HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1907, 1 August 1888, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2 30. QUPSTIOKS Replying to quea ions It was stated that Government wou.d continue to make .local government an integral part of their policy, but conld not promise to bring down a Bill next .e?alon ; that the question of taxing professional lnoomas would be considered during the recess ; tbat tbe question of appointing a Teohnloal Oommlsslon on mining to visit the Melbourne Exhibition was under consideration ; that the charges agaioßt the Ohief Judge of the Natlva Lands Court were now before the Native A flair a Oommlttee ; that Governmantdld not propose to j-lve any faollitle. for considering the question of substituting " working average " for *• strict average " attendance m public schools ; that Government were m communication with the Governments of the other oolonles respecting a eucvey of the Pacific cable route j that a statement would be made m • day or two as to the Bills Government intended to proceed with this session * that a cablegram had been received froui the Agent -General to the effeot that the only clause respec log which there had been any difficulty had beea accepted by the Midland Railway Company, and that It was expected the oontract would be signed In a day or two. SHBIP AOT AMSNDMBNT BILL. Mr Richardson moved the second reading of the Sheep Act Amendment Bill He explained that It was brought In In oonseqeence of a decision recently given la the Supreme Oourt. The Bill provided that Inspectors ahall give notic ) to the owners of scabby shsep to clean the same within six months, and tho ownor on oonvlotion is liable to a penalty if the sheep are not clean three months after. The motion was acreed to. *"""* PCBL-O RESERVES BlLfc

The House went Into Committee on the Public Reserve Sales Bill. The aohedule wa. agreed to. RIVER BOARD BILL, ! The River Boards Ao: Amendment BUI was passed with additional clauses and a second schedule. Tne Bill was reported, read a tblrd tia_p, and passed. OORONBBS BILL. Mr Fergus moved the second reading of the Coroners Aot Amendment Bill. He said that the principal otj j.ot of the Bill was to rednoe the fees paid to coroners. The motion w»a agreed to. OFPRNCES AGAINST THE PERSON BILL. Mr Fargus moved the second reading of the Offences against the Person BUI. He said that the Bill raised the age of consent to sixteen year.. A motion for adjournment was lost by 41 to 32. Mr Reeves (Insngahuk) supported the adjournment, and w_a speaking at the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.