Parliamentary Notes.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1711, 24 July 1885, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

On Tuesday, in the Legislative Council, Mr Shrimski moved, that there be laid upon the table a return showing (1) The name o f each county or Load Board where the Counties Act is net in operation. (2i The number of population in each tu-h (3) The amount of taxable property in e.cb anstnet under the Property Tax Act. (1) The amount distributed by the State to each county or Road Board under the Crown and ?«ative Lands Rating Act. The resolution was earned. The Employment of Females Amendment BUI was thrown out. The Gstmr.g and Lotteries Bill, which ■upprigs the advertising of “ sweeps,” passed its second reading. Tuesday in the of Representatives, Mr Eetthatn asked the Native Minister, if his attention has 1 ee-n drawn to the wboieiale destruction of tors that has taken place at Taipoiohenm by thr Natives ;and whether he will make »cme r. presentation to the Natives in the mailer? Ihe Minister rej :i-_d that the Government had given instructions that the law in this respect should be enforced upon the Natives. He was afraid, however, that it would be impoMib,e to dissuade the Natives from destroying the hints. The Nativi s said, when spoken to about the matter, that they had always killed them, and there bad been no decrease. They also said that the decrease of New Zealand birds was due to the extensive burning of bush. Bir Julius Vogel then made an important •tatement with reference to the East and West Coast Middle Island Railway. He said that an English firm had entered into an arrangement for the construction of the line, and they asked, in addition to the land grant, a guaranteed payment of £J7,000 in excess of working expenses per annum, for twenty yaars, payable in London half-yearly, commencing after the railways are finished ; and they state it is intended to finish them in from three to five years. The Government would prepare a resolution approving of the proposal, on the condition that after the works are completed, and when the payment of the £97,000 begins, half the cost, what*Ter it may be, shall be charged to th# pro vincia! district of Canterbury, north of the Rangitata, and to the provincial districts of Nelson and Westland, as well as the entire j cost of maintaining the main toads bet ween Nelson and Greymontb, and between Christand Hokitika. They would propose s* toe method of imposing the charge that it . ojjfrbe done by means of a Property Tax in tue districts just mentioned. A bill referring to duties on the estates of deceased persons was considered in committee. Its objects are to charge duties on deeds of gift. The bill was agreed to with amendments. The Premier, Mr Stoat, then made his education statement, a suuimaty of wffich is given in our leading article. The bill to enable Sir George Whitmore to retain his seat in the Legislative Council, while at the same time occupying a paid office as Commander of the Colonial Forces, passed its second reading. The House rose at 12.90. On Thursday in the House of Representative 3; Mr Pyke gave notice to ask the Colonial ireasurer, on Friday, the 21th instant, whether the ‘‘ well known ” Harry Meiggs, of California, Mexican, Peruvian, and Tasmanian notoriety, is in any way connected with the firm of Messrs Meiggs and Sons, releirtd to in the Treasurer’s East and West Coast Railway Statement as *■ a well-known film of railway contractors and financiers ?” Mr Lance gave notice toaek.cn Thursday next, Whether thr attention of the Government Las been called to the Evening Post of the ord and filh instant, also to the Wairarapa Star of the 13 th instant, containing allegations of a grave nalure as to ccucealmentofeci'b in VVairarapn in lbS2-bb, by a settler, during Mr Sutton's inspectorship ; and whether the Government will cause nu ir-vputiy to be held before Mr Sutton receives another appointment in the Sheep Departnit lit ? A resolution was adopted that the House on Friday should resolve itself iuto a committee to consider the question of the East and We=t Coast Railway, and what concession, if any, should be given for its construction. The Plurality of Votes Ril, was thrown out. A number of other Bids were advanced a stage. The House rose at 12 20. In answer to Mr Stewart, the Defence Minister said he would favorably consider the uueatiuu of giving long-service medals to Volunteers. Mr Beetham moved—(l) That, in order to secure the permanent unity of the Empire, seme form c f federation hj essential; (2) That Co scheme of federation should interfere with tne existing rights of local Parliaments as regards local affairs; That any scheme of Imperial e deration should combine, on an equitable basis, the resources of the Empire f r tke maintenance of common interests, provide for an organof common lights. Alter some the further consideration of the question was adjourned.