HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 82, 3 October 1896, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, October 2. In the House the third reading of the Horowhenua Bill, after several hours' debate, was carried by 41 to 17. The Banking Committee was granted a week's extension of time in which to j bring down its report. In the discussion which took place, Mr G. Hutchison complained of the refusal of the Chairman of the Committee to allow him to put certain questions to witnesses, buc Mr fcieddon said tboae questions were outside the order of reference. The Hod. J. McKenzie said if hon. I ru ember a thought this report would be the final act in connection with the Bank of New Zealand enquiry, they were very much mistaken, and they need not think this session would end the enquiry. Mr Graham, chairman of the Committee, said he hoped the report would be brought down on Wednesday next. He paid high tribute to the fairness and correctness of the Press Association's reports of the proceedings of the Banking Committee, and said they gave the public a very good idea of the whole position. In the evening the House went into Committee on the Inspection of Machinery Bill, Tobacco Excise Bill, Tobacco Amendment Bill, Mining Act Amendment Bill, Rabbit-proof Fences Bill, and the Government Valuation Bill. A message was received from the Legislative Council intimating that the clause limiting the hours of bank clerks, which was introduced at the instance of the member for Palmerston, had been struck out, as well as the clause introduced at the instance of the member for Invercargill, allowing employes of railway carting contractors to work on half holidays. On the motion of the Premier, the Minister for Railways, the member for Palmerston, and the Premier were ap poined a committee to draw up reasons for disagreeing with the amendments of the Legislative Council. The Mining Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. Mr Fraser moved to defer consideration of clause 3, providing for resumption of land for mining purposes, until the House had dealt with compensation clauses. The Minister objected, contending that clauses 3 and 4 were the most important in the Bill. The postponement of the clause was carried by 27 to 25, and the consideration of clause 4 was also postponed. On clause 6 being reached, a motion by Mr Larnach to report progress was carried by 24 to 23. The Government Valuation of Land Bill was taken in Committee. The Minister of Lands stated the Valuer-General would be the Commissioner of Taxes. It was not intended to create any new department. Tha first three clauaea of the Bill were passed, and progress reported. The House rose at 2.30 a.m.