HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 31, 26 August 1871, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, August 18. The Speaker took the chair at a quarter to 2 o’clock. THE ADDRESS IN REPLY. The SPEAKER said that, in accordance ■with the custom of the House, he would now wait on his Excellency the Governor with the address in reply, in company of as many members as chose to attend with him. On the return of the Speaker, he announced that he and a number of members had waited upon his Excellency and presented the address. In reply, bis Excellency said he relied with confidence on the endeavors of the House to pass measures calculated to promote the interests of the country. He congratulated them on the completion of arrangements by which he was now enabled to receive the members of the House and Government of New Zealand. The Speaker intimated that it would perhaps be convenient to those hon members wlm had accompanied him to Government House if he now vacated the chair. The House resumed at half-past 2. PETITIONS. Mr PEARCE presented a petition from the Mayor and Councillors of the borough of Wellington, asking that leave might be given to them to introduce a bill to enable them to borrow money to undertake the construction of waterworks, and to take certain lands for that purpose. A petition was presented from a person at Wanganui, praying the House to take into consideration the hardship of his case, he having been wounded by the natives of that district. PAPERS. Mr GISBORNE laid on the table certain papers relating to the construction of railways in the North and South islands ; also a return with reference to land laws. In moving that these papers be printed lie would mention that they were placed on the table in reply to a motion by the hon member for Christchurch (Mr Travers) in the last session. Although the motion was a very short one if entailed a very considerable amount of work. They were prepared in as complete a manner as possible, though they might not be so complete as the mover of the motion might require. The hon member also laid on the table plans of the Clutha railway, plans of the line from Invercargill to the Mataura, plans of the line from Wellington to Mast.crton, and plans of the line from Invercargill to Kingstown. Mr HALL wished to know when the plans for the extension of the line in the province of Canterbury would be laid on the table. Mr GISBORNE could not answer the question at that moment, but would make every enquirv. Mr MACANDREW thought it highly desirable that there should be a suitable room in which to exhibit the plans. Mr GISBORNE said he had made an endeavor to get a room of the kind. It was most desirable that there should be a room of the kind mentioned by Mr Macandrew. Mr T. L. SHEPHERD asked Mr Gisborne if the Government had received any plan with reference to agricultural and other areas in the province of Otago. Mr GISBORNE replied that there was a plan of a most elaborate nature being prepared, and when ready it would be printed. The SPEAKER wished to state, with reference to putting aside a room for the exhibition of these plans, that the Committees of both Houses might agree to one of the Committee rooms being set aside for the purpose. He was not aware that there was any other place at command. Mr M'LEAN also laid on the table a number of papers. THE MOTUEKA ELECTION. The SPEAKER intimated that he had received a letter from Mr Travers, counsel for the sitting member, protesting against the course adopted by the House on his (the Speaker’s) ruling, and it was for the House to say, by formal motion, whether they approved of that ruling—Mr Fox moved that Mr Speaker’s former ruling be confirmed. — Mr Gillies observed that that ruling was not on the journals of the House.—Mr Macandrew pointed out that it would appear in “ Hansard.”—Mr Stafford moved, by way of amendment, that before proceeding further the opinion of the Attorney-General be obtained as to the law of the case. After debate, the motion of Mr Fox was carried on the voices. PRIVILEGE. Mr TRIBE drew attention to a paragraph in Thursday evening’s “ Post,” referring to the Hon Mr Fox, and asked the hon member if he intended to take any action for its refutation. The Hon Mr FOX said Mr Tribe had in the morning called his attention to what he had not then had an opportunity of reading. The article itself was an exceedingly scurrillous one, and altogether beneath the notice of any person. (Hear, hear.) He would not bestow importance, either upon the subject or the writer, by giving it one moment’s further consideration. But the article contained a gross misstatement of facts, which hewasbound distinctly to deny. It was imputed to him, as a fact, that he “ insisted on being made a member of the committee for the trial of the Motueka election petition, and was supported accordingly;” and that he would “ in consequence gratify his vindictive nature, neglect the business of the country, and sit day after day in the committee room, using his. best effort to unseat a gentlemen of the highest standing, &c, for the sake of bringing in another.” He simply wished to confine his remarks to an absolute denial of the fact that he ever insisted or requested to be placed on that committee, and to a simple denial of the fact that he was on that committee. He was not going to waste his time by sitting on that

committee for the purpose of unseating a respected gentleman, nor would he waste the time of the House by any further reference to the matter. ' DRAINAGE ACT, &C. Mr MURRAYasked the Premier if it was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill to encourage the improvement of land in New Zealand, on a principle similar to the Imperial Drainage Acts, 9 and 10 Victoria, &c ; also, if it wa9 the intention of the Government to introduce a measure to cheapen and simplify the titles to land, by combining the Crown Grant with the Land Transfer Paper ; also, if it was the intention of the Government to take any steps to induce the Imperial Government to permit this Colony to make special tariff arrangements with other Colonies, with Great Britain, or with the United States of America ; also, if it was the intention of Government to take into consideration, measures for the establishment of a Colonial State Bank of Issue.

Mr FOX said the Government* was not prepared to bring in a bill under the Ist clause of the motion, although the mind of the Government was favorable to it. In answer to the second question the Government desired that the transfer of land should be effected as cheaply as possible and steps in the direction intimated would betaken. To the third question he would say that correspondence was going on between the Colonial and Imperial Governments and very likely some action would be taken soon. It was not the intention of the Government at present to entertain the question of establishing a bank of issue. STATEMENT. Mr FOX read a telegram from Mr Vogel which announced his arrival at Auckland, and stated that he would arrive in the Nevada in about twenty-four liom-s. TELEGRAPH, ETC. Mr CREIGHTON asked the Hon. the Colonial Secretary what progress has been made in the construction of the telegraph line between Auckland and the Bay of Islands, m accordance with the promise of the Telegraph Commissioner last session ? Also, when it is likely that the Manukau Heads Pilot Station will be connected with Auckland by telegraph P Also, whether the attention of the Government had been called to the necessity for connecting Coromandel with Grahamstown by telegraph ; and if so, whether it is to undertake the work? The hon member explained that he asked the questions in consequence of nothing having been done since last session, when promises were given that steps should be taken in the manner indicated by his questions. Mr GISBORNE said the material for constructing the line of telegraph had arrived, but the Government had not officers enough to erect the lines During the last-1 hree years they had erected 326 miles of telegraph in the North Island. He anticipated that they would soon be able to erect the lines asked for., Mr CBEIGHTOiN mentioned that if permission were given to private parties to erect the line connecting Coromandel with Grahamstown it would be up within a month. There was no question that it would be a paying one. COMMITTEE OE SUPPLY. Mr GISBORNE said it was usual to move the motion for supply without any remark. He would therefore move that the House will, on next sitting day, resolve itself into a Committe of Supply. The motion was agreed to. THE ELECTION PETITIONS ACT AMENDMENT ACT. Mr FOX, in moving the second reading of the bill, said it often happened in criminal cases that witnesses who were called upon to support prosecutions were often as guilty a 9 those who were being prosecuted, and when called upon to answer important questions often refused to do so, on the ground that they did not wish to criminate themselves. The object of the bill was to enable such witnesses to give their .evidence by giving them a certificate exempting them from prosecution in consequence of evidence they might give in the course of a trial. Mr STAFFORD did not take long to make up his mind upon this bill. He expressed his opinion warmly upon it irrespective of persons. An attempt was being made to pass with indecent haste, a bill through the House, which could only be intended to apply to the case of Sir David Monro —for that was the only case pending to which the act applied. He would have no objection to assist in passing a bill to apply to future cases- The hon. member at the head of the Governm -nt had made professions of having strong objections to party action, but this bill bore on the face of it the very contrary feeling. He had no hesitation in moving that the bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr GISBORNE said the hon member was laboring under a mistake in supposing that the bill had been framed to apply to the case of Sir D. Monro. It had been prepared four or five months ago, when there were petitions being urged in the reverse direction. In framing the bill, it was thought, for the furtherance of truth and justice, that a bill should be introduced early in the session to facilitate the action of any committees that might sib during the present session. Mr MACANDREW would move the adjournment of the debate till this day week, in order that the case of Sir D. Monro might first be disposed of before going into the merits of such a measure. Mr STEWART would suggest that the bill should be postponed for three weeks. That would remove an impression that did exist that the Government wished to interfere with the result of the Motueka election.

