GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 402, 25 September 1875, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(By Electric Telegraph.)

{From a correspondent of the Press. )

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, September 23. The House resumed at 7.H0. the abolition bill.

Mr BROWN having moved his amendment on clause 24, to the effect that after the passing of the Act the apportionment of the 25 per cent of the land fund to the Timaru and Gladstone district should cease, Hon Major Atkinson said the principle upon which the Government acted had been to leave alone all the present arrangements so long as they did not work injustice. If the member for Ashley would examine the land fund and expenses it would have to bear, he would find, as the Treasurer had already shown, that considerably more than a quarter of the land fund of Canterbury would be available fcr practical purposes, so that it mattered very little whether the Timaru and Gladstone Act were in force or not The position of Timaru and Gladstone under the law as it now stands, would be almost identical. The estimated land fund of Canterbury is £162,000, the charge upon which for railways would be £70,000, for surveys about £30,000, for

rates £25,000, or £130,000 in all, leaving h balance or £32.000 for distribution. There were uow collected in the Timaru and Gladstone districts, according to the provincial estimate, for pastoral licenses, £60.000. [Mr Montgomery—" Much more than that."J Then the case was very much better than he (the Treasurer) thought, and his argument much stronger than if he had taken the amount, £60,000. The sales of land in the district, as estimated by the Provincial Government, was £40,000. Estimating the licenses as, £6OOO, there would be raised iu the district, from the land fund r a total of £46,000, which was five-sixteenths of the total land fund collected in Canterbury, which would give Timaru, and Gladstone £IO,OOO, without dividing it according to districts. [Mr Montgomery—''You are wrong."J Perhaps the member f,or Akaroa would show him how. His friend would therefore see, that allowing for a large falling .off, the proportion Timaru and Gladstone would receive would be> quite as muoli as received under the present Act. Therefore it was inadvisable to press his amendment.

