HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 246, 17 October 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Tuesday. The House met at 2-30 this afternoon. Keplying to questions Ministers said— (l.) Centre Island ;J?oveax Straits was included in the first laud purchase made by Mr Mantell. (2.) The Government disapproved of the action of the Magistrate in Needham's case at Christchurch, but did not propose to take further steps against Needham. (3.) Surveys would at once be made to carry out the will of the House in regard to the Otago main central railway. (4.) A Itoyal Commission would be appointed to enquire into the dispute amongst the medical staff of the Christchjreh Hospital. Temporary proyision for a staff had been made. The following new Bjlls were introduced: Biveiton.Harbor Board Land Bill, Uiverfcon Grammar School Bill (Mr Hodgkinson), Roxburgh Reserve Amendment Bill (Mr Bastings), Southland JBoys and Girls High Schools Bill (Mr Lumsden), Patea Harbor Board Bill (Major Atkinson), Havelock Commonage Bill (Mr Brown) and the SlrathTaieri and Clyde Railway Bill (Mr Pyk-). The Otago Roads Ordinance Amendment Bill aud the Public Reserves Bill were passed through Committee. The Crossed Cheques Bill was discharged. The Legislative Council adjourned without doing any business, aud wili do so from day to daj|-ftntil a Minister to represent the new Government is appointed in the Council. Wednesday. Mr, Sheehan moved the discharge of the Natve Lands Sales Suspension Bill. He said that the natives throughout the country were so opposed to it that there would be danger in passing it. The Act of 1873 gave the Government all the powers required, and these would be used fairly and honestly. Sir R. Douglas and Messrs Howe, Reynolds, and Atkinson opposed the abandonment of the Bill, the latter denying that it would produce any ill effects and expressing regFet that the Government intended to act upon the Act of 1873, as doing so would result in injustice to the Europeans and propuce discontent amongst the natives. Messrs Morris, Rees, Nahe, Stout, Reader Wood, and Tawiti supported the withdrawal of the Bill, which was discharged. Mr Sheehan moved the discharge of the Settlements Works Advances Bill. Mr Reid expressed regret at the abandoument at a, good and useful measure. The Bill was discharged. The Land Drainage Bill, and Misdeameanors and Other Offenders' Bill were also discharged. In moving the discharge of the Fencing Bill, Mr Sheehau said it was intended to circulate it amongst the local bodies during the recess, with a view to the introduction of tlie measure next session. Messrs Reid and Bowen objected to the Bill being discharged After some discussion the Bill was discharged. The Harbors and Navigation Bills were also discharged. The Constabulary Bill was also discharged, after some slight discussion, in which it was condemned by Messrs Reynolds, Pyke, Baiit aud Macandrew, and defended by Major Atkinson. In reply to a question Sir G. Grey said the Government intended to proceed with the Education Bill. The Duuedin Town Hall Site Bill passed through Committee. The CroimveU Athenaeum Reserve Bill, and Kaiapoi Cemetery .'Jill passed through all the remaining stages, anu tue House adjourued at 1140 p.m.