PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 222, 19 September 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Tuesday. The House met at 2-30 this afternoon. The Wanganui Gas Bill was read the third time. Leave of absence for fourteen days was given to Mr Hursthouse. Replying to questions, Ministers said— (1) The Government were considering how best to utilise telegraph poles for advertising purposes. (2) Enquiries were being made regarding alleged altercations between the Bench aud Bar in the Timaru R.M. Court. (3) The Government did intend to continue the office of Agent-General, aud knew nothing of Sir Julius Vogel's resigning. (4) The Government had uot permitted Mr F. A. Whitaker to acquire Hunie blocks 1 to i, extending to several thousand acres, on the Waiho River. (5) The Government had not a contract for coals with the Brunner or any other coal company at Greymouth. (6) The County Councils were not authorised to pay members either salary or travelling expenses. (7) The Government did not intend to comply with the demands of Tawhiao or Rewi for the return of confiscated lands. Extensive reserves were and always had beeen open in the Waikuto, if they liked to occupy them. (8) The Public Works Estimates had not yet been settled, and the Government could not therefore 3ay whether a bridge across Port Ahuriri Harbor was provided for. (9) Uutil further information had been received in reply to letters sent, the Government could not say what steps would be taken regarding the report of the Petitions Committee on Mr M'Manus' case. The following new Bills were introquced : Waiwero School Glebe (by Mr Thomson), Oamaru Reserves (Mr Hislop), Lawrence Athenamm Site Bill (Mr J. C. Brown), aad Havelock Athena.urn Endowment Bill (Mr J C .Brown). Mr Rees moved for a Committee to enquire whether Mr Kennedy forfeited his seat as being a contractor under Government. He said the facts as told hitn were that the Government had entered into a contract with Mr Kennedy's brother in-law and clerk, who, however, had no interest in the matter, it being entirely for Mr Kennedy's benefit. He desired also that the Committee should report on clause 7 of the Disqualification Act, by which it seemed that a member once in the House could enter into contracts without forfeiting his seat; he also desired to see the Committee enquire whether Mr Whitaker had not forfeited his seat, and would give notice of this. Mr Ormond said the Government knew nothing of Mr Kennedy's being concerned in any contract. The motion was agreed to. The Imprest Supply Bill, No. 3, for £250,000 was introduced and read the first time. Mr Ormond moved the second reading of the District Railways Bill. He reviewed the provisions of the Bill, which provided that the Government should only have the right to purchase after five years from the date of completion, aud would enable companies to construct railways iv any district without a guarantee from the district, the Government to pay 2 per cent only on tho resolution of both Houses. He believed the Bill would induce the formation of companies, and be a useful measure. After considerable discussion, during which Messrs Travers, Macandrew, Burns, Stout, Gisborne, Manders, Rolleston, Bastings, Seymour, Kelly aud Aynsley spoke in favor of the Bill generally. Mr Ormond said the Government were williug to yield to what seemed to be the general wish, that more than five years engagement before the right of purchase should be given to companies; and they were not wedded to the County Councils having power to veto. The Bill was read the second time. The House then went into Committee on the Education Bill, and clauses up to 99 were agreed to. Wednesday. In Committee on the Education Bill, some alterations were made in the sub-sections of clause 100, aud the whole clause passed on a division of -17 to 15. The remaining clauses to 103 were passed. Mr Bowen withdrew part 5 of the Bill relating to educational reserves and endowments, as" he intended to introduce a separate Bill to deal with the subject. The postponed clauses were then reconsidered and passed with the necessary alterations. After a long discussion, Mr Curtis' new clause to iutroduce the Nelson system of aided schools was rejected on a division by 31 to 18. Mr Harper's new clause to allow one whole or two half days in each week to be set apart for religious instruction was negatived on the voices. Mr Sheehan's amendment to make the enforcement of the compulsory clauses optional with the Committees was agreed to. Progress was then reported, and the House rose at 12*40 a.m.