PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5098, 26 July 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, July 20. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m, PAPERS, ETC. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN laid on the table the report of the committee on the address in reply to his Excellency's speech. The Hon. Major RICHMOND gave notice for the appointment of certain sessional committees. MOTIONS. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved, —That the Hon. Major Richmond, C. 8., be appointed chairman of committees of this Council. Carried. The Hon. Major RICHMOND, 0.8., moved, —That a select committee on standing orders be appointed for the session. The committee to consist of the Hon. the Speaker, the Hon. Dr. Pollen, the Hon. Colonel Kenny, the Hon. Captain Baillie, the Hon. Mr. Menzies, the Hon. Mr. Mantell, and the mover. Carried. The Hon. Major RICHMOND, C. 8., moved, —That a select committee be appointed to assist the Hon. the Speaker in all matters whichrelate to the printing executed by order of the Council, and for the purpose of selecting and arranging for printing returns and papers presented in pursuance of motions made by members. The committee to consist of the Hon. the Speaker, the Hon. Dr. Pollen, the Hon. Mr. J. Johnston, the Hon. Mr. Robinson, the Hon. Mr. G. R. Johnson, the Hon. Mr. Hall, and the mover. Carried. The Hon. Major RICHMOND, C. 8., moved, —That a select committee be appointed, who shall have the management of, and to whom shall be referred, all matters connected with reporting and printing the debates during the present session. The committee to consist of the Hon. the Speaker, the Hon. Mr. Hart, the Hon. Mr. Acland, the Hon. Colonel Brett, the Hon. Captain Fraser, the Hon. Mr. Rhodes, and the mover. Carried. The Hon. Mr. MANTELL moved, —That a Library Committee be appointed, with power to confer with any similar committee to be appointed by the House of Representatives. The committee to consist of the Hon. the Speaker, the Hon. Mr. Pharazyn, the Hon, Dr. Pollen, the Hon Major Richmond, C. 8., the Hon. Mr. Hall, the Hon. Captain Baillie, the Hon. Mr. Menzies, the Hon. Robert Hart, and the mover. Carried. The Hon. Captain BAILLIE moved, —That a select committee be appointed, to whom shall be referred all public petitions presented to the Council during the present session, and who shall report from time to time to the Council thereon ; with power to call for persons, papers, and records. The committee to consist of the Hon. Colonel Brett, the Hon. Mr. Edwards, the Hon. Mr. Mantell, the Hon. Captain Fraser, the Hon. Mr. G. R. Johnson, the Hon. Mr. Nurse, and the mover. Carried.

The Hon. Dr. POLLEN withdrew the motion standing in his name, for leave to introduce a Bill intituled aa Act to provide for the satisfaction of certain land orders issued by the New Zealand Company, and heretofore exercised in the Manawatu or Horowhenua Districts within the aforesaid company’s settlement of Wellington.

The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved for leave to introduce a Bill intituled An Act to provide for the Establishment and Maintenance of a Constabulary Force. Agreed to. ' The Bill was laid on the table, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Tuesday next.

The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved for leave to introduce a Bill intituled An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Friendly and other Societies. Agreed to. The Bill was laid on the table, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Wednesday next,

