WEDNESDAY, JULY 25.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 160, 3 August 1877, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25.

Mr Burns moved thafc the Government be requested to make a flying survey of a line of railway from the south end of Lookout Point tunnel on the Dunedin and Olutha Railway uo the Kaikorai Valley, and to arranges with the proprietors for permission to construct a line. The Hon. Mr Onnoud replied that Govermen*: could not committhemselves to anything of the kind. There was a bill being prepared to provide for district branch railways, and the hon. gentleman would see that under that measure every facility was given for works of the description referred to. The motion was withdrawn. Several motions for the production of correspondence were agreed to. Sir George Grey withdrew his motion for the exclusion of all persons from Bellamy's other than members of Legislature— -the House Committee having reported in the directions of his wishes. Sir G. Grey moved that Mr Sheehan's name be placed upon the Native Affairs Committee. The Premier said the reason Mr Sheehan's' name had not been placed upon the Committee was thab he was very much mixed up in Native affairs, and was, in fact, looked upon as the paid advocate ofthe Natives. A long discussion ensued, and ultimately the motion was agreed to on the voices. In reply to a question by Mr Stevens, the Government gave explanation as to land being withheld from sale because it would have been taken up by holders of volunteer scrip. Mr Gisborne moved for a comparative return for the last three financial years, showing customs' receipts for each year for spirits, tobacco, tea, sugar, and ad valorem, showing increase or decrease each year. He thought ad valorem duties organically wrono*. It placed a premium on fraud, ancl demoralised the relations of trade, besides giving an advantage to tho dishonest trader over the honest one. He wanted this information for the House, to enable it to consider the question at some future time. The motion was agreed to. Mr Reader Wood moved for a return showing the amount paid by the Government to any shipping company from July, 1876, to July, 1877, and with all the details of such amounts j also, for a return ofthe cost of working the Stella and Hinemoa during the past financial year. The Hon. Mr M'Lean said there were so many erroneous reports abroad that it would be as well if these returns were prepared. There was no objection to do so. The Hon. Mr Reynolds asked the Minister of Works — (1) When he intends calling for tenders for completion of portion not yet under contract of j Main Trunk Line of Railway from Waitaki to Bluff, in Provincial District of Otago ? (2) In calling for tenders what time will be given for completing works ? (3) When he intends to have through line from Waitaki to Bluff open for traffic ? The reply was that a notice calling for tenders for portion of the work had gone South during the day. The time for completion of the contract would be twelve months. He intended having the through line from Waitaki to Bluff opened by the time the second section south of Balclutha was finished.