HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Southland Times, Issue 1007, 21 August 1868, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, 28th July, 1868. The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock. The following papers were presented, viz. — 'Despatches from the Bight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies ; report of the Boyal Commission on prisons ; return of lands held on lease (except for gold mining) ; aad the rents paid for the year ending 31st December^ 1.867, in the various provinces of New Zealand; return of land sold or otherwise absolutely disposed of for the half-year ending 31st December, 1867; copy of Treasurer's requisition on Comptroller for the sum of -66031 18s 9d, shown in the public , accounts under the head of Dunedin Disputed Beserves ; returns showing the expenditure on military expeditions on the East and West Coast, since the Ist July, 1867, to the 30th June, 1868 ; copy of petitions received by the Government from natives of Poverty Bay, relating to their lands, and on other subjects; reports from the Customs Officer in charge at Shortland, Biver Thames; shipping returns, <fee. The Disqualification Bill was read a first time. Mr Fox asked a question with reference to the conduct of Captain Hunter. Mr Hall moved for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the Provincial Law Suits Amendment Act Bepealing Bill ; leave was granted. Mr Mervyn moved " That a return be laid on the table of the House of the number of cases heard before the District Judges in the Province of Otago, for the period of six months, viz., from the 31st December, 1867, to the 30th of June, 1868. After considerable discussion the motion was agreed to. Mr Hall introduced a bill to provide for the sale and administration of the Waste Lands of the Crown in the County of Westland. Leave granted. Major Brown moved for " a copy of correspondence or other information in possession of the G-overnment relative to a Native named Katene, his employment in the service, of the Government, as a guide or spy, or otherwise, and his release from imprisonment that had taken place by the authority of officers of the Government," motion agreed to. Mr Fox moved — " That there be laid on the table of the House a copy of all official correspondence and memoranda relating to the custody and escape of the Native prisoners who were imprisoned on board, and escaped from the schooner " Manukau " in Wellington Harbor in January 1866, also, any similiar papers relating to the custody, and to the late escape from the Chatham Islands." Motion agreed to. Mr Bolleston moved for copies of all correspondence having reference to the disturbances at Patea and Opotiki. After considerable discussion the motion was agreed to. The Prevention of Frauds Bill was read a first time. The Police Oftences Bill was considered in Committee.