unable to move hi* amendment; bub it is known that there aro several other members of the House who will be quite ready to move it when the proper time comes — that is, when tho first amendment is disposed of. Mr Saunders wai very severe on the Premier for his reuunoiatioa of the pledge of total abstineuca from borrowing whioh he gave when Mr Ballanc* five years ago brought down his Financial Statement, and he contrasted the careful fiaance of Treasurer Ballance .with tho I more reokless methods of the "fast young man " who followed him. Mr Hall- Jones's Bpeeoh contained nothing new, and f«U Bub. Mr E>-rnsh»w followed with a denunciation of the Government. The last speaker for the evenii g was Mr.E. M. , Smith, who dwelt at oonsire able length on the munf virtues of the Government; after whioh the Government whip movr-d the adjournment of tta debate* and the House rose. JOTTING?. -In reference to the petition of Ro*e A. Johmtrae, who' asks to be allowed £700 fov improvements ou the .section which she and predecessors have held possession of for orer 20 years in laveroargill bat whioh v no<r claimed by the Public Trusbue under the UucKimed Bauds Act, bh'i Waste Linda C immifcteu report tlut pst : tioner has no legal cUim, bub the committee would be glad if the Public Trustee could see bis w&y to make some allowiraoo ia tormn of olause 7 of " The Unolaimed Lands Act 1894." The petition of settlers for » Toad from | M*rtin> B»y, via the Hollyford Valley, to Wakubipu has been referred to tho Governm«Lfc. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5. ■ Tho Legislative Oounoil met to • day, but, i after leave of absence for H days had be^a | granted to the Hon. Captain Morris on account of iil-health, adjourned without tr»na»cting business. THE BANKING INQUIRY. i When the Banking Committee met this morning, Mr Booth was again in attendance and prepared to go ou with his evidence, but other matters intervened and his eximm^tlon w»s nob proceeded with. The proceeding! to-day were sd disorderly and uudiguiflad, including open and daliber&te defiance of the chair by the .Chairman of Committees (Mr Guinness), that the Premier truly stated that , there wag greib danger of the oouutry coming to look' upon the work of the coronvtbee with contempt. Tbe Premier's onntiuua.l' motions for adjournment and. his frequent proposals for clearing the-room so that the committi-e might t deliberate in seoreb are certainly spreading the impression tlut he has undisclosed reasons for delaying proceedings; In cons qaence the ' feeling is beoonvng almott universal that no . Dual report will be brought down before the session ends. There are signs of considerable t opposition to tho motion to exclude the presi. It was stated by Mr Guinness that the presence of the repartees was nuinly responsible for tho I delay in the conduct of busmen bab another i member of the committee informs ma that immediately the room is cleared of stnngerf, | in order that the committee m&y deliberate in secret, a stonewall is &t once indulged in. It is surely significant when the Premier himself fuels compelled fco express tho fear that the inquiry is in grave d&ngar of incurring the contempt of the couofcry. , The Council Committee is still going on quietly with their l work, and the Hou»e this afternoon granted permission to Mr Laroaoh and the Premier to attend and give evidenoa. The Premier stated thii morning that if the prm was going to have partial rdports, appureutly iuspired by rival institutions, telegraphed to Au'tralu the committee would have to coneidec the question of excluding reporters. With reference to this matter t aai able to stats that Mr B)obh doei nob complain that his remarks as to the bank's policy regarding the Australian business were incorrectly cabled. He regrets btaab tho information should have beea brought out in the manner it> was, and states • fch»t . damig.: has bsen done, but he exonerates the cable correspondent from all blame. I understand th&b misunderstandings are rcry liable fc > arise owing to the method in which the proceedings ar« conductsd. The examination ot a witness i« often diicontinued (being sometimes interrupted by discussion) ab • au utifortuaate poiot, whereas another question or two woald probably clear up many mattars, and perhaps give the evideuos quite a. diff arcnt aspect. AN EARLY DISSOLUTION POSSIBLE.

