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HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
Tn-sDAY. Jrir 15.
Tlie Speaker took the Chair at the usual hour.
PETITIONS.
Mr. McFARLAXE presented a petition from
the inhabitants at and near Wellington, praying
that the House would take steps to establish a ]
Local Court at Wellington.
Received and read.
Mr. N. BLYTH presented a petition from 21
residents of Robe, praying that the House would
place on the Estimates the sum of £50 for the ;
Harbour-Muster at Itobe. ;
Received ami read.
Mr. BROWNE presented a petition from the in- |
habitants of Port Lincoln, praying that the House ;
would place on the Estimates the sum of £500 for '
rep tiring the road to Pounindee.
Received and read.
DOCUMENTS.
The TREASURER laid on the table a statement
of all payments made under the Superannuation
Act. lie also laid on the table a return of Customs
duties from 1S50 to 1SU2.
Ordered to be printed.
The COMMISSIONER of CROWN LANDS
laid on the table;', return of land sales, and expen
diture on roads and immigration.
Ordered to be printed.
ROAD SYSTEM.
Mr. SUTHERLAND laid on the table the report
of tlie Select Committee on the lload System, and
moved that it be read.
Carried.
The Ci.erk then read the report as follows;—
"Your Committee have to report to your
Honourable House that, after having taken" the
accompanying evidence, and carefully considered
the subject, they are of opinion—
" 1. That the maintenance of the main roads of
the-colony should be a charge separated from their
construction.
"2. That a moiety of the land sales be set apart
annually for the construe: ion of main fines of roads •
and if this is insufficient, funds shall be raised
for the purpose from such source as the Parliament
of tlie day should decide.
":}. That a rate lie made on all the assessable
property in the colony where the main lines of
roads reach, or where the public money is devo'ed
to tlie niakiug of roads. This appears to be the
most equitable method of raising money for the
maintenance of the mam roads; and that through
the District Councils aud Corporations (where tlicy
exist) there is efficient machinery for the levying
the s unc and properly disbursing tlie funds.
"A That the present division of the mainlines
in north, north-east, south-east, and south, be con
tinued.
"5. That these divisions he formed into county
districts for road purposes.
' 6. That the rate contributed by Adelaide be
equally divided between the four districts, after
deducting a sufficient amount to provide for the
maintenance of the continuation of the main roads
tlirough these limits. This rule to apply to alt
Corporations and Municipalities throughout the
colony.
'T- That each county district ^comprehend all
Corporations and District Councils within its limits;
and that the rate of each county district go into a
common fund for the proper maintenance of the
main roads of the district; and with respect to
those districts which may be provided with main
lines of railway, a proportionate part of the sums
collprtpri t.iiCToii! lift nairi to t.hp TrP5i.«niY*r of flip
collected therein be paid to the Treasurer of the
colony, in aid of the cost of maintenance of such
railways, so long as the railways do not meet their
"S. That the Central Road Board hand over an
nually to the County District Board roads that rnay
liave been constructed during the year.
That the Corporations and District Councils
he empowered to elect annually a Board, consist
ing of seven persons, to superintend the main
tenance of the main roads in the county district;
and that the same system be adopted in other
parts of the colony to which roads may in future
be extended.
•'10. That the Cliairman of the Central Road
Board should not have a double vote; and that,
for the more efficient control over the expenditure
of the funds, periodical visits lie made by the !
Board for roads under construction or deviation of ■
line. |
"11. That, as the roads arc greatly injured by ,
the carrying of heavy loads on narrow tires, it is |
recommended that immediate steps lie taken to i
remedy this evil by regulating the width of the
tires to the carryiug powers of the axle. |
" 12. That great inconvenience has arisen through |
the abandnmneut of mauy loads which were origi
nally on the schedule of main roads; and your |
Committee are of "opinion that some means are .
necessary to provide for the care, maintenance, !
and disposal of the same.
"David Sutrerlakd, Chairman."
Mr. SUTHERLAND moved that the report and i
evidence be printed. j
Carried. I
THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.
Sir. FINNiSS hoped the Government would [
favour the House with some statement of what j
had transpired since tlieir last adjournment.
(Hear, hear.)
Tiie ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he was j
merely waiting. (A laugh.) He hoped, on so i
serious an occasion as that, hou. members would i
observe some degree of gravity. He was merely
waiting until the notices of motion had been
given in and the time for presenting petitions had i
elapsed to make the statement so anxiously de- j
sired by the hon. member for Mount Barker (Mr. ]
Fiuniss). He had the honour, by command of :
His Excellency, to lay on the table three messages, !
which he would do before entering upon Ms state- I
inent. - I
The SPEAKER then read the messages as j
follows:— j
No. 2S Iuforming the House of Assembly that |
in compliance with Address No. 2U he has directed l
the necessary steps to be taken for the equable j
distribution of the licence-fees on vehicles plying
for hire between the City of Adelaide and other :
corporate towns and districts.
No. 29. Recommending the House of Assembly
to make provision for a mileage-fee to persons
summoned to act as Jurors in criminal cases, as
requested in Address No. 22 of the 9th inst.
No. 30. Informing the House of Assembly that
lie has directed the sum of £500 to be placed on |
the Estimates, as requested in Address No. 2:i, to
meet the cost of erecting dams or sinking wells on
the road from Auburn to Wallaroo.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he had
arranged to take the opportunity, in moving
that Message No. 29 be referred to a Committee of '
the whole House, of makiugthe statement referred
to by the hon. member Mr. Finniss. He need
hardly recall to the recollection of hon. members
tliat on tbe last occasion they met the resolutions
which had been introduced by the Government, in |
pursuance with their policy shadowed forth in [
His Excellency's speech, after a debate of four
days, were negatived. Each of the resolutions
was affirmed by the House; hut when the I
adoption of tbe report was being put, Mr. Mildred
moved tbe previous question. The Government
being defeated on that question, felt themselves
placed in such a position as was necessary for
them to consider what course they should take
under the circumstances. He, as they all knew, I
immediately moved the adjournment of the House, |
in order to enable the Ministry to consider the
position in which they were placed. On con
sideration they felt it was due to themselves,
their own sense of independence and. personal
honour and dignity, due to that House, and
due to the country, that they -should at
once place their resignations in the hands of His
Excellency, so that if the resolutions were carried
by a previous combination in that House that
those persons who so combined to tin oar outthe reso
lutions should have the opportunity of forming
another Ministry. The Ministry felt that the ojily
constitutional method of discovering what was the
meaning of the division that had taken place was
to place their resignations in the hands of His Ex
cellency. Their resignations were consequently
tendered as early as possible to His Excellency,
who communicated with the hon. member for
Burra and Clare (Mr. Kingston), who had taken a
prominent part in opposing the resolutions upon
which the Government were defeated. The result
of the communication was that the lion, member
declined to take upon himself the formation of a
Ministry. The hon. member for the l'ort (Mr. '
Hart) was theu sent for. He commuuicated with
the members of the Miuistry, and in a candid
manner told them that it was his opiuion that the
vote which had been arrived at was not indicative
of a wish to change the Ministry, aud requested
the Ministry to continue in office and to bring for
ward the resolutions again by moving the adoption
of the report. The Ministry of which he was a
member, whilst they felt it due to themselves to
take the course they had done, and whilst they
considered there was no other course to pursue
consistent with their sense of independence, did
not wish to throw the affairs of the country
into confusion; and on this statement by
thc lion, member Mr. Hart they consented to
continue in office. The Hon. Chief Secretary had
consented to retain office and to proceed with the
business of the House. He would say at once that
it was the intention of the Ministry, if the House
would give them fair support, as lie trusted and
believed it would, to proceed with the business
before them. He would also state that it was the
intention of the Ministry to bring forward a pro
