PARLIAMENTARY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY'S SITTING.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 157, 19 June 1886, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY'S SITTING.

Wklmngtot, June 15. The Minister for Public Works assured Mr Hamlin yesterday that he was in error in saying that charge for haulage of scoria ash to Pukekohe had been increased. He says ie wae the charge for filling trucks at the quarries which had been increased to the extent of 4d per ton, and this increase was made simply at the cost of tho Railway Department. A point of some importanco was involved in tho matter which was under consideration of the Potitions Committee yesterday. MrD McCoul seeks compensation for damage and consequent loss sustained through fires caused by sparks from the engine of the Kaipara line. The comnjittee will report that in the absence of direct evidence to prove the injury complained of was caused by sparks from the engine, the railway committee cannot recommend further than that tho petitioner should seek remedy in the law courts —to which courso the Government have consented. Mr Swanson received a letter from Mr Fai'nal*, Sec. oi the Auck. Trade and Labour Council, requesting him to undertake the Seamen's Bill, and e\pressing confidence that if ho did so it would pass. The hon. get.tleman thinks this is very good in the face of all that was said and written of him as the opponent of tho working man at last City West election. Mr Hamlin urged on the Minister of Public Works yesterday the desirability of assimilating charges on the Onehunga Wharf to those levied on tho Auckland Wharf, as promised in ISS4. Mr Kichardson claimed that croat care had been taken to as to comply as far as possible with the promise, and so far as ho could ascertain tho only extra charge was for carts going on the wharf, and this was levied because the Railway Department had been compelled to greatly extend as well as to maintain structure. The Government, at Mr Bradshaws instance, intend to introduce a Sharebrokers Bill of a comprehensive kind, defining what is a sharebroker, and his duties. Ie is designed with tho view of frustrating share jobbing, and will probably be introduced in the Legislative Council. The highest paid teachers under the Education department during the past year were : David White, Normal, L»uncdin, £456 ; A. B. Thomson, Napiar, £478 ; John G. L. Scott, Glouces-ter-street, Christchurch, £461 ; H. Worfchington, Wellesley - street, Auckland, £451. The joint committee on Standing Orders recommended that a bill to validate the raising of additional capital and debentures for Wellington and Manawatu railway, and in which some technicality had occurred be proceeded with on condition that they publish notice of their intention to apply for the bill. The following are the total amounts payable to the local bodies for rates under the Crown Native Lands Rating Act, from July last to May last : — Auckland, £G,SIS; Hawke's Bay, £2,640 ; Taranaki, £2,991; Wellington, £5,536; Nelson, £7,732; Marlborough, £715; Westland, £7,OiS; Canterbury, £1,32 U; Otago, £2,443; Southland, £i,SSB : total, £40,103. The Land Act Romedies Bill (Pyke) is designed to removo difficulties which have become apparent in working last year's Land Act. As the Act; now stands the holder of a perpetual lease of rural land may become the holder of a small grazing run, but the holder of a | email grazing run cannot obtain a lease of i rural land for agricultural purposes, and it ib intended to remedy this inequality. In the next place, it is proposed to place the holders of perpetuai leases on goldfields on tho same footing with lessees elsewhere as to right of purchase after six years' occupancy. Other amendments are for the purpose of dealing with temporary occupancy of unused lands, for which the Land Act dots net make any provision, and tor more tho speedy settlement of lands which remain unsold. Captain Fahchild is not alarmed by the striking out of the Hinemoa vote, and he sayp, jokingly, of couree, that if it is not replacoj, he will run a steamer himself for twelve months. In that connection, ke says, at the time of the Maori war, tho Government had no money to run a steamer, and he drew his savings out of the bank and kept her going 5 months till they got tho funds.. Two important elements in the Mining Companies Bill have been made at Bradshaws suggestion, and they will be moved in committee by the member in charge of the measure. One provides that no person trading in thares shall, ufter the passing of the Act, be appointed manager of any mining company, and the other that any mine manager buying or selling shares shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding fitty pounds. Sir Frederick Whitaker is introducing a bill into the Upper Chamber to prevent the deportation of French convicts to this colony. Hon. Mr Rolleeton says that Sir Julius Vogel's Ministry is essentially a borrowing Government. They not only borrow money, but ideas, whenever they can get them. Mr Tole waa in his place at the House again yesterday. Auckland Harbour Board Loan Bill, and xt blI J * eBtrictin g the application of the North Island railway line loan was read the nrst time yesterday. Clutha Thomson was appointed Chairman of Committee to inquire into the commission paid on account for the purchaae oi district railways. Sir Julius Vogel made the mistake of voting with both ayes and noes in the division on Mr Wilson's motion re special settlement resolution on Wednesday afternoon.

