TEE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1560, 2 October 1912, Page 8

TEE HOUSE.

SHEEP CENSUS. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. G. WITTY (Riccarton) gave notice of his intention , to'ask-the'Minister , for Agriculture whether ho would consider (he advisability of having tho sheep census taken in February, next.year. '■■ leave of Absence. On the motion- of Mr. A. • T.' Ngata, Mr. E. .Parati (Southern, Maori).- was granted three days'• leave -of; absence. WATER POLLUTION. The Water Pollution Bill (the Hon. W. F. Massey) was read a iirst time. ' WIDOWS' PENSIONS. The Widows' Pensions Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message The Hon. 1\ 11. B. TISHEE. in charge of the Bill, explained that it proposed, to amend tho-.existing law-in the direction of making .widows' pensions. -to wives of inmates of niontal. hospitals.. H proposed clso that payment should bo .made to widows on arcount of children, bom.out of New Zealand during the temporary absence-of the mother from thn Dominion. It was estimated thnt Ihfi amendments would necessitate an increased anuual expenditure of about JSflflO, The Bill was read a' first time. A LATE MEMBER. • RESPECT FOR HIS MEMORY. The Hori'. W. F. MASSE? (Prime Minister) said ho had a motion to nut before the House in connection ■ with- the death of the Iritis'Mr". K.M. Houston. Hβ said that Mr. Houston was born in County Down, Ireland, iu 1812. He arrived at Lyttolton in the ship Canterbury in 18G1, and almost immediately afterwards ho went to Auckland. He had been chairman of the Munconm County Council for 21 years, and ho had represented tho Bay of Islands from 1891 to !90G. when he retired-on account of ill-health, ne had always been a closo personal friend of Mr. Houston, and although he had eat on the other side of tho House, he (Mr. Massey) could say without fear of contradiction thnt.no man in the New Zealand Parliament had been more conscientious in,the discharge of his public duties than the late Mr. Houston. Ho moved that the House record its appreciation of Mr. Houston's service? to New Zealand, and express to his .wife and family sympathy and condolence?. Mr. G, W. RUSSELL (Avon) seconded he motion, adding his tribute to the late Mr. Houston and tho honourable record he had left behind him. • • . • The motion was affirmed, and on n further motion by the Prime Minister the llouso rose at 3.10 p.m. out of respect for tho memory of tho late Mr. ■ Houston.