PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5454, 19 September 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY, ISTH SEPTEMBER. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.ra. Various notices were given and petitions presented. : repobisMr. O'XIOEKK brought up a report, from - the Committee on Bills to the effect that they considered the Napier Swamp Nuisance Bill a private Bill. REGISTRAR GENERAL OF LANDS REPORT. In answer to Mr. Rolleston, The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said the report would be placed before the House at an early date. WESTPORT AND BBEPTON RAILWAY. Hr. HENRY put a question iu regard to a survey and estimate of the cost of tho liue being made. - The Hon. Mr. MACANHREW said a survey would be made during tho recess. He gave a similar reply to a like inquiry by Mr. Gisborne in respect to a line from Hokitika via Haast Pass to the settled districts iu Otago. railway carriages. • Mr. BOWEN asked tho Minister for Public Works,—Whether the Government will take steps to obtain pattern railway carriages from Ameria and elsewhere, with a view of increasing the comfort of tho public without materially adding to tho cost of rolling stock? A good (leal of information had been obtained by Hr. Hector oh the subject, and no doubt was at the disposal of the Government. 1 here could be no doubt the carriages now in use in New Zealand were extremely uncomfortable and inconvenient for travellers. For instance, • he might mention it Jiad been discovered the reason of much of the oscillation was tho distance of the centre of gravity from the centre of attraction. This was being cored by Americans, who constructed the upper parts of the carriages very lightly. There was also great inconvenience to passengers in_ being drawn long journeys, sideways, ,aud now that we were getting long stages on our railway lines perhaps the Government would see tho desirability of making a change in this respect, because it had been found in older countries that increased comfort to travellers led to in* creased tialflc. . * The Hon. Mr. MACANHREW in reply said tho Government would like to improve the class of carriages it the expense was not too great. However, he proposed consulting the Railway Commissioners iu tho two islands on tho subject. » WELLINGTON RECLAIMED LAND. Mr. THOMSON asked the Minister of Hands, —Whether the Government will cause the reclaimed land in Wellington to be surveyed in terms of the Plans of Towns Regulation Act, 1875, aa regards at least tho width of streets ? The question had more than a local bearing, and he thought as the reclaimed land was declared not to he waste land it should be brought under the Act referred to in his question. The Hon- Mr. MACANHREW said the land had been sold to the Corporation, and that arrangement would have to be ratified by the House. The land was being surveyed Into streets, and the plans would be laid on the table of the House, and could then be discussed. SEW BILLS. The Taranaki County Special Loan Bill and New Plymouth High School Bill were introduced and read a first time. ORAKI AND OPBHA RAILWAY. In reply to Mr. Wakefield, the Government promised a survey of this line. A PSECDO RESIDENT MAGISTRATE. Mr. SUTTON asked the Minister of Justice, —(1) Whether he is aware that a person who has not been appointed a Resident Magistrate or Justice oil the Peace is now presiding at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay ? (2) Under what Act has the same person committed a prisoner to Napier gaol, sentenced hy him to imprisonment for four weeks? The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said he had endeavored to get information on the subject, but had not yet succeeded. As soon as he got the information be would lay it before the House. He might mention that a Mr. Williams had been appointed Resident Magistrate for tho purpose of witnessing somo deeds, hut he was expressly instructed that he was not to assume judicial functions. If he had gone beyond his tether so much the worse for him. POSTAGE. The SPEAKER observed that the motion standing in the name of the hon. member for Riverton affected the revenue of the colony, and came under the category of motions which according to Todd should not be brought forward by private members.Dr. HOHGKINSON wanted to know if he was debarred from moving tho motion. The SPEA KEE_ said it would be better if the bon. member would make bis remarks and then ask for leave to withdraw the motion. Hr. HOHGKINSON .said it was_ all very well to quote May, but he did nqt'recognise May as a very great authority. The SPEAKER : Todd. Hr. HOHGKINSON : Nor Todd either for that matter. (A laugh.) He submitted the following motion to the House :—That, in the opinion of this House, the rate of postage for sealed letters should be reduced from twopence to one penny, and for post-cards from one penny to. one halfpenny, for all places within the colony. .. He considered the Government should not endeavor to obtain a revenue from

