PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5709, 17 July 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, July 16. The Hod, the Speakee took the chair at halfpast 2 o’clock. ‘ PETITION. The Hon. Dr, GRACE presented a petition from Bishop Moran and nineteen Catholic delegates at Dunedin, praying for an alteration in the education law, to remove disabilities suffered from by the Catholic community. THE DECLAIMED LAND. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE moved,— That there be laid on the table a return of the names of persona who having bought reclaimed land at the late sale failed to pay the deposit required by the conditions of sale. The mover said there had been, just after the sale, a general wish by purchasers to get out of their bargains, and it was -stated that some buyers had been favored by being allowed to delay their payments. In moving his motion he waa actuated by no hostile spirit, but merely wished to obtain the information. Motion carried. NOTICES. The Hon. Dr. Pollen gave notice that oh next sitting day he would move that the official report of the late meeting between Ministers and natives at Waikato be laid on the table.—The Hon. Sir F. D. Bell notified that he would next day ask the Colonial Secretary what steps the Government have taken to carry out a resolution of the Council to prepare a return of all lands set apart as education reserves throughout the colony.—The Hon. Mr. Hall gave notice to move that all correspondence relating to the appointment of tbe Speaker of the Council be laid on the table. —The Hon. Colonel WhitMoeb gave notice to introduce Bills for the cure and control of drunkards) and for the administration of the estates of deceased intestates. VIGILANCE COMMITTEES. The Hon. Mr. SCOTLAND asked the Hon. the Colonial Secretary,—Whether the Government has recommended or in any way sanctioned the formation of Vigilance Committees in Taranaki ; if not, whether it is the intention of the Government to permit the existence of that American institution in the cojony. - The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said the Government had never recommended the formation of Vigilance Committees. He regretted his hon. friend had nol added some explanatory remarks to his motion, as he was in doubt what was meant. The Government had no official cognizance of the existence of Vigilance Committees ; they had no power to prohibit any organisation except for improper purposes. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. ; The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE, before moving the motion of which He had given notice, that the Hon. Captain Baillie bo appointed Chairman of Committees, read a letter from the Hon. Major Richmond, decling reappointment. He (Colonel Whitmore) had received this notification with extreme regret, and had tried, as other hon. members had done, to induce Major Richmond to alter his decision. He bora a very high tribute of praise to the manner in which the late Chairman had fulfilled his duties for many years, and hoped some member would move a motion, which he would be glad to second, expressing the thanks of the Council to Major Richmond. He thought the Hon. Captain Baillie would be acceptable to the great majority of the Council, and he therefore moved his appointment. The Hon. Mr. WILSON seconded. Motion carried. The Hon. Captain BAILLIE thanked the Council for this expression of its confidence in him. He would endeavor to carry out the duries of the office to the best of his ability, and had no doubt of receiving the support of the Council. , VOTE OP THANKS. The Hon. Mr. HALL obtained leave to move without notice, —That this Coun cii, on the occasion of the retirement of the Hon. Major Eichmond from the Chairmanship of Committees, desires to record its high appreciation of the dignified and courteous manner in which he for many years carried out the duties of his office, and the Council records its cordial thanks to him for the valuable services he has rendered. He (Mr. Hall) greatly regretted having to move this motion. Major Richmond was, with one exception, the oldest member of the Council, and was deeply bound up with its history. He was sure that not a single member of the Council would disagree with him that their loss was a very great one, for the late Chairman was a most painstaking, courteous, and estimable gentleman. ■

