HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3416, 3 December 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Afternoon Sitting.

Welmwotoit, Last night. The House met at 2.30. THE MEW TAItIFF ATTACMD.

Mr Downie Stewart presented a petition from the Licensed Victuallers of Otago praying that the duty on spirits do not exceed 13 * per gallon, and that spirit! in "' bond be exempted from the operation of the Property Tax. \ , Mr Dick gave notice of motion that tl» House sit on Saturday during the re* mainder of the session for the despatch of private members' business. Mr Hutchiason asked (1) by %hat authority the public are charged Is for each plan examined in the surrey- office! of the Colony, aud (2) if the Government will direct that in future all map* and plans of surveyed lands be open to all authorized or licensed surveyor* free of charge. Mr Holiestou replied that a charge was only made for inspecting original maps of a public character, being authorised by section 169 of the Land Act. niBOKI. Mr George asked if there is still a reward offered for the capture of Hiroki, and if so, .presuming that the Armed Constabulary were to capture him, would they be entitled to the reward ; also if the Government still considers it necefiuy^to keep up the large force of ConstamMtry now stationed on the West Coast of the .North Island.

Mr Bryce replied that no reward hud been offered aud the Government considered it necessary in the meantime to keep up the Canstabulary force on tht VVest Coast, but expected that the necessity would shortly pass away. <"

THE GOVERNOR AND THE SECIETABX OF - STATE.

Replying to Mr Gisborne, M> Hall said the Government would adrise his Excellency the Governor to lay before Parliament during the present session copies of despatches which hare passed between his Excellency and the Secretary of State for the Colonies line* the close of the session of 1878. THE HONOBABIUM.- • On the motion for going into Committee being put, a motion was made for the recommittal of the estimates for the purpose of reconsidering the proposal to reduce the amount to be paid to members as honorarium. Tho motion for rteona* mittal was put and carried. In Com* mittce one item, expenses of members of both Houses, £22,690 3s 2d, was considered, -

Major Atkinson proposed that the tan, as originally printed, be passed. It wu explained that the 10 per cent, deducted on the previous occasion reduced the item to £20,515 3s 2d.

The Howe divided—Ajes 37, Noel 26, Birisiou Liit—itii: AndrfWa.