Mr REYNOLDS was surprised at the remarks of the lion, member for Oamaru. He trusted that hon. members would pay no attention to such remarks as had been applied to the Government on account of its introduction of such a bill. He objected to the system of endeavoring to persuade new members that

the Government were attempting to introduce measures of an iniquitous nature. Mr Stewart and Mr Murray, as young members, repudiated the idea that they were subject to the influence of the older members. Mr FOX could not allow the debate to close without assuring the House that the remarks of the hon. member (Mr Stafford) were not justifiable in any mariner. He had made a number of assertions in a state of excitement, and had also attempted tapoison the minds of several members of the House. He could repeat all that his colleague bad said that the bill was drafted when there were three or four cases before the Clerk of the House in which staunch supporters of the Government were concerned. He was willing, on the part of the Government,to give very distinct proof that the bill was not brought in with the view of influencing the election for Motueka. He would express a hope that the counsel for either side would not advise any witness to shelter himself from telling the truth on the ignominious plea and miserable plea of not criminating himself. Mr REEVES said be could not allow the debate to close without expressing his opinions on the matter. He thought the House had evidence, in his unwarrantable departure from his usual calm demeanour, that the feelings of Mr Stafford had overpowered his judgment. The House would agree with him that the hon member had thrown most unwarrantable aspersions on the Government. If that bon member were acting for the hon member for Motueka, he would say, “ Save me from my friends.” He had some reason to speak of this election, because he had himself narrowly escaped the position of the hon member for Matueka, and if he had he would have been highly gratified at seeing such a measure brought in. He could say that it was brought in for no other object than to subserve the ends of truth and justice. Mr THOMSON said he was pleased to hear that the bill was prepared some months ago, but lie was surprised that the announcement was not made on the introduction of the bill, because it was impossible that young members could come to any other conclusion than that it referred to Sir David Monro’s election. It was very imprudent indeed for the Government to introduce the bill, because they had no right to interfere with election matters. The practice of the House of Commons, as proved by an extract read by Mr Stafford, he could only characterise as a castiron one ; and in the face of the rule, which was founded on May, it was highly injudicious on the part of the Government to introduce a bill of the kind. He would support the motion that the Motueka case should be first disposed of before taking up the matter. Mr GILLIES would support the postponement of the matter, so that a generahamending act could be introduced. The Government had distinctly laid themselves open to the charge of attempting to pass a retrospective act. Mr FOX denied that the act was a retrospective one. Mr GILLIES thought the explanations of the Government very unsatisfactory, because the cases of which they spoke as pending at the time at which the bill was prepared had been withdrawn, and the bill could only apply to one case. From circumstances connected with a late trial at Nelson, there could not be a doubt that an impression had gob abroad among hon members which, if not absolutely true, were remarkably strong in favor of that impression. Sir D. MONRO said he could only repeat very much of what had fallen from the hon member who bad just sat down. The Government had stated that the bill had been brought to meet four or five cases, and it was extremely bad taste in the Government to force the bill through when it could only apply to one case. The hon member went through the whole of the history of the putting back of the clock in 1862 to the act of the Premier in continuing the business of the previous evening beyond the legitimate hour. Mr CREIGHTON drew attention to the fact that the bill had not been distributed in the ordinary manner. The SPEAKER said he would make enquiry into the matter. Mr G. M'LEAN said he wished to notice the fact that the hon the Premier, in pointing out the principles of the bill, had avoided making any illusion whatever to the retrospective clause.

Mr SWANSTON said he had not heard any allusion to the real objects of the bill in the course of the discussion. The object of the bill was to prevent fraud, and if it would do that it was their duty to support it instead of studying personal quarrels. Mr GISBORNE thought a bill that would adduce the truth in the most effective manner was what members should devote their attention to. He was willing to withdraw the objectionable clause, or to withdraw the bill itself, until the settlement of the Motueka election case. He could only say, with reference to the attacks that had been made upon the Premier, that they were entirely uncalled for and unwarrantable.

Mr STAFFORD wished to say that he had reason to believe that the implications that had been made in the early part of the debate were entirely without foundation. He had discovered reasons for the statement he now made, but at .the time he made those statements he believed there was reason for them. He would repeat that the statements he had made were made under a misapprehension, and he would now withdraw any offensive expressions that might have escaped him. He still thought the action of the Government was open to comment in the same degree as was his own. He would repeat his regret for what had happened. Mr FOX said some strongi nsinuations had been made against the Government and against himself individually, nob only by the member for Timaru and others, but by the member for Motueka. He would accept the

explanation of the hon member (Mr Stafford), but to those of the member for Motueka be would offer some remarks. The hon member then replied to the attacks made on him in connection with the Motueka election, and also with reference to the Nelson libel case against the Colonist newspaper. Mr GILLIES thought the statement of the Government, that they did not intend to influence the Motueka election, might have been accepted, were it not for the statement of the Premier that ' the Government considered themselves justified in farthering the interests of their party. Mr COLLINS pointed out that Mr Fox had stated that he had a right as Prime Minister to interfere with elections. He did not wish to interfere with that liberty, so long as the many irregularities which had been brought borne to the Government had not to be paid for by the taxpayers of the colony. Mr M'LEAN said he would make a few remarks in reply to the member for Auckland City West and also to the member for Collingwood. They had both made assertions that the Luna bad been made use of in the furtherance of the political views of the Government at the late elections. He would give to their statements a distinct denial. Mr CREIGHTON said the Native Minister had thrown out a broad challenge to the House by denying the use of Government influence in the late elections, but he would give one instance in which he had lost hisr* poll clerk through the Hon Mr M'Lean’s influence. ® Mr O'NEILL said that while these charges of election interference were being made he might remind the hon member, Mr Gillies, that some good would be done in the province of Auckland if he would take some means to prevent provincial interference in elections. The motion for the adjournment of the debate was then put and carried. THE MOTUEKA COMMITTEE. The SPEAKER said before proceeding with any other business, he had to announce that he had received a letter from Mr Travers, agent for Sir David Monro, appointing Mr T. B. Gillies to represent him on the committee. The House was now aware that both parties had nominated representatives—Mr Bunny for Mr Parker and Mr Gillies for Sir David Monro —and it now became his duty to appoint a chairman to the committee, and to that office he would appoint Mr Brandon, a gentleman possessing a considerable amount of parliamentary knowledge, and who he thought would be most fitted for the position. Those members would meet to-morrow at noon, when the remainder of the committee would be struck. GOLDEIELDS COMMITTEE. Mr GISBORNE moved that the number of the Goldfields Committee be extended to twelve, and that the name of Mr T. L. Shepherd be added. Mr HAUGHTON seconded the motion, and explained that he would have been in his place to move it himself on the previous evening, but he was not aware of the alteration of the time of the intermediate adjournment. After some little discussion, the motion was agreed to. WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. Mr FOX moved that the name of Mr Reeves be added to the Committee on Waste Lands. Mr MACANDREW seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr MURRAY moved that the number of the Waste Lands Committee be extended to fifteen, and that the names of Mr Bathg&te, Mr M'Leod, and Mr Carrington be added thereto. By permission he would alter the word fifteen to sixteeen. A rather warm debate ensued upon this motion, and a division being called for, the result was —Ayes, 22 j Noes, 23. The motion was therefore lost. PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE. Mr T. KELLY moved that the quorum of the Public Petitions Committee be reduced to three members. The mover explained that his reason was that there was a difficulty of getting a quorum under the existing rule, which required five members to form a quorum. Mr MERYYN seconded the motion. Mr REYNOLDS opposed the motion because this was one of the most important committees of the House. There were nine members on the committee and if the chairman had any difficulty in obtaining the attendance of a quorum it would be the duty of the chairman of the committee to report the fact to the House. The motion was agreed to. CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. Mr HALL moved for leave to introduce a Bill to confer enlarged borrowing powers on the Christchurch City Council. Mr GISBORNE pointed out that the existing act was one that applied to all municipalities in the colony and it might appear that it would be a strange latitude to allow one borough to borrow more money than any of the others. He thought it would be desirable to alterthe Municipal Corporations Act, so as to apply to all municipalities the power which the hon member wished to have extended to Christchurch. Mr BUNNY spoke in favor of Mr Gisborne’s view. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered for Wednesday next. NELSON CROWN LANDS LEASING ACT. Mr CURTIS moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend “ The Crown Lands (Nelson) Leasing Act, 1867.” The bill was one to amend one introduced by him last session. On its second reading he would explain what its object was. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, and the second reading was ordered for Tuesday. NELSON GAS AND WATER WORKS. Mr CURTIS moved for leave to bring in a bill to authorise the raising of a loan for the

