WHAT MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 923, 16 September 1910, Page 7

WHAT MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW.

MORE VICE-REGAL RESIDENCES P . Mr:" Russell-' is to"lisk the ter r wlietherj seeing the GoVerhmentyhas now,' arranged" for: two ■ permanent residents for his Excellency hr the North Island; they will bring: down ■ legislation to enable' permanent residences, for his- Excellency to be established in' tho beautiful,' -healthy; and . invigorating "cities of-" Christchurch , and- ,;Dimedm i m; tho South Island. -. :: '.

Jiv. Ilerdman intends lo move that' the're- ? be:'.:laid More the HpUSe' a return The increased "rovenue deriv«d by.'-ffle Railway Department;.during if, year ending, March: 31, 1910, .from (a) increased,-p'asssnger. fares, 1 (b) increased freight rates, (c) the line purchased, from the Wellington-Manawatu • Railway; Com." pany; (2) the saving, to the Railway' De-partm-snt during the year ending March 81, 1910, effected-'by'the diversion, of traf&o -from the Wellington-Waii'arapa . line to,-the :Wellington-Manawatu line;.:' .

Mr. Masscy intends to move .that there, be, laid'-before "the -Hdiise.a^'-.iet'urn. show» ing—(l) (a) . The, -total number of cattle imported to :this l)'omini'on' by-.the-;Agri: PultilrUl 'Department during the ten years ended March .31/1910; (b) the number' of each' breed and sex;.'.(c) .the .average, cost per head' of' each breed; (d) the number i>? such': cattle sold by the Agricultural Department, and -the: amount' :received. therefor;, and (e) the number, still alive, and the approximate present value , thereof; (2) The number of 'horses:'; similarly' Imported, and the same 1 details as m, the'easa of cattle- (3)- The . number of sheep : so. imported, and the, same details as- in' the case, of eattle and horses.'

Recognising, the importance of enabling local bodies: to utilise water-power .in: connection .with" ettterprises designed for; the general .benefit;", such as' / water • supply, sewerage works, arid tramways," Mr. A. W.. Hogg is asking the ■ Government whether they .will' treat" the long-promised ".'Regulation of 'Water-power -Bill as .a matter of •urgency,' arid' introduce such a measure, without further delay. ;' :. ''

The Government is being asked by Mr. Okey. whetherj -.in; the v interests of .the petroleum industry of the Dominion - and with.a view of getting the most reliable. Information possible, they will invite Dr; "'Henry,, .oil; expert, of London,; to ' report upon'the. prospects of the industry -in the. Dominion. •

. : What progress has been made with the examination of the coalfield stated to have .been discovered at Waimarino; and , whether a report has'been .obtained? question to be asked of the Government by Mr. A. .W. Hogg., ; ; . The Minister for Lands is being asked by Mr. Field whether the Government will-, acquire the' title to a large area of sand-drift land, believed to be from 1000. to 2000 acres ,in extent; situate oh the sea coast , to the' west of Levin and said to have, remained to any . Native owners because of its valueless character, and: either treat it by. planting with suitable grasses, shrubs,' and trees, or else dispose of it in. comparatively small areas to persons who are willing, to take it up and reclaim it. ;.