The weather is again atrocious, and aa a consequence, metnbeis remain indoors, and political matters are vory quiet. The Government, narro.vly escaped defeat yesterday on the motions respecting the monopoly of contracts being given to Maoris', and residence being made a condition in special settlement regulations. Mr Haoalin intends to ask the Government to morrow why the subsidy has not been paid at Pukekohe West Road Board, and when it will be paid. Mr Peacock will ask whafe steps are being taken to erect a lighthouse at Cuvier Jsland. Mr Mitcholson has presented a petition from Donald McGregor and 56 others, praying for a telephone at Whangarei Beads and lakes, and others from Waipu County Council and Mangapiko Road Board, praying for eeparate Hospitals and Charitable Aid Board for Waikato. Dr. Pollen's claiai for arrears of pension from 1873 to 1870 has gone to the Committee.

One-Tree Hill. A number of Auckland members will propose that the bill to take One-Tree Hill for a recreation reserve be withdrawn, as the reserve is already an education reserve, and they say that their endowments are too poor already, Mr Buckland, on the other hand, says that all tho othor hills in the vicinity of Auckland are recreation reserves, and this should be also. He only proposes to take the mountain, which ho sa^s is valueless for other purposes.

Auckland Petitions. The Petitions Committee had the following petitions under consideration to-day :—: — The petition of the contractors of Auckland, praying for alterations in the existing conditions of Auckland contiacfc, was referred to the Oo\ernment for consideration, attention being called to the mode of arbitration used by the Victorian Government. The conditions of fho potition of C. Whisker and others,of the Borough of Newmarket, against closing certain roads, was referred to Government for consideration. The petition of the Waikato residents, praying to be constituted as a eeparate district under the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, was referred to the Government.

FRIDAY'S SIXTING. Sir George Grey's new clause in the mines bill provide that no boy under 1-t shall be employed underground, and no female nor any male child under 12 jears shall be employed in any capacity. j The law officers advised that Dr. Hi3lop had no claim for his past services, but just a claim for £1,310 for Jo?s of office. The Government have under consideration the extension of the telephone from Mongonui to Kaitaia, provided the settlers give the poles. Sir George Grey has presented a petition from Mr Singleton Rochforr, complaining of the large sums required to be deposited in the Appeal Ccurt as costs, aud another for Sarah McLeod, claiming land in consideration of the services of her late husband. When the New Hebrides debate comes up, Mr Ormond will move a resolution in the dhection of securing the independence of these islands. The Government have promised to consider the desirability of renewing the bonus for tho production ot kerosene oil. The Public Woikd Statement will be ready at the end of next week, and will probably be read on Friday next. The Native .Land Administration Bill was under discussion during the whole of yesterday's fritting. It was lead a 2nd time, and leferred to the Native Affairs Committee. Mr Whyte has reason to believe that tho Government will givo £2 for £1 subsidy towards roads at Tui Creek, To Aroba. The residents of Matukobe, Paparoa, Maungaturoto, ICaiwaka, North Albertland, Port Albert, and Tauhoa, are petitioning, through Mr Moat, for the immediate conbtruction of the Noith Auckland Railway Sh- William and Lady Fox left last night by the s.s. Te Anau for Auckland, wheie they will reside for the winter months The Government do not consider it ad visable to spend any money on the purvey of the North Auckland railway till the final terminus is decided on. The presentation of a petition in favour of the line via Fieeman's Bay, by Sir Julius Vogel. is looked upon here as an election dodge. As Mr Peacock has never shown himself an advocato of the western route, ho emiled blandly when tho petition waft presented. The Government have intimated to the Otago membeis that they expecc to have the Otago Oential line completed to Taieii Lako in three yearn. The Otago membois are dissatisfied.

