PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2125, 19 August 1875, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[FEB PEK3B AGENCY.]

HOUSE. OF. EEPRE3KNTATIVES,

.Wellington, Tuesday. . AN. UNFEOI'ITADLE DEBATE. Tho Spoakor called tho attention of tho House to an orror 'which had boen made in tho journals of tlio Houho by tho olorlc in rocording tho introduction of tho Abolition Bill. • , 1 . t Sir Gcorgo Groy asked if that would not nullify all their proceedings, and raise tho question of whothcr thoy should not begin do novo. (Laughter.) Mr Stafford quoted from tho question of tho Irish railways in tho Imporial Parliament in 1872, to show that tho courso pursued regarding tho introduction of tho bill was usual and proper. Although tho bill containod appropriation clauses, thoy nocd not be gone into until after tho second reading. , Mr Pitzherbert said that tho Govern* mcntiiad taken an advantageous position on this bill, that would not po granted in ordinary eases. . , ; Tho Spcakor explained thero was an« other standing order which enabled them to proceed with tho bill as thoy had dono. Ho had considered tho question fully, and hud corno to tho conclusion that nothiug irregular had been done. Mr Wood pointed out that when tho bill was brought down tho Government told tho House they wcro obliged to bring tho bill down by messago from his Excellency, as it was'an Appropriation Bill, and if it was an Appropriation Bill, why not go into committee of tho who.lo Houso.

The Spoakor again oxplainod tlioro was nothing done in the matter not in nc> cordanco with strict parliamentary precedent and praoticp. bill was entirely different from an ordinary Appropriation Bill, inasmuch as tho moir feature of tho bill was its political character and it showed on tho faco of it that tb< Appropriation Clauses woro quite auxil iary. Ho was perfectly satisfied as ti tho propriety of tho course pursued. Mr Sheehan referred tho Speaker ti tho mode of procedure adopted rogardin) the Civil Service Act Bill, and moved i motion that tho Houso should' dotormin tho question, ' ' *■

Sir Georgo Groy naked whether tlio lill had any relation to tho precedents luoted P It seemod to him that as tho 3ill eubmtcd ono Constitution to crcato .uothcr, and as ho held that its (iaanco jlauses wero wrong altogothcr tho bill tvas of no uso whatever. Ho held that tho Standing Orders of tho House, which ought to havo boon rightly observed, woro departed from, Ho and thoso acting with him wero most anxious that aqucstion of such vital importance to tho Houso and country, tho courso of procoduro should bo hedged round by ovory constitutional protection, and that the interests of tho pooplo and the rights of tho. Opposition should not bo trampled upon by ii powerful majority. . Mr Atkinson said that when a point of order was raised tho Speaker gavo his decision, and the House generally abido by it, othorwiso tho hon. gentleman not satisfied gavo notico that ho disagreed with tho ruling, and tho Houso was thon asked to give a lurthor expression of opinion on tho subject. Ho submitted it was an inconvenient plan to prococd with tho discussion as was being done, after tho several rulings of Iho Speaker upon tho point. He took it that tho docision, and what tho Government had dono wero iu accordance with tho standing ordors, and with tho praolico of Parluraont at llome. The proceedings upon an Appropriation Act were of an entirely different charaotor. In this bill a great principle was involved, and it was desirable those should decido upon that matter at once. That bciog decided in tho negative, nothing moro need gtfbcforo tho Houso, and to go into , discussing details boforo tho principle

would bo a waste of timo. The Government had gone carefully into the question of the finance |of the bill, but from what had ibeen' said it was . evidently quite hopeless to attempt to make tho hon. gentlemen opposite understand tho finanCo of the .bill, Thero wero none so blind as those who would not seo. On that point ho would havo a good deal more to say at 8 future time, and the House and country' would then see' who really understood the fipances: of the colony, and the Government.