position for the appointment of delegates to i ro
ceed to Melbourne in a modified form. (Hear,
hear.) A resolution embodying the principle of
the original resolutions would he brought forward.
They felt that this great difficulty luul arisen by
the resolutions being divided into three; for,
although there was a large majority in favour of
the Government on each of tlic resolutions,
yet when they were put as a whole the
Ministry were defeated. They did not, however,
complain of that, hut the embarrassment into i
which they were thrown was caused by that, aud
they had determined to bring all the resolutions
forward in one. Tl:ey felt deeply the importance
of carrying out tlie.proposal of this colony that
there should he a conference of delegates to con
sider tlicsubject of the assimilation of tariffs besides
other matters, and he might also say that the impor
tance of this hud been prominently brought before
them by the receipt that day of a telegram from the
Chief Secretary of Victoria, asking whether it was
any use to take any further action with reference
to the reception of delegates on this question. It
would be seen, therefore, that the course the House
had taken had already had its effeet upon the
other colonies, and unless the House carried out
this matter it would stand in a despicable position
—hating suggested a conference aud then drawn
out of it. Having made this statement, lie would
move that Message 29 be referred to a Committee
of the whole House.
Mr. KLXGiXOj£ ba6 few words to say on the
siiuk-j'_ Wiic.i lie was sent for byStlic Governor
he -st ■ t.il I His Excellency that lie neve: t* ll
ti mplated or wishc 1 to mix himself up with aiiy
pi itical fight f r the sake of becoming a member
of the Ministry. He always voted with or against
the Government according to the convictions of
liis own mind, and never with the desire to dis- :
place an Administration or to take office himself.
It was true he moved one amendment to which the
Ministry agreed, and it was also true that he told
the Chief Secietary of his intention to move two
further amendments—one with reference to the
reimposition of the ail valorem duties, and the
other that the distillation laws should be recon
sidered for the general benefit of the country. As
he understood! the Chief Secretary, he wasted to
believe that such amendments would not meet
with tlie opposition of the House, hut would form
part of the instructions to the delegates, inas
much as from the Governor's opening speech
they themselves were in favour of the question:—
"My Government feel that the removal of restric
tions upon free distillation is fast becoming a
necessity. Foreseeing that this will render indis
pensable a complete revision of our fiscal system,
and may necessitate the reimposition of ad valorem
duties, communications have been entered into
with the adjoining Governments, in order to the
establishment of uniform tariffs throughout these
colonies." He did not, therefore, think he was
placing himself in opposition to the Ministry. He
thought if those questions were put the delegates j
might possibly he of some benefit. Having marie
that statement and "Shown that the amendments !
he intended to move were not opposed to the policy
of the Government, he might say he was certainly ,
suprised to find the Government dividing against I
him, whilst thev voted in favour of the lion. 1
nieml-cr for Light's amendment that free
distillation should be one of the sub
jects considered by the conference. But the
two questions were essentially mixed up together
It free distillation were necessary, it was tenfold
more necessary to make up the deficiency which
the removal of the restrictions on distillation
would cause by the reimposition of the ad valorem
duties. He believeithe country, with the exception,
perhaps, of the mercantile part of the community,
was in favour of the duties lieingrcimposed. He felt
strongly on the subject, and when one of the
questions was carried and the other omitted he
voted for the previous question. It was not a
question that, need or ought to put the Ministry
out. (Hear.) It was competent for the Speaker
to vote for tlie previous question, leaving it [
open with tlie statement that he voted for the
Noes in order to allow the feeling of the House to
lie again tested. He did so. only in another way;
hut still the nuestion could be reconsidered, and
probably a different result might be given, as on
the last occasion only 2(5 members were present.
Under these circumstances, with his own personal
dislike to take on himself the duties of a member
of a Ministry, or that he was in any way guided by
the desire to hold office, or that there was anything
in the vote of the House to cause the Government i
to go out, he humbly declined the honour the Go- ]
vcrnor oS'ereil him.
Mr. FIXNISS thought the explanation ought to
have been fuller, but some curious effects Shad
arisen from it, and he must ask tlie Ministry
whether they sat there as the appointees of Captain
Hart or His Excellency. (A laugh.) Tlie Hon.
Attorney-General had also not informed them
whether the Governor had accepted their resigna
tions, and whether, when Mr. Kingston and Mr.
Hart had been sent for, they withdrew their re
signations. These were points which made it;
doubtful whether they had a Government in that
House. The Hon. Attorney-General had stated
that under the circumstances of an adverse vote
the Government adopted this policy to test the
views of the House with regard to the resolutions.
Perhaps they acted with discretion in resigning,
but he would remind them that they might have
tested the feelings of the House as they now de
sired by bringing them forward again. However,
they chose to resign, and they also chose to take
office as the representatives of Captain Hart. The
Hon. Att orney-General said the colony would look
despicable to draw hack from the position they
bad taken. He would remind them that when the .
Ministry opened a communication on the subject
of the assimilation of tariffs they could not he said
to represent the colony. They had no autho
rity to open up such a correspondence. The
hon. gentleman would have been right had
he said the Ministry would have looked
despicable for entering into a correspondence ,
without authority, but they said the colony would
look despicable merely to remove the blame from
themselves. The hon. gentleman was not justified
in saying the colony had taken this step. The
colony had not yet moved in the matter, and it
cnul f only move by that House. Hitherto it was
solely the unauthorized act of the Ministry, for
which they now sought the indemnity of that
House. .Having made these remarks he trusted
the Government would inform them under what
tenure thev sat in that House.
Mr. TOWNSEND said the Attorney-General,
referring to himself, had remarked that he ought
to be grave under such serious circumstances, tie
bail generally found since he had had a seat in
that House that the first business after the re
signation of the Government was for the Ministry
to enter into their statement, but it was not until
the Orders of the Day hail been twice called on
that the Government showed any movement of
speaking, and be did believe that they intended to
goon with tlie business without any statement.
(No. no.) That was his own impression, hut it
might not have been tlie impression of the lion,
memlier for Birossn (Mr. Grundy), whose im
pressions he always found to differ from his own.
With regard to the remarks of the Hon. the Attor
ncv-Geueral. he would sav he was never crave at a
farce —(a laugh) —and he said distinctly this was
one of the greatest political farces he had ever
seen; and if he was disposed to be grave,
lie should not tliink of taking lessons
in gravity from the Hon. the Attorney
General for he himself laughed in his loudest
tones when the lion, member Mr. Finniss was
speaking. But he wished to bring that debate to
its proper course, and lie would state the position
he took in voting on the resolutions. He spoke
against a conference, and he did so liecause_ he
believed the main object was to shelve the subject
of free distillation, and for 110 other purpose- He
therefore opposed the conference altogether; but
when the lion, member for the Light (Mr. Bagot)
brought forward his amendment, he was willing, if
the Government had sufficient majority to carry
tiiat amendment, that the subject of free distilla
tion should lie discussed by the delegates. Believ
ing, however, that this was only a move of the
present Government to put aside the question of
free distillation altogether, when he had an op
portunity of opposing the conference he did
so, and voted agaiust the resolutions and for
the previous question. He would remind the
lion, member for Burra and Clare (Sir.
Kingston) that although there were only 21}
members in the House when the resolutions
were put, the hon. member Mr, Magarey and
the lion, member Mr. Fiuniss, who spoke against
the resolutions, were both absent. And with re
spect to the position they now found themselves
iu, the Government had chosen to regard the
action of the House as a vote of want of confi
dence, and stated that they had opened a cor
respondence which the House refused to affirm. If
