PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4787, 26 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, July 25. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. PAPERS AND NOTICES. Some papers were laid on the table and notices given. JACKSON BAT SETTLEMENT. The Hon. Mr. BONAR moved, without notice, that a select committee be appointed to select what documents should be printed in connection with this subject. The Hon. Captain FRASER took occasion to remark that he had compared the translation of the Italian letter to which he had referred on a former occasion, and found that it was quite correct The motion was agreed to. TIMARU GAS BILL. This Bill was, on the motion of Mr. Acland, read a second time. ALLEGED GROUNDING OF THE MAIL STEAMERS AT PORT CHALMERS. The Hon. Mr. NURSE asked the Colonial Secretary—(l.) How many times the Californian mail steamers have been unable to enter the harbor at Otago, and for what reasons ? (2.) How many of those steamers have touched on the bar in going in or coming out ? (3.) And what damage, if any, has been sustained by them in crossing the bar ? The Hon. Dr. POLLEN stated in. reply—1. The Colima was detained once, but that was owing to her being out of trim; and as neap tides were on and a heavy sea was running, the pilot did not like to run the risk of taking her over the bar. 2. No steamer had touched on the bar in going in or out of Port Chalmers. It had been said that the City of San Francisco did so, but that had been officially contradicted. The Australia certainly had grounded, but it was three-quarters of a mile inside the bar, when she was on her way to the mooring ground. 3. No damage had been done. LAND TRANSFER ACT 1870 AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved the second reading of this Bill. In doing so he said that the measure was promoted by the Government at the instance of the Registrar-General of Lands. The object of the second clause was to throw the risk of the non-registration of deeds upon those persons upon whom devolved the duty of registering them ; and farther, it sought to relieve the assurance fund of the Land Transfer department from undue charges. The third clause related to the disposal of native lands under the Land Transfer Act. In dealing with native lands under the Land Transfer Act difficulties were found to exist, which this clause sought to remove. It would give to the District Land Registrar power to assess the amount of contribution to the assurance fund ; and upon such amount and fees being paid, the Registrar may register any dealings. The fourth clause dealt with acknowledgements of married women. The fifth clause provided that the sixth, seventh, eighth, and tenth sections of the Conveyancing Ordinance Amendmant Act, 1870, shall apply to sales by mortgagees in exercise of any power created by the Land Transfer Act, 1870 and deals with the registration of the [transfer.

The sixth clause makes it lawful for the Governor to appoint the District Land Kegistrar to be also Examiner of Titles; and the seventh clause makes it penal to use the style or title of landbroker under the Act unless duly authorised. Dr. Pollen then explained the reason of the eighth clause, which provides that the words “ one calendar month " shall be substituted for “ six calendar months” in the 87tb section of the Land Transfer Act. The Hon. Mr. WATEEHOtJSE would not oppose the second reading of the Bill. He thought some legislation was desirable. He urged the Council, however, not to proceed with legislation on this matter without searching inquiry. Mr. Waterhouse spoke in eulogistic terms of the Land Transfer Act. He believed generations yet (iV’txAi'" would ascribe their wellbeing to that Act, 'Though calculated to do such great good, the principles of that Act had been elsewhere opposed by enemies who had sought to undermine its existence. It was to the credit of the legal profession in New Zealand that here it had been received in a different manner. Though calculated to injuriously affect their interests, yet they had not received it in a factious spirit. He would support the Bill on the understanding that after the second reading it should be referred to a select committee. The Hon. Mr. FEASEE would also support the reference of the Bill to a select committee.