Mr Stafford remarked that the member for Ashley had shown him a telegram coming from a gentleman who took an active part in politics in Canterbury, and was a member for the southern district iu the Canterbury Provincial Council. The member for Ashley in last session of the Council had given notice of a motion on the subject, but the significant fact was, he did not bring it on, through the representation of the representatives of Timaru in the Provincial Council, who included the gentleman signing this telegram. Therefore he (Mr Stafford) could not understand the inconsistency of that gentleman, who, in the Provincial Council urged the member for Ashley not to do away with the existing arrangement, and now telegraphed "he was quite indifferent on the subject, and was prepared to do away with it. At the commencement of the session he (Mr Stafford) received telegrams from the Board of Works, from the Mayor and the municipal corporation of Timaru, and from other persons in the district, directing his attention to the absolute necessity in their opinion of maintaining the existing system at Timaru. In consequence he took particular trouble to-find, out whether the wording of the 24th clause of the Abolition Act was precise enough to effect the object the people of the district desired to have effected, and he was convinced it was sufficient. He cou'd only say he was quite aware there was throughout the whole of Northern Canterbury a strong feeling of hostility for many years towards the Timaru and Gladstone district. [Mr Kolleston—" No." | He begged the hon gentleman's pardon. He knew that the feeling did exist, and the member for Ashley having in the last session of the Provincial Council tried to Overturn the present arrangement so far as the Council could do so, was a proof of what he said. The continued hostility was expressed by leading articles in the Christchurch newspapers, and in letters in the papers. Reference to the Lytteltoti Times would at once evidence that. He was not . at all surprised that the gentleman who was the first in the Provincial Council to seek to overturn the arrangement so far as the Council could, should attempt a similar action in the Assembly. He would go further, and say he thought what was established at that- time was not only just, but but wise. Had the Timaru and Gladstone Boaid of Works not been established, he had not a shadow of doubt that long before this South Canterbury would have been a separate province. It was only getting that instalment of justice that prevented them from being separated from the rest of Canterbury. The Timaru and Gladstone Act had given an amount of satisfaction and general contentment, which enabled the two portions of the province to act together instead of being in absolute hostility, as they were before. There was not the least doubt that, notwithstanding the telegram read by the member for Ashley, if the district were polled to-morrow there would be an overwhelming majority in favor of maintaining the present system. He asked the member for Avon, who had an intimate knowledge of the feelings of the South Kangitata people whether he did not think that would be the case. The House was now asked to disturb an arrangement that up to the present had allowed the people in that part of the province to remain contented to a very great extent, instead of being driven almost to the verge of rebellious separation. Unnecessary reference had been made to him by the member for Selwyn. He would like to see the principle of that member's motion, proposed a few evenings before, established all over the colony. [Mr Reeves—Then why did you not vote for the motion.] -He would have done so if the Treasurer had said that after meeting all legal liabilities which existed in other parts of the colony, means could be found of making the system universal. It had not been contended that the maintenance of this system in South Canterbury would at all interfere with her obligations in any other respect. If it had been shown, it would, he should say, prove that the system could no longer be maintained. They could not, with any safety of prediction, look forward to South Canterbury continuing long to get her 25 per cent voted directly. That being the case, and no other part of the colony being done the least injury—-not a single penny being taken from any other district—he could not see why it was desired to disturb a system which worked well iu practice, interfered with none else, and enabled that portion of the colony to carry her burdens. Iu fact he should prefer to see a similar condition of things, if iu the olher districts there was the same ability to carry existing liabilities. Mr Kolleston contended the proposal of the Government completely overturned the Public Works and Immigration Act, which made the railway and other charges chargeable upon the land revenue. He should like to know whether the Government had taken advice upon it, and ascertained how the Timaru and Gladstone district was affected by the subsequent Acts. Hon Major Atkinson said to a certain extent there was no doubt the Public Works and Immigration Act of 1871 made a charge upon the Timaru and G'adstone portion a 3 upon the other land fund of Canterbury. But that did not really affect the position, because the Timaru and Gladstone 25 per cent would also be liable to its share of the charges for the half million loan. [Noes.] He thought so, at all events; that it was never intended that the Timaru and Gladstone district should be relieved in apportioning her land fund from the burdens due to the public creditors—-[hear] —but it was intended to protect her against it being taken for the other part of the province. Mr Rolleston—Then that was entirely a provincial arrangement.

Hon Major ATKINSON —Kxactly. Mr IiOLLKSTON—but since the provinces are gone, what is the object of continuing it 1

Hon Major Atkinson— But the provinces are not gone for the purposes of distributing the laud revenue. If the Bill had at once become law, and the House had the appor tionment permanently of the land fund of the various districts, there could have been no objection on the part of Timaru and Gladstone to have their Act repealed. He understood the position they took up. to be this, "until we see what is the final apportionment of the.land fund, we don't want you to take away our existing right, subject of course to whatever charges were due to the public creditors." Mr Montgomery rose to correct a few misstatements in the speech of the member for Timaru. In point'of fact, last year the district south of the Kangitata got £150,000, the whole of her revenue. The district would not have been satisfied with 25 per cent. The Provincial Council dealt far more liberally with the district than the House would. With respect to the resolution before the House, the district south of the Kangitata was iu a different position to the rest of the colony, and the province. Why should it have 25 per cent of her land fund and get besides subsidies for Koad Boards from the land and consolidated funds. He was astonished that the member for Timaru should take such a narrow view as that the Kangitata district should have special provision for it. If the land revenue of Canterbury would give this 25 per cent, this clause in the Bill was not wanted. If the land revenue of Canterbury could not afford it, it was an injustice to give it. Therefore the clause should be struck out. The amendment of the member for Ashley was the only one to be arrived at to carry out the principle that had been adopted in the Bill. Mr Brown said he did not wish to break faith with the south, but he wanted the colony to understand that there was a distinctly different arrangement proposed for a district whose necessities did not require it. The reasons for it, he was quite unable to understand. Last year, the estitimated revenue of the district was £150.000, but before this sum could reach the provincial district, £37,000 had to be deducted for Timaru and Gladstone under the Act of 1867. Last year, when the Provincial Council met, the state of affairs was this. There were £351,000 to the credit of the proviuce in the bank, but £284,953 belonged to the district south of the Kangitata. In addition, the Road Boards in the district had £70,000. One road district alone had £49,000, and another £29,000, a third, £II,OOO. The balance at the credit of the South Kangitata district on the 31st of March last, was £284,392, and the estimated revenue of that portion of the district, was £76,953 for the ensuing year. Yet here was a Government proposing to give that district such a handsome present. Hon Major Atkinson—We only give them the residue after satisfying the public creditor.

