HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 236, 5 October 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Thursday. The House met at 2*30 this afternoon. The Sartoris and Downes Land Bill was received by message from the Governor, and was read the first time. In reply to questions, Ministers promised a statement regarding tha management of hospitals; and on the vote for the AgentGeneral's department, they would state whether they intended to continue Sir Julius Vogel's services if he was willing. The Government had not directly or indirectly proraised the appointment of Agent-General to anyone. Mr Bowen, in reply to Mr Fox, said he thought the Resident Magistrate at °,Christchurch was guilty of a grave error of judgment in Needham's case, hut did not intend to reprimand him. The Disqualification Committee was instructed to enquire into the sale of the Luna. After further debate, Mr Pyke's Otago central railway resolution was carried bv 37 to 32. ' J On the motion of Mr Sheehan a Committee was appointed to consider the" question of railway extension north of Auckland. Mr Lariiach'a motion to have an imprest stamp office established in Dunedin was opposed by Ministers, and rejected by 36 to 30. The debate on Mr Larnach's motion, ithat all Government buildings should be insured to their full value in a local office, was adjourned to enable the Governmeut to obtain a return showing the value of all Governmeut buildings. Friday. The following Bills were read the second time :— Public Libraries Bill, Dunedin Town Hall Site Bill, Church District Drainage Bill, Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association Bill. The Native Land Act Amendment Bill was read the second time, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The iVluuicipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill, Auckland College and Grammar School Bill, and Dunedin Gas and Waterworks Bill were passed through the remaining stages. In Committee of the whole, Mr Kelly moved an address to have £2000 placed on the Estimates as a grant in aid to Agricultural and Pastoral Societies. Mr Fo-x desired to move an addition of £1000 as a grant to Teetotal and Temperance Societies in order to enable them to hold an annual convention to promote the cause. The Chairman ruled this amendment out of order. After a discussion, the original motiou was rejected by 33 to 25 . On a motion by Mr Bastings an address was agreed to praying the Governor that public land to the value of £5 ',000, in suitable blocks, as neap as possible to tiie railway, be set aside for the construction of a railway from Tapaitni to Waipuhi, such lands not to !)c sold or disposed of I ill the railway is finished. An address for .£IOOO on the Estimates to remove the rocks at the entrance of the Kitting .iyer was also agreed to on Mr Larnach 's motion. The House rose at 12 45 a.m.