HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 170, 16 August 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Thursday night. In ihe House the business this afternoon was mainly of a private character. In reply to Mr Manders, Mr Macandrew said that some of the railway officials were allowed the usual regulation holiday?, but the engine drivers and others were not, receiving overtime instead. The Government did not intend to change the system. A return was promised showing all the cases in which the Government enforced the penalties, and those in which they did not enforce them on contractors for public works since their inception. The Government promised to furnish a report on the question of charitable relief, and the system adopted in other countries. Mr Sheehan tabled a letter from llewi. The first part of the papers relating to the Waitara meeting were laid upon the table. Mr Woolcoek moved that the House was of opinion that a Bill dealing with the question of the payment of members should be introduced. Mr Stout opposed the motion, and after some discussion it was shelved by Mr De Latour moving the previous question. A motion was agreed to that a sum of money be placed on the Estimates to encourage the production of the wattle bark in the colony. On the motion of Mr Bastings it was agreed that the Government should take steps towards obtaining a geological survey of New Zealand, and a topographical map of the same. Mr Stout explained that something was constantly being done in that direction by Dr Hector and his assistants. To do the work as it appeared to be wanted would require an expenditure of £100,000. In reply to Sir X, Douglas, the Government promised to furnish a return showing all sums paid for commission on the purchase or sale of any property on behalf of the Government for the past financial year. All correspondence with respect to the reclamation of the Otago Harbor and the railway station at Dunedin is to be tabled. All papers connected with the inquiry into Mr Booth's conduct are to be laid on the table. The debate on Mr Fox's motion with regard to the Government advertising again came on, and the motion was agreed to after a sharp debate. Mr llolleston moved, That the House is of opinion that the time has come when the Colonial Government should establish an asylum for the deaf and dumb in the colony. The hon gentleman argued at some length in favor of his motion, and after some debate, in which all the speakers urged the necessity for making some arrangements in the matter as soon as possible, Sir G. Grey aunouueed that the Government would see that a sum of money was placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose, and the motion was agreed to. Friday. After the House resumed at 7.30 last night Mr George moved the second reading of the Gold Duty Abolition Bill. There was a long debate, chiefly confined to goldfiold members^ some beiDg for and some against the Bill, until Mr Kowe moved that it be read that day six months, which was carried by 35 against 24. The Women's Electoral Disabilities Bill was shelved by Mr Feldwick moving the previous question, the yotea being 44 against 8.

The following Bills passed : — Land Claims Final Settlement; Nelson Harbor Board; Southland Boys and Girls High School; Etlestnere Reclamation-, and Waitaki High School. The House adjourned at 1 a.m.