construction of gas and water worts in the City of Nelson. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered for Tuesday next. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. Mr CARRINGTON moved that the names of Mr Macandrew, the Hon. Mr Fox, and Mr Bunny be added to the Committee on Standing Orders. Mr G. M'LEAN opposed the motion. Mr FOX supported it, and it was carried. RECOVERY OE CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN. Mr GULLIES moved for leave to bring in a bill to enable claims against the Crown to be recovered. The subject was one of considerable importance considering the position the Government would be placed in under the Public Works Bill, and it was desirable that contractors should be enabled to recover claims against the Government without being put to the trouble of recovering in such a roundabout manner as they would be compelled to do unless such a bill were in existence. A similar bill existed in Victoria, which had proved beneficial in giving private parties a direct mode of recovering debts due by the Crown. Mr GISBORNE said the Government agreed with the remarks of Mr Gillies that there should be some means by which private parties could recover. The Government would either carry through the bill as a Government measure or would be willing to give every assistance in their power. Mr FOX thought it would be better that the bill brought in by Mr Gillies should be read a first time, and if the Government approved of it they would adopt it as a Government measure. Lsave was given, the bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and its second reading deferred. ABOLITION OE IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. Mr GILLIES moved for leave to bring in a bill to provide for the abolition of imprisonment for debt. His reason was simply to see imprisonment for debt abolished, and if the Government would take charge of the bill he would be most happy. As members were aware, imprisonment for debt was a relic of barbarism, by which a man who could not pay his debts was made a slave. It was not just that a man who should be a producer should be transformed into a consumer. He would like to see the crime of fraudulent insolvency punished more severely than at present, but he did not believe in a man suffering imprisonment at the instance of a vindictive creditor. Mr REYNOLDS seconded the motion. Mr FOX observed that the Government was favorably inclined towards the view taken by the hon. member, and if, on inspection, the bill was found to be a desirable one, they would follow the same course as in the previons case. The same course was adopted as in the last bill. REPORTING DEBATES COMMITTEE. Mr STEWARD moved that the name of Mr J. C. Brown be added to the Reporting Debates Committee. The motion was rejected. PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE. Mr CREIGHTON moved that the name of Mr Collins be added to the Committee on Public Petitions. The motion was agreed to. AUCKLAND GAS BILL. Mr O’RORKE moved that the Auckland Gas Company’s Bill he referred to a select committee, consisting of Messrs Clark, Hunter, Karslake, M'Leod, O’Neill, Peacock, Wood, abd the mover. The motion was agreed to. Notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned, at a quarter to 11 o’clock, till half-past 2 o’clock on Tuesday. Tuesday, August 22. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. NEW MEMBERS. Mr Yogel, Mr Reader Wood, Mr T. Henderson, and Mr T. Buckland took the oaths and their seats. PETITIONS. Mr CREIGHTON presented a petition from the inhabitants of Auckland City, asking the House to pass a bill containing the provisions of the Permissive Bill. Mr THOMSON presented a petition from certain inhabitants of Otago, praying that the House would not interfere with the continu- : ance of the educational system of Otago. Mr GILLIES presented a petition from the i Auckland Gas Company. Mr BUNNY presented a petition from certain inhabitants of Ohariu, protesting against the carrying out of the Wellington Water Works scheme. Mr CURTIS presented a petition with reference to the obtaining of gas for the city of Nelson. Mr MERYYN presented a petition from a person named Davis, requesting that the cancelling of his commission in the Armed Constabulary Bhould be revoked. Mr BROWN presented a petition from certain miners in the Province of Otago, praying for the reduction of the gold export duty. Mr STAFFORD presented a petition from 560 ratepayers of the city of Wellington, praying that the House would not consent to the passing of the bill for the purchase of the reclaimed loud. Mr STAFFORD presented a petition from Mr H. Smythies, praying that he might be allowed to be heard at the bar of the House to urge his claims under the Legal Practitioners Act. The petitions were ordered to lie on the table. PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE. Mr KELLY brought up the report of the 1 Public Petitions Committee on the claim of i a person named Jackson. The committee i recommended that the petitioner should re- i ceive a grant of land; also, their report on the claim of Messrs R. and J. Howorth, ] which it was deemed not to be within the powers t

of the Committee to make any recommendation upon ; also, upon the prayer of certain miners of the Kanieri district, County of Westland, which they could not recommend to the favorable consideration of the House ; also, upon the petition of a person named M‘Guinness, which they could not recommend to favorable consideration; also, their report on the petition of licensed victuallers in the Province of Canterbury, which they could recommend to the favorable consideration of the House ; also, their report on the petition of Henry Carpenter and others, which they thought should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee ; also, their report on the petition of the Chancellor of the Otago University, which they could not recommend to favorable consideration, further than to refer him to the provisions oc an act already in existence. THE MOTUEKA ELECTION. The SPEAKER announced that he had received a communication from the learned counsel for Sir David Munro, waiving any claim of right on the ground of irregularity, and pointing out the authority on which he had acted as he had done. The authority given was in Cushing, a very well known author on parliamentary law, who stated a case in point in which the House of Commons had heard a case on the floor of the House. He confessed that he was staggered on looking over the case as there stated, but on investigation of other records relating to the same occurrence, he discovered that the case in Cushing was not correctly stated. After describing to the House the course pursued in that case, the Speaker stated his opinion that the course adopted by that House was in perfect accordance with the practice of the House of Commons. Therefore he did not think it necessary that he should accept any waiver from the counsel for Sir David Munro, and he should direct that the proceedings should continue in the course already laid down. The Chairman and members of the committee to hear the case were then sworn in. PAPERS. Mr GISBORNE laid on the table a number of papers, which were ordered to he printed. LIEN ON CONTRACTS. Mr STEWARD asked the Colonial Secretary whether it was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill at an early day, giving workmen a lien over money due by a contractee to a contractor, on the principle of the act passed by the Victorian Parliament in December last, and intituled “ The Contractors Debts Act” ? His object was not only to ascertain whether the Government intended to introduce a bill of the nature described, but also whether it would be so extended as to include subcontractors. Mr GISBORNE said the Government had such a bill in preparation, and would be glad to receive any suggestions the hon member might make. THE FRANCHISE. Mr STEWARD asked the Colonial Secretary whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce early in the session, J an amendment of “ The Registration of j Electors Act, 1866,” with a view to giving increased facilities to persons entitled to the franchise, as regards the placing of their names upon the Electoral Roll? Mr GISBORNE said the Government had under consideration a bill embracing the provisions mentioned by the hon. member and also a great many other point'.. The Government believed it would be well, at the earliest possible moment after the present session, to introduce a bill tc consolidate all the registration Acts of the colony which should embrace, under heads or chapters, the different matters coming within the scope of such a bill. LIGHTHOUSE FOR TORY CHANNEL.

Captain KENNY asked the Colonial Secretary why the lighthouse had not been erected at Tory Channel Heads for which an appropriation was made last session; and whether the Government intended to provide for its erection during the ensuing year ? Mr GISBORNE said the Government during the recess, in considering the question of erecting the lighthouse, did not consider it advisable in the face of the decline of of revenue. The expense of erection would be £4,000 or £5,000, and the cost of maintenance about £6OO per annum. After the present session the Government would consider the matter again. LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE MANUKAU.

Mr O’RORKE asked the bon. the Colonial Secretary when the lighthouse, imported more than two years ago for the Manukau Harbor, was likely to he erected ? Mr GISBORNE said the apparatus was sent up in August last, and a survey of the bar was held, but up to May the survey was not completed. Many other works of a more pressing nature had been on hand, but as they were now completed the matter would be taken in hand. He might point out that the light would be of no use in guiding vessels at night: in fact it would rather mislead them.

LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF PROVINCIAL COUNCILS.

Mr HALL asked the Colonial Secretary whether the Government intended to propose any measures for the purpose of removing the doubts which now affect the legislative powers of Provincial Councils, so as to obviate the necessity for the renewal of the Act of the General Assembly validating Provincial Acts and Ordinances ? He pointed out that three or four years ago a decision of the Court of Appeal rendered invalid a very important provincial ordinance. This was likely to be more frequently the case in the next few years, and it was with the desire of ascertaining how the Government proposed to meet the difficulty that he had asked the question.

Mr GISBORNE said the Government proposed t© meet the difficulty by the introduction of a Highway Boards Act. He did not

think it would be necessary to introduce a validation act after this session, because he thought the bill it was intended to introduce would have the effect of keeping provincial legislatures within their proper bounds. To show that it was possible to keep provincial legislation within its proper bounds the ordinances sent up from the Provincial Council of Wellington had been found to be entirely free from those legal difficulties which seemed to be such prominent features in the legislation of other provinces. In answer to Mr Hall, Mr Gisborne said it was the intention of the Government to introduce the Highway Boards Bill at an early date. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr HALL moved that leave of absence be granted to Mr Rolleston for fourteen days, on urgent private business. The motion was agreed to. WELLINGTON RECLAIMED LAND BILL. Mr FITZHERBERT, in moving the second reading of this bill, said he proposed briefly to explain some of the circumstances connected with it, its character, and the objects which it sought to accomplish. The bill was so unpolitical a one as to justify its being called a domestic bill. He did not intend to say anything about the petition which had been presented, though he felt bound to notice one or two points in that many yarded document. There were two parties greatly interested in this matter, —the Provincial Council and the City Council. He did not think it could be said that those two powers had exceeded their functions in agreeing, the one to sell and the other to bay certain lands, and he hoped the House would not interfere, as it had interfered on former occasions, in local matters. The time for objection was at the time when the Mayor and Councillors had the matter under discussion, and on the broadest ground, he said it with every respect to the privileges of the House, it had no power to interfere in the matter. He had said enough to show that the very opposite of the prayer of the petition presented by Mr Stafford should be the result of the consideration of the House. The province wished to divest itself of that property which the bill would enable it to dispose of. The province had not a plethora of funds, and one object was to realise this property for the purpose of placing them in funds. He viewed with satisfaction the tendency in every part of the country to decentralise itself and to have large but limited borrowing powers. The province of Wellington had to some extent anticipated the action of the House, and had made over some of its property to the Geueral Government to the extent of £31,000. The proposal at present was that the Provincial Council and the City Council should be liable for the whole amount, though the province would be liable only for the period of seven years, but in accordance with a suggestion he would alter the bill so as to include the,-; liability of the province until the whole amount of liability was cleared off. He did not desire that the province should escape any portion of its liability, and he would propose that the whole amount of the proceeds should go into the colonial exchequer until the whole debt was discharged. He might point out that a portion of the land had been distinctly reserved for the purpose of erecting Provincial Public Buildings, and this portion would not come within the scope of the bill. Mr BUNNY seconded the motion for the second reading. Mr BRANDON pointed out the number of unusual provisions inserted in the bill. Had it not been for the statement of the mover that he would submit to the making of many alterations in the bill when in committee, he would have opposed it in every way, for he did not think it right that, in the event of a forced sale, the City Council should have any surplus over the amount borrowed, while if there was any deficiency the province would have to pay it. Mr FITZHERBERT wished to guard himself against any pledge being siven that he would consent to make any great alterations in the bill when in committee.