The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE seconded the motion. The. Hon. Sir Dillon Bell, Mr. Waterhouse, and Dr. Grace supported the motion, expressing the highest admiration and respect for the excellent manner in which the late Chairman had fulfilled the duties of his office, and of his estimable character as a Councillor and a gentleman. The motion was carried. HOUSE COMMITTEE. The Hon. Captain BAILLIE moved that the usual House Committee be appointed, to consist of the Hon. the Speaker, Colonel Brett, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Mantell, Mr. Reynolds, and the mover. The Hon. Dr. MENZTES moved that the committee consist of ten members, to be elected by ballot. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE hoped there would be some reform in various matters connected with the House Committee’s duties in future ; for instance, some hon. members had gone away without paying their accounts for refreshments, &c., for which the House Committee were responsible. If that should occur again the amount should be deducted from hon. members’ honoraria. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE would not oppose the appointment of the committee by ballot, but saw ho necessity for it. The Hon. Mr. ROBINSON thought if the House Committee allowed arrears to accumulate they were to blame, and there should be a reconstitution of the committee. There were several matters that, required immediate remedying, for instance, the draughts in that Chamber. The Hon. Captain BAILLIE was glad the Hon, Mr. Waterhouse had drawn attention to the fact that hon. members were dilatory in settling their accounts. There were after every session several hundred pounds of arrears which were" often not cleared off for many months afterwards. For instance, there was £3 4 due by the Ball Committee of last year for wines. The Hon. Colonel' BRETT thought there was some misapprehension as to the amount overdue. He thought a good deal of the debt was contracted after the session closed. He believed wine was taken from the cellars after the prorogation.' He would himself be answerable for the debt of the Ball Committee. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE could assure Colonel Brett he was mistaken. The debts were incurred during the session. The Hon. Mr. HALL thought Mr. Waterhouse deserved credit for bringing this unpleasant matter under notice. The Council would be astonished to find the loose manner in which many hon. members treated their pecuniary obligations in connection with Bellamy’s. He would mention no names, hut it was highly desirable that the practice should be stopped. The motion for appointment by ballot was carried, and the followiog members wore declared elected :—The Hon. the Speaker. Messrs. Mantell, Menzies, Brett, Waterhouse, Fraser, Baillie, Robinson, Hail, and Wilson. PEIIIIOSS COMMITTEE. The Hon. Colonel BRETT moved,—That a select committee be appointed, to whom shall be referred all public petitions 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 Hons. Captain Fraser, Mr. Mantell, Mr. G. Buckley, Mr. G. R. Johnson, Mr. Scotland, Mr. Robinson, and the mover.—Carried. The Council adjourned at 4.30 p.m. .HO USE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, July 16. The Fpbakeb took the chair at half-past two o’clock.' PETITIONS, NOTICES OP MOTION, ETC. ■ Several petitions and notices of motion were tabled.. . . TBEASUET BILES. • - Mr. JOHNSTON asked the Colonial Treasurer, —What is the amount of the Treasury hills issued during the last financial year; when they fall due; and under what authority they have been made payable in London at the office of the Crown Agents ? Also whether any deficiency hills were issued during the last financial year, and if so, to what amount? In reply, Sir Geobge Gket went into details. In answer to the last of the series of questions be stated that the amount of Treasury bills outstanding now was £442,000. This liability had not been increased during the year. Deficiency bills to the amount of £184,000, which had been issned during the year, had been redeemed.

DEAP METES. The question of which Mr. Eolleston had given notice on this subject was postponed until to-day or to-morrow. GRANTS OP LAND TO THE DEFENCE POME. The question of which Mr. Hamlin had given notice on this subject was postponed until Friday next. ROAD PROM MDNOAROA TO WAIKANAE. Mr. H. JACKSON asked the Minister for Public Works,—Whether, if not already provided, the Government intend placing a sum *f)f £12,000 on the Estimates for the purpose of completing the main road line from Mungaroa to Waikanae, on a partial formation of which a large sum of money has been already expended by the late Provincial Government of Wellington prior to the date of abolition of provinces ? The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW was understood to say that £3OOO had been voted for the purpose last year, and that it had all been spent. It was proposed to put the same sum on the Estimates this year. By that time there would be a quantity of Crown land open for settlementDRAINAGE BILL. Mr. MURRAY asked the Premier,—When the Drainage Bill, promised by the Government last session to be distributed before the meeting of Parliament, will be introduced ? The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW was understood to say that it was not intended to bring forward such a Bill at the present time. THE SYDNEY EXHIBITION. Mr. MURRAY asked the Premier,—lf, in view of the Sydney Exhibition, Government will make arrangements for the issue of travellers* and excursion tickets available for the Government railways of the colony ? The speaker referred to the great advantage that would accrue to the colony wore some such system as that to which his motion referred put into force. ' Sir GEORGE GREY said if the necessity for such a system arose on the railways of the colony, he and his colleagues would hold a meeting to discuss the question, and do the best they could to meet the requirements. (Hear, hear.) NEW BILLS. Leave was given to introduce the following Bills—most of them were read a first time, ■ and the second reading made an order of the ; day for a future sitting : —A Bill to vest the ■ Auckland Provincial Council Library and the Auckland Mechanics’ Institute in the Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of the city of Auckland (Mr. Whitaker) ; a Bill to make provision for the Representation of the People in the General Assembly (Sir G. Grey) ; a Bill to suspend Plurality oif, Voting in certain cases (Sir G. Grey) ; a Bill to authorise the Borrowing and Raising of Money for Immigration and Construction ,of Public Works, in committee (Sir G. Grey); a Bill to amend the Resident Magistrates’ Courts Act (Mr. Curtis) ; the Local Option Bill (Mr. Feldwick) ; the New River Pilot Station Reserves Bill (Mr. Feldwick) ; the Bluff Harbor Foreshore Endowment Bill (Mr. Feldwick); the Waiuku Recreation Reserves Bill (Mr. Hamlin) ; the ‘Native Grants in Trust Bill (Hon. Mr. Sheehan) ; the Native Land Duties Act Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr. Sheehan) ; the Taonui Ahuoturanga Land Bill (Hon. Mr. Sheehan) ; the Bribery Bill (Hon. Mr. Sheehan); a Bill to amend the Law relating to Electors qualified to Vote at Elections of tlmMembers of the House of Representatives, and to make provision for the Regulation and Conduct of such Elections (Hon. Mr. Sheehan). ■ .The' following Bills were withdrawn from the notice paper : —The Invercargill Waterworks Reserves Bill (Mr. Feldwick), and the Police Pensions Bill (the Hon. Mr, Sheehan). APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN OP COMMITTEES.

