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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1125, 17 August 1882, Page 2

House of Representatives. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions, Ministers said the Judge who tried ths case of Mark Bishop had made a report, and further enquiries were being made. Enquiry would be made us to the liability of the Government to repair Kopuru wharf. Enquiries would be made as to whether gangers should participate fn the recent rise in railway employees wages. A sum would be placed on the Estimates to aid local bodies in obtaining rock boring apparatus and diamond drill; local bodies to pay one-third of the cost. If it could be done for a reasonable sum tho Government would propose a vote to remove snags in the Wairoa river so as to allow steamers to go up to Te Kapu ferry. On Mr Connolly's motion the Justices of the Peace Bill was re-committed on division of 39 to 36, in order to strike out the proviso inserted last night, allowing Justices to hear indecent cases in private ; the proviso was struck out ami the Bill read a third time ami passed. On tlie motion for committal ?>f the Thorn-

don Reclamation Bill, Mr Bathgate objected, denouncing the proposal as a job for the benefit of the promoters of the West Coast railway. Mr Johnston replied, after which the mo. tion for going into Committee was earned, and the Bill reported without amendment.

The House adjourned at 5.30. At the evening sitting the House went into committee on the New Zealand Loan Bill on Clause 3, authorising the Three Million Loan.

Major Atkinson moved a proviso to prevent more than one million a year, commencing with 1883, being raised. After some discussion as to the objects on which this million should be spent, Mr Johnston promised to appoint an impartial Royal Commission to report on the best route from Christchurch to Cook’s Straits.

The motion to postpone the Clause was lost by 53 to 29. Mr Hutchison moved an amendment to confine the borrowing to within the Colony. Mr Dargaville ridiculed the idea of the discussion. The amendment was negatived on voices.

Mr Turnbull moved the reduction of the Loan from three millions to £1,750,000 ; he thought £250,000 a year quite enough. Mr Montgomery, while opposed to a large loan, hoped Mr Turnbull would take a decision on voices, as the majority of the House were evidently against him. The reduction was rejected by 46 to 10. The Clause, as amended by Major Atkinson's proviso, was agreed to. On Clause 13 Mr Barron moved to reduce the interest to 4 per cent., but, after some discussion, at Mr Montgomery’s suggestion withdrew the amendment.

Mr Dargaville moved an amendment on Clause 16, to prevent any expenditure on the lines from Christchurch to Cook’s Straits, or Otago Central, till the route was determined, and the plans approved by Parliament. After discussion the amendment was withdrawn. The remaining clauses were passed aa printed. Mr Shrimski moved a new clause providing that when any of the railways failed to pay Interest on their cost, after providing for all working expenses, the Governor-in-Council might impose a rate on tho unimproved value of all lands within 10 miles of either side of the line.

The Acting-Chairman ruled this clause out of order as it imposed a tax. After the usual half hour’s adjournment. Colonel Trimble, on resuming the Chair, said he had consulted the Speaker who considered Mr Shrimski's clause quite in order. Mr Shrimski accordingly moved it. Major Atkinson opposed the clause. Such a provision in the Bill would ruin the general credit of she Colony, and entirely defeat the whole intention of the Bill. The proposal was utterly impracticable. Mr Brown supported, and Mr Kelly opposed the clause, Sir George Grey warmly supported the clause as a moat valuable and opportune proposal, it would raise, instead of injure the credit of the Colony. All lands which benefitted by public works expenditure whether on railways, roads, or bridges should he taxed. Messrs Fish and Steward supported the clause. Mr Maoandrew thought this the inoat hopeful proposal made for years. The tax however, should be on provincial districts aa originally proposed. Mr Pyke asked why town property should not also be taxed ? Mr Moss approved of the principle, but thought the clause out of place in a Loan Bill. Sir J. Hall thought the matter too importaut to be dealt with, and suggested the propriety of reporting progress. Mr Montgomery approved of the suggestion, and Major Atkinson concurred, and moved to report progress. Mr Seddon strongly opposed this, and said tho proposal was really a land tax in disguise. Sir George Grey hoped the matter would be dealt with on its merits, not as a party question, It was Important. The motion to report progress was carried by 53 to 21, and leave to sit again. The House rose at 12.35.