PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 65, 28 September 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

THE ESTIMATES. Tuesday Night. The departmental estimates as far as the Executive departments were passed last li'glit. Messis. Yogel and Fox accused the Government of •' siueerily in°the profession they made in opposition Li t year of seeing the'r: way to large savings, when supporting the motion to send the estimates back for ; educi ion. M ; listers said that for convenience sake the;.' wove taking their predecessors' estimates, but they d>d not mean io spend such large sums as voted. They would in the Financial Statement indicate the savings they ini ended to effect. ■*, 'The Legislative Council's amendment upon the Highway Boards Empowering Bdl, limiting the rate to threepence in the pound on the annual or selling v lue, was brought up for discussion. Mr Sheehan proposed that a clause be added to the bill allowing acreage rating in the province of Auckland. The amendment was lost by 23 to 13, and the CouncTs amendment was accepted. The debate on the following resolutions moved by Mr O'Rorke was resumed: — " 1. That it is desirable, in order that the North Island should enjoy the same benefits as regards Univei'sity education as are at present afforded to the Middle Island by the University of Otago, that the seat of the New Zealand University shou d be established in the North Island. 2. That, in order to afford facilities for carrying out this object without pecuniary cost to tlie colony, this House is of opinion that a respectful address should be presented to bis Excellency the Governor, requesting him to recommend the" dedication of the Government House and grounds at Auckland as the seat of the New Zealand Univers'tv, on the condition that, whenever a Government House shall be required at Auckland, the province of Auckland shall expend not less than £10,000 in erectin o ' a suitable residence in the Government demesne at Auckland. 3. That this House is of opinion that all moneys voted by Parliament for the purposes of University education should be divided I equally between the University at Dune din and the

proposed University at Auckland. 4. That the functions of the New Zealand University should not be limited to those of an examining body, but should include those of u touching body also. 5. ihat provision should also be made for making the Albert Barrack Reserve and adjoining wu-te lands an endowment for the University at Auckland, due precaution being in the first place taken for laying out such streets and places of recreation ;us may be deemed ue :ossary for the improvement of the city of Auckland." . Mr Rolleston moved the previous question, which was lost bv 23 to 13.

Tie first resolution was put a, d -arr : ecl by 22 to 13. The second was negatived on the voices. The th'rd was carried by 18 to 16. The fourth was carried on the voices. j The fifili was negatived. Wednesday. In reply to a question bv Mr Yogel, the (Jovernment stated that they would not proceed with the lMshe: ,: os IMI this session. The House resolved to go into committee to-morrow, to consider Mr O'Rorke's proposal for an address for £5,000 in each island as a reward for the discovery of new gold'ields. Mr Shcehan asked whether any and what act ion had been !a':en with reference to the oiler made by a:i English company t<> construct a railway from Wharekawa, Hauraki Gulf, to Mercer, Waikato. The Government replied that an oiler of a very vague character had been received. The matter had been referred to the Government agent at Auckland, to ascertain whether the amount of land required was available. Wednesday night. Mr Tairoa's motion for £500 to construct a road from Portobello to Otago Heads was, after debate m committee, negatived by 3 !• to 20. The Government refused to support it, as a matter purely one for the province to deal with. Mr Peacock in committee moved an address for harbour works at Lvctelton, as necessary for the economical woikmg oi the ra'lway scheme. Mr Stafford adm-'t!o.l the important of the subject, but could not consent to divert any money already authorised for radwavs, or deal with Dyttclton without colis'dermg other places similarly situated, lhi Government would support a bill it Mr lea-cock introduced one, to borrow money for the purpose, on security of the tolls and wliari charges. Messrs Brown and Richardson both accused the province of having done harm rather than good to the harbour by the works already undertaken, lhey urged that any further expenditure should be under the direction of the General Government. After some debate Mr Peacock withdrew his motion on Mr Stafford's assurance. The Municipal Corporation Waterworks Bill and the Auckland Waterworks Bill have passed through committee. The Municipal Corporations Waterworks Bill was several hours in committee. Progress was reported in the Auckland Waterworks BillThursday. Mr Reader Wood moved that the House do agree with the report of the committee on Mr J. B. Russell's petition, and requests the Government to give effect to the committee's recommendation. Mr Gdl'cs explained that there was l'kclv to be some difficulty in getting a Judge of the Supreme Court to inquire into the matter as recommended ; aud Mr Wood having altered his motion so as to make it simply a request to the Government to institute an inquiry, the motion was agreed to. There was a long debate on Mr Fitzherbert's motion for a committee to inquire into the claims and accounts between the province of Wellington and the

colony. The debate was adjourned. Some member objecting to its resumption being made a first order of the day to-morrow, Mr Stafford intimated that, whdenot committing the Ministry to support the principle, he would take up the question as a Government one, and place it first on the order paper. The resolution moved by Mr O'Rorke authorising the oficr of rewards of £50C0 in each island for the discovery of new gold fields, was passed with formal amendments bj r Mr Gillies.