HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 1705, 5 August 1875, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRHSPON DbENT.J WEDNESDAY. The Patutahi Blocfe. Mr Kelly gave notice to ask to-morrow if the block of confiscated land at Gisborne, the Patutahi, was sold or offered for sale; it not, when it would be. Tauranga Roads. Mr Kelly gave notice to move to-morrow that there be laid on the table the report of the District Engineer on the cost of constructing the proposed road from Tauranga to Ohinemuri; also, the cost of improving the road.through the bush from Tauranga to Rotorua. The Chief Justice on Abolition. Sir George Grey grave notice to give a return of the date and receipt by the Government of the Chief Justice's opinion on abolition. Also a copy of the correspondence relative thereto. Public Account Committee. The report of the Committee of Public Accounts was read, and recommends the passing of the Indemnity Bill. The University. Mr Kolleston gave notice to enquire what steps were intended respecting endowments to the University as recemmended last session. Coal Imports. In reply to Mr. O'Connor, Mr. Eeynolds agreed to lay on the table a return of the exports and imports of coal. New Electors' QualificationsMr Beynolds introduced the Qualification of Electors and Supplementary Electoral Bolls Bills. The former provides in addition to the present franchise that every male person of full age, a national subject or naturalised, who has resided 12 months in one electoral district next before the last registration shall have a vote on the coming into force of the electoraljjroll, 1876, thatfminers rights shall cease to be a qualification to vote. The object of the second Act is to provide for registration of claimants under the former and add these names to the existing electoral rolls. It does not contemplate the formation of entirely new registration, only supplementary. I have just read the two bills through. They are not yet in the ' hands of the members. Proposed Reduction of Duty on Light Wines. A lengthened and interesting discussion took place on Mr O'Neill's motion for the reduction of duty on Australian wines to one shilling. The debate took a very wide range, embracing incidence of taxation direct and indirect—the poor man versus the rich ; luxuries as opposed to necessaries. An amendment by Mr Shepherd, substituting " light" for "Australian" was accepted by the mover, and the debate went on. When Mr Luckie was speaking, and was illustrating it by a reference to direct and indirect taxation, he was called to order by the Speaker for irrevelancy. Mr Luckie replied angrily and spiritedly, referring to similar, previous interruptions, and contrasting the demeanour of the Speaker towards Mr Fitzherbert, Sir Geo. Grey, and others. He certainly had truth on his side, and maintained his position during a considerable little scene. Mr Gibbs suggested the substitution of flour for wine, as a proper object for relief. |p After a very discursive debate, the question was pressed to division, which was the first of the session. The unusual occurrence seemed to confuse the Speaker and members, and for some time it was contended whether opportunity was not missed for division.. At length the vote was taken, when it was found that the lovers of strong drink was nearly four to one against the mild tipple, and the motion was lost accordingly. Improperly-equipped. Vessels. IN ext came another motion of Mr O'Neill's, calling on the Government to make provisions for the equipment of steamers and regulation of traffic. A very strong case was made out by several members of gross neglect in the matter of leaky boats and overcrowding. Mr Sheehan spoke of a trip to Napier in a boat so dangerously laden and crowded that the harbour master refused to travel in the steamer. Mr Parker spoke of a trip in which ladies occupied the cabin floor as berths, and he had walked over them to get to his berth. Mr Hunter defended the precautions used for the safety of passengers, and illustrated it from the large number of steamers lost on the coast, and the passengers all saved. Mr G. McLean urged on the other hand that far greater powers should be given ' to stop unseaworthy ships. At present 'a number of captains influenced ' by sympathy for brothers in distress could be got to certify to the seaworthiness of the j most rotten vessel that may beSlet leave the port. Mr Eeynolds gave the assurance that the J subject would receive the most earnest attention of the Government, and steps be ' taken accordingly. ' Teddy Wakefield's Motion. A motion in Mr Wakefield's name return- • ing to the Handbook was moved by another in hiß absence, Teddy having given incipient indications of his customary absence. He has reached the argumentative stage which is next to that of speechlessness. Unless care is taken one member will be wanting to the Government when the division bell rings. ' Railway Traffic. On the motion of Mr Luckie the House ordered a return of rates and traffic of pas- ; sengers, goods, and live stock on all the rail- ' ways in New Zealand. Colonial Liabilities. On the motion of Mr Header Wood a return was ordered explaining in detail the £3,349,000 specified in the financial statement as liabilities to the end of 1874 or probably 1875. v (PER PRESS AGEXCY.) ... .; .Alarm of Fire. After the dinner adjournment, the House \ was found to be filled with smoke, and some • confusion ensued. After a careful examin- : ation the place where the fire existed was discovered to be under the Speaker's chair, caused by the heating of the flues. It was at once deluged with water. The Speaker then resumed the chair, and the business proceeded. As a precaution, however, against fire, firemen kept guard on the .premises all night.