HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4260, 26 August 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. Mr Sutton inquired whether the atten- ! tion of the Government had beea called to the report of the Election Petitions Committee referring to the rery unsatisfactory arrangements in existence for the taxing of legal bills of costs. Mr Dick said arrangements for taxing solicitors' bills of costs were made the subject of a special provision in the [Supreme Courts Bill just passed. They would watch its operations, and if not satisfactory, further provision would be made during the recess. In reply to a question put by Mr Hutchisoo, Mr Bolleston said that prorieion would be made on the Estimates for satisfying the Volunteer land scrip claims. It was understood that that was the object of the Commission rather thau to provide for these claims by land appropriations. The Native Keserves Sill was reported, read a third time, aud passed. The Drainage (mining) Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Goldfields Committee. . ■ lANP Bin. On the motion for going into Committee on the Land Bill, Mr Bath gate and Mr Seddon spoke against a measure of such

magnitude being brought on at this late period of tbe session. Mr Seddon moved that it be not committed.

On Clause 2, Mr Fish moved that the leasing proposal should be limited to land in proclaimed goldfields.—Messrs Seddon and Weston opposed the amendment.— Mr Rolleston said agricultural leaseholding was in force in Otago and Nelson. It enabled holders to acquire the freehold in the easiest possible manner.—Mr Hursthouse contended it was unfair to contest the leasing principle in Committee, as that had been done on the second reading.—Sir John Hall deemed that the principle of the Bill had been affirmed on the second reading. He was opposed to the leasing system ; the leaseholders would become such a power in the State that they in a short time would find means of acquiring the freehold.—Sir G. Grey upheld the leasing system, and deemed that it would introduce no undesirable system into their political life/5 he was of opinion that the system would be the mesns of attracting immigration to the colony.—After some further remarks from Mr Fulton and Mr Bathgate, the amendment was lost on the voices.—Mr Moss proposed that certain words in the clause be struck out so as to eliminate the leasing system altogether.—Mr Macandrew was opposed to the leasehold system altogether.—Mr M. W. Green favored an area for leasing being left to the administration of the day. Sir George Grey moved that the entire area should be brought under the operations of the leasing system. —Mr Swanson argued that in adopting the bill as printed the House would affirm the principle, and haring done so they could come back next session'and get more. This day. After considerable discussion, Sir Geo. Grey's amendment was negatived by 49 to 33.

Mr Moss moved a further amendment to throw out the leasing system altogether, which was lost by 44 to 16. An amendment, proposed from the Waste Lands Committee, to limit the leasing area to one-third the quantity open for sale, was carried by 45 to 18. Mr Stevens moved a proviso to give the power of purchase after seven years' occupation was lost by 39 to 16, and clause 2 passed.

After 1.10, M. W. Green's motion to insert " open for application " instead of " put up to public competition," in clause 3, was lost by 25 to 22. Clauses 21 and 22 were struck out, and the remaining clauses passed without any important amendments beyond thase suggested by the Waste Lands Committee. The bill was reported as amended, and the third reading fixed for Monday. The Resumption of Lands for Mining Purposes Bill and Reserving in Mining Districts Bill were read a third time and passed. The House rose at 4.30.