HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1545, 29 April 1887, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, April 28. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOIIOB. Mr Ballance gave notice to introduca the Land Acquisition Bill. QUESTIONS. Mr Brace nslied thd Minister for Public Works whether he can consistently with the effiolenoy of tbe service revert to the ountrm of giving surface men on the railway linen a Saturday half-holiday. Mr Richardson said he could not accede to the request, as Saturday was a day on which there was a large amount of treffia, Cod the services of tbe men were required on that day more than any other. Mr Taylor asked whether the Government Intend during the session to amend the Regulation of Elections Act m a direction of extending the hours of polling from 6 pan. to 8 p.m Sir B. Stout said the question was dealt with m the Electoral Act Amendment Bill about to be introduced. . Mr Turnbnll asked what arrangements Government Intended to make m consequence of the fire which occurred at the Post office Wellington. Sir R. Stout read a memorandum, m the absence of the Postmaster-General, stating that provision was being made to obtain telephone apparatus from Sydney and Melbourne, and that Parliament would now be asked to make provision for replacing the buildings. FIRST RFADINGS. The following Bills were read a first time :— To Amend the New Zealand University College Bill, Representation Bill, Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Weat Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill, Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteer* Land Bill, Tongariru National Park Bill, Criminal Law and Procedure Amendment Bill. SECOND HEADING) Sir R. Stoat moved the second reading of the Bank and Bankers Act Amendment Bill, which was agread to. The. Homo rose at 3.55 p.m.

still owing for the Schoolroom. He askec die meeting to express their approval ol the scheme. A resolution was unanimously passer! authorising the new Fund to be established. The Incumbent then nominated Mi George Jameson as his Churchwarden expressing the pleasure ifc gave him to be allowed to do this. Mr Mayo was nominated for the office of People's Churchwarden, but although much pressure was brought to bear upon him, the post was declined. He said that the parishioners had responded to hip efforts to obtain funds during the past year with such slowness that he could only consider that it would bo for the benefit of the parish that ho should give way to nnothor man. SubaequoDtlj- Mr John Bland was elected to the office. On the motion of Mr Bullock, it waa decided that a Vestry of seven members should be elected, the following being the choice of the meeting : — Messrs E: Dimant, Charles Littlocott, F. T. Mayo, J. G. Bestell, H. O. Segers, David Thomas, and Sergt. Felton Mr Bullock said that he considered that it did not redound to tho credit of tho parish that so large a sum as £99 should be owing to their Incumbent. He moved that it be a recommendation to the Vestry to make an arrangement with the Bank for this amount for a few weeks, and m the meantime to prepare for a gift auction to recoup the Bank The motion was carried. Subsequently Mr Bean spoke strongly against tho suggestion, and said that if 49 members would give £2 he would do the same, or if 24 would give £4,. he would make the 25th. Mr Hancox strongly supported Mr Bean's suggestion, and said that if all would give according to their means, there would be an end of all financial difficulties After a few remarks from Mr Dimant m regard to the pew rent system, the meeting ended, the Chairman dismissing the members with the Benediction