HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 221, 8 September 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Thursday. Tbe House met at 2 30 this ufternoon. Mr Bewen in reply to Mr Canington, declined tr> stite the amount of the tender they intended accepting tor the Central Prhon, as n >t b^ing f*ir, but said they woulJ brin:< the question forward next session Bills were introduce i to prevent members of Assembly beiug appointed. .0 offices of emolument un-ier the iioverament; al«o a Bill fco facilitate tlie transfer and vesting of liuman Catholic lands. A vttj eh up discussion was raised upon a motion by the member for the Eas". Coist who wnnteJ £\OO dug on the Eititnitus to repair a bri 'g:. Thu Government as <ed the withdrawal oi the motion, but expressed their wsllingoes» to act in the matter some otlier time, tomo of the Ot»go members took objection to special treatment ior one part of the province, arguing that there were hundreds of places ia the colony as much in nseJ of such favors The Freinitr pointed out that all ilie luai rounj about where the bridge was wanted wa9 conflacated and belonging to the colony; that the bridge was of great benefit, that jEiOOO had been spent upon it, and if not repaired, it would tumble in, and the district be injured, as weii as money waste 1. Sir George Grey and Mr .Bees denounced tli3 motion as the result of a private arrangement between the aad (be, boa, member, and

accused the Government of having only passed the Confiscated Lands Bill of last session to suit them, and if they chose, it would never have been thrown oit of the Lords because, as they. were merely nominees of the Government they would have passel the Bill if u was wanted. Tneee and similar remarks elicted sharp and iadignaat rejoinders from Captain Morns and Sir R. Douglas, who had a similar nation some time previously. Both indignantly denud that they had made any piivate arrangements with the Government. The House refused to inquire into the allegations against Mr Farnha 1, no charge having been msde ngainst him except inefficiency. The House rose at 5.30. Friday. The House resumed at 7.30 in committee on the Debtor and Creditors' Bill, taking it up at eliuse 29. That and the following clauses up to 52 inclusive, passed without material alteration. Clause 5 (trustees not liable for costs) was moved by Mr titout to be struck: out. He objected to trustees being placed in a different position to any body else, sud pointed out that this would be leaving the door opsn lor malicious proceedings. Mr Button took the same vie w, and the clause was struck out. Clause 54 to 58 passed; clause 59 (what property shall be divisible against credit) was postponed; clauses 60 and til were passed; 62 (settlement by debtor) was postponed after considerable discussion; on clause 63 (fraudulent preferences) an animated discus:ion arose. Tr.e clause fixed six months, as the within which action could be taken, for fraudulent preference agaiust a bankrupt, and it wjs soughs to be amtnded by inserting three instead of six. A division called for ; by Mr Sharp and the amendment was carried by 34 agaibsfc 11; clauses 6i to 200 inclusive passed without material alteration. An amendment on clause 201 (if the plaintiff fail, defendant to have lull costs) was struck out. Tiie remaining clauses were paseel unanienled, and progress was reported. Tiie following Bills were passed {-^Fraudulent Debtors Bill, Waiuki Native Grants Bill, Duaedin Reserves Exchange Bill, Dutiedin Water Works Act Extension Bill. The Otago Harbor Board Amendment Bill ana Qutenstown Commouage Bill were read tha second time. The Otagj Educational Eeserres Management Bill was advanced a stage, and the House adjourne 1 at 1 20 a m.