they chose to go out of tlieir way to do certain
things which they were not sure the House would
ratify they must abide liy the consequences; and be
would ask the Treasurer to point out a resolution of
that House compelling them to take that course. If
the G o vernmcnt, fi ir some freak of their own, opened
up a matter with the other colonies, ami the House
were hound to atlirm it, then a Government
could do anything. But what was the fact? The
Government resigned, hut His Excellency did not
seud for the mover of the motion (&lr. Mildred),
who lie thought must have felt a little slighted.
He did not know whether it was liy the Ministry's
recommendation that His Excellency sent for a
gentleman (Mr. Kingston) who did not take an
active part in the matter, and then the hon.
member for the Port (Mr. Hart) was sent for—
one of the newest members of that House—and
that hon. member had a little interview with the
members of the Ministty. The result was that a
Government who had declared they could not
carry on the affairs of the colony, at the request of
the hon. member Mr. Hart, were induced to alter
their opinion, and in future theywouldnothe looked
upon as the Ministry of His Excellency or of that
House, hut the Miuistry of Captain Hart, it was
a pitiful proceeding, and he could not understand
why they took it. He could understand the Go
vernment taking higher grounds, and saying, *' (Ve
have taken the course we thought proper, aud we
are willing to appeal to the House to support us."
Ami there he must also ask them whether thev
had beetftwoptriy gazetted. (A. laugh.) It should
be an umisal notification, and it should be printed
in black lines - "Appointed by Captain Hart." The
Ministry said they were induced to resign as they
thought tlieir honour was at stake, but they had not
the honour to again table the resolutions. They !
drafted a resolution not embodying the same prin- I
ciples, but simply embodying the idea for the ap- j
pomunent 01 inree ueiegates, rimming tnat I13' Uie ,
mere bareness of the thins tliey might catch a '
floating majority. What an independent Ministry".
They didn't count hea Is like a previous Ministry.
2fo; they counted Captain Hart. (A laugh.) He
wished thein joy vitli their new colleague. Tliey
had heard of a previous Government who had not
sufficient numerical majority appointing a Soli
citor-General ; but the present might he called the
appointment of an outside adviser without pay—
Captain Hart, lie would state distinctly his opi
nion. His honest conviction was that the Govern
ment believed that free distillation—whether right
or wrong—was pressing upon the attention of the
people of the colony. This was stated in His Ex
cellency's opening speech, and he would only ask
the Government to give effect to tlieir views by an
Act of Parliament. (The Commissioner of Public
Works—"Head on.") His hou. colleague said
"Head 011," and he would do so, as he was anxious
to oblige him on all occasions:—"Foreseeing that
this will render indispensable a complete revision
of our fiscal system, and may necessitate the_ re
imposition of ad valorem duties, communications
liave been entered into with the adjoining Govern
ments, in order to the establishment of uniform
tariffs throughout these colonies. As negotiations '
are still pending, no immediate legislative action
will be proposed.to you until the voice of the
country has been pronounced at the general
election now so near at hand." (Hear, hear.)
This was the Government scheme, and he would
state distinctly that tliis was shelving the question.
Hou. members knew how such speeches as that
were prepared-the fewest tliiugs in the greatest
number of words, and with no pledges. The pre
sent Ministry themselves were divided ou the
question of ifrce distillation. The Hon. Chief
.secretary, iu another part of the Legislature, said
the question should he a sine qua nan hi the con- :
ferente, while the Commissioner of Pub.ie Works 1
in that House brought figures to prove that free
distillation was unnecessary. He said this, as a [
man having the highest opinion of the Ministry,
and 011 ali nutters ot doubt he wished to give them
his honest and manly support. Hut oa great and
important questions he should exercise his delibe
rate and conscientious opinion and vote. He gave
his vote conscientiously on Friday, and if he liad
to give it over again he would do as he had done.
He would ask the Ministry—and he must have au
answer to this—(laughter)—how they intended to
get over another difficu ty—if they intended to
reintroduce the Constitution ActHe would test
their manly independence-(a laugh)—and ask
whether they intended to weather through the
session. His view was that the time had come
when they should have that House dissolved;
when such great questions as taxation, flee dis
tillation, ami the Gonsritution weie pressed upon
them they indicated the necessity of a dissolution.
He was willing to assist iu passing a measure to
ill lemnify the Ministry of the colony: hilt he would
never be a party to shelving a question of such im
portance as t ree distii'at on. If this question was not
soon settle.!, he was confident no person would be
returned for the agricultural districts unless he was
favourable to it. (Oil) Hon. members said "Ob,"
but he believed it. Ir, therefore, the Government
introduced those motions again, he should feel it
bis duty to move that this question he dealt with
this session, ami take means to bring it practically
before the House and country. i
The THE vSUKEll said lion, members would
■'oubilcss sympathize with the-lion. m; n:i-r -.ilio'
had just sat down, and who had rejiewd himself
or much that iiad been festering in his mind for
several days. The hon. gentleman in his speech,
the utterance of which no doubt made hhn feel
more comfortable, said he had given the Govern
ment an honest and manly support. If the hon.
member's conduct was a specimen of honest and
manly support, God save them or any Ministry
from sucli support. The hon. member had told
them the hon. member Mr. Kingston took no
active part in the debate on the assimilation of
tariffs. Why, the very person who firet rose to
speak against it was Mr. Kingston, who had also
been tbe first to oppose the Government on other
matters. It appeared that the grievance was that
the Governor did not send for the lion, member
Mr. Townsend. (A laugh.) Whether the hon. ■
gentleman were prepared for the emergeu'-y he
did not know. He might perhaps have been
anticipating such an application, and was con
sequently prepared. Another grievance was that
the Government did not, before the time to; pre-.
senting petitions and giving notices of notion,
elapsed, make the Ministerial statement. He'
would state that never in his own experience, or'
the hon. member's experience, was such a course
followed. The axiom orafejs friend the Attorney
General ought to be sancEHmcd by the House, uot -
complained at. The hon. member for Mount
Barker hail his eyes upon the Speaker, and how
' did the Ministry know that he had no notice of
motion to give? ■ The Government were not
anxious to interfere with any hon. member giving
I notices of motion by making an explanation the
moment tbe House met. He was sure no one in
! the House liclieved that the Government did uot
desire to go on with the business cf the country.
They had been twitted as being the nominees of
the hou. member Mr. Hart; but he did not
care for such quips and cranks; they passed him.
liy as the idle wiud. If they had not been
properly appointed by His Excellency they had no
business there, and were not honourable men. It
was true the Hon. tbe Attorney-General had not
stated quite so fully as he intended what he meant
to say, but to seize hold of a little slip of the
tongue as his friend had made, it was too idle—
there, he would not use epithets. The Government'
did not wish to be the nominees of any one. If
the Government were to blame at all it was for.
beingtooseusitive of their own honour. He imped,
no Government would hold office unless they had
the candid support of that House, for withou'. that
no Government could long stand—sooner or later
it must fall. The House had alrcadv heard the
motion he had read, and he should be perfectly
prepared, when it was brought forward fi r- con
sideration, to enter into the fullest possible ex
planation. The Government bad, at the request
of the Governor, withdrawn their resignations,;
and were prepared to proceed with the business of
the House.
Mr. HAJtT was sorry that the hon. member for
Oukaparinga had felt it necessary to make the
remarks he had. He believed that by the para he ,
took in advising His Excellency anu the giving his
suggestion to tho Minist-y, he was doing the
country a service. He had no desire to serve him
self. He felt, and still felt, that a Ministerial
crisis at this moment, with the Estimates half
way through and the English mail just leaving,.
would be a great drawback to pabnc business,'
aud in .this belief he tendered the advice he
gave to Jhe Ministry. He felt confident that
the mistake arose from the introduction of
the amendment of the hon. member for.
Eight (Mr. Bago), and he believed if the Ministry
haa had time for the smallest consideration as to,
