INTERPROVINCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2765, 3 August 1883, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(Per Press Association.) QISBOBNK, Aug. 2. Kenneth Kerr, proprietor of Facts, and Webb, printer, were to-day charged at the Beiident Magistrate's Court, on the information of 0. A. De Lautcur, M.H.R., the former with publishing and the latter with printing a statement in Facts reflecting on the commercial oharacter and integrity of the informant. Defendants did not appear, neither were they represented by counsel. Prior to the case being called on, Mr Kenny, defendants' counsel, had informed His Worship that he had no right to issue a tummons on an informitian laid in Wellington. The Magistrate said the point was open to argument. Mr Reen, for compliinint, applied for a warrant for the arreat of defendant!, but this tlio Magistrate declined to accede to, proforring to first coneult J the Crown law officer?, and coniequently ndjeurned matters until Thursday. Wellington, Aug. 2. An apprentica on board the ship Oxford bus now be>n attacked bv tjphoid fever. Tbo immigrants who liaro been kept isolated from patients and shown no disease are to be reloised to-morrow. CHBI3TOHPBCH, Aug. 2. Timatti and wife haye been nrreatoi on o charge of settino firo to their house in Kerry Road on July 27tb. Thcra wa? quite a rush at the Waste lands Board to-day for prospectors licenses at Aiford Forest. The Commissioners limited the are*s to 820 acrei, and granted nearly thirty app'icatioriß. At a meeting of tlie Pioneer Diamond Company, Kehcy's last telegram was read as follows: — " Diamonds have been tested by a thoroughly competent authorily, who dcclures a fair proportion of them »re genuine. Am cabling the result, of tho rutting on Frid»y." I'lio value of the Pioneer shares is £50, and of Kobinoor £22. I'DNKDIK, Aug. 2. The Ber. Mr Gibson, of t'lu WVsleyan Churoh.has applied to eater the EpiscDpOian Church. iNVBECAnQIIt. Aug. 2. At a meeting of the Gaelic Hocioty, compliints were made about the lack of interest shown by Highlanders, and it was propote i to wind up. An amendment in favor of carrying on was m-Jved and cirried. After a ditcustion as to tho best ima'is of arousing ■nterest in the Institution, oflice-beirer* were elected, and the date of the annual gathering fired. A man named Drury went on tho sproo with a companbn named Barnes. The former changed ten pounds in a hotel ; and on leaving, Barnes asked him to count it. He did bo, when Barnes snatched it away and ran off. He wag aflervrard* csplured, but had in the meantime planted the money. He was brought up at tho Bcsideot Magistrate's Court and remanded. (From our Own Correspondent.) Wbllih&ton, Aug. 2. A Gazelle £«u?d to-night contains tbe vestment of 12 acres 3 roods in tbe Waimate Agricultural and Pastoral Society for a show ground ; also, Mr Baddeley appointment aa Resident Magistrate for Aehburton and Greraldioe.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. (Piiess Association' Tbleouam.) Wkiiisbion, Aug. 2. LFGI^LaTIVK COUNCIL. 'lie Legislative Ci.ui e':l nut. at 3 pm. SKCOND EEABING3. The Taumulu Native Con.u oiope Bill, and the Murihiku Nutive Reserve Grai t Bill were rm-I b "pcont! time. Mr Ci:am!.er! n'l adjourned raoti n re iucrer.sing forest reserves was carried. BIIX PASSED. Tho Hokitika High School Bill was passed through Committee. PHOrKRTY TAX VAirATIOW. ,™ r °° ;m ' s '"ovfil-Thnt instead of continuing tho present system of valu.tionforthe property tax, i; U desirable in order to secure an uniform n-,d ju-t vnlunti n throughout the colony, that two thoroughly qualißcd pere ,ns should be appointed to travel through the colony to adjust values. Mr Hclniei "gaTe a number of instance* of inequality of valuation! of proprrtic-6, both us compared -with propo r ties iu the tune district, and compared with properties in other districts. The Hoii. Mr Whitaker said that there might be ciiscre pancics in raluitions, but the Council should n>t without careful drliberation pass a reeolu'ion such ssthi\ prescribing a certain course of action to the Government. The Government would do their utmost to remedy any evils that might he proved to exist in tiie present ayßtem. The n-iotio.i was then withdrawn. TIUABO BACECOTJEBE BILL. The Tiniuru Racecourse Reserve Bill was recommitted, read a third titno and passed. ADJOURKMBNT. The Council io<e at 4 50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PRIVATE BILLS. The following private Bills were read a third time and passed : — Taiaroa Land Bill and Guardian Trust and Executors Company Bill. Ktt DABGAVILLE'a CHABQES. Tha Hoc. Major Atkinson tabled the following motion : — That (he hon. member for Auckland City West, Sir Dareavillo, hiTing cbaiged the Premier and Treasurer with using for years their political position fur the purpoie of promoting legislation not for the good of the colony, but for the interest of the Bank of New