HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3783, 30 August 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AVednesday,

The House met at 2.30 p.m QUESTIONS.

Replying to questions, Ministers said ' that the Brogdens would not be allowed to give evidence at the departmental enquiry now being made into their claims ; harbor improvements would in future be noted in the marine report; tho Government could not interfere in the dispute between the Dunedin School Committee and the Otago Education Board ; tho Government would consider the propriety of renewing the bonus for kerosene, and would renew the bonus for cheese ; the immigration of single women and persons nominated by friends Avas not likely to prejudice tlic unemployed ; the Government Avould not refuse registration to friendly societies if their financial basis Avas not sound; the Government did not see its Avay to reduce the charges for the inspection of machinery; the Government Avould not divert the money voted for immigration to finding Avork for tho unemployed : the Government would enquire into tho cost of bridging the Teramukau at

Rocky Point, Avith the vicAV of considering that route for a main road to Canterbury ; the Government Avould proA-ido for the safety of foot passengers over the Brunner bridge ; the Oxford's immigrants'could not have been sent by the British Queen, as they Avere suffering from fever; tli3 Go-A-crnmcnt Avould enquire as to the necessity for sheep dipping yards at "Woodville ; the GoA-crnment Avould pay the travelling expenses of Southern members Avivos to Wellington; the Government Avould shortly issue a revised scale of suburban railway fares ; the Government Avould not increase tho capitation of country volunteers from .CI to £2, and saw no necessity to increase the allowance of ammunition to cadet corps ; whether an additional Minister Avas appointed or not proA-ision Avould bo made during the recess for tho creation of a Department of Agriculture. Mr Conolly said on Sunday he Avas furnished Avith cA'idencc of tho innocence of Angelique Therasso, convicted by the R.M. here of larceny, and ho at once went to see the Governor, avlio authorised him to proceed to tho gaol aud immediately releaso her, the formal pardon being signed next day. The R.M. Avould be called on to explain his conduct.

bills discharged. On Major Atkinson's motion the ten bills indicated on the prcA'ious night Avere discharged from the Order Paper. NEAV BILLS. The folloAving ucav bills, introduced by Ministers, were read a first time:—lnspection of Machinery Amendment, Public AVorks Act Amendment, District Railwaj's Amendment, Railway Improved Lands, Crown and Native Land Rating Amendment, Property Assessment Amendment, and Industrial Societies. I'ASSAOE OF BILLS. The House Avent into committee on the Otago Harbor Board Bill, and a long discussion, chiefly confined to the Otago members, ensued. An amendment that tho Crown should nominate three instead of four members Avas negatived by 3-1 to 31. An amendment that Port Chalmers should elect two instead of three members was lost on a division of 36 to 21. An amendment that Dunedin should elect three members instead of two Avas lost on a division of 10 to 15. An amendment striking out tlic clause establishing a differential rate of 1/pcr ton between Dunedin and Port Chalmers Avas carried by 31 to 33. Mr Fish declared that this rendered the bill useless. The remainder of the bill passed. Tho Bankruptcy Bills Amendments by tlic Council were agreed to except those in four clauses. The Town Districts Act Amendment Bill, the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, the Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill, the Otago Dock Trust Bill, the Road Boards Act Amendment Bill, and the Native Reserves Act Amendment Bill Avere passed through committee Avitli amendments. In committee on the AVanganui Bridge Bill, Mr AVatt mo\'ed to reduce the annual contribution to bo paid by the Borousrh. Council from £230 to .£IOO a year, but this Avas lost on a division of 25 to 7. Mr then moved to reduce the term for Avhich it Avas payable from 21 years to 7 years, but this was also lost on the A'oiccs, and the bill Avas reported Avitli slight amendment, read a third time, and passed, as were also the Town Districts Amendment Bill, tho Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, the Destitute Persons Relief Act Amendment Bill, and the Native Reserves Bill. Messrs Conolly, Peacock, and DcLautour Avere appointed to draw up reasons disagreeing with tho Council's amendments iv the Bankruptcy Bill. The House rose at 2.25.