Mr Brown said the Hon Treasurer's explanation showed how much he knew what he was talking about. [Laughter.] He asked the hon gentleman to point out where one single penny had been subtracted from the 25 per cent for the public creditor. Not only did the district get its share of the capitation allowance, but the Council voted it £58.000 for interest upon money lying in the Bank. [Loud laughter.] Absolutely here was a district of 8000 inhabitants having four millions of acres land with £74,000 revenue during the present year, and yet Government proposed give them a quarter of the whole revenue of the district for the next year. To do so would be inflicting an irreparable injury towards the rest of the province and the colony. Was not the member for Timaru able to meet his constituents without getting such a benefit for his district 1 It was positively unfair that this district should be placed on a different footing to any other. Since the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works Act came into operation £899,763 of land revenue had been received in the district,

. Mr BolleSTON—The member for Ashley does not mean to say that the whole has been paid over to the district ? Mr Brown—Of course not; about £40,000 to Road Boards separately. The district had had an enormous land fund, but he did not object to that. He was willing to give it every shilling up to the Abolition Act coming into force, but they were now steering upon a new career, and should share fair. Government should be. consistent, and having refused to allow 25 per cent of the land fund to the other districts, should treat South Canterbury in the same way. Mr Parker felt impelled to take part in the Canterbury free "fight,-into which the discussion appeared to be resolving itself. The member for Ashley had done his best to mystify the committee as to the actual state of the accounts between North and South Canterbury. The figures he quoted were a private arrangement between the different parts of the province. That hon gentleman spoke of having introduced into the Canterbury Provincial Council resolutions which he had withdrawn at the request of the members for South Canterbury. He (Mr Parker) said distinctly that the member for Ashley was entirely mistaken. The members for South. Canterbury had never had the slightest communication with him on the subject. Mr Brown corrected the hon member. He never said he had been requested by the hon member. He postponed his motion at the request of three members who were absent from the Council. Mr Parker continued—lt seemed the opinion of the previous speakers that so far as this Bill was concerned it was not a matter of very great importance whether the clause was carried or not, but he thought there was something due to the district. He was confident the telegram read by the raerabtr for Ashley did not fairly represent the views of the people of South Canterbury. They were anxious, whether rightly or wrongly he would not say, to continue as long as possible under the present system. [Laughter.] It was desirable, for the sake of a large and important part of the colony, that their wishes, unless grossly in opposition to the interests of the rest of the colony, should be considered. He pointed out to the committee that the Timaru and Gladstone Act was the model and precursor, so to speak, of abolition. Under the circumstances, it was only right that it should be continued in existence for a short time longer, and then the members for the outlying districts might claim that their districts should be placed on the same footing. Mr Bolleston would like to know whether it was intended by the Government

first of all to take out of the provincial r viiiue £1 for £1 for Road Boards subsidies, a id still to secure 25 per cent of the land fund i i addition to this district. He pointed out fiat under the Act 25 per cent gross must hi paid to Timaru and Gladstone. There must be no deductions of any sort,

