HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, October 11.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 72, 18 October 1884, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, October 11.

Railways for Canterbury and Nelson. There was really very little business of feneral importance transaoted at yesterHy's sitting of the House. The East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Eailway Bill was under discussion all the afternoon, and at 5.3i> the debate was adjourned till Monday. Sir Julius Vogel said the proposals of the bill would not impose any new burdens on the colony. The land through which the proposed railways would run was poor as far as agricultural capabilities were concerned, although the mineral resources might prove of value. The exports of the West Coast since its settlement amounted to twenty millions. He added that the work was to be carried out by private enterprise, that Government felt bound to encourage it, and that they would stand or fall by their proposals. Several Southern members supported the bill, which was sh'ongly opposed by Messrs J. W. Thomson, Moss, and \V. F. Buckland, who appealed against an immense addition to the colonial indebtedness being sanctioned this session.

Petitons Disposed Of. The following petitions have been dealt with by the Waste Lands Committee : — Bridget Donnelly — no claim ; Thomas and Elizabeth Miller— cannot recommend the petition to the favourable consideration of Government : Jonathan Elkin, and P. H. Bragge — Committee do not see their way to recommend any relaxation of the conditions under which the land was purchased. Leonard Simpson— no recommendation to make. From a return of assurance fees paid under the Land Transfer Act, it appears Canterbury heads the list with L 16 ,959, Otago L 7,968, Auckland L 5,492, Southland L 4.004, Wellington L 4.107.

Manukau Harbour Bills. The fight for the control of the Manukau Haibour was the first business set down for last evening, and as a natural consequence the Auckland members mustered in force. There were, as your readers are aware, two bills before the House dealing with the subject. The first was the Manukau Harbour Bill, promoted by Sir G. Maurice O'Rorke and Mr Hamlin, and having for its object the vesting of the harbour in the Onehunga Borough Council. The other measure is the Auckland and Manukau Harbour Bill, the charge of which was entrusted to the Hon. Mr Tole, and which gave the control of Onehunga harbour to the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr Peacock urged that both bills should be taken in committee together, and this course was follow cd. Mr Peacock opposed the Manukau Bill, pointing out that Auckland was progressing so rapidly that it would soon extend to Onehunga, while it was in contemplation to cut a canal between Auckland and Onehunga harbours. He therefore submitted that it »vould be better that Auckland should have the management of both harbours. Sir Maukice O'Rorke, who usually speaks well, made an excellent speech in advocacy of the Onehunga Harbour Bill, of which he was in charge. He pointed out that the charges at the port hact become so oppressive as to interfere with the progress of the district, and mentioned the fact that the material for the Iron Works at Onehunga was sent round the North Cape to Auckland to avoid payment of the exorbitant charges at Onehunga. He ridiculed the pretensions of Auckland Harbour Board to superior administration, and cited the present Deck and Railway Wharf as instances of their bungling. Peals of laughter rang through the Chamber when he described how one-half of the Triumph was put in the dock.and then she was taken out and the other half put in. Auckland members sat very uneasily under the castigation, while Canterbury and Dunedin members laughed heartily, and appeared to enjoy it all as a huge joke. Sir Maurice proceeded to say that the Auckland Board were not satisfied with these instances of their administrative skill, but now were anxious to apply it to Onehunga. Nothing was hea d about the desire of Auckland to take over the control of Onehunga Harbour until the people of the borough took up the matter themselves. He complained of the valuable reserve known as Mangere Mountain being placed in the schedule by the Auckland Board, and said they would probably want Government House next. Mr Peacock explained that while no action had been taken in the matter, it had been spoken and written about for years. It was better that the administration should be in the hands of an already existing Board of experienced men than in a recentlyappointed Borough Council. He admitted that mistakes had been made by the Auckland Harbour Board in the past, but it did not necessarily follow that it would be so for the future. The reserves to which exception had been taken would be struck out of the bill. Hon. Mr Tole opposed the further progress of the Onehunga Harbour Bill, and read a telegram from Mr Hutchison, Town Clerk of Onehunga, in which that functionary said the borough had decided in favour of the charges being assimilated to those in the Auckland and Manukau Bill. This, he paid, proved that the Council in question did not approve of the Onehunga Bill. Sir Maurice O'Rorke said they must have changed their minds, for he had a telegram signed by the same official asking him to push on the Onehunga Bill. A comparison of dates showed that this was received ten days ago, and Mr Toles only four days ago. Sir Maurice said the resolution read by Mr Tole was passed at a snatched meeting, and there was great indignation felt. He also mentioned that the resolutions at a subsequent meeting in favour of his bill were not forwarded to him by the Secretary of the meeting. Me«*rfi Hamlin and W. F. Buckland urged that the people of Onehunga should have the control of their own harbour, while Mr Thompson pointed out the advantages that would accrue if the control were vested in the Auckland Harbour Board. The Premier eventually pointed out that there was great diversity of opinion on this subject, • and it was very improbable the bills would get through this session. He therefore urged that they ehould be postponed till next session. The promoters of the Manukau Bill consented on condition that the charges would beassimilated to those in Auckland. The Minister of Public Works appeared indisposed to grant this concession, buteventuallypromisedjthat, if not already so, the changes desired should be made. The promoters of the Auckland Bill consented to its postponement till next gession, and the matter dropped.

