PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 988, 6 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, July 5. The House met at 2.30. LAND company’s BILL. The Jo : nt Committee on the Standing Orders reported that Examiners’ report on the New Zealand Land Company’s Bill was correct, but that having heard the promoters by their agent they recommend that Standing Orders 31, 3 1, and 16 be dispensed with, and the parties allowed to proceed with their Bill on condition that Clause 6 (allowing the Company to purchase native lands) be expunged. Mr DeLautouk moved—“ That the report be considered to-morrow.” The Hon Major Atkinson asked that a 4 later date ba named, and moved it be considered on Tuesday. Several members having spoken to the question, the amendment that the report be considered on Tuesday was agreed to, and the papers were ordered to be printed. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers stated: —The Government had no official notice that the Education Board of Auckland had resolved that in future a register be kept of the religious beliefs of all its teachers. The Act was silent on the subject of such resolution, and although the Government was not favorable to such a course being pursued, they were not clear that under the Act they can interfere to prevent this being done.—That a letter had been laid on the table from Mr DeLautour with regard to a memo, of Judge Heale in reference to the Ponawa Block, He could not say any further action was intended. He could give no reason why the memo, had not been produced during the last two sessions, as it was dated 23rd March, 1881, and at that time he was not Native Minister.—That an officer of the Government not connected with the Life Insurance Department, made an investigation and report on the department in 1871, but it was of a private character and would not be produced.—That a Land Office proper would not be established at Oamaru, but steps would be taken to provide the district with additional information re the sale of lands. —That sales of Crown lands in 'Vairoa had been held there, but as it was a large district it might occasionally be more convenient to hold them in Auckland. That the Government could not recognise the necessity for erecting a flag station at Waipapa.—That the local umbrella trade had applied for the remission of duty on materials employed in their trade. Buch remis ion, however, would lead to the importation of umbrellas in pieces to be put together only in the colony, and while the Government was desirous of fostering the local trade, they could not grant the request referred to.—The Government could not interfere with the rates of charges alleged to be excessive on the Duntroonfclakaterainea Railway Company’s bridge over the VVaitrki, as such interference would uive the Company a claim to come to Parliament and ask that the line be taken over by the Government.—A purchase of that kind would involve an expenditure of LIOOjOOO, which the Government was not prepared at present to face. —The Government did not propose to take up the Chattels Securities Bill introduced by Mr Feldwick, but Government would interpose no obstacle to its passing into law. As a number of amendments had, however, been given notice of, it might be desirable to refer it to a Select Committee.—The decision to erect railway workshops at Newmarket would not be reviewed with the view of causing these erections to be done at Papakua.—The Government had iv> intention of causing an estimate to be made of the cost of conjoining Manukau and Auckland harbors by means of a canal.—That correspondence had taken place re the construction of the Otago Central railway by a private fi m, but the correspondence now prod ;ced disclosed no definite offer by such party to undertake the work under the Railways Construction and Land Act. If an offer under that Act was made, the Government would be prepared to consider it.—The promise to refund half the fines imposed under the Sheep Act upon certain sheep farmers in Poverty Bay had already been completed, with the "exception of a case which was still under consideration. The fines on Inglis and Gordon at Kaikonra were remitted on the recommendation of the Magistrate who inflicted them.—That while Government recognised the merits of Mr Pyko’a “ Handy Book of Local Government Law,” they did not propose making a present of a copy of the work to each member of the Legislature.—All the prison regulations prior to the coming into operation of the Act would, if contrary thereto, be rescinded, and remodelled in conformity with the Act The terras under schedulers of Land Act Amendment Act, 1882, providing for the payment of rent in advance were extremely liberal, and the Government saw no necessity for altering the same. —The establishment of telegraphic communication with Tinwald was in progress, and would be completed in a few weeks —The Government had no information as to the existence of hydrophobia in the adjoining colonies, and if it had been at all necessary to adopt quarantine precautions, they would have been bound to have had advices from the Government of those colonies. They had cabled for information.

The Hon Mr Johnston replied to the two following questions, that the viovornment hid the matters now under consideration, whether the Government intend this session to make provisions on the Estimates for defraying the cost of a detailed survey of Arthur’s Pass route of the Canterbury and West Coast railway line, and which route was recommended by the Commissioners as most suitable. (1). Whether the Government intend to place a sum of money on the Estimates this session for the construction of the East and West Coast railway, or any portion thereof. (2) What action, if any, the Government intend to take in regard to the recommendation made by the Commissioners appointed by His Excellency the Governor to report on the Canterbury and West Coast railway lines, aa contained

in the report which has been communicated to this House by his Excellency. BILLS. The following Bills were and read the first time.— Juries Act, 1882, Amendment (Mr Tole); to amend the Hawkes’Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, 1863 (Mr Fulton); to amend the law so that no person shall have more than one vote in the election of members of the House of Representatives ; to amend the Regulations of Elections Act, 1881, so as to extend the hours for polling (Mr Barron); New Zealand Government Railway and its employees (Mr Seddon); the Waitara Harbor Board Loan Bill (Col. Trimble); for the amendment of the law relating to Gaming and Lotteries Act (Mr Shaw). BILLS. The following local Bills were read the sec >nd time;—Dunedin Southern Market Reserve Leasing; t'imaru Racecourse Reserve ; St Peter’s Church (Caversham), - On the motion of the "on Mr Oonollt the Tenants Fixtures Bill was recommitted, and further amendments made. The Bill was then reported and read a third time and passed. The Prisons Bill was read a third tipie and passed. The Municipal Corporations Consolidation Bill was read a second time. The House adjourned at 6.30. , r EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. PATENTS BILL. The Hon Mr Dick moved the second reading of the Patents Bill. —Carried; MARRIED women’s PEOPBBTT BILL. The Hon Mr Conolly moved the second reading of the Married Women’s Property Bill. He explained thai it waa>* transcript of the Act passed by the British Legislature, with such alterations as were required by the particular situation of-Jhis colony. . . : The Bill was read the second time. THE BANKRUPTCY BILL

This Bill was considered in committee, and after 59 clauses were considered progress was reported. ; ; The House rose af 12.20.