The ways of the Premier this session are mysterious, and bjoonie more so as the aetsion advances. The Housa met'on June 11, and up ti tho present no business of any importance has been transacted. The no-oonfldence debate is still under way, and there is a shoal of bill* on the Order Pipor praotically untouched. Atnongit these bills tte all or nearly all the important policy measures of the Government, uud 80 far the Premier shows no disposition to hurry on the business' of the country— indeed the iudicitions are all in the opposite direotioo. The Premier in former years was wont to rush the business of tho country through as quickly as possible, and frequently objected to early adjournaients of the Hauso. This session lately when the adjournment is moved at a comparatively early hour the Premier makes no objection ; indeed, I learn on the best authority that in so far as filling in time is concerned the pre3ent no-confidence dtbite is right iato his hands, and as a matter of f.^ct thrt»G.)vernmont whips are energetically spuni' g their following to make speeches on the motion moved bj tho leader ot tbe Opposition. What can be the meaning of all this ? At present there is no clue to the object the Governm«nt have in view. Everything, however, point} to the fact that there is no serious intention to debate the Government policy measures this seision, but that they will b3 kept in the. background and simply used for election purposes. Under the circumstances One need not be «.t all surprised if before very long tb.9 Estimates are rushed through and hon. mombers are sent back to their constituent j. The bjundaries of the new electorates may ba expec'.ed to be settled in a few days, and as there are likely to be some important alterations no dpubb members will be equally anxious to commenca their electioneering campaigns, especially as in their absenoe the other candidates already in the field will be covering ground and making capital at their- expense. Another matter that ooinfig to m early dinolutioa it

the proceeding!, in connection with the Backing Committee of In juiry. It is notorious that the Pceraier is delaying the proceedings as much as he possibly c»d, and the only ohjeo s in view must bo a desire to make the inquiry an »bortive one. Mr Geo. Hutchison let the cat cufi of the bag when he skated at this morning* Bitting of the committee that the time occupied in deliberating wa» about matters of no moment. For some time past no one of any commercial standing has regarded the proceedings of the Banking Committee of the Lower House as anything bat the veriest faroa. Oa the 'tather hand they look forward to the finding of the Legislative Council Com-nittee with some degree of confidence, and feel satisfied in the general assnrunce that whatever happens Mr Seddon cannot burke their inquiry or prevent their bringing down a report. In this, however, thay are quite mistaken, for if the House is disuolved before they have finished taking evidence, they would not of ocurse be able to bring down any report, and all their labour so far would be of no avail. Whether or not Mr Seddon desires and can obtain a dissolution before the Council's Committee bring down their report remains to bd seen. THE CUSTOMS REVENUE. From a return .laid upon the table of the ' House it appears that the customs revenue for the month of July of this year wai £8410 less than the amount colleoted .during the corresponding psriod, of 1895, the figures being £139,344. iv 1895 and £130,934 in 1896. MR FRASER AND THE OTAGO CENTRAL. A good deal of surprise has been expressed in regard to a statement attributed to Mr Eraser;! the member for Wakatipu, in the Press Association report of his speech the other day. Mr Fiaser was made to say that the expenditure on the Otag» Central, railway was unwarranted. As a matter of fact, however, Mr Fraser was arguing in favour of a bolder policy for the completion of the line in place of the present hand-to-mouth poJicy of the Government, by means of which money is being frittered away ia small sums on co-operative works. On looking op Hansard I find that Mr Fraser spoke at follows :— " Let us now consider the Otago Central. We have in the past been spending from £20,000 to £30,000 a year on this line. I cinnot help thinking that a great deal of this, money has been frittered away. Ido not care what the railway is, if you orily spend small euoqs like this to carry on the railway for a few miles it is of little use. It is so much money Bank, andean yield no interest whatever. In my opinion it would be far better to bring down proposals to complete the unfin : shed line to some definite point, and push the work on rapidly. I consider this line has been used simply as a vehicle for finding work for tha unemployed.