HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5035, 23 June 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 11 o'clock. PRISON PUNISHMENT. Mr Conollt said, in reply to Mr Peldwick, that no warder had ever been dismissed from the Auckland prison service for his refusal to flog a prisoner. Warders were required to administer such punishments, but as to what would be done in the event of their refusal, he was not prepared to say. Mr Moss, on a motion for adjournment, protested against warders being compelled to do this work. If it was necessary to administer such chastisement, he would suggest that the Judge, the Magistrate, or even the Minister of Justice was the proper person to do so. It was monstrous to say that a warder should chastise a prisoner in that way, and afterwards be entrusted with the charge of him. Messrs Feldwick and Daniels denounced the infliction of such punishment. Mr Conolly said this was not a question as to whether or not such punishments should be inflicted. The only question was as to who should inflict the punishment. In England, and in this Colony too, the punishment was invariably administered by warders. The alternative proposition was as to the propriety of appointing a public flagellator, and he confessed that a proposition of that kind had never entered his head. The punishment was only inflicted in the case of brutal or disgusting offences, and he did not sec his way to have it abolished altogether. Sir Geobge Gbey inveighed against the injustice done to warders in this matter. It appeared to him the height of injustice. It was only reasonable to ask that a person should be got, upon whom this as well as othor duties might devolve. Mr Rolleston denied a statement made by Sir George Grey, that Mr Conolly was mainly responsible for tho measures under which this punishment was provided for. AN EXPLANATION. Mr Rolleston explained that on inquiry he found that no proclamation had been issued in the name of Sir George Grey as Superintendent of Auckland re the gumfields leases. He found, however, that all tho correspondence on the subject had passed through tho office of the Superintendent. In reply to a question, Mr Rolleston said he would withdraw the statement made, that the leases were provided for by Sir George Grey as Superintendent of Auckland. Still he held to the fact that they were soprovided for by an officer under his immediate control. On the motion of Sir George Grey the debate was adjourned.

NEW MEMBER. Mr Locke (East Coast) was introduced by Messrs Trimble and Newman, sworn in, and took his seat. RAILWAY SLEEPERS. A long discussion took place on the relative merits of Australian and New Zealand timber for railway purposes. Mr M'Donam* produced samples of totara and jarrah which had been submerged for different periods, showing that the former was much more durable. Mr Hursthouse said this would be the case if the timber were submerged, but not for railway sleepers. Australia took ten times as much timber from us as we took from them. Mr Tawhiao said there was an unlimited, supply of puriri available in his district. Mr Mitchelbon promised to make enquiries, and, after further discussion, the matter dropped. ORDERS IN COUNCIL. A motion by Mr Turnbull to have all Orders in Council gazetted was withdrawn, after discussion.