Mr Stafford said the Government had been charged with proposing to create an exception in favor of one part of the colony. They were doing nothing of the kind. They found certain provincial appropriations already made, this being one, and they lef them as they found them. The 25 per cent would be subject to the charges under the Public Works and Immigration Act, and to the charges under the present Bill, [Mr Rolleston—Not as it stands.] He thought differently. The members for Ashley and Akaroa had been connected with the Provincial party, and were looked upon with great distrust and suspicion by the members of the Provincial Council coming from the south of the Rangitata. With the member for Akaroa there had been associated a man, than whom no public man in Canterbury was viewed with greater distrust. There was no man more distrusted by South Canterbury than Mr Edward Jollie. Mr Rolleston said the member for Timaru should have been the last man to do an injustice to Mr Jollie, who had been closely associated with himself in making the arrangements which secured to South Canterbury her large revenues. No man had dealt more fairly with the southern district than Mr Jollie.

Mr Stafford was merely stating the feeling that existed in South Canterbury, which the member for Gladstone would confirm. He dared the hon member to say that the feeling did not exist. Tnen the member for Selwyn was looked upon as having an undying hostility to Timaru. The member for Ashley had shown him the telegram he sent, the answer to which the House had heard. He challenged that hon member to abide by the answer to the telegram he (Mr Stafford) would send to the same gentleman to-morrow, but he would put a very different question, namely—whether the people south of the Rangitata objected to the charges on the land fund made by the Abolition Bill affecting Timaru equally with the other districts when that Bill came into operation. The question the member for Ashley put was, " Do the people object to same charges against land revenue on Bill coming into operation ?" Why should they object to getting £2 for for £1 ? How could they reply then that no distinction should be made. Was that the way the member for Ashley ascertained the opinion of the leading and active public men of the district, by saying he questioned them as tojwhether they objected to the 25 per cent being taken away when the 25 per cent never was mentioned

Mr Brown complained that the member for Timaru had put his question iu a most insidious way. The hon gentleman might choose to make this address to his constituents, but be was belying his every political act in the colony for the sake of what the member for Avon properly called a shadow. He considered the question he telegraphed to Timaru was plain and explicit. The answer was—" As far as I can learn the opinion is that no distinction should be made—the measure should be general.' He (Mr Brown) did not care whether every ma south of the Rangitata was opposed to the step he was taking. He said, in justice to the rest of the colony and the province, that the district should not have this 25 per cent. It was the injustice ol the thing he protested against. He did not care whether the member for Timaru was not re-elected for that district in consequence of not succeeding in retaining this clause. He (Mr Brown), would resign his seat and allow him to take his place, rather than that Parliament should lose his services; and so long as he had a seat in that House he should insist that that gentleman's district shauld not be allowed a preference over the whole colony. Hon Major Atkinson again denied that the Government had made an exception of the Timaru and Gladstone district. They had stated many times that this 25 per cent would certainly have to pay its fair share of the burdens of the puolic debt of the colony, and to contribute to expenses under the Bill. That was clearly his view, always supposing there was not a sufficient balance to pay them out of land funds. That it would be better, in order to make that quite clear,, that the clause should be postponed.

