HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3754, 27 July 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. UUESTIONS. In reply to questions, the Government refused to allow the introduction into tlio Election Petitions Bill of a clauso rendering the colony liable for errors on the part of returning officers ; the Government would, if it had the power, exempt dairy maun- * facturing companies from annual license fees ; Captain Fairchild reported seventeen feet of water ou tho Kawhia bar at low tide, and beacons would be erected thero : tho Government Avould not endow toAvn districts which had no Crown lands suitable for { reserves Avithin their bounds; tho hospital to be Greeted at Rotorua Avonid consist of a central refectory and a number of cottages suitable for all classes—the hydropathic establishment would be distinct and selfsupporting—to the hospital destitute patients would bo admitted on local bodies in other parts of the colony paying the fees—two additional members of the Board of Trustees -would be appointed. PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Mr Fish took occasion to deny a statement mado by some papers that he had stonewalled the Estimates on Friday night. NEAV RILLS. Tho Native Laud Laws Amendment Bill (Bryce) and the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill (Slwav) Avere introduced and read a first time. SECOND READINGS. The AVestlaud High School Bill, the Hokitika High School Bill, the Masscy Frauds Indemnity Bill, and the Invercargill Reserves Exchange Bill, were read a second time. PACIFIC ANNEXATION. The debate on annexation Avas resumed, aud after some discussion resolutions Avcro agreed to as follows: — !. That the House approves of the action heretofore taken by the Government in conjunction with the other colonies to promote' the establishment of British ride in certain Pacific Islands, i 2. That the British Government should, under existing circumstances, take steps for tho establishment of its rule over such jslunds as uro not already occupied by or

under the protection of any foreign power, and the occupation of which by such power would be detrimental to the interests of Australasia. (Carried by 49 to 19). 3. That in the event of its being mado an absolute condition of annexation that the colonies should each contribute a fair proportion of the cost, it would be necessary for the Imperial Government to furnish a statement of tho amount required from this colony before Parliament was called on to concur in a course Avhich may involve a serious addition to tho taxation of the country. 4. That tho above resolutions be embodied in Sir George Grey's Annexation Bill, wliich AvaS made the first order of the day for next day. SECOND READINGS. The Fugitive Offenders Jurisdiction Bill, the Murihiku Native Reserves Government Bill, and the Taumutu Native Commonage Bill AA'ere read a second timo. IUNKRUrTCY RILL. The House Avent into committee' on the Bankruptcy Bill, in Avhich several new clauses Avere introduced and others amended, increased powors being giveu to assignees, and the intermediate appeal to tAvo Judges abolished. In clause 139 Mr Barron moved an amendment to make wages and salaries to an extent not exceeding three months arears or £100 have preference over all other claims, Avhich Avas carried by 33 to 32. Mr Connolly then moved to report progress, in order to enable him to consider the effect this alteration AA'ould have on the bill generally. The motion was agreed to, and the House resumed. RILLS OF EXCHANGE DILL. The Bills of Exchange Bill was partly considered in committee, and progress Avas reported. The House rose at 12.30.