Mr REYNOLDS pointed out that although the hon. member had told the truth in introducing the bill, he had not told the whole truth, for in 1869 the province of Wellington had obtained a loan of £72,000 on this same property, and the present bill would take away that security. He thought if the Corporation we’’.'! anxious to purchase the property they should raise the whole of the £50,000, and pay to the General Government the £31,000, and to the Provincial Government £20,000. He for one would not perpetrate such an injustice upon the colony as was proposed by the bill. Mr GILLIES thought the bill was not such a simple one as it looked. It swept away absolutely the claim of the General Government to the £25,000. The £31,000 he did not think would be much affected, but looking at the fact that it did away with the claim of the colony to the £25,000, he thought it was not a simple local matter, but a very important matter to the whole colony. The statement of the mover that he would continue the liability of the province removed a great objection to the passing of the bill, and narrowed down the objections to the wiping away of the security of the £25,000. He would like to have the opinion of the Government on the bill.

Mr COLLINS said the bill was another and a very good version of a new way to pay old debts. The province of Wellington wished to have power to mortgage the land three or four times over. He trusted the bill would be postponed. It concealed many great difficulties, which he would like more time than he had had to consider.

Mr GISBORNE said that after the passing of the Consolidated Loan Act it was found that some of the debts owing by the province of Wellington had not been included in that act. There had been £31,000 advanced by the Government on the reclaimed portion, while the bank had advanced £25,000 on the

unreclaimed portion. The Government security would be imoroved by having the security of both the reclaimed and unreclaimed portions. In addition, they had the assurance of the member who introduced the bill that the Government would have the security of the whole of the revenue of the province until the debt was paid. Mr STAFFORD hoped they would have a little more time to consider the matter. The member for Collingwood had pointed out that a portion of the reclaimed land had been sold but he had received no answer to the question as to what had become of the money. There was another point which the Colonial Secretary had omitted to say anything about, viz., as to what the real value of the provincial security was. After excluding the Manawatu lands, and after excluding that portion of the province in the hands of the Natives, he asked what was the real value of the provincial revenue after paying departmental expenses. He would like to know what was the amount derived from its pastoral lands and what was the probable annual value of the land sales of the province, and also the amount derived from the Manawatu sales.

An explanatory discussion took place as to how the security of the colony was affected, Mr Fox stating, m answer to the statement of the member for Collingwood that a portion of the land had been sold and the proceeds unaccounted for, that no portion of it had been disposed of since it was given as security to the General Government.

Mr PEACOCK suggested that it would be advisable that a portion of the land should be reserved as a railway terminus. It would be well to look forward to the future.

Mr BUNNY, in order to meet objections, moved the adjournment of the debate.

Mr FITZHERBERT pointed out that under the bill they were doing what no other province in the colony was prepared to do—namely, the paying of four-sevenths of their debts under the Consolidated Act. He would second the adjournment of the debate till Friday next. Mr HALL said the hon. member for the Hutt was not quite correct in attempting to lead the House to believe that the Wellington provincial loans, of which they would be repaying four-sevenths, were raised on the same terms as other provincial loans, so that he was not willing to give to the mover of the resolution that credit he claimed for th® virtue of paying what they were not compelled to pay. He thought the Government should not relinquish their hold on their security, although on the whole he did not think they were likely to lose much by the passing of the. bill. HOUR OF SITTING. The debate on the question, that the House should commence its sittings at half-past two, and that the Speaker should leave the chair at half-past five and resume at half-past seven, should the business necessitate his so doing, was then gone on with. Mr REYNOLDS would suggest that no new business should be taken after twelve o’clock at night. At the end of the session it might be necessary to do so, but it would be then time to extend the hour of sitting. Mr MACANDREW thought it would be advisable to try the ten o’clock in the morning sittings. He was convinced that the session would be shortened one half by this being done. The motion was agreed to. COASTING TRADE REGULATIONS BILL. Mr GISBORNE moved the postponement of the second reading of this bill until tomorrow. WAYS AND MEANS. The motion that the Speaker do leave the chair for the purpose of enabling the House to go into Committee for the purpose of considering that portion of His Excellency’s speech referring to ways and means, was then put and carried. SUPPLY. In committee of supply Mr GiSBORNE said it was usual to introduce a bill for the granting of an ad interim supply. In explanation of the late period at which the House had been summoned there had been no reluctance to meet the Legislature. Last year the delivery of the financial statement was made before the expiration of the financial year, a fact unequalled in the history of their Parliament. The reasons for the delay this year were entirely exceptional, and could only be ascribed to the importance of the undertaking® in which the country had engaged. The House would soon be in possession of the arrangements made by the Colonial Treasurer with the Messrs Brogden. It was important that the House should not be kept in the dark with reference to any of those matters which were likely to become matters of discussion, and all information which members could desire would be soon laid on the table. Mr Webb was also in the colony for the perfecting arrangements for the better carrying on of the San Francisco service. He hoped the few reasons he had urged would be sufficient to account for the unusually late period at which they had been called together. The unauthorised expenditure did not reach such an amount as would incur any great amount of alarm among some hon. members. The amount expended without the sanction of the House amounted to between £20,000 and £30,000. This amount was not expended on new services but in continuation of services which had been authorised by recent appropriation Act. The Government proposed to ask for such a supply as would carry them on to the end of next month, so they would not, in all probability, have to come to the House with another imprest supply bill before they came down with the usual accounts. It was proposed that the blank in the bill should be filled up with the figures £150,000 to enable them to carry on the ordinary expenditure up to the end of September. Mr HALL said if the Government had expended that amount without the authority of

the law they might expend £20,000 or £30,000 more without authority, and he would like to know where the defect in the law was which had enabled them to spend such a sum so that the House might remedy it. Mr GISBORNE explained, and, The bill was reported to the House, and ordered to be read a second time tomorrow. POUT CHALMERS RAILWAY BILL. The second reading of this bill was moved by Mr Fox, who stated that certain difficulties having arisen with reference to the taking of necessary land for the making of the railway at Port Chalmers, the bill was introduced to give authority to take the land of an objector to the direction of the line. The second reading of the bill was agreed to, and it was ordered to be committed presently. NELSON CROWN LANDS LEASING ACT. Mr CURTIS moved the second reading of the Crown Lands (Nelson) Leasing Act Amendment Bill. In explanation of its objects, he stated that it was to facilitate the obtaining of leasehold and freehold land by persons of the poorer class. The bill was such a one as it would be very desirable should be in existence in the coming stage of the history of the colony. Mr SHEPHARD spoke at length in favor of the bill, and was followed on the same side by Mr Fitzherbert and Sir David Monro. The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. NELSON LOAN BILL. On the coming on of this order of the day, The SPEAKER pointed out that the proper course would be that he should leave the chair to enable the House to go into committee on the bill for the purpose of enabling a committee of the House to vote the provision asked for. In committee, Mr Citrtis moved, “ That in the opinion of this committee it is desirable that provision should be made to enable the Superintendent of the province of Nelson to raise a loan not exceeding £30,000.” The hon. member explained that the City of Nelson had not yet reached such a stage of importance as to sustain the weight of a Mayor and Corporation, and the board of works which had been found sufficient to perform all the necessary work of the city had not power to borrow such an amount. Mr GTSBORNE said the Government had no opposition to offer to the bill, but it must be distinctly understood that the amount borrowed should be in no way chargeable to the colonial or provincial revenue. MrMacandrew, Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Reeves, Mr Reynolds, Mr Thomson, and Mr Shephard spoke in favor of.the bill. The resolution was put and carried. On the House resuming, the Chairman reported the resolution, and the bill was ordered to be taken into consideration to-morrow. PORT CHALMERS RAILWAY BILL. The House then went into committee on this bill. On the House resuming the bill was reported without amendment, and the third reading ord. red for next day. THE EDUCATION BILL. Mr FOX, on the motion for leave to introduce a bill to make better provision for the further education of the people, said he would prefer that the introduction of the bill should be postponed, and in answer to a question stated that he would probably give notice of its introduction about the end of the week. STANDING ORDERS. Mr FOX moved that the reply of the Legislative Council to the message from this House relating to Standing Orders on Private Bills last session be read. This being agreed to the Clerk read the reply. The hon gentleman also moved that the Standing Orders be sent up for the cons‘deration and concurrence of the Legislative Council. This was also agreed to. PETITION OP SMYTHIES. The SPEAKER drew the attention of Mr Stafford to the fact that the petition presented by him from Mr Smythies had not been signed. He would request the hon. member to have the signature appended. THE SALE OE ARMS. Mr D. M‘LEAN moved for leave to introduce a bill intituled “An Act to regulate the importation, sale and disposal of arms, gunpowder, and other warlike stores.” The bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading appointed for next Tuesday. DUNEDIN WATER WORKS. Mr. MAC ANDREW moved for leave to introduce a bill to amend “ The Dunedin Water Works Act, 1864.” Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered for to-morrow. RETURNS RELATIVE TO GOLD EIELDS. Mr BRADSHAW moved that there be laid on the table of the House a return of the amount of revenue collected under the Gold Duty Act, 1858, the Gold Duty Act, 1870, the Mining Companies Acts, 1865 and 1869, the Gold Fields Act, 1866, and the several gold fields acts passed by this House since 1866, and any regulations made in conformity with the said acts, for the year ending 30th June, 1871- The return to show in detail the amount collected in each province and county, under the following heads :—Miners’ rights, business licenses, rents and fees for water races, sluices, &c; gold mining leases, rents and royalties, registration fees, miscellaneous receipts, fees and fines wardens’ courts, gold duty. He would not have troubled the House with the motion if the information he desired could be obtained in any other way. If agreed j to, it would enable the members to obtain 1 much valuable information. j Mr GISBORNE said the Government had , : no objection to furnish the return, if it were j so modified as not to include rents and fees • for water races, sluices, &c, which could not