— (An Hon. Member: 'What line P ') Mr Prater : The Otago Central, and other lines, tco ; and I have no hesitation in laying that the way in which this money has bean spent of late years has nob been prudent." JOTTINGS. Sir Robert Stout has presented a petition From Philip Payn, who claims to be the first discoverer of payable gold at Preservation Inlet, and claims a reward in connection therewith. ; .The petition o? Mount Barker sjtllera, Tvho asked to obtain Crown grants for Iheir agricultural lease lands, is referred by the Waste Lands , Committee to the Government. .. .The innocent elector who has never* been behind the scenes 'at Wellington hai of tea very Meat faith in the efficacy of a petition to P«: (lament, and every session shoals of petitions are laid on the table of the House. It is very seldom, however, that the petitioner gets anything for his pains. The more astute elector who has an axa to grind gets a member—preferably a friend of the Ministry— to tarn the grindstone for him. .JThe hoa. ; the member for Matiura numbers at- least one such elector emongst hit constituents. Writing the other day with a view to getting an appointment .for a friend, this gentleman remarked :— " Without someone to bring the matter under the notice of the dppaitmeut in a striking way, the application mty be shelved until we all meet in that valley where Gabriel sounds the grand march." In moving the adjournment of the House out of respect to the memory of the late Auditorgeneral, the Premier said that since he had occupied the position of head -of the Government he had bad to move similar motions on nine occasions. The oocaiion* referred to were the deaths of the Hon. J. Ballanoe and Sir W. Fox in 1893, the Hon. V. Pjke and the Hon. P. Dignan in 1894, Hons. Sir P. Buckley, Dr Pollen, R. Hart, and R. Fbarazyn, and Mr J. E. Fitzgerald m 1899. THURSDAY, AUGU3T 8. The debate on Captain Russell's motion of poconfidence in the Government was continued in the House of Representatives, but was not cdncluded when the House adjourned ait midnight. ■ . - : • , JUVENILE DEPRIVITYk .' ' The Premier's Juvenile Depravity Suppression Bill provides that whenever a' oonitabl© finds a girl— that, is, a girl apparently not over the ago of 16— loitering in the streets- or in ont«of-the*way placed after 10 o'clock at night, and he hat reason to believe that tha is there for improper purposes, the following provisions ahall apply:— (l) He shall forthwith l*ke her to the nearest beat of another con*t*bie>, or, failing him, to the nearest justic3 or clergyman, or f failing him, to the peare»t house of Borne married person of good repute, in whose presence the girl shall be questioned ss to her name, both parents or guardians, And her teasoa for being from home. (2) The constable (hall then take her to her home, and shall forthwith on his return from duty make a report of the facts to the officer in eharg* of the station. (3) If the girl is again found loitering about the constable ih*H forthwith take hec to the nearest police station, where the officer in charge Bball question her,, and, if the girl's replies are reasonably satisfactory, he shall cause hec to be taken home by a constable. But if the girl's replies are nob satisfactory he shall detain her in custody until she can be brought .before v magistrate, and shall forthwith notify th* facS of her detention to her parents or guardians, if known. The magistrate before whim thegitl is brought may cause her to be delivered up to her parents or guardians or to be committed f o a reformatory or an industrial school, or to be otherwise dealt with •*, having regard to all the circumstance he thinks fb. Section 4 provides that any member of the police force may, without wwctot, swarch any premises occupied ot frequented by Chinese or by prostitutes, us where he hi* ' reason. t> cuspe^t that any girl ia harboured foe improper ot iinmortd purptaas, and every girl there- fuui>d he shall forthwith; tike to the neatest police station, whereupon the above; provisions dull apply. The meume alto- provide* that any member o€ the police fore* may,! without warrant, search •say premise* occupied or frequotttd by prostitutes or gambler*,, or which her has cause t& •aspect to be frequented for gambling or other .illegal or improper purpose* bjboji, apparently wader the age of 17} and ftterj boy found he