Zealand, especially in assisting to pass the Public Debts Act 1867 j and, further, haying accused the Premier of receiving the mm of £10,000, or iotne portion of £10,000, as pay ment for such services rendered in passing the Publio Revenues Act 1867, a Seleot Committee be appointed to enquire into and report to the House — (1) Have the Premier and Treasurer, or either of them, used their or bis political position improperly in assisting to pass the Public Debts Act 1867, or in aDy other way in promoting legislation favorable to the interests of the Bank of New Zealand and against the interests of tho colony ; (2) Did the Premier receive directly or indirectly tho sum of £10,000, or any larger or smaller sum, for helpicg to promote the passing of tho Public Debts Act 1867 or any other Aot tir.ee 1867, in which the Bank of New Zealand was interested j the Committee to consist of Meters Driver, Hurst, Mecandrevr, Montgomery, Btewgrd, J. E. Brown and J. G. Wilson ; four to form a quorum ; to report in a fortnight. BEELIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Hobbs, the Hon. Mr Dick •aid the Government could cot undertake to construct a telegraph line from Auckland to j Cape Maria Van Diemen lighthouse, as it would cost £50J0 and do Tery little public service. Beplying to Mr Bithgale, the Hon. Mr Johnston siid Willatn Millar, a fitter at Hillside workshops, bid not complied with th» requirements of the Public Petitions Committee, and he had therefore keen dismissed, no arrears of wages being due to him. Mr Holme* asked the Treasurer if— (l) He hal in any way or any extent exorcised the powers of borrowing or raising money in the colony given by the Now Zes'and Colonial Inscribed Stock Loan Aot 1882, and if fo, in what, way and to what exteat? (2) If he had borrowed or raised money under the powers given by the said Act, how bare ihe moneys to borrowed been speut, or t.'i what purpose have they been appiied ? (3) If he had not borrowed or rais>d any nionaja under 'the eaid Act, had the moneyß or auy part thereof that might b» borrowed or raised under the taid Aot been in any way pledged or anticipated, and for wast purposes ? (4) Would the Government take steps during this teteion to borrow the money that can be bjrrowed or railed under ths said Ait, and to appropriate the proceed! to further the construction of a railway to connect Canterbury with the West Coast of the Middle Island of New Zealand. Th.9 Hon. Major Atkinson replied in ths negative to the first and second question!. As to the third, no amount had been raised or dealt with but. under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. The amount when raised would be payable into the Public Works Fund, but there was no immediate intention of raising it. With regard to the fourth queitiin, the Government could not in any way undertake to devote the money when raised to tha Eist and Weat Coast (Middle Island) railway. Replying to Mr Smith, the Horj. Major Atkinson said he hoped, if business permitted, to be able to esrry through a Local Bodies Audit Act this session. Replying to Mr Lerestani, the Hod. Mr Conolly said the responsibilities of keeping Davidson, tli9 murderer, in Nelson gaol, the length of time he was kept, rested with himself. The pris ner, aa a mitter of fact, was under orders, and but for stra-s of weather preventing tbo despatch of the steamer, would have been removed to Wellington before the lato occurrence took place. There was a sufficient number of warders employed in Nelson Gaolto fill all the ordinary requirements of the case, and there was no reason to regard Davidson as specially dangerous. Beplying to Mr W. O. Buchanan, the Hon. Mr Dick said the Agent-General had initruc tions to despatch by each vessel as many natural eneroi»s of the rabbit as could be conveniently got. Unfortunately these aiimils did not thrive at sea and only a fmall proporlion of th.em arrived safely. The Government would, however, eneour.ige the importation of ferrets, stoats, and weasels. Replying to Mr Ivess, tha Hon. Mr Johtift^n said tha Government would further oacsiderjhe propriety of making an extension of the Moui t Somers railway line, and its crowing phcts over tne Ashburton river. Replying to Mr Hutchism, the Hon. Mr Rolleston said the report of the Board appointed to enquire into th» complaints made by passengers by the s.s. Catalonia had cot yet been reived. He had himself made some ei quirieg into theeubject of these complaints, and to some extent he believed they were well founded. The whole matter, however, would be carefully considered. KBW 81L1.9. The fallowing Bi\U were introduced and read a first lime :— To Provide for the Election of Land Boards; to Provide for the Disposal of Pastoral Lands (Sir G. Urey); Russell Exchange of Land (Hon. Mr Rolleston) ; Ai.imals Proteeliau Act 1880 Amendment (Mr Uamlin). BItLS PASSED. The following Btlla were passed through Oommitttc, read a rhird time and