Latest Telegrams.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 692, 11 August 1870, Page 2

Latest Telegrams.

Wellington, Aug. 10, 7.33 p.m. In the resumed debate on the committal of tha Public Works Bill, Mr Kichmond thought that a want of consistency in the construction of the Bill, boded badly for the success of the scheme. He warned . the Government not to rely too much on customs revenue, and urged the imposition of a land tax. 3000 families ' might safely be introduced the firat year, after that, colonising works should be based on the gross increase, in the preceding year's revenue ; the amount to be borrowed for any year nob to exceed eight times that increase. Half-a-million spent on railways should give 125 mileß in the first year ; thb' North Island roads could be easily adapted for railways. Land was this worst possible coin in which to pay fot public works. He supported Mr Fitzherbert's suggestions of a Minister and a Board, and thought that the scheme in its present shape would result in failure. Mr Carlton condemned the details of the Bill. Mr Driver avowed himself a warm and ardent supporter of the Ministry, but he felt bound to protest against the want of machinery and precaution for due administration in the Bill. It seemed that the money was going to be thrown down for a general scramble. He approved of what Messrs Fitzherbert and Richmond had said, and urged the Government to comply with their suggestions, and keep the control of expenditure solely with thej House. Mr Stafford thought that the whole gist and essence of the scheme lay in administration, and that the Bill ret quired careful revision, or the schema would not redound to the honour o_ credit of the colony. He hoped that the Government would continue to aot fairly and candidly as it had heretofore done. He required more information as to the machinery for the present year even, and would like to know how they were going to spend the money before he could vote it. Mr Wilson opposed the Bill. Mr Yogel declined to mix the question of relations between the colony and provinces with the details of the Bill. Nothing now passed was irrevocable, and the Act could, next ses* sion, be amended if necessary. It must work out its own perfection, as it was impossible to pass a perfect measure without previous experience. He could not attempt to remodel it, if it were to be passed this session. The Government intended, during the current year, to carry on roads in the North Island, water supply to gold fields, and immigration to places where the lpcal authorities would take care that the immigrants would find employment. The Government would accept the suggestion offered, and appoint a Minister of Works, but they would not say who in the absence of Messrs Bell and Featherston. He would place the North Island roads under the new Minister, instead of the Native Office! He would also adopt the proposal of Boards of Advice subordinate to Ministers. He thought it desirable, to have a Board in each province, partly nominated by the Superintendent. The General Government intended t6 appoint two first-class engineers. The Government would not accept indiscriminate amendments, and he appealed to the House to accept the Bill and see how it worked during the year. The House went into Committee, but immediately reported progress. The debate on Mr Gillies' disqualification resolution was resumed. An

amendment by Mr Wilson to disqualify provincial political officers was lost by 41 to 17. The Imprest Supply Bill has passed both Houses. Bienheim, Aug. 10. Mr Hathaway's flax mill at Gouland's Ferry waa burnt last night. Eight tons of flax were consumed. The cause of the fire is not yet known.