HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4147, 6 November 1884, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday,

The Housq met at 2.30 p.m. = In reply to questions the Government did not intend to survey a branch railway to connect Porangahau with a main line at Waipukuniu. That every information would probably be given to M. de Havens, of the Belgian settlement party with reference to the colony. . ■... ■ The Railway Authorisation Bill, and Special Powers and Contract Bill were read a.first time, und the latter also read a second time. Tlip. amendment made by the Council to the Wanganui Harbor Empowering Bill was agreed tQ with the exception of alterations in clauses 9 and 11.

On. the motion of. Mr Ballanco a committee consisting- of Messrs llacanirew and O , Conor and tho mover was appointed to draw up the reasons for ..disagreeing with the bill.

The Council's amendment to the Hokitika Steam Tug Bill was agreed to. .... The House went into committee on the Native Lands Settlement Bill, clauses 2 to 28 wore omitted. •

The House adjourned at 5.30

The.HoußO resumed at 7.30 in committee on the Native Lands Settlement Bill. The bill was reported, rend a third time, and passed. The : Committee appointed to draw up reasons for disagreeing with the Council s amendments in the Wanganui Harbor Bill brought up their report -which was referred to the Council. ..,....- The debate on the Civil List Act Amendment Bill was adjourned on tho second reading. . . The House went in committee to consider the terms and conditions of the proposed contract between the Postmaster-General and N.Z. Shipping Co. for the conveyance of mails between. Plymouth and Now Zealand. , . .. . Sir J. -Vogel said the amount to bo paid ■was as much as Now South Wales paid the

Orient Co., and the provisions were similar to that of the 'Frisco mail contract. He moved that the contract be approved of. He eulogised Mr. Maoandrew, to whom he said the credit of aiding greatly in direct steam service being, established was due. The estimated -amount of subsidy was £i3,b00. , - ;.:.: , , r In reply to a suggestion made by the member for Invercargill ho said he had no objection to including tho Bluff harbor in Now Zealand ports of call. In reply to Mr. Q'Conor that N.Z. coal should be used, he remarked that such a proceeding would probably lead to undue influence in controlling the sale of coal, _it ■wae injudicious to place artificial restriction on-the importation .of any article. ■,: • The'motion on ,the : contract was carried, reported to the House and agreed to. Amendments made - by the Council in the Life Assurancb Polices Bill were agreed to. The motion to go into Supply was put an&carried. Mr Holmes took exception to £75 for shorthand r reporters" for the Legislative Council,' .and moved that it be struck out. The motion was negatived. In b'upply the' items chairman of goldfields and mines, in committoe Mr Hursthouee moved that it be struck out, arguing that if passed, chairmen of other committees should receive payment. Sir Julius Vogel defended the voto. Mr O'Conor explained that technical knowledge to an unusual degreo was required, the item was retained. Librarian £25, retained.—Custodian £50, reduced to £25. ;; Total vote under Legislature was £774. Vote £3-110 Colonial Secretary—Mr Dobson moved that the item £500 as recommended by the Waste Lands Committee for Captain Raymond's cervices connected with phosphorised oats as rabbit poiaon bo struck out. the item was retained. . For. Agent-General £394, for report on direct steam service was agreed to. , »■ '•'■■- Minister of Justice, £6903.—Agreed to. Colonial Treasurer, £1045.—Agreed to. Postmaster-General and Commissioner of Telegraphs. Mr Rolleston moved to omit £1500 for the N.Z. and Pacific Islands, but the item was retained. Commissioner of Trade and Customs, £6208; Minister of Education, £12,380; Minister of Mines, £250 ; Minister of Pub li&Works, £10,778; Minister of Defence, £2039 ; land fund account, £5512; Government insurance, £23,190, were all agreed to

- Public Works fund, £45,947. Mr Shrimiski moved that the item, £10,000' for a branch line of railway from Kaipara to of main line across Waikato River be struck out. Progress was reported, and Houee rose at 4.5 a.m.'