The Case of the Gazelle. The case of the barque Gazelle, which was seized at Auckland by the Customs authorities in consequence of the discovery of attempted smuggling, has been gone into very fully by the Petitions Committee. The decision arrived at is to the effect that while feeling convinced that the owner had not the slightest knowledge of the guilty acts of his servant (the master), the Committee btjve no recommendation to m,ake. They ?

however, refer the matter te Government for consideration. The Gisborno. Harbour and Tauranga School Site Bills have passed the Lower House. Mr J W. Thomson acted as Chairman of Committees last night, to enable Mr Hamlin to assist Sir G. M. O'Korke with the Manukau Harbour Bill.

Sir Julius Vogel's Conscienoo. A laugh was caused in the House yesterday at the expense of Sir Julius Vogel. Mr J. W. Thomson, of Clutha, was speaking of Sir Julivis, when he referred to something as being likely to trouble his conscience. "His what ?" cried a member, and Mr Thomson coolly repeated, " His conscience." "Ho never had one," retorted the same voice, and general laughtor followed the sally.

Agricultural School for Auckland. Sir Georok Grey urged on Government yesterday the advisability of establishing an ! agricultural school in the north of New Zealand. Tho Premier said the matter was one that deserved tho attention of Government. The late Minister of Lands had given attention to the subject, and agents had been employed to encourage- the development ol sub-tropical products. Arrangements had been made by companies for plantations of oranges and lemons, which productions flourished well north of Auckland. Government had not the means to establish schools for that purpose alone, but tho development of these products would not be overlooked by them.

Prevention of Wrecks. Mr T. B. Hannaford's scheme for placing bell-tower beacons on the coast has met with an untimely fate. It was submitted by the Petitions Committee to the Marine Department for its opinion, and the Department has submitted a decidedly unfavourable report ; consequently, the Committee decline to make any recommendation.

Railway from Kamo to Kawakawa. It is expected that the Waste Lands Committee will take the question of the Kawa-kawa-Kamo railway into consideration early next week. Messrs Moody and Ford arrived from the Bay of Islands yesterday,and went on to JDunedin, and on their return here they will give evidence before the Committee with reference to the proposed line. Two Whangarei delegates are also expected in connection with the same matter by next steamer.

Answers to Questions. The following information was elicited from Ministers in reply to questions yesterday :— By Mr Hobb's that the Government could not promise to give effect to the recommendation of the Committee in the case of Samuel Yates, as they did not think he had any claim ; by Mr Smith, that it was not thought desirable to place asylum attendants on the same footing as gaol warders, to prevent them being discharged without inquiry ; by Mr Steward, that the instructions to the police were that they should assist the local authorities as far as possible in enforcing the Dog Registration Act ; by Mr Macandrkw, the Government intend to set about collecting the speeches delivered in the House since 1854 with a view to having them printed and 80 preserve matters connected* with the early history of the colony ; by MtDargaville, that the question of the defence of seaport towns would be considered during the recess with a view to make a recommendation ; by Hakuene, that as soon as the native school at Upper Kawhia, Kaipara, was fixed, a building would be erected.

