HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 243, 4 October 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Tuesday. The House met at 2.30. this afternoon. In reply to Mr Pyke, the Premier said the Government would during the recess consider the whole question of goldfields legislation, and take steps to insure that a proper Bill be introduced next Parliament. In reply to Mr Reynolds, Mr llichardson said the Public Works Estimates would be laid before the House. As to carrying out the recommendation of the Engineering-in-Chief with regard to the wharf extension at Port Chalmers he said that under the circumstances a great deal of consideration would be necessary before a decision was come to, inasmuch as the Otago Harbor Board were prepared to spend enormous sums of money to create a shipping trade at Dunediu and destroy the large shipping trade of Port Chalmers. There was therefore some doubt as to whether they would be justified in going to any great expense. Mr Larnach gave notice to move on Thursday, in the usual way, for a vote of £235 to the widow of Mr Eliott, the Mail Agent, who lost his life through cold and exposure while in the discharge of his duty in the service between this colony and America. The House went into committee on the Counties Bill at clause 133, and went through the remaining clauses with few modifications. They then took up the postponed clauses, and were occupied with them until the House rose at the usual hour, and they will continue the same work at 7.30. Wednesday. The House resumed at 7.30. Several new clauses relating to the division of counties were brought down and agreed to, the effect of the the new clauses being to enable the Governor in Council to alter the boundaries of counties, and redivide counties whose boundaries are altered into fresh Hidings; also to make provision for the election of a new Council when the boundaries are altered. Contracts then existing may be enforced against the original County and the Councils may agree for a transfer of a fair share of the property and debts. If the Councils do not agree, the Commissioners of audit may make an award as to the matter in question. All property transferred from one county to another to vest in the corporation of the new county; no alteration of boundaries to affect the interests of the bond holders or creditors. With regard to voting, Mr Wood proposed an amendment verbally limiting the ratepayers to one vote, but the amendment was lost by 35 against 17. Mr De Latour wanted the number of votes limited to three which was also lost. The clause being agreed to, Sir G. Grey asked that progress might be reported before proceeding with the schedule, which was agreed to. In committee on the Education Boards Bill, on the 46th clause a good deal of discussion ensued, Mr Wakefield having moved an amendment to the effect that there should be two Education Boaids in Canterbury (north and south) in consequence, he said, of the inefficiency of the Board at Christchurch. Mr Bowen pointed out that if they were bringing down a Bill dealing with the whole question he would have no objection to another Board for Canterbury, but there were very great difficulties opposed to doing that under present circumstances, one of which were that an alteration in the present law would be required. As the present Bill was only intended to carry on for a year, he hoped the amendment would be withdrawn. Mr Bowen also gave an assurance to the member for Timaru that in their Bill next year they would provide for two Boards in Canterbury. The amendment was negatived on the voices. A number of amendments were made in the succeeding clause. Clauses 21, 22, and 23 being struck out the Bill was read the third time and passed. The House adjoamed at 1.15 a.m.