Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 174, 23 July 1880, Page 2

Wellington, Thursday night. The House met at 2-30. Mr Richardson presented a petition signed by 627 railway epjployes, praying lhatf the - proposed r. duction of wages ba reconsidered. Sir VV. Fox gave notice tbat r be would ask the Government to produce the papers in the suit of M'Minn v. Kirkbride, heard in the Magistrate's Court at Marton. Replying to questions, it was stated that the Railway Commissioners for both Islands had reported recommending that the wages of the railway employes should be reduced in certain 1 cases. The Government would make these reductions so as not to cause the wages to be lower than those paid for similar labor outside the Government service. — Care would be taken to equalise the salaries of attendants in Lunatic Asylums by making reductions on those appearing to be overpaid. Mr M'Donald asked if lho Government were aware that the natives had erected a fence across tbe main road nearFoxton, aud what steps the Government intended taking in the matter, also if it was true that the Government had agreed to pay to the coach proprietor the various sums of mouey paid to the natives by the said coach proprietor for allowing the said coach and passengers to pass along the main road between Foxton and Wellington. Mr Bryce replied that the road in question did not form a main line of road, but passed over sandhills claimed to be the property of the Maories, and the Government had undertaken to refund the coach driver the amounts levied by the Maories, aud in the meantime steps would be taken to lay off another line in another direction. The following Bills were introduced and read the first time :— Friendly Societies Amendment; St. Paul's Presbyterian Church (Christchurch) Trustees Incorporation; Public [Entertainments Prohibition; and Town Districts Bills. The Public Health Act 1876 Amendment Bill passed through Committee, aud was reported with amendments. The following were read the second time: — Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Sale Act 1877 Amendment, on a division by 34 to 18; Nelson Gas and Waterworks Sale Act 1877 Amendment; Wanganui Harbor and River Conservators Board Grant Bills. A motion for amending the Wellington Racing Club Bill was opposed. Tho debate was interrupted by the adjournment at 5-30. Friday. The whole of last night's sitting was occupied in Committee on the Fire Brigades Bill and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Endowment Bill. Both were reported with amendments. In the latter, an amendment to reduce the endowment from one million to 200,000 acres was lost on a division by 14 to 3. The House rose at 1.10 a.m.