shall take to the nearest police station to be questioned and dealt with as above ; provided that tin magistrate, in addition to any other order ha thinks fit to make, m\y order such boy to be forthwith whippsd with not more than six stroke 3of a birch, rod by a constable in the presence of an officer of" police of higher rank, and of the pacent* or guardians, if they desire to ba present. All proceedings before a magistrate shall be taken in a summary way, and may in his discretion be heard privately. Th 9 foregoing provisions shall apply within the limits of boroughs and town districts, bub not outside the same. Sections 22, 27. arid 28 of "The Indicbab!e Offences Sumnury Jurisdiction Act 1894" are hereby amended by substituting the words " sixteen years " in lieu of the " flfceen " wherever that' word ocours in those sections. These sections refer to girls detained for immoral' purposes. MARINE REPORT. The report of Mr Hall-Jones, Minister for Marine, after dealing with the work dona in tha way of repairs and construction during tho past year, states that the Agenb-geaeral has b3en instructed to secure one of Slaughter's cottonpowder fog signah, which will be erected at Penoarrow Head so as to test its suitability fcr use at our lighthouses where fogs are prevalent. The cost, including cartridges and erection-, will be £400. Tie sura of £15,552 was collected for light dues during the year, as compared with £16.299 for the pEevious year. As the Northern Union Steam Ship Company have raised their charges for the use of a steamer to overhaul the buoys in the Kaipara river from £240 to £310 a ye»r it is suggested that btfore renewing the contract alter the present year the department should consider the wisdom of purchasing a steam launch' for tha work. Referring to oyster fisheries, the report states that several applications have been received for leases of the beds in M&nakaa Harbour, and steps are being taken to divide them into suitable areas. As soon as this is done the leases will be disposed of by publio auction for a period of 10 years. Applications for leases of the beds at Great Barrier and Waiheke have been made by settlera at those places, but, as the law stand, the owners or occupiers of adjoining land can only obtain lease 3by being ihe highest bidders at auction. As soon as Sir James Hector's report! on bis seoond visit to the Kaipara and otper places in the north as. to sea fisheries' is received the whole matter of olese teasons for fi'hing for cod will be detlt with. It has been decided to extend tbe close season for seal fishing till June 30, 1897. The casualties on the coasts of the colony numbered 37, representing 21,060 tons, as against 41 catuslties, affecting 9850, in the previous year. The total wrecks were 8, of 2070 tons in all, as against 13, of 2C49. in 1895. Tho Eum of £165 hat been expended in relieving distressed seamen, and the estates. of 20 deceased seamen, amounting to £175, have been dealt with. JiUNATIC ASYLUMS. Mr G. W. Russell is introducing the Lunatic Asylums Board of Inquiry Bill, which provides \ that in connection with etch public lunatic aiylum there shall be a board of inquiry, consisting of the senior stipendiary' magistrate of' the dJsbricJj in which, the asylum, is situated, one 'of the visiting justices (appointed by the Governor-in-Council/, and such other person; who, may be, but shall not necessarily be, an employee at .'the asylum, as may be elected by .the employees. Any, person employed at an asylum who considers himself aggrieved by dis-mu-5.%1, or reduction of status or other punishment, shall be entitled to appeal by sending notice to tha medical officer in charge, who shall transmit the same to the chairman" of the board, who shall decide regarding the appeal. Provision is made for allowing counsel and the pres» to be present. If at tha hetriug the board find that the puuishroeut inflicted was undeserved or excessive, they shall have power to- order that tbe appellant, if dismissed, shall be reinstated, or to award such other judgment as the circumstances may have demanded. If the board fiad tbat the punisbraant inflicted was justified, br ttut the appellant was neglectful or incompetent, or that the appeal is frivolous, the appeal shall be dismissed. JOTTINGS. The petition to protect South Canterbury from the iccarsions of tbe rabbit pest by a wire netting feuco has been referred to the Government by the Public Petitions Committee, as has also the petition from 215 settlers and others to get a bridge pub across the Mararoa river on the road leadiDg to Te Anau and Manapouri. Dr Newman would like the Government to make a graut iv aid of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr Masliu is moving for a return showing the investment* made by the Public Trustee of the sinking funds of the loans to local bodies. Mr Mills is to ask the Minister for Lands, as the wo* undertaken by the Preservation of Scenery Society is of such a national character, will the Government; supplement the funds contributed by private people