the false position of their supporters tlxat 'amend
ment would not have been agreed to, and the r eso- ■
lutions would have been passed. He was rather
amused at the hon. member for Ohkaparinga
speaking of consistency. That hon. member
argued all along for free distillation; but when the
motion giving Mm free distillation was put lie voted
against it (No.) However; it was so in the pro
ceedings of that House. Talk of consistency!
After-the hon. member had got what he required
he voted against tbe resolutions; and the hon..
member had forfeited his character for consistency.
(Hear, hear.) He should be sorry to say any per
sonal thing against one hon. member, for nr. man..
could accuse bim of bringing forward any personal
matter; but in a case of this kind, where the hon.
member for Oukaparinga (air. Townsend) took
hon. members to task for theii inconsistency, he
said there was never a grosser piece of inconsistency
than was shown by that hon. member. All he
could say was that—independeut of the qiiestiMi
as to whether members were in favour of tree dis
tillation or not—it would be impolitic to make.
that subject a sine qua rum with the con
ference, if they wished to bring the conference to a
satisfactory conclusion. It would be unjust ml
unfair, and not only that, but uncourteous, to
the other colonies to put that subject
forward. He was anxious to support the
Government, because he felt that it would be. ,<
a serious drawback to the colony if after the resig
nation of this Ministry a permanent Ministry
could not be found. If he had been in any way
useful in this respect he was pleased; but it was
not him—he had only made a suggestion to His
Excellency the (Joveruor. The hon. member for
O.ikaparmga (Mr. Townsend) had said he was a
new member. He did not know how he arrived at
that; for he was one of the first members elected
to that House, and he had had as much experience
as the lion, gentleman, and had made die best
use of that experience. (Hear, hear.) He thought
the arrangement which had beea come to was
the most satisfactory to the House and to the _
mintrr.
_ Mr. GRUNDY little thought, in giving expres
sion to a gentle "No, no," lie should iiave culled,
down sucli an amount of savage sarcasm and
satire which the hon. member for Onkapaiiaga in
the warmth of his disappointed feelings had in
dulged in. If there had been any attempt to turn
those proceedings into a farec the attempt was on
the side of the hon. member Sir. Town send.
A mere lapsus lingua—the dropping of the
name of Captain Hart for the Governor—
should not he made political capital of.
He wished to refer to the 7th page of the
Votes and Proceedings of that House. It would be
there seen that the House did respond to the
matter of free distillation. The Ministry did not
go as far as to negotiate with the other colonies on
the question of a uniformity of tariffs; they only
communicated with them. The hon. member
for Unkaparinga, in what he might call Ins rugged
harangue, had omitted to notice the fact that the
House had replied to the passage in the Governor's
speech with reference to free distillation, although
the lion, member was present. (No.) "Well, lie
ought to have been—(a laugh)—and he had never
protested against it since, (tfcar.) He said the
House had confirmed the conduct of the Ministry.
He had no particular attachment to the present
Government—to the five ins or the ten outs. He
was one of those who kept in the middle course,
and endeavoured to act in such a way that when,
he went hack to Barossa he should have something
to say on his behalf. The hon. member for Caka
paringa's speech had not created much impression
—it was like throwing water upon a duck s hack.
He must, however, to use -a vulgar phrase, nave a
go in on all occasions, or else he would lira ^ a fit
of sickness. (A. laugh.) The. hon. gentleman's
character was best imagined from the words of an
old English poet, who, in describing a dog, said—
A mastiff of true English blood; -
Loved fighting better than his food.
When dogs were warring for a hone
He lov'd to make the war his own:
Awav he scours and lays about him,
Resolved no fray shall be without him."
(Laughter and hear.)
Mr. REYNOLDS supposed if the hon. member
Mr. Townsend was the mastiff the hon. member
for Barossa (Mr. Grundy) was the chloe. He
thought the Attorney-General was responsible for
that peculiar discussion, as he did not state
whether the Ministry had withdrawn their resig
nations at the request of the Governor. All he
caught was that the hon. member Mr. Hart
requested them to retain office and come before the
House agam. and he was not sorry to sec the
Government in their position. He did not know,
however, that anvthin"had taken place to alter the
stances which they said affected their per
circumstances which they said affected their per
sonal honour and dignity. He did not think there
was anything affecting their personal honour as to
induce them to retire. The hon. member for the
Port (Mr. Hart) had acted a wise part, seeing the
comse he took on Friday last when lie \oitd on
both sides. (No, no.) He found by the " Hansard"
that the lion, gentleman's name appeared on both
sides. (No.) He wished the lion, gentleman,
would not interrupt him by saying "No;" if the
"Hansard" was incorrect let him say so. His
vote having placed the Government in that
peculiar position, he probably thought it
was his duty to advise the Government
to retain office. It would have been much
better if they had taken the advice of the
members of the House rather than that of one <
member. It would have been very much 1 etter if
they had called, a meeting of their supporters,
! and tliey would tncu nave q)we to cue nouse
j with more power. Seeing tlie Government in.
J most of their actions did not appear to possess a
| majority of that Houfe, he would recommend the
Government to go on with matters of mere
! routine, and not subjects of such great impor
tance. It must appear to ail that they onl y existed
by sufferance, and he should be happy to tender
assistance if the Government would postpone some
of these great questions till an appeal was made to
the country. If, howevet, they went on with the
Constitution question, ami such aaother farce took
place as had occurred during the past week, he did
not know when the session would end. He hoped
the Government would take the sense of the House
oh this question, and place a Hill on the table of
the House, not that it might be proceeded with,
but that the Ministry should have a bold line of
policy to submit to the people without any trimming
policy. If tbey were going to adopt the principle
of protection let them do so"; if free trade,
let them do it: or if free immigration to any
extent, let them do it. Having said this he
would assure the Government that they might
rely, except in matters of great moment, on his
support. With regard to the Constitution, if it
was attempted to be brought forward he would use
his utmost endeavour to upset the Government oa
that point. He hoped, however, the Government
would 6how more consideration, and submit it to
the country. He had always thought tlie lion.
I member Mr. Hart was in favour of free distillation,
but it would appear he was met, for he twitted the
lion, member for Onkaparinga (Mr. Townsend)
| with inconsistency, while if lie was an advocate
for free distillation he had himself acted incon
sistently. The lion, member"Mr. Hart took a
great deal of credit to himself for not dealing in
personalities, but he recollected a most violent
personal attack by that hon. gentleman upon the
lion, member Mr. Kingston. He would, there
fore, advise the hon. member for the Port to look
at the beam in liis own eye before he attempted to
i remove the .note from lii's brother's ere.
I Mr. LIXD5AY had not intended to say any
thing but for the remarks which had been made
by the hon. member for the Port (Mr. Han) in
tiling the hon. member Mr. Townsend with
inconsistency, while his own conduct was so
similar. In other words, after voting for the
amendment of the lion, member Mr. tiag.it, he
afterwards voted for the question not being put. •
Did he say iliat was not inconsistent? Willi
regard to himself, he would say that he did not
approve of the resolutions, but when the amend
ment wasproposcdhevoted forthat iu opposition to 1
the Government, and when he had an oppurtmuty
of voting against the resolutions in foto he did so,
and thus carried out the idea he started with.
The Hon. the Treasurer had stated th at no hon.
member felt a greater relief than the hon. member
Sir. Townsend when lie was delivered of his.
speech. But lie could fancy another hon. member _
who v.-as relieved, and he could imagine the sigh of
relief with which the Treasurer dropped into his
chair that day. The hon. gentleman had also
remarked that the arguments of the lion, member
Jlr. Townsend were all a.farce. He treated it
perhaps as a farce, but there were some cogent
arguments which had not been answered by the
Hon. the Treasurer. The ' hou. memlier, for
instance, asked in what respect had the circum
stances changed since the iVIinistry were induced
to resign. That had not been answered by the
Treasurer, hut he hoped it would he replied to
before the discussion Closed.