passed:— Mary's Frauds Indemnity ; Westland High Schools ; luvercargill Reserves Exchange j Ma^terton and Grejtown Lands Management Bill. SECOND BU&DINGS. ■ Mr Peacock uiowd the second reading of the City of Auckland Additional Loan Bill. Mr Hurst >poko in opposition : also Mr Shrimski. Other members supported the motion, which was put and carrioJ. The following Bills were also read a second time :— Waimate High School, and Wel« lington Harbor Board Land and Beclamt* t OD. MAIS BOADS. The Hon. Major Atkinson moved that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire and report which of the roads gazetted under section 7 of the Roads and Bridget Construction Act .hould be approved as main roada j the Committee further to insuire and report whether there are circumstances which would justify the granting of all or any of the applications made «inca 31st March lit to have roads declared main roads to as to enable the local bodies applying to particiP *!f i^ th ? > fund Mai!aMs % distribution under the Road, and Bridgee Construction Act; also whetherit is desirable tb»t appli-

cations should be entertained for the currenl year from Counties not having applied during the year 1893 to ha»o additional roads placoc on tae schedule of main roads. The proceedings were interrupted by the 5.30 p.ai. adjournment. The Douse rensiembled at 7.30 p.m. Tlis debate was resumed by Mr W MuKdi.zi-. Hn objected to tbo motion, con tending that it was the duty of the Govern ment to tako the reiponsibilitiea sought to b( imposed upon the Committee. 'Xha Hon. W. Johnston contended that th< obejctions elated by the previous speakei showed of itsel' the necessity th»t t listed foi this Committee being appointed. This was e new law. They had only one precedent lc guide them, and nrith that precedent he Hit not agree. Under t'.iesc circumstances it win not astonishing that the Government should ask Iho a siftance of the Houbc. Mr M.icandrew reminded them of thf abolition debate, when they were told that they would never hear the wcrd» " roada " and "bridges" within that House. They were fa>t degenerating into a Road Board. If for no other reason, he would «teadily vote against a proposal of this kind. Mr George said it was very well for a member whose district wa» a perfect network of railways to speak in that way. He would support the moiion. Mr Barron approved of tho spirit of the motion, but took exception to the constitution of the proposed Cotnmittfe. Ha moved a« an amendment that nil the names be left cut with tho view of substituting the names of the Ministry. Mr Shephard said that the proposal appeared to him to be a perfectly reasonable one. He thought those who objected to this course wore somewhat inconsistent. The Government were constantly bhmed for not taking members into their confidence, and now when they proposed acting in that direction they were blamed. As to the con atitutton of tho Committee, he thought it wa fairly well lelected, repretcnting as it did i fair rela'ion to parties. Mr Pyke supported the motion, contending tbat the queation of these rjads would muel better be considered ia Committee bofon they came to be diicussed on the floor of th Housr. Mr Sheeban wonld prefer the Governmenl should make the allocation, believing, as hi did, tbat it would be much fairer than it would be by the Committee. He believed that in making that statement he spoke the sentiments of two-thirds ol the rnemberi. The allocation for these main roads wrro badly distributed, and a redistribution was mi:ch required, fie asked the Minister for Public Works to take the matter in band and make the distribution himself. Mr Fergus supported the motion, adding that it was tbo South liland tbat had to most bewail the allocation, and if they would restore them the 20 per cent of their land fund, they would construct their own roada without reference to the Act. Mr Fulton proposed as an amendment, that the following words be added to the motion : "and generally to consider in what direction the Boads and Bridges Act requires amendment." With tbat addition he supported the motion. Mr Smith supported the motion, expressing a hope tbat the Boards who had not sent in their applications till after the 31st March would not be placed in a worse position than those who bad so done. Mr Fish etigmatiied the proposal as an evidence of the utter unworkablenees of the Act. Ho contended it was the duty of the Government to take the responsibility of working out this Act upon themselves. What the Government aimed at was to shirk that responsibility. Ho also objected to the construction of the Committee. What tho Government ought to do now was to apply to their engineers for advice in this matter ; but what should have been done was for them to ham brought down an amending Bill. Mr Bcetham supported th* motion, and sis* the motion as proposed to be amended by Mr Fulton. He denied that the Act had proved a failure. As a mutter