GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1787, 12 November 1879, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[Br Tbleqeaph.] Tuesday, Novbmbbb 11. The House met at 2.30. Mr Hall [announced that in the event of the [measures before the House progressing satisfactorily, the Treasurer would be prepared to bring down his Financial Statement on Monday. In replying to questions, it was stated that the Government would consider the propiiety of rendering the services of the public analysts more practically useful than at present. The Pullman railway cars’lately imported from America could not pass through the tunnels on the Ohristchurch-InvereargUl line. The cars could be altered, but the cost would be very great. The Government agent at New York was responsible for the blunder. He had had sections of the tunnels sent, but disregarded them. The Government was not prepared to say whether or not he would bo held personally responsible. A sum of money would be proposed in the estimates for the construction of roods through and opening up Grown Lands in districts in which the counties have not sufficient funds, A report forwardedJto'the'Oommiesioner of Railways re Bay of Islands and other Native coal, had been given effect to. The coal was largely used, and with the view of encouraging its use, the Government had offered bonuses to firemen for its efficient employment. The Government would bring down a Bill dealing with the establishment of small farm settlements on the deferred payment system, by settlers to whom employment would for a time be afforded upon public works. A report had been received from an engineer employed by the Rangitikei Council, recommending a good practical route for the railway from Marton to Rangitikei by Murimutu Plains to Taupo and Auckland. Bills were introduced to amend the Otago University Site Exchange Act, 1875 (Mr Macandrew) ; Land Tax Collection (Major Atkinson) ; Kumara Educational Reserve (Mr Ollivier). The Qualification of Electors Bill was further considered in Committee. The amendments carried were unimportant. The amendment to give the residential franchise to females was negatived by thirty-seven to twenty-nine. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On resuming the Qualification of Elections B :, l was further considered in committee, and amendments were moved by Messrs Scddon and Murray re the Maori qualification. Mr Moss moved, as a further amendment on the same, a clause that aboriginals, including half-castes, and the male descendants of half-castes, shall not acquire any new right under the Act, nor shall they be deprived of any rights they had at the beginning of the present session of Parliament. The Government had said they did not intend to deprive the Native race of any rights they had previously {enjoyed, and he thought this the shortest way of expressing their measure. Mr Seddon’s amendment was withdrawn, and the ether amendments]swere being discussed.