Mr. COGrLIK had a word to say in explauatiop.
He hsd to enunciate the justifiable reasons which
led him to vote on the question touching the
Ministerial crisis. The first instigator was Air.

Grundy. The hon. member for the Murray (Mr.

McFariane) was rising, in a constitutional manner
to address the Hmise.'onlhe subjectof the .gssimi
lation of tariffs; which had kept .the House ip .sus
pense fonrdays, wlienthehon. member Mr. Grundy
moved that.the House divide—a course takep
when it was the wish of -any hon; member to im
pede the progress of speech and oratory. (A laugh)
xhen the hoii. mepwcr tor Buna and Clare (Mr.
Kingston) moved an amendment, which was fol
lowed by amendments proposed by the hon. mem
bers Mr. Cole and Air. Bagot. After the resolu
tions were carried, the hon. member for. East

Torrens - moved the previous question; hut he 1
thought the course-pursued was very unjustifiable.
He did hot-see that auy harm would be 'lone by
sending delegates to the other colonies. He was
sure if it haa mot. been for the' hop, member Air.
Grundy's conduct, and the wish of others to im
pede the true dissemination of enlightened orato
rical eloquence, the resolutions would'have been
carried unanimically.

Air. NE ALES hoped hon, members on a future
occasion would consider their reasons for voting
before they voted, and not give them afterwards.
He had only, to complain that the Government
ought not to have .resigned, but the next best
. thing for them to do was to take their seats again,
. which they had done. He believed if they had

acted constitutionally and with a due sense of their
honour they would not have caused the crisis.
They should have-come to-that House -instead of
going to His Excellency.' It was necessary-for
their good government that they should not be
continually changing their Alinistry. It would
probably ne several days before another Adminis
tration would have been formed if the present
Ministry had not retained their seats. It was
therefore that he said he did not hold the Govern
ment blameless .for the precipitancy with which
they went to Bis Excellency. It would have been
~ nrachrbetter if "theyhad appealed to the coolness

of the House after the heat was over.

The TREASURER rose to make a word of
explanation. He never said that the proceedings
were a farce. It was the hon. member for Onka
paringa who used the term.

Mr. A11TDRKD might offer a word or two in
explanation. He had from toe commencement op
posed the resolutions, as he believed them to con
tain a principle wliich would place toe people of
South Australia in a position in which he never
wished to see them. He would ask them to look
at the correspondence which had been received
from the other colonics. He questioned, in the
first place, the propriety of -any Ministry taking
the powers in their own hands, and writing to other
persons, when the colony would be implicated in
their transactions, before consulting the represen
tatives of the people. If that had becu-done there
would have oeen another "aspect te the case.
Queensland said, "We have no objection to
send-our - Treasurer; but we will soon be in a
position to ex-port sugar and rum, and therefore
a similarity -eg tariffs will not suit us." Sydney
in a courteous manner alluded to the great advan
tages of a conference, but-said an assimilation of
tariffs would be utterly impossible. He would
admit it might partially be done, but a correct
uniformity of tariffs would never be possible.
Victoria talked about sending three delegates;

while-Van Diemen's Band said, " We are isolated,
and a -uniformity of tariffs will not be of much
use to us; however, we will send one delegate."
Now, upon this foundation the Government of
South Australia proposed to send three delegates.

He felt that toev could do no good whatever.

