HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1899, 30 November 1877, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

EMPLOYMENT OP FEMALES ACT. Mr Burns moved a second reading of the Employment of Females Act Amendment Bill! Mr Stout moved it bo read a second time that day six months. Sir Gcorgo Grey thought the Bill should be referred to a Committee, to that the employed might bo heard as well as the employers. The Bill sncaied to make serious and objectionablo alterations m the law, especially as it would allow nisht work. „ Tho Bill was opposed by Messrs Manders, Joyce, Kollcston, Travers, Gisborno, Johnston, Macfarlane, and Wood, and supported by Messrs Murray, Reynolds, and Reid. Mr Burns m reply contended that he was actiiig on bohalf of the employees, not of the employers. lie asked leave to withdraw the Bill, but this was refused, and tho amendmont carried on the voices. The Bill i* thorefore shelved. BILLS. Tha South Rakaia Road Board Bill is postponed by consent to 'next Wednesday. The Gisborne Harbor Bill nnd tho Waikato Port and River Trust Endowment Bill wero read a third time. The Whangarea Port Endowment Bill, the Whyndham Pound Reserve Bill; 'and the Foxton Reserve Bill were,, rend a second time, and referred to tho Waste Lands Committee. -' . • IX COMMITTEE. . Addresses were agreed to m Committee for the following sums on the Supplementary Estimates :— £2oo for improving the entrance to Martin's Bay, £500 for tho road from the Maori Euik to the Taiaroa Heads lighthouse, £500 for a jetty at Catlin's river. On Mr Woolcock's motion for £10,000 for a bridgo between Greymouth and Cobden, Mr Macandrew laid it was no use voting it, as there was no money. The motion to go into Committee was carried by 29 to 15, but m Committee tho vote was rejected by 22 to 18. .■ In ' Committee on the Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Bill, a motion that the Chairman lcavo the chair was carried by 26 to 15. Tho Nelson Riflo Prize Act Amondment Bill has passed tho House, which rose at 12.40. The Houso met at 2.30 to-day. VEBTIOVB. Replying to Mr Fitzroy, Sir George Grey said the Government would introduce a representation Bill next session with regard to asking for a dissolution after, they would pursue tho usuul constitutional course. Mr Stevens asked tho Minister of Justice whether there was any truth m a roport appearing m thn public papers that a man incarcerated m the Lyttelton gaol, and pronounced by tho district officer to be a dangerous lunatic, was still allowed- to remain an inmate of tho gaol although the medical officer had advised his immediate- removal to the Asylum, and repeated representations had been made to the authorities m Wellington to that effect. Mr Sheehnn replied that the cbbo was one of shamming. Two medical men had certified he was a lunatic, but two others pronounced it to be pretence. The prisoner, therefore, was not rounoved. Replying to Mr Sharp, Mr Fisher said he would endeavor to arrange for the Wanafca to wait for tho San Francisco mail at Auokland. HEW BILLS. The Stamps Act Amendment Bill (Mr Sheehan), West Harbor Borough Mayoralty Election Validation Bill (Mr Sbeehan). BILLS PASSED. The Standing Orders were, on Mr Sheehan's motion, suspended to enable him to introduco the Napier Swamp Nuisance Act Amendment Bill, which was afterwards passed through all its stages. The Wosto Lands Board Continuance Bill was read a second time, and passed through all its stages. ' : motions. . . ; . ■ Mr Burns moved the Council's amendment to the Taranaki Sand Company's Laud Bill bo accepted. The amondment was to reduce the quantity of sand to be melted from 100 to 50 tons. Mr Kelly opposed this, as tho matter had been very carefully enquired into by the Petitions Committee. Mr Reynolds opposed the amendment. Mr Travers strongly opposed the reduction m the quantity. He denounced the proceedings of the Company m regard to experimental smelting as an abominablo trick. Much of tho iron smelte:l was ore from Nelson, not Taranaki sand. . Messrs Stout, Murray, aud Reid strongly supported the amendment, contending that the Company deserved all consideration, ob they had spent all their money on experiments, having practically fulfilled their agreement, although they had been unsuccessful. Major Atkinson opposed the amendment, as tha company had merely put tho machinery on tho ground, but hud never made any attempt to use it, or got advice or practical men. The company had not acted fairly to tho colony or to their own shareholders. Tho only reason for promising the land was to got the iron eand smelted, and this tho company had never really attempted to do. : : : .. • . ! : Mr Burns m reply contended that theeand had been smelted, as tho ore from