HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3024, 24 October 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON SITTING.

WKMINGTON.

Wednesday. OOVEENMEMT PRESS FAVOBS. Mr McLean gave notice to ask the Government what action they broposed to take with reference to the letter of Messrs ii ok and McCarthy, asking the me of a special wire P He also gave notice to ask for a return of the amount paid to newspapers for itdvertising; and to ask what steps the Government propose taking to place the evening papers of the colony on an equal footing with the Inorning journals in respect to Press telegrams? ■■ ■■•-'•; !;.'<:-:- ■■■■-' ■

UNIFORM OF OFFICERS 8.8. HINEMOA

Mr Hobbs gay notice to ask the Government whether it is true that the officers and crew of the s.s. Hinemoa " hare been ordered to wear uniform, and whether they are required to pay for the same out of their own pockets; and if so, if the rule applies to other departments of the public service of the colony P" He said he had been informed in many eases men on the s.s.,Hinemoa received less than in the coasting steamers by £2 per month..: . ■ .". ;■■... : . ... •-. •: :.. ■' .•-;.;. • :: :;'; s

The Premier replied that no representations had been made to the Government on the subject. The regulations regarding the uniform were the same as in the Customs Department. NEW ZEALAND ANTHEM. Mr Swanson asked the Minister for Education whether he will give instructions for the New Zealand National Anthem' to be sung in Government primary schools ? . The Hon. Mr Ballance replied that the Government would communicate with the Education Board and supply copies, the Education Department bearing the expense. The proposition had been made by Mr Bracken, of Dunedin. BANGITIKEI COUNTY. Mr Fox asked the Government whether it is their intention to take any steps towards rectifying the boundaries of Bangi* tikei County, in accordance with the Wishes of the* Council. The Hon. Mr Sheehan said the Government did not intend to alter the boundaries of this County, or any other County, during the present session. WAGON COMPANY. Mr EicharoUon asked the Minister for Public Works whether any proposals have been made to the Government by the Bailway Wagon Company, and, if so, whether the Government have made any agreement with it, or have held out any inducement to the company, or any persona connected with it, to proceed with their works P

.The.Hon. Mr Macandrew replied that proposals had been made to the Government, the correspondence being copied, which would be laid on the table, and their whole position known. Mr Bichardson desired to know whether the Government had made any agreement. The Hon. Mr Macandrew said it would be better to refer to the papers, as they would show the exact position. ; PBOTECTION OF ANIMALS ACT. Mr McMinn asked the Government if it is their. intention to introduce next session a bill to amend " The Protection of Animals Act, 1873." The Hon. Mr Sheehan replied in the affirmative. THI BUSINESS. The Premier moved, without notice, " That all Standing Orders preventing bills being passed through all their stages at one sitting, and preventing new business being taken after half-past twelve, be suspended." Sir It. Douglas objeoted, on the ground that the H6t.se was performing sufficient hard work already. Mr Bichardson would resist the motion if Government intend to pass the Bailways Construction Bill in one session. Mr Mbntgomery thought it would be better to drop some bills than rush measures through. Mr Kelly said the best business of the House was done after 9 o'clock.

Mr Button said during the important debate! at night many members were asleep, as during the discussion on the Bailwuv Construction Bill. Mr J. C. Brown said the hon, member who last spoke was in the library reading during the greater part of the debate referred to. EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENT BILL. After some ditoussion the Premier gare notice of motion for t>morrow, that the Education Aot Amendment Bill be discharged from the Order Paper. DTTNEDIN WATBBWOBKS AMENDMENT BILL. The House then went iato Committee on the Dunedin Waterworks Amendment Bill, which was reported, and leave giren to sit agsm to-morrow. TIBIOUI BILLS. The House then went into Committee on the following bills:—Waitara Harbor, Thames High School, District Law Societies, Oamaru Market Reserve, Towns on Private Lands Regulation Bill, Onehunga Grammar School. ', PBBS9 WIBES. Correspondence was laid on the table between the Telegraph Commissioner and Messrs Holt and McCarthy. It was said that the Government would grant them the use of the special wire on the same terms as granted to other papers connected with the combination, namely, for two years, at £2000 per annum.