When he beard the names of some who would

be proposed as delegates be viewed the movement j
in the light of a farce, and had a perfect right to ■
enquire into their antecedents. He was an advo- ;
cate of free ' distillation, and said rather than |
3helve the question for-a seventh'year he would j
tvmove indirect taxation, and have direct taxa- I
4ion, so that the people might have what-they j
"had so long demanded.' He said that if
fthe question of free 'distillation were embodied
•as a sine qua now fethe resolutions, so that -the
delegates mightliave declared that the colony was
in favour of ft, thenGie Government wonld have
had "his (support.. When,, however, lie : raw that
duringthe preseht^ession nothing had beeci-done
for the vital interests of the colony, he wasjustified
in viewing the -conduct of the Government as a
■ desire, to' continue in office for the sake of its

emoluments. {ffear.hear, and laughter.) He was
not anxious for", the foils and cares .of offiavand
every one knewtliat Henry Mildred had no'desire
for its remuneration; -He-was the independent

representative-of the people, always supporting
the Government when he thought they were right,
and opposing them when they-were wrong. He
believed at present thatthe Government were mis
leading the people, and he -had aright to put the

same construction upon it as many-other. Iron,
members had. The men who next took office in
South Australia must adopt, a bold, defined, rigid

policy. They must not he carried about .by the
shifting . winds of doctrine,' which was. very
detrimental to the people - generally. • He was
rather desirous of seeinea count-out on the day
when tbeffate of the Government was decided.
There was a count-out, hut the forces were mus
tered, acd the debate lingered on. -It was known
that if the resolutions were not modified he should
move the previous question. Therefore, there was
time fartfie Government to take notice of what he
had said, and tarn their sails accordingly., Jt the
Government did not modify the resolutions in the
way he-had indicated, theywoiild-have hisoppo
sitiou on Thursday next. He had no wish at that
period-of the session to displace the Government;
but, at the risk of that, he could: not allow any
thing to transpire which he considered inimical to
the best interests of the colony. The public should
not be trifled withby-the coolness ana indifference

of the Government. The consideration of such
measures as theSaleof Poisons' Bill—(a laugh)—
might be all very well to enda-ferce with, but not
for the beginning or middle. He would ask them
if it was their intention, during the present session,
of proceeding with'the Amendment on the Con
stitution Act.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-would not enter
in to-great length to reply to all the questions that
hadffieen raised; and least of all did lie think it ne
cessary to reply to the last hon. member. He would
say; however, that if little bad-been done during
the ; session, the hon. member Mr. Mildred ana
some others were somewhat responsible for that.
The hon. gentleman had also -said the Ministry
heLd office for the sake of the emoluments. - He
would say for himself and colleagues that, while
they were not insensible to the emoluments of
office, they would hot -continue in office at the cost

el their honour and independence. He stated un- j
hesitatingly that the reason why the Ministry '
resigned cmice was because they thought they 1
could not consistently "with.theif.lionbur.and inde
pendence hold office after the vote which had been
given. If they had retained nffiee what would the

hon. member for Onkapariuga have said of tbem? ]
He would say, "How often do they wish to be 1
beaten; why don't they resign?" That would
have been according to the honest and manly
support of the hon. member." "SEhat lioii. member
had not given the Ministry any svmport during the
present session. -He was not eodtent with voting
against the- Ministry where his .principles were
enlisted, but he had been up -toevery.Parliamen
tary dodge and trickery for the purpose of ousting
the Ministry.'- His conduct was most inconsistent.
He either voted against free distinction, of which
he-said he was a great supporter, or against the
resolutions on a point of foiic, in order to throw
out the Ministry. He did not believe the hon.
gentleman wished to vote again efifree distillation,
but that his .desire to embarrassAke Government
led-him into the position of voticg againstTree dis
tillation. He haa not intended to-refer to the hon.
member for Encounter Bay {Mr. Lindsay), bat he
• had quietly drawn 'the cap over his face—(a laugh)
—eca put himself in the same position as the hon.
member Mr. Townsend. They had both .'cither
deliberately voted against free distillation, to assist
in a Parliamentary dodge to torn out Ike Ministry,
or their feelings ', had led them into their
false position. The hon. member for Ghkaparinga
felt She false position in which he was placed: and
instead-of following the course he usually adopted,
of abusing the Ministry, he entered .into a long
explanation of his vote,- and exposed his trickery—
his Parliamentary trickery—by the speech he had
made on that occasion. He {the Attorney-General)
believed the hon. member was in favour 'of free
distillation,-as a simple question by itself, but that
he found himself-voting against free'(distillation
because he voted"against the Ministry; or rather,
as the hon. member said, gave them-Ms -honest
and manly support. The Government wished for
no such support as that, and wished he wonld with

draw itiZ. it were "of that character. It sreuld be
found that men with words of confidence oe their
"lips, but who voted against the Government at
every critical period, were not of flie 'character to
be depended upon, of calculated to be of -the least
service whatever. The hon. member for .Gnka
paringa made, a , great point of a clip he
{the. Attorney-General) Had made, in men
tioning the circumstances under • which the
present Ministry agreed to withdraw" ;their
resignations.. He had . asked what was -the
difference' in the circumstances when they sent
in their resignations and withdrew tbem. He
would say what the difference was. The Govern
ment did not know what the feeling of the House
was—they did not know that it was hot the wish
of the hon. member Mr. Mildred to embaaass the
Government—they did not know, until the hoc.

member Mr. Hart had communicated with tbem,;
what the feeling of the House "was. When, bow- ■

ever, it was round 'mat it was toe wish «t tue
members that they should not go ouh then it was
they found they could honourably retain their,
seats. Is the hon. member for Onliaparinga
. thought they ought n«t to retain office and lie

could form a Ministry, he could at any moment
more a voteof want of confidence for that purpose.
He.might receive a summons from His Excellency,
and then ..he -thought the dearest wish of
his heart would . be resized. , (A laugh.) If
however, the hon. member was determined, in
season and bnt of season, to address that House,
and to oppose the Ministry—repeat the same ideas
in the same words in two or three different
speeches—he would tell -him that he would never
gain the confidenceof that House or of the country;
nor would he ever be looked.upon as a person fit
to be a Minister of the Crown. The hon. member
had been the most persistent opponent of Govern
ment during the present" session, and in order to
embarrass tnem he had resorted to every means of
political dodgery and trickery, and then he had
the coolness to get up and say he had given them.
his honest and tnanly support. He {the Attorney
General) would say that the hon. member's con
stituents had reason to be ashamed of him; the
country had reason to be ashamed of him;
and that "House had reason to -complain of
him. He had no great objection to what the
hon. member for the City (Mr. Beynolds) had
said. What he had saia was fair and was
pleasant; both to himself and to the other
members of the Ministry, and contrasted
very fa.vonra.bly with_ the remarks of the hop.
member for Ohkaparinga. He would make some
allowance for the disappointed feelings of the hon.
member, but_ he trusted he would in future avoid
such exhibitions. He knew the hon. member
thought the eyes of the country were upon him,
but he would remind him that they were not ex
clusively upon him, but that other members also
took part m the consideration of the motions of
that House. He stated again that the Ministry
retired because they considered on a defeat of tbat
sort it was bnt right for them, to do so; but as
many hon. members thought it was not necessary
they had returned to their seats. He believed the
House generally and the country considered that
the Ministry had placed themselves in a fair and
honourable position, and unless they had the con
fidence of that House and of the. country every
member would • immediately resign his office.

