PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 234, 13 September 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Association.) Legislative Council. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. In the Council it was resolved to instruct the Standing Orders Committee to take into consideration the mode of distribution of honorarium payable to members in connection with their attendance at Parliament, with a view to recommending a more equitable distribution. A motion that the Gazette be not posted to Justices of the Peace was lost. House of Representatives. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. The House mot at 2.30. Notices of Motion. Mr. Turnbull gave notice that he would ask the names of the contractors and inspectors of a certain defective railway plant, which the workshops at Addington had lately been repairing. Mr. Holmes gave notice of his intention to ask that a committee be appointed to consider the time and circumstances connected with the Atkinson Government accepting tenders for the Greymouth-Nelson-creek Railway and Gatlins River Railway. Replies of Questions.

Replying to questions put, It was stated the taking of educational lands from school committees and conferring them on the lands department was a subject closely connected with that of local Government, and they did not propose dealing with that subject this season. Hokianga Heads would, as soon as possible, be connected with Herd’s Point by telephone. The burial ground at Huawai, where the British officers fell at the battle of Heke’s, would be fenced in.

A bill had been prepared to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, but it was doubtful if it would be passed this session. Dryertown, Moriceville, and Ekatuhana would not at present be connected with the telegraph.

Government would not undertake to make provision for enabling County Councils to undertake the work of irrigation. Favorable consideration would be given to the establishment of an agricultural department in connection with the Government.

Arrangements had been made for pushing on vigorously the Upper Manawatu Bridge, and the remedying of the damage occasioned by the late flood. Notice had been given to pay the outstanding balance of the five per cent debentures, but not the four and a half per cent. It would be very great, but without further time and data the exact amount could not be fixed. Dillmanstown and Kumara would be connected by telephone.

The contract for the construction of the Nelson Creek railway had not been taken up. Government would not be prepared to make any change in reference to the administration of Educational Lands this Session. Government had communicated with the engineer in charge of the upper Manawatu bridge contract, damaged by floods, and no further delay would be experienced.

The Colonial Treasurer said notice had been given to pay off the balance outstanding on the 5-30 per cent, debentures. From correspondence of the Atkinson Government he saw they intended, as opportunity offered, to make further inscription of the inscribed public debt. A large annual saving would bo made of the consolidated loan of 1867, ami the £3,500,000 of 10-40’s were inscribed at 4 per cent. Replying to Mr. Holmes, Mr. Richardson said a large quantity of imported railway material as of rotten iron, and cost nearly as much to repair as they could have been made in the colony for. The matter was being considered by Government so as not (if possible) to allow any loss to fall on the colony. The Nelson Creek railway had not been taken up by the contractor owing to an error in his schedule. Supply. An Imprest Supply Bill of £150,000 was introduced by message from the Governor, and passed through all its stages. Motions. The following motion was adopted, “ That a select Committee be appointed to consider and report on the best mode to encourage

and promote trade between New Zealand and the South Sea Islands, the Committee to have power to confer or sit together with any similar Committee which’ may be appointed by the Legislative Council. The Committee to consist of Sir George Grey, Messrs. Harper, Larnach, Moss, Russell, and the mover. Mr. Richardson moved that a Committee to consist of eleven members be appointed to consider and report on the best route for the North Island Trunk Railway, to report on it in fourteen days ; the committee to consist of Major Atkinson, Messrs. Bruce, Fitzherbert Grey, Gore, Johnston, Mitchelson, Morris, Ormond, White and the mover. Mr. Lake moved an amendment, “ That a committee of seven be elected to consist wholly of South Island members.” The amendment was carried on the voices. On the motion for appointing a Public Accounts Committee, Mr. Moss moved that no Ministers or exMinisters should have a seat upon it. The amendment was lost and the original motion carried. Notices of Questions. Mr. O’Callaghan gave notice that he would ask Government, in view of small-pox in Australia, if they would take steps as to the advisability of providing for compulsory revaccination. New Bills. Sir George Grey gave notice of his intention to introduce an Act to amend the Criminal Procedure and also the Justices of the Peace Act. The House rose at 5.80. EVENING SITTING. Mr. Richardson moved, “ That Messrs. Fergus, Fulton, Gore, Larnach, Montgomery, White and the mover be a committee to enquire into the Northern Railway. Agreed to.

The Foreign Coy’s. Bill and the Bankruptcy Act Amendment Bill were read a second time.

The Mortgages Release Extention Bill was passed through Committee and the third reading ordered for Tuesday. On the motion that the plurality of Votes Bill be committed, Mr. Harper moved an amendment, “ That it be committed that day six months.” On division the original motion was lost by 26 to 25. The Bill was therefore rejected. The House rose at 12.40 a.m.