HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 224, 21 September 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Thursday. The House met at 230 this afternoon. Replying to questions, Ministers laid—(l.) Native land under Crown grant is not liabie for Highway or County rates (2.) It is not intended to alter the law relating to the sale of spirits to natives. The Bluff Harbor Endowment and Borrowing Bill was introduced by Mr Wood. After some discussion the Committee to consider Mr Kennedy's and Mr Fishers disqualification was nominated on the motion of Mr Whitaker. Mr Pyke moved that, in the opinion of the House, the report of the Otago Central Railway Committee should be given effect to forthwith. In doing so he strongly supported the Committee's recommendation ot H»e otrath-Taeri route, as being the least dithcult and most direct, opening up the most Crown lands fit for settlement, and being really a central Middle Island trunk lino which would ultimately be extended to the West Coast. The Counties through which the line would pass were willing to construct it if gi 7en land to equal the value of money spent, and would then hand the line over to the Government. He hoped the House and the Government would support the scheme. Mr Joyce opposed the motion, contending that the Bluff was the natural outlet of fche interior, and that the lines from there already went 100 miles towards Cromwell, leaving only 40 to be completed. A fresh Committee should be appointed to consider the matter further. Mr Shrimski thought the reoorfc entirely one-3ided and in the interests of Dunedin. Mr Carringtou, as a member of the Committee, denied this. After considerable discussion, a motion for the adjournment of the debate fco Wednesday was carried. Mr Murray moved for a Committee to enquire into certain land transactions in connection with the purchase of the Punia and Hunia blocks and ofcher lands in the Waikato district by Mr F. Whitakor, junr., and by Mr James Mackay, Government Land Purchase Commissioner, in the purchase or other negotiation in connection with these or other lands in the said district; and also if there were any proposed exchanges between the Government and Mr Whitaker, senr., and any alleged sales to one Fraser. Mr Whitaker agreed to tha appointment of the Committee, and gave a long explanation of his connection with fche land in question. _He proposed an addition that the Commifcte should also report on his claim for compensation for breach of agreement entered into by the Government with him in reference to these lands. Mr Murray accepted the addition, and the motion was passed. The House adjourned at 530.