Curious Claim for Compensation. A somewhat singular case has been under the consideration of one of the committees of the House, The ketch Emerald, it will be remembered, was wrecked at Kaikoura some time ago, and a claim for her value has been made against Government by the owners on the ground that the disaster was caused by neglect on the part of the Harbou Master. The Committee decline to make any recommendation on the subject. The members of the " Young New Zealand party," including Mr Hobbs, the two Bucklands, and Mr Hamlin, were photographed in a group in Wrigglesworth's today. The meeting of Auckland and Taranaki members in reference to the railway route takes place either to-night or to-morrow morning. Wellington, October 14.

Prolonging the Session. It would appear from a statement made in the House last night by the Premier that Government do not expect to get through the business of the session even in a month. He said they wero desirous of facilitating the despatch of public business, but there were certain bills of policy which they were determined to push on as rapidly as possible, and which it was desirable should be passed before the Public Works Statement was brought down. These bills included the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway, District Railways Leasing, Government Assurance, Westport and Greymouth Harbour, and several other bills which they did not intend to drop. In some previous sessions the habit had obtained of sending important bills to the Uppr r House just as the session was about to terminate. This was scarcely fair to the Upper House, and consequently the Government had determined to send these important bills to the Legislative Council before the Estimates were taken into consideration.

Auckland Railway Construction to Proceed. The Premier then communicated an item of rather important information so far as the North is concerned, and it was duly applauded by the North Island members. He said that so far as the North Island trunk railway was concerned, Government were determined to lose no time. Seeing that whatever route might be adopted, the part of the line for some distance beyond Te Awamutu would follow a common route, its construction would be proceeded with at once. The Minister for Public Works was having plans, &c, prepared, so that the contracts might be advertised in a few days, and tenders accepted in the course of three or four weeks. When the immediate bills were got through, he would be prepared to tell the House which bills he intended to drop, and what new measures would be introduced. The latter statement was received with ejaculations of astonishment. The debate on the North Island railway route was originally the first business set down on the Order Paper for last night, but probably owing to the decision arrived at by the Auckland and Taranaki members, this arrangement was departed from.

Canterbury and Nelson Railways. The motion for the second reading of the East and West Coast and Nelson Kailway Bill was substituted. Mr Wakefield resumed the debate in a remarkably good speech, in which he denounced the proposals embodied in the bill. He said the whole policy of the Government was one of log-rolling on a vast scale, and asserted that the bill before the House would give not less than three millions of acres of land to a private company. All the available waste land in Nelson and Canterbury, he added, woujd belong to this company, Jt

was a remarkable faot that although the line would oost nearly two millions, no information was given respecting where the line would commence and end. The attendance in the galleries when Mr Wakefleld commenced was small, but before he ooncluded the galleries were crowded. This exceptional interest was probably owing to the knowledge that it had been docided to move a want-of-confidence motion. Mr Sutter supported and Mr Gillies opposed the bill, the latter asserting that it would cost t'25,000 a mile. Mr Holmes asserted that there were 72,000 acres cf the finest timber land in the country on the route of the railway, and coal enough to supply tho whole of New Zealand for ninety years. Mr Brvok opposed the bill. He would support tho borrowing of money to carry out reproductive works, but not to keep people in work. He moved as an amend ment, "That it is not expedient to alionate ! vast tracts of public lands and mineral property of unknown value as a premium fro engaging in railway speculation in Now Zealand." Mr Hoiws considered the bill should bo a general instead of a local one. It should also apply to the North Island. The division at 1 a.m. resulted in the bill being carried by ,'tt) to 12, a number of the Opposition walking out of tho House. Division list : — Ayes, 39 : Allwright, Bevan, Brucu, Coster, Dargaville, Duncan, Fitzhorbert, Eraser, Garrick, Grigg, Guinness, Hjirpcr (teller), Hobbs, Holmes (teller), H m .st house, Joyce, Lance, La»nach, McArthur, McKen/ie (M. J. S.), McKenzio (J. ), McMillan, Menteith, O'Callaghan, O'Connor, Ormond, Peacock, Pearson, .Reese, Richardson (E.), Seddon, Shepherd, Stout, Taiaroa, T. Thompson, Tole, Vogel, Walker, \V. White. Noes, 12 : Barron, Buchanan, Conolly, Fulton (teller), Hamlin, Hatch, H. Hirst, Lake, 0. Richardson, Rolleston, Turnbuil, Wake Hold (teller). Pairs.— For : Ballance, Turnbuil (Gore), Morris, Levestam, Macandrew, Smith, W. J. Brown, Steward, Sutton, Cad man, Montgomery, J. C. Cowan, Buckland. Against : Johnston, Russell, Samuel, W. F. Buckland, Grey, Gillies, J. B. Whyte, Moat, Fergus, Newman, Beetliam, Bryce, Dodson, Batchelor.

