HOUSE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 291, 19 December 1879, Page 2

HOUSE.

Wellington, ihnrsday night. The House met at 11 a.m. The Appropriation Bill and Public Works Appropriation Bill passed through Committee and the House then resumed in Committee on clause 30 of the Public Works Bill. Mr Oliver said he had stated last evening tbat he would be able to propose such n modiflcate in the Bill as be hoped would make it acceptable. The Government asked for authority to guarantee such payments as would be necessary before the House next assembled. He proposed to add the following to tbe address to His Excellency. It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council from time to time on being satisfied that the expenditure on any district railways specified iv tbe schedule hereto -or the company constituted for the purpose of constructing the same has been economically expended to guarantee upon such terms and conditions, and subject io receiving such security as the Governor in Council may approve, the debentures or mortgage to be given by any such security as the Governor in Council may approve the debenture or mortgages to be given by any such Company for a sum in the aggregate not exceeding 76 per cent of the expenditure of the Company upon the construction and laying of any railway line construetfed by them, and the erection, and building of any buildings and erections ai»d the purchase of rolling stocks In connection there__ith, being the property of the Company ; provided such guarantee does not exceed in the aggregate the sum of j£6O,COO for all the Companies. Mr Montgomery said he would not oppose tbe will of the majority of the House or the reduced proposal althongh he did not approve of the amount which he thought was ioo high. Sir George Grey said he interded to resist tbis as behad the former proposals of the Government, aud he should take the opportunity ot exposing the whole project to the public as opportunity presented itself. Mr Oliver said the sum asked for was necessary to provide for pressiog needs only. Sir G. Grey asked for time to study the alterations, and at his request the Chairman vacated the chair for ten minutes to enable him to do so. < Sir G. Grey then proposed to strike out the figures £60,000 and substitute £30,000 and to allocate to each companies the sum to be the limited expenditure. Mr Bowen asked if Sir G. Grey would omit the latter provision, provided the Government accepted the first part. Sir G Grey said he would do so Mr Oliver said the Government could not accept tbe limitation proposed. The question of retaining the £60,000 was then pnt and carried. SirG. Grey proposed that no company grant for expenditure exceed the sum of JE15.000 Mr Montgomery suggested that the hon member for the Thames should not persist in bis objections and so protract the business of the House. Sir G. Grey said be could not withdraw as he objected to the whole scheme and wanted it reduced as much as possible. He would allow it to go on the voices. Mr Montgomery said he thought it would be advisable to accept the reduced grants and throw the responsibility on the Government. Mr Speight thought they had accomplished a great deal in limiting the vote, and had spent the time profitably. The amendment by Sir G. Grey was then pat and negatived. __ Friday. » When the House resumed after several adjournments at 11-20 last night, Mr Hall announced tbat the Council had made so many alterations in tbe Public Works Bill that it would be impossible to get through that night, and he moved that the House adjourn till 12 o'clock next day. In answer to a question Mr Hall promised hq would detain the Penguin if necessary for the convenience of the southern members, and would give instrations that a special train be iv readiness in case hon. members

were not in time for the express, but he said that the prorogation must he postponed. COUNCIL. Wellington, Thursday. The Legislative Council yesterday, after two adjournments, met at 7 o'clock in the evening, at which hour the Attorney General moved the second reading of the Public Works Bill in half a dozen words. A short debate followed and tho Bill waa got through to tlie schedules. The first schedule authorised the railways in the Middle island. Mr Holmes moved. That the line from Nelson to Greymouth with Harbor Works at Greymouth be struck out. — Motion agreed to. Mr Holmes moved that the line from Hurunui, passing by Blenheim and Kaikoura be excised.— O.-rried on a division hy 9 to 7. "East and West Coast from main line to junction, with line from Nelson to Greymouth and Hokitika " Considerable discussion took place on tbis line acd the item was struck out on the voices. "Canterbury interior main line from Oxford to Temuka."— Mr Peacock moved that the word Malvern be substituted for Temuka. Mr Lahman desired to know if it was within the competency of the Council to strike out any lines at all, seeing that the survey of these lines had been already appropriated. Mr Whitaker said the Council was putting itself in a false position. They we: 2 striking oat lines for which contract, had been ac cepted, and the work commenced. He thought matters had reached that stage when it was necessary for the Government to consider its position, and with that view 'he moved that progress he reported. Some discussion followed, aud a division was called for on the question to report progress. Ayes,..; Noes, 5 The Chairman gave his casting vote with the Ayes, and progress was reported. The Council adjourned at 12 1. till ten a.m. to day.