HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3424, 12 December 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

"' Ero&i&ff Sitting* ■* '-'•' ~\} . - " *■ ■ -. ■ -'. X The House met at 7.30. ,

SIB GKOIOK &BBT» 9CEASUBB. Mr Bunny brought up the Wast* Lands Committee report oh the Bill pro* Tiding for sites for the Working Men's Club.. The report concurred in the objects of the Bill. Mr Bowen asktd the Minister for Education, whether the Government will during the recess consider the question ef establishing a system of retiring, aUow-r ances for the teachers of the pttblie > schools in connection with the Govern-1; ment annuities department. ;»-:r Mr Holleston replied that statistic; were being gathered regarding teaehetf' J and their families so as to institute •>- ---scheme of pensions and annuities. Beplying to Mr Seddon, the Hon. Mr Oliver said that enquiries would be .;, made as to what steps' should be taken to place the Waimea Water Bace Reserves under the operation of the Mines Act, .. 1577 and thereby give the Warden of the district a jurisdiction.over the, same, . ; sad>^ also to remedy the grievauce that'exist* - at the present time relative to goldmining within the limits of the said reserve.

HH CONBTITCJtNTS' ISIUUT. ( , , Beplying to Mr Liindon as to who was to blame for the delay which has taken, place in the construction of the Raws,- ' kawa railway extension, Mr Oliver aaid that fresh borings had been resumed, bat the work would be gone on with., , y THE QUESTION OF PIST»ICT BAILWATK ! s Mr De Latonr asked the Minister for Public Works if in order to enable the House to arrive at a decision upon the proposal made in the. Public.. Works Statement that in certain cases wkere com* -. paoies formed under the provision «f (bs) .> District Railways Act have began work?.: and are unable to bomplete thrir lines, k* :. will cause the following information aotV =\ papers to be laid before the'Honieprior - ' to the second reading of Pabiit Work» < . Bill:—1. What projected railwayspro- :- posed to be treated for, and whit coasto ; psnies represent such railways ? 2.,.Whe>i ■■,; ; were. the original, promoter* •«f - mvii' - railways ? 3. What amounts bava baa* ■ spent by the companies on the? works, - other than surveys, and what are tbi? respective lengths of the projected liacif ' 4. Produce copies of the proapeetasw —; pnbliaked in each; turn!hj> 'lhsV Mngintl'' \:. promoters. 5. Map* sbWini ii uearly p as possible the owners anb^ several areu owned bj such owners ten miles on each : side of tke projected Hit* 6. Wntl

area of Crown lands contiguous to such projected lines would ba rendered available/or agricultural settlement by "the completion of the Hods? 7. AH the correspondence whatever -'between i thcompanies who applied for assistance from j the Government, Mr Oliver replied tbat it vrm proposed to ask Parliament to authorise the; Government to treat with ■ these. Cotnprfnies, each one upon their own merit*, the Government would pledge itsulf that no arrangement in virtue.of the power to be asked would be entered in'e where'l ho ! bargain was of such terms a^ would give Companies a, profit on the. undertaking. The only propds'fll on the part of the Government was that they should get, the power to deal/with each ease oat'its special merits. The information usk«d for would be piven ho far as it was in the possession of the Government. THE COLON Y*S BAMIK. Mr Seddon asked whether the Government have arrangement with any. of the banks for the banking account of the colony, and if answered in the ailirmatire will they for the information of members, lay before the House a statement showing; the, particulars of such arrangement, if answered iv negative will th<ly use such expedition as will enable them to complete arrangements in time to lay th c particulars Jjeipre the House prerioua to iJie prorogation of Parliament.

Major Atkinson replied thai; the matter Lad been dealt with by the banking arrangement committee who reported on the subject;, but (he Government had not jet had time to consider thfo important Question, and were afraid it was not likely to be considered before the House rose, if time io do 'so was found the iiaformation would be be given the House. FIRE BBIGADEB.

Mr Pitt asked if Government wil! in future provide free pnsses on Government railways for Tolunteer fire brimaden when proceeding or returning from a public fire brigade demonstration. Mr Oliver replied the arrangement for allowing volunteers to travel on the rail ways had been made at reduced rates, •nd these were charged to the rote passed for defence purposes. The sarhe arrangements aold not bt m<-idc for fire brigades, aad the committee had reported against the extension of the system to brigades. The Government, however, reebsrnised the usefulness of fire brigades, and would consider the matter with a view of getting some arrangement made to meet their ca«e. -■■■■-■■ -• ■ \ ■ :

Replying to Mr Maeandrew> Mr Oliver ■aid be expected to bring dowsn the Publio Works Bill to-morrow. ALTERATIONS BY THB K9BBS.

The following Bills were considered in. regard to the amendments csade by the Legislative Council, which were adopted : —Te Wheoro Grant; Empowering, and Registration ©f Electors. The Otago Road Boards Ordinance (1871) Amendment Bill was passed" through Committee and reported without amendment. The Counties Act Amendment Act (1877) Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee. The Bill was reported with amendments.

Mr Hall- .moved that the Standing Orders besuspended, in order that fresh business might be gone .on with after 12.30 p.m. Mr Turnbull opposed the motion, and during a short speech in opposition, the members left the House. Ou the motion being put, sufficient members were not present to admit tlib tndtion being put. -1 Mr, Hall *aid in that case members would have themselves to blame if business was not far enough advanced to admit of the House being prorogued. He (Mr Hall) then moved they go into Committee of Supply. Mr DeLautour opposed, stating that it was unfair to bring up the estimates it that time of the night, seeing {hat members bad been at work all last night t0430 this.morning. Mr Turnbull spoke in the same strain, wlitn he waa interrupted by Mr Macandrew, who pointed out that they had arrived within 5 minutes of this time when no other business could be taken up. He suggested that the Government should withdraw the motion for going into Committee of Supply, and allow other business to be gone on with.. Mr Turnbull replied that he disclaimed all intention of attempting to waste time unnecessarily. He talked vehemently and wide of the point; meantime 12.30 p.m. arrived, and" as no farther business could be taken up, the proceedings closed.