HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4242, 5 August 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON SITTING. Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30. PASTORAL LANDS BILL. The Chairman of the Waste Lands Committee brought up the following report on the disposal of the Pastoral Lands Bill: — Havinsj taken evidence upon the subject and duly considered the Bill, the report is as follows: 1. From the evidence before the Committee, it appears that, with the exception of the pastoral leases in Otago, which fall in February, 1883, the provisions >of the Bill would be practically inoperative. 2. That, with the exception of the provisions which limit the tenure of pastoral lands to ten years, it can be advantageously dealt with under the law at present in force. 3. That the Committee will recommend an amendment to the Government Land Bill, having for its object an extension of tenure in respect of purely pastoral land. Sir Geo. Grey objected,to the report, alleging that it was founded upon an error. , Mr Pyke also objected, and moved an amendment—" That the report be referred to the Committee."

The House divided on the question that the report do lie on the table —Ayes, 43; noes, 35.

Nominated immigration would be resumed, and proposals on the subject wonld be submitted for the consideration of Parliament.

A staff of surveyors being in the pay of Government.it was requisite to keep them fully employed. The surface work was given to authorised surveyors, and in the case of. local survey- they were given to authorised surveyors residing in such districts at schedule prices. If the printer of the labels in the case of Wilkins and others, convicted in the Supreme Court, could be detected he would be punished. The Special Powers and Contracts Bill was introduced and read a first time on the motion of Mr Rolleston. The Prisoners and Justices of the Peace Bills were read a second time. The' Aliens Act Amendment Bill was ( read a third time and passed. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Bills were considered in Committee, and reported with amendment?. The House adjourned at 5.30. WASTE LANDS BOABD BILL. In the House to day tbe Chairman of the Waste Lands Board brought up and read the following reports on the Land Boards Bill.—The Committee are of opinion that the proposed change, by which the Waste Lands Board would become elective bodies, would in several cases involve the reconstruction of districts and other changes in the existing land law, which could not be effected j hastily without creating confusion and causing considerable extra expense. They are of opinion that the question should be further considered by Government in the recess, with tl:e view of ascertaining whether any plan can be devised by which a representative character should be secured to these Boards without diminishing the responsibility to Parliament of the Ministerial head of the Department.

HAZLITI's CASE. In reply to Mr Hutchison's question re the flogging of Hazlifct, convicted of rape at the Thames, Mr Dick said : I believe the age of the prisoner is 65. The sargeon ot the gaol must be fully satisfied that the prisoner is fit to receive the punishment before it c in be given, and unless he is satisfied it will not be given. If, however, he is satisfied, the sentence of the Court must be carried out. This day. The House sat till 3.30 in Committee on the various Consolidation Bills and the Auckland University College Bill. Utimately progress was reported on the latter and on the Lunatics Bill. The others were reported with amendments.