Mrßeid said that tho explanation of the hon. Treasurer amounted to this, that if hon. mombers disagreed with the decision of the Speaker they should submit a motion to the House, so that the majority at his baok should., endorse tho course proposed. It appeared to him that tho proper course was to discuss the matter with Mr Speaker. He would maintain that jif jtho financial portion of tho bill was noteworthy of discussion until the main principles of the bill were affirmed, then thoy bright not to have anything to do with it,

The Speaker said it was quite competent for the House to come to a decision contrary toVthe ruling of tho Speaker if it deemed it right to do u Mr Luckio said four times tho Speaker gave his decision, and though the membor,fot| Taieri admitted the Speaker was to hold tho balanco .between pirlios, yet by Lia .objection ho nullified his statement;' It'appeared to him that this policy was that of obstruction, of delay, ofmaking objection after objection, anything in,order to gain time. , Mr'.Buriny said the Speaker had no power io overrulo the Standing Orders, arid that beiog : so;'the.only courso.open to tlwGovornment was to movo that the Standing Orders be suspended. i Mr-, Header Wood said tho 'Standing Orders,'wero statuary law, and tho House could not alter or : set asido a decision given in accordance with tbem, and on that poiiithe disagreed with the Speaker. , Tho ( Speaker pointed out that the clause'in .tho Constitution Act which mado it .it necessary for tho Standing Orders) to bo approved of by h's Excellency liad been repealed. Mr Stafford said when the member for Auckland City West was suoh a stickler for, the Constitution, it behoved him to inquire as to how much of it remained. Thojion. gentleman recounted a revision of tho various Standing Orders of the House, and, said there wa3 no statutory law-about them at all.! It was idle to say they wero bound irrevocably by thom. They wero merely intended as aids in conducting the business of tho House, He had always been jealous and watchful of tho privileges of; the House in regard to money bills, and the powor of the purse, but ho could not admit that any surprise had been attempted here.' Tho House had not been asked to appropriate anything as yet. It had only beon asked to read a second timo a bill containing an appropriation clause, which must be fairly debated arid-discussed in committee of the whole Housd,' where every member would bo able'j to spoakas often as he liked. But whether that should bo done before tho bill was., road a second time is simply a question for, the House. As for tho Standing Orders, thoy were not statutory or obligatory at all. Mr O'Borko said the hon. memborwas confounding two sets of Standing Orders, those fM 1 public' business having passed without, a, dissenting voice, whilothoso for" private bills wore very' materially altered.

. Mr.fitzherhertsaid it was cold comfort for. the minority who ventured to disagree with theiSpookor that his'doeision was final. ■ As to tlie ddctrine laid down by tho. member for Titnaru. that the Standing Orders were not statutory; if, that were so* the sooner they altered that the better* He hoped the Houso would never allow its business to be proceeded with while such an 1 unwise provision remained in force. One of the Orders laid it down distinctly that the Houso could not proceed with a monoy bill unless'in committee of the whole.

Tho Speakor again gave a lengthy explanation of his position and duties. Tho question he had to decide was, had the Government acted in accordance with the practice of Parliament, ife did not look at it as a political question. That was not his business. To remove doubts he went to the fountain head, the House of Commons, The Speakor then road to tho House the words of tho Speaker of the House,of Commons on a similar question, excopt that it involved an expenditure of seven millions of money. The decision was to the effect that it was no ■ infraction ,of the Standing Orders of tho Houso to take the second reading a bill before going into committeo of the whole. Ho then Loped tho House would excuso him taking no further part in : the discussion. • Mr Montgomery pointed out that the Civil Service Bill of last session was not treated in the same way as this bill, and referred to the journals of the House. Why should there be a difforont modo of procedure .in tho two cases P

Mr Sheehan' said that if that was the final ruling of the Speaker, he would move thatthe ruling be taken into consideration by the House to-morrow, and no business be proceeded with till then. This was not done for delay, booause there were countless other means of delaying the; progress of business. Having gone into the matter very carofully, ho could not find in the records of tho House that any bill'of a like nature had been dealt with iii a similar manner.

Mr Beeves seconded the potion, and said that if tho Government had exeroised as much ingenuity in the preparation of tho bill as they had in their novel mode of bringing it before tho House, it would have been a great deal better for the country. . Sir Donald Mclean said the Government must oppose such, a motion. Theso delays on technical grounds merely were not becoming, but only delayed tho business of tho House and country. Sir Geo. Groy would beg to affirm that tbia- was a most important principle. The country Mould be allowed to becomo acquainted with the finance of tho bill. Being a young member, ho was not sufficiently acquainted with the forms of the House when the bill was introduced, or else he would then and there have opposed. ■ Throughout tho Government wero ' acting unconstitutionally. There wero Standing Orders laid down for tho 'coriduetofbusinessandyotthoGovernment broke through these orders (no, no), and refused to take tho path of rectitude, When it was pointed out. Every step in regard to; this bill was most unusual. They had' deceived tho Governor in getting, his name attaohod to it, by not acquainting him with the fact tbat doubts had been raised as to its legality, and that the advice of the Imperial officers should be taken in the They had, in fact deceived their Sovereign in the person of the Governor.. There was, in fact, a systematic tyranny and deception with this Government, whioh was in point of fact, a Government for civil servants to whom they were slaves. (Laughter.)

