HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 234, 31 October 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Monday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Sir George Grey asked the Government, without notice, whether they would prevent the Tauranga natives selling to officers of the Native Department and others the reserves granted to them by himself many years ago. He understood they were selling them to officers of the Native Department, and would soon have none left at all. He wanted the question inquired into next session. The Premier would at once give an assurance that the land would not be purchased hy officers of the Native Department, but he could not give a general promise until he ascertained whether the natives had these reserves given them for sale. In reply to a question put by Mr Sheehan regarding the opening of Kaitna, the Premier said that Commissioner Brabant had been authorised to make the hest arrangements he could for the settlement of the whole matter. Further, the Postmaster-General would call in at Tauranga on his way up, and use his best endeavors in the direction desired. There were twenty-three notices of motion on the paper, which private members wished to proceed with, but the Premier said if they did so it wouid he impossible to prorogue on Tuesday, there was so much for the clerks to get through. He moved that the notices be all discharged, which was agreed to by 22 against 9. The House adjourned till 7.30. In consequence of rumors that Mr Carrington was to receive 6 per cent, commission on the amount awarded by the House in the Sartoris and Downes claim, it was carried on the motion of Bir George Grey that the amendments of the Legislative Council be disagreed with, which meant the shelving of the Pill till next session. The Premier said this was stultifying the action of the House. He moved for a conference in the matter, which was carried by 15 against 3. mi tt Tuesdaj*. The House resumed at 7-30. last ni'-, ht. The Public Revenues Act came back from the Legislative Council without amendments, also the Appropriation Act and the Immigration and Public Works Act. Messages from the Council announced that they agreed with the report of the conference on the Sartories Downs; Act. The Premier announced that the managers appointed to agree as to the reason for disagreeing with the striking out of the last clause had been unable to do so, and he was at a loss what to do. The Speaker suggested that probably the appointment of a- other manager so as tb make an odd number as usual would overcome the difficulty. - The Premier then moved that Mr Hunter be appointed. The Premier then moved that Messrs Hunter and Fitzroy and himself be appointed managers. Mr Sheehan said this was a most unheard of proceeding, and he moved that Messrs J.C. Brown, Tole, and Wood be managers. The debate was adjourned for a short time. The Waste Lands Administration Act, 1876, was brought down from the Legislative Council with amendments. Tho Premier said he would move that these amendments be agreed to, but he did so with great regret and only on account of the late period of the session. Clauses were struck out that would have been of very great use to the country; the whole of the deferred payments clauses were struck out, and many others of a useful nature. It was only on account of the impossibility of keeping a House at so late a period that he agreed to it. Messrs Rowe, Barff, and Wood condemned the action of the Council as calculated to have a most disastrous effect upon tlie coloMy. Mr Wood said the colony would yet cry out from end to end for the abolition of the Legislative Council. 1 The debate was adjourned for 40 minutes, ' ana on resuming the Premier moved— That this House disagrees with the amendments in the Waste Lands Administration Act, and that Messrs Sheehan, Curtis, aud the mover be appointed managers to draw up reasons for disagreeing. This was agreed to. After drawing up reasous they were appointed members of a free conference with the Legislative Council. The House resumed again on the Municipal Corporations Act, and the new clause bringing the Act into operation by the Council by the Ist January was agreed to. It was soon after announced that the Council had appointed managers to confer with the managers of the House at 10*30 this morning. The House then adjourned until noon today. I*2o p.m. The House met at noon, and, after transacting some ordinary business, the report of the conference on the Waste Lands Administration Act was brought up and read, The effect of it was to restore the provincial laud laws on the subject of deferred payments and special settlements, but striking out of the Bill the clause relating to deferred payments generally, also the clause relating to forest conservation. The only other point upon which there was any difficulty was a proviso in the 26th clause in reference to ■ Commissioners of Waste Laud Boards, and ! it was agreed they should not be disqualified front sitting as membsrs of the House. Sir George Grey, and Messrs Rowe," Wood, and Pyke recorded their protest against the gross injustice inflicted upon the colony by the action of the Council.