The Kawakavva-Kamo Railway. The Whangarei delegates have arranged with Government that the Kamo-Kawakawa Railway shall bo constructed on the same terms as the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway, fifty per cent, of the value being alliowed in land. Provision will accordingly be made for the extension of the operations of the bill, which passed its second reading last night. Negotiations are in progress for the amalgamation of Kama-Kawakawa collieries, in which case the whole business will be carried out on an extensivo scale.

Auckland Petitions. Sir Geo. Grey presented a petition in the House last night fioni 27 residents of Auckland, -who claim a grant of land for military service:- rendered in 18G3. Siv Geoigo also presented a petition from John McDell, formerly warder in Mount Eden Gaol, complaining that he had been discharged on a retiring allowance through a mistake of the department as to age, which was stated at 63 instead of 53, and therefore prays for compensation. Wellington, October 15.

District Railways Leasing Bill. The final protest against tho District Railways Leasing Bill was made in the House yesterday by Mr J. W. Thomson, Mr Rolleston, and others. Mr Thomson endeavoured to have the bill referred to the Public Accounts Committee in order to discover what was the expenditure involved. He asserted that on a moderate calculation it meant an additional taxation of Cd per head on every man, woman and child in the colony. The Opposition (was, however, in vain, the third reading being agreed to by 42 to 21, and the bill passed. The Public Works Amendment Bill and the Land Act Amendment Bill were both read a second time, and on the motion of the Premier, the latter was referred to the Waste Lands Committee to report. I may explain that this bill repeals the power of selling pastoral lands for the future. It also makes new provisions for the sale of land on deferred payment, and provides that pastoral lands may bo leased as runs, provided that no person be able to lease more than one of such runs.

Proposed Insurance Boards. A long discussion took place on the Government Assurance Bill being moved into committee. Mr W. F. Buckland, Mr Levestam, and others opposed the measure. Mr Conolly disapproved of local Boards, and considered a central Board sufficient to do the work, while he thought the payment of members objectionable. The Premier said there was an erroneous impression abroad that there would be no Parliamentary control. The Colonial Treasurer would be Chairman of the Board. Government would propose in committee to strike out the name of the Auditor- General from the list of members of committee.

Bills Passed Through Committee. Nearly the whole evening sitting was devoted to the Westport Harbour Bill in committee, which was roported with amendment. There wasbutlittlediscussion on the Greymouth Harbour Board Bill, and the measure passed through committee after the amendments made oy the Select Committee had been agreed to, and the borrowing powers extended from £100,000 to £150,000. The Government Insurance Bill was partly considered in committee, and after Jour clauses had been passed progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 1.25 a.m.

A Chango of Tone. Mr Samuel is moving for the production in the House of the report of Mr Carkeok's, prepared some time ago, which, he saya, was much more favourable to the Stratford route than the evidence given by Mr Carkeek before the Commission.

Roman Catholic Education. The petitions of Roman Catholics for capitation grants to their schools have been considered by the Committee, which reports : — "Your Committee does not consider it necessary to offer any opinion to the House on ihe subject matter of these petitions."