for that purpose to the extent of £1 for £1. Mr Graham wants to kuow from tho Minister for Publio Works if he is aware that the Pnb'.ic Works department is materially deviating from the route decided upon by tbe Midland Railway Company .for con'ittuing the line through Norm Yatley to Motupiko in favour of a more unsafe and inconvenient one on the opposite side of the valley, involving the necessity for another tunnel to reach the Tudmor, and will the Government under the circumstances take immediate steps to came tha original route to be adhered to at least as far as Bromel's accommodation house, whence it would afterwards be extended either by tunnels from Molupilco to the T*dmor, or up to the. Tadmor Valley by way of the Motueka. Mr Flatman is moving for a return showing— 1. Tbe amount paid into the sinking *fund account; (a) during the Stoat- Vogel Administration, (b) during the Atkinson Administration, (c) during* the B&ll*nce-Seddon Administration, (d) the total amount paid into the accoant. 2. The amount remaining in the hands of the Public Trustee on the 31st day of March 1896. Mr T. Mackenzie, the member for the prohibition district of Clutha, has introduced a bill to promote, in places where publicans cease to exist, the provision of suitable and sufficient inn accommodation under public regulation,. &nd spirt from the sale of alcoholic liquors, by registering certain Imildiugs as reg'stered hotels. The inspector of police is empowered to grant certificates of registration to such buildings as have proper hottl accommodation ap»rt from the sale of liquor. These buildings are to be classified according to the' miximum araouct charged fo' board, and the list publi»hed. Tue ftatod cbar^es for' acommodation musG be adhere i to. FRIDAY, AUGUST 7. The debate on bbc want-of-confidenre motion increasing very little interest, the readjustment of sf-ati having monopolized the atteut : on of j members daring the last d»y or two. Indeed, the electorate qaevtion has for the moment overshadowed the banking inquiry. The debate to-day was chiefly remarkable for the able speech of Mr Mitoholaon. in whioh he very

, keenly criticised the Government administration and finance. He als? laid great stress upon the importance of the timber industry. The member for Edea's speech created a very favourab'e impression. The Left Wiog consider they Hecured a moral victory in getting no leas than 13 Ministerialists to go into the lobby as a proteit against the seizure of the sinking funds, forcing the Premier and the leader of the Opposition to acoompany one another into the Opposition lobby. The 13 who voted for Mr Maglin's < amendment did not include a single Oppositionist. Little interest was taken m the to-confidence debate to-night, and after the map with the new electoral boundaries arrived the members who carried on the debate spoke for the most part to empty benches, and twice the bell had i to be rung for a quorum. Members were busy in the lobbies discussing the new electorates and their chauoes of election in view of the alteration of boundaries. At the time of writing (1.40 am) Mr Green is speaking. It is expected that after he finishes Captain Russell will reply, aud that the division will be taken to-night. The result ia a foregone conclusion, as the vote must be in favour of the Government. THE VAILE SYSTEM. In the House to-day the Railways Committee brought, up its report on the petition of Mr Samuel Vaile on a reduabion of railway rates. The committee reported that th»y had no recommendation to make. Mr Piram moved that consideration of the report be taken on Tuesday nexfc. The motion was carried on a division by 30 to 29. • A LICENSED HOTEL IN A PROHIBITION DISTRICT. An important point has cropped up in conneotion with the alteration in "the boundaries of the Clutha and Matnura electorates. . The ! district of Pukerau has been taken from I Mataura and added to Clutha, so that in the very corner of the new electorate of Clutha there will be a licensed public house. The position is a curious one, and the only way. out of the difficulty seems to bo the taking of a new vote to determine the question of licensing. The poll, of course, will be taken at tho general election. THE NEW ELECTORATES. The electoral boundaries will be left open for a month to permit of objections being nude. If theie are any at tha end of that time the commissioners will reassemble and finally settle the boundaries. JOTTINGS. 