be furnished in the manner desired by the mover. Mr REYNOLDS would object to the making of the return on the ground that it would be a very expensive one, and would take much time to produce. A return had been asked in last session by the hon. member for Christchurch (Mr Travers) which had been variously estimated by hon. members to have cost from £250 to £SOO. He would like to know from the Government what the cost really was. Mr T. L. SHEPHERD spoke in favor of the passing of the motion, which was agreed to. RETURN RELATIVE TO DEBENTURES. Mr BRADSHAW moved that a return be laid on the table of this House, showing the amount of money raised either by sale of debentures, or by advances under the Temporary Loan Act 1870; at what date it was raised, where raised, interest paid, commission paid and claimed for the same ; how the said loan or advance has been applied, and at what date the principal is made payable. The motion was agreed to. •imports and exports oe grain and ELOUE. Mr REEVES, in moving for a return showing the quantity and value of Grein and Flour exported from and imported into the colony of New Zealand, from Ist January to 31st July, 1871, said he had moved for the return because the papers laid on the table only came up to the end of the year 1870, and it was a matter of considerable importance that members should be informed of the most recent statistics with regard to the grain trade. He trusted lie would disarm the opposition of the hon member for Dunedin, by stating that the figures were not to be obtained in any other way, and as the matter was of considerable importance he hoped it would be agreed to. If the return were granted, it would show that the colony was importing and exporting a great quantity of grain, which benefited only those persons engaged in the shipping trade. The motion was ageeed to. limitation oe debate. Mr REEVES moved that the select committee on standing orders be instructed to acquaint itself with the rules of debate adopted by the Supreme Legislatures of France and the United States, with the view of determining whether the practice in force in either of those countries of limiting the duration of debates might not be adopted by this House with advantage. He trusted the House would not consider that he was taking up its time by proposing a merely theoretical motion. They had already had a short de bate on a question affecting the sitting hours of the House, in which hon members had shown plainly that it would be desirable, if possible, to limit the hours of sittiug, but apparently they did not see their way to do it. The real way to meet the evil was the one he proposed by this motion : that was, to limit the debates, or rather the talking power of megabers. He would be sorry if it appeared that he wished to interfere with the liberty of speech. It was not the liberty of speech that he wished to curtail, but license of speech. The House was already aw r are that two of the greatest nations in the world had taken means to carry out the terms of this motion, and he simply desired that the standing orders committee should be instructed to inquire into the subject. He did not wish the House to suppose that he had brought in a cut and dried motion on the subject. He was aware that in all assemblies of Anglo-Saxons the liberty of speech was most jealously regarded, but it must be remembered that the people of one of the greatest and most practical nations in the world had, he was informed, adopted the method which his motion indicated, and which met the evil. He thought the House would not refuse the very simple motion which he had put on the paper. Mr MURRAY did not think the hon. member was very happy in his choice of the legislatures they were to take_as models. The motion was agreed to. SALARIES OE OEEICERS UNDER THE Executive. Mr HARRISON moved that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the salaries of all officers in the public service who are appointed by or are responsible to the Colonial Executive should be paid under appropriations by this House ; and that such salaries should be placed on the estimates of expenditure during the present session. He had been given to understand that the motion, in its present form, would inconvenience the Government, and for that reason he would ask to be permitted to adjourn the motion for a week. At the suggestion of the Speaker the motion was allowed to lapse. WELLINGTON WATER WORKS. Ml’ PEARCE moved for leave to bring in a bill to make provision for the construction and maintenance of water works for supplying the city of Wellington with water, and for defraying the cost thereof. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, and referred to a select committee to report on or before this day week. RETURN OE GOLD DUTY. A motion on this subject, standing in the name of Mr Mervyn, was allowed to lapse. Notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned at ten minutes to 10 o’clock, to half-past two o’clock next day. Wednesday, August 23. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. PETITIONS. Ml’ CARRINGTON presented a petition from Elizabeth Dwyer, the wife of a boatman of Taranaki who had lost his life in executing the commands of an Imperial officer. She was now laid upon a bed of sickness, and had four children to provide for. She prayed that the House would grant her a pension. Mr BRANDON presented a petition pray-

ing that the bill for providing water for the city of Wellington be not allowed to pass. Mr MUNRO presented a petition, but its object could not be ascertained, the remarks of the hon member being quite inaudible. Mr CLARK presented a petition from the Rev. Mr Grace, of Auckland, urging a claim for compensation. Mr WI PARATA presented a petition from two natives whose land had been confiscated. The petition prayed that these lands might be restored to them. He also presented a petition from forty-two Maoris, praying that the foreshore of the Thames might not be interfered with. Mr O'NEILL presented a petition from the widow of the late Mr Davis, geologist, who was drowned at the West Coast, praying for an allowance under the conditions of the Civil Service Act. Mr CREIGHTON presented a petition from John Kelly, of Auckland, praying for compensation for certain lands purchased by him from the Provincial Government, but which were taken from him by the natives during the disturbances caused by the late war. The petitions were ordered to lie on the table. PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE. Mr KELLY brought up the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of certain inhabitants in the district of Waimate, province of Canterbury, praying for the construction of a railway in that, district. The committee reported that as the matter contained in the petition referred to public works already under the consideration of the Government, they could not recommend it to the consideration of the House. Also, the report of the committee on the petition of certain in habitants of Inch Clutlia with reference to education. The committee were of opinion that the matter could not be entertained by them, as the matter was under the consideration of the Government. A similar determination was arrived at in two other eases of a like nature. PAPERS. Mr GISBORNE laid upon the table a number of papers, which were ordered to be printed. THE SAN ERANCISCO EXHIBITION. Mr HARRISON asked the Colonial Treasurer whether any steps had been taken by the Government for the representation of the products and manufactures of this colony in the Industrial Exhibition at San Francisco P It would be remembered that during the last session it was stated by the Colonial Treasurer as one of the reasons for the establishment of the San Francisco line that it would create a commerce between the two countries —California and New Zealand. By recent papers he noticed that there was an exhibition being held in San Francisco, and lie had also observed that sixty tons of exhibits had been forwarded from China and Japan. Up to the present time he had not heard that any steps had been taken to forward exhibits from this colony, and it was for that reason he had placed the notice on the paper. Mr GISBORjNE said the Colonial Treasurer had not yet taken any steps in the matter, but the Government would bear in mind tile hon member’s suggestion. It would also be well that some notice should be taken of the matter in the other chamber, so as to obtain an expression of opinion from that body on the subject. REPORTS UPON THE GOLDEIELDS. Mr HARRISON asked the Colonial Secretary when the reports upon the goldfields of the colony, in pursuance of an order of this House made on the 3rd August, 1869, would be laid upon the table ? Mr GISBORNE said that through the omission of the Minister who presented the papers last year to move the necessary motion, they were not printed, and this would perhaps account for the supposition that the motion had not been complied with. He would, however, take steps to rectify the matter complained of by the hon member. UNAUTHORISED SALARIES. Mr STAFFORD moved for a return of the names of all persons (not being of the Native race), who now are or have been during the last financial year in the employment of the General Government, whose salaries have not been submitted to this House in the annual estimates; showing in each case the amount of salary, and the authority under which it has been paid ; also, for a similar return with respect to persons of the Native race. The hon member pointed out that if the system that was rapidly gaining ground of appointing officers without the authority of the House were not checked it would thoroughly abrogate the right of the House to control what was known by a popular fiction as the power of the purse. Under the acts passed last session a large number of officers had been appointed in all parts of the colony whose salaries were not provided for by the accounts of last year, so that the House would see that it was proper that they should have the information asked for by the return. Mr GISBORNE agreed in the principle laid down by the mover that the salaries of officers should be enumerated in the accounts presented to Parliament. He thought the hon member would find when the returns asked for were laid on the table that he was a little mistaken as to the number of officers that had been created, Mr Gisborne explained the necessity that existed for employing an extra number of officials for the purpose of bringing into operation the Land Transfer Act and the Annuities Act—acts which necessitated the employment of a large addition of officers in their initiation. It was not intended to continue the employment of all these officers. A list of the persons so appointed would nave been laid upon the table in due course ; therefore the Government had no objection to the motion of thehon. member.

The motion was consequently agreed to.

