HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4137, 25 October 1884, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. On the motion of the Premier it was resolved that the House meet on Monday at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions, the Minister of Public "Works said there would bo no difficulty in creosating nativo timber; that in the event of the Central route being adopted, the Government woidd order the survey of a direct Hue between Auckland and Taranaki; the Premier said in reply as to whether the Government during the recess would prepare the Public Works Act Amending Bill with a view to meet the existing difficulties in regard to farmers protecting themselves from danger by floods ; the Premier stated the Government recognised the importance of the question of the reform of the Legislative Council, and during the recess would give the matter their serious consideration ; the Minister of Defence stated that during the recess the Government would consider the whole qnestion of colonial defence ; the Minister of Lands said the Government paid Mr W. Gisbonic £2GO for his work on N.Z. Parts 1 and 2 had been received, 3 not yet complete. Debate on the report of the Committee of the North Island Trunk Line. Mr Samuel road capiously from Mr Carkeek's report on the Stratford line, and he believed that the lino would open up much better country than tho Central, and he hoped the Southern members would give an unbiassed attention, not only to the report, but to the evidence taken, and if they did this they would find the Stratford line the best. Mr Larnach reviewed the evidence of the witnesses, and said not more than six out of thirty-four had been in favor of the Stratford route. Mr Buchanan supported the Central route. The House divided on the question that the word "central" stand part of the question. Ayes, 53; Noes, 20. The House ment into committee on the Destitute Persons Bill, and amendments wore made and agreed to. The bill was read a third time and passed. The House resumed at 7.30, when the Minister of Public Works delivered his Statement, after which the House went into committee on the Bankruptcy Act Amendment Bill, a number of new clauses were added to tho bill and reported with amendments. The Police Offences Bill was considered in Committee, during the course of the debate on the bill, a wordy warfare took place between Messrs Seddon and Fergus, the former was frequently called to order for making use of strong language, and the latter moved that the galleries be cleared, which was not acceded to. The Bill was reported with several amendments, and leave given to sit again. The House rose at 1.40 a.m.