HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 215, 19 October 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington-, Friday. To-day Mr Reeves gave notice to ask the Commissioner of Customs whether the Government will place a signal station at the entrance of Tory Channel ; also, whether the Government will give effect to the report of the Petitions Committee on the case of Antonio Zala of the Lyell. Mr Manders gave notice in favor of granting facilities for Southern members visiting the North after the session. Mr Barton gave notice to ask when the sale of the surveyed portion of the Waimate Plains takes place, aud whether any will be sold on the deferred payment system. Iv reply to Mr Pyke, the Government said any measure to be introduced next session dealing with hospitals shall do full justice to all hospitals in the colony. In reply to Mr Swanson, Mr Macandrcw said the Government refrained from importing sleepers and would encourage tenders for supplying puriri. In reply to Mr Johnston, the Government promised that the report of the Commissioner of Annuities, for the last linaucial year, should be laid on the table, if possible, next sitting day. The Native Minister annouueed the receipt of a telegram from Tito Kowaru, attributing the disturbance at Pariaka to the fact that the natives ju pursuit of tee murderer Iliroki rushed into the village and searched houses without first asking permission. The following bills were read for the fjrsfc time. Financial Arrangements Act, and the Amendment and Public Sinking .Fund Amendment Act. The Sheep Bill passed through committee with a new clause enab'ing properly dressed sheep to be passed through ruus, but only where clean certificates are held, by the owner's express permission. In committee on the Harbor Bill, amendments were inserted enabling the Chairman to receive a salary, linjiting the travelling allowance of members to expenses incurred in travelling to and from the place of meeting, aud making the electiou of the Chairraau annual. Saturday. Last evening, Mr Barton, on the motion iogpinto Committee of Supply, replied to Judge letter, laid ou the table

of the House by the ' Minister of Justice. He quoted extensively from newspaper reports as to the circumstances under 'which he was committed for contempt, 'in order to show that Judge Richmond had misrepresented him. He charged the Judges with having compelled him to stop practice in the Courts at Wellington, also with having unjustifiably attacked his honor and truth, aud with accusing him of Writing an anonymous letter to which he had sigued hi* name; of coutiuually interrupting him in Court with disparaging remarks, aud corruptly favoring his opponents; of delaying justice to his clients and forcing them to bankruptcy. Mr Barton also charged Judge Richmond with violation of the truth, and from the Bench misdirecting on quibbles in trying the case of his client until his opponent obtaiued the benefit of the Statute of Limitations, aud with writing the letter on the table of the House, which was directly at variance with the truth. Mr Barton concluded by declaring his ability to prove these charges, and said that he sought no redress from the House, but would leave his vindication to time. A warm debate ensued, in which many members condemned Mr Barton for having made such charges without, concluding with a motion. Others replied that his conduct was justified by Judge Richmond's impugnlDg iii 3 veracity.-The Native Minister promised that the Government would state on Monday what course they would adopt, and the debate was adjourned. The following Bills passed .-—Sheep, Harbor, Malvern Water Race, Transfer Law Ameudmeut, and Gold-mining Districts. The House adjourned at 1.20. a.m. until Monday at 2.30.