HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3576, 12 June 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Friday. The House met at 2.30. . REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

In replying to questions, it was stated that Mr Woodward, the Public Trustee, had practically ceased being in the Government employ on the Ist of May, but he had a right to subscribe his name as manager of a Trust Company. At the request of Government, he was tempo* rarily carrying on the duties of Public Trustee, but without salary. The San Francisco mail contract terminates in 1883, and could not be terminated sooner unless a breach occurred. .

No officer in the employment of the Government acted or received permission to act as a correspondent for the Press Association, or any newspaper. Sir John Coode s report on the Buller harbour was not expected . for three months.

Major Atkinson stated that new and simpler forms of Property Tax schedules would be issued, and the time for tending them is extended.

The Bail way s Department collected freights for the Union Shipping Company at Dunedin and Canterbury for the convenience of the public, and no commission was paid for the collection. Mr Crombie's Property Tax pamphlet was a private speculation, and Government .was not interested in either its cost or profit.

Leading lights for steamers at Tory Channel would be erected shortly. 130 West Coast natives had been detained in prison waiting their trial for eleven months. One died during incarceration. Their maintenance cost £75 per week.

EVIDENCE AMENDMENT Bill. The Evidence Amendment Bill (Stewart's was introduced, and read a first time.

PHABMACT Bill.

Mr Diok moved the second reading of the Pharmacy Bill, and after some debate in replying to an objection made, said he would not object to an amendment enabling women to be candidates, and the satvrday examinations so arranged as to take place throughout different part? of the colony. The motion was carried. ELECTION PETmONS BILL. Hon. J. Hall moved the second reading of the Election, Petitions Bill. He explained its clauses, stating that it was identical with the billjbefore Parliament last session. Dr Wallis denounced the Bill as unconstitutional, and calculated to impose serious hardships on members. Mr Tole suggested that questions of fact should be left for the determination of juries, and that on questions of law appeals should be reserved from the judge to a Court of Appeal. Mr Turnbull complained that the bill did not define what corrupt practices and bribery were. Debate interruptedly the|s.3o adjournment.