Sir WILLIAM FOX moved the first motion of the session, viz., —That Mr. Seymour be appointed Chairman of Committees of the whole House.,* He said, in rising to propose this resolution he wished to offer one or two words of explanation to the House. The practice in reference to the election of Chairman of Committees was that he should be nominated while the House was in of Supply and Ways and Means the first time it sits, and he then became ex-officio Chairman of Committees of the whole House. It was usual for a member of the Government to.propose such Chairmen of Committees, and then if there was no opposition the House resumed. In 1851 a resolution was passed in that Assembly that the Chairman of Committees should be proposed by the Government. On that occasion there were two candidates, and the matter went to the decision of the House. A resolution such as that to which he had referred was not a standing order, and the House if it thought proper, could ignore it. (Hear, hear.) In reference to the case iu point, he thought the Government would have taken the initiative and proposed their candidate ; but they had not done so, and it had been intimated to him (the speaker) that the Government were prepared to acquiesce in the motion which he had now brought forward. He therefore stood in the somewhat unusual position of having, as the leader of the Opposition, to propose a gentleman to bo Chairman of Committees in that House. And to propose that gentleman was a particularly grateful task to him in one respect. He had sat in that House with Mr. Seymour for many years, and had known him a very long time in connection with the Parliament of New Zealand. He had had considerable experience not only in this, but also in another branch of the Legislature. He had been connected with both branches on several occasions as Chairman of Committees. He had always taken an active part in the business of the House, and he (the mover) had reason to believe that no member of that House was better acquainted with Parliamentary proceedings and the constitutional rights of that House than Mr. Seymour. (Applause.) They had had experience of him, and they knew that he was not only a most courteous Chairman of Committees, but that he was also possessed of sufficient firmness to enforce his decisions, and he was certain no member could be proposed who would bo so generally acceptable to the large majority of the House as Mr. Seymour, and he had therefore very great pleasure iu moving the motion standing in his name. (Loud Sir GEORGE GREY said he had the honor to second the nomination of Mr. Seymour, and he did so with- the perfect assurance that that gentleman would do honor to the position to which it was proposed to elect him. (Applause.) He felt confident that he merited the post, • and was satisfied that he had a large circle of friends within the House. The appointment would be a source of gratification to those friends and to the House generally. He had therefore very great pleasure in seconding the motion that Mr, Seymour be Chairman of Committees for the whole House. (Loud applause.) The motion was then put and agreed to unanimously, amid loud applause. • Mr. SEYMOUR rose to return his thanks for the honor conferred upon him. He wished with the permission of the House to offer them his sincere thanks, and also to thank his proposer and seconder for the.very handsome way in which they had been good enough t» speak of him. As they might remember he had held the office on previous occasions, but on the last occasion he had had to resign through proceeding to England. If he should happen to be a little rusty at first he must crave their indulgence. He should endeavor to do his duty, and should try and combine firmness and determination with courtesy and impartiality. (Applause.) SUSPENSION OP STANDING ORDERS. Sir GEORGE GREY moved, —That such of the standing orders as refer to the setting up of the Committee of Supply be suspended, in order to the House forthwith resolving itself into the Committees of Supply and Ways' and Means, with the view to passing an Imprest Supply Bill. The Premier desired before this question was gone into to obtain the leave of the House that, the debate on the Address in Reply should take place that evening instead of on Friday. He would briefly explain his reason for this. It was of the utmost importance that the Loan Bill should be despatched Home so as to reach England by September, as it would suffer it it was October before it reached the old country. The Government wished to, send to its agents in London intimation of the fact that they intended to make arrangements for floating a new loan. He hoped the Haase would therefore allow the Address in Reply to be debated that evening instead of on Friday next, as had been originally intended. The SPEAKER said it was not usual to take the business iu this way, but by the full consent of the House it could be done. Sir WILLIAM FOX said the privilege asked for by the Government was a very unusual one. ;Tbe Opposition came prepared to throw no impediment in the way of the Government, but they had beard nothing which would cause them to acquiesce iu such a suggestion as that thrown out by the Hon. the Premier. His own opinion was that to agree to the motion of the bon. gentleman would be to apt very precipitately. (Hear, bear.) It the bon. member at the head of the Government would give the House ; some i(laa of the intense pressure that was necessary to be brought upon this matter then