Mr Montgomery considered that Mr Stafford was responsible for producing a Canterbury free fight—a spectacle that must have been gratifying to himself and friends. The hon gentleman had not replied to any of the arguments he (Mr Montgomery) had used. He denied either he or Mr Jollie were opposed to South Canterbury. [Mr Stafford—l merely said that was the feeling in Sguth Canterbury.] Had the hon gentleman done justice to an absent friend, he would have stated that in 1868 Mr Jollie was a member of the committee of which he (Mr Montgomery) happened to be chairman,, which brought in a resolution proposing that Canterbury should be divided into two districts, and that the portion south of the Rangitata should get every shilling of itsrevenues. It was not creditable to the hon gentleman to use statements which must necessarily provoke a free fight. Mr Reeves said Mr Stafford had presumed to make himself the mouthpiece of the opinions of South Canterbury, with regard to himself (Mr Reeves). Why, he was not aware. He had taken no share in provincial politics. He called upon the hon gentleman to substantiate his charge, that he (Mr Reeves) was the head and front of the northern antagonism to Timaru. No doubt the hon gentleman was thoroughly acquainted with the contents of his own organ, and therefore could easily substantiate his charge, which he (Mr Reeves) absolutely denied. But he was not going to be drawn by a shallow device into a free fight. Why did the hon gentleman walk into the lobby with the Government against the 25 per cent clause. (Mr Stafford—Did not vote.) Why was this exception made in favor of his electoral district. The position which the great apostle of a colonial policy had taken up, was one of which he ought to be ashamed, The fact of the Timaru paper, almost as soon as the Bill was in members' hands, calling particular attention to this 24th clause, proved to his (Mr Reeves's) mind that it had received the hon gentleman's special attention. Since the member for Timaru had given the committee his opinion of him (Mr Keeves), he would give his opinion of that hon member. This 24th clause, or the last two lines of it, proved to his mind a compact between the hon gentleman and the Government, and he said it was a disgraceful compact, Sir G. Grey considered it a most im<