Nelson bad proved an utter failure. . On a division, the Council's amendment was rejected by 30 to 20. ; ' On a second division, of 27 to 25, managers were appointed to draw up reasons for the disagreement. JIIXISTKBIAIi SAIAEIES. Sir George Grey lnovod the second reading of the Civil List Act Amendment Bill, tho •object of which is to reduce Ministers' salaries. The Becond reading was agreed to, and on tho motion to go into Committeo, Mr Shriniski opposed the Bill, as he did not think tho present salarios excessive. Ho moved that tho Bill bo committed that day three months. Major Atkinson thought the Bill a mere affectation of economy. It was all very well for gentlemen receiving Imperial pensions and of large private means to propose such a measuro, but no gentleman could properly fill the ofiico as Minister without spending more than £1000 a year. To reduce the salary would be to reduce tho already limited number of men to become Ministers. Mr Stout movod the adjournment of the debate, m ordor that Bomo compromise might be arrived at. Ho thought the Premier should have a higher rate of salary than others, and he thought at least ono more Minister should be appointed. Tho adjournment of the debate would also allow the Land Bill to bo disposed of at once. Mr Reynolds opposed tho adjournment, and also opposed tho reduction of salaries proposed. He epoko from experience m condemning such a stop. Ho thought another Minister m the Legislative Council necessary. Sir George Grey, m roply to Major Atkinson's statement about his Imperial pension, said that instead of £1000 a year pension, ho would now only draw£soo,andif the Premier's e»l»ry was reduced for £1000 he»would with bia pension receive less than the present salary of the Premier. The debate was then adjourned till 0 o'clock. IS COMMmBE. The Land Bill waa then further considered id Committee. . -

Tiiiaud BonOTToa Council. — A special meeting will be beld this evening. St. Augustine's Cnimcir, Waimatb. — Tho Most Key. the Primito wilt preach m this Church to-day (Friday) at morning service, and tho Vcn. Archdeacon Harper m the afternoon. On next Sunday the Primate will again preach at morning service. Lectube. — Wo are informed that Count De Zaba (who is at present on a tour through Now Zeuland) will deliver a lecture here next week m aid of the funds of oar Benevolent Society, The Otago papers speak glowingly of him as a lecturer, and Btutc that he has been drawing large audiences m Dunedin. We may therefore anticipate a treat. His subject will bo the " History and Literature of Poland." Ckicket. — The match between tho Christchurch and Timaru Clubs takes place to-day on tho ground of the latter Club. Tho names of the elevens'aro as follow : — Christohurch : G. Diekenson, C. Frith, J. Fowler, J. Homer, Leo Mathios, H. W. Mooro, J. Skclton, T. S. Sweet (captain), J. Wainer, J. C. Wilson, and J. Wood. Timaru: E. F. Blundell, G. Cooko, H. Evans, J. D'Emdcn, 0. S. Fraser, M. Go! by, A. St. G. Hamoraley, 11. J. Knubley, D. F. Neilson, A. Perry, and C. T. H. Perry. Tho drag that is to convoy Ihe teams will leave the Groavcnor Hotel at 9.30. Play is to-commence at 10. The charge for admission to the ground will be one shilling for each individual, no cliirgeboing made for horses or carriages. . . . . Waimatb Road Boabd. — A moeting of this. Board was hold m tho Board's office yesterday. The members present were Messrs M>- Studholmo (Chairman), Manchester, Miller and Loudon. Tho minutes of last meotinz wero Toad nnd confirmed. Letters from, Mr J. Callunan were read and considered. These letters wcrj addressed to tho County Council, and referred by the Council at last meeting to tho Board. Mr Callanan clcirned £90 for the formation of a road on contract No. 155, which includos tho formation of bank not specified m the particulars of tho contract, and whicli cost the sum claimed above the amount of tho tender, owing entirely to a discrepancy m the Engineer's particulars; also, stating that tho contingency work on this cmtract had been done by men put on by the Engineer, instead of the contractor being allowed to do it. Mr Callanan also denied his unwillingness to complete contracts 130 and 145, explaining that lie refused to exouute some works required by the Engineer, without a written order, as he (the contractor) would not tako tho Engineer's word for it. The following resolutions were then passed by tho Board : — " That Mr Callanan's letters be acknowledged, and that this Board, after hearing the Engineer's axplanation on tho matter referred to, have decided not to entertain his . application ;" " that tenders be invited for Elephant Hill Creek drainage j machine metal Bush road; also that tenders be called for forfeited tenders ; tenders