HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1703, 3 August 1875, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THIS AFTERNOON.

Thames Petitions

~"Mr O'Noiil presented a petition from the Thames in favour of the Thames and Waikato railway, shewing that it would be only 58 miles between the two places, instead of 150 by the present means of communication. Also from the Thames road board?, showing the inhabitants to be 12,000, and praying adequate representation. Also, a petition from the Waiotahi Board, praying for provision for extension of road to Nolan's Candlelight. Auckland and Mercer Railvray. Mr Luokie gave notice to-morrow for returns of the rates and traffic on the .Auckland and Mercer railway. Expiration of Parliament. The opinion of the Solicitor-General waslaid on the table with reference to the date of the exipry* of the present Parliament to the effect that the term dates from the return of the writ, which makes the present Parliament expire on the 25th of February, IS7G. Riflemen for Philadelphia. Mr O'Neill gave notice to move that a sum be passed on estimates to defray the cost of representatives proceeding to the riffe match of the world at Philadelphia. Telegraph to Mongonui.

In reply to Mr Williams, whether it was the intention of the Government to extend the' telegraph to Whangaroa and Mongonui, aijdistance of forty-five miles ,Mr Reynolds replied that the distance would be 90 miles, would cost £5,300, and an annual cost of £290. The receipts would not be over £50. As £18,000 had been spent during the past year in extending the line to the Hay of Islands, he hoped the member would not urge extension.

_ Bay Coal Railway. reply to Mr O'Neill asking the cause of delay in the construction of the Bay railway, Mr Kichardson said the advertisement of tenders was inserted in the Auckland papers by mistake. The estimates were complete, but the necessary engagements by the company were not signed.

Mr Steward's Deceased Wife's Sister.

Mr Steward's Deceased Wife's Sister Bill was read a first time, and made an order of the day for Thursday. University Bill. In moving the second reading of the University Act Amendment Bill, Mr, Bowen explained the reply to an application of charter to Earl Carnarvon. He said that the Act asked power to confer unlimited variety of undefined degrees together with Doctor in Arts, Master in Law, Medicine, and Music, Bachelor, Master and Doctor in Science. The powers were not conferred on the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne. The present bill substituted the ordinary degrees. It was read a second time. Other Bills. HMr. Reynolds is now moving the second reading of the Marine Amendment Act. g The Inspection of Machinery Bill was deerred till Friday.