TELEGRAPHIC

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 9 July 1880, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC

♦ ■ - [BY ELECTIiIG TELEGRAPH.] 1 [PBB PRESS AriSOCUTIION.J GENERAL ASSEMBLY. ♦ Wellington, July 6. The House met at 2-30. . Replying to a question by Mr Saunder?, Mr Hall said' that he proposed asking ■that the House meet in future on Mon days, and that in the event of that re« i quest being carried the Civil Service Commissioners report would be brought on£'jr considorah'on on Monday evening next. Mr Sa.an.ders therenpon gave notice for ( the production of pnpers and reports and relative to the working of the lines. the supply of waggons and carriages said to have been defective, both as regards material and workmanship, as also the production of a variety of information in support of the findings and recom* : mendation of the Ciy.il Ser,vi<je Com* ' missionecs. Replying to Mr M'Caughan, it was .stated the Government did not intend to bring in a Bill to de franchise the Civil Service and other employees. Replying to Mr Murray, Mr Hall said £8169 had been spent for the printing ot Hansard, Parliamentary returns, Statuites, Gazettes, &c, last year. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :— Bill to Amend jtbe " The Justices of Pe>.ce Act, 1866, *' (J? nn) ; The Married Women's Property (Finn) ; (o Amend the Mines Act, 1877. (Finn.) i On the motion for goiug into Committee of Supply, Mr Brown moved that all machinery and all' head end tail-races for mining, agricultural, manufacturing, and other purposes be exempt from the operations of the Proper'y Tax. Major Atkinson suegested that the motion should be withdrawn, pointing out that when the Bill was before the House, the matter could: be fully- discusjsed. He made the suggestion with a view of saving time. ' The motion was withdrawn as sug* gested. ; On the motion for going into Commit* tee of Sqpply, Mr Saunders moved as an amendment thit a reduction of ten per cent be made on all salaries and- wages ; excepting those connected with' the Legislative Bepar^pnt, which should be specially dealt with, and that the Government should make a large redue« ; tion in the numbers of officers by amalgamation of offices and othewise, and ; that all services which, were not indiss .pensable to the. efficient performance of : the public service be abolished altogether. Mr Hall said, the Government had showed itself most anxious to make every possible reduction, and be quite agreed ■with the motion as made to effect these .reductions, and give effect to the motion. The public would have .to be prepared to make considerable sacrifices as the facilities and conveniences hitherto

provided could not possibly bo cons tinned. Mr Maeandrew agreed with the spirit of the proposal, bnt thought that the basis proposed by the member for Waitimate would bo more equitable. It was net so much the reduction of salaries to which he looked far saving as to the amalgamation of offices. He : considered thai by a judicious amalgamation of offices, a sain of £200,000 could be saved. Sir George Grey said he apprehended that a motion of this kind was meant to inclode that of the Governor. Mr Hall replied that the salary of the Governor could not be touched until the expiry of the term of office of the present incumbent. The motion wculd be given effect to by a clause in the Appropriation Act. Mr Gisborne said it was doubtful if by putting a clause in the Appropriation Act they could deal with salaries fised by the Act of Parliament. He though! that more should be done in the way ol amalgamating offices, than was aimed at by the motion, He would, whpn the time came, move a ye^otytiea fca that effect, Mr Pyke argued that the Estimates should he taken back and re-cast. If they did so. and reduced them £150.000 or £200,000, they would be proposed to pass in a day. The proposals made by the Member for Cheviot were meanings less, an all round reduction such as he proposed would be an injustice to some officers, acd others the reduction wonH be much less than it should. He asked them to adjourn the House till the estimaets were re-cast. Mr Saunder's amendment wes even* tually carried. Kumara, July 6. After incessant labor by miners. James Fhelan was released at noon to* day, slightly injured ; also Philip Cnm» nrins, this afternoon, fearfully crushed ;on legs and feet. Amputation is probable. Both are in tlie hospital. Brown effected his escape through the debris | and timber last Bight uninjured. The two brothers Phelan are dead in the sliaft. The miners are now trying to get at the bodies.