11 The Opposition is lamentably weak. The only man on their side with baokbone, the only fighting man they had, is the member for Clutha, and he is going to leave them." Mr Duncan on Mr Thomas Mackenzie. Mr G. J. Smith is to ssk the Minister for Railways whether any complaints have been made to him, or to the Government, as to sly grog-selling at OtorobaDga, and will the Minister mako inquiries as* to whether alcoholic liquors are being sold in cr near tbe railway station yard there. Sir R. Stout is still agitating in regard to the Springfield-West Coast mail contract. SATURDAY. AUGUST 8. The debate on Captain Russell's motion ot no confidence was brought to a close on Saturday rooming when the motion was defeated by 40 to 18. The significance of the conclusion of the no« confidence debate lay in the fatt that five disaffected Ministerialists preferred to walk out rather than vote for the Government. These members wece Messrs Pirani, Maslin, G. J. Smith, Sauuders, and J. W. Kslly. Messrs Lang and CEOwther paired against the Government. Captain Russell's reply was the hanpiesfc speech of the whole debate.-- While not tailing to drive home his arguments and to make his points, he did so in the meat pleasant manner. Though members were wearied with tho long sitting he pub the House in a splendid humour and was listened to with evident appreciation all round. He was heartily applauded by both sides of the House on returning his seat, the Premier joining in the applause. Members generally agree in the opinion that it. was one of the beat speeches the leader of the Opposition has ever delivered. The following is the division list :— AYEB (18\— Messrs Allen, 8811, Buchanan, Batten, Earuahitw, Fraser, Green, Heke, 6. Hutchison, Lewis, T. Mackenzie. Massey, M'Guire, Mitchelson, Newman, W. R. Russell, Duthie, Stout. n , Noes (4U). — Messrs Buddo, Buick, Cadman, Carncrosß, Giroell, Carroll, Collins. Duncan. FJatnun, Graham, Guinrjess, Hall, Hall Jones, Harris, Hog*, Houston, W. Hutchison, Joyce, \y. Kelly, Larnacli, Liwry, M'Uowan, J. M'Kenzie, 11 Al'iietizvs, M.'Nab, Mills, Montgomery, Morrisoa, O' Regan, Parata,. Perc, PinkerfcoD, G. W. Russell, Seddon, E M. Smitb, Stevens, Steward, Tanner, T. Thompson, Willis. Pairs.— Ayes: Liug, Wilson, Te Ao, and Crowther. Noes : Messrs Meredith, M'Lachlan, Millar, aniHl Thompson.. THE BANKING INQUIRY. , The Premier has, I am informed, stated.bbat he will not delay proceedings any further, and- he has explained that his recent action in what has bean termed "stonewalling" was for the purpose of preventing information being obtained merely to supply the opponents of the Government with material for tne no-confidence debate. As that debate is now over there is no further ne^d for delajiog the proceedings. Both Mr La roach aud the Premier have given their evidence before the Council's committea. The former' 6 examination was practically confined to matters concerning the Colonial Bank, while Mr Seddon was questioned mainly as to the part played by the Government in connection with the banking legislation of the past few yean. THE MEiIBEB FOR WAIKOUAITI. Mr Green does not often waste the time of the House ' with speeches, but the general opinion is that he made a first-class speech upon the no confidence motion during the early hours of Saturday morning. His^ attitude was fair and independent, and he candidly admitted thrt there was something 1 to praise in the policy of the Government, though there was much to blame. He agreed with a great deal of their general policy, but he bad little but condemnation to utter concerning their administration. His crit : cism of the work of tbe Land department was very keen, and showed th.it he had a grip of his subject. He strongly censured Ministers for deliberately withholding information from members which it was absolutely necessary they should know, and which as representatives of the people thfey had a righb lo know. He caused the occupants of the t>ov<»rum<?nt benches to be mored wi.h indignation wh n ) c spoke of the terrorising which now existed witbia the civil service, but he said be spoke from personal experience and was able to state th&t some of his own friends holding positions io* the service had even asked him not to be seen speaking to them leaf; they should, as it were, become marked men. Though Waikou&iti, Mr Gceen's seat has beeu '-i^hted out by the commwiioners he will, \ t^/ia- —""''* ".{-Meat the Ctulmen el«ofcor*uv Jr. paioiij i ma UrJ

