PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1130, 25 August 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PEB UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

House of Representatives WELLINGTON, Yesterday.

The House met at 2.30. Replying to questions put, it was stated that information as to several processes in use in England and America for preserving Railway sleepers would be sought for with the view of adopting it in this Colony. No provision would be made this Session for a continuance of direct grants to any local Boards, as they would be provided for by the Roads and Bridges Construction Bill. The advantages presented by the sectional ship, designed by Mr IbGker, of Port Chalmers, would be investigated with the view of adopting it in the case of immigrant ships, and ships employed under public contract with New Zealand, if found desirable. County Councils had no power to levy a special rate over the whole of a County with the intention of only collecting it from the outlying districts. Railway employees had no reductions made from their wages from the time the j were engaged on compulsory attendance at Courts of law, or on Coroners inquests. The Hokitika High School Bill was considered in Committee, and after progress had been made, it was reported, and leave granted to sit again. The Westland High School (No. 3) and the Eyreton Domain Board Empowering Bills were read a second time.

The Rangiora Domain Board, and the Ohoka and fiyretou Domain Board Bills having passed through Committee, were read a third time, and passed. The House adjourned at 5.30. At the evening sitting, Mr McDonald withdrew his Native Land Court Amendment Bill. The debate was then resumed on Mr Smith’s motion for £6OOO as a subsidy to district libraries. Mr Dick said the money would be placed on the Estimates. He would submit a scheme for distribution. The motion was agreed to. The Private Transmitting Bill (Steward) was read a 2nd time, and the following Bills were read a 3rd time and passed:—Public Health Amendment Act; Resident Magistrate’s Act Amendment ; Canterbury Rivers' Act Amendment; Patent Act Amendment. The Council’s amendment in Bluff Harbor Foreshore Reclamation Bill and Small Birds Nuisance Bill were agreed to. Sii- George Grey moved the committal of the Land Boards Bill. Air Rolleston opposed making Land Boards elective. He hoped Sir G. Grey would withdraw the Bill. Messrs J. McKenzie, DeLautour, F. H. AlcKenzie, Shrimski, and others supported the Bill, and Alessrs Rutherford and Fulton opposed it. Air Hurst moved an amendment to refer the matter to the Government to consider during the recess, how to give a representative character to the Boards. The motion for going into Committee on the Bill was carried by 31 to 23. After the usual adjournment, the Land Board Bill was considered in Committee. On the amendment of Mr Kelly that the Boards should be elected by the ordinary electors of the district instead of the local bodies, being carried, the Bill was reported as amended.

The Fencing Act Amendment Bill was considered, but on a division of 22 to 20 progress was reported. The Gold Duties Act Amendment Bill was passed through Committee, and read a third time and passed. The House rose at 2.15. This Day. 'l'he House met at noon, Mr Connolly brought up the question of privileges in connection with the Railway Taxing Committee ; one by J. E. Brown, and others by Sutton. 'J’hcse were printed for the information of members, but to their surprise they found them printed in the newspapers. He simply wished to call the attention of the House to this irregularity. Alajor Atkinson said the whole proceeding was most irregular, but thought that no further steps would be considered necessary. After further discussion the matter was dropped. The House adjourned at 1 p.m.