PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VIII, 22 August 1903, Page 523

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(Parliamentary Reporter.) THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM. Mr. Witheford asked the Premier whether, in accordance with a promise made, he proposes to provide £ 1000 for the Auckland Museum, and as it is not on the main Estimates will he provide for it on the Supplementary Estimates 1 The Premier said he remembered meeting with the deputation in connection with a request for the Government to provide £ 1000 towards the Auckland Museum, which had undoubtedly a splendid collection, and was deserving of support.) He should carry out the promise he made, if the terms of his promise were complied with. HARDWOODS IN THE NORTH. In answer to a question by Mr Kidd as to whether the officers of the Lands Department had brought under the notice of the Minister the necessity for extensive experiments in the growing of the various species of eucalypti, such as jarrah, ironbark and sugar gum, which are susceptible to frost, and whether be will not have steps taken to select a nursery site in the North of Auckland, where the growth of these important timbers can be undertaken, the Minister replied that the matter had not been lost sight of. A large number of different varieties of eucalyptus had already been planted in the Ruatangata district, near Kamo, and further extensive plantations would be made. The climate was found to be very suitable, the trees growing very fast, and the quality of the timber, especially ironbark, being equal to that imported. LAND BILL. Mr. Lang endeavoured to discover the intentions of the Government regarding land administration, asking if the Minister for Lands would this session introduce legislation to enable lease in perpetuity tenants to acquire the freehold. He believed that 99 per cent, of Crown tenants were anxious about the matter, and while he did not wish to see leaseholds done away with, ho thought tenants should have the right to purchase the properties selected by them. The Minister said that he thought it would be as well to bring a Land Bill down, and let members express their views on the question. He might say at onoe that he would not bring down a bill on the lines suggested by Mr Lang. Mr Massey: “Will you bring down a Land Bill at all?” The Minister said it was his present intention to do so if time would permit, which was as much as he could say at present. He could not commit himself altogether, because something might intervene to prevent the bill coming down. BELLAMY’S. The Legislature is not to suffer from drought during the continuance of the present Parliament. The vote taken in both Houses as to whether liquor should be sold at Bellamy’s resulted in the cold-water party being very handsomely beaten. In the Legislative Council the vote was 34 for and 4 against, while in the House of Representatives 42 voted in favour and 27 against, the total thus being 76 to 31. PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE. The Premier took umbrage at a complaint made by Mr. Herries that letters sent to him in his various capacities hardly ever received acknowledgment. Mr. Seddon said that he was generally complimented on the despatch with which he attended to his correspondence, and this was the first complaint that had been laid against him. He accused Mr. Herries of attempting to prejudice him in the eyes of the House and the country. MAORI GIRLS’ SCHOOL. Mr Moss asked the Government if provision can be made to give a block of land as an endowment to the Native Girls’ School at Parnell. The Premier replied that it was a mistake to suppose that the Government had done nothing to assist the school. They had decided in January last to send twenty girls from native schools to the institution, and to pay for their maintenance and tuition. The school was, he said, in reality a private institution, and having endowments similar to the Porirua trust.