HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3426, 15 December 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.80. ' Mr Kelly brought up the report of the Public Petitions Committee in the case of Mr H. Jackson, recommending that the petitioner's caie be referred to a .Royal Commission.

Replying to Mr Macandrew, Mr Hall ■aid the Government did not think it would be expedient to lay the correspondence re the loan on the table.

On the question of going into Committee of Supply, Sir George Grey moved that the names of all the share* holders iv the district railways proposed, to bo purchased by the Government be supplied for the information of the Home* Upon, being put, the motion was lost on the Toices.

The House then went into Committee of Supply and the following railway vote* were pasted; — Kawakawa, £10,500 f

WhangareMCamo. £43,000; Kaipara to Waikato, £202,000 ; Waikato to Thames, £115,600; Waikato to Tarannki, £5,000; Wellington lo Napier, £65,000 ; Welling, to Woodrille, with branches toGroytown, £225,000; Wellington to Fasten. £56,000; Foxton to New Plymouth, £158,000; -Carlyle to Waitara, £233,000; Nelson to Greymouth, with Greymeuth Harbour Works, £157,0C0. On the item, the l'ort of Nelson to Boundell construction and land, £55,215, an amendment was moved that the amount be reduced by £51,000. A division was taken—ayes, 28; noe«, 28. The chairman gave his vote with the noes.

Mr Shrimsbi moved a further amendment that the vote be reduced by £40,000. A, division was taken—ayes 23. noes 30. Greynioutli to Hokitika, £56.500; Westland to Ngakawau, £15,400; Picton to Hurunui. £37,500; Hurunui to Waitaki, with branch lines, £361,000; Canterbury interior to main line, £42,600. On tbe rote, Waitaki to Bluff with branch railway, £408,000, the item compensation to be paid Otago Harbor Board, £24,000, Mr Macandrew spoke in strong terms against it. He had no doubt but he would displease, the Board and its members, still he felt he was doing nothing more than his duly to that district and the colony. Mr Dick defended the grant, and said the amount had been fairly arbitrated between the Board and the Government, and this was the sum awarded.

Mr Macandrew said the arbitrators had^oue outside their instructions in the matter.

Mr Hutchison moved that the item be reduced by one-half, which on being put the motion was carried on the voices.

In the vote for roads—Nortb Island, £165,904, there was an item of £65,C00 for roads bridges, and wharres in the north of Auckland.

Mr Sheehan and Sir Geo. Grey complained that the Thames district did not come in for any portion of this item, and was hot included in the North Auckland district; and there was a large auriferous district left without any portion of this rote.

Mr Bryce said the claims of tins district would be fairly considered. . The item £50,000, for roads and bridges and wharves in Pa tea and Taranaki' was passed after a division to strike it out. Nelson South-west Goldfield—Roads and bridges, £12,264; Westland—roads aud bridges, £9000.

Hokitika-Christchurch Eoad Construction, supervision and damige by flood, £12,000.—Mr Fisher moved the sum be reduced to £6000. —The motion was with* drawn —rote passed. Eon-is to open up lands before sale, £101.642—amount required for present financial year, £81,643. Passed. Waterworks on Gold fields.—Water Baces North .Island, £10,386; Middle Island, £29,500. Passed.

Miscellaneous. — Public Works, £239,812. Required for present financial year, £200,312. Mr DeLautour moved that £10,000 be struck off.

At 11.45, Mr Macandrew moved that progress be reported—Ayes, 26; Noe3, 37.

Mr Macandrew then said, although not a Sabbatarian, sitting on Sunday morning was disgraceful, and he would ask all who were of his opinion to leave, and allow the Government to get through the Estimates as best they could. Dr Wallis said that it wa3 doubtful when Sunday began; by some it was asserted it began at sunset, by others at midnight, and again by others at sunrise.

Mr Macandrew and one or two others then left. *

• Mr Hall said that if they would not obstruct business as they had done, there would be no need for encroaching on Sunday. It was perfectly childish to object to go on with, the business because it was a quarter past twelve on Saturday night. They had hoped, in deference to the wishes of members, to get on with the business, and so to close it on Monday. That would now be impossible. Tawhai, Mr Stewart, Mr Moss, and Mr Pyke objected to the House sitting on Sunday. Tawhai protested against the sitting being prolonged to .Sunday morning, eventually it was agreed' to report progress. The House then adjourned at 12.25 a.m., till Monday at 11 a.m.