HOUSE OF REPRESENATTIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 285, 1 December 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENATTIVES.

Wellington, Friday. The House met at 2-30 this afternoon. The Native Affairs Committee reported that the Native Marriages Validation Bill was unnecessary, and should not be proceeded with. The Public Accounts Committee reported that in future retiring Ministers should vacate Ministerial residences within 30 days, but that for the present session late Ministers should not be required to leave the houses till after the prorogation. An hour and a half was spent in discussing a motion that the report be printed immediately. This was agreed to. Replying to questions Ministers said:— (I.) The Government would complete, as soon as possible, the unfinished mille of the Picton and Blenheim railway, and if possible arrange to have the Opawa Bridge rendered available for dray as well as railway traffic. (2.) Would, during recess, survey the railway line from Duntroon to Kurow. (3.) Very few copies of the second edition of the New Zealand Handbook had reached the Government. The Stamp Act Amendment Bill and the West Harbor Borough Mayoralty Election Validation Bill were read a second time. Saturday. The following lQj.Ua were read a third time last night:— Stamp Act Amendment Bill, West Harbor Borough Mayoralty Election Validation Bill, Native Land Act Aojendment Bill, Maori Real Estate Management Bill, Government Native Lands Purchase Discontinuance Bill, Shipping and Seamen Bill, Whangarei Port Endowment Bill, Wyncjham Show Ground Reserve Bill, Canterbury ltog/ie Ordinance Amendment Bill, Te Aro Reclamation BJII, The Dangerous Goods Acp was amended to give power to the Governor ti? B*a|ke certain regulations, and then read the' thiid time. The Disqualification Bill was amended to exempt menders of Education Boards, University Councils ;m4 theu read the third time. The Destitute Persons #ili w#s reported with sweodments. p The Council's amendments in the Domicile Bill aud Public Reserves were disagreed to, and those in tl*e District Railways Bill, Crown Redress Bill, and Fisk Protection Bill were agreed to. The Committee's resolutions about the votes for Tairoa Head Road Jetty at Catlin's River, and the Martin's Bay Harbor Improvement were agreed to, and the House rose aj 12-30 a nj. In the Legislative Council the Hon. Mr Menzies has been granted leave of absence for the remainder of the session.