HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1903, 27 July 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, July 26, questions, Replying to questions it was stated that no steps has been taken to complete the formation of a national park at Ruapehu and 1 ongariro ; that it was not intended to introduce auy Bill affecting lands in the Maori king territory ; that Govern* could not authorise expenditure for fencing the BlufE— lnveroargill line, as it would oosta quarter of a million of money to f enoa all the lioes in the oolony, and the line in question was not treated differently from others in this respect. A lengthy discussion ensued, Mr Ward having moved the adjournment of the House. In answer to further questions it waa stated that a Bill would be brought in authorising the Property Tax Oommissloner to take borough valuations as the basis of assessment): for property tax purposes ; that it was the duty of the police to communicate with the Commissioner of Police and Coroner by telegram incases of death by ace dent or foul play ; that tho Publio Works Statement would not be bronght down till Borne time next week ; that assuming there was no increase of letters tbe reduction of postage on letters for p'ace ; beyond the colony from 6d to 3d would mean a loss to ihe colony of £9900, but the colony would gai-i to the ex ent of £15,000 by withdrawing subsidies and paying to ships authorised to carry mails at a rate not exceeding one* third of tbe postage rata charged in the colony for transmission of mails.

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SOHOftL BILL, Mr Fisher introduced tha Isow Plymouth High fcchool Bill. - NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL BILL. Mr Samuel moved the second readiog of the New Plymouth Hospital Bill, to authorise the vesting of certain education reserves, and a portion of a street, in the Taranaki Hospital Board, for the purpose of a hospital. The motion wai agreed to by 36 to 19 IN COMMITTEE

The Ngaruawahia Cemetery Leasing Bill, the Ktiapoi Drill Shed Bill, the Walkato Model Farm Bill, and the Christ* ehuroh Rifle Range Bill, passed through Committee with slight amendments. ' On the Epsom and Mount Eden Re oreatlon Reserve BUI being committed, Mr Turnbull moved that progress ba reported on the Bill In order to ascertain the exact position of the reserve In question. Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Mr Thompson (Auokland), and Mr Mltchelson, pointed out that the reserve in question was absolutely valueless at present, and had been set apart for asylum purposes some time ago. It waa now merely asked to convert the land Into a recreation reserve* Mr Tanner and Mr Samuel objected to the reserve being appropriated without any compensation being given. ' The motion for reporting progress was carried on the voices. The four Bills that had passed through Committee were then read a third time and passed, The House'rose at 5 30 p.m