the case might be different, but at present they had absolutely nothing before them, and the Opposition could not see the utility of this emergency. He had looked into the matter, and could not find that such a thing had ever been done before, and unless some very strong reasons were given he for his part would certainly vote against such a resolution. The Government could not have been taken by surprise by these questions,of money. The liabilities and necessuie could not fall upon them in a single Thi f Opposition were entirely and utterly in tbe dark. The quarterly statement of accounts had not yet been gazetted, or it might perhaps have shown a necessity, or at least a justification for the steps that were now being taken by the Government in asking the House to at once acquiesce in such an extraordinary resolution. (Hear, hear.) The Opposition was not going to throw any impediment in tho way of the Government, if it was proved to them that it was necessary that such a course should be adopted. With regard to taking the Address that evening, he for one should decline to accede to it. It would be most unfair to pres.H on a discussion on the Governor’s Speech in such a way, (Hear, hear.) He trusted the hon, member would see his way to give a fuller explanation of his reasons for bringing forward such a resolution. (Hear, hear.)j Major ATKINSON was of opinion that there was no question to put to the House. The proposition could not be agreed to without the full consent of the House, and there was already one dissentient in Sir William Fox. He should very much like if it were possible that the Premier should make a clean breast of it, and tell them the full reasons that had led him to bring forward such a proposition. When in Opposition Sir George Grey had always set his' face against money matters of any kind being rushed through the House. He would, therefore, ask him now to give them a statement of their real position.; Sir GEORGE GREY said the House had affirmed by Act that certain public works should be done. He had already told the House that tbe only reason for any hurry was that ■it was a season of the year at which it might bo difficult to raise a loan unless the thing were pushed forward. Therefore : the House itself must decide whether it would run the risk of raising, this money ! before next year. If they did not, then some delay must take place in the public works. If, however, they placed their loan upon the market by September, the case would be different. Such an imprest supply as that referred to in tho motion had always been asked for, and granted, in order that the Government might carry on the business of the country prior to the Estimates being brought down. The Premier then proceeded to explain the procedure at Home in connection with the Address in Reply. He had been asked to make a clean breast of it, but he had none to make. He had briefly now explained his reasons, and he hoped the leader of the Opposition would allow the debate on the Address to be taken at halfpast 7 o’clock that evening. The motion was then put. There being several dissentients, it was lost, and the matter dropped. GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING. The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW moved,— That a select committee, consisting of eleven members, be appointed to consider and report as to the principle which shall regulate the distribution of Government advertisements among the various newspapers throughout 1 the colony ; the Committee to consist of loir W. Fox, Messrs. Feldwick, Stevens, Ballance, Wakefield, Moss, Gotten, McLean, Joyce, Captain Kenny, and the mover ; five to be a quorum ; to report in three weeks. The mover said he was perfectly prepared to agree with whatever would meet the case, but to put their advertisements in every paper in the colony was what some people wanted, and he did not think they were prepared to go that length. He found it was not an unusual course for Governments to give their advertisements only to Government journals. He should like to have an expression of opinion from the House. He would be very glad to abide by such opinion as he had no feeling in the matter. Mr. MoLEAN said this was a case “When the devil was sick the devil a saint would be—when the devil was well the devil a saint was he.” (Loud laughter.) Last year Mr. Maoandrew was perfectly well, but now he was sick and in fear of falling off the Government benches. (Laughter.) The Government mow asked the House to take a responsibility which clearly belonged to them- ‘ selves. Had the Government adopted the course of their predecessors they would have had no difficulty. That course was to advertise for tenders, and accept the lowest. The late Government did even more than that—they referred the tenders to the Government Printer, and abided by his decision as to which was really the lowest. He for one was not prepared to vote for the question, and in order to give the House an opportunity of thinking over the matter, he should , move the adjournment of the House. There could be no doubt that for tho last year certain journals had not criticised the actions of the Government, simply because it they had done so the advertisements would have been withdrawn. (Oh, oh.) This was a style of gagging the Press that ought not to be tolerated in-this country. (Applause.) Mr. JOYCE seconded the amendment, and said he would remind the House that in many of the towns there was •no : Opposition paper, and even where there were two journals, it was often a question of arrangement between them. His own opinion : was that the matter ought not to go to a committee at all, but should be remitted to the House. He would therefore ask that his name might be removed from the committee. The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW had no objection to the adjournment. With regard to the remarks of Mr. McLean, some of them must have been in reference to the Provincial Government Gazettes. The amendment was carried, and the debate adjourned for a week. COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS, ETC. The Hon. Mr. MACANDREW moved, — That a select committee, to consist of eighteen members, be appointed to consider all petitions which shall be referred to a committee of selection, with the exception of such as complain of undue returns or refer to private Bills, and that such committee do classify and prepare abstracts of the same, in such form and manner as shall appear to them best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and that such committee have power to report their opinions and observations thereupon to this House; the committee to have power to call for persons and papers ; five to be a quorum ; such committee to consist of Messrs Baigenf, Bowen, Gibbs, Goldie, Green, Harsthouse, Jackson, Joyce, Kelly, Murray, Oliver, Richardson, Shrimski, Swanson, Tole, Turnbull, Wallis, and tbe mover, Mr. WHITAKER moved that the matter he adjourned until the next day (to-day). After .some discussion the original motion was agreed to. DIRECT STEAM SERVICE TO GREAT BRITAIN.

