PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5203, 24 November 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, November 23. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. RAILWAY ACROSS THE MIDDLE ISLAND. Mr. WOOLCOCK asked the Minister for Public Works,—lf he will inform this House what steps are being taken to complete the survey of the railway to connect the East and West Coast of the Middle Island, and if the same will be proceeded with during the recess ! The Hon, Mr. SHEEHAN replied that the surveys were being carried on now, and would be continued till they were completed. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. Mr. STEVENS asked the Colonial Treasurer, —WhethertheGovernment will restore to municipalities the excess of cost of hospitals and charitable aid expenditure beyond the sums properly chargeable ? Sir GEORGE GRE\ stated that in some cases over-payments had been made, and it was intended to deduct the amounts in excess. In other cases too little had been paid, and it was intended to make up the amount. The two nearly balanced each other. The whole arrangement of these matters was now under consideration, EDUCATION BILL. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN moved,—That the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Education Bill be agreed to, with the exception of the striking out of the appropriation clause in the Bill, and also tlie clause inserted by the Council providing that the schools should be opened with prayer. After a long discussion, the motion was agreed to, and Messrs. Sheehan, Bowen, and Montgomery were appointed managers to draw up reasons for disagreeing with the amendments of the Legislative Council. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. The House went into committee of supply on the Estimates, and the following items were agreed to without alteration ;—Public departments, £105,11-1 ; law and justice, £187,535 ; postal and telegraphic, £230,910 ; Customs, £76,711 ; education, £135,000 ; Native Department, £32,463 ; militia and volunteers, £31,522 ; constabulary, £138,625. Progress was reported, .and the House adjourned at 1.40.