The Waiuku Railway. Mr Hamlin has again interviewed the Minister of Public Works respecting his Waiuku railway, but was informed that the matter had not been under the consideration of the Cabinet. A suggestion was made to him yesterday to have it brought under the provisions of the East and West Coast Railway Bill, as is to be done with the Kamo-Kawakawa Railways ; but he asks — Where is the land to come from ?

Answers to Questions. The following information was elicited from Ministers yesterday : — By Mr O'Connor : That Government could not recommend a more extensive use of the telegraph wire for public correspondence. No less than 219,000 messages, exclusive of Ministerial memos., were sent last year on public business, the value of these being about £51,000. He believed an undue use was made of the Telegraph Department to save the trouble of writing letters, and the matter would be looked into. By

Mr Maoandrew 5 That the salaries of examiners, masters, and mates in Otago would be increased to £50, but the same amount could not be allowed as in Auckland, as examiners at latter place had more work to do. By Mr Guinneei : That Government were averse to paying overtime for ordinary clerical duties in the Telegraph, Customs, and other departments. The subject was noAV engaging attention, By Mr White : That Mr Ollivier, who wrote the letter respecting the Canterbury unemployed, which was telegraphed through the colony, was in one sense a public officer, but not strictly speaking so, and the Civil Service Regulations did not apply to him. It was true that come unemployed on piece work at Little ltiver received moro than 10s, but somo only made 2s Gd. By Mr Grigg : That Government would consider what proportion of trust funds they could lock-up with a view to investing in freehold security in the colony.

A Boon to Volunteors. Colonol Reader reported to Govornmont that samples of Morris tubes, a recent invention largely patronised at Home for assisting volunteers to carry out their course of musketry instruction in their drill, have been forwardod to several districts, which, if generally adopted, should be a great convenience to volunteers, onabling them to carry out their practico in all weathers at convenient times, and obviating the necessity of members having to travel long distances to their several ranges with the chance of being interrupted by bad weather. These tubes, carrying miniature cartridges, are easily adjusted to any breach-loading arm, and only require a range of 30 teet. The usual sighting is used, and ordinary extractors act in pre cisely the same manner on the tubes as on the arm wfthout tube. An additional advantage is that, although giving an equal retult in practice, the ammunition costs but one-fourth of the ordinary snider ammunition.

Auckland Petitions. The following cases of Auckland interest have been considered by the Petitions Committee : —Denis Lynch, Auckland, claiming compensation because of neglect of police to arrest one Crosbie on a charge ot forgery : No claim against the colony. E. Baurel, claim for compensation for losses arising during the war : No recommendation to make. Jas. Hill, claiming compensation for dismissal : No claim against the colony. Mace and Ogden : The amount offered (£5 Ss) does not appear to meet the claim, and recommend the matter for the consideration of Government.

Prison and Asylum Warders. Mr Peacock has been urging on Government the desirability of paying lunatic asylum warders wages equal to those drawn by gaol warders. He says the difference averages about £25 per annum. The Premier, however, pointed out that warders in asylums got their board and lodging in addition to their pay, which warders in gaols did not. The Government did not see their way to make any alteration in the present system. The pay of warders in New Zealand was very much higher, indeod, than that of those officials in England. The annual report on the Volunteer force of the colony has been made. It states that the new regulations appear to have worked satisfactorily. The suggestions for amendment received from the staff officers of the various districts have been slight, but will form a subject for your consideration, as well as the necessity of a few slight amendments in the Act, which, if approved by you for submission to Parliament, would enable the regulations to work smoothly, and obviate misunderstanding occasionally raised upon technical points. The returns sho»vthat under the new regulations out of a force of all arms, amounting to 4,332 members, 3,394 fulfilled the conditions and became efficient during last year,as under: — Cavalry, 285 ; Naval Artillery, 419 ; Artillery, 313 ; Garrison Rifles, 1,363 ; Country Corps, 814 : Total, 3,394.^ The strength of the respective districts is as follows :—: — North Island : Auckland, 443 ; Waiuku, 99 ; Waikato, 50 ; Taranaki, 52 ; Patea, 83 ; Wanganui, 252 ; Rangitikei, 158; Wellington, 407 ; Wairarapa, 132; Napier, 125 ; Poverty Bay, 3S ; Thames, 104 : total, 1,943. South Island : Nelson, 232 ; Marlborough, 80 ; Canterbury, 513 ; Oamaru, 216 ; Dunedin, 74fi ; Invercargill, 279 ; Lake, 125 ; Westland, 175 : total, 2,370.