The Hou. Mr. MAGANOR K W to move, — That a Select Committee of thirteen members bo appointed to consider and report as to the best means of establishing a direct Steam Passenger and Mail Service between New Zealand and the Mother Country ; said committee to consist of Sir W. Fox, Captain Kenny, Captain Russell, Messrs. Montgomery, Whitaker, Cutten, Moorhouse, McLean, Ballanee, Swanson, Carrington, Reeves, and the mover. Report to.be brought up in fourteen day. Five to be a quorum. In speaking to this resolution Mr. Macandrew said when the question of this service, was first mooted the,. idea was . very favorably entertained throughout the colony, but lately cold water had been thrown on it, and it was said it was an attempt to aggrandise Otago. Of course no good thing could come out of Otago. It had been said too that even if they could get in the harbor they could not get out of it again. He trusted the House would agree to report the matter to the committee. He did not know anything that was more calculated to send the o«hmy ahead than such a service. It might by-aud-by be a weekly or even a daily service. (Laughter.)

Mr. E. WAKEFIELD was of opinion that the question at issue was one for the Executive and not for the House to deal with. Mr. Macandrew did not seem to bear in mind that the House had dealt with this matter last year when he (the Minister of Public Works) had withdrawn his resolution. But in the face of the. action of the House he had, during the recess, put the country to a very large expense by bringing out the s.s. Stad Haarlem. A select committee could not arrive at a better decision than the Cabinet, and until he knew something more about the subject he should not be prepared to support such a motion. He would not, however, oppose it at present, but 'would move that the debate should be adjourned. - Mr. BEES hoped the amendment would not be carried, and said that with regard to' the Stad Haarlem., it was merely an experiment, and was carried put under very disadvantageous circumstances. As to the benefits' of such a service there could