proper and unbecoming proposal ever made to any Legislature, that Timaru with 8000 should be so exceptionally treated, and Auckland with 80,000 shou.d lie 'eft in poverty. Mr Stafford —It was a piece of impertinence on the part of the member for Selwyn The CHAIRMAN called the lion gentleman to order. Mr STAFFORD would then say that the hon gentleman was actiDg impertinently in saying there was a compact between the Government and him. The hon gentleman Stated it as a fact as if he knew it Mr BEEVES—I must rise to correct the hon gentleman. I merely gave it as matter of opinion. Mr Stafford denied there was a compact of any kind whatever. He never asked the Government to do anything, and the Government never asked him. Before coming up here the Government did not know how he was going to act, and he only communicated his intention to one person outside the House. He did not know anything about the clause or the Bill until it had been circulated. When he received telegrams from the district asking that the existing provision should be maintained, he went to Government and asked whether it would be so, so little had he to do with the construction of the Act. He was then assured that permanent appropriations wei-e expressly provided under the 24th section of the Bill. Mr LUCKIE suggested the advisability of erasing the last two lines of the clause, and accepting the amendment of the member for Ashley. Messrs Webb, W. Kelly, and Stewart, supported the amendment, which was then put and carried on the voices. Hon Major ATKINSON proposed to substitute the word "any" for "an" in' : the first line, Mr Reid—Does the Colonial Treasurer intend to abandon the Local Government Bill ? • Hon Major Atkinson—No. It rested with the House. The amendment was carried. Hon Major Atkinson then moved that the words " passed or intended to be passed in the present session, the short title whereof is the Local Government Act, 1875," be omitted. Carried. He further moved that the concluding paragraph be erased, which was carried. The clause, as amended, was allowed to stand part of the Bill. Mr Fitzherbert wished to know definitely whether the Government proposed to proceed with the Local Government Bill. Hon Major Atkinson had already answered the question. The Bill was on the order paper, and would come before the House in the ordinary course ; but as there had been so much time taken up by the Abolition Bill, he could see little prospect of it being passed this session. Besides, there was no such necessity for it as there would have been were the Abolition Bill to come immediately into operation. Clauses 26 and 27 were struck out without discussion, on the motion of the Hon Major Atkinson. On the first new clause been proposed to repeal section 17 of the Constitution Act, Mr MACANDREW said he was utterly aghast at the proposal. He looked upon it as tyranny. Mr BOLLESTON supported the idea expressed by the member for Port Chalmers. Sir G. Grey thought if the Provincial Councils were to be dispersed like a mob the Biot Act should be read in their presence. What had Piovincial Councils done that they Bhould not be allowed to meet during the recess. He could not conceive under what pretext such a law should be imposed. Be hoped the clause would be withdrawn, and with it the insult that was offered to evory Provincial Council in the colony. Mr Brandon and Mr Carrington opposed the clause. Sir D. Bell supported the clause, and would deprecate Provincial Councils entering into strong political discussions. Mr Fitzherbert— Why gag Provincial Councils ? Persons who were committed to death were allowed a few moments for prayer, and yet that scant privilege was denied by that House. Nothing but great fear could actuate those who made the proposal. Either the Government did not know how to deal with the matter they had taken in hand, or if he was to suppose them endowed with those great great qualities which should characterise men holding their position, they were not true to their trust. Taking the matter in another light, he would ask what would be the pains and penalties supposing Provincial Councils met despite the passing of the clause. The Government did not go far enough. They might have a lot of irregular meetings throughout the country backed up by precedent, and perhaps with the sanction of the people, and Government would be placed in a very ridiculous position. He would suggest a way out of the difficulty, namely, by substituting for the present wording— this—" that notwithstanding the provisions of section 17 of Constitution Act, it shall not be incumbent on the Superintendents to "convene Provincial Councils unless they saw the necessity to do so." Hon C. C. BoWEN replied that Government were perfectly well satisfied that they were doing the right thing, and were treating Provincial Councils with respect. They might meet as usual, but their deliberat on could bo of no effect, because for all practical purposes they would be abolished. It would be impolitic to permit them to meet, and appear in the eyes of the people to have power which in reality they did not possess. Mr Montgomery thought the Superintendent should be allowed discretion to call Councils together on extraordinary occasions. Mr PYKE moved an amendment to the effect that Superintendents might have power to call Councils together, but not to appropriate any money or .do aught that would embarrass the Government. Mr J. C Brown moved that the words « without the consent of the Government " be inserted after " it shall not be lawful." This would leave it in the discretion of the Government, who could decide whether the necessity was sufficiently urgent to justify anv Provincial Council in meeting. Mr Reid, Sir G. Grey, and Mr Bradshaw having spoken, the question was put, and a division taken, resulting as follows: Ayes 'it Noes ••• ••• ••• "' Aves—Messrs Andrews, Atkinson, Balance, Basstian, Sir D. Bell, Messrs Bowen, Bradshaw, Buckland, Harrison, Inghs, Johnston, Katene, Kelly, W. Luckie, May, MacGillivray, McGlashan, Sir D. McLean, Messrs Munro, Parker, 0., Reynolds, Richmond, Richardson, Shephard, J,, Inbe,

Wakefield, Webb, Pearce, Pyke, Stafford, Steward, Purata, Shepherd, T. L., Williams. Noes -Sir G. Grey, Messrs Brandon, Carmtr'or:. Dignan, Fitzherbert, Gibbs, Hunter, Keily, T, Macandrew, Murray, Keeves, Reid, tiolleston, Swanson, Von Der Heyde, Thomson, Ward. Pairs for—Messrs Bluett, Wilson, Mervyn, Parker, G. 8., Kenny, Jackson, Bryce, Creigh tou, Cuthbertsou. Against —Bunny, White, Crown, J. C, Montgomery, Sheehau, Stout, Ward, Brad shaw, Wales.

