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NEW SOUTH WALES
PARLIAMENT.
(.From our Sydney Special Correspondent.)
Tuesday, February 24, 1874.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
The Speaker took the chair at 28 minutes
past 4" o'oloclf
ANSWER^ TO QUESTIONS.
Ministers stated, in answer to questions,-,
That the Government-were not in a position to
state what their intentions are in reference to
the adoption of differential duties and free in-
tercourse between the several Australian colo-
nies and New Zealand.-That the Government
intend, during this session, to place a sam of
money upon the supplementary estimates as a
reward for the discovery of gold.-In answer to
a question put by Mr. Forster, Mr. ParkcB
stated that be had been in communication with
Dr. Aaron, the visiting surgeon to Darlinghurst
gaol, respecting the death of a prisoner named
Robert Staples. Dr Aaron had seen the de-
ceased on two occasions, and- was of opinion that
there was notbing the matter with him, but
that he was scheming. The disease was not re-
cognisable by any known medical means, and
i had it been discovered, no treatment could have
been adopted, beyond sending the man to the
hospital. The Government thought that no
action conld be taken, nnless they called in
question the skill of Dr. Aaron and
his qualification to hold bis office. He
could not be controlled in the exercise of
his professional judgment. Dr. Aaron would
regard any steps to carry into effect* the recom-
mendation of the Coroner's jury a« a with-
drawal of confidence in him. The Government
did not see their way to maka, any farther
enquiry, as all the facts had been disclosed at
the inquost. Dr. Aaron had said that be bad
no farther explanation1' to offer, beyond that
contained in bis evidence. Complaints had
been made to him (Mr Parkes) by individual
prisoners, ohiefly against Dr. Aaron'sprofessional
fitue'ss He had reports of five complaints. A
few other oases had been disposed of conversa-
tionally. Two of the five cases were of recent
date, and were in course of being dealt with.
The three remaining oases terminated in two of
the prisoners being taken into the hospital, and
one having a change in his mode of exeroise.
Mr. Parkes, in answer to Mr. Stewart, said
that the resignation of the Lieutenant of the
Goulburn Volunteer corps had not been for-
warded to tbe Commandant, but it appeared
from the evidence taken before the Court of
Enquiry that Captain Rossi had received that
resignation. The Lieutenant would not be
entitled to fifty acres of land unlesB be held
a certificate of competency up to April, 1874.
Mr. Llovd, in answer to Mr..Teeoe, stated that
the amount of New South Wales four per cents
(funded) subscribed for by the public was
£108,584 16s. 8d. ; by the Government, I
£120,000; total, £228,584 16s. 8d. The
amount expended upon the various objects for
which the Government were authorised to raise
this loan was £187,968 2s. 4d., so that the ex-
penditure was not in excess of the amount sub-
scribed for.
MAITLAND GAS COMPANT.
Mr. Burns brought up the report of the
Belcct .committee on the Maitland Gas Com-
pany's- Rill- The report was ordered to be
printed, and the seoond reading of the bill
made an order of the day for this day week.
THE RELICS OF LEICHHARDT AND ANDREW
HOME.
Mr. John Robertson asked the Minister for
Landa whether be had any information to give
the House as to the statement of Hume about
the discovery of Dr. Leichhardt.
Mr. Farnell said Hume bad called upon him
this morning, introduced by Dr. Wilson. He pro-
duced a satchel, some writing paper, a small tele-
scope, and some dooumonts signed by a telegraph
master on the South Australian' and Port Dar-
win line. He (Mr. Farnell) asked him several
questions. As for what Hume said it would be
desirable for the hon. member to wait till
to-morrow morning when he Would see a full
report in the newspapers. Hume bad promised
to produoe a gentleman who bad seen the docu-
ments given him by Classen, when he was on
the Roper So far there were no documents or
relics of Leichhardt. He (Mr. Farnell) coufd
not say who was the owner of the telescope. It
I was marked L.L. and DHD. Hume said he
bad received it from Classen. One piece of
paper whioh he said be had reoeived from
Claseen had been torn out of an account book.
Hume gave a description of the watch, which
with tbé documenta was stolen from the Batohel
between the time he was in Brisbane and bis
j landing in Sydney.
| Mr. J. Robertson thought the conversation
, should have been taken down by some ono in
the employ of the Government.
I Mr. Farnell said that there were representa-
tives of the two newspapers present, to take
down the report. Hume was questioned by
I three persons besides bim (Mr Farnell)-Mr
Da Faur, Dr. Wilson, and Mr. Fitzgerald. He
(Mr. Farnell) did not remember all that was
'said. He had certain impressions, and he did
not tbink it wise to state what they were until
the statements of Hume bad been published.
* PBTITI0N8.
Petitions were presented relating to tne Min-
ing Bill, and to the Sydney and Suburban
' Street Tramway Bill. The petitions were re-
ceived.
MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR.
Mr Speaker read messages from the Gover-
nor conveying assent to the bill to amend the
Jnry Laws, the bill to Incorporate the Peak
Dowds Copper Mining Company, and the bill to
enable the trustees of land for the purposes of
the Roman Catholic Church to sell the land
and buy a more suitable site.
DOCUMENTS.
Mr. Allen laid on the table the annual reports
of the Sydney Grammar Sobool and of the Free
Publio Library.
NOTICE OF MOTION.
Mr. Lloyd gave notice, that he would, to-
morrow, move the suspension of the standing
orders, to allow of the passing through all its
stages in one day of a bill to make provision for
the publio service for the month of February
THE JOACHIM OASE.
Mr. Hay moved that there be laid upon the
table of this House, copies of all correspondence
and minutes in referenoe to the conditional'pur-
chases of Annie, George, John, Selina, Sophia,
and William Joachim, gazetted as forfeited on
the 12th December last.
Agreed to
DOCUMENT» MOTZD TOK
, Mr. O'Connor moved that there be laid upon
1 the table of this Houbb copies of all correspon-
dence whioh has psssod between Mr. T. S.
M'Cormaok, solicitor, and the Crown Law De-
partment, between the 1st January, 1868, and
the 31st Marah, 1872, in referenoe to certain
tables of publio statutes compiled by tim ;
together with all indorsements made upon auch
correspondence by the late Chief Justice, Sir
Alfred Stephen.
Agreed to.
GOODS CHARGES ON RAILWAYS.
Mr. Combes moved-(1.) That, in the
opinion of this House, the Government should
re-classify the existing charges for the con-
veyance of goods on the Government railways,
with a view to the further development of home
industry and internal commerce. (2 ) That
tbe foregoing résolution be transmitted by
address to his Exoellenoy the Governor.
After debate, -the motion was negatived
withont division.
THE JfANAaiMKNT OF THE STDNBT MUSEUM
Mr. Cooper moved-(1.) That a Select
Committee-be appointed, with power to send for
persona «nd-papers, and leave to sit during any
adjournment of the House, to inquire into and
report upon the condition and system of manage-
ment of the Sydney Museum (2 ) That such
i committee consist of Mr Parkes, Mr. Allen,
Mr. Lusos, Mr. "Barns, Mr. Forster, Captain
I Onslow, Mr. Cunneen, Mr. Terry, Mr. Garrett,
i ano! the mover.
i The debate upon this motion had not con-
cluded at the time of olosing this report.
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