PARLIAMENTARY.

Western Star, Issue 156, 2 September 1876, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, August 24. The House resumed at 7.30. The second reading of the Wanganui Endowed Schools Bill was moved by Mr Bryce. It appeared from the Bill and the arguments in its favour that during Sir George Grey’s government of the colony an endowment in the city of Wanganui of 250 acres was given for ihe education of the children of indigent persons of all races in the islands of the Pacific, the trusteeship being placed with the Church of England. It was alleged that the objects of the trust had not been carried out, that only about twenty children had been educated, with two Maori children, in Wellington; that the land was worth £25,000, and that the results of the management of an estate of such value were ridiculously incommensurate with the original intent, and that the House was justified in interfering. It was also alleged that none of the trustees resided in Wanganui, and that, in order to see the endowment administered beneficially, it was necessary that it should be administered by people with loce.l knowledge. On the other hand it was argued that the trustees did their best under the circumstances, and that it would be a dangerous precedent for the House to interfere with a trust of this kind ; also, that if there was a dispute it should be decided before a court of law. The Premier supported the Bill, and said the Government supported it. The debate was animated throughout, and was not concluded till one o’clock, when the second reading of the Bill was rejected by 29. against 18. August 25. The House met at 2.30. Mr Wood asked if the Government intended calling for tenders for the completion of the fencing of the Bluff and Invercargill Bailway. Mr Bichardson said the line was still in the hands of the Provincial Government, and the General Government knew nothing about the fencing. ' In reply to Mr Tescbemakcr, Mr Bowen said there was not enough business to justify the Government in appointing a Resident Magistrate at Waimate at present; but if it was created into a municipality, as was said to bo probable, the Mayor could act as Magistrate. The railway would be soon open, and fortnightly visits of a magistrate would be arranged. As the present Courthouse accommodation was urdoubtedly far too small, the present accommodation would be increased. The Building Societies Bill was advanced a stage in Committee. The Rating Bill was further considered in Committee. A long discussion ensued on the second subsection of clause 40, relating to mining property. A division took place on the question whether the following words be inserted in the second clause, section 40 i “And lands held under lease or license for raining purposes other than goldmining sliall be rateable property only to the extent of their surface value.” The amendment was rejected by 28 to 24. Section 3, exempting land occupied for public purposes by the Crown or the local body of a district. Mr Murray-Anslcy moved that this be struck out. Mr Hunter moved an amendment, That the exemption shall only apply to such properties occupied by the Crown as belong to the Crown. He urged it was not fair that the owners of property rented by Government should escape paying rales. The subsection was retained as printed. A good deal of discussion ensued as to whether churches, chapels, and religious schools should be exempt from rating, several holding that clause should be struck out. On an amendment by Mr Rowe, That the words “churches and schools established by religions bodies” bo struck out, a division was taken, and the amendment rejected by 41 against 16. The House rose at 5.30. " A ugust 26. The whole of Friday evening’s sitting was oe- I cupicd in discussing the postponed and uewelauses •

of the Bating Bill. A. number of divisions were taken on amendments proposed, but few of them were carried. The recommittal of the bill was obtained in order to strike out from the exemption clauses the dwellings of officiating ministers of religion. An attempt was also made to exempt: libraries, ntliemcuuis, museums, mechanics’ institutions, Masonic, Oddfellows’, and Good Templars’ halls, but it was defeated on MrStout’s motion. Colleges and universities were exempted from rating. August 29. The House met at 2.30. Mr Macandrevv gave notice of the following motion on the House going into Committee of Supply on Friday next : “ That whereas the Abolition of Provinces Act of 1875 is repugnant to the wishes and detrimental to the interests of the people in the Province of Otago, and whereas it would be , highly subversive of the first principles of good government to deprive any section of Her Majesty’s subjects, against their will and without their consent, of those political institutions which were conferred upon them by the Imperial Parliament, and under which they have grown up and prospered, it is therefore resolved that a respectful address be transmitted to Ins Excellency the Governor to the effect that lie may be pleased at the earliest possible dale to dissolve the Provincial Council or Otago, and to cause a fresh election of a Superintendent and Provincial Council, so as to afford the people of the said province an opportunity of considering and determining as to the form of local selfgovernment most suitable for their requirements ; and that, pending the will of the people being ascertained as aforesaid, His Excellency may be pleased to take the necessary sleps so that the provisions of the said Abolition Act shall bo held in abeyance as regards the Province of Otago j and that it he resolved further that, in the meantime, and pending the decision of the newly-elected Provincial Legislature, the affairs of the said province shall continue to bo administered in terms of the Now Zealand Constitution Act.” Beyond Mr Mac aml row's motion, the business of the House was to a great extent formal and Committee work. RESIGNATION OF THE PREMIER. Upon the House resuming at 7.30, The Premier said, in reference to the promise he made on Friday, that it was very well known to all lion, membes (hat ever since the vacancy in the appointment of an Agent-General his name had been connected with it one way or another. The Premier then made a personal explanation that while at Homo lie was so ill as to have made any sp *ndy return to the Colony inadvisable, and that while there certain inducements of a pecuniary nature had been held out to him to remain. But though his health was such as to make a lengthy stay in England advisable, yet feeling that his return to New Zealand would be looked for, he came back as-soon as his health permitted, and on his return he informed his colleagues that he feared the state of his health would preclude him from remaining long in the Colony (and his experience this session had not changed this opinion), and probably prevent him taking part in public life any more. He had discovered, too, that public life was inconsistent with attention to one’s own affairs. Considering he had been 17 years in public life in New Zealand, ho thought the welfare of His family had claims upon him that ho was not justified in ignoring. He hoped that under these circumstances ho would not he accused of deserting his post. Upon his return to the Colony, and when his colleagues wore kind enough to request him to resume the Premiership, he told them that ho could not retain office long, and that as soon as they could relieve him he would be pleased. At that time it was not known that any vacancy would occur in the AgentGeneralship. When he had been asked on two occasions what was to be clone regarding the Agent-Generalship, the matter had not been referred to in the Cabinet, but within the last eight or ten days they had discussed the matter, and his colleagues being aware that he was not going to remain in the Colony, suggested his acceptance of the office of Agent-General. On his return ho told them that in any case he could not promise to perform the duties of the office for longer than 12 or IS months. It was manifestly impossible that he could appoint himself Agent-General, so that office remained still open. Under the circumstances ‘he only course open to him was to place his resignation in the hands of His Excellency, which lie did, advising him to send for Major Atkinson, who had been sent for, and who waited upon the Governor at 5.30. The Premier then went on to say that New Zealand was the land where ho formed his dearest ties, and the land tb which he owed what reputation or distinction he possessed, and he only hoped at some future clay to be able to take part again in the affairs of the country. It was not without sorrow and regret that he was pursuing this course, though he felt he was doing what was right. Major Atkinson informed the House that His Excellency had honoured him by asking him to form a Government, and that he requested a clay or two to consult with his friends. He thought it was reasonable, therefore-, that lie should ask the House to adjourn till half-past seven, on Tuesday next.

After some remarks from Messrs Rollcston, Andrew, and Stout, tiie House adjourned*