NOTICES OP MOTION. The Hon. Mr. BUCKLEY gave notice of his intention to move, on Tuesday next, the address in reply to his Excellency’s speech. The Hon. Captain BAILLIB gave notice of his intention to move on next sitting day,— That the name of the Hon. Wi Tako be added to the Petitions Committee. Dr. POLLEN then moved the adjournment of the Council till Tuesday next. Tuesday, J dly 24. PETITIONS. The Hon. Captain FRASER presented a petition from landowners and residents in the County of Taieri, praying that certain amendments might be made in the Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough Rivera Acts of the General Assembly. The Hon. Dr. MENZIES laid oh the table a petition from residents and ratepayers in a part of Kingston Riding, Lake County, in the Provincial District of Otago, representing holdings which amount in the aggregate to 71,981 acres, there or thereabout, praying that the Lake County and the Southland County boundaries might be altered. PAPERS. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN laid on the table papers relating to Lunatic Asylums in New Zealand. The Hon. Captain BAILLIE presented the report of the Joint House Committee (No. 1). NOTICES OP MOTION. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said that on next sitting day he should move for leave to introduce a Bill intituled an act to Consolidate and Amend the Law Relating to Industrial and Provident Societies ; also for leave to introduce a Bill intituled, an Act to Explain and Amend Certain Provisions of the Acts in Force Relating to the Civil Service of the Colony. HOUSE COMMITTEE. The Hon. Major RICHMOND asked for leave to move without notice, —That the number of members of the House Committee be increased to 8, so that they might include the Hon. the Speaker, the name of the Speaker in the Lower House having been placed on the House Committee of the House of Representatives.—Leave was granted, and the Hon. Mr. Hall having spoken to the motion, it was The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE here remarked that he hoped all necessary Bills would be brought before them as soon as possible, and that the business would not be all rushed into the last three weeks of sitting, as was the case last session. MOTIONS. The Hon. Major RICHMOND moved,— That a joint committee on standing orders on private Bills be appointed. The committee to consist of the Hon. Dr. Menzies, the Hon. Mr. Hart, and the mover.—Carried. The Hon. Major RICHMOND moved, — That a committee of selection on private Bills be appointed. The committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Hall, the Hon. Mr. J. Johnston, the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, the Hon. Mr. Buckley, and the mover.—Carried. The Hon. Major RICHMOND moved, — That a joint committee on Bills be appointed to consider and report respecting every Bill which may be referred to them by either House upon the question whether it is a private Bill or not. The committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. G. R. Johnson, the Hon. Mr, Pharazyn, and the mover.—Carried. The Hon. Mr. BUCKLEY moved,—That the address in reply to his Excellency’s speech, as reported from the committee, be agreed to. The Hon. Mr. NGATATA seconded £the motion. After the Hon. Colonel Brett, the Hon. Mr. Hall, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, the Hon. Dr. Grace, the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, and the Hon. Dr. Pollen had addressed the House, the motion was put and carried, an amendment to refer the speech back to the committee having been withdrawn. The Hon. Captain BAILLIE moved, — That the number of members of the Public Petitions Committee be increased, and that the name of the Hon. Mr. Ngatata be added to the committee.—Carried. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved the second reading of the Constabulary Bill. He touched on most of the clauses, giving a summary of their contents.

The Hon. Colonel Brett, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, and the Hon. Capt. ia ITa -ser having addressed the House, the Hon. Hr. Pollen responded, and the Bill was read a second time.

The Council then (at 5 p.m.) adjourned.

