HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 290, 7 December 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Thursday. 1 he House met at noon. Mr Barff asked the Government if they would make arrangements for resting in trustees on behalf of the people of Hokitika the building known as Government House in the town of Hokitika, together with that portion of the reserve on which it is situated He suggested that it should be used as a Public Library and Museum. Mr Macandrew, In reply, said that the Government agreed that the property should be devoted to the uses of the people of Hokitika, and would make all requisite enquiries to carry this out. Mr Wason asked if the Government would, in consideration ot the fact that the recent trial of Canterbury brown coal in Auckland had been entirely satisfactory, import suit? able engines from Auckland or elsewhere for use on the Canterbury railways. Mr Sheelian read a reply saying that the Government would do all they could in the matter. Mr Sheehan stated that a sum would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates to make members' houorariuni .£2OO, the same as last session, instead of £150 as in a session of ordinary leugth. The Consolidated Stock Eill was read the third time to day, the principal clause bcin"carried in Committee by 38 to 13. The Public ijLe venues Bill was read the third time after the authorised issue of deficiency bills had been increased from £300 000 £400,000. ' In Committee on the Loan Bill, Mr Ballance moved that the amount be reduced from four to three millions. A long discussion ensued. Sir George Grey said the Government were in the hands of the Plouse. They thought four millions should be given, but would take what the House would give, and make the best of it. The word "four" was then struck out without objection. The word "three" was negatived on a division of 27 to 26. Major Atkinson moved that the word ' two " be mserted.

Mr. Wood moved that the amount be two and a half millions. This was carried by 28 to 25. Progress was then reported to enable the schedule to be prepared. This afternoon Mr. Sheehan asked leave to introduce a Press Telegraph Copyright Bill, but postponed it till early next session. rp , , „ . 7.55 p.m. Ihe following schedule of the Loan Bill was agreed to ; — Public works and immi-f-fnZL £l > m > m »i Provincial liabilities, x^uu,ouo ; redeeming guarauteed depentures, £800,000: total, .£2,500,000. „ -, Friday. Mr Macaudrew, on the motion for going into Supply, stated the Government would survey the various railway Hues authorised this session by Bill, even if the Bill did not pass the Conncil. The House then went into Committee of supply, when the whole of the Supplementary Estimates, Public Works and Immigration Estimates, aud additional Supplementary Estimates were got through. A large number of items were objected to, and there were again many divisious, but with the exception of £500 bouus to the widow of the late Colonial Architect, struck out by 27 to 13, £2,500 for a new Assembly Library, struck out by 33 to 22, and compensation to H. W. Farnell £500, struck out by 21 to 17, all the items passed. Mr Macandrew intimated the intention to gradually reduce ordinary free immigration as nominations increased. With regard to the vote for the Mikonui water race Mr Macaadrevv, ia replr to Mr bisborue, said the Qov&taax^uk vW<l make tunnel at a cost of about £16,000 if pro-ate enterprise would furnish the race on receiving a guarantee of 6 per cent on £50,000, half the interest from the Government and half from the County and Municipality. Progress was reported at 4 a.m., and the House adjourned till noou to-day. Several Bills were read the second and third time in the Legislative Council.