House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 237, 17 September 1884, Page 2

House of Representatives.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16. The House met at 2.30. Noticess

Sir George Grey gave notice of a bill to amend the Law Practitioners Act, 1882. Mr. Holmes gave notice that he would ask if a cablegram from the Agent-General, congratulating the Atkinson-Wakefield Government on their accession to office, was charged to the public account. Mr. Hursthouse gave notice that he would ask if the Government proposed introducing a bill to extend the franchise to women. Replies of Questions.

In reply to questions put it was stated that A survey made of land on the road from Gisborne to Opotiki had been completed, and the land would shortly be offered under the Homestead Act. A sum of L 770 had accrued from railway employees fines. The money was in the hands of the Public Trustee, and no portion of it had been dealt with. In consequence of the great expense the line between Waihou and Waitaki North would not be fenced in.

Although compulsory vaccination would not be resorted to, every facility would be given to persons desirous of re-vaecinalion. The injustice inflicted on licensees under an order of Council fixing fees under the Licensing Act, 1881, would be rectified.

Inquiries would be made as to the desirability of connecting View Hill and Oxford by rail. Government recognised the importance of giving parents a voice in the election of high school governors. A letter had been written to the AgentGeneral complaining of the defective railway material received during the last twelve months, and the matter would not be allowed to drop.

First Readings. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:— Bill to amend The Town Districts Act, 1831. (Whyte.) Public Health Act 1876 Amendment. Slaughterhouses Act 1877 Amendment, (Tole.) To amend The Justices of the Peace Act, 1882. To amend the law relating to criminal procedure. (Grey.)

Second Readings. The following Bills were read a second time:— Local Courts. (Stout.) Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trustees Incorporation. (Harper.) In Committee. The Foreign Companies Bill was considered in Committee, and reported with amendments. The House rose at 4.40. EVENING SITTING. After the Financial Statement last night The Minister for Public Works said when the Public Works Statement would be brought down depended upon the discussion on the Financial Statement. Major Atkinson differed, and contended that it was essential that the House should know the proposals of the Minister for Pub’ic Works before it agreed to the financial proposals of the Treasurer. The Premier said when the Financial Statement was discussed the Government would be prepared to bring down their Public Wo ks Statement, and stand or fall by the result. He thought the latter would be done in a week. The House adjourned at 9.10 p.m.