the Poet Office, as it seemed they were doing at the present time, but so long as the department paid for itself its benefits should be extended as far as possible to the whole community. He begged leave to withdraw the motion. The SPEAKER thought it desirable that the practice of the House of Commons in these matters should be followed. A discussion arose on points of order, which resulted in leave to withdraw the motion being refused. Sir ROBERT DOUGLAS wanted to amend the motion by cutting out the specific amounts, and so enabling the House to discuss the general question. He moved an amendment to that effect. Further discussion ensued on the point as to. whether a private member had the right to bring forward a measure to repeal taxation. — Tbe Speaker seemed inclined to think that if the right did exi-t it rested upon very slight foundation, and should be used sparingly.— Major Atkinsos, Mr. Pike, and other members claimed tbe absolute right, and referred in support of their position to tbe fact that in the House of Commons Bills for the repeal of the com laws had constantly been brought forward by private members and discussed. Mr.WAKEFIELD, speaking to the general question, thought the matter was one which should be left to the Government to consider and determine. The Hon. Hr. BALLANCE understood the House had the pbwer to express any opinion by ffloiiou, but with regard to Bills the consent of tho Government had fust to be obtained. The whole point ought to be settled. The Hon. Mr. FISHER said tho department could nut afford the reduction, especially as there was such a hard-hearted Treasurer to deal with. (A laugh.) The experiment of a reduction in the intercolonial rates had not been such a success as would justify this reduction. Mr. SAUNDERS looked upon the question , as being of social importance, and as having a bearing upon tho education of tho colony. 110 agreed with the arguments of the. mover, and said cheap postage was of great social benefit. Even if there was a loss of revenue, it should be sacrificed to the ulterior objects to be gained ; ,and he took tho same view with rc» . gard to railway administration. It seemed to him that, tho Ministry took too narrow a view of the matter, and he thought the-reduction would bo of more benefit than the proposed redaction in tea. Captain. MORRIS hoped the Government would resist any reduction in revenue till tho - new sources of revenue were tried and found sufficient. Tho Hon. Hr. GISBORNE agreed with the previous speaker. The Hon. Mr. BALLANCE, on behalf of tbe Government, resisted tho motion. There was no reason to suppose the increase of letters would bo 100 per cent, in consequence of a reduction. It was estimated by the department that tho increase would be only 10 per cent., which would result in great loss—a loss which could not be homo by tho department. (Hear, hear.) In a small population like that of Now Zealand there could not be much increase. People who wished to write would do so although tho cost was twopence just ns freely as they would if tho postage were a penny, (Hear, hear.) Dr. HODGKINSON having replied, the motion was negatived on a division by 49 to 12. PMVHECiE, Mr. BARTON rose to a point of privilege, complaining, he had been misreported by the y ew Zealander, and -also misrepresented in that it was reported the Speaker had told him (Mr. Barton) that if ho had been longer in tho House he would not be so ready interrupting. Nothing of the kind was .said, as could

bo seen by the correct report of the New Zealand Times, and it was grossly unfair to him. . „ The SPEAKER said the report was wholly incorrect. : Nothing of the kind was said. Mr. BARTON said ho did not wish to take any further steps. The matter then dropped. ILLICIT STILL CASE AT WANGANUI.

The Hon. Mr. FOX moved,—For-tho production of copies of all papers relating to the late distilling cases at Wanganui, including the proceedings in the Resident Magistrate s Court against McHouougb, Whitlock, Rough, pud Jessop; any petitions received in refer, enco to the sentences ; and all correspondence with tho parries, tbe Resident Magistrate, justices of the peace, or other persons. He explained tho circumstances attending the seizure of the still and tho subsequent cir. cumstances at tho Resident Magistrate’s Court, contending that a gross offence had been clearly proved, and that the penalties inflicted if auy tiling were too light. The friends of the convicts promoted a petition iu the case of Lough, the worst of tho party, who had been sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment, which had been successful. It seemed to him that the Government-had been too clement, because they had reduced the sentence to three months, aud had foregone the confiscation of the business chattels of the men. That was a great slap iu the face for the Resident Magistrate, acd rather hard on the discoverers of the offenders, who were by law entitled to one-half of the penalties and one-half of the proceeds of the confiscated property. Ha wished to be informed how the case really stood.

Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said the evidence was clear that Lough was merely ft servant of two propertied men, and it was unfair to let the servant suffer so severely when the principals got off with a mere penalty. It was considered that it was a fair case to exercise clemency, Tho others had not got off so easily as was thought. Whitlock was now in gaol because he could uot find tho money, aud a petition was in course of signature for his release on the strength of a declaration from McDonough that Whitlock was not a partner, and was merely there by accident. That was another clement of complication in tbe matter. As to the remission of confiscation, it was found that the property belonged to a third party, and was held under bill of sale, aud the Government did not desire to touch the property of innocent persons. Tho papers would be laid on the table. Motion agreed to. GOLD DUTY AS COUNTY BATES. Mr. BAEFF moved that tbe House on Wednesday resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider the following resolution; —That for the purposes of tho Financial Arrangemeuts Act 1876 Amendment Act, 1877, it js desirable that the gold duty be considered as county rates, and subsidised from tbe Consolidated Fund accordingly. The SPEAKER said this motion was more objectionable to his mind than motion No. 1, but - as the House did not object the motion must proceed. The Hon. Mr. BALLANCE said the gold duty was not a Government tax, but a source of revenue to the local bodies, and .these should have an opportunity of saying whether they were prepared to give it up. The hon. gentleman should have brought forward somo plan whereby the loss might be made good. Tbe Government objected to the tax, bat could not interfere with the local body. On behalf of the Government he opposed it. Mr. PYKE.said the hon. member for Hokitika had not wished to discuss the matter till he went into committee. That was understood, and he thought the Government was acting discourteously in dealing with the merits of the case. • Mr. Moss and Mr. McLean spoke in favor of tho question being disposed of at once. Sir GEORGE GREY rose to a point of order. This was a motion for a grant of public money and could not be considered. The SPEAKER said he had given his opininion at the outset that the motion was objectionable and irregular, but he was not prepared to rule it out of order. No doubt such a motion should emanate from the Crown. A discussion on the point of order followed, after which Mr. BARFF replied. He considered ho had been treated very unfairly, and threatened retaliation. If the hon. gentleman arid his colleagues had been true to their pledges, and instead of tinkering with taxation had come down with what the colony wanted, an income tax, boldly, there would have been no necessity to ask how tbe deficit could be made up. He considered he had been’treated with scant courtesy. On a division the motion was negatived by 49 to 16. ROADS NORTH OF AUCKLAND. Sir ROBERT DOUGLAS (on behalf of Mr. Williams) moved, —That there he laid before this House a detailed account of the items on which the sum of £51,068 16s. 4d, has been expended, as shown in a return to the order of the House, dated the 17th August, 1876, showing (1) What is the length of road constructed in each district. (2) How much each road has cost per chain. (3) What has been paid for surveys, engineers, and overseers for each road ; to whom paid ; and how much to each. (4) How much has been paid for native labor, and bow much for European, in the gross, on each road, stated separately. Ho complained that, the returns hitherto given were not correct, and did not give fail information, He hoped the Government would assist him in the matter of getting these returns as early as possible. The motion was agreed to. . POLICE FORCE, MIDDLE ISLAND. Mr. PYKE moved, —That this House will, on Wednesday, tho 25th day of September, resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider of an address to his Excellency, praying that a sum of money may be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for increasing the rate of pay of the police force of the Middle Island of New Zealand, upon the following scale: —Third class constables, 6d. per day ; second and first class constables, Is. per day ; sergeants, Is. 6d. per day ; sergeantmajors, 2s. 6d. per day., He said he did not expect any opposition, because the Government and almost every One knew how tho men had been treated last year, when there was an ineffectual attempt to equalise pay throughout the colony. He spoke in high terms of the police, and deprecated the treatment they had received as unjust. He knew nothing of the pay of the North Island police, but if as good a case could be made out in their favor as he could make out in f avo r of the Middle Island police, ho would have no objection tomako bis motion general ia its application. The police in the Sohth were paid less than ordinary street laborers, and the result had been that the whole force had been demoralised. Men only went into tbe force because they could get nothing else to do, and as soon as they could get somethmg else to do they loft it. Tho amount required to cover the increase suggested would be £SOOO if tho increase was confined to the