GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 726, 17 October 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

(Per Press Agency., HOUSE OF BBPBBSBNTATIVBS. Monday, October 16, The House met at 2.30. PRIVILEGE. Sir G. Grey gave notice that on a future day he will move—“ That it is a breach of privilege oi the House for the Governor, or any Minister of the Crown, to make a charge against any member of the House, without informing him and giving him an opportunity of replying thereto.” ABOLITION ACT; Sir G. Grey also gave notice to move, at a future day, for an address to be presented to bis Excellency praying him to place a sum of £SOOO upon the supplementary estimates to defray the cost of legal proceedings with r. view of determining whether or not the Abolition Act was ultra vires. ministerial residences, Mr J. C. Brown asked if Government were willing to sell the Ministerial residences, and if not, why they do not consider it advisable to do so. The Premier said Government did not propose to sell them, as they considered these buildings necessary. return, Mr Larnach asked the Government whether they would lay before the House a return showing (1) The name of each officer (if any) in the civil service, who is allowed private practice outside the duties of his office. (2) The amount of salary any officer allowed private practice is receiving from the Government. (3) The real or estimated value of any private practice to any officer per annum, during the last three years. The Premier said he would supply the information to the first two questions, but he could afford no information as to the third, ministerial residences. Mr Macparlane gave notice to move—“Thatthe Ministerial residences be sold.” AUCKLAND ESTIMATES, Upon the motion for going into committee of supply, SirG. Grey pointed out that the estimates for the lunatic asylum and gaols in Auckland were quite inadequate. The Premier said they experienced great difficulty iu obtaining the necessary informal ion as to providing for Auckland services, though they were supplied by the other provinces with information. If the hon gentleman, however, would show the Government that the ptoviaioa they were making

waa inadequate, Government would be prepared to remedy the matter in the supplementary estimates. THE AGENT-GENERAL. Mr Murray moved a resolution to the effect that the Agent General, or any gentleman associated with him in the negotiation of a loan, should find substantial securities. The Premier opposed the motion, on the ground that it was not necessary, and if acted upon would lead to considerable extra expense in the’way of increased commission. The motion was negatived on the voices. SUPPLY. In committee of supply, some discussion ensued on the Postal Departmental vote, the estimates showing reductions on certain items for conveyance of mails by sea. It was argued on the one hand that these services were very beneficial in opening up the country and developing its trade, on the other hand it waa contended that there were too many of these services, and that the expenditure waa quite unnecessary. Hon F, Whitaker moved that item, Interprovincial services, £1750, be reduced by £250. He explained that if the House agreed to this he would take it as an indication that they wanted the services discontinued. Agreed to. Steam Service, West Ooast, Middle Island, £4OOO. Hon F. Whitaker moved it be reduced by £IOO, as an indication that the service be discontinued when the contract expired. This was strongly opposed by Mr Beid and Mr Banff. After a great deal of discussion, it was finally agreed that the votes should be passed as brought down, but that no new contract be entered into before next session, when the whole question could be discussed. The last amendment was then withdrawn. Telegraphs—The estimate for this department, £79,477, waa passed ; also, -€SOOO subsidy payable to the Eastern Extension Australia and China Telegraph Company for the Australian Cable. LAST NIGHT’S SITTINGS. SUPPLY. The House resumed on the estimates. Wellington Botanical Garden, £3oo—led to a keen discussion, the Otago and Auckg land members arguing that if that garden was to be subsidised, all others throughout the colony ought also to be subsidised. It was pointed out that the garden was made colonial property by an Act of the Legislature. The item was struck out by 30 against 26. Maintenance of road from Hokitika to Malvern for {six months. |£3ooo. —This led to a long and keen discussion. Strong feeling was expressed against the vote by the Auckland and Otago members, who contended that this was one of the first fruits of abolition, and that the cost of the road should be borne by the districts through which it runs. It was pointed oat that the road was essentially of a colonial character, and useful to the colony at large for the conveyance of the northern and southern mails to the West Coast, and the Australian and European mails from Rokitika to Canterbury. The West Coast members said that the road had been forced upon Westland in the first place, »nd that compelling them afterwards to maintain their portion of it was simply ruination. They could not afford to keep that road in repair, and did not want it, as they could get their catile by the sea. The Canterbury members pointed out that the greater portion of the road was through an almost entirely uninhabited country. The item waa lost by 34 against 28, The remainder of the sitting was occupied over the native department vote by a keen and very protracted discussion. Mr Sheehan, after a sharp attack upon the management of the native department, moved the vote be put down by £IO,OOO. The Premier pointed out that each year a large reduction had been made in that vote, and that this year a reduction of between £SOOO and £6OOO had been made, and that no doubt next year a further reduction would be made. He argued it would be an imprudent step to make a large and sudden reduction. The discussion was kept up several hours Mr Rees suggested that the item be reduced by £SOOO instead of £IO,OOO, but Ministers opposed any reduction. Ultimately progress was reported at 2.50, and the House adjourned. POLITICAL NEWS. * (Per Press Agency .) Wellington, October 17. The Legislative Council was occupied a great portion of last night in committe on the Counties Bill. The result was the throwing out of all the borrowing or special loan clauses, and leaving the counties only power to anticipate their revenues by one year.