The Hon, Mr. HALL,, in reply to some remarks which had fallen from the Hon. Mr. Fraser as to the appointment of a layman who was a protege of the Minister for- Justice as Eegistrar of the Supreme Court at Christchurch, said he was acquainted with the gentleman in question, and considered the appointment a good one. All parties had since admitted that this was so, and that the present occupant of the office was a great improvement on the previous holder. He (Mr. Hall) was pleased that in this instance the Minister for Justice had departed from the usual rule and appointed a layman, and not a professional man. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN had no objection to the Bill being referred to a select committee. The Bill was then read a second time, and the following committee chosen:—The Hons., Dr. Pollen, Messrs, Hall, Acland, Waterhouse, Johnston, and Stokes. TARANAKI'BOTANIC GARDENS BILL. This Bill was further considered in committee. The Hon. Dr. Pollen explainedthe object of clause 13, which was to enable theBoard to lease certain-defined portions of land so as to obtain revenue. The Hon. Mr. WATEEHOTJSE asked theHon. Dr. Pollen whether he would guarantee the correctness of the first schedule.—Towhich Dr. Pollen replied that the schedule was a transcript from the Ordinance previously considered by the Provincial Council, with the addition of 1J- acres of land.—Mr. Waterhouse suggested that a certificate should beobtained from the Commissioner of Crown Lands in the province. The schedules were then agreed to, the Bill reported with amendments, and the third readfixed for Friday next. REGULATION OE LOCAL ELECTIONS BILL. The consideration in committee of this Bill was resumed at clause 49. An amendment moved by the Hon. Colonel Whitmore on a division was lost, and the clause passed as printed. Clauses 50 and 51 were agreed to. On clause 52 the Hon. Dr. Pollen proposed after the last line to add words to the following effect :—Every voting paper so extracted shall be evidence of a vote given at the election to which it relates, and corresponding with the number on the roll shall be evidence of the person of the name having voted at such election.—Agreed to. Clauses 51 to 56 were carried. The Hon. Col. WHITMOEB proposed the following new clause:—lt shall be lawful for any owner or owners of any property within any rateable district to authorise, under his or their hand, any other person resident within such district to exercise the vote or votes to which he or they are entitled, and the Eeturning Officer, on being satisfied that such person is duly authorised as aforesaid, shall allow him to vote accordingly. After a discussion, in. which several hon. members took part, and in which the duty of prominent men taking an interest in local affairs was dwelt on, the clause was carried on a division by 10 to 9. The Hon. Mr. JOHNSON moved that the following words should be added to the clause; “ Provided always that no one person shall use the proxy of more than two such owners.” The Hon. Dr. POLLEN considered the subject of proxies an important question. He moved that the Chairman report progress. This was negatived by the casting vote of the Chairman, and after some discussion the motion of the Hon. Mr. Johnson was carried. Progress was then, on the motion of the Hon. Col. Whitmore, reported, and the committee obtained leave to sit again. OTHER BILLS. The Otago Presbyterian Church Conveyance Validation Bill, South Dunedin and St. Hilda Municipalities Validation Bill, and Hawke’s Bay Eivers Bill were advanced a stage ; and the Canterbury Education Eeserves Sale and Leasing Bill, second reading, was postponed. The Council then (5 p.m.) adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 25. The Speaker took the chair at half-past two o’clock. PETITIONS AND NOTICES. Several petitions were presented and notices given. Amongst these latter were a notice by Mr. Rolleston, in reference to the Friendly Societies Bill; and one by Mr. Pykb, in reference to the gold duty. PAPERS. The Hon. Sir DONALD McLEAN laid upon the table a quantity of correspondence in reference to land transactions in Auckland, in which Mr. Thomas Russell had taken part. These had been moved for by Sir George Grey. —Mr. Pykb laid upon the table a report from the Goldfields Committee.—The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel laid upon the table a return relating to the Consolidated Revenue, moved for by Mr. Stevens. He also proposed to present tables connected with the Financial Stat ement. In order to give hon. members an opportunity of studying these documents, the tables had been printed and distributed ; but in the hurry of compiling them some slight errors had occurred. For instance, in table A, part 2, “ funded debt” was spoken of instead of “public debt" ; and there were three or four similar misprints. He would have correct copies distributed, and until then would refrain from tabling the returns. The hon. gentleman laid upon the table copies of correspondence in reference to the appointment of a Royal Commission, to inquire- into the Canterbury Survey department. new bill. The Hon. Mr. McLEAN introduced a Bill entitled Otago and Wellington Tolls Bill,, which was read a first time. WAIAKU CHURCH OF ENGLAND SITE CROWN GRANT BILL.' This Bill, the object of which is to clear away any defects in the title to the land upon which a church has been erected, was road a second time. ” JURIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was read a second time. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL. This Bill was further considered in com- . mittee. Clause 29—Number of votes of burgesses.— A long discussion took place on this clause, Mr. Stout eventually proposing that each council should have the right to decide for itself the question of plurality of votes.—A division ensued on Mr. Bastings’ motion for giving each burgess one vote, it being negatived by 61 to 23. A division was then taken on an amendment by Mr. Ballance limiting the votes to be exercised by any single voter to three. The amendment was negatived by 44 to 33. The clause therefore stood as printed, votes increasing up to five for a property of the value of £350. Clauses 30 to 41 were passed with slight amendments.