South, and less than £BOOO if applied to the whole colony. Mr. GREEN seconded. While admitting that the character of tho force had deteriorated of late, - he could not admit that tho force in tho Middle Island had .become demoralised. He quite agreed with the other remarks of the hon. member for Hunstan, The Hou. Mr, SHEEHAN said the best .ease possible had been put. For instance, the laborer received no wages on Sundays and days when he did not work, but tho police (fid, and tho police received quarters, medical attendance, and other advantages. He wont at some length into the question, admitting that as a whole the pay of tho police was,not too large, but objecting to police in one part of the colony being better treated than those in others. The Government was willing to allow tbe question of police pay to be remitted ‘ to tho Gaols Committee, aud ha suggested to the hon. member that he should accept that proposition. ’ Mr. ROLLESTON believed tho force was discontented, and that evil results would follow it tho present state of things wore not remedied. 110 hoped the suggestion of tbe Governmeut would be accepted.. Mr. MUBRAY-AYNSLEY took a similar view, Tho Hou. Mr. FOX said if the question wore referred to tho Gaols Committee tho result this ses.-ion would be nil. That committee had quite enough to last them till tho cud of the session, what with the gaols inquiry and tho inquiry into Mr. Barton’s complaints with reference to the Wellington police. There bad hotter bo a special committee appointed. Mr. STEVENS supported that suggestion. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said tho Government would accept. If the matter wore postponed he would next day more for a special committee. He would give notice of the names of the committee at half-past 7. •Mr. PYKB agreed to this, and tho debate was then adjourned for a week. COLLING WOOD TELIMIIArH, ' Mr. GIBBS moved, —That this House will to-morrow resolve itself into a committee of tho whole to consider of a respectful address to his Excellency the Governor, requesting him to bo pleased to mako tho necossary pro-

vision on the Supplementary Estimates for the extension of the telegraph to Collingwood. Agreed to. PRESS FREE PASSES ON THE RAILWAY.

The Hon. Mr. POX moved,—For the production of all correspondence between Mr. Dungan, Mr. .Vincent Pyke, tho Government, and any other persons, rolaiiag to free passes on railways for members of the Press. The point was of considerable interest, and he had been requested bv some of his constituents to move for tho papers. The motion was agreed to. BLUFF IIABBOH ENDOWMENT BILL. Mr. WOOD moved the second reading of this Bill. The motion was agreed to, the Bill read a second time, and referred to the Waste Bands Committee. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Mr, CURTIS rose amid cheers. He said that before moving'the resolutions standing in his name he wished to remove an impression that existed in the minds of some hon. members of both branches of the Legislature that he was committing a breach of constitutional practice. by bringing forward resolutions of this character. He begged, however, to say that such was not tho case. He simply brought forward resolutions asking the House to pass its opinion ou tho subject; but if he had brought in a Bill providing for the change which he should like to see carried out, then he might have been accused of having commited a breach of constitutional practice. Another impression had got abroad that these resolutions were brought forward in consequence of the recent appointments that had been made to the Legislative Council. He desired most emphatically to deny that the reesnt appointments to that branch of the Legislature had in the least influenced bis action in this matter. (Hear, hear.) It had been his opinion for a considerable time past that a change was necessnry in the constitution of the Legislative Council in the direction indicated by his resolutions, and he thought the present a very favorable opportunity for eliciting an expression of opinion on the subject from the members of the House of Representatives. It might be said that there was no necessity for such a change as ho proposed, but in answer to .this he would point out that a change should be made before any collision could take place between the two branches of the Legislature. ’The fact that no collision had occurred between tho two Houses was no argument why the possibility of collision should not be prevented. In bis opinion nominated Councils were not consistent with representative institutions. So long ns there were nominated Councils, their members could not receive the same amount of respect from the public as if they had been elected, cr at least partly elected, by the' people, nor could their deliberations have any considerable amount'bf influence or weight. If nominated Councils were to continue, then in his opinion nominations to the Legislative Council of New Zealand should rest altogether with the representative of the Crown, instead of being subject to the advice and consent of the Executive Council, If the choice were solely left to tho Crown, men of worth —the very best men—would be appointed, and appointments would ‘not, as at present to so very large an extent, be made solely for