Sir George Grey in Opposition to Government. The extreme hostility displayed last night by Sir George Grey to the Insurance Bill and other Government measures created some surprise. He is now looked upon as anything but a safe supporter of Government.

North Auckland Railways. In Committee on the East and West Coast Railway Bill to-day, Mr Hobbs will move an amendment on clause 19 to include the construction of lines of railway in the North Island between Kawakawa and Whangarei and Kawakawa and Hokianga. It is understood Government will accept this.

Another Railway Committee Proposed. Mr Hobbs intends to move to-day that the petition of the inhabitants of Bay of Islands and surrounding districts re the connecting of Kawakawa and Whangarei railway be referred to the following select committee, with power to call for persons and papers : — Messrs C. Richardson, Larnach, W. White, Bruce, Fergus, Smith and the mover. Three to be quorum, to report in ] 0 days. We-lincton, October 16.

Railway Construction.— A Lively Debate. One of the warmest debates of the present session was that which took place last night on the motion for committal of the East and West Coast and Nelson Railways Bill. It commenced early in the afternoon, and did not conclude until after midnight. Mr RoHeston led the attack in a vehement speech against the measure. He said the sympathies of himself and his late colleagues had always been with the construction of this lino, but the proposals now suggested by the Colonial Treasurer were such as would cause colonial interests to suffer if carried out. He com plained of the action of the Government in bringing down piece-meal proposals involving large public works expenditure instead of submitting the Public Works Statement at once. Mr Harper assured the House that not one of the Canterbury members had any personal interest in the contents of the bill. Speaking from his own experience, Mr Buchanan said the timber on the proposed line was of the worst possible description, and almost useleas, while all previous attempts atsettlement on the route had been failures. Mr Joyce justified thebill on the ground that thecolony had gone so far into borrowing it was too late now to retrace their steps. Mr Fuiton dwelt on the fact that the line included dangerous gradients of one in fifty, and, as an indication of the feeling in the country, mentioned that he and other members had received telegrams from their constituents asking them to get slices of the good things that were going. Mr Reese astonished the House by declaring that the timber growth on the West Coast was the finest m the world, and that the coal there was im mensely superior to any found south of the I4ne, Mr Fergm failed to see the differ-

ence between a railway constructed out of loan and one constructed from the proceeds of the sale of Crown lands, fle created a sensation by declaring that Mr Hobbs had boen bought by » promise of assistance to the proposed Kawakawa railway. The Colonial Treasurer, he added, was following the pawn broking system, and there were no assets left in this over-pledged country. Mr Hursthouse supported the bill on tho ground that the alienation of land, as proposed, would not impede the settlement of the country, which could only be promoted by a system such as that proposed. Sir George Grey complained that the bill alienated a large part of the birthright of the people, which should be their proudest possession. He referred to the inconsistency of the Premier, who was now seeking to hand over the lands of people to piivate speculators, as they would be given to foreigners, who would not conskier the people. He warned Ministers that while he had gladly seen them assume office, he would henceforth withhold from thorn his support unless their measures became less objectionable. There was no measure introduced by them this session which would benefit the units of the people. The financing of Government was mere stock -jobbing, while some of it was devised to rob the natives of the South Sea Islands of their land. Mr Oarrick, who supported the bill, attacked Sir George Grey fiercely. Messrs Hobbs, Peacock, Backland, and others supported the bill. Tho Premierreplied in an admirable and forcible speech, and the House went into Committee soon after one o'clock this morning. Very little progress had been made at two o'clock, whon the Telegraph Office closed.