Wednesday, July 25. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. PETITION. A. petition was laid on the table by the Hon. Hr. Menzies, from certain residents in the Invercargill District, praying that certain privileges infringed on by the railway be restored to them. PAPEBS. The report of the Joint House Committee (No. 2) was laid on the table by the Hon. Cant. Baillie, and read. MOTIONS. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved for leave to introduce a Bill intituled an Act to consolidata and amend the Law relating to Industrial and Provident Societies. Heave was given ; the Bill was read a first time, ordered to he printed, and ordered to be read a second time on Friday next. The Hon. Hr. POLLEN moved for leave to introduce a Bill intituled an Act to explain and amend certain Provisions of the Acts in force relating to the Civil Service of the U °Leave was given; the Bill read a first time, ordered to be printed, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE moved,— That there be laid on the table of the Council a return showing the total cost of each railway in New Zealand, and the proportion which the working expenses bear to the total receipts on Ca The Hon. Hr. POLLEN said he had no objection to furnish the return asked for; but that it would naturally have been laid before the House at an early date. The Hon. Mr. BUCKLEY having spoken to the motion, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore replied, and the motion was carried. ORDERS OF THE DAY. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN asked that the second reading of the Friendly Societies Bill be discharged from the Order Paper, and made an order of the day for next sitting day.— This was agreed to. The Council then went into committee on the Constabulary Bill. The Council went through all the clauses of the Constabulary Bill, and progress was reported, and leave obtained to sit again. Leave was also granted to re-commit the Bill next day, for the purpose of inserting a new clause immediately before the last. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN then gave notice of his intention to ask for leave to introduce a new clause in the Constabulary Bill. The Council then (at 4.45 p.m.) adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 25. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. TRAVERS gave several notices of motions for the production of returns relative to the Native Lands Department. He also gave notice that he would ask the Government whether they had any information relative to a line of railway from the Upper Hutt to Waikanae, lately traversed by an engineer. Other notices of motion were given. his excellency’s reply. The Hon. the SPEAKER submitted his Excellency’s reply to the address, thanking the House for its assurance that the various measures submitted would receive its earnest and careful consideration, LAW COURTS. In reply to Mr. Mandees, as to preparing a District Courts Bill, the Hon. Mr. Bowen replied that it was intended to appoint a commission to inquire into the jurisdiction of the Courts of Law of New Zealand, with a view to fix their relative jurisdictions, so as not to clash with the Supreme Court, POLICE porce services. Mr. MANDEES asked the Government, —Whether they will recognise any Ordinance or resolution of the Provincial Councils dealing with the police force services, and carry out the intentions of the said Ordinances or resolutions.: The Hon. Major ATKINSON to the effect that the legal rights of all officials would be carefully respected. QUESTIONS. Several questions affecting purely local interests in other parts of the colony were put and answered. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time A Bill to confer certain endowments on the town of Onehunga; a Bill to bestow the Auckland Provincial Council Library upon the city of Auckland, or such other Municipality in the province of Auckland as shall first establish a free public library; a Bill for the further endowment of the Auckland College and Grammar School; ■ a Bill to regulate the erection and maintenance of dividing fences; a Bill to regulate the slaughtering of cattle and the supervision of abattoirs and slaughterhouses. The Bill to amend the licensing laws, of which the Hon. Mr. Fox had given notice, was postponed,, owing to there having been some misconception regarding the hon. member’s notice. MOTIONS. Mr. BURNS moved, —That the Government be requested to make a flying survey of a line of railway from the south end of the Look-out Point Tunnel, on the. Dunedin and Clutha railway, up the Kaikorai Valley; to arrange •with the landed proprietors and occupiers of the land for permission to construct the line, and lay full particulars as to cost of construction, plans, &c., before this House at an early date next session. The Hon. Mr. ORMOND said the Government would have to strain the resources of the country in pushing on the main trunk lines, and woidd not undertake any responsibility as td the line spoken of by the hon. member. He mentioned, however, that it was the intention of the Government to bring In a Bill during the session, entitled the District and Branch Railways Construction Bill, under which railways of this kind could be constructed. Mr. BURNS, on receiving this intimation, withdrew his motion. Sir GEORGE GREY moved,—That a respectful address he presented to his Excellency the Governor, asking for copies of all correspondence between any Secretary of State and the Governor during the years 1870 to 1877, inclusive, relative to any titles or honors or decorations conferred or proposed to be conferred, upon colonists of New Zealand who have held office under the Crown in this colony, or who are or have been members of either branch of the Legislature. Mr. RUSSELL asked whether Sir George Grey would alter the motion by making the correspondence date from 1860. The Hon. Mr. STAFFORD suggested that the motion should include the names of persons who were recipients of the honor, and all further correspondence on the subject. Sir GEORGE GREY said he had no objection to the amendments, so long as they would not delay the production of the information asked for. The motion, as amended, was put and carried. APPOINTMENTS OP EXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOE PROVINCIAL DISTRICTS. Mr. DE LAUTOUE moved, —That a return of all correspondence relative to the appointment and subsequent acceptance of resignation of the executive officers for the several respective provincial districts throughout the colony, during the last twelve months, be laid before this House. It putting this motion he expressed the fear that the perpetuation of a system which had been now introduced would lead to undesirable results. The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE seconded the motion. The executive officers were simply nominated Superintendents, a fact that appeared to be inconsistent with the expressions of opinion which had fallen from the Government in the discussion on abolition during the previous session, as to the power of delegation. He quoted Mr, Stafford, to show that that gentleman had understood the member in charge of the Abolition Bill to indicate that the Governor should not have the power to vest in his nominee all the powers exercised by Superintendents and Provincial Executive Officers. Section 12 was evidently passed under this understanding, and yet since then such officers had

