HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3180, 7 September 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday. The House met at 7.30 p.m. EXPLANATION. Colonel Trimble explained that when a few nights ago he, as Acting-Cbairman of Committee, sent for tne Sergeant-at-Arms it was not to suppress any disorder, but to ask certain information about the arrangements made for relieving the attendante during the loDg sitting. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that 120 Government officers had allowed their life policies in the Insurance Department to lapse or had surrendered them last year ; certain road and bridge work in the Taranaki district had been let in small jobs to settlers in the district without public tender —the plan had worked economically and well ; the expanditure of the Volunteer vote would be in accordance with a report to be obtained from a board of officers to consider the question of reorganising the force, as recommended by General Davidson and Colonel Scratchley ; the letter published as Sir Julius Vogel's was no doubt a correct copy 'of the one returned *by Ministers -it was so incorrect in many of . its statements and so studiously that the Government had no option but' to return it. BETURSS. The following returns were ordered:— The number and cost of officers employed by the Government in connection with Friendly Societies (Swanson) ; report of Mr Watt, Resident Magistrate, on the Augustus case (Jones). THE WAKATIPTJ. In reply to Mr Hutchinson, Mr Dick said the Wakatipu would probably be admitted to partique on the following morning, Sixteen passengers had been vaccinated, and would remain in quarantine untii it proved successful. One man absolutely refused to be vaccinated, and would have to remain in quarantine for H sixteen days. MORNING SITTINGS. On the Premier's motioD, it was agreed to fit from 11 to 1 on Wednesday and Thursday mornings for the rest of the session. LICENSING BILL. The House proceeded to consider the Council's amendments in the Licencing Bill. Mr Dick said he disagreed with thoie in clauses 46, 68, and 229. ' / Sir William Fox objected to those in clauses 5 and 7. After considerable discussion the amendments in all the clauses prior to clause 29 were agreed to. On the motion for agreeing to the amendment in that clause, striking out the New Zealand wine license, it was carried by 34 to 29. In connection with clause 31, which the Council had struck out, the question of the New Zealand wine license again arose. Mr Dick moved that the Council's amendment be agreed to, and after some discussion this was lost on a division by 32 to 26. The Speaker pointed out that this exactly reversed the previous decision. Subsection 3 of clause 29, which had before been struck out, was thereupon restored. The remainder of.the alterations were concurred with, except in respect of clauses 46, 68, 229, which were disagreed j with. Sir William Fox, Mr Wakefield, ■ Captain Russell, and Mr Dick were j appointed managers for the conference \. with the Upper House on the clauses objected to. THERMAL BPRINGS BILL. i The Thermal Springs Bill was introduced from the Council and read a first time. .....■-.; PENSIONS BILL The Pensions Bill was brought down from the Upper House with amendments, to which Mr Pitt objected, contending i that it Was a money bill. After some discussion the avendmentg were ordered to be considered on Thursday at 7.30, on a division by 40 to 6. bills. : The Chatham Islands Bill was read a third time and passed. The Timaru Harbor Board Aot Amendment Bill wa*

read.a second time, as were also the Dogs Registration Act Amendment Rill and the Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill. The House adjourned at 12.30. Wednesday. The House met at 11 a.m. passage or bills. On the motion at Mr Hall the Westland and [Nelson Coal Fields Administration Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. Mr Dick moved the third reading of the Borough of Hamilton Bill, which •was opposed by Mr Westdn; but after some discussion it was passed. On the motion for the committal of the Dogs Registration Act Amendment Act Bill, Mr Seymour suggested that shepherd's dogs to the number of two in eajh case should be exempted. The bill was ordered to be committed presently. The Masterton and Greytown Lands Management Act 1871 Amendment Bill passed through committee. The Prieons Act 1873 Amendment Bill was considered in committee. Mr Hutchison moved an additional clause affirming the principle of preventing skilled labor being taught in prisons to the detriment of free labor, but it was rejected on the voices, and the bill was reported with amendment. • The Dogs Eegistration Act Amendment Bill was considered in committee. Mr Shanks moved that County Councils and Highway Boards should be empowered to make siich reduction in the fee they might think fit in the case of dogs used for the management of live stock arid the destruction of rabbits. The House divided 6n Mr Shank's motion : Ayes, 33; Noes, 32. On the motion that the clause as amended pass, the House divided : Ayes, 33 ; Noes, 34. Mr Collins moved a clause affirming tho principal of exempting two cheep doge the property of one person, but this was negatived on the voices. Mr Hutchison moved the repeal of clause 3, allowing the Governor to exempt certain districts from the operations of the Act, but ib was negatived on the voices. The bill was reported with amendments. The Masterton and Greytown Land Management Bill, tho Prisons Act Amendment Bill, and the Dogs Eegistration Bill vrere read a third time and passed.

The House adjourned at 1.25 p.m