Why not let the two parties appear to-morrow beforo tho Speaker B9 sup* pHants, and after Laving matured their opinions. This ,question affected all time.: It was whether minorities were always to be at the mercy of a tyrannical majority. _ Every step taken with the bill was irritating to the people and unfair to tho_ House. Give the people an opportunity to examino this bill, give them all the information regarding it, and then her Majesty's Opposition would go with heart and hand in modelling and perfecting the measure. He implored the House and those gentlemen who so wrongfully supported tho House against him the otuor evening to defer this matter till to-morrow, to allow them to plead their views before the Speaker as a judge, Mr Bowen administered a Bevero rebuke to Sir G. Grey; and said there was such a thing as tho tyranny of tho minority. The Government had taken overy caro to act conscientiously. They were satisfied they had done so, and the Speaker had given hia utmost consideration to the course they (tho Government) had taken, and declared it was quite parliamentary and constitutional, but if they were to listen to and entertain everydoubt that might enter into the heads of eyery hon, member as a reason for delay, and if they were to accept from the leader of the Opposition assertion instead of proof, and vituperation instead of argument, they would never get a decision upon the principles of the bill. He must say those delays were not conducive to the fair arguing of the bill on its merits. Mr Stafford referred to the Standing Order of tho House of Commons upon thi3 very point, and to tho ruling of tljo Speaker of that House upon a similar question to that now beforo the House. The Standing Orders of each House wore word for word precisely the samo. Mr Sheehan's motion was then put and negatived on the voices. Sir Donald McLean announced that it was bis intention to more, on the rising of the House to-night, that tho debate for the Abolition Bill shall tako precedence of all other business.

Mr Wood and Mr Beid hoped tho Government would not interfere with privato business on its days. The Houso rose till 7.30. THE ABOLITION DEBATE. Tho House' rosumed at 7.30.

The debate on the Abolition Bill was re'oponed by Mr Holleston, who said ho always en'deavoured, when speaking'in the House, to do so from a colonial point of" view—dissociating iis position as Superintendent from that of member of the House. He then adverted to what Provincial Governments had done already in public works and education, and to the many social benefits which had resulted and would result from local government. What was the reason for the bill ? Tho people wero not dissatisfied. If there had been bad administration, that should have been rectified. The shortcomings of one province should not be made a pretext to destroy all., Neither should the question be dealt with from a narrow and monetary point of view. Even what the Native Minister called the constant display of antagonism between the General and Provincial Governments was but a sign of wholesome activity and attention to tho political interests of the people. The Government, in bringing forward this' measure, showed-a forgetfulness of the'first Want of national lifo. The organisations of governments and societies wore like those of nature,' continuous and progressive." This bill was opposed to all true principles of constitutional Government. While, however, ho was satisfied that we could not remain as we are, circumstances had'arisen which necessitated great changes, but not in tho manner proposed by tho GovornmoDt. The financial. position of the CDuatry required all their, attention. Tho colony was now in that position that tho Cus< toms revenue would pay littlo more tlm the interest upon borrowed money. Every family in the colony contributed from £20 to £30 per head. Evidently the bill arose from our finaucial necessities. The Government, were mistakon in thinking they could control tho affairs of the country from a centre. They misunderstood the value of local government. Their plan was opposed to the idea ot simplification of government, as seon iu the examples of Canada and tho United States. They should have endeavoured to mako the two co-ordinate governments work together harmoniously, and while exercising a wholesome restraint, they should havo aided tho Provincial Governments in carrying out their work of progression. Ho maintained that the election of Superintendents and Provincial Governments was an essential of popular government. Provincialism was, no doubt, much overgrown, but any change necessary would naturally como with time. If Provincial Governments hatl failed in carrying out properly tho functions entrusted to them, the fault lay with the General Government, He referred to surveys and gaols. ' The whole administration of the General Government had not been such as to commend itself to the people. His idea of simplification of the form of government was a division of the colony into shires, to be coterminous with the electoral districts; to possess local organisation, and to have large powers of government and taxation j but he saw nothing of this nature in the bill. He.thought nothing had ever beon done to securo tbe efficient operation of Provincial Governments. They should havo been more fairly represented in the Upper House. He saw a great need for reform in our system of taxation. Gaols, asylums, and charitablo institutions should be charged on tho customs revenue. The real theory of land revenue was to devote tho proceeds of the land to the land itself, irrespective of any referenco to the compact of 1856. He could make nothing of "the bill but chao3, and thought its introduction inopportune. First we wero never greater slaves to the native difficulty than now | then tho House and the Ministry were never in a more disorganized state than now. In the Ministry there is no guiding mind; the hon. member for Timaru pulled the strings. The administration of tho Government in many things was unsatisfactory, but eminently so in the matter of confiscated lands. If this bill passed the land fund would become common property. He was strongly opposed to that clause of the bill which provided for the requirements of such provinces as had no land fund byTreasury Bills. If this bill were passed, immediately a cry of separation would be raised.