North Island Railway Route. The motion by Mr Richardson that the House should take the question of North Island trunk railway route into consideration has beon on the Order Paper everyday, but so far down that it has never been reached. This arrangement is due to the desire of Auckland and Taranaki members that the question should be delayed until Friday next.

Proposed National Park. It is the intention of Dr. Newman to ask the Minister of Lands on Friday if Government will reserve Ruapehu, Ngaruahohe, Tongaviro, Rotorua, Tokano, and the Hot Springs in the district as a national park.

The Codlin Moth. Auckland people will be interested to learn that the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse has given notice in the Legislative Council of the Codlin Moth Act, the object of which is to prevent the introduction of the Codlin moth from San .Francisco to this colony.

Immigration Vote. Mv G. F. Richardson is to ask Government to-day whether the} will place a sum on the Supplementary Estimates for immigration to meet the case of those separated from their families, and who, by order of the late Government in March last, were unexpectedly deprived of their right to nominate their wives and children left behind in the Old Country.

Repairs to Great South Road. Mr Hamlin has interviewed the Minister of Public Works relative to the necessity for repairs on the Great South Road, between Drury and Mercer. Hon. Mr Richardson promised to telegraph and ascertain the coat.

More Money Wanted. Sir Julius Vogel stated in the House last night that it would be necessary to ask for further interim supply, and a bill will be brought down to-morrow. The amount of supply to be asked for was not stated,

Orakei Native Reserves. Tho Joint Committee on Native Affairs has reported that they have heard the promoters of the Orakei Native Reserves Bill by counsel, and having duly considered the bill, cannot recommend that the Standing Orders should be dispensed with, or that the parties should be allowed to proceed with their bill. The Local Bills Committee recommend that the Thames Recreation Reserve Bill be allowed to proceed.

Progress of Government Insurance. Some uncomplimentary things hare been said respecting Mr D. M. Luckie since the Insurance Bill came on for consideration, but it is nevertheless shown that while the accumulated funds of the department stood at two hundred thousand odd after nine years' business when he took charge six years ago, they now stand at stand at nine hundred thousand.

Report on Auckland Petitions. The Waste Lands Committee has reported on certain Auckland petitions as follows :—: — From Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association praying for a grant of land — Cannot recommend that the prayer of the petition be granted; from Robert and John Gordon for grant of land — No recommendation to make ; from William McKeovor, William Burns, William Carroll, John Daley, Peter Loftus, claims for grants of land —No recommendation co make ; from residents of Bay of Islands praying that the railway be constructed at the expense of the colony— That the question is one of public policy, upon which it seems beyond the functions of the Committee to express an opinion. No recommendation to make ; from W. H. Lecato— That no valid claim has been disclosed, any which might have existed having lapsed long ago; from Samuel Cricket— The Committee see no reason to alter previous decisions that petitioner has no claim.

Answers to Questions. The following information was elicited from Ministers in reply to questions in the House yesterday :— By Mr Macandrew — That Government cannot see their way to adopt Murray's automatic block signal ; by Sir George Grey — That further inquiry would be made as to the case of Fanny Knight, assaulted at New Plymouth ; by Major Steward— That the value of the timber known as broad leaf for railway Bleepers was well known, and the Department would be only too glad to use it if available ; by Major Steward — That a further sum of L 250 would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for volunteer prizes, but that the Government do not see their way to divide the vote ; by Mr Locke — That Sergt. McGuire was dismissed for travelling through the country and getting native signatures to private deeds, for which he received payment unknown to the Department, and the Government could not reconsider his case ; by Captain Morris — That the revenue from a telephone station at Matata would not nearly cover the cost, and therefore the Government could not promise the work this session, but might next ; by Mr Pyke — That the Government could not undertake to carry out the regular periodical transfer of police officers and men, but it would be dene where necessary.

Bills Passed by the "Lords." The Legislative Council has notified the Lower House that it has passed the Anatomy Act, with amendments ; the Justices of the Peace Amendment Bill, promoted by Sir George Grey, and providing for two Justices of the Peace instead of one in indictable cases, and the Bills of Exchange Ain.enilm.ent Bill, without amendment,