HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 91, 11 October 1894, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Replying to Mr Pirani, the Premier said there were no engineering difficulties in the way of removing the railway between Jackeytown and Palmerston North to the ceutre of the road, except at Longburn. The probable cost would be about i"8500. Personally the Premier thought the money could be better spent in opening up the back districts. » Replying to Mr G. J. Smith, the Colonial Treasurer said Government would not take the responsibility of giving any instructions to the new President of the Bank of New Zealand as to the management of that institution. No large concern of the kind could be carried on properly if interference of the kind suggested were allowed. Replying to Mr Harris the Premier said he was endeavoring to get permission for colonial volunteers to wear long service medals at the same time as Imperial decorations. Replying to Mr Bell, the Colonial Treasurer said Government intended to introduce a Bill to prevent the amalgamation of any other bank with the Bank of New Zealand. Replying to Mr Pirani, the Minister of Education said he had referred the report on Mr Blaremberg's petition to the Wanganui Education Board, who were to consider it at their meeting on Monday last. Directly he received a reply he would state the course of action he intended to take. Mr Pirani pointed out that Mr Blaramberg had been a considerable time out of employment owing to the action of the Board, and a strong prima facie case had been made out before the Petitions Committee, so that immediate action should certainly be taken. Replying to Mr E. M. Smith, the Minister of Lands said that owing to the large number of claims sent in on behalf of old soldiers Government would not be able to deal with the matter till next session. The Colonial Treasurer gave notice of the appointment of a Committee to enquire into the administration of the Public Trust Office and Audit Department. In the course of the debate on the adjournment of the House, Mr O'Regan expressed a strong opinion in favor of the Government appointing a commission to enquire into the charges made by Mr Blaremberg against the Wanganui Education Board. At the evening sitting, Mr Reeves reported that a compromise had been arrived at with the Council on the Shop Hours and Factories Bills. Od the motion of the Treasurer it was decided to instruct the Auditor-General to resume the audit of accounts of the Pnblio Trust Office. The Dairy Industry Bill was debated on the motion to go into Committee, and the second reading was carried.