THE AUCKLAND AGENCY. Mr CREIGHTON moved for a return showing the working of the official agency in Auckland from Sept. 1, 1870, to the May 31, 1871, comprising nine months, dating from the commencement of operations of the present official agent and official auditor. He explained that there were fifty or sixty mining companies at the Thames being wound up, and as some thousands of persons were interested in the conduct of these matters he desired to have every information on the subject, so that these persons might know the manner in which the winding up was being conducted. Mr GISBORNE pointed out that the wording of the resolution was rather vague. The Government would forward the motion as it stood to the proper quarter in Auckland, and the hon member would have to be satisfied with the report made. He could not undertake that it should contain the exact information desired by the hon member. Mr CREIGHTGN said he would be content to accept any report that might be forwarded in answer to his motion. The motion was then put and agreed to. THE SAN ERANCISCO SERVICE. Mr STAFFORD moved for copies of all correspondence not yet submitted to Parliament, between the Government and any person or persons, with reference to the establishment of Postal Steam Communication between New Zealand and the United Kingdom via San Francisco. He had received copies of the offers made to the Government for the performance of the San Francico service, but on looking over those laid on the table of the House he could not find any to correspond with two which he had in his possession, and as it was very desirable that all information on this matter should be placed in their possession, he had placed his motion on the paper with that object in view. Among the copies of offers he had received were two for Mr Hezekiah Hall —one stopping at Auckland to cost £19,000 a year; the other to go on to Dunedin, for £26,000 a year. If the Government had not received these offers of course he would withdraw his motion, but if they had he would like to have some explanation as to why they had not been placed on the table with tlie others. Mr GISBORNE said the correspondence would be looked over, and any letters not of a confidential nature would be laid on the table. He could not remember whether the letter referred to by the hon member had been received. He did not doubt that it had, and that it had been referred to the person whose duty it was to forward a reply. He would make further inquiry into the matter, and if the letter had not been laid upon the table he would produce it. Mr STAFFORD said his motion could not possibly be so understood as to include any letters of a confidential nature, nor could the terms of Mr Hall’s offers be considered as private communications; ordinary business expressions were used in the letters which could not be meant to refer to anything else than a business transaction. The motion was agreed to. RETURN OE WORK DONE UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT. Mr KELLY moved that a return be laid on the table, showing : —l. The total mileage of roads constructed during the financial year in the North Island, chargeable on money borrowed in the terms of The Public Works Loan .Act, 1870, now ready for cart traffic, and the districts within which they are made ; 2. The extent of the road work now in progress ; 3. The extent and cost of such work done by the constabulary, natives, or other persons respectively, distinguishing day work from contracts; 4. The nature of the work performed or in progress, whether of a temporary or permanent character; 5. The condition of the roads constructed, and whether they are calculated to satisfy the requirements of the districts through which they pass ; 6. The number of bridges constructed or in progress of a temporary or permanent character; 7. A nominal return of the number of officers employed in the survey or superintendence of the road work, or in any other manner engaged on such works, with a statement of the salary or allowance received by each of such officers: 8. The total cost of the work done, and the estimated cost of completing work on account of which liabilities have been incurred in each province of the North Island. In moving this he might point out that the character of the Natives had been completely changed by the initiation of the works which were being carried on under the Public Works Act, and to more frequent intercourse with the Europeans consequent thereon. The hon. member complimented the Government on the success of their policy in the North Island. Mr GISBORNE said the information asked for was being prepared, and would be laid on the table at an early date. It was gratifying to the Government to have the testimony of the hon. member to the efficacy of the public works scheme of the Government in curing the native difficulty. THE DISTILLATION ACT. A motion by Mr Collins that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that a bill to amend the Distillation Act of 1868 be introduced, lapsed in consequence of the absence of the hon. member. The motion came on at a subsequent stage of the proceedings, by permission of the Speaker. The mover said that the object of the amendment he wished to make was merely to make it clear which of the clauses of the Act applied to manufacturing chemists and which did not. He mentioned the case of a manufacturing chemist who had been compelled to discontinue the distilling of chemicals in consequence of the restrictive effect of the 10th clause of the Act. By another clause it was provided that a brewer could not distil his own beer. He had no strong objection to the clause, except that the effect was rather injurious in some of the outlying districts

•where it would rather be beneficial than otherwise that publicans should be permitted to brew on their own premises. Mr HALL, in seconding the resolution, pointed out that there were imperfections in the bill which inflicted unintentional hardships. The lion, member should have speci fled the amendments he wished to have made, but it would no doubt be better for the Government, with the facilities they had at command, to introduce a short bill in the direction indicated. Mr GISBORNE thought the amendments might materially affect the revenue. The present course was a very ii’regular one. It would be better that the lion, member should bring the particular amendments lie desired to see introduced into the bill privately under ■ the notice of the Government. Mr MACANDREW would suggest the appointment of a select committee to consider the matter. Mr COLLIN'S would accept the advise of the Colonial Secretary, and confer with the Government on the subject, as they seemed favorably inclined in the direction of the motion. He would, therefore, withdraw his motion. WANGANUI AND TAUPO HOAD. Mr BRYCE moved that there be laid on the table of the House a copy of all correspondence, maps, and plans in the possession of -the Government relating to the formation of a road between.Wanganui and Taupo. The motion was seconded and agreed to. DUNEDIN WATERWORKS BILE. Mr MURRAY, in the absence of Mr Macandrew, moved that the bill to amend the Dunedin Waterworks Act, 1864, be referred to a select committee to consist of Mr Bradshaw, the Hon Mr Hall, Mr Bunny, Mr Pearce, Mr G. M'Lean, and the mover. The motion was seconded and agreed to. WELLINGTON WATERWORKS BILL. Mr BUNNY, in the absence of Mr Pearce, moved that the Wellington Waterworks Bill be referred to a select committee to consist of Mr Bradshaw, Mr Bunny, Mr Collins, the Hon Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Hunter, Mr O'Neill, and the mover. The motion was seconded and agreed to. THE GISBORNE LAND ACT. Mr D. M'LEAN moved for leave to introduce a bill to amend the Gisborne Land Act, 1870. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, and the second reading ordered for Tuesday next. COLONIAL SHIPBUILDING. Mr CREIGHTON moved for a return showing the number and tonnage of all vessels built in the colony since the 30th of June, 1853, distinguishing steam from sailing vessels, and the provinces in which they were built ; also, the number, tonnage, and number of crews of the said vessels engaged in the coasting trade of the colony on the 30th of June, 1869 ; together with the number, tonnage, and number of crews of any foreign vessels now engaged in the coasting trade. He had been induced to put this motion on the paper owing to the introduction of the bill which was now before the House, which proposed to permit foreign vessels to ply on our coast. The return could be procured from the Custom House, and would nob give much trouble in its preparation. The motion was agreed to. SHIPMENT OP COLONIAL PRODUCE. Mr CREIGHTON moved for a return showing the quantity and value of all flour, wheat, oats, and oatmeal, the produce of New Zealand, shipped from one province to another, stating the ports whence shipped and where received, for the year and half ended 30th June, 1871; also, a similar return of the quantities and value of all cured bacon, hams, pork, beef and mutton, butter, cheese, and potatoes. He asked for this return because he thought it would supplement the return asked for by Mr Reeves on the previous day. There was no record kept of the movement of produce from the different ports, and it would be necessary to show how the produce was shipped about, and how one province was dependent upon another. Mr REYNOLDS objected to the return. He regi*etted to notice that the practice adopted in former sessions of endorsing the cost of each return on the back had been discontinued. He thought the Government were too easy in furnishing these returns. Mr GISBORNE said last session the cost was marked on the back. The lion, member would see that the Government did not care to refuse information, because it was desirable that members of the House should be placed in possession of all information the Government had at their command, and it was with that desire that they offered little or no opposition to these returns. Mr READER WOOD thought the granting of these returns Bhould not be looked at from a merely money issue. It was possible that in this session they might be called upon to take part in legislation just as important as in the last, and for that reason he would urge that every possible information should be placed in the possession of the House. The motion for the production of the return was agreed to. GOLD RETURNS. Mr MER-VYN moved for a return relative to goldfields ; and Mr Gisborne promised it should be prepared. CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL BORROWING BILL. Mr HALL said that as the bill was not yet out of the printer’s hands, he would move that the second reading be made an order of the day for Friday next. COASTING TRADE REGULATIONS BILL. Mr GISBORNE moved the second reading of this bill. The lion, member stated that in consequence of the existence of the postal contract founded on a resolution of the House there were foreign vessels trading on the coast, and it was advisable that any doubt in regard to this trade should be removed. There were many difficulties connected with the subject,

and there were many objections to the trading of the American steamers on our coast, but having entered into that trade we were bound to remove any doubt as to the legality of their being on our coast. In connection with that point they were bound to consider another question—Should the coastal trade be open to all foreign vessels ? It was not right to say that the trade should be open to American vessels only; it would have to be open to all foreign nations, and that brought them to a question that he would not enter into —the question of free trade and protection. The hon member quoted from a return of the Board of Trade, and from M'Culloch’s Commercial Dictionary in favor of the provisions of the bill.

Mr HALL thought they were now in honor bound to support the bill. He was glad to hear the declarations of the Colonial Secretary in his speech on the bill, because it was an assertion of their right to regulate their trade with foreign countries. It was exceedingly desirable that they should avail themselves of that right, and should know the terms on which they were authorised to assert it. He did not think much of the quotations from the Board of Trade return, or even of those from M'Culloch, who simply recommended free trade because it was a very safe thing for such countries as Great Britain to do.