formed, he has hosts of friends. This is satisfactory, as the colony can ill-afford to lose the services of nuch a useful and painstaking member. PROHIBITION CLUTHA. Another peculiar point iv connection with the inclusion of a publieb/juie iv the Clutha is that a vote for a reduction of licenses will now carry total prohibition, as there is only one license to be taken away. MONDAY, AUGUST 10. The proceedings of the Banking Committee want on smoothly enough this morning until they were brought to a full stop by Mr Booth declining to answer a question by Mr Hutchison whioh the chairman had ruled to be in order. Mr Booth stated, as a reason for bis refusal, that to answer the question would involve the disclosure of nutters relating to private accounts. No immediate action in the way of breach of privilege will be taken, the general understanding among the committae bsing that these points of cooflict will be reserved to the last and then dealt with ia globo. At any rate it ia very doubtful whether the House will agree to any more pains and' penal-, ties. Mr Booth was informed that he need n* 1 ; attend in the afternoon, it being understood that other business would ba gone on with, but things turned oub otherwise. After some little matters had been disposed of, the Premier raised an unexpected barrier by, urging th*t a resolution ou the books prevented them from proceeding with other busimsa until Mr Booth's evidence had been disposed of. There ' wa3 a great commotion all round the table at this, acd the chairman, becoming hopelessly entangled in a maze of motions, counter motions, amendments, and points of order, ruled in favour of the Premier. He was then pressed for his reasons for his ruling, bat amidst strong protests and much confusion he declared the meeting adjourned. THE AUDITOR-GENERALSHIP. The Post this evening states:— " We learn upon authority th«t, while not absolute, is certainly entitled to consideration, that Mr Warburton's appointment has been decided upon, and that he will ba succeeded in' his preseut office by Mr J. O. Martin, now stipendiary magistrate at Wellington." ELECTION GOSSIP. It has been positively stated here that Mr Mitchclson has intimsvted to his constituents thab he will not seek re-election for Eden. I put the question to him directly, aud he replied tbat he had not definitely decided upon any course. Mr Matlin intends to contest A»hburtoa. He originally intended to go for the Geraldine seat, but as Mr F-latm&u will not retire Mr Maslin fears thab Mr Rhodes, the Opposition candidate, would squeeze in between them. Tha f fiends (»f Mr Rhodes are, however, confident that he will be returned Iv auy case. Mr Maslin will not come forward as a Government candidate but as an independent/ Liberal. He fears that the banking business will be a heavy handicap to any Government candidate in these parts. It is now reported that Mr Scobie Mackenzie will contest the new Chalmers, seat, bub Mr Green, another Oppositionist,' will 'go to the poll for this electorate against" [all-comer^, .and as be is considered to have prior claims,.! am ! au'.horifiedto state that Mr Green will rectiva \ the support of the Opposition;- Mr-M'Laeblaa J will, 1 understand, epp-.se Mr Montgomery for E le»mere. ' THE LOAN BILL. Now the want-of-confidence motion has bsen disposed of the ordinary business, which mast : be accumulating to a somewhat alarming extent, may be expected to be proceeded with. ' Qu stiouß, which have beeu mounting; up till : they now number something like - 100, will doubtless be taken to-morrow afternoon, and ia | the evening the Estimates will probably be pro- | ceeded with. Attention will then be directed to the Pablic Works Statement, bub that document cannob well appear until the Loan Bill fore* ! shadowed in the Budget is dealt with, and I have reason to believe it will evoke a stormy debate. A prominent Ministerialist informs me that the Premier will experience opposition '' to his borrowing propotali from unexpected ! quarters. He s»lid : " The eve of a general 1 election is not the time to embark upon a borrowing policy, and the chances are that the money will be probably allotted with a view te influencing the e'ec'iouc" He believes that a I loan will ultimately be found neceisnry, bub i the countiy should first be given an opportunity of declaring for or against. The member io question informs me that a considerable section of the Government supporters will be found supporting this view.

Iltl/CHMO. Year end- Year ending 31/3/97. ing 31/3/96. [nteresfc account ...£ 260 ' £ 325 £751e54 Rent account ... 425 455 £30 m LteceipU on account inmates' 145 2SB £143 if Jontributions ... 160 264 £1U v Government 'subsidy 130 197 £67 a Charitable Aid Board 11,500 10.500 £12,600 £12,028 EXPENDITURE. Year end- Year ending 31/3/97. ins?3l/3/9(T. Outdoor relief ...£8,017 " £7,H98 £315 mod jrcceries, meat, 4c. 2,200 2,176 -5 v Dlotbine 450 4FB 8 lest Furnifihlnga ... 200 124 76 moil Building repairs, •' Ac 250 350 100 1<S* Funerals SO ' 29 1 mot? Medicines 75 73 if 1 L'rmlingand advertising 20 11 ft it Salavieß and wages 810 773 37 h Fuel 2CO 240 14 » Insurance rateßncd sundries 180 137 43 rt Office rent and sundries €5 65 — — Repiirs to properties 100 93 7 « £12,657 £12,232