of fact good work bad been done under this Act. Mr McDonald supported the motion. Mr Hurst spoke in favor of the Aot, and predicted that if the Government persevered in the course it had taken, all questions of roads and bridges would eventually disappear in Parliament. He supported the motion. Mr J. W. Thomson was of opinion that it was the Government who should take this matter ia haad. He read extracts from a letter to show tbat the Wairarapa district roads had all been proclaimed, with strict regard to Mr Bretham and his immediate friends' properties, adding that that was no doubt tba motive power which induced him to support it. Mr W. O. Buchanan concurred in the statements made in reference to Mr Beetham's properties, and said the statement re proclamation of main roads was correct. Captain McKenzie contended a main road was one leading from one County to another. Mr Stevens suggested that instead cf moving tbe moiion, the Hon. Major Atkinson should introduce a Bill to amend the Act in luch a direction as would remove the difficulties which had arisen. This was not a question for a Committee, but for the Qovernment of the day to deal with. Mr Sutter eaid if roads were to be supported at all in future they would have to be providtd for by loan. He contrasted that state of things with tbe- promises held out under abolition. The amendment by Mr Fulton was then put and carried on the voices. Mr Barron's amendment for striking out the names of tbe Committee as proposed was negatived on the voices. The Hon. Major Atkinson said many of the speeches made were not for the purpose of assisting the local bodies, but for abusing the Government and wasting time. Had members understood the Act man; of these speeches would have been made in a different direction. It had been a success. He did not expect that a question of such large import could be made a perfect success at the first breath. He saw the difficulty, but failed to discover a scheme for defining main roads. In that case he thought it best to leave it in the first instance to the local bodies. As that also failed, tho Government had determined to ask tbe assistance of Parliament. He would never be afraid to aak that assistance, no matter what might be said on the subject. Because the Counties had exceeded tbe amount provided for was no argument for saying the Act had broken down. If it was found that a larger sum wag required, then it would be for Parliament to devise some other more efficient scheme. All that was proposed waa to carry out the propositions of the Act as it stood, and not tc shirk it. This being the first year the Act wai in operation, the Government had determined to ask Parliament to consider whether some of iU provisions should in the first instance be relieved. In no civilised country had roads ever been made out of revenue. The; had to be made out of the (ale of land or froir loan, the interest on which had to bn defrayed out of the rents of land. That wai the answer be had to give to those who declared that they would not consent to roads being made from loan. Th< constitution of the Committee was fair, ever from a party point of vie', if they considered the relative numbers, but party ,coneiderationi never entered the mind of the Governmenl when the names were proposed. What wai considered was men with some practica knowledge of the subject to be dealt with. The House divided — Ayes 55, Noes 24. The moiion aB amended was carried. BILLS OP EXCHANGE BILL. The Bills of Exchange Bill waa reported and tbe amendments agreed to. The Bill wa then read a third time and passed. OBMIIfAXS EXECUTION BILL. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Conolly tbe Criminals Execution Bill was read second time. PBOPBSTT LAW COKSOLIDATIOS. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Conoll; the Property Law Consolidation Bill was rta a second time. IN COMMUTES. The Crown Grants Bill was considered i Committee, and passed with amendment. The Mining Companies Act 1872 Ameni ment Bill was considered in Committoe. Clause 3 was amended by inserting tbn months as the period within which a transfi of shares should be charged with liabilities. Xbe following new clauses were added :- "Notwithstanding anything contained in t! said Act, it shall not be necessary that a fin call shall have been made before the capit it increased, provided that tbe shares iistu

. in pursuance of any inorcase of Capitol, ; shall bo of the same nominal value ns I in the case of tho orig:nal i?suc." 'Shares held in truit for a company as provided for in ffction 12 of the said Act shall, as regnrJs the sale of such ph^rep, be fitst offered to the shareholders ond thcwafler to the public as . provided in section 45 o r (he faid Act wi(.h • respect to new sbaros. and ehares so held in trust shall be disposed of by the directors by i private sale." Clause 6 whs struck out. i Progress was then reported, and the House ' ro3e at ono o'clook.