Clause 42—Candidates for the office of Mayor to pay £lo.— Mr. Lumsden moved that the clause be struck out. The House divided on the question that the clause stand part of the Bill. Ayes, 39 ; Noes, 18. The clause therefore remained as printed. Progress was reported, and the House adjourned for refreshment. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. On the House resuming at half-past seven. The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON delivered the Public Works Statement. He commenced by regretting that the delivery so soon after the close of the financial year compelled him to prepare the Statement more hurriedly than he otherwise would have done. Additional tables had, however, been appended, which, together with reports from the EngineerdnChief and other officers, containing informatioa in detail, would convey full information. RAILWAYS. The railway works had not been pushed on so rapidly as in the two previous years, but care had been taken to avoid delaying those approaching completion, so that they might be made remunerative as early as possible. The estimates had been materially interfered with by the necessity for lining several tunnels, at a cost of £59,000, over the whole colony, and by the constantly increasing traffic which, he was happy to say. had rendered largely increased station accommodation requisite, and also large additional provision for rolling The Kawakawa railway would be in working order during the present year. To develop the traffic on the Kaipara and Riverhead railway, an extension beyond Helensville would be necessary. The proclamation for the Riverhead and Auckland line was withheld, owing to the heavy claims for land compensation. Should they be persevered in, it would be the duty of the Government to alter the route. The exceptionally bad winter had delayed the Mercer to Newcastle Hue. Tenders are only now being called for the permanent way. It would be twelve months before the line could be opened. The Napier and Manawatu line was open to Te Aute. The land claims were unexpectedly heavy, and some damages had been done by floods. The line would shortly be open to Waipukurau. The Waitara to Patea line was in progress to Inglewood, and its extension southwards was intended as soon as practicable. Satisfactory progress is being made on the Patea to Wanganui and Wanganui to Manawatu lines, but the land claims are much in excess of the estimates. The conversion of theEoxton and Manawatu tramway will be sufficiently completed in a a few months so as to enable it to be worked under railway regulations. The works on the Wellington and Masterton line have not progressed as fast as the contracts enteredinto led the Government to expect, owing in some measure to the difficulty of getting men to remain in the bush country. The Rimutafca and other tunnels were found to require lining although difficult to bore. The portion opened to the Upper Hutt gives satisfactory results. The Nelson and Foxhill line has suffered very little from floods. To develop traffic, it requires to be extended to the new wharf. The necessity for extending the Pioton and Blenheim railway over the Opawa river into the town of Blenheim, is more and more evident. From Amberley to Waitaki very little remains to be done, and specifications for the last platelaying contract, south of Waimate, are being prepared. The land claims have been excessive, and £IB,OOO have been required for additional station accommodation. Considerable additions to the rolling stock will be required if traffic continues to increase as it has done during the past year. An ■ extension of the Kaiapoi and Eyreton railway to join the Oxford and Rangiora, is necessary. The loss in working these lines, owing to their not being connected, has caused the province to vote a portion of the cost of extension, which is over a country so favorable as to require little more than laying the permanent waj. The Waitaki bridge has been opened for traffic, and has now a water supply for protection from fire. From Oamaru to Moeraki the line will be ready for trafic in about two months. The works South to Dunedin are all under contract, except nine miles at Waikouaiti. This length will be let as soon as the Blueskin section is completed. The land compensation throughout the district has been very heavy, and the bricking of the tunnels involves a further appropriation of £36,000. The remark before made relative to station accommodation and rolling-stock, Amberley to Waitaki, applies also to district Waitaki southMinister after visiting Balclutha has riven instructions for the Clutha to Matanra line to be proceeded with, as set out by the Engineer-in-Chief. The works south of Clinton will not he completed before the end of the year. The Westport and Mount Rochfort line is progressing. A contract for loading coal and protective works has been let in excess of appropriation, but liable to cancellation if the House directs. The Government consider this a colonial work, and if continued, votes should be taken year by year. There is now a fair prospect of the field being practically opened up. The Government concur in the decision come to by the recent Royal Commission on the colliery reserve, whose inquiry was exhaustive. The Greymonth and Brunner line is open, and the coal traffic may be expected to commence in September. The Government consider that the Greymonth works should, like those at Westport, he dealt with by the colony. An arrangement has been made with the Corporation for taking over the wharf and its dues. Pending the sanction of the House, a separate account of wharf dues is kept. The mileage of railway is : —North Island, 392 authorised ; 145 open for traffic ; and in progress 183. South Island, 638 authored ; 404 open for traffic; and in progress 199. Total, 1030 authorised ; 549 open for traffic; and in progress 382. The amount spent on railways during the past year was £1,639,014, making a total expenditure on railways of £5,215,018, with liabilities extending into 1878 of £983,253. This includes all existing contracts, and plant and material ordered from Home. Havin'' in detail referred to the great additional cost of land, it is mentioned that the compensation already paid, and liabilities which will come in for payment over the next eighteen months, will amount to over £90,000, and it becomes a question whether the district through which future extensions are made should not provide the land free, before any expenditure is incurred towards construction. Further explorations have been made from Canterbury northwards, towards Blenheim, but as it is doubtful whether the best route has been discovered, this exploration will be continued during the present year. The surveys from Hokitika to Greymonth show the cost of the proposed line to be £222,000, as against the original amount stated of £85,000. Some deviations are under survey, by which a reduction in the former amount is hoped for. The photo-lithographic establishment hag effected a saving of £2OOO per annum on rail- ■' way plans alone.' HOADS. A comparatively small amount has been spent on new road works during the past year, and only two districts need to be specially mentioned, viz., Wairarapa and north of Auckland. Contracts have been made for metalling all the worst places in the Seventy-mile Bush, but the severe winter weather has obliged the work to he suspended. The road opens up a large tract of fina land for settlement.] IJp to June, 1876, £47,252 have been spent on roads north of Auckland, exclusive of Mangcre bridge. The expenditure and liabilities last year amounted to £6889, leaving a balance of £5853. It is proposed to expend this balance on the bridges requisite to make the main trunk road, Auckland to Bay of Islands, passable for ordinary traffic A re-voto of £17,872, unavailable for technical reasons last'