Mr FOX said he had read that the navigation of the coast by foreign steamers had led to great interference in our own trade. He was gratified to think that there was no foundation in fact for that argument at all. The supposition that the Webb steamers had taken away the trade was a very great mistake ; the coastal trade had suffered long before the American steamer’s came on the coast. The New Zealand Steam Navigation Company was actually in liquidation before Webb’s boats came here at all, and the Wellington, the Phoebe, and the Taranaki all resumed traffic under the very shade of the big boats. They had not suffered by these steamers, but it was true that under very able management the steamers of Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood and Co were carrying on the whole of our coasting trade. We were not suffering from the presence of the American steamers, but from the presence of the steamers of our Australian neighbors. Mr FITZHERBERT felt bound to say that he was not at all convinced by the arguments of the Colonial Secretary as to the advisability of passing the measure, which amounted almost to calling upon them to enter into a policy of free trade. One argument for that was that it would be extremely convenient, because it would be a matter of justice to persons who had entered into the trade. If the Government had made a bargain to our credit or otherwise, our credit demanded that they should carry it out, bub he did not think they should alter their policy, though they had gone very gingerly to work with regard to protection. In regard to the contract, by all means let them carry it out faithfully, and satisfy all claims for which they were liable. He did not intend to enter into so large a question as px’otecbion and free trade, but this much he would venture to say, that nothing can be more injurious to the commercial interests of any country—nothing can be more suicidal to its progress, nothing can create greater discontent to those active portions of the community—than that whatever policy we may ultimately adopt shall not be a policy backward to-day and forward tomorrow. He confessed himself entirely agreed with the views expressed by the hon member for the Heathcote, though he would have express what he had expressed in different terms ; still, their arguments were of the same tenor. It was the tendency of all new countries to get a certain amount of protection; he believed that it was entirely an ephermal character — it was temporary and transient. Gradually as they attained to the stage of national manhood "they would throw off those necessary protective and precautionary measures which were absolutely necessary in the early stage of their existence, and to which they instinctively resorted for the preservation of the interest. No doubt the day might come when we would be able to do without protection, but at present it was in the womb of futurity that colonisation would assume some concrete shape, and we should be made a man of at once. Then we should be prepared for that state of manhood. With reference to the contract he was certain it would not be suitable to the country. The Premier had stated that the American steamers had not interfered with the coastal trade, but that the Australian steamers had. He did not think the argument was good because if one had interfered the other must have interfered.

Mr REYNOLDS proposed that the debate should be adjourned. The House was a very thin one, and several members who were anxious to make propositions were absent. His own idea was that the service should end at the Fijis, as far as New Zealand was concerned, and that it should terminate at the Bluff by means of a branch steamer. It was not possible for the present boats to continue running so as to pay. He moved that the debate be adjourned.

Mr GISBORNE said if it was the wish of the House to adjourn the debate tbe Government would not object. He deprecated the adjournment on the special ground that they had entered into a contract with a foreign country. That contract required that these vessels should go from place to place on the coast, and they were bound, at as early a date as possible, to remove the legal objections to their doing so. The question of a general opening of the ports of the coast to foreign countries was a question which might be considered by itself. The adjournment would leave those vessels open to all the objections and inconveniences of being supposed to be travelling under legal disabilities.

Mr BUNNY thought it would be wise on the part of the Government to consent to the adjournment of the debate,

because it was opening up the very wide question of free trade and protection. He was in favor of free trade, and when they found the Government coming down one clay with certain measures in favor of protection and now with one in favor of free trade, he did not know what their policy was. He thought a system of free trade with bonuses should be introduced. It would be wise for the Government to adjourn the debate on the measure until they went into the question of the San Francisco contract, and if its provisions were such as to meet with the approval of the House let them carry it out. Mr HALL hoped the hon member would not persevere with his proposal to adjourn the debate. They had got the steamers running on the coast, and they would have to remove any difficulty in the way of their trading here. The question of free trade did not apply at all in the present case. It was simply a question whether the trade should be carried on ill English vessels or foreign.

Mr MAC ANDREW" thought that up to the present time the contract had been a great success. No doubt Mr Webb was alive to his own interest in entering into that contract, and was no doubt able to carry it out. He agreed with Mr Hall that if they wished to confine the measure to the American line they could do so. He hoped no opposition would be offered to what he could only say had been productive of great benefit to this country. Mr UURTIS said it would take twelve months to get tbe assent of the British Government to the measure, and he was confident that before the twelve months had elapsed the contract would have ceased. The hon. member at the head of the Government had stated that the steamers had not interfered with the colonial steamers, but surely the hon. member would not contend that the running of such large steamers was not necessarily a very great discouragement to local enterprise. He did not blame the Government in the matter, because they had simply been guided by the action of last session, but they must admit that it was a very great discouragement to local industry. He hoped the Government would consent to adjourn the debate so as to give time to discuss the whole question of the postal service.

Mr GISBORNE was not aware that it was intended to adjourn the debate until the discussion of the whole question came on. If hon. members had any complaint to make to the subsidy they would be opposing a contract founded on a resolution passed by the House last session.

Mr REYNOLDS moved that the debate be adjourned till Tuesday next. It was not with the view of objecting to the contract of Mr Webb that he moved the adjournment, but in tbe event of Mr Webb objecting to any part of tbe contract bimselt it would not then be necessary to have t his bill at all. The motion that tbe deba'e be adjourned till Tuesday next was then put and carried. SUPPLY. The resolution reported from the Committee of Supply was then read a second time. It was then agreed that the House should to-morrow resolve itself a committee of the ■whole for the purpose of voting a supply to Her Majesty. PORT CHALMERS RAILWAY BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. THE NELSON LOAN BILL. The resolution of the committee was read a second time. The bill was ordered to be committed on Tuesday next. Notices of motion having been given the House adjourned at 20 minutes past five. Thursday, August 24. The Speaker took the Chair at half-past two o’clock. NEW AIEMBERS. Mr Bathgate and Mr Reid took the oath and their seats. PETITION. Mr READER WOOD presented a petition from Joshua Cooper of Auckland, a medical roan. The petitioner stated that having through inadvertence omitted to register his name, he had not been permitted to follow the practice of his profession, and prayed that the House would remedy the defect in his case. PAPERS. Mr GISBORNE laid on the table a number of papers and returns, amongst them being tbe offers of Mr Hezekiah Hall, asked for by Mr Stafford yesterday. The latter return was in the hands of the printer, and would have been laid on the table to-day in the ordinary course of procedure. PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE. Mr "KELLY brought up the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of 546 inhabitants of the city of Wellington, who asserted that if the proposed hill became law the borrowing power of the corporation would be absorbed without any adequate return. The committee could not recommend the prayer of the petition to the favorable consideration of the House. Also, the report of the committee on the petition of certain inhabitants of tbe Nevis district., province of Otago; tbe committee were of opinion that the petition should have been referred to the Standing Committee on Goldfields. Also, the report of the committee on the petition of certain inhabitants of Otago with reference to educational matters; the committee did not deem it within their province to muke any report, but recommended that this and similar petitions should be referred to a select committee on educational matters. Also, the report of the committee on the petitiou of Hazard and others, of the Province of Auckland, with reference to the objectionable working of the Thistle Ordinance of that province ; the committee reported that they could not recommend that the decision of the committee of last year in this ease should be interfered with. Also, the report of the committee on

educational petitions : the recommendation of the committee was the same as in the case of a similar petition reported on above. The report on another petition was read, but neither Mr Kelly nor the Clerk of the House could be heard in the gallery. REPORTING DEBATES COMMITTEE.

Mr HARRISON brought up the report of of the Reporting Debates Committee on the dispute with reference to the price to be paid to the compositors employed on “ Hansard.” The report stated that there was good cause for the complaint urged by the men as to the unhealthiness of the workroom, and also that the work of composing on “ Hansard” was of a much heavier nature than that of ordinary newspaper work. ■ The committee had offered an additional penny per thousand on that account, but the men had refused to accept that increase, urging that in consequence of the many inconveniences of the office, through the faulty system of management, they did not consider Is 3d per thousand equal to the recognised trade price paid on the morning newspapers of the town, and asking that the amount be increased to Is 6d per thousand letters. The men also complained that they would only be employed for about three months, and out of their wages had to pay their passages here and away again. In explanation of the matter contained in the report, the hon member stated that the room in which “ Hansard” work was done in was absolutely unfit for the men to work in, on account of the extremely bad ventilation and the large number of gas burners used, but tliis matter was now in course of being remedied. Many other complaints were urged by the men. With regard to the complaint that they had to pay their own passages from other portions of the colony, the committee did not think that a fair ground on which to base a complaint, as men not in the employment of the Government bad to pay their own passages, and there were the additional arguments against them that several of the men had been in the town before the session commenced, and that many of them would be kept in em.’ ployment after the session was over. Then, again, the committee felt that as the rate of wages in the town was the same as that paid in the Government printing office they would not be justified in recommending so large an addition as that demanded an increase amounting to as much as fifty per cent, in advance of the price paid in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland ; so that if the committee recommended the payment of any large increase on the sum paid in the town it would not only be establishing a veiy dangerous precedent in the Government office, but it would encourage them to demand wages at different time 3 that would affect the printing interest of the whole colony, and the committee did not think they would be justified in making any offer that would be likely to exercise so prejudicial an effect. Since the printers had gone out on strike they had offered to accept Is 4d per thousand instead of Is 6d. The committee had gone carefully into the matter, and he believed that they were justified in recommending that no advance on Is 3d should be made. Men had been sent for to all parts of the colony, and for the present the work would have to stand over. The Committee did not wish to go any further in the way of concession because it might be an encouragement to insubordination in other branches of the Government service. In any further steps that would be taken the committee would be guided by the action of the House. The report was ordered to be printed. A MISSING BILL. Mr MAC ANDREW drew attention to the fact that two days after the commencement of the session he had asked for leave to introduce a bill to constitute a public cemetery, and that bill had disappeared from the paper altogether. To-day he had noticed a bill on the paper for second reading on a similar subject, which had been introduced after his. He wished to know how he was to get his bill on the paper for second reading. The SPEAKER said the bill was ordered to be referred to the committee on private bills. He would draw the attention of the committee on private bills to the matter referred to by the hon member. EXTENSION OE THE ERANCHISE. Mr STEWARD asked the Colonial Secretary whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce a bill to extend the franchise to persons who are neither householders, freeholders, nor leaseholders, on the basis of an income and residence qualification ? The mover pointed out there was a large number of persons in the colony who paid a considerable amount towards the revenue, but, for reasons which need not be entered upon, were not owners of house property. If a person who had resided in a particular locality for say six or nine months were shewn to have a revenue of £99 a year derived from income, he might be permitted to exercise the franchise. Mr GISBORNE said the Government had under consideration a bill with the view of extending the franchise, and would bring it before the House during the present session. ENCOURAGEMENT OE WHALE FISHERIES. Mr O’RORKE asked the Premier whether the encouragement of the whale fishery would be included in the bill the Government propose to introduce on the subject of fisheries? It had been announced in the speech of his Excellency the Governor that it was the intention of the Ministry to bring in a fisheries bill, and he wished to know whether it would be so framed as to offer encouragement to whale fishing. Mr FOX said the Government were desirous of adopting the suggestion of th.e hon member, but at present they were not aware what would be the most suitable way of offering encouragement to whale fishing. After inquiry as to the best means to adopt, the suggestion contained in the hon member’s motion would be introduced into the bill. VACCINATION. Mr ANDREW asked the Hon the Colonial