been appointed, with all those powers. The danger was that in future these nominees might be created, and he was of opinion that the power placed in their hands (which might extend even to the disposition of the 'revenue) would be very dangerous to public interest, while it was certainly inconsistent with the avowed intentions, as expressed by the Government last session, when the Abolition Act was passed. The Hon. Major ATKINSON, in reply to what had been said by the mover and seconder of the motion before the House, in the first place mentioned that the Government would cause to be laid upon the table all the correspondence asked for. In allusion to what had fallen from Mr. Gisborne, he expressed regret that the hon. member should have taken this opportunity to make a lame attack upon the Government; at the same time he thanked the hon. gentleman for the courtesy he had shown in writing to intimate that the attack would be made, so that he (the Premier) should not be taken by surprise. To proceed. The committee perfectly well understood the explanation he gave last session in regard to the appointment of executive officers. What the Government proposed to accomplish by this Act was that the Governor should have power to nominate some persons, in whom should be vested the powers of certain Acts and Ordinances of the General Assembly which could not be performed by the Governor in Council. But there was nothing in that section conferring upon the Governor the power to create nominated Superintendents. However, it would be necessary to delegate certain powers amongst the various functionaries until all the provincial laws had been absorbed into the central system. Mr. DB LAUTOUR having replied, the motion was put and carried. Sir GEORGE GREY moved that the name of Mr. Sheehan be added to the select committee relating to native affairs. The Hon. Major ATKINSON said it was thought far better to leave the name of Mr. Sheehan off the committee, as he was looked upon by the natives as a sort of advocate. Mr. MAO ANDREW testified to the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. Sheehan on the Native Affairs Committee hitherto. Mr. READER WOOD said it was difficult to know upon what principle the Government had selected the names of the various members of the House to attend the duties on committees. So far as he could see it seemed to him that the sole object was to get as many Government supporters on these committees as possible, without any reference whatever to a man’s own idiosyncrasies, or any other consideration, except indeed that one he had mentioned. The hon. gentleman at the head of the Government had told them that Mr. Sheehan was engaged very much with the natives; but he (Mr. Wood) knew nothing about that. Gentlemen of that Assembly were there as the representatives of the people, and were all on one footing, and he should scarcely have thought that the Government were warranted in going into a gentleman’s private concerns. One thing was well known—that Mr. Sheehan took a great interest in native affairs, that he was greatly trusted by the natives, spoke their language perfectly, and had always been on the Native Affairs Committee; but no accusations had ever been brought against him as to partiality. The action of the Government in regard to the appointment of this committee was a slur upon Mr. Sheehan. It was in fact the same as last session, when a sort of dead set was made against Mr. Rees. He thought it was as well to let the Government see that the House was determined that these committees should be fairly chosen, and that the names of members were not to be struck off certain committees simply because those members were in the habit of voting against the Government

Mr. BRYCE considered Mr. Sheehan one of the most useful members of the Native Affairs Committee, his knowledge of the natives having been found of great service. The Hon. D. REID was surprised to hear the hon. member for Parnell say that the only object of the Government was to secure a majority of Government members on these committees; because if the Government secured a majority on every committee, they must have a large majority in the House.

Mr. WOOD corrected the hon. member. What he said was that the Government were evidently anxious to get as many Government members on the committees as possible. The Hon. DONALD REID begged pardon. He had differently understood the remarks. But even if it was as the hon. member said, it made very little difference; for if the Government could not get a majority on the committees (supposing they desired it) there would be no use endeavoring to “get as many as they could.” Looking at the names of the gentlemen appointed on this particular committee, it appeared to him to be an exceedingly fair selection indeed ; and surely if there ever happened to be anything before the committee which Mr. Sheehan by his knowledge of the subject could throw light upon, he would be available presumably to give evidence at any time. The names on the committee appeared to him to have been fairly chosen, and he might add that, in his opinion, it was not always desirable to have on a committee of enquiry gentlemen who thoroughly understood the “ins” and “outs” of the matters brought before them. Personally there was no disrespect to Mr. Sheehan intended.

The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE thought if the Government respected Mr. Sheehan so much they might have left to him the responsibility of saying whether his private affairs interfered with his taking his seat on the committee. Mr. SWANSON thought the qualifications for a seat on a select committee should be a perfect knowledge of the affairs to come before them.