to be opened and considered on December 19." Accounts wcro passed for payment, and tho meeting adjourned. Petty Laudest. — Last Wednesday a man was arrested at the Cave Railway Station, on v chargu of stealing a ehawl, the property of Mr Lawrence, the station-master. It appears that the man alighted from the train at the Cave, and noticing Hie shawl with no one m chargo of it, took it into his head to convert it to his own use. He was, however, observed by Mr Lawrence, who followed him, and with the assistance of another man succeeded, after a desperate struggle, m bringing him captive to tho railway station. He was given m custody shortly aftorwavds to Inspector Pender (who happened to ba returning by train from an official visit to Albury), who brought him iuto town, and had him locked up. Ho was brought up yesterday at tliii Resident Magistrate's Court before his Worship the Mayor and F. Archer, Bs.j., J.P., and seutenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labor. A Ladoe Nugget. — A nugget weighing one hundred aud sixty-one ounces waa found at Berlin, ' near liiglowood, Victoria, by two men known a3 Cornish Jack aud Edmunds, m new ground, the depth of unking being from six feet to eight foot. This lucky find caused considerable excitement. Military Police Pabade. — The following serio-comic account of what it calls a most imposing semi-military spectacle, is given by the New Zealand Times : — For the first time since their incorporation with the Constabulary, the Wellington Polico was ordored to parade for inspection. Tho pnrade ground is situatod at the rear of the Polico Station, aud m size and general appearance is not unlike tho Champ de Mars on a very reduced scale. It isabout 20 feet x 10 feet, is bounded on tho north by a corrugated iron fence, on tho south by a water tank, on the west by a gorse thicket, and on the east by the Ineolvont Court. At the hour appointed for tho parade there wore present BrigadierGeneral Moulo, Colonel Shearman, Major Atcheson, Captain Smith, Lieutenant Farrell, two corporals, four privates, and the cook. Che band consisted of two small boys with tin whistles, who, out. of compliment to tho Colonel, played the "March through Georgia." The parade ground was m excellent order, owing to Iho exertions of two gentlemen committed for twenty-four hours for drunkenness, aided by a garden rake and a watering pot. Tho troops having como to attention, one of the corporals said, " There'll be no iospiction to-day, bekaso the Supreme' Cobrb is set* in', and yez might disturb it." The parade was then dismissed. The whole proceedings passed off without a hitch, if we except a couple of slight accidents. One private sat down on a bayonet, and tho legs of tho Major had a difficulty with his sword, which caused him to Iry how far he could dig his noso into the earth. The services of three omiueht medical men, however, prevented any serious iniury. Russian Tbbacheby. — The following letter appears m a late issue of tho Daily TeUgraph: — "Tho following instance of Russian treachery was witnessed by myself during the last war, m 1855 : Her Majesty's ship Phoenix, m which ship I was serving as first lieutenant, was detached from the united squadrons blockading Archangel, with orders to cruise m tho Gulf of Onega. On July 9 wo approached the town of Liamtsa, hoisted a flag of truce, and sent m two bouts, also under a flag of truce, with tha intention of purchasing f resli provisions. As our boats got m with the shore a single Russian appeared and hailed them, m good English, to pull further along nnd land uudernn embankment, the water being deeper there. . The boats pulled m accordiugly, when, just as they were touching tho ground, tho same fellow jumped up suddenly, and roared out, " You may all go to h— ll and be d d ! " The embankment was immediately crowned with troops nnd » Tolley of musketry delivered at the boats. Luckily the Phcenii was ready for any uu toward event, her broadside being swung on and the crew at quarters ready for the word " Fire." The order was immediately given, when bang went our broadside shot and a 24-pounder rocket slap at the summit of the embankment, which at once cleared it. We then shelled tho place out, a portion of the troops taking refuge m a church, upon which our captain refused to fire, m consequence of its being a sacred edifice. This fact, which raaf riot be known m England, of which I was an eyo- witness, will, m conjunction with the well-known "Hango affair," show hew far Russians respect a flag of truce. — J am, Sir, your obedient servant, John P. Ghbitnb, Retired Commander R.N., 14, Addison-gardons North, Keaneingtou, ' yf. t August 27,

WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL. A special meeting of this Council was held last Wednesday. Present — Messrs Bruce (Chairman), Studholme, Moody, Manchester, Doig, Miller, XfcGregor, and Loudon. The special meeting was for the purpose of making v special order to merge the Waimate Road Board into tho County Council. The order was unanimously made, and the Clerk instructed to advertise m accordance with the Counties Act. The special meeting then closed, and the monthly meeting of the Council for transaction of ordinary business was held. The minutes of tho last meeting were read and confirmed. The following correspondence was read : — Letter from J. Callanan, claiming from tho Waimate Road Board £90, for extra work done on contract No. 155,'; also, stating that the Engineer had got work done which should have been part of the contingency work for the contractor. i^roin the same, denying theEngineer's statement that Callanan was unwilling to complete contracts 136 and 145. From Mr Teschemaker, M.H.R., intimating that the Bill providing for the sale of the Pohio Reserve, Waimate, had passed tho Upper House. From the same, intimating that combined action had been taken by the Canterbury members to secure a land endowment of 350,000 acres, m order to promote the construction of branch railways m the provincial district of Canterbury. Due care was taken that South Canterbury should obtain a proper share. There is still time to divert the twelve miles through Wnima'e Gorge to any portion of the County if deemed advi.-able. Fortytwo niilps of railway aro proposed for South Canterbury i' There is considerable risk of the Bill not passing this Bession. From the Treasury, Wellington; advising of' £2 10s being placed to the credit of the County Fund. . . ' From the same, advising that £18,028 4s 7d had been paid to the credit of the Woimate County Council. From the Levels Road Board, informing of a resolution passed at last meeting of the Levels Road Board, to the effect that tho i Wuimato County Council bo rcquostod to I instruct their Engineer to meet Mr Roberts, and- report as to the cost, &c, of a bridgo across, tho Pareora river, near tho ford at Priest's sections. From J. E. Rout, praying for a continuation of tho road at Copeland's, Waihoa river. From Mr Cook, Chairman of the Waimate Borough Committee, requesting tho Council to proceed with tho work m the proposed borough to the extent of the amount alowed as soon as possible, and stating that if tenders: aro only accepted the day beforo tho borough will bo proclaimed, tho Council could not execute the work. From G. Morris, Otaio, applying for repair* and metalling of Morris' road, to be exeouted before harvest. . From Mr Forrester, architect, forwarding application for the office of Clork of Works at the erection of the Council Hall. From tho Provincial Auditor, m reply to iho Council's letter asking "Cnn tho Council expend money on contracts entered into for formation of roads within limits of municipality after the township has been proclaimed a borough, the contracts having been let previous to the formation P" The reply was that the Road Board is presumed to be tho contracting party, and would be liablo to the contractor ; and as the County Council had assumed tho (unctions of the Road Board, tho Council must necessarily be liable m the first case. Possibly if the Council had to pay vo tho municipality any moneys, it might be that the Councd could deduct any sums duo on account of these contracts for work dono after tho creation of tho municipality, but they are pledged to the contractor both to fulfil the work and pay the money. Of course pnymenta of this nature should be made by the Council, and should expect that the Borough had been called upon to pay back any amount due for tho completion of the work within its own limits after it was proclaimed." . : . The appplications for the office of Olerk of Works at tha erection of Council Buildings, submitted by Mr Forrester, wera : — IK Grant, £4 a week ; II; Watts, £5 a week ; J. T. Pain, jum\, £4, ; F. Raper. £4 ; W. Andrews, £3 18s } R. Ballantyno, £3 ; R. Lindsay, £3 10s ; T. Bickerdike, £4. . ! Messrs J. Bruce nnd Studholme were proposed as Chairman for ensuing year, and oh being put to tho vote, Mr Bruce was declared elected. '..■:. The following resolutions were passed by the Council: — .. ;"■ ■ \ "That the Government be asked to arrange that tho Judge of Assessment Court who is to hear appeals against the next valuation, be instructed to sit from day to day till the business be finished, as' the deluy at the last hearing of appeals was so great as to peril the completion of tho roll within the statutory time." •■..