Mr Bowen replied. He denied'that Bnance bad caused the bill. If there had beea financial difficulties the provinces liad created them. Never yet had there been a Colonial Treasurer who did not from time to'timo protest against the raids made for money by the provinces. Ten years ago the lion, member for the Hutt charged £125,000 to tho loan account, having bad to provide that sum for the 1 requirements of provinces. The Hon. John Hall said it was impossible to guard tho colonial chest from such organ*

ised banditti, who year after year domaud your monoy or your life, No wonder, therefore, the late Treasurer de- ; ■ termined to sweep them away altogether. If they were not, the country would bo landed in finanoial disaster. Tho hon. gentleman quoted from a lecture of Mr Godley's, given twenty years ago, which was prophetic of the position the provinces had abrogated. The circumstances which required provinoialism then, no longer existed, and its continuation was detrimental to tho: unity of the colony. Beferring to the cry raised about the liberties of the people,-he compared Superintendents to tho Orasars, who always ignored tho people's representatives, and appealed direct to the people by plebiscite. They had an instance of this personal Government when a council one day passed a resolution favouring abolition, and next day rescinding it because it was displeasing to the Superintendent. It was easier to govern New Zealand now from one centre than to govern England in the time of their grandfathers. How could people maintain that the existence of provincialism was necessary when it existed in no other country P If that were fair reasoning, then - tho Heptarchy, under which some of the noblest qualities of the British race were brought out, should have continued to this day. A change was necessary; everyone admitted it, and the Superintendents also; for whon the cry cama from the North and South for Abolition, the Superintendents said all or none. The hon. gentleman explained that by remaining Provincial districts they did so_ because there was a mass of legislation in each province that extended no further than its boundaries, and to prevent confusion they determined to leave those laws valid for the present, and they_ wished to avail themselves of the services of the Superintendents during the transition, in. the same way as a person taking over a new business would retain the old assistants. They had been charged with reducing the capitation allowance, but that was balanced by several provincial charges being taken over by the General Government. Only two courses were left open to the Government, either to carry out Abolition and earn the gratitude of the country, or return to obscurity with the gnawing that accompanies cowardice.

Mr Murray opposed the bill, and cast a great many imputations upon the Government and its administration. ;

Mr Ballanco made his maiden speech in defence of tho Abolition Bill. Tlie speech was exceedingly good in matter and manner. He combatted in detail the chief arguments urged against tho bill by different speakers, and was enthusiastically cheered on concluding. Mr Eeid moved an adjournment, which led to considerable discussion.

The Government steadily opposed tho adjournment. A division was taken, when there were 35 for resuming the debate and 21 against. It was nowmidnight, and more discussion ensued upon adjournment. Ultimately— Sir Donald McLean moved that the debate be resumed at 2,30 p.m. that day. Another long discussion was followed by another division-Ayea, 12; noes, 3d. Mr Thompson then moved an amendment to resume tho debate at 7,30 p.m, on Thursday evening. (This was about 3 a.m.)

Sir Geo. Groy, Messrs Beidj Beeves, Murray, and Fitzherbert followed, appealing to tho Government not to hold to their intention.

About ten minutes to four Mr Sheehan announced that the Opposition were satisfied at having mado their protest, and tho House adjourned. Wednesday. MISOMUNEOUS. In the House of Bepresentatives, The Napier Gas Company Bill was read a second time.