be no two opinions, for one of the chief advantages it would have would be to bring population to our shores as it ..s required. Ie trusted the original motion would be carried without opposition, and he would ask that the amount should be withdrawn. The Hon Mr. MAC ANDREW would like to put the hon. member for. Geraldine right. Che New Zealand Shipping Company brought out the Stad Haarlem, and, to bis knowledge, -.he Government had not been consulted on the natter at all. (Oh, oh.) He hoped the ;e---->ate would not be adjourned. It looked too nuch like shelving the question. Mr. GEORGE MoLEAN said the Government had pressed on the company to bring ■ rat the Stid Haarlem, and had paid 30s. each more for the immigrants than need have been the case. Besides which, thetime was very.inoppcrtune, for they brought them out at the very worst period of the year when they could not get work. If the motion was to be passed he should ask to have his name withdrawn from the committee. The San Francisco service was a great burden to the country, and if they wanted to start a fresh service they must first get rid of the one existing. Referring to the Stad Haarlem, the speaker stated that the reason that vessel could not get into Port Chalmers was because there was an unusually heavy sea on at the time. He was sorry that ihe other parts of the colony had rejoiced at ’.he vessel being unable to cross the bar. (No, no.) They might say “no, no,” but it was a foot. If the motion was pressed be should oppose it. Mr. WOODCOCK did not think the Government were being fairly treated in this matter, and he should therefore vote for the motion.

Mr. ROLLESTON hoped the debate would be postponed. There could be no doubt that this question was connected with that of immigration, which must be very shortly taken up. Any one who had read the papers laid on the table on the day before must have become impressed with the conviction that there had been considerable mismanagement in immigration affairs during the recess. (The speaker here read extracts from the papers referred to,) Ho could not conceive such maladminstration. With regard to the Stad Haarlem, the whole question would have to com* before the House at a future time, and it would therefore be very undesirable to bring it forward now. The Minister of Public Works admitted that there had been communications from the Government on the subject of the Stad Haarlem, and it was evident from the papers that had been printed that negotiations had been going oh in reference to that vessel and the passengers she was to bx'ing out. He did not think it fair to take the House by surprise in this way, and he should therefore vote for the adjournment. The Hon.. Mr. GISBORNE would remind the House that it was not bound by the action of a select committee, and be should therefore vote for its appointment. It was a very large question, one conducive to the interest of New Zealand, and one which might with great advantage be considered by a select committee. He therefore hoped the amendment would not be pressed. , Mr. A. SAUNDERS considered that the service in question would of the greatest luxuries, if not one of the greatest pieces of extravagance of which they could be guilty, and he certainly should oppose the motion. On the amendment being put, the Speaker declared the ayes to have it. A division was called for and resulted as follows ;■— ,

, . Ayes, 38. Adams Henry Russell Atkinson Hunter Saunders Baigent Hursthousa , Seymour Barff Johnston Sheehan Beetham Maofarlane, tel. Stevens Bowen McLean Studholme Bryce Morris Sutton Curtis Murray-Aynaley Tawiti Douglas Oliver Wakefield, teller I‘itzroy Ormond ‘ Whitaker Pox • Richardson Williams Gibbs Richmond Woolcook Hart Rolleston Noes, 28. ' Baliance Grey <r Nahe Barton Hamlin Rees, teller Brown, J. C. Jackson Reeves Carrington Joyce Shanks DeLautour Macandrew Shrimskl Feldwick Manders Swanson , Fisher McMinn Thomson George Montg mery Too Gisborne Moss, teLer Wallis Goldie

LIBRARY COMMITTEE." The Hon. Mr. GIS3ORNE moved,—That a Library Committee, to consist of sixteen members, be appointed, with power to confer with any similar committee appointed by the Legislative Council j. three to form a quorum. The Committee to consist of the Speaker, Sir W. Fox, Sir Geo. Grey, Messrs. Barff, Barton, Bowen, Bunny, Cutten, Montgomery, Moorhouse, Rees, Rolleston, Sheehan, Swanson, Tole, and the mover.

After a few remarks from Mr. Manders on the subject of talking in the library, The motion was agreed to. PRINTING AND REPORTING COMMITTEE.

The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE moved, —That a select committee consisting of fifteen members be appointed, to assist the Speaker in all matters which relate to the reporting of debates, audio the'printing executed by order of this House, and for the purpose of selecting aud arranging for printing returns and papers presented in pursuance of motions made by members of this House; three to be a quorum. The committee to consist of the Speaker, Messrs. Baliance, Bowen, J. O. Brown, De Lautour, •Feldwick, Hart, Joyce, Moss, Oliver, Stevens, Studholme, Wakefield, Wallis, and the mover. The motion was agreed to. GOLDFIELDS COMMITTEE.