Mr BRADSHAW explained that sometime since he had paired with Mr Creighton, and had endeavored to get out when the division was called for, but failed. He wished to make this statement, and to state that, although as in duty bound he had attached himself to the Ayes, his sympathy was with the Noes. Mr Pyke withdrew his amendment. Sir G. Grey moved—" That the chairman report progress, in order to ascertain the opinion of the law officers as to whether that House had power to appropriate provincial revenue while Provincial Councils existed." The motion was negatived on the voices. Clause 28 was passed. Clause 29 was slightly amended and passed. Clause 30 also passed. Clause 31 passed with slight amendment. The Bill was then reported with amendments, and the third reading fixed for Tuesday, by which time it would be put in type with the amendments. In reply to a question by Mr Rolleston, Mr McLean said that on another occasion he would announce when the Representation Bill would be brought down. [per press agency.] Friday, September 24. The Speaker took the chair at 2 30. petition. Mr Curtis presented a petition, urging the completion of the Foxton railway. MANAGEMENT OF RAILWAYS. lii reply to Mr Bradshaw, asking the Government if they have received the report of the audit commissioners on the management and working ol the railways, Hon E. Richardson said Government had received the report, which spoke favorably of the management and working. Mr Macandrew gave notice that he should move that all correspondence relative thereto be laid on the table. LAND GRANT TO THE WESLEYANS. In reply to Mr MAY, The Native Minister said the conditions of the grant of 300 acres of land at the Three Kings to the Wesleyan society for educational purposes had not been complied with, and that the Government would take steps to utilise the trust, BILL WITHDRAWN. The Westland Toll Gates Suspension Bill was withdrawn, at the suggestion of Mr White, who said the Bill was no longer necessary since the Provincial Councils were not to meet again. SECOND READINGS. The Licensing Acts Amendment Bill was read a second time, and is to be committed on Wednesday. The Invercargill Municipal Council Waterworks Loan Bill was read a second time, and is to be committed on Wednesday; AMENDMENTS BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The amendments made by the Legislative Couucil in the Oamaru Waterworks and Gas Bills were agreed to ; a clerical error to be amended. The amendments in the GoUlfields' Act Amendment Act were agreed to with a slight alteration. The amendments in the Nelson City Loan Bill were disagreed to, and Messrs Mervyn, Macandrew, and Reid, appointed managers to confer with the Legislative Council thereon. HIGHWAY BOARDS. On the motion of Mr Swanson, a clause was added to the Highway Boards Amendment Act, empowering Highway Boards to levy a rate in excess of that at present authorised by the Highway Boards Act for the purpose of lighting streets. The Bill was then read a third time, and passed. BILL REPORTED. The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill was reported from committee, with several new clauses and amendments, and ordered to be considered on Tuesday. AMENDMENTS AGREED TO. The amendments by the Legislative Council in the Taranaki Waste Lands Act Amendment, Timaru Municipal Waterworks LoaD, Annie Hood Grant, and Electric Telegraph Bills were agreed to. BILL PASSED. Wellington Tollgates Bill was read a third time and passed. SECOND READINGS. The Otago Harbor Board Empowering, and Clutha River Conservation Board Bills, were read a second time. BILLS' WITHDRAWN. The Auckland and Blenheim Election of Mayors Bills were withdrawn on the motion of the Hon B. Richardson, who said they were no longer necessary in consequence of the general Act for the election of Mayors. WELLINGTON WHARF. The Wellington Wharf Extension Bill was read a second time. THIRD READING. The Westport Municipal Reserves Bill passed the third reading. PUBLIC LIBRARIES. The Public Libraries Powers Bill was read a second time, and Mr O'Rorke explained the object of the Bill to be to enable libraries to enforce their rules and regulations, and to receive donations, whether of land, money, &c. Read a second time. THIRD READINGS. The Oamaru Town Hall and Gas Works Site Bills passed the third reading; Clyde Waterworks Bill was reported from the committee and passed the third reading. MOERAKI BOARD. The Moeraki Harbor Board Bill was read a second time. GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. On the motion of Sir D. M'Lean, the House will sit on Monday at 2,30 p.m., and take Government business. The Treasurer announced that early next week the Government would be prepared to go on with the estimates, and after some progress had been made would inform the House what measures they would ask to be passed this session, and what they proposed to abandon. RAILWAY COMPANIES' MILL. The House went into committee on the Railway Companies' Bill. Clause 21 was being discussed at .30