HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1037, 1 September 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, August 31. The House met at 2 30. LONGHUKSt’S CASK. The report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of George Longhurst, a convict under sentence for rape, was brought up. It set forth that at this late period of the session the Committee could not go into all the facts of the case, but recommended, the petition to the consideration of the Government. ] Mr Shaw moved as an amendment that it be referred to the favorable consideration of the Government. Mr Sheehan referred to the promptitude of the Government in the matter of the French woman, and contrasted it with the present case of Longhurst. In this case he maintained that law had failed, and that this man was simply the victim of a technical difficulty. What he asked them to do was to ask the Government to say that they would take steps for the man’s liberation. If they | would -undertake to do Hhat they would have the thunks of every man in the Hi.use. The Hon Mr Conolly did net oppose the amendment. He took it that the motion meant that they should recommend the Governor to give the prisoner all the benefit of the doubt. He had considered the ease in all its nasty details, and no matter had given himmore anxiety. He would promise, however, to go through the whole case again and if possible he would give him every advantage so far as that evidence was concerned. After further debate the amendment was carried on the voices. Mr Hutchison moved, as a further amendment, that these words be added to the resolution—“ As in the opinion of Parliament the evidence of Adams and his daughter was such as to convince them that the royal prerogative for mercyshould be exercised.” This was ultimately withdrawn, the ; original motion, as amended, being put and carried. The House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. On the motion of the Hon Major Atkinson, it was agreed to meet to-morrow : (Saturday), at 2.30, for Government business. Replying to a question put by Mr Montgomery, the Hon Major Atkinson said it was not proposed to go on with the Supply Bill till Monday. BILES. The following Bills were read a second time:—Auckland Harbor Board Amendment (Mr Johnston), General Assembly Members’ Expenses (Major Atkinson), Crown and Native Lands Rating Act Amendment (Major Atkinson), Property ! Assessment Aot Amendment Bill (Major Atkinson). ' ROADS AND BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION. 1 The Hon Major Atkinson moved the second reading of the Roads and Bridges ! Construction Act Amendment Bill. _ The Bill would limit the sum to be paid to r any one county to not more than L 5,000 ' in any one year, ex opt in the case of, say, an expensive bridge, or what might be termed a continuous work, extending over a period of years. The subject as a whole had been remitted to a Special . Committee, but Government had not , seen its way to embody its recommendation in the Bill. Mr Montgomery questioned the ability of the Government to carry out the pro- | visions of the present msasure, even on its restricted financial basis. ’ The Hon. Major Atkinson said that it was simply a machinery Act, passed for ! the purpose of allocating such moneys as the House had at its disposal. Such being the case, he denied the Act had broken down. The Bill was read a second time. UNOPPOSED BILLS. The following Bills were passed through Committee without amendment or com- ( meat:—Auckland Harbor Aot Amendt ment Bill. General Assembly Members , Expenses, Crown and Native Lauds Rat ’ ing Act Amendment. Property Assessment Acta Amendment ’ Bill passed with amendments. ( Railway Construction and Land Act j Amendment Bill passed without amand- : meat. • On the Roads and Bridges Construction Aot Amendment, progress was reported, ( and Isave asked to sit again. The Auckland Harbor Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. members’ expenses bill. On the motion for the third reading of the General Assembly Members’ expenses Bill, Mr Sekdon took exception to the Government having made no explanation as to its object. He would not move in the matter at all, as he looked upon it that the Government was responsible. Mr Turnbull moved that the Bill be recommitted to-morrow for consideration. Mr Whitaker, Me Sheehan, and Mr Moss opposed the ill. Mr Levestam thought the elective body should get more than the other by way of compensation for electioneering expenses.

The amendment for the recommittal was lost by 30 to 18 On the question that the Bill be read a third time, The Hon Major Atkinson said that the re-conatitution of the Council was a matter which required mature consideration.

The question for the third reading was putand carried. On the motion that the Bill pass, Major Atkinson replied, that he repudiated the idea that the Bill was an attack on the Legislative Council. Members of the House had expressed an opinion as to tho expenses the Councillors had not to incurin visiting their constituents, and he would like to see the honorarium of both Houses reduced one half, but it was impossible to carry that. The Bill then finally passed. BILLS.

The following Bills were also read a third time and passed:—Crown and Native Lancs, Bating Act Amendment, Property Assessment Act Amendment, Rating Act Amendment, Railway Construction and Land Act Amendment, Property LawConsolidation. The West Coast Peace Preservation Act Continuance Bill was read a third time and passed, but on the question of passing its title, Mr Hutchison wished to protest against the measure, and accordingly divided the House. The title was carried by 33 to 8. The House rose at 2.10.