HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 173, 13 July 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Wednesday. The Houae met ot 2.30 p.m. Mr Thompson aakaJ several questions respecting unnegotiated bonds. ; The Premier informed him that, of the uneold unguaranteed bonds, thero had been hypothecated Geaeral Purposes Loan bonds ■worth £210,500 for £200,000 cash; defence loan bonds, £52,700 worth for £40,000 cash j both in the Bank of New Zealand. The -Treasurer has also drairn on London for £175,000 against the proceeds of bonds authorised to be gold, tfo portion of the

£800,000 guaranteed bonds have been sold, but £269,000 have been hypothecated to Crown Agents. Replying ti a question, the Premier said the cost of cablegrams to the colony while he was at home was £808 1 5s led. In reply to Mr Lumsden, the Hon Major Richardson said the Government did not intend to erect an addition to the Invereargill public offices, as the present accommodation was considered ample. Sir Donald M'Lean told Mr Carrington that a Ughtbouse would be erected on Cape Egmont a* soon as the Native diffieu.ty could be got over. The Premier announced that he expected to bring down the Counties and other Government Bills on Friday next. A long discussion arose upon a motion by Mr Wason that a Select Committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of übing brown or other native coal for steam purposes, in the course of which the Premier took occasion to inform the House of inquiries he had made into th« subject while at home, and of the information, be had eliuied. He thought the manufacture ot pitent fuel had a great future before it in New Zealand, as it was largely used and \ery popular in England and on the Continent, and growing in favor from its cleanliness and the fact that it occupied leas epace. Mr Reynolds moved that every return and paper should have tho cost of production printed upon it. This was strongly opposed by several members but was carried on a division by 28 to 23. Tho House rose at 5.30. Thursday. The Hou9e resumed at 7.30. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Local Option Licensing Bill, hut being generally opposed, leave was given to withdraw the Bill with leave to introduce another. The Auckland Waterworks Act Amendment Bill pissed; The Hawkes Bay Rivers Bill was read the second time; The South Duneilia and St Kilda Municipalities Bill p*?sed through Committee with amendments, and was ordered to be considered next Wednesday; The Coroner's Act, 1867, was committed after a debate, the several clauses up to clause 5 passed aiter numerous divisions being taken, and the Miaister for Justice at 1.20 a.m. moved that the Chairman report progress with leave to ait a?ain to-day. No material alterations were made in the Bill as printed.