SO. 29 was referred to the Committee
of-the whole Hopse on the Jury Bil],_and No. 30
was referred h) the Committee on Estimates. ;

TBfcqcTBT JCEM BILH

Consideration of report.

The AT?OJ&^F-GENERAlj moved that the
following clause, called plgyse A, ahouljl be added
jyftpr the 45th Cl8«9fii=

Ibereflhallbft paid toaUMorors attending at
we criminal aittinsi oftbe SopraneCoiut botacn
st Adelaide s ram for mileage upon the same
scale ms for the time being shall be allowed bv .law
to witnesses wttfmtitir it ttu frimf™ sittings

aforesaid."

Agreed to. ,

Mr. MAGAREY called attention . to the 6th
I da use, and said ")»t while an insolvent debtor,

outlaw, or of bad repute could not sit upon
the Jury, there was no similar disqualification for
. a Magistrate or Judge. He would more that the
clause be recommitted with a new of obtaining
the opinion of the Attorney-General.

The clause was reconsidered.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said there was no
such disqualification by law, but the Government
bad power to meet the objection referred to by the

last speaker. .

Mr. MAUAREY said objection could be taken
against any Juryman, and he would move that

that part of the clause be struck out. j

Mr. GRUNDY should vote fur tlie retention of
the clause as it stood, because he did not think a
Juryman should be placed in the position of being

challenged.

The clause was passed as'printed.

Mr. MILDRED referred to the latter part of
clause 10, and sugsc-'ed that Jury-lists should be
annexed to the country Local Courts, and not sent

into Adelaide.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the
clause referred to the scattered districts outside
corporate towns. In corporate towns the lists were
annexed to the Local Courts.

Mr. ULYDE asked how it was provision was not
made for payment to Juries iu Circuit Courts in

Clause A.

.The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that pro
vision was made in another part of the Act.

Mr. MILDRED called attention to the very ex
pensive system the new Jury Bill was likely to
inaugurate, and alluded to one of the schedules,
wherein the fees of Jurymen were staled to be Is.
per mile. He also wished to know if there was any
reduction in the salary of the Sheriff, as he would
obtain fees for making out the Jury-Iists.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the schedule
referred to the expenses on a view, when a Jury
was instructed to visit premises, the expenses of
which were paid for out of the pockets of the
parties concerned. With regard to the question of
the salary of the Sheriff, he might say the officer
would reap little from the fees—not sufficient to

remunerate him.

The report was brought tip. and its consideration
made an Order of the Day for the following day.

ESTIMATES.

In Committee.

Customs (income, £139,000), £5,990.

Mr. REYNOLDS said when the item was
under the consideration of the Eouse on a pre
vious occasion a discussion ensued as to who
should be the sub-head of the Collector. He
wished to know whether the Government had con
sidered the subject since it was last before the
House.

The TREASURER said it would be very rare
that the C-ollector would be absent; and when he
was absent the matter would, as before, he left in

the hands of the Government. j
Mr. TOWN SEND moved that the words "Deputy
Collector" be ad-led to "Chief Cleric," it beiug
desirable to make some officer responsible during
the absence of the Collector.

Mr. MILDRED hoped the alteration would not
he made. The Comptroller was more likely to
unceretand the gauging, O-C., than the Chief Clerk,

and there was no doubt but that he, in the absence ]

of the Collector, should act as head officer.

The COMMISSIONER of CROWN LANDS
asked the lion, member to withdraw his amend

ment, as any alteration in the Estimates would .
not confer the appointment. It must be made by

a substantive motion.'

Mr. KINGSTON referred to the instructions to

the Oustom-House officers, dated 1S55, from which j
he contended the Comptroller was the nest person
in command to the Collector. Such was the case

in all colonies. The duties of the Chief Clerk and 1
the Comptroller were so distinct that one could not
be put under the other.

Mr. REYNOLDS admitted that the two offices
were distinct, hut that was the reason he held that
the Chief Clerk should be appointed Deputy Col
lector. If the Comptrellership wasa promotion t

" Clerk, then the Chief

the Chief Clerk, then the Chief Clerk ought to!

have been made Comptroller, because he h-ia been ■
in the sendee longer. With regard to the objection
made by ■ the Commissioner of Crown Lands, he
would remark it ought to-have been made before
the Collector was appointed Stipendiaiy Magistrate,
&c., but as they had broken the rule in that case
they could do so in the present.

BIr. TOWNriENB wished to know whether the

Chief Clerk held 6 commission as principal officer

of the Customs. ;

. The TREASURER said, the Chief Clerk held a
commission as cue of the chief clerks, but not as
the principal clerk.

Mr. DUFFI12LD said if he had known'that the
regulations referred to by the hon. member Mr.
Kingston were in force he should not have asked
the question he did upon the last occasion. He

considered those-instructions settled the matter

that t he Comptroller was pea in command to the
Collector. As to what had been said about the
appointment-of the Comptroller they had -nothing
to do. If the Chief Clerk Ought' to have been
appointed the-blame rested with the Government.

Mr. KINGSTON said that although the Chief
Clerkliad been a great many years in the service,
yet the Comptroller had heen in the service longer,

as he was -employed by the Government before Sir
George Grey-made the reductions in the govern

mental -cstcbHshmehts.

Mr. REYNOLDS said the hon. member forgot
to mention that the Comptroller had been recently
promoted from a situation in which he received
only £280.

Mr. KIN GSTON said when he received £280 he
also had a house.

Mr. BART thought no injustice would be done
if the Chief Clerk were appointed Sub-Collector,
because the Comptroller held a subsidiary position
to the Chief Clerk before he was appointed Comp

troller.

BIr. LINDSAY said if they wished to follow the
method pursued by English custom the3' must
make the Comptroller Sub-Collector.

Mr. McELLISTER thought in that and other
things kissing went by favour. He should support
the Sob. member for Ookaparinga, as lie conceived
the Chief Clerk, from .Die long time, he liad been
in the office, should be made Deputy Collector.

Blri TOWNSEND said it' was quite necessary
some one-should be appointed Deputy Collector.
If the Chief Clerk held a commission as principal

officer, -antUiad acted in that capacity, it would he I
a slight upon him to appoint another.

Mr. KINGSTON r

again quoted fromlhe instruc

tions to show that the Comptroller was tlie person
who Should act as Sub-Collector.