year, will be asked for to meet liabilities incurred on the presumption that the money was available for roads generally in the North Island. ’ A considerable number of the Armed Constabulary have been employed, principally in maintenance and repairs. No extra pay has been given, and although taking their time and ordinary pay into account, tho work has not been executed so cheaply as if contract, yet as it has been done in addition to their constabulary duties it is a clear .gain to the country. The small balance from the Westland road vote will be expended south of Hokitika, and that from the south-west goldfields vote on the road between Greymonth and Reefton. WATEB-EACES. The Thames, Waimea, and Mount Ida water-races and tho Wsipori sludge channel are already completed. The Nelson creek race will take some months to complete. It will not be necessary to ask for votes for the expenses of management, as they w.ll he handed over to their respective counties. Tenders have twice been called for the first section of tho Mikonui water-race, but they were so much higher than Government were led to expect, that they have on each occasion been reluctantly declined. It is now proposed to band the work over to the county, witlr a further contribution of £IO,OOO, to be advanced by the Government. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. As the Colonial Architect's report contains details of buildings erected, nothing further is stated thereon. COAL EXPLORATIONS. The result of the topographical survey of the Buller coalfield shows an extension of the coal measures, a considerable portion of which will be available for working as early as any that have been yet found. It is not proposed to continue the survey at present. Eleven leases have been granted, aggregating 8520 acres. Several of these lessees will probably he ready to use the railway from Ngakawau to Westport as soon as completed. At Greymouth fresh outcrops have been discovered, and at Jackson Bay and at Abbey Rocks, far south on the West Coast, the coal development has been examined, but no workable seams have as yet been discovered. Some superior samples of coal have been received from West Wanganui, and that part of the country will shortly receive attention. INSPECTION OP MACHINERY. The Act is being carried out very fairly. The fees charged were rather more than covered expenses. RAILWAYS OPEN FOB TRAFFIC. The railways have been worked with the following result during the past year : Receipts. Expenditure.

