Afternoon Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3639, 25 August 1880, Page 2

Afternoon Sitting.

Wellington, Tuesday. The House met at 2.30 to day.

In reply to questions the Government stated that it would be impolitic to explain the steps taken to briiig diroki, the murderer of McLean, to justice. ► Where reserves had been made for the formation of railways and sold, the money would be devoted to the purpose of making such lines, and the Government would b& glad if contractors (ould be got to make such lines, accepting land reserves in payment. The question of introducing a bill next session, providing for the abolition of Waste Lands Boards, and vesting control of waste lands in a responsible Minister, would be considered.

The Agent-Generai had instructions to forward a limited number of single women to the colony, and anyone desirous of nominating female immigrants should instruct them to apply direct to the Agent-General.

A sum would be placed on the supplementary estimates to provide labour for unemployed in Otago, aud their serTiees would bo utilised in works most useful to the colony. On repayment cf advances made to natives the proclamation on Patetere block would be removed. BILLS. The following bills were introduced and read a first time:— A bill to enable Government to grant certain lands and

privileges to any person or company willing to construct a railway between Wellington and Porirua (Brandon); Railway Construction, Hokitika Harbour Loan, and Canterbury Road Ordinance (Atkinson).

PROPERTY ASSESSMENT AND BEEB BILLS

On the motion of going into committee on the Property Assessment Act Amendment, and Beer Duties Bills, Mr Ballanee took exception to the measures, stating tbpt he would support a reduction of the Beer Tax to one-half the amonnt proposed, and spoke in favour of an Income Tax being substituted for the Property Tax.

The House then went into committee <o consider the Beer Duties Bill, and was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.