political reasons. In three other colonies the members of the Legislative * Council were nominated by the Crown; in two they were elected on a property qualification ; and in two others they were also elected, bub under special conditions. He did not think that in a country like this property should bo be calculated as anything in the election of members-of'■the Legislative Council'. He proposed that vacancies should be filled up by a ballot of the House of Representatives,, and he thought no bettey system could be devised. The House would perceive that provision was made to prevent the continuance of any deadlock between the two Chambers; and by tjie change which he proposed there would be no possibility of tlie Government crowding the Legislative Council with new members in order to prevent any measures being passed which tho House of Keptesentatives wished to see carried. He begged to move the motion standing in his name. Dr. HODGKINSON thought the hon. member deserved the thanks of the House for bringing forward so.very important a subject, and he strongly sympathised with the resolutions. He bad every confidence that iu the course of a lew years th'o Constitution would be so reconstructed that the election of members of the Legislative Council would be placed in the bunds of*the people. For this reason, therefore, ho did not go with the lion, member for Nelson so far as the election of Legislative Councillors by that House was concerned. He was not one of those who desired to lessen the powers of the Legislative Council ; on the contrary, he wished to increase its powers, aud ho 'Considered that the Legislative Council should be an eminently conservative body in the full sense of the term. He considered that the Legislative Council ought to be elective, for the simple reason that unless it was elective the people would not allow it to override the decisions of their representatives. What was wanted,for the Legislative Council were men of mature age and judgment, and he did not think they should be chosen directly by the people themselves by means of local election, but by some such bodies as the Provincial Councils. He was satisfied that this mediate system of election would give the greatest possible satisfaction. He thought also that members of the Legislative Council should be elected for a term of years, to retire by , rotation, in order that there might be an infusion of new blood. Then, as to tho term of years, he thought they could not do better than adopt the American system of electing the Senate—namely, for .six years; one-third retiring at the end of every two years. In this manner the Council would never be dissolved, and it would, In his opinion, bo a stable and conservative body in the broad sense of the term, instead of being, as at present, very much the creature of the Government of the day. He did not wish

to be uncomplimentary to the members of the Legislative Council, but he certainly thought that the sooner their constitution was revised the better, and if the Council were elected after the American system its members would then enjoy the confidence and respect of the people, which it certainly could not be said they now possessed under the nominated system in operation. He believed the time would shortly oomo when they would again have bodies in existence similar to the late Council—(Hear, hear, andlaughter) —and these bodies could elect the Council in a similar way to that by which the Senate of America is elected. The Hon. Mr. STOUT said be would not speak at any length on this question, as there was so much private business on the paper to be disposed of. (Hear, hear.) Ho did not think there was any necessity for such a radical change as was proposed, in the absence of any dissatisfaction at the existing state of things. (Hear, hear.) He was entirely opposed to an elective Upper House, and he believed there could be no greater curse to the country. He begged to move the previous question, because he did not think the subject was ripe for'diocussio.l, and as this was the only private members’ night he thought the House should proceed with the ether business on the paper. Dr. WALLIS said the Hbn. the AttorneyGeneral ought to have considered private busi- ’ ness when the other evening the Government took away the'second night which' was at their disposal during the week. He thought, however, that all tilings considered • the Hon. the Attorney-General had given them, the best advice they could accept. (Hear, hear.) Ho would therefore advise the hon. member for Nelson to withdraw his resolutions, and next session to bring down proposals of a more general and liberal character. Mr. DEICE said ho would suppopt the amendment of the Hon. the Attorney-General. Mr. SAUNDERS advocated the election of members of the Upper House by the whole country instead of election by that House, because in the latter case he believed that the influences of party woiild outweigh all considerations of the suitability of those elected. He agreed with those who had said that the Provincial Councils, os they originally existed, would have been, the best bodies to elect an Upper House, but in their absence ha thought that the members of the Upper House should be elected by the whole country. He thought it would have been better