The permanent rolling stock has been kept in thorough repair. There has bean a loss'of £937 on the Foxton tramway during the process of its conversion into a railway, but it is now paying its expenses. The receipts from the Canterbury railways for year ending 31st March were £185,806, and expenses £124,513. The receipts from the Otago railways during the same year were £90,790, and the expenditure £66,852, leaving a credit balance on the Canterbury and Otago railways of £85,232. The Auckland and Mercer traffic has not been so large as expected. Objections have been made to the rates; but it is impossible to lower them if the line is to be worked so as to leave a margin above working expenses. It is a very prevalent opinion that the public ought to have the same amount of accommodation as on the railways in England or the adjoining colonies where the cost has been so much greater; but the fact is, that the rates charged are generally below thoso charged in England, and only in Otago are they as high as those charged in Victoria.

If the accommodation now asked for in various parts of the colony, and which to a great extent has been given in Canterbury, is as a rule to be acceded to, the cost of the lines will be so increased as to require the rates to bo generally raised. The aim of the Government will be to equalise the rates, and they should not be higher than those in the southern part of the Middle Island. SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURE. The total expenditure to 30th June last, under the Immigration and Public Works Act, in the North Island, has been, for railways, £1,780,956 ; on roads, £491,636 ; and on water-races, £58,636 ; total, North Island, £2,331,228. In the Middle Island, on railways, £3,403,538 ; on roads, £194,721 ; on water-races, £222,283 ;~total, Middle Island, £3,820,543. Sundries, £30,523. Total expenditure, £6,182,295. PROPOSED EXPENDITURE ON RAILWAYS FOR CURRENT YEAR. An amount is proposed to be asked to cover contract and other liabilities during the current year, on the following railways : £ Kawakawa railway .. .. .. 20,000 Auckland-Puniu 161,000 Napier-Mauawatu 47,000 "Wellington-Masterton .. 137,000 Waitara-Patea 37,000 Patea-Jlanawatu 114,000 Kelaon-Foxhill 7,700 Picton-Blenheim 4,500 Greyraouth-Bnrnnerton .. .. 19,000 Westport-Ngakawau .. .. 49,000 Amberley-Waitaki ~ ~ 79,700 Waitaki bridge 1,300 Waitaki - Invercargill and Lawrence branch 324,400 "Winton-Kingston .. .. .. 53,000 £1,054,000 The following new works, if voted, will not be put in hand until the Government are assured that the necessary means are available: — Ist. The extension of the railway from Riverhead to Kaipara, from the present temporary station at Helensville for about half a mile, and the erection of a wharf at which vessels can with ease discharge their cargoes. The cost of this extension will be about £15,000. 2nd. A new wharf at Onehunga in connection with the railway. The cost of this will be £14,000. 3rd. A vote of £29,000 for the extension of the main south line from New Plymouth towards Patea and Wanganui. 4th. A vote of £IO,OOO for the extension of the main line from Napier towards Wellington. sth. A vote of £BOOO to extend the Nelson and Foxhill line into the port. 6th. A further vote of £25,000 to meet present liabilities at Greymouth on the Brunner railway, and to provide funds to continue the harbor works at a moderate speed. 7th. A further vote of £30,900 for works at Westport. Bth. A further vote of £16,000 to complete the Picton and Blenheim railway into Seymoursquare, in tho centre of Blenheim. 9th, A vote of £BOOO for connecting the Kaiapoi and Eyreton railway. 10th. New surveys, £IO,OOO. Total for new railway works, £156,000. Considering how small an amount of work has been done in the north of Auckland, it is proposed to ask for £IO,OOO, for completing the main trunk road to the Bay of Islands for dray traffic, and for a main cross road from Wangarei Heads westward. In the Colonial Treasurer's Financial .Statement some of the reasons were given for taking over the responsibility of the management of all tho railways, and it is now pointed out in addition that there are three systems of management, three entirely distinct tariffs of charges, three audits, and the remuneration of tho same classes of officers are on very different scales, which leads to difficulty and expense. A considerable saving would be effected by the whole of tho lines being under a combined management, and the entire rolling stock On

connected lines would be available on emergencies. Any comparison between the systems of management now in force is purposely avoided ; but noj raatter who works the lines the public convenience will have to be consulted, and the Government, watched as it is by the House, will insist on their being economically worked. The experience of the past year confirms the opinion previously expressed that with prudent management the railways will yield, taken as a whole, a very considerable contribution towards the interest on their cost.

