THIS DAY'S SITTING.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4273, 11 September 1882, Page 2

THIS DAY'S SITTING.

The House met at 10 a,m. On the motion to go into Supply, „: Mr Sheehan moved the Housetake into favorable consideration the report of the Committee on the petition of Detective Farrell, which Mr Macandrew supported. Mr Bryce objected to interfering with the discipline,' and the amendment was withdrawn. , In Supply, the debate was resumed on item, " Miscellaneous — Thames Voluriteers." '■ Mr Sheehan supported, and Mr Hursthouse opposed the vote. Mr Bryce said the Corps were entirely mistaken regarding their engagement. They expected only to be engaged a couple of weeks, but he informed them explicitly that they might be required for two months, or till lawfully, discharged. After 31 diiys' they were lawfully discharged. The officers of the corps had acquiesced in the compromise already carried out. * , Mr Sheehan said the telegram was explicit enough that the term of the engagement should be at least two months. ' JMr Rolleston thought they had been liberally "dealt with; ■ ' f :; .t p The motion to omit the item was cats ried by 30 to 26. The vote as reduced was passed.

Crown Lands £150, miscellaneous £9784, including £3695 to meet awards of militia and land claims commission. A division took place on the item compensation and interest to John Kelly for loss of land, £1500 which was proposed to reduce by amount of interest £564. item as prin« ted passed by 31 to 30., The total vote passed. The Mines Aid Prospecting £500, Colonial Treasurer (miscellaneous) £3508, Public Trust Office £220, Native Reserves £301, Government Insurance £8500, printing Brogden papers £400, Havelock wharf £400; all passed. Public buildings £21,000. On the item £20,000, Parliamentary Buildings, Mr Johnston said the £10, COO suggested by Mr Montgomery was found insufficient to provide fire proof library, widen the corridors, erect a new" kitchen arid other absolutely necessary improvements. Mr Barron opposed the vote. No further expenditure should take placeuntil a Royal Commission reported on the question of the removal of the seat of Government. Mr Montgomery thought £10,000 ample to provide a fire proof library, improve the ventilation, and to erect a better whips' room. Better abolish Bellamy's altogether than erect a new kitchen, even if the seat of Government were to be removed next year. £10,000 was not too much to provide for the comfort of members, but not to go beyond that.

Major Atkinson did not think removal of the seat of Government likely, but deprecated discussing it now. Whips' rooms were urgently required, and so was a kitchen for Bellamy's. He thought also a suitable room should be provided for the use of the leader of the Opposition. Mr Fergus, as a practical man, said £10,000 would not do the works required.

Mr Shephard said to reduce would be parsimony, not economy. Mr Macandrew opposed spending more than £'3030. * Mr Wright considered that better provision should be made for strangers, as there were constant interruptions from behind the Speaker's chair. Replying to a question, Mr Johnston said that the services of a professional architect outside the Government would be called in. Sir John Hall thought that a comprehensive plan of improvements should be submitted to Parliament. The amendment that the item be omitted was lost by 26 to 33. Mr Barron moved that the sum be reduced to £3,000. —Lost on the voices. A motion to reduce the item to £10,000 ! was carried on the voices. Mr Barron moved to reduce it to £s,ooo.—Lost by 31 to 25. The item £10,000 passed. The remaining votes on the 'Supplementary Estimates passed as printed. A conference was appointed with the with; the Council on the Land Bill. The House adjourned for lunch at 1.2 Q.