Alleged Intimidation of Members. Mr W. F. Buckland yesterday complained to the Speaker that a cablegram expressing sympathy with Mr Gladstone intended for transmission to England has been hawked round for signatures, and intimidation used in the threat that members who refused to sign it would have their namo3 published. The Speaker promised an investigation.

Hoaxing an Eccentric Member. The eccentricities of the member for Sydenbam having been taken advantage cf by members hoaxing him with anonymous letters, Mr Taylor called the attention ot the House to the jokes, describing them as mean, low, and contemptible, amidat screams of laughter. The hon. member distinguished himself by his jcllity during the evening, and had to be reproved by the Speaker,

A Lively Debate. A capital debate took place last night on Sir George Grey's motion that the House concurs in the report of the Committee on the New Hebrides annexation question, which was in favour of a mixed committee. Sir George Grey spoke eloquently, while Major Atkinson, who supported the motion, and Sir Julius "Vogel and Sir Robert Stout, who opposed it, were also good.

Lighthouse for Cuvier Island. The Minister of Marine has promised Mr Peacock that after winter ho will proceed

with the erection of a lighthouse building at Cuvier Island, at the entrance to Hauraki Gulf.

MONDAYS SITTING. The first Monday evening eittiDg of fhe House of Representatives took place last night, and was very short. A number of petitions having been presented, Major Atkinson referred to the fact that many of the members desired to be present at an important meeting of the Government Insurance Association that was about to corrJJ menee, and he moved that the Bouse should adjourn. Mr Guinness insisted on a division, and 40 members voted for the adjournment and 30 against ifc, so that it was carried. Last night Sir George Grey presented two petitions from Auckland against giving tte New Hebrides Islands to France. The Committee to inquire into Mr Vaile'a system of railway management is now taking evidence. A largely -signed petition from Hawke's Bay in favour of the system in question was presented to the House last night. Tho Government bills dealing with local bodies were circulated last night. They are important, and are evidently meant to lift tho weight off the shoulders of the Government. One bill gives power to borrow monoy for general works, and also ior the construction of school buildings. Hon. Mr Ballance has introduced a bill which is intended to enable the Wanganui people to raise an additional loan of £40.000 for harbour works. This will make a total of £100,000 expended for the purpose in question. From the nature of the evidence taken by the Committee appointed to inquire whether members have received commission on the sale of district railways, it appears that the only question for the Committee to determine is whether it is right for members to receive such payments. The inference is obvious. Mr Morrison is again here, buttonholing members in the Licensed Victualling interest. The present House is not favourable to his views, but rather inclines the other way. If any alteration is made in the Licensing Act at all this session, it will bo in the direction of extending franchise to electors generally instead of confining ib to ratepayers alone, and in such case there i 3 little doubt women would also have vo^es. Judging from appearances, I do not think the existing law is likely to be tampered with this session. Mr J. B. Whytehas intervened the Government relative to the roads at Waiorongomai, but finds there is no power to I compel the Iligh School trustees, who reI ceive the rente, to make roads. Mr Whyte is also endeavouring to get a further grant for the hot springs at Te Aroba. The Kaimanawa and Ohaoke Bill and ex-Judge Fenton's petition are to be referred to a committee of Southern membere, one-half to be selected from each side of the House. A number of Southern Run Holders are here with the object of securing a reduction of rents from the Eovernment. The " Times'' takes the " Post" severely to task for proposing that the North should waive its nght to a fair proportion of representatives on the basis of the recent census return. It accuses Sir Julius Vogel of having inspired the suggestion in the "Post." It is understood that the Government are con=ideiing the advisability of bringing in a bill for the appointment of a board who would have the power of altering the representation every three or five years. Of course,the House would in the first instance fix the number of members, and the distribution of seats would be regulated strictly on the ba=is of population. A similar measure was proposed bv the Grey Government, but the Bouso would not allow ifc. The Otaeo mombers met yesterday re the Oto£O Central Railway. A letter was read from the Premier saying the line would bo completed to Taieri Lake within three years, and the meeting adjourned without passing any resolution.