The estimated revenue on lines at present worked by the Government is stated at £132,000, and that on the Canterbury and Otago lines at £185,800 and £127,800 respectively, making a total of £445,000. If tho estimates are correct, a yield of 3 per cent, on the capitalised cost ought to result. The Statement concluded with the following allusion to the late Agent General ;

In 1871 the first Minister for Public Works announced in his Statement the appointment of the late Dr. Featherston to the office of Agent-General under the Immigration and Public Works Act. It is with the deepest regret I mention the loss the Public Works department, as well as the colony, has sustained by his recent death. This is not the time to allude further to the services of that officer. I last year bore testimony to the faithful manner in which his duties connected with this department were performed, and I feel that any further reference now would be superfluous, if not out of place. The Public Works Bill was introduced, read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL then called the attention of the House to the position in which the public business stood, and spoke of the desirability of proceeding with political questions as soon as possible. He suggested that the discussion on Mr, Whitaker’s amendments be taken on Friday next, which would give three days for consideration of the Public Works and Financial Statements. Mr. WHITAKER agreed to convert his amendments into the form of resolutions, and discuss them, not in committee, but in the House on Friday next. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL. The House resumed in committee on the above Bill. Clauses 43 to 45 were passed without alteration. Clause 46, providing that the Governor might appoint mayors of municipalities to be Justices of the Peace during their terms of office, and jurisdiction not to extend beyond the borough, was fully discussed. An amendment proposed by Mr. Whitaker, to leave out the words in tho latter part ®f the clause, limiting the jurisdiction to the borough, was accepted, and the clause as amended was passed. Clause .47. —In extraordinary _ vacancy, councillors may appoint one of their number to hold office as mayor until the vacancy shall be filled by the election by the burgesses of another mayor.—M. Lusk suggested that the time the temporary mayor should hold office ought to be stated.—Sir Julius Voqel assured the hon. member that he would either bring down a provision embodying his suggestion, or he would at least give him an opportunity of moving in that direction. Clausa 43, that the Mayor may receive a salary directed as to amount by the council, was passed without amendment. Clause 49 provided for the number of councillors. In every borough there Shall be a council, consisting in undivided boroughs of nine councillors, and in boroughs divided into wards of three councillors for each ward. Objection was taken to the clause by Mr, Stout, on the ground that there would he an inequality of representation in the case of boroughs divided into two wards, which would only have six councillors.—Mr. Hunter failed to see why the number of councillors to each ward should be uniform, and in illustration, alluded to the difference in population in the wards of Wellington.—Sir J ulius V ogkl said it would be difficult to provide other machinery. Tho clause was eventually passed, after amendment to the effect that the number of councillors mentioned should he understood as being exclusive of tbe mayor. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL then moved that progress be reported, and it was carried. Leave was obtained to sit again the next day. AN EXPLANALION. The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said, before proceeding with the business on the Order Paper, he desired to make an explanation. In referring to the future progress of business, and to the amendment of the hon. member for Waikato, he had omitted reference to the resolutions of the hon. member for Geraldine. He meant no disrespect to the hon. gentleman in not making special reference to his resolutions; but he had been given to understand, and_ he believed correctly, that it had been decided between Messrs. Whitaker and Wakefield that the amendments of the latter should be taken into consideration first, and therefore it did not suggest itself to him (the speaker), to refer at the time to the resolutions of the hon. member for Geraldine. He had, however, deemed it necessary to take this opportunity of making an explanation, lest he should have been mistaken. The consideration of clause 48 was postponed. Clause 56 was amended so that in recovering rates from an owner which could not he obtained from any occupier the same should be demanded within four mouths.

Progress was reported. The House adjourned at 12.45 a.m,

£ S. d. £ s. d. The Kaipara Railway ., 2,407 IS 9 2,633 16 3 Auckland Mercer 22.487 16 10 19.416 18 1 Napier-Waipukurau 12,417 2 4 7,902 12 0 Waitara-New Plymouth 1,833 12 3 2,190 12 0 "Wellington and Upper Hutt 9,429 3 6,293 10 Picton and Blenheim .. 3,516 3 3,083 9 9 Nelson and Foxhill 2,531 4 1 2,803 17 9 Brunner-Greymoutli 1,063 8 8 883 11 8 Making a total of receipts for the year of 55,776 11 4 Expenditure for the year of 44,713 7 8 Leaving a balance of .. £11,063 3 8