if the hon. member for Nelson had merely asked,the House to affirm that it was desirable a change should take place in the constitution of that branch of tho Legislature, without going so much into details. Sir ROBERT DOUGLAS said that if a fairer and more equal representation of all parts of the colony in tho Upper House was not brought about he should bo reluctantly compelled to vote for tho proposition to ,mako tho Chamber elective. " Tho previous question was then put and agreed to. ■ • Al-AUIMA MVEII. Tho following motion (on which the debate was to have been resumed) was withdrawn: — That this House do resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider of an address to tho Governor, requesting that his Excellency will be pleased to cause to be placed on the 1 Supplementary Estimates the sum of

£?000 for the purpose of, constructing bridges over the Aparlma River at Collie’s Ford, the Yellow Bluff, aud the Upper Ford. MINING COMPANIES' ACT, 187*2, AMENDMENT. This Hill was read a second time. MILFORD HARBOR BOARD BILL.^ The Bill was further considered in committee, reported to the House with amendments, read a third time, and passed. NELSON CITY NUISANCES ABATEMENT BILLOn the motion of Mr. Richmond this Bill was read a second time aud referred to the Joint Commit'ee on Private Bills. PATOMAHOE HALL AND SITE TRUSTEES' BILL. This BUI was read a second time. LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD ACT, 1876, AMENDMENT BILL. The Bill was then read a first time on the motion of tho Hon. Mr. Richardson, and ordered to be read a second time on Wednesday next. INVERCARGILL WATERWORKS LOAN BILL. On the motion of Mr. Feldwick this Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed on Wednesday next. WYNDHAM RECREATION RESERVE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Tbis Bill was passed through committee, reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. TRIENNIAL PARLIAMENTS.’ The debate on the motion for tbe second reading of this Bill was resumed. There were loud cries of “ question.” After some remarks from Messrs. McLean, Fox, Bastings, Barff, and Stou% The Hon. Major ATKINSON referred to the Hou. Mr. Stout's statement that he disagreed entirely with what was said by*the honorable member for Wanganui, to the effect that so far as a dissolution was concerned the Governor of this colony iu relation to the House stood in a different position to the Queen iu relation to the House of Commons. After the snatched division of last year, which kept the present Government in power—[Mr, Stout —“Oh, Oh.] —Well, then, he would say by the casting vote of the Speaker—the Governor was bound in the interests of this colony and of the House to refuse a dissolution, the Government asking it had a majority. They had not that majority. There was full power iu the members of the Government themselves to obtain a dissolution. Had they really possessed the confidence of the House, they could have got a dissolution by resigning, because with a majority against them no other Government could have kept in. But as the Government' had not a majority in the House the Governor very rightly refused to grant a dissolution. The Hon Mr. SHEEHAN maintained that last year • the present Government led the House, and were leading the House now, and what further proof was necessary that they had a majority with them ? [The hon. member was reminded by the Speaker that he was out of order, having spoken on the question before.] After some further discussion tbe second reading of tbe Bill was negatived by 2i to 18. The following is the division list:— Ayes, IS. Baigent Grey . Sheehan Bastings Hamlin Stout Dignan Macfarlane Swanson Feldwick Montgomery Tolo Fisher Moss 'Wallis George O’Rorke Wood Noks, 24. Atkinson IXursthouse * Seymour Barton Kelly Sutton Bowen • McLean • Teschemaker Brandon Moorhouse Thomson Brown, J, C. Morris Turnbull Fox Pyke Wakefield Gibbs Richmond Whitaker Henry Howe Woolcock. ‘ BILLS. Tho Wyndham Cemetery Bill was passed through committee without amendments, and , was read a third time, and passed. The Bluff Harbcr.Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Mount Ida Water-race Trust Bill was also read a second time. Tbe Inch Clutha Island Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed tbis day week. The following orders of the day, inclusive, were discharged from the Order Paper:— Gatlin’s River Harbor Endowment Bill, Wangarei Harbor Endowment Bill, Gisborne Hnrbor Endowment Bill, Hick’s Bay Harbor . Endowment Bill, Opotiki Harbor Endowment Bill, Matata Harbor Endowment Bill, Whakatune Harbor Endowment Bill, Katikafci Harbor Endowment Bill. The Wellington Hospital Sale Bill was postponed for a week. The Patea Harbor Endowment Bill was read a second time. The Onehunga Grammar School Bill was postponed for a week. The debate on the question of surveys was postponed fora fortnight. The South Dunedin Reserves Bill was referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The Bluff Harbor Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee and read a third time. The Mataura Reserves Bill was passed through committee without amendment and read a third time. The Mount Ida Water-race Trust Bill was passed through committee and read a third time. The House adjourned at 12.45 a.m.