HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3642, 28 August 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Friday. - INSULAB SEPARATION. The House meet at 2.30 to day. Mr Pyke gave notice that he would more, that in the opinion of the House it is desirable the Northern and Middle Islands of New Zealand should be erected into separate colonies ; that with the view of effecting such separation a Commission should be appointed to consider and report upon the allocation of the colonial debt and the conditions subject to which duties of customs, postal and telegraph charges, shall be allocated to each island. That a message be sent to the Legislative Council asking their concurrence, and inviting that branch of the Legislature to appoint a committee to confer with the committee of the House thereon.

' Mr Fulton cave notice that he would ask the Government what course they intended pursuing in regard to local bodies who bad entered into contracts for public works on the faith of the continuation of subsidies.

Mr Sheehan moved without notice that the evidence in the petition of Clark andi Gittos be priced. The allegations in the petitions reflected upon his character, and had been a good deal commented upon, and as it completely exculpated him, he thought it was only fair .that the result should be made public—Agreed to. protection. • In replying to questions, it was stated that Government would, daring the recess, consider the desirability of increasing the ad valorem duties on articles which can be manufactured in the colony. A sum of money would be placed on the supplementary Estimates to encourage local industries, and, if passed the Government would consider what amount should be devoted as a bonus to the manufacture of cement.

It was'intended to amalgamate post and telegraph offices, and where the combined revenues would warrant the extra rate of 6d charged on telegrams sent from nonpaying offices, it would be rescinded. EDUCATION.

The cost of primary, secondary, and University education, out of rents of reserves and other public funds, in addition to the votes under Class 8 of ordinary estimates and Class 9 of public works estimates had been £447,022. .

Inquiries had been made into the truth of a report alleged against two detectives in forcing an entrance into a young woman's bedroom after notice that any excitement would be dangerous to her life, and it was found the report was not justified. It was intended to give effect to the recommendation of the Industries Commission on the conservation of public forests.

POBLIC WOBKB BILL. The Public Works Bill was read a second tine, and partly passed through Committee. " . T