-.: "That a copy of tho resolution forwarded to the auditor be now forwarded to tho Council's solicitor, asking for auopinion upon tho points involved, and that the committeo of the Council already appointed do fix the dates for advertising and lotting contracts m accordance with the solicitor's opinion." "That the amount of subsidy which this Council shall devote to the proposed borjugh works shall be at tho rate of £ for £ on rates collected within its limits, said amount to be giveu free of all working expenses." " That Mr Te%chemaker be informed by j telegram, m reply to his lettor re endowment for branch railways, that this Council is of opinion that tho County of Waimate is entitled to more than 12 miles out of the 42 miles provided for m the Bill, and respectfully requests Mr Teschemaker. to urge this Council's claim for at least 20 miles of branch railway." . .- " That the Treasurer be instructed to place oh receipt all sums placed to the credit of the Council at 12 months' interest on depasit receipt, unless otherwise required." , " That the Colonial Secretary be written to respectfully asking that the Government Gazette be forwarded to tho members of this Council free of charge, as it is necessary the members should have the moans of being postedjup m the local matters which form part of the Government Gazette." ■ ■ m " That Mr Lindsay be appointed Clerk of Works for the new Council buildings, as recommended by the. architect." Messrs, Bruce, Moody, and Doig reported having visited the neighborhood of the two chain road, Elephant Hill distriot, and wero unable to traverse the precipices where tho road runs, but recommend the Engineer to report on tho possibility of a bettor and more available road being substituted for tho ono referred to. It was resolved—" That the report as read be adopted." , Messrs Loudon, Moody, and Bruce reported having visited the Elephant Hill Creek since lost meeting, and recommended the execution of the plan recommended by the Engineer to secure the road from floods at the sum estimated, and that .the Council propose to the residence m the district to levy a special rate of £350 to cover the drainage works referred to, and that no proceedings be taken until complete indemnity be guaranteed by all the parties whose properties are affected by the said works. . : . . A resolution that the report be adopted was lost, the following amendment having been carried — "That the report of the Elephant Hill Creek Committeo be adopted, with the exception that the. residents be not asked to pay a special rate towards carrying out the work." " That the Alteration of the grade of the hill near Mr Bruce's saw mill bo effected as recommended by the Engineer." " That m future tenders above £500 be accompained with a marked cheque to the value of 2£ per cent., and undeifthat amount 5 percent.";- ... : ; ■" "That the Engineer be instructed to surrey and prepare contract for the works asked for byMrEout."

" That the Engineer be instructed to reform, widen, and ease cuttings where necessary, and »etal a part of the road leading from Bluo Cliffs towards Teschemaker's, the name being p.irt of the through road from Cannington to Waimate, works to stand over till after harvest." " That this Council protests against the proposal of the Government to generalise the Land Fund, or any part of it, as a breach of the Financial Arrangements Act, and a viold~tion of the Abolition legislation, as well as an injustice to this district, and that this resolution be telegraphed to the Co'onial Secretary and to tho member for the district." "That tho Government be respectfully requested to cause, as early as possible, a set of standard weights and measures to be kept at Waimate for tho use of the County, as it is very inconvenient to have to send to Timaru, and pay expenses for the removal of the standard, or to tako scales, &0., to Timaru, a distance of 28 miles, for adjustment." " That the Government be respeutf ully requested Jo forward to the credit of this Council its share of the money voted for Hospital purposes." " That any destitute persons who may not have paid their rents be exempt." "That the Engincor bo instructed to proceed at once with tho diversion of Elephant Hill Creek." Applications for works, &c., wero disposed of— viz., Enginaer to meet Mr Roberts re bridge over tho Pareora, and report ; Morris's road deferrel till after harvest ; Leea ana Moore's, to bo granted ; Waimate to Hook, metalling, to stand over : Waitaki road, to bo attended to after ■ harvest; bush road, metalling, to bo proceeded with ; main road, from bush to Hook Valley, to bo attended to after harvost ; Teschcmakcr's to Low Quarry^ to be started after harvest ; Mackinnon s road, Pareora Woolshed, Engineer to survey and report; Neil and olhera' application, deferred till after harvest. This concluded tho business.