In reply to Mr Mervyn, tho Government said it.was intended that the goldfields revenue should be locally expondecl. Mr Sheohan asked whether any inquiry had been held into tho statements contained in tho petition of Henry Allen in accordance with the report of Public Petitions Committee of last session.

Sir Donald McLean said certain papers in connection with the caso had not been prepared, and an inquiry had not been held in consequence. Sir Donald then took occasion to make a brief statement that the Government would move for a Select Committdo to inquire into the confiscated land transactions, but would only do so on the understanding that tho Opposition would not raise a debate on tho motion, and speak against time, as was done last night. Xhe Government did not want business arrested by these frivolous discussions, merely with the object of protracting business. Mrßeid objected to such charges being made against the Opposition, especially when not true,.

Sir George Grey would not admit, the Government had shown any readiness to grant an inquiry into the land transactions, He could state many other 1 instances in which the Government did not not endoavour to enquire into land transactions. He most distinctly declined the offer made by the Native Minister regarding his motion.

The motion then dropped.

8 p.m. Mr Donald Beid deprecated the references which had been made to tho provincial officers in the House. He repudiated all such insinuations, and hoped no single member would allow himself to be' influenced by any such taunts as those of acting from self-interest. Such insinuations 88 those referred to did not affect him in the least. Looking at tho reasons adduced for the abolition of the provinces as * keenly as he could ho could not find in them anything to influenco him in the least. It was an erroneous idea to suppose' that 'Abolition would give tho country districts a largo share of the revenue. If Oamaru " complained that the revenue raised from her lands were not spent in the district he would ask ought not Oamaru to contribute to the maintenance and repair of the main road between Dunedin and Oamaru. Tho coach and other traffic on it was heavy, and a portion of thQ expense should be chargeable on Oamaru. But was there nothing but their roads and ditches to be considered in a question of this kind ? The hon. gentlemen referred •to the insinuation of the hon. member for, Wakatip regarding the road to Tuapeka, and explained that owing to the migration of diggers, the Government had been unable to confine their attention to any single . .line of road. 'J hey followed up the' d : ggers. It was argued that nine provinces were a brr to our progress, but the facts did not support this. father otherwise. The colony would attain greater eminence with these institutions than without them. At present they possessed true local Governments. "What the bill promised them was not local self-government at all. "If local government in Taranaki or other provinces had failed, that was no reason why provinces should be abolished. Why, for a similar reason they might say that