Mr. CURTIS suggested that the matter should be deferred till the arrival of Mr. Sheehan.

Mr. W. WOOD regretted that the House should have been driven to discuss a question of this sort. With regard to what the Minister for Lands had said about the principle which guided the appointment, he remarked that that gentleman did not carry out in practice the theory he propounded. For instance, the names of pastoral tenants had not been excluded from the Waste Lands Committee. Mr. KARAITTANA said the names of the Maori members might as well be excluded from the Native Affairs Committee as that of Mr. Sheehan. Let those (he said sarcastically) who were totally unacquainted with native affairs sit on that committee, and let no more native petitions be presented to the House. Sir GEORGE GREY said his only reason for proposing the motion which had called forth this discussion, was that he firmly believed Mr. Sheehan to be the man best fitted of all the members of that House to occupy a seat on the Native Affairs Committee. He was glad that he had brought forward the motion, because he had elicited from the Government what he had not known before, namely, that the Government had deliberately excluded Mr. Sheehan from the Native Affairs Committee for a reason dishonorable and injurious to himself. He (Sir George Grey) expressed in strong terms his disapproval of such action, and referred to Mr. Sheehan in complimentary terms. The question wr s then put that Mr. Sheehan’s name be added to the Committee on Native Affairs, and was carried on the voices, the Government not calling for a division. A PETITION. Mr. MACANDREW moved, —That the petition of Reid and Gray be referred to a select committr e, consisting of fifteen members. Such committee to consist of Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Bums, Mr, Curtis, Mr. Fisher, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Hon. Mr. Fox, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. J. S. Macfarlano, Hon. Mr. Reid, Hon. Mr. McLean, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Murray, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Reader Wood, and the mover; with power to call for papers and persons, and to report in a fortnight. The motion was allowed to lapse, in order that the mover might make certain enquiries on the subject. KB VENUE AND EXPENDITURE IN PROVINCIAL DISTRICTS. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS moved,—For a return showing the total amount of Consolidated Revenue received in each province or

