HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3412, 28 November 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Last night. Tho House met at 4 30. THE CHBISTCHURCH ELECTION.

' Sir George Grey moved that in going into Committee of Supply he would move that the finding the of Select Committee that he (Grey) had not been duly elected member ; for Christchurch be expunged, as also the finding that the Hon. Mr Jttichardson was duly elected.

h. a. wabneb's petition. Heplying to Mr DeLautour, Mr Hall promised to make further inquiries relative to the petition of H.*A. Warner, authorised surveyor, of Auckland, forwarded to Government: some time ago, also if in the opinion of the Government, the petitioner has any claim for consideration. ; . QTIEENSTOWN GAOL. Replying to Mr Finn, Mr Oliver said Government could see no objection to lay before the House all correspondence, etc., between the Gevernnient and all other persony having reference to the erection of a public gaol at Queenstown.

GOVERNMENT HOU3E& AT CHBIBTCHUBCH

AND DUNEDIN.

Beplying to Mr J. F. Fisher, Mr Hall said the subject of making provision on the supplementary estimates to provide suitable accomodation for His Excellency the Governor when he may be pleased to visit the two largo ceirtres of population, Christchurch and Dtinedin, was under consideration. They believed advantage would result from such arrangement.

PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS TELEGRAPH.

Replying to Mr Beeves, Mr Hall aaid the extra cost of'keeping a staff of operators at the Telegraph Office, Pdrliaraeut Buildings, would be £230, and bcsidrs the cost of such an arrangement interfered with the working of the Central office. THE UNEMPLOYED. Replying to Mr Macandrew, Hon. Mr Oliver said inquiries would be made concerning the men lately unemployed, now working on the Wcka Pass Hallway, (1) as to the number of single men employed and upon whose authority, (2) as to "the rates paid for day work and for piece work, (3) as to the style of books kept and mode of book-keeping, especially j as to lime-books.

zealandia's jolius. .Mr Wakeiield asked (1) whether they havo nny information as to the. AgentGeneral baring taken up his residence at Faltnoutb, (2) whether they consider he can properly attend to his duties while residing so far from London, (3) whether they intend to insist on his abstaining from taking part in politics while retain* ing his -present office. The Hen. Mr Hall replied with regard to the Ist and 2nd questions that Govern* ment had no information on the subject, but believed he had merely gone to reside at Palmouth for a holiday. They had, and would continue to insist that he took no part in British politics. DOMAINS. i Mr Bowen asked whether the Govern* ment will make some provision for the maintenance of existing domains and public gardens. KANIEBI COUNTY. Replying to Mr Seddon the Hon. Mr Hall said he knew of no reason why the correspondence between the Government,

Mr Mailer, District Surveyor, and the Kanieri Road Board, relative to (he formation of the situv County of Xanieri, should be produced. professor clmch.

Mr Reid asked if the Government will fulfil the promise made by the late Government to send Professor Uirich on

a visit to Bungitoto district in County Weslland in order to report on the silver and mineral discoveries in that locality. Mr Oliver said ;i report on.the subject bad been.already made by-Pr Hector. Professor Ulrica's' time was not at the disposal of the Colony. B.lt. COUET. .

Replying to Mr Ormond the Hon. Mr Holleslon said the Government recognised the importance of providing for a monthly sitting of the li.M. Court at the terminus of tho Napier-ManawatU; railway, but that further enquires on the point would be instituted. KAPIEB-MANAWATU BAILWAT. Mr Osmond asked whether* the system of letting the clearing and formation of the line on the Napier-Mariawatu railway in small contracts to settlers resident adjacent to the railway was intended to be

dispensed with, and workrlet in future in

largo contracts;: also, if the work is to be let in large contracts, whether any provision will be made, to en a bit''settlers resident in the locality to obtain employment on the works. ~

Tho Hon. Mr Oliver replied that the clearing would be let in small contracts. No provision could bo made in large contracts a< desired,-but settlers "on the grouud would haveV good' chance for getting employed on the contracts. - ~"4J OUB BOY BOLDIEBB. : Mr Bowen asked whether they are" yet in a position to supply cadet' corps - throughout the colony with light, rifles, and if not, whether th»y will take steps to do so without unnecessary delay. . The lion. Mr Hal replied that,the. matter had been placed before the .War OiEce by tho Agent-General. BILLS, ETC. Resolutions were reported from the Committee of Supply and adopted. The Special Settlement Bill was withdrawn. The District Courts' Proceedings Validation Dill was read a third lime and passed. Mr Bryec moved the second reading of the Mirihuku Native Reserve Grants Bill. ' .-..-:.

Mr Taiwhi moved that it be read (hat day six months. . ;•■'"..■;:;**• -,; M 1" The motion for second reading was put and carried., : , r !t ".-»-V»

BILLS.BTJAD A SECOND TIME. -' The Oue Whcoro Land Grant Kmpoweriug, Intercolonial Probatn and Administration, Leases and SaUs of .Settled Estates Act Amendment, Imbecile Passengers Act Extension, Sheriffs Actj 1858, Amendment, were all read a second time.

The Kumara Education Beserve Bill was considered in Committee and reported ou. ; - -'■■": <■ ■' .-.•■ ■ ■ '■-• ■-'".

members' expenses. .

The members of the General Assembly, Expenses Bill was considered in Committee. Sir G. Grey moved that the clause providing for the payment of members of the Upper .House be erased, and in explanation stated that he not advocating the non-payment of members of that branch of the Legislature; all that he wanted to arrive at was, that.it being a nominated body, it was not right they should be provided for in the tame' Act as the Elective Chamber.

Mr McLean opposed the motion, and moved that progress be reported. The House divided on Mr McLean's amendment. 1 Ayes 20, noes 32.

The House adjourned at 5.30.