he _ General Government should bo ■bolished. The lion, member for Eangiikei bad made in many respects an xceedingly able speech, but the only rgument that seemed to underlie that ras that the Provincial Government hod iot spent enough at, Wanganui. He wuld not admit that the Government Bill [ranted local self-government. In fact, hat House was notjhe one to grant local elf-government. They wereasked how this ecent solicitude as to an income and land ax, but why in reply, was this new-found lesire on the part pf the General Governnent to'extend local, self-government to he colony. If the measure was carried t would bo moat damaging to the interists of the colony. As to the charges of aal-administration against the provincial idministration of the waste lands of )tago, he would remind the House that iny of the mal-administration referred to lad been done under an Act of that iouso and by the late Colonial Treaurer, who was then Provincial Treasurer n Otago. It appeared to him that from vhat he read in the Financial Statement ind from other reasons, ho could not disabuse his mind of the idoa that tho real iim of the Government was to get the and fund of the colony into their hands, fhey would prefer that to levying fresh axation. They were told that tho change ras dictated from economical moives, but from what he know if Provincial Governments he was onviuced the idea was a mistake. The vork could not be. carried on without tho lelp of these offices or'substitutes! ; If hey were to give more to. the people than hey got , from the provinces, where was he money to come from? 1 Would it not le taking from the people with one hand ino giving, to them with another?. He vould regret the' day when Provincial Jounoils would abdicate their functions in avour of the General Assembly. After ;oing carefully through the bill he could lot see ho\y the Government could fulfil he promis'esj made to the out-districls. They were referred to Victoria as endowng road boards out of consolidated revenue, but it must not be forgotten that he also paid in eight hundred thousand land' fund into the consoidatod revenue., (Hear, hear.) The ystem of granting subsidies out of conolidated revenue could not possibly >e continued, and if so would be indesirable. As co.mpared.with the Koad 3oards Bill in Otago, the present measuro ras a failure. In many respects it was lopied from tho Otago Provincial Ordilaices, but unfortunately copied errors nd all.- Tho hon. gentleman deprecated lestroying existing institutions at once, md then begin to build up. It was no irgumeut to say that other countries did rithout provincial institutions. Our cirmmstances wero peculiar to ourselves. )n tho question of endowments, he must ibje'ct, to-revonue coming first into'tho lands of the General Government, who night distribute it according to their good ileasure. Taking their land fund, and ho charges tho Government proposed to >ut upon it, the out-districts of Otago vould be much better off under existing irrangements. It was really a pity that uch a grave.question as. overthrowing a Constitution should be decided upon such larrow grounds as the amount of money ach district had expended upon it. )n one hand tho Provincial Government rore accused of rushing the land into the narket, and on the other that they did lot spend money enough. Speaking with ome knowledgo of these affairs; lie made" lold to say that members representing lut-disfcriefcs would find when, this chanjjo ook place that llioy would be' a' great leal worse off than under tho present yßtom. Regarding the sale of land in )tago, which was "objected to, be could .ssuro the House that the sale was one of he wisest acts that could have takon dace at tho time. It replenished the treasury, and by selling inferior laud hey saved the best agricultural land they iad,.and which was oagerly sought.after. ?rom a political point- of view he coilidered Abolition would have a most deiressing effect on the political life of: tho olony. Provincial Councils educated ind olevated public opinion, and relieved ho HoiisO --.I bf' discussion oh many mall matters. While a most strenuous .dvocato for .Central Legislation, he ittorly abhorred Central Administration, .'t was rather noticeable that many of ho3o who were.so loud in their donun:iation of Provincial Councils we're those vho wero rejected candidates for Provin:ial honours,. ..., New, , Zealand had been :ompared.with Victoria, but tho circumstances of tho two colonies were not at all inalogous. Melbourne was. the capital of that colony, and was a place where all did their business, but who in Auckland or Otago ,c:me, to Wellington to transact their business? Regarding the other branch of the Legislature, he hoped no serious interfereiice would bo made with it. They had done good service once-by saving this House from itself, and ho hoped it would do so now. If the bill went into Committee, he would endeavour to make the bill the best ho could, but he would not support the third reading bofore the bill went to the people. Sir Cracroft Wilson said he was no mere paid Provincial- servant. Ho was head of the Exocutiv.o of .Canterbury, yet he wpuld, in all honesty of conviction, support this bill. The , substance of the remarks of the hon. member, who .just sal down appeared to be first himself and family, next the province of Otago, anc lastly; the colony of New I 'Zealand.. - H< was pained to s-e the attitude taken :bj the hon. member for Auckland City Wesi and the party he acted- frith, and ho fel 1 that, much as the House respected tha hon. gentleman. for his past services t< tho colony, he must expect, if he con tinucd the same tactics, to be treated t< the roughest language Parliament allowed Ho regretted that the hon. gentle man had seen fit to make" sucl a fierce onslaught upon the Uppei House, and especially so when entirely undeserved. The hon.' gentlemen ire ferred to the previous legislation of the House of Beprescntatives, to show tha tha members of Otago alone were ti blame if any poor man could not get a much land as he could pay for. Why, ii twelve years twenty-seven different lam latfs were introduced into the House, am sixteen of them' actually passed. Hi doubted the sincerity of this cry abou the poor man, when coming frota Otagi members. All they cared about was !th< system of-hundreds, by means of whicl ithey could graze cattle for littlo or no thing. _ [The speech ( was interrupted- btho arrival of the time for rising.]

(FBOM OUE OWN COBBESPONDENT.) Wellington, Wednesday. The Committee on Immigration and Public Works have reported on the Thames petitions. ; Regarding the petition of James Kilgourand others for a railway from the Thames to Waikato, they are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government. Regarding the petition of the Mayor and other, inhabitants of the Thames district (for grants for roada and tracks

in tho goldfields, estimated to cost £30,000), they roport that, in consequence of the peculiar position of tho Hauraki Goldfields, being native land, and yielding no revenue to the province for miners' rights or business licenses, thoCommitteo recommend the petition to the favourable consideration of tho Government, but they suggest that any assistance afforded should be in tho form of aid to local contributions.

Begardingthe petition of the Chairman and members of tho Waiotahi Board, they are of opinion that the Committee is unable (in justico to the numerous cases of equal urgency throughout tho colony) to recommend the General Government to expend money in tho direction indicated,