The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE moved, —That a select committee be appointed, to consist of sixteen members, to consider all Bills and Petitions that may be introduced into this House affecting goldfields, and to report generally upon the principles and provisions which any such Bills or petitions may contain, with power to confer or sit together with any similar committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and to make a separate report ; five to be a quorum. Such committee to consist of Messrs. Barfif, Bastings, J. C. Brown, Curtis, De Lautour, George, Gibbs, Henry, Joyce, Manders, Pyke, Reeves, Rowe, Woolcock, Sir Robert Douglas, and the mover.— The motion was agreed to. JOINT COMFORT COMMITTEE, The Hon. Mr. PIS HER moved, —That a select committee, to consist of seventeen members, be appointed, with power to confer with any similar committee appointed by the Legislative Council, to provide for the comfort and convenience of members of both'Houses; three to be a quorum. The committee to consist of Mr. Speaker, Sir Robert .Douglas, Captain Russell, Messrs; Bard, Bastings, J. 0. Brown, Bunny, Driver, George, Peldwick, Johnston, ; Montgomery,Pyke,Rolleston, Seymour, Oliver, and the mover.—The motion was agreed to. ' ELECTORAL BOLL. Mr. WOODCOCK moved,—-That, in the . opinion of this House, the Government should at once, or with the least possible delay, take the necessary steps to remedy the defects in the present electoral roll for the election of members of the House of Representatives. - In moving this resolution, the speaker said he had been induccd to do so through the very imperfect condition of the electoral rolls of the colony. In parts of the colony the local governing bodies had greatly neglected their duty with regard to the Electoral Act of 1875, and such neglect had disfranchised a large number of ratepayers who ought to take a part in the government of the country —many of them the very best of their settlers, who were disfranchised through no fault of their own. Some action, and immediate action, was required to do away with the present great evil. - .

Dr. HEN'RY seconded the motion, and said an improvement in the present state of things was greatly required. Sir GEORGE GREY stated that the Government intended to bring up a Bill on the subject. Mr. BARFF stated that no less than 708 names had been struck off the electoral roll in one district through the reasons which had been referred to. In his opinion due publicity was not given of the intention to strike names off the rolls. As the Government had a notice on the paper on the subject he should not now go fully into the matter. , The whole of the electoral laws were in a very imperfect condition, and greatly needed amendment. When the time came he should be prepared to speak at greater length on the subject. The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE agreed with Mr. Woolcook that a question of such importance to the country generally ought not to be made a party one. He quite agreed in the necessity which existed for reform. The motion was then put a nd agreed to. PETITIONS COMMITTEE.

The Hon. Mr. THOMSON moved,—That a select committee be appointed, to which shall bo referred, in the first instance, all petitions presented to this House, in order to ascertain whether such petitions are in compliance with standing orders, and to classify the same for distribution amongst the several committees of the House, according to the nature of the contents of such petitions ; three to be a quorum. The committee to consist of Sir Robert Douglas, Messrs. Barff, Cutten, Goldie,

Hodgkinson, Johnston,.Mess, Reeves, Tawiti, and the mover. The motion was agreed to. WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE.

The Hon. Mr. THOMSON moved,—That a select comraitt-e be appointed to consider all Bills and petitions that may be introduced into this House affecting the waste lands of the Crown, and to report generally upon the principles and provi.-ions which they contain ; with p iwer to confer or sit together with any similar committee which may he appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or separate report. Such committee to consist of twenty members; five to be a quorum. The committee to consist of Major Atkinson, Messrs. Acton Adams, Bastings, Barton, J. 10. Brown, Bunny, Curtis, Hislop, Green, Hobbs, Jackson, McMinn, Ormond, Shanks, Turnbull, Whitaker, Rolleston, and the mover. NEWSPAPER TELEGRAPHING. Mr. MAOFARLANE moved, —That a select committee be appointed to inquire into and report to this House what facilities can be giien to newspapers for the use of the telegraph, consistently with a due regard to its use by the public, and without entailing an undue loss on the revenue. Such committee to consist of Messrs. Baliance, Barff, Joyce, De Lautour, Montgomery, Stevens, ‘ Swanson, Wakefield, Whitaker, and the mover, with power to call for persons and papers ; five to be a quorum ; aud to report within thirty days. Mr. Maofarlane said a few words in support of his motion, but spoke in such a low tone that his remarks were inaudible in the reporters’ gallery. The motion was put and agreed to. The House adjourned at 5.30.