GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1772, 24 October 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, Octobee 23. miscellaneous. A petition was presented from Tawhanga praying, that party warfare might cease, the ex-Government not to be allowed to return. In reply to questions, the Government said it was intended to amend the Land Act. The intention of the Government was to increase facilities for the occupation of waste lands. A return of all sums paid to Ministers for house allowances, travelling, or any other payments in excess of salary since July, 1878, was promised. The nature of the services at present performed by John White were to compile a Maori history. The salary was paid out of the vote for contingencies, and was £450. It was proposed to place tho salary on the estimates.

Mr Oliyee said he could not say that it was intended to remove the department of Commissioner of Railways from Christchurch to Dunedin. The matter had not been decided yet. The Pbemieb, in reply to Sir G. Grey, said he would request the Governor to permit the correspondence with late Ministers regarding their resignations to be presented to Parliament. The Pbbmike, in reply to Mr Shephard, said he could not say if it was advisable to make such alterations in the mode of distributing subsidies to counties and road districts as will apportion them according to the miles of road to be maintained, instead of according to rates collected. The matter would be dealt with in the statement to be made to the House shortly. In reply to Mr Harris, Major Atkinson said the Luna was never used for the entertainment of friends of Ministers. The Qovbbnmeht, in reply to Mr Whyte, said the Cambridge branch railway had not been surveyed, hut they would consider tho matter, as the line was one worthy of consideration. A return was promised showing the sums paid to officers for Native land purchases, showing tho nature of the service in each case. The Government would consider favorably the placing of a sum on the estimates for a branch line from Ferrymoad to Sumner, as they approved of the work. ministeeial statement. Tho Pbemieb, before proceeding further, stated that yesterday it was arranged that he should name the course which the Government intended to pursue in reference to the motion of the hon. member for Port Chalmers (the no confidence motion.) As this was a private members’ day, they did not propose to go on with the question, bub would ask for a delay until next day, when they would be prepared to bring tho question to an issue. He did not say exactly on tho motion of tho hon. gentleman, but in some shape. Mr Macandbew did not intend to interfere with private members’ business, although he regretted that any business should bo gone on with until the matter had been decided. Ho would consent, on condition that no Government Bills were gone on with in tho meantime. The Pbemieb assented to this condition, and the Government Bills were postponed. MISCELLANEOUS. Leave was given to introduce a Bill to grant an endowment to a Harbor Board at Wairoa.

Mr HcBSTHOtraK moved for a return showing the money spent on public works on the West Coast of the Middle Island, from the 30th Jane, 1872, to Ist October, 1877. Mr Sbddon asked that the return should ahow all Government expenditure in that district from 1864 to date. Xha motion, os amended, was carried.

Considerable discussion ensued on a motion by Mr Gibbs to reduce the gold duty by a shilling an ounce. Ultimately, the debate was adjourned till Thursday next. The House rose at 5.30,

EVENING SITTING. MISCELLANEOUS. The House went into committee on the Waiuku Recreation Reserve Rill, which was reported with amendments. Mr Bbandon moved the second reading of the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill, which was carried. The Oamaru Waterworks Act, 1870, Amendment Bill was committeed and reported without amendment. The Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, 1868, Amendment Bill was read a second time. Mr Adams moved the second reading of the Licensing Further Amendment Bill, No. 2. The object of the Bill was to classify licenses and make fees uniform. The Bill created four classes of licenses—town, country, accommodation, and ferry. Fees were—Wholesale, £10; bottle, £25 ; packet, £10; town, £25; country, £2O; accommodation, £lO ; ferry, £l. Some members defended the Bill. Te Wheobo said ho felt strongly on the subject. . Mr Seewaet moved that it be read a second time this day six months. A division was taken, and the Bill was read a second time and committed. The New River Pilot Station Reserve, Auckland Free Publio Library, and Ashburton County Council Waterworks Bills were rial a second time. PBIVILKGE. Mr Reeves called attention to a question of privilege. He had received a letter dated from the Government Buildings, and signed by a late member of the House, 0. Woeloock, recommending him to turn over before the division on the no-confidence motion was taken. To this he (Mr Reeves) had replied, that for treachery, duplicity, and moral turpitude, he had not seen the writer’s equal. The Pbemieb said he approved of the sentiment in the letter, and thought the hon. member wrong in regarding it as other than a private communication. A motion that the correspondence bo laid on the table was withdrawn. BILLS PASSED. The Resident Magistrates’ Act 1867 Amendment Act, Districts Court Act 1858 Amendment Act, and Wellington Harbor Board Bill, were read a third time and passed.