O . „ if if was the intention of the GoSecretary fc ntrocluce during the present j “\ 1 TatvsTo which tb°ey fh* attention. As far ». Wellington was concerned the Act was a dead letter. In mover pointed out that recently the small pox had been raging in Berlin, New York, and other large cities, and after pointing out how easily the disease might be introduced into the colony, he moved the motion standing m his name. , , , . ■ ,i „ Mr BOX pointed out that last session the Government introduced a bill for the prevention of disease, but the House was not then in a frame of mind to pass such a measure, but looking at the favor with which the hon member’s remarks had been received the Government would take an early opportunity ot introducing some such measure to the notice of the House. leave oe absence. Mr COLLINS moved that leave of absence be given to Mr O’Connor, member for the Buller, for a fortnight from the present date, on account of illness. The motion was agreed to. A COUNCIL OE NATIVE CHIEFS FOR THE MIDDLE ISLAND. Mr HOBI KEREI TAIAROA moved that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that a council of Native chiefs should be formed for the Middle Island, whose duty it will be to devise measures for the better administration of affairs relating to their lands "which may or may not at present be held under Crown grant, and to their propelty generally ; such measures to be submitted to the General Assembly for final approval. The mover considered that in the first place a committee should be appointed to consider matters relating to lands under Crown grant, lpe grants for land to Natives contained restrictions against alienating their land, but in the restrictive clauses there waß a proviso which enabled the Natives to dispose of their lands. The land belonging to the Natives _ in the Middle Island was very small in quantity, and therefore it should be left to that committee to say whether it was proper that the power should be left to the Natives to dispose of the lands which they at present held. It was probable that if this power were still left for the Government to decide, as at present, one Native might wish to sell his piece of land. This had been done by some Natives, and it generally happened that the Native who sold his piece of land came to the other Natives in his neighborhood to support him, and if they did not support him he became pauperised. Another matter to be dealt with by that Council would be the consideration of those lands held under a Crown grant, in which grant there were many grantees; and it would also be desirable that the Council should have power to arrange matters connected with those lands which have been derived from their ancestors. Another duty for the Council would be to account with reference to lands which were not held under Crown Grants but which were held under purely native title, and if the Council was not able to take steps with regard to those lands they could make known their proposals to the Governor. The Council would also have under its supervision the taxation of the Maori race, such as road rates, dog taxes, &c. It might also be left to the Council to arrange that in the event of their failing to settle any difficulty that might arise in regard to these matters that it should be submitted to the Governor for settlement. He would propose that the Council should consist of twelve members, who should be called together by an annual notification in the Government “ Gazette,” the place of meeting to be in Otago. He would now ask the House to give to this Council such authority as to enable them properly to carry out the work which it might be entrusted. He would conclude by moving the motion standing in Ins name. (Loud applause.) Mr M‘LEAN said there could he no objection on the part of the Government to agree to the proposition, which appeared to be a very reasonable one. Hs was glad that the natives of the Middle Island were beginning to see the advantage of taking care of their lands, and he was sure there would be no objection to the wish of the natives to regulate their own affairs. With reference to the number of members who should compose the Council he would suggest to the hon. member that the number should be fixed at six instead of twelve, because it often happened that those numerous meetings resulted in much talk and little business was done. The Government were very much gratified that the hon. member should come forward with such a proposition, as it would be very likely to exercise a very beneficial influence in the welfare of the Middle Island. Mr THOMSON said the matter was one which perhaps would receive little attention on the part of the House, but be was glad to find that the hon. member was not going to be a silent member. He had certainly brought under their consideration a very important question. He only regretted that the hon. member was not able to address them in the English language, because he was sure he would have done the subject more justice. He (Mr Thomson) had risen simply because he thought it would hardly be fair to allow the matter to pass without discussion. He thought the natives should look upon themselves as colonists £ instead of looking upon themselves as natives, that they should begin to look at matters from a colonial point of view. If they could be got to look upon themselves as colonists, that would go a long way to removing a distinction which it was very desirable should be removed. By the motion it was proposed that any measures agreed to

by the Council should be brought before the House for final approval ; but it might happen that the House would not ratify the matters agreed to by the Maori Council, and tha. might lead to a disagreement between f h®r° ; he would like to see a provision for avoiding such a contingency. He was gratified tha the native members had at once fallen in with the views of the mover of the motion. The motion was then put and agreed to. NELSON GAS WORKS. Mr CURTIS moved for leave to introduce a bill to authorise the construction of gasworks in the city of Nelson. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, and ordeied to bo referred to a select committee.

THE KANIERI PETITION. Mr WHITE moved that the petition of John Benfield, Gotland, and others, miners and residents in the Kanieri road board district, County of Westland, with the Public Petitions Committee’s report thereon, be referred to Joint Committee on Goldfields Bill and Petitions. The mover went into lengthy reasons for the course he had adopted, and was followed by Messrs Harrison and Tribe in support of the motion, which was agreed to. PRETENTION OE INFECTIOUS DISEASES AMONG CATTLE. Mr GISBORNE moved for leave to introduce a bill intituled An Act to consolidate and amend the law for preventing the. introduction or spreading of infectious diseases among cattle. He Btated that the object of the bill was to make a change in the present laws on the subject of disease in cattle, by vesting power in the Governor to divide the colony into districts, and appoint boards for for the control of those districts. Leave was given, the bill waß read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered for Wednesday next. FEES UNDER NATURALISATION ACT. Mr GISBORNE moved for leave to introduced a bill intituled An Act to fix the fees to be taken in New Zealand under the Naturalisation Act, 1870, of the Imperial Parliament. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered for next day. MAINTENANCE OF PRISONERS. Mr GISBORNE moved for leave to introduce a bill intituled An Act to make further and better provision for charging the. expense of maintenance of prisoners detained in public gaols for punishment or safe custody. Leave was given, the bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered for Wednesday next. DELIVERY OF MALLS. Mr T. L. SHEPHERD moved that a return be laid on the table showing the number of days taken for the delivery of mails to and fro between London and the chief seaports of the colony by steamers via Suez, and the annual cost thereof during the last three years. It was the impression at the present time that we were receiving an equivalent for the extra money expended by more rapid communication. He desired simply to know what advantage they did gain, and with that object he had placed the motion on the order paper. The SPEAKER drew attention to the fact that the motion was a similar one to one moved a few days ago. He should not therefore permit the motion to be put. SURPLUS REVENUE. Mr T. L. SHEPHERD moved that a return be laid on the table showing the surplus revenue available for public works in the various provinces and county of Westland, during the last financial year of same, after deducting all permanent charges (colonial and provincial) and departmental charges. Mr REYNOLDS seconded the motion, although he intended to vote against it for the reason that there was a return already in existence which gave all the information desired. Mr GILLIES spoke in favor of the motion. Mr GISBORNE hoped the hon. member would withdraw his motion, and be content with the information at present at command. On division, the motion was negatived. AUCKLAND CEMETERIES BILL. Mr GILLIES said the bill was not yet printed, and he would ask that it be placed on the order paper for Wednesday next. SUPPLY. The Speaker having left the chair, the House went into Committee of SupplyThe resolution granting a supply ol £30,000 was then puty«gjd read a second time. Mr READERS WOOD would the opportunity of asking the Colonial Secretary when he thought it would be probable the financial statement would be brought down to the House. The information would give hon. members some notion as to the time the real business of the session would commence. Mr GISBORNE said the statement would be made at an early date. The Government, themselves, were anxious that it should be brought on as soon as possible. The House having resumed, the resolution was reported, and leave granted that the committee sit again to-morrow. Notices of motion having been given, the House adjourned at twenty past four until half-past two on Friday.