BIr. REYNOLDS said there had been for years a
differeace cf opinion as to which waerthc highest
office—Comptroller or Chief Clerk. It was
necessary .Unit either one or other should he
appointed to the position of Sub-Collector, and he
could «ay ho knew of no one more deserving of the
appointment than the Chief Clerk.

The amendment was lost on a division, as fol

lows:—

AyEB,.E—Blessrs. Hart, BIcEDister, Reynolds,
liowe, aud ,T-ownsend (teller).

Nous, 18—The .Attorney-General, the Commis
sioner of .Crown Lands, the Commissioner of
Public Works, and Messrs. N. Blyth, Browne,
Duffield, Dunn, Clyde, Grundy, Hallett, Kingston,
Lindsay, McEarlane, Mildred, Murray,, Peacock,
Santo, and the Treasurer (teller).

Mr. REYNOLDS asked whether it was the
intention of:the Government to make the Comp

troller Sub-Collector.

. The TREASURER said'no. When the Collector

was absent (he Government would consider who i
should act as deputy, and the whole responsibility
would-rest upon the Government. . ,

Theliue lire."Landing-Waiters and Gangers at
£239 egch" was erased, and the following substi
tuted " Chief -Landing-Waiter and Ganger and
Sub-Inspector of ^Distilleries, forage far. one horse
and £300." . : '■

The lines "TwoLandirig-Waiters at £2GCeacli"
and "Two Landing-Waiters at £IG0" were ex
punged, and tbe following substituted"Second

Landing-Waiter £j?.d 'Gauger at £280; First I
Landing-Waiter at £220; and Second Landing

Waiter at £200." .

"l'ide-Smyeyoy, .Chouse and £2S0" was struck;
out, as was also 'fCne Tide-Waiter,'£ieOT".-and

the following inserted:—"Assistant Tide-Surveyor '
and Measurer of. Ships, £1G0."

One Tide-Waiter, -£120. To stand as printed.

. The TREASURER, in reply, to a question,,.said

he should sai e'the sunr of £1917s. <5iL on the Cus- ,

toms Department,

The sum for Glut Lauding an d Tide Waiters *md
other glut officers'was raised from £100 to £150.

The travelling expenses were reduced from £158 ,
to £100, and "Forage for one horse, £45 I2s. Gd,'-"

inserted. The whole , item as amended, £5*725 1
12s. 6d., gas earned

Marine Board (income, -£3,800), £9,047 Ss.

"And Draftsman" were added to the Secretary:
and expunged a&ertbe Clerk.

The Clerk's salary was .reduced from £200 to;

£150.

Mr. MI LOR E ti wished rte know whether the
services of the Judor Ulerkwere required, and an
explanation' of the payments mentioned in the
Gazette in connection with the Marine Board.

The TBEASUBEB said the payments iu the
Gazette were expenses incurred by witnesses on the
•enquiry into the Schah J Ban.

Mr. UOGLIN moved tliattbe-salaiyof the Junior
; Clerk he raised to £103; £60 was hardly enough so

,keep aTiorse. .

Mr. McBLIJSTEE proposed that it remain at

£60.'

Tie TBEASUBEB said the Clerk was only a
hoy, odd moved that the sum he reduced to £50.

Mr. REYNOLDS said the boy did the work for
which they had been in the habit of jpaying £130.

The Item Was passed as printed.

The Harbour-Master's salary was raised to £400,
and the whole items were passed as amended.

Agency in England and Australian Colonies,

"""■ Tor* ~ J " ' J
£875. To stand as printed.

Office .of Commissioner, £2,989 l^s. To stand as

printed.

Survey and Crown Lands (income £:&8,015),
£12,7715s. Passed.

Immigration Departments, £650. Passed-■
Colonial, £330. Passed.
Aborigines, £1191 5s.

Mr. REYNOLDS asked whether any provisions
would be supplied to the natives at Wellington.

The COMMISSION EE of CBOWN LANDS
said instructions had been forwarded to the Crown
Lands Banger at Wellington to supply the natives

with provisions and blankets. •

The item was passed.

Sheep Inspectors, £1,11210s.

Mr. COGLlN moved tliat the salary of the Chief
Inspector he raised to £450.

The SPEAKEB said the hon. member could not
move the addition without reducing another item,
except by moving an address.

The COMMISSIONER of CBOWN LANDS
said the officers salary had been increased from
£350 to £400.

5fr. GRUNDY pointed out that the officer would
receive the greater part of £100 for travelling ex

penses.

Passed as printed.

■ Gold-fields Establishment, £50. Passed.

file House then resumed, and obtained leave to
sit again on Thursday.

RAILWAY CONTRACTS.
Mr. GEUNDY moved—

"That there he laid on the table of this House
a copv of all instructions or regulations issued to
the Manager of Railways having reference to the
entering into and letting of contracts otherwise
than by public advertisement."

He asked the ouestion with the best possible inten
tions—not'in Hostility to the Government.

Carried.

DISTRICT COUNCILS AID.

Mr. HOWE asifgd the Hon. the Treasurer (Mr.
A. Hytifi "what 'portion of the £12,000, voted
by this House as grant in aid to: District Councils,

has been: Expended; what District Councils have I
.received the grant; and what the amount granted 1
{■o^acRof themregpggfjygly," - 1

The COMMISSIONER of CKOWN LANDS
■aid a return was bebw prepared, when he would
be enabled to answer the hon. member.

LAND RTI.T.

• OOGLIN asked the Hon. the Treasurer (Mr.

A. Blyth) "whether it is the intention of the
Government, during the present session, to intro
duce any measure with a view to alter our present
land system, and, if so, what scheme the Govern
ment propose to adopf—whether that which has
been adopted in America, or that lately introduced
into Victoria."

The COMMISSIONER of CROWN LANDS
said the Government did not intend to adopt either

system.

ADELAIDE WATERWORKS ACT AMEND- i

MENT BILL, 1812. i

The second reading was postponed to Friday j

next.

CATTLE-SLAUGHTERING BILL. 1862.

The second reading was adjourned to Tuesday

next. {

DISTRICT COUNCILS BILL, 1862. |
The report was agreed to. i

RAILWAY REGULATIONS. I
Mr. GRUNDY asked the Hon. the Commis
sioner of Public Works (Mr. Milne) "whether the
railway regulations referred to liy him iMr. Milne)
on Thursday last, July 3rd, were ever laid upon
tlic tabic of the House, in compliance with Act
No. 12. 1852, clause 8, and Act No. 27, 1855-6,
clftusc 2.*'

The COMMISSIONER of PUBLIC WORKS
said the return hail been laid on tlic tabic.

Mr. GRUNDY asked the Hon. the Cnmmis
sionci of Public Works (Mr. Milne) "by what
authority the Government has superseded the
railway regulations, as printed in Council Paper
No. 24, 1858."

The COMMISSIONER of PUBLIC WORKS
said the authority was Act No. 11 of 1859.

The House adjourned at 1U minutes to 5 o'clock
to the following day.

$