HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3627, 11 August 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Tuesday. The House met at 13 to-day. .., NOTICES OF UOTIOS.

Mr Seddon gave notice that he would ask if Government intended introducing a bill this session to reduce the salary of all ftfture Governors.

Sir Geo. Grey gave notice that he would ask if Government intended making provision in the Supplementary Estimates for Volunter corps who, on the faith of a continuation of capitation allowances, had incurred liabilities for uniforms, Ac.

Mr Macandrew gave notice that be would more the adoption of a new clause j to the. Waste Lands Sales Bill, affirming the principle that an equal number of natives should be associated with Waste Lands Boards dealing with native land questions. Major Atkinson gave notice that he would move that for the remainder of the session the Speaker leave the chair on going into Committee of Supply, without the necessity of first putting the question. BEPIIEB TO QUESTIONS. It was stated that Government had had a communication from the authorities in England that a scholarship, provided by Gilchrist's trustees, of £100 for three years to the candidate who passes best at the London or Edinburgh University matriculation examination held in New Zealand. The examination papers would have to go home, and the examination would be. held immediately. The official notice would appear in the next Gazette, and Government hoped that some one of

the young men in the colony would come to the front in the matter, as it would be a good opportunity for young men desirous of studying law or medicine. An application to have certain order* taken before a select committee produced as evidence iv a case before the Supreme Court was, after discussion, refused. In replying to a question, it was stated there was no truth in the statement which appeared in print that a new office of assistant paymaster at Dunedin, on the railway had been created. A sum of £600 had been paid to the widow and family of the late Judge Young.

The attention of Government had been directed to proposals for obtaining land on deferred payments Jjy men employed on road works at the Waimate Plains, but Government did not intend dealing with the same in any special way. The: land would be opened for selection by any one who chose to apply. The Hon.; J.'Hall gave notice that he would more that the House sit to morrow at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., after which it should adjourn to 7.30 next day to enable members to attend the funeral of Mr Geo. Hunter, ex-M.H.K.

Sir Geo. Grey supported the proposal, and paid compliments to Mr Hunter's memory as a public man.

BILLS DIBCHABGBD

On the motion of the Hon. J. Hall, the following bills were discharged from the order paper:—Town. Districts, Fisheries, Education .Reserves Amendment, Public Entertainments Prohibition, Cemeteries Bill, Marine Insurance Companies, Gaming and Lotteries, Hawkers and Pedlars, and the Peace Preservation Bills.

The' amendment made by the Legislative Council in the Pharmacy Bill were agreed to on a division of 44 to 25.

LOCAL GOVEBNMENT CONFEEKUCE

Debate resumed on the motion for going into Gommitee of. Supply. ; Mr Moss blamed the Government for attempts to suppress the question of local administration by maintaining strict silence on the subject in debate. He cautioned them that, outside the House, improved local administration was urgently demanded, and their conduct in this respect would give great dissattisfactiori.

Mr Swanson contended that the proposals submitted by Mr Moss were wholly unworkable.

The Hon. Mr Dick said they were so impracticable that the Government did consider it right to waste the time of the House in prolonging the debate. Mr Fyke did not think the motion was going in the direction for reviving provincialism, but even a revival of provincialism would be better than what they had. The Counties were too small, and instead of 54, if they were amalgamated and the number reduced to 20,, the work would be belter done.

Mr Sheehan'contended that abolition had proved a mistake, and they required some form of local administration to relieve them from the enormous burdens parish administration abolition had thrust upon the House. Debate interrupted by 5.30 adjournment.