provincial district, for the years 1874-75 to 1876-1877. Also, the amount expended within each province or provincial district during said periods—lst, out of Consolidated Revenue; 2nd, out of Loan. Such return to specify—(l) The portions which have been expended for general purposes (all others excepting native and defence) j (2) those which have been expended for native and defence purposes; (3) the percentage each such expenditure bears to the revenue derived from each province or provincial district.—Agreed to. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The Hon. Mr. Fox’s name was added to this committee. VOLUNTEER SCRIP. Mr. STEVENS moved,—That it is expedient that the House be informed whether statements to the effect that waste lands in the province of Auckland have been withheld from sale because they would have been taken up by the holders of volunteer scrip, are correct. The Hon. D. REID said that the statements referred to were not correct; but at the request of a number of residents in the Tauranga and Poverty Bay Districts certain blocks of land had been withheld for a short time, so that the selection might be exercised over a wider area. Mr. KELLY complained of the system of land scrip in its entirety, because the land fell into the hands of persons other than those who had risked their lives in the service of the country. Mr. LUSK said if blocks were still being kept back for selection he hoped the Government would at once throw the land open. Mr. MURRAY bore out what Mr. Kelly had stated, and added that men were induced to part with their scrip because it was understood they could not exercise their right except over worthless patches of land. The Hon. Major ATKINSON explained that the Government had not thought itself justified in placing a valuable block of laud at the disposal of speculators, who had bought up scrip at as low a price as Is. 6d. Mr. HAMLIN denied that a large quantity of scrip had fallen into the hands of speculators; but the course followed by the Government was calculated to produce such a result, for many were under the impression that the opportunity for exercising it would be lest to them by reason of the scrip expiring before any land was thrown open. He trusted this wrong impression would be remedied by land being thrown open. Captain MORRIS said if the land referred to in the motion had been thrown open, a large quantity of scrip would have been exercised by speculators, to the detriment of the district. Mr. ROLLESTON thought the Government had no right to interfere to please a small knot of people who wished to keep out free competition, when by so interfering they were violating the rights of people who held the scrip. The Hon. Mr. WHITAKER said there were three classes of land in Auckland—the ordinary waste lands, the confiscated land, and land purchased by the immigration loan. The land referred to in the motion belonged to the last-named class, while the scrip could only apply to the waste lands of the Grown. But during last session an Act was passed enabling the Government to make the last class of land waste lands of the Grown, and the question arose as to whether volunteer scrip should be allowed to he exercised over the land so converted. It was decided in the affirmative, but in this particular case it was resolved not to throw open certain small blocks until a larger area could be thrown open. There had been no intention of withholding the land from the exercise of scrip, and a large portion would be immediately thrown open, so that holders of scrip would be enabled to select land close to where they live. Mr. STEVENS replied, and said he thought the Government should not have interfered, especially as he understood the scrip would be worthless unless exercised before the end of October next. He asked leave to withdraw the motion, being content with the information the discussion had elicited. AD VALOREM DUTIES. Mr. GISBORNE moved,—Eor a comparative return for the last three financial years respectively, showing the Customs receiptsduringeach year, under the several heads of spirits, tobacco, tea, sugar, and ad valorem, showing the increase or decrease under each head for each year, the amounts under ad valorem to be generally classified according to the class of goods charged under that head He thought the return would show the bad operation of the ad valorem system. The return was promised by the Government, and the motion agreed to. THE HINEMOA AND STELLA. , Mr. READER WOOD moved,—(l.) That a return he laid before this House, showing the amount if money paid or agreed to be paid by the Government to any steam shipping company on any account whatever, from Ist July 1876, to 25th July, 1877 ; setting forth in detail the respective services for which payment has been made, and whether the services Were arranged for by public tender or privately. (2.) That a return be laid before this House, showing the cost of the working expenses of the Hinemoa and Stella during the past financial year, together with a detail of the services on which they have beep employed, and the value of the stores now on board each vessel. He remarked that he thought the return would show that though the Government had purchased two steamers there had been an immense amount of money paid to the shipping companies. Also, he believed that the Hinemoa was now full of coal. The Hon. Mr. McLEAN thought it as well the returns should be published, as so many erroneous statements had been made on the subject. The motion was agreed to, GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS. Mr. LUMSDEN moved, —That a return he laid before this House, showing in respect of all railways under the management of the Colonial Government in each provincial district opened for traffic prior to the 30th June last, —(1) the mileage of each railway ; (2) the revenue arising from working same for year, or part of year, ending on the 30th June last ; (3) the working costs in each case for the period named. —Agreed to. WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. The Hon. D. REID moved that the name of Mr. Tesohemaker be added to the Waste Lands Committee.

Mr. DE LAUTOUR objected to any more Canterbury members being placed on the committee. There were now five members. There was Mr. Stafford. (No.) Well, Mr. Harper. (No.) Well, there was a little confusion in the matter. (A laugh.) Sir GEORGE GREY moved an amendment to the effect that the debate be adjourned for a week, in order that the Waste Lands Committee should be reorganised. At present it was not properly constituted, certain parts of the colony not being fairly represented, Canterbury and Auckland especially having quite an inadequate representation on the committee. It was useless to deny that some manipulation had not been exercised in the drawing up of this committee, as there was only one member for Auckland.

Mr. WAKEFIELD supported the amendment, and endorsed what Sir George Grey had said. The Hon. DONALD REID remarked that although Sir George Grey was so very much outraged at what he chose to call a neglect of Auckland, yet when that gentleman was a member of the Waste Lands Committee last session, that committee had never on one single occasion been favored by the hon. gentleman’s presence. Sir ROBERT DOUGLAS said there would be no less discussion on the subject of the waste lands of the colony in the House no matter what the constitution of the committee might be. The amendment was then put and negatived, and the original motion carried. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. The House went into committee, and on the motion of the Hon. Major Atkinson a supply was granted to her Majesty. The resolution was reported to the House, and ordered to be taken into consideration on the morrow. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD AMENDMENT BILL. The second reading of the Now Plymouth

Harbor Board Ordinance